Early in the month, conditions are still good for skiing and other winter sports. August 11 (National holiday) More like this:Postcards from Japan: 13 photos that will make you want to visit right now. Foreign visitors may crowd the country during cherry blossom season, but summer holidays are when families and friends travel trying to beat the heat. Since there’s so much going on throughout the year – and with so many festivals and different seasonal quirks – you’re going to want to know exactly when to visit Japan. ・Streets and trains are flooded with party-goers during Halloween. This period is most famous for momiji, beautiful red fall leaves that can be seen across most of Japan… If you don’t have the time or resources to plan a getaway in southern islands, there are other beaches that are easier to reach. Other areas will be dry and chilly. They can affect travel, many businesses close, train lines stop working, and power-outages do happen. Arashiyama bamboo forest near Kyoto is another inspiring spring attraction. The best time to visit Japan is during early spring when the short-lived cherry blossoms are blooming but before or after the busy stretch of Golden Week holidays. Kyoto welcomes the Plum Wine Fair in September, and there are craft beer events all over central Japan. After you've decided what you'd like to see and do, use this list to select the best time to go! ■November Western Japan gets the heaviest rains. The eponymous festival features pop-up stalls selling affordable pottery and other handicrafts. Fall foliage peaks in the Japanese Alps during this month. While it is common for most Japanese to stay home, shops, restaurants, ski resorts, and other attractions are usually busy, and some may decide to close. And considering that forests cover nearly 70% of Japan, photo opportunities are pretty much everywhere. By October, Sapporo will already be experiencing average lows of 7° C (45°F) and Sendai 11° C (52°F), so expect to feel cold. For example, the blossoming of nemophila flowers, which turn Hitachi Park in Ibaraki into a sea of blue blossoms. While Christmas is not a celebrated national holiday, many people still take time off working during this period, which books up hotels and makes transportation more difficult. The country is hot and humid this month, but abuzz with events and activities. The weather is sunny, crisp, and clear. Summer is also typhoon season, although these tropical storms usually affect southern Japan worse than other areas. Cons: For late blossoms in Hokkaido, go in early May. Pros: Schools and the government award selected persons for their special cultural achievements on this day. Japan is extremely enjoyable to visit during the spring. The further south you go, the sooner the flowers start to appear. International tourists: Cons: Known as the "bean-throwing festival," while setsubun is not a national holiday, it's celebrated at shrines and temples nationwide. The best time to visit Japan is a subjective opinion, as it depends on what exactly the traveler is looking to get out of their trip, whether they are seeking to visit during the cheapest and less-crowded time of the year, explore specific festivities, or to experience some of the world-famous Japanese winter sports resorts.. Each season in Japan … For fireworks and music festivals like Fuji Rock… Summer is the time for festivities. What time of year is best to visit Japan? If beaches are your thing, then late June and August are perfect! We love Tokyo EDITION – a brand new addition to the stunning global boutique hotel portfolio – and the newMUJI Hotel Ginza, a spin-off of the Japanese lifestyle store. Seto is famous for its ceramics and commemorates the craft each year during the second week of September. This national holiday celebrates the worker - commemorating labor and production and thanking each other for helping out. There are many beautiful spots around the country that are ablaze with fall colors. February 3 Here are some general guidelines to help you decide when to visit Japan: In the weeks leading to summer, monsoon rains sweep through Japan from south to north. Typhoon season for the Pacific Ocean runs between May and October, although Mother Nature doesn't always go by the Gregorian calendar. The pictures you’ve seen of cherry blossom festivals look really crowded. Both international and domestic tourism slow down during winter, so you can travel the country in relative peace. When is the Cheapest Time to Visit Japan? Showa Day (Showa no Hi) Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi) The start of the new school and business year, along with the world-famous cherry blossom festivals, spring endows Japan with a freshness that highlights the country's beauty to its pinnacle. You can expect snows in the Japan Alps (Nagano, Matsumoto), and on the Japan Sea coast, in towns like Niigata in the Tohoku region and Matsue on the northwest coast. Either make a point to arrive early and enjoy the festival or avoid the area altogether until regular daily life resumes. Luckily, the rainy season in Japan is short-lived, and it's typically over by the end of July. In winter, Siberian weather systems bring freezing weather and a ton of snow from the north. Then again, snow means good snowboarding and skiing. Domestic tourists: Japanese cherry blossoms are know all over the world and draw crowds of tourists. This can be a much quieter time to visit, especially after the rush of the New Years holiday. Expect reasonable temperatures, dry weather, and fall foliage in peak beautiful-ness for most of the country. 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It’s not as awful as it sounds though. On any weekend falling into the period, trains and accommodation will also be busy. Originally a Shinto holiday to remember post emperors of Japan, people nowadays tend to celebrate by going outside and enjoying nature. ・Mid-August – The most popular time for Japanese to travel due to the Obon holiday period. Check the Japan Meteorological Agency website for current warnings before you plan to travel. Japan is a beautiful country 365 days a year, and you won't regret your trip no matter when you go. The best month to visit Japan is either November or April. December 25 If a typhoon is predicted to hit your area, ensure that you have accommodation and supplies for that period, and refrain from venturing outside. Culture Day (Bunka no Hi) Having said that, it’s possible to enjoy moderate temperatures if you head to the mountains. The busy season months here can become very crowded. Following are Japan's national holidays and select fun days that are celebrated nationwide ・New Year in Japan, which spans the first week of January, is a holiday for most. Here are the best Black Friday flight deals. The final national holiday in Golden Week, this day was set aside to celebrate children. Seven-Five-Three Day (Shichi-Go-San) Most accommodation will be booked out and trains packed. Larger cities will become a little quieter. We’re about to break it down month-by-month, so hold onto your hats, people! It can be pretty busy with domestic and international tourists seeking out the best spots. It likely won't drop below freezing. In June, Osaka is home to a major rice-planting festival that dates back more than 1,700 years. Winter temperatures drop to an average of 5°C (41°F) across central Japan, and fall below zero in the mountains and the far north. Autumn is a strong contender for the best time to visit Japan. ・Clear skies make a return - a great season to enjoy the beach! If you’re allergic to pollen, spring may be a bad time to come to Japan. Heavy rains can mean landslides and route closures. The cheapest time to visit most of Japan is in the winter between November and March. September is typhoon season, but it’s cooler than the summer months. World Nomads provides good short term coverage, What to Wear in Japan? Hokkaido is a popular destination in August since the weather is prime for outdoor activities. Around 500,000 people attend each year. Temperatures in Tokyo typically average around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, while it can be as cold as 20 degrees up north in Sapporo. Typically, most typhoons cause trouble for Japan between May and October. Atami 1-Day Itinerary: Exploring Japan's Castle & Hot Springs Resort Town Near Tokyo! Families go to shrines and temples to pray for their children's good health and growth. Japan weather in November is cool and dry, but with the cooler temperatures comes the perfect excuse to indulge in seasonal treats made with persimmons, chestnuts, or sweet potato. There are other excellent ski resorts within easy reach of Sapporo. And because fewer people visit Japan during the winter, transport and accommodation prices are slashed. However, if good weather means no rain and clear skies, then that would be January or February (though it is cold). Summer weather in Japan This is a country of extremes in terms of its weather, so these months are the best to avoid the high temperatures and humidity of Japanese summers or … By reading this guide you'll have all the information you need to enjoy Japan's wonders to their fullest extent!