The best time for a first trip to Japan is spring (late March to May) or autumn (October and November): good weather, cherry blossom or red maples, and less heat. But it depends on where you go: Hokkaido shines in summer and winter, and Okinawa in April and October.
- Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka: late March to May and October to early December.
- Okinawa: April, October and November. July to September is sunny, but it’s typhoon season.
- Hokkaido: July and August for lavender; January and February for snow.
- Avoid if you can: Golden Week (29 April to 5 May 2027), mid-August and New Year.
Japan month by month
| Month | Tokyo and Kyoto | Okinawa | Hokkaido |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | Cold, dry and sunny. Few tourists after New Year. | Mild (about 17 °C). First cherry blossom late in the month. | Powder snow: skiing in Niseko. |
| February | Cold, clear skies. Plum blossom. | Okinawa cherry blossom. | Sapporo Snow Festival and drift ice at Abashiri. |
| March | Mild. Cherry blossom from mid-month. | Pleasant, sea still cool. | Still winter. |
| April | Cherry blossom early in the month. Very busy. | Great month: warm but not stifling. | Thaw. Cherry blossom late in the month. |
| May | Great month after Golden Week. | The rains begin. | Spring, late cherry blossom. |
| June | Rainy season (tsuyu). Hydrangeas. | Rain until late in the month. | Good month: no rainy season. |
| July | Rain until mid-month, then humid heat. Mount Fuji opens. | Heat and beaches. Typhoon risk. | Lavender in Furano. |
| August | Over 33 °C and humid. Festivals and fireworks. | Typhoons most likely. | Best month of summer. |
| September | Heat easing off. The odd typhoon. | Typhoons. | Red maples in the mountains. |
| October | Great month: mild and dry. | Great month. | Autumn, first snow at the end. |
| November | Red maples from mid-month. | Pleasant (about 23 °C). | Cold, between seasons. |
| December | Last maples early in the month. Christmas illuminations. | Mild. | Ski season begins. |
Cherry blossom (sakura): when it blooms
Cherry blossom is the most famous time of year, and also the most expensive. It blooms from south to north:
- Okinawa: late January to February.
- Tokyo and Kyoto: late March to early April. In 2026, Tokyo reached full bloom on 28 March and Kyoto on the 30th.
- Hokkaido (Sapporo): late April to early May.
Full bloom lasts only a week. Official forecasts come out early in the year. If you want to go in 2027, book flights and hotels 5 or 6 months ahead and leave a few days’ leeway.
Autumn: red maples (momiji)
Just as beautiful as spring, with fewer crowds. The maples turn from north to south: Hokkaido from late September, Nikko and Hakone in October and November, and Tokyo and Kyoto from mid-November to early December.
Dates to avoid
- Golden Week (29 April to 5 May 2027): half of Japan is travelling. Packed trains and hotels at double the price.
- Obon (around 13 to 16 August): summer holidays. Crowded trains and destinations.
- New Year (29 December to 3 January): many museums, restaurants and shops close.
- Rainy season: early June to mid-July in Tokyo and Kyoto, and May to June in Okinawa. It doesn’t rain all day, but it rains often.
The best time for each region
Centre: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
Spring and autumn. Summer is very hot and humid, and winter is cold but sunny and cheap. See our central Japan routes.
South: Okinawa
April, early May, October and November: beaches without extreme heat and less typhoon risk. You can swim from April to October. See the Okinawa route.
North: Hokkaido
July and August for lavender and hiking, at about 25 °C. January and February for snow, skiing and the Snow Festival. See the Hokkaido route.
When is it cheapest?
January and February (except the ski holidays in Hokkaido) and June, because of the rain. Flights and hotels drop and there are fewer crowds. The priciest times: cherry blossom, Golden Week, August and the red maple season in Kyoto.
Our calculator adjusts the price to the season: enter your departure date and you’ll see the difference.
Enter your departure date and we’ll tell you what the trip costs in that season.
FAQs
What is the best month to visit Japan?
For Tokyo and Kyoto, April (cherry blossom), May after Golden Week, and October and November (red maples). For Okinawa, April and October. For Hokkaido, July and August, or January and February if you want snow.
When do the cherry blossoms bloom in Japan?
In Tokyo and Kyoto, from late March to early April. In Okinawa, between late January and February, and in Sapporo, from late April to early May.
Which dates should I avoid in Japan?
Golden Week (29 April to 5 May 2027), Obon (around 13 to 16 August) and New Year (29 December to 3 January).
When is the cheapest time to visit Japan?
January and February (except the ski areas) and June, because of the rainy season.
Guide prices, checked in November 2026. Always check the final price before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you buy through them, Tabiruta earns a commission at no extra cost to you.
