Best Time to Visit Japan: When to Go for Every Season

Key takeaways

• Spring is the best time of year to visit Japan for cherry blossoms, fall is best for hiking, and winter is best for skiing. Off-seasons, however, definitely have their own benefits. 
• Booking shoulder season travel to Japan, particularly in the fall, gives you lower prices and fewer crowds than peak season, and you’ll still likely have good weather. 
• If you can be flexible with your dates and departure airports, you can often find much better deals to Japan. 
• Signing up for a Going Premium or Elite membership and downloading the Going app will get you real-time alerts when prices drop on flights to Japan. 

Best time to visit Japan: An overview

Japan is a year-round destination, with different benefits to each season. The best time of year to visit Japan for hiking is not the same as the best time to visit Japan for skiing, for example. No matter your budget or what you hope to get out of the trip, we’ll go over the best time to travel to Japan for outdoor experiences, cherry blossoms, sushi, and more. And, of course, we’ll cover the best times to visit Japan to find great deals. 

How seasons shape your experience

Although it’s a fairly small country, Japan is geographically diverse, with beaches, forests, cities, mountains, and volcanoes. 

The springtime cherry blossoms, which bloom across the country but are particularly vibrant in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hokkaido, are the country’s most famous draw. Summer, on the other hand, is good for beaches in Okinawa, and fall is great for hiking in Hokkaido and Nagano. 

Skiing is popular in the winter, especially in Hokkaido. Meanwhile, cities, such as Tokyo, are great to visit year-round, but they see fewer tourists and lower prices in the winter. 

Key considerations when choosing travel dates

When deciding when to visit Japan, you need to think about three things: 

1. The activities you want to do
2. Whether you’re comfortable with crowds
3. How much money you’re willing to spend

If you really want to see the cherry blossoms, for example, you have to visit during the spring. You’ll also have to be okay with more tourists and higher prices. If your goal is to visit during a slow season and weather isn’t a concern, then early June or winter are good times to visit most of the country. 

Japan is generally cold in the winter, moderately warm in the spring, hot and humid in the summer, and mild in the fall (though this can vary by region). Some places, like Tokyo, are best visited when there are fewer crowds. Others, like Hokkaido, are best during fall or winter when hiking and skiing are in full swing. 

Visiting during the winter in most of the country (except the mountains, where skiing is popular), is the best time to save money. Fall, which is shoulder season, is another great time to visit for lower prices. The most expensive time to visit is during cherry blossom season from March to April, as well as from mid-June to August when travelers have off of school or work and take longer trips. 

Planning a Japan getaway? Let the Going app do the hard work—real-time flight deals straight to your phone!

Best time of the year to visit Japan based on weather

Japan’s weather varies from region to region, so the best time to travel to Japan depends on the area you want to visit and the activities you hope to make part of your trip. If you’re visiting Tokyo for museums and dining, there really is no bad time to visit, though winter is best if you want to avoid crowds. 

If you’re going for beaches, summer is the best, while if you want to ski in Hokkaido, you’ll want to visit in the winter. Other seasons are less obvious, like the hot spring resorts of Hakone and Ibusiki, which are busy in the winter and summer but more relaxing during shoulder seasons. 

So when is the best time to go to Japan? Let’s dig in. 

Spring (March–May): cherry blossoms and mild weather

Spring is one of the most popular times to visit Japan thanks to mild weather and the world-famous cherry blossoms. It’s also a good time to visit for hiking because it’s not too hot. 

Daytime temperatures are around 50–60ºF, while nighttime temperatures can drop to the low 40s. Light rainfall is common, but it’s not typically too disruptive. Because of the cherry blossoms and local festivals that accompany them, this is also one of the most expensive times to visit. Expect fewer flight deals and hotel prices upwards of $200 per night. Much of the country is busy during the spring, especially Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hokkaido. 

Summer (June–August): festivals and beaches

Summer is another popular time to visit Japan, partly because of the weather and partly because kids around most of the world are out of school and families can travel. It can be hot and humid, with temperatures reaching above 85ºF with high humidity. The heat plus the rainy season, which runs from June to mid-July, can make hiking trips less enjoyable. Summer is a popular time to visit Japan’s beaches, like those off Okinawa. 

Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s largest festivals, also draws crowds to Kyoto in July. Summer and spring prices are similar. Expect to spend between $150–$200 per night for a midrange hotel.  

Fall (September–November): fall foliage and cool air

Fall is one of the most pleasant times to visit Japan for nice weather. Temperatures are cool and comfortable, hovering in the high 50s and low 60s during the day and low 40s at night. There’s less rain than in the summer, and fall foliage around the country is gorgeous. 

This is the best season for a hiking trip. While some areas get busy with fall foliage seekers, including Kyoto, Nikko, and Hokkaido, other areas are less busy during this time. Hotel prices in those cities will be around $150–$200 per night, but you can find cheaper flight and hotel deals in Tokyo. Kyoto can be especially busy in the fall due to the Jidai Matsuri festival on October 22. 

Winter (December–February): snow, skiing, and hot springs

Winter is the slow season in most of Japan, but it’s busy in Hokkaido and other ski towns. Skiing and snowboarding are very popular, as are the onsen, or hot spring baths. It’s cold in Japan in the winter, from the low 20s to low 40s, and snowy in the mountains. If you’re visiting Kyoto or Tokyo or another non-ski area, this is a great time to find deals. 

Best month to visit Japan for different activities

Japan is a year-round destination, but not all activities are possible in all seasons. These are the best months to visit Japan for hiking, skiing, swimming, sightseeing, and more.

March–April: cherry blossom season

Cherry blossom season is extremely crowded in Japan (and becoming more so every year). The blooms draw international tourists, as well as Japanese tourists from the rest of the country. Tokyo, Yokohama, around Mount Fuji, Nagano, and Kyoto are some of the busiest areas during this period. 

While you can find some hostels and budget accommodation for less than $100 per night, most hotels during cherry blossom season will be above $150. It’s best to book accommodation and tours early. Flights are also expensive during this time, but there are some deals (and you’re more likely to see them if you set up a price alert in the Going app). 

October–November: stunning fall colors

Fall is a beautiful time to visit Japan. The Japanese maples, gingko, elms and chestnuts, among other trees, turn deep shades of red and yellow. You can see fall colors around Japan, but Kyoto, Hokkaido, and Osaka draw tourists, as well as the mountains of Nagano and Toyama. Even with fall color–seeking crowds, Japan is less crowded during fall than in spring and summer, and prices are a bit lower. 

January–February: snow sports in Hokkaido

Japan is a fantastic ski and snowboard destination. Hokkaido and Nagano are some of the most popular areas to visit, so book early if you plan to ski in one of these areas. 

While flights to Hokkaido and hotels might be more expensive during the winter, ski rentals and lift tickets are typically much cheaper than in the US. The average lift ticket is about $30 for the day, and ski rentals are about $25. Hotels can range from around $60 per night for basic but comfortable accommodations to upwards of $250 per night for luxury resorts. The rest of Japan is quiet during the winter, making it a great time to include a visit to Tokyo or Kyoto. 

June: exploring Japan during the rainy season

Japan’s rainy season runs from June through mid-July. While there can be heavy rain storms that will derail any outdoor plans, there are also days with no rain. Summer is busy throughout Japan because people often have time off of school and work, but you can save some money by traveling early in June, before summer travel is in full swing and when other tourists try to avoid the rainy season. 

You’ll want to pack an umbrella, build in a few extra days in case your activities get rained out, and be flexible with switching around your indoor and outdoor activities. Luckily, Japan has tons of museums, temples, aquariums, restaurants, and other indoor activities for couples and families alike. Hokkaido gets much less rain than the rest of the country, so this is also a good time to visit the northern area of Japan.

Best times to visit Japan for specific interests

If you’re hoping to take in a Japanese festival, you’ll want to plan your trip around one of the major celebrations throughout the year. If you’re here for fresh sushi, visit in winter when tuna is at its fattiest. And if you’re here for outdoor adventure, visit during the fall, when hiking trails are dry and not too hot, or winter, when mountains are snowy and ready for skiers. 

Cultural festivals

Japan has several major festivals each year. In January, the Yuki Matsuri festival, also known as the Sapporo snow festival, is held in Hokkaido. It features snow and ice sculptures and draws more than two million visitors each year. 

The Omizutori festival happens in Nara each March, during cherry blossom season. This draws fewer tourists just for the festival, but March is a popular time to visit because of the blossoms. 

Gion Matsuri is one of the biggest festivals, taking place each July in Kyoto. The festival started as a ritual to please the gods who the Japanese thought caused fire and earthquakes. It runs throughout the entire month and draws tourists from around Japan for its elaborate floats and processions. 

In August, the Nebuta Matsuri fire festival in Aomori celebrates a warrior figure and features parades with huge lantern floats and dances. This one doesn’t draw many international tourists, but it does bring large domestic crowds that can hike up hotel prices. 

Finally, Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is a harvest festival that takes place in Osaka in mid-September. It features wooden floats and a massive party. International flight prices likely won’t change because of festivals, but hotel prices can. 

Food enthusiasts

Tokyo is Japan’s most famous food city, thanks to its size and wealth of options. In the capital, you can get everything, but what you’re really here for is the best sushi in the world. Winter, when fish are at their fattiest, is the best time to visit. 

Osaka is another famous food city, known for okonomiyaki (a pancake of yam, cabbage, and other vegetables), kushikatsu (battered, skewered meats), fried octopus, and other dishes. Kyoto is known for its breweries and sake, while Kobe is known for its world-famous beef. 

In Japan, you have to eat ramen, and nowhere is it better than in Yokohama. There are many regional dishes in Japan unique to smaller cities as well, but these areas are some of the most famous. 

Japan’s food prices range greatly. You can get okonomiyaki for around $5 or a high-end omakase meal for $500. Still, most meals will cost less than $50. 

Outdoor adventures

Hiking and skiing are two of the most popular outdoor activities in Japan. The Japanese Alps in Nagano and the northern island of Hokkaido are very popular for both hiking and skiing. Hokkaido also has onsen, or hot springs, which are wonderful to relax in after a long day of activity. A climb to the top of Mount Fuji is another popular hike, as are the pilgrimage routes of the Kumano Kodo in the Kii Peninsula. 

Fall is generally the best time for hiking around Japan, while winter is best for skiing. 

Best time to fly to Japan for budget travelers

Japan can be busy year-round, but there are some months that are less busy. During those times, typically late spring and fall, you can find good flight deals and lower hotel prices. While winter is busy in some parts of the country for snowboarding and skiing, places like Tokyo are less crowded, and you can find good deals. The best time to fly to Japan is November, though you can find deals at other times of year. 

Budget tips

Japan isn’t known as being a budget destination, but that doesn’t mean you can’t save money on your trip. The average cost of a 10-day trip, not including flights, ranges from about $1,200 to $3,500 per person, depending on the types of restaurants you eat at and the types of hotels you stay in. 

Average food costs are around $60 per day (though can be much higher if you eat in fine-dining restaurants), and average hotel prices are around $150 per night (though can rise during peak travel periods). Taxis around major cities cost $5–$20, depending on where you’re going, and public transit is plentiful, easy, and cheap. Traveling outside of spring and summer, when most of Japan is busiest, is a good way to save money.   

How to find cheap flights to Japan

One of the easiest ways to find cheap flights to Japan is to travel during the off seasons. That’s winter in much of the country (with the exception of the mountains). Shoulder seasons, like late fall and late spring, are other good times to visit for lower hotel and flight prices. 

When looking for flights, we like to search during the Goldilocks Window. That’s the period not too far ahead of a flight but not too close either. It’s about 1–3 months before a domestic trip and 2–8 months before an international trip. If you can be flexible with your dates and fly on off days (typically Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays), you can often find better prices. 

Another potential way to find cheap flights to Japan is to book travel to alternate airports. If a flight to Singapore or Bangkok is extremely cheap, for example, you could fly there then look for low-cost regional carriers for your last leg. Similarly, if you want to go to Kyoto but flights are prohibitively expensive, look for flights to another Japanese city. If they’re cheaper, you can always take an internal flight or train to your final destination. 

The same goes for your home airport. If you live in Milwaukee, you can often save money by flying out of Chicago. Even travelers who live in major airline hub cities can sometimes save by flying out of other airports. Chicago travelers likely don’t look outside of the city, but if you see a $250 roundtrip flight from LA to Japan, it might be worth looking into a cheap domestic flight from Chicago to LA. 

One of the easiest ways to save is to simply sign up for Going and let us do the legwork for you. With Going membership plans, you can get real-time price drop alerts from your home airport to Japan. All you have to do is book. 

Worst time to visit Japan and why

There is no truly bad time to visit Japan, as each region has its pros and cons in all seasons. That said, March, April, July, and August are the busiest months, and therefore the most expensive. If you want to save money and avoid crowds, avoid traveling during these months. 

The worst time to visit Japan weather-wise is June in most of the country because it’s the rainy season. Fall is a good time to visit Japan because there are fewer crowds in most cities, the weather is nice, and you’ll get shoulder-season (aka lower) prices. 

Winter is a great time to visit Tokyo or other cities without outdoor activities like skiing, as they’re slow and more affordable. 

Make the most of your Japan adventure

Planning your trip to Japan doesn’t have to be stressful or expensive. You can save big on flights and accommodations by timing your bookings right, staying flexible with your travel dates, and exploring the Goldilocks Window. Whether you’re looking to hit the beach (yes, even in Japan), ski or snowboard, see the cherry blossoms, or hike among the fall foliage, Japan has something for everyone. 

Let Going take the guesswork out of planning—download the app and get a membership today to unlock unbeatable deals and make your Japan getaway unforgettable.