Hey there, 'mate! Have you been making the rounds on Google to find out which of the four Japan seasons is the best time to visit Japan? We know it's hard to make up your mind, as every season is equally as exciting as the next.
You have the cherry blossom season during the spring, the lively summer festivals, the cosy fall foliage, and the snowy white winter. So, let's walk you through all the seasons in Japan before you finalise your bookings!
Enjoy the Sakura during Spring in Japan
Spring season is a popular time to visit Japan because of cherry blossoms. Credits to Klook
When is spring in Japan?
Spring in Japan falls from March to May. During this season, the climate in Japan is defo not as harsh as the freezing winter nights, but it can get chilly early in the morning and in the evenings.
It's the best time to visit Japan because you can get away with wearing a shirt and a light puffer on top and full-length bottoms. The average daily temperature ranges from 12 to 17 degrees Celsius among popular prefectures like Tokyo, Osaka, Nara, and more.
Things to do in spring in Japan
1. Hanami
This is the peak season to visit Japan because everyone's here to see one thing: the cherry blossoms! Because of this, lots of tourists believe this is the best time to go to Japan
The flowers of cherry trees go into full bloom in this beautiful shade of baby pink that's so pretty, you'll be in awe.
One of the main Japanese spring activities in this cherry blossom season is called Hanami, which literally translates to "flower watching."
You meet up with friends and family and picnic under a cherry blossom tree to bond over snacks! There are lots of sakura-themed foods that come out this time of the year, like the sakura mochi. This chewy snack is stuffed with sweet red bean paste and then wrapped in a cherry blossom leaf.
Places to go in spring in Japan
Visiting Japan in Tokyo won't be complete without stopping by here. Credits to Klook
1. Meguro River
If you're staying in Tokyo, we know the spot just for you, away from the bustling main streets of the city. Head to Meguro River to see it lined with over 800 cherry blossom trees! This river is located in an upscale residential area, so you'll stumble upon lots of indie cafes and lifestyle store concepts as you stroll around the Nakameguro area.
P.S. You'll be just a couple of steps away from Japan's biggest Starbucks Reserve, which is four floors high! And if Shibuya's Don Quijote branch is too crowded for your liking, the one along the main road from Nakameguro train station to the Meguro River is much more pleasant and quiet, we promise!
2. Lake Kawaguchiko and Mt. Fuji day trip
Another option is to go on a day trip to Shin Arakura Sengen Shrine where you can admire the views of hundreds of cherry blossom trees and Mt. Fuji! In this tour, you'll also be hitting up Lake Kawaguchiko, one of the five stunning lakes of Mt. Fuji, and Kawaguchiko Northern Bank Park for breathtaking views of Japan's natural beauty.
Kawaguchiko is a town located in Yamanashi prefecture, known for its hot springs. So if you're planning to soak yourself in an onsen, a Japanese hot spring bath, this is the place to do it!
But fret not if you can't make it to Japan in time for spring. Check out these places to see off-season cherry blossoms—the nature views are just as beautiful!
#KlookTips for spring in Japan
Brands like to come out with limited edition spring food and bevvies at this time for the entire month of March, including Starbucks! Have a cuppa sakura-flavoured latte while they're still on the menu.
You can also go on a Don Quijote run to stock up on cherry blossom KitKats that are good souvenirs to bring home!
A Summer to Remember in Japan
Beat the heat by plunging into the waters of Okinawa Islands as the sun shines! Credits to Klook
When is summer in Japan?
Ditch your trackies because Japan's climate is about to get hot and humid! Summer months in Japan are from June to August. During this time, braving the heat is definitely not for the weak, as average temperatures can soar to 31 degrees Celsius during the daytime, especially in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto. So expect the weather in Japan to be sweltering!
Other prefectures, such as Sapporo and Hiroshima, are a tad bit cooler at 24 degrees Celsius. Oddly enough, their rainy season is around the month of June, despite being in the summer. Just be ready for rainfall by packing umbrellas and closed-toe shoes for your trip when you visit Japan!
Things to do in summer in Japan
1. Attend a summer Festival
A popular thing to do is join Japan's many lively summer festivals! The locals believe that during the summer, the spirits of ancestors come back to visit Earth, so these festivals are their way of honouring them. One of the most famous festivals is Gion Matsuri, which happens every July in Kyoto. You can expect the whole downtown to be flooded with parades consisting of floats, street parties, and festival snacks!
The history of this festival goes way back to when Emperor Seiwa planned a celebration for the gods, asking them to protect Kyoto from the plague. If you're staying in Osaka, you can rent a car and drive to Kyoto or get a value rail pass that you can use as you go about Tokyo, Osaka, or Kyoto!
Places to go in summer in Japan
Cool off in pleasant sea temperatures when go for a dive! Credits to Klook
1. Sunuyama Beach
Sunny days were made for hitting the waves at Sunayama Beach in Okinawa Prefecture! It's in the Miyako Islands area, which is best known for diving because of the hundreds of coral species you'll find here, along with sea turtles and whale sharks.
But if you wanna bum around and have a relaxing vacay when you visit Japan, no worries. This white sandy beach has a distinctively unique arching rock formation—it's a great place to just lounge around and enjoy a sunny arvo while getting that golden tan.
Either way, your family will enjoy this change of scenery because you get a taste of tropical paradise that gives you a break from the busy city life!
#KlookTips for summer in Japan
Getting too hot? We've got a summer hack just for you! Hit up any drugstore or Don Quijote and get yourself a cooling shirt mist. Yup, you can count on Japan to make innovative and useful products like these! It's basically a mist that you can spray on your shirt for a temporary, icey, cooling effect.
Another one you'll see on drugstore shelves are cooling wipes that get rid of that sticky, sweaty feeling and leave you with a cool, tingly sensation on your skin. Last year, they recorded an all-time high temperature in Tokyo, so be prepared with these cooling products that will defo come in handy.
An Autumn in Japan to fall for
See the foliage start to change colours early October when visiting Japan this autumn! Credits to Klook
When is autumn in Japan?
Can you hear the crunching of fallen leaves yet? Autumn in Japan is from September to November, and the Japan weather in September starts to get to more comfortable temperatures. Fair warning: the weather in Japan in September may still be slightly warm, but the weather in Japan in October is the perfect 15 to 23-degree temperature for a simple tee and pants outfit without feeling hot and humid. So pack light when you visit Japan!
Though the weather in Japan in November is when you should probably bring a moderate-weight jacket as it gets chilly late at night. So if the cold does bother you, the Japan weather in October is perfect for you. Overall, the climate of Japan in autumn is pleasant, with average temperatures in autumn for prefectures like Tokyo and Osaka ranging from 10 to 21 degrees Celsius and about 11 for places higher up like Karuizawa.
Things to do in autumn in Japan
1. Hiking
If you're in your hiking era, this is the best time to visit Japan! During autumn, the weather is pleasant with cooler temperatures, so you won't be breaking a sweat as much when you get up that mountain. Besides, you get to enjoy a scenic hike as you make your way to the summit, walking through beautiful, warm shades of trees during the autumn.
A nearby mountain that you can hike up to if you're staying in Tokyo is Mt. Takao, a recreational area with a temple. First time hiking? Don't worry. This mountain is so beginner-friendly that even your ankle biters would have no problem tagging along. If it's your lucky day and the skies are clear, you'll see views of Mt. Fuji when you reach the summit!
Places to go in autumn in Japan
Pay a visit to this cultural icon at Nikko. Credits to Klook
1. Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture
To fully appreciate the fall foliage and changing of the Japan seasons, take a day trip to Nikko. This is a famous tourist spot to immerse yourself in Japan's culture with Nikko Toshogu-Yomeimon Gate, a world heritage and national treasure that greets you with intricate details carved on the structure and painted in vibrant colours.
One of the stops in this tour is Lake Chūzenji, where you'll be passing by a scenic winding road to get here. The shades of orange, red, yellow, and brown of the trees surrounding the serene lake will have you appreciating Japan's natural beauty!
#KlookTips for autumn in Japan
If you weren't able to visit Japan to see the cherry blossoms in spring, now's your second chance! Obara in Toyota City, Aichi prefecture, is the place to go if you want to see the best of both fiery red leaves and pink cherry blossoms. Here, you'll see Shikizakura trees. It's a special type of cherry tree that blooms twice a year, once in spring and another during autumn, mid to late November.
A Winter Wonderland in Japan
Zip down a snowy mountain in Sapporo for a fun winter activity with the family! Credits to Klook
When is winter in Japan?
Winter lasts from December to February, with the weather in Japan in December being dry with cold winds. Average temperatures in lower land areas like Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, and Tokyo range from -15 to 5 degrees Celsius.
Make sure to bundle up in this chilly Tokyo weather with a couple of layered warm clothes like innerwear, a shirt, a sweater, and a coat or a heavy-duty puffer. When you visit Japan, we also suggest heading to any drugstore to buy heat packs you can sandwich between your layers to keep you nice and toasty!
Things to do in winter in Japan
1. Whale Watch
Whale watching is only exclusive to the wintertime because the humpback whales swim to the warmer waters of Okinawa. The whales go here to breed and give birth because the freezing water temperatures are too cold for newborn calves. Get your phones ready to capture the moment you see a whale spray up from their blowholes or breach from the water!
With this tour, you'll get to enjoy the pristine white sandy beach and blue waters of Nagaru Island. Despite being an uninhabited island, there are free beach lounge chairs to lay on, and you can play volleyball and do other marine activities like snorkelling, too! Make sure to bring your SPF as the sun can still be pretty harsh even during the winter season.
2. Ski
One of the more adventurous outdoor activities you can do is go skiing in Hokkaido! It's beginner-friendly, and you get to learn from private instructors at the Niseko ski resort of your choice. Hokkaido's snow is well known as "Japow", which is short for Japan powder because of how fine and powdery the snow is in this area. It's basically home to the best snow!
You can choose from three, six, and up to a full-day VIP coaching session with unlimited time if you're feeling dedicated. This tour will be a fun bonding moment that you and your family will fondly look back on and be glad you experienced something new together.
Places to go in winter in Japan
Expect weather conditions to be freezing up in the mountains! Credits to Klook
1. Sapporo, Hokkaido
If you're a winter enthusiast, we recommend going to Sapporo, Hokkaido. There's lots to do here, like snowshoeing, skiing, and snowboarding, tickling your tastebuds at Nijo Market, and the Sapporo Snow Festival! It happens the first week of February and takes place in three locations.
The first one is Odori Park with the huge snow sculptures, the second is Susukino for ice sculptures and a contest, and the third would be Tsudome, which is good for families with young ones as you can go down on fun slides and go on other attractions they'd love. It's safe to say the Japan weather in December is gonna be freezing.
#KlookTip for winter in Japan
This is the best time to visit Japan and go to Tokyo Disneyland because it's off-peak season! If you're willing to trade in braving for the cold Japan weather in January, go at this time for fewer crowds.
The different Japan seasons bring an entirely new experience each time! It's a country you'd wanna keep coming back to just because of the many things you can do here.
Not to mention, the food is the bomb! They have fresh sushi, comfortingly rich ramen broths, A5 wagyu, and sakura treats for us. So, no matter the month of the year or which climate in Japan you witness, you're sure to enjoy the food, seasonal activities, and the landscape's natural beauty.
Written by: Mara Go
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