When is the best time to travel to Japan? Here’s what to do in every season
A local’s perspective on festivals, weather, costs, and experiences across Japan’s four distinct travel seasons.
By: Alicia Erickson
Picnicking beneath pale pink sakura trees in spring. Sliding down colossal ice sculptures during Sapporo’s winter snow festival. Ducking into steaming ramen shops on rainy days and sampling street foods at local festivals in the summer. There simply isn’t a bad time to visit Japan. Every month offers something distinct, making it an ideal destination for travelers seeking year-round adventure—from snowboarding and scuba diving to street food crawls and mountain hikes, in cities both hyper-modern and deeply traditional.
Growing up in Yokohama, Japan, my childhood unfolded through seasonal festivals, neighborhood parks, and everyday cultural immersion. From early-morning visits to Tokyo’s fish markets to quiet escapes in Hakone’s onsen villages, each season brought something entirely new as my family explored different corners of the country across several islands.
Why Now?
Japan has long captivated curious travelers, and there has rarely been a better time to visit. A weakened yen has made the country—once considered prohibitively expensive—far more accessible, while a growing focus on regional tourism has opened doors to lesser-visited destinations beyond Tokyo and Kyoto.
With world-class infrastructure, exceptional safety, and endless variety across its seasons, Japan offers something rare: a place where culinary, cultural, and outdoor adventures coexist seamlessly—month after month.
Pick your season and explore what Japan has to offer!
Cherry Blossoms, Sakura-flavored treats and lush rice fields
Adventure ideas:
- Attend Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival in Aomori Prefecture
- Experience Sakura bloom in Tokyo's many parks, including Inokashira Park
- Taste sakura-flavored treats, such as ice cream and mochi
- See wisteria blooms at Ashikaga Flower Park and Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden
- Visit lush, terraced rice fields in traditional villages, like Shiroyone Senmaida and Hoshitoge
- Paddle beneath sakura along the Meguro River or Chidorigafuchi Moat in Tokyo
- Visit the giant Buddha and explore the relaxed seaside town of Kamakura
Where to go in Japan in spring:
- Tokyo
- Kyoto
- Nara Park
- Kamakura
- Mount Yoshino
- Hirosaki
Festivals, street foods, beautiful beaches and vibrant cities
Adventure ideas:
- Sample summer street foods, including cold soba noodles and kakigori (shaved ice)
- Beat the heat in higher elevations by hiking in Niseko in southwestern Hokkaido
- Dive into the vibrant underwater worlds of Okinawa, an archipelago of 160 islands, accessible by scuba and snorkeling
- Put on a costume and experience the fantastical floats at Aomori Nebuta Festival in August
- Experience traditional dance and drumming during Atsuta Festival in June at Atsuta-jingu, a nearly 2,000-year-old shrine
- Climb Mt. Fuji, an adventure only accessible July through early September
- Relax on paradise beaches on Miyako Island
- Cycle and wander through the vivid lavender and flower fields of Furano
Where to go in Japan in summer:
- Okinawa Island
- Hokkaido
- Osaka
- Miyako Islands
- Nikko
- Tohoku
Autumnal hues and cultural celebrations aplenty
Adventure ideas:
- Experience the brilliance of fall colors on Mount Mitsuishi in northeastern Honshu
- Visit shrines and temples set against fall foliage, including Eigenji Temple in the mountain village of Okueigenji and fall colors at Kyoto's famous temples including Tofuku-ji, Eikando (Zenrin-ji), and Kiyomizu-dera
- Trek along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route for fall colors
- Attend the Takoyama Autumn Festival in October, known for floats and glowing lanterns
- Hike the historic pilgrimage trails of Kumano Kodo
- Dip in onsens with views of fall foliage in Hakone
- Taste autumn specialties, including roasted chestnuts and sweet potatoes
Where to go in Japan in fall:
- Japanese Alps
- Kanazawa
- Nikko
- Nara
- Hiroshima
- Kyoto
Snow-dusted mountains and temples, snow sports and warming cuisine
Adventure ideas:
- Sample ramen, oden, and other hot dishes at cozy yatai (street stalls) in Fukuoka and beyond
- Marvel at snow sculptures and castles at Sapporo Snow Festival
- Visit Asahikawa Winter Festival, Hokkaido's second largest snow festival
- Go skiing and snowboarding in Niseko and Furano, famous for powdery snow
- Snowshoeing, hiking, and snowy adventures in Japan's many national parks
- Stay warm in onsens, including Ginzan Onsen, Kusatsu Onsen, and Nagano (famous for snow monkeys and skiing)
- Experience a winter wonderland at Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival in January and February
Where to go in Japan in winter:
- Hokkaido (Niseko, Sapporo)
- Tohoku
- Fukuoka
- Kanazawa
- Tokyo
- Nagano