Best Time to Visit Japan

Jan

January in Japan is cold, with highs around 37°F and lows around 21°F, and relatively dry with 33mm of rain, offering a crisp, quiet start to the year, though many businesses may be closed for New Year festivities in the first week.

• New Year's Day (Ganjitsu)
• Coming of Age Day (Seijin no Hi)
• Sapporo Snow Festival preparations begin

Feb

February is still quite cold, with highs of 40°F and lows of 21°F, and sees slightly more rain at 75mm, making it ideal for winter sports and snow festivals, especially in the north.

• Sapporo Snow Festival
• Setsubun (Bean-Throwing Festival)
• Valentine's Day

Mar

March brings a noticeable thaw, with highs of 48°F and lows of 29°F, but also an increase in rainfall to 115mm as the cherry blossom season cautiously begins in the south, drawing early crowds.

• Hinamatsuri (Doll's Festival)
• Cherry Blossom season begins (late March, in warmer regions)
• White Day

Apr

April is a beautiful but often crowded month, with pleasant highs of 59°F and lows of 40°F, but substantial rainfall at 133mm coincides with the vibrant peak of cherry blossom season across much of the country.

• Cherry Blossom Season (peak viewing nationwide)
• Showa Day (Showa no Hi)
• Golden Week preparations

May

May is warm and often crowded due to Golden Week early in the month, with highs of 65°F and lows of 48°F, but also sees a significant increase in rain at 179mm, signaling the approach of the rainy season.

• Golden Week holidays
• Children's Day (Kodomo no Hi)
• Aoi Matsuri (Kyoto)

Jun

June marks the official start of the rainy season (tsuyu), bringing highs of 72°F and lows of 57°F, along with a significant 220mm of rain, making it a less ideal time for outdoor activities, but a quieter time for indoor exploration.

• Tsuyu (rainy season) begins
• Hydrangea viewing
• Early summer festivals in some regions

Jul

July is hot and humid, with highs of 80°F and lows of 65°F, and still quite wet with 190mm of rain, but signals the end of the rainy season and the beginning of vibrant summer festivals.

• Tanabata (Star Festival)
• Gion Matsuri (Kyoto)
• Marine Day (Umi no Hi)

Aug

August is the hottest month, with sweltering highs of 81°F and lows of 66°F, with 180mm of rain, and is bustling with summer holidays, festivals, and fireworks, despite the heat and humidity.

• Obon Festival
• Summer music festivals
• Fireworks displays (Hanabi Taikai)

Sep

September brings a slight reprieve from the intense summer heat, with highs of 74°F and lows of 60°F, but it's still quite rainy at 192mm, often accompanied by typhoons in the early part of the month.

• Respect for the Aged Day (Keiro no Hi)
• Autumn Equinox Day (Shubun no Hi)
• Tsukimi (Moon Viewing)

Oct

October offers pleasant autumn weather, with highs of 62°F and lows of 47°F, and moderate rainfall of 128mm, making it an excellent time to visit for burgeoning autumn foliage in the northern regions and comfortable sightseeing.

• Autumn foliage begins (north)
• Jidai Matsuri (Kyoto)
• Halloween events

Nov

November is one of the best months to visit, with crisp highs of 53°F and lows of 36°F, and diminishing rainfall at 77mm, offering stunning autumn foliage across the country and comfortable travel conditions.

• Autumn foliage (peak nationwide)
• Shichi-Go-San Festival
• Labor Thanksgiving Day (Kinro Kansha no Hi)

Dec

December is cold and festive, with highs of 42°F and lows of 25°F, and 47mm of rain, ushering in the winter sports season and dazzling Christmas illuminations, though many businesses will close for the New Year at month's end.

• New Year's Eve (Omisoka)
• Christmas illuminations
• Winter sports season begins