Generally speaking, there is no time where you shouldn’t visit Japan, but there are certain times and seasons which may be less ideal.
Each season and time of year has its own unique advantages and disadvantages depending on your preferences and travel plans. And while nothing on this list should hinder you from coming to and exploring Japan, we believe that these are some key considerations to decide on before committing on flights and accommodation bookings.
Golden Week
Golden Week is an exceptionally busy time in Japan, where there are four public holidays than line up in the span of a week. This results in uncharacteristically busy attractions and streets, where finding flights, accommodation, and pre-booked activities is a challenge. Golden week occurs in the last few days of April, and the first few days in May, and depending on when the weekends are, can create periods where it is near impossible to find bookings at affordable rates.
The national holidays that occur in this time are;
- Showa Day (April 29)
- Constitution Day (May 3)
- Greenery Day (May 4)
- Children’s Day (May 5)
If you can't handle the heat, stay out of Japan in the summer
Undoubtely, Summer in Japan is incredible. From an abundance of festivals, to stunning Fireworks shows, Summer really is a special time in Japan. But if you don’t like the heat, then maybe visiting Japan in the summer isn’t the best idea. The Japanese Summer runs from June, to mid September, and during this time, the humidity and the temperature soar. In the major cities, summer can be unbearably hot during the day, with warm, sweaty nights. Temperatures can easily get over 30°C (86°F) in some of the major tourist cities, plus humidity.
There is nothing more unbearable than standing in a long line at one of the major tourist destinations in Japan, in 30°C Summer heat – Thankfully, there are plenty of Vending Machines in Japan which sell ice cold drinks, and even ones which sell Ice Cream to keep you cool on those warm days.
If you can’t handle the heat, then avoid travelling to Japan during their Summer.
Typhoon Season
On top of being in the heat of the summer, August and September are the busiest months for Typhoon activity, brining strong winds, swells, and a lot of rain to Japan.
Typhoons can severely disrupt travel in, out, and around the country for days to a week, depending on where you are in the country. In severe weather cases, some attractions might close in the best interest of safety for guests, staff, and facilities.
If you are only in Japan for a short time, then a typhoon could really impact your ability to get out and explore Japan. If you are in Japan for several weeks during this period, a typhoon might not impact all of your plans. Regardless, if you are in Japan during Typhoon season, then make sure that you are actively watching the weather forecasts and typhoon activity to ensure that you can prepare your travel plans accordingly.
If you are on a budget, then avoid Cherry Blossom Season
Cherry Blossom Season, usually Mid/Late March to Early April is highly regarded around the world as being one of the best times to visit Japan, and millions flock every year to see the famous cherry blossoms.
Sadly, this enormous demand in flights and hotels sends prices of these essentials through the roof. It’s basic economics, where’s there’s an increased demand, but the supply remains the same, then the prices of flights and hotels will increase. You also have Golden week near Cherry Blossom season as well, which further drives up demand. If you are budget-wise, then sadly, cherry blossom season might be a time of the year to avoid. If you are wanting to come to Japan at this time of year for a reasonable price, make sure you book at least six months in advance for your best chance for the best rate.
Fear not though, depending on who you ask, Autumn is a much more beautiful season to explore Japan, and usually prices are more reasonable. Winter is also a wonderful time of the year to travel, especially if you are on a budget as hotels and flights are cheapest following the Christmas break busy period.
Plan ahead
There are somethings that can make your trip to Japan less enjoyable, such as the heat, the weather, or long lines. But In general, as long as you plan ahead, and think about what you want to do during your trip to Japan, you can really make the best out of any season, or any time of the year.
English