
Perhaps no other country celebrates and scrutinizes the changing of the
seasons like Japan. Spring and autumn are the most popular times to travel and
the best if you are planning on fitting some outdoor activities into your
schedule. If you're coming for skiing or snowboarding, of course winter is when
you will want to be here. And highly recommended it is too!.
Japan has literally hundreds of ski & snowboard resorts
dotted around the country, and only recently is Japan starting to be noticed
more by winter sports enthusiasts from around the world. And so
it should be - there is some world class skiing and snowboarding on offer
and some of the best powder snow you will find. More on that later...
Summer generally isn't a
great time to visit because of the stifling humidity and heat. Unless you
like hot and humid, it is probably best to stay away. Having said
that, northern parts of Honshu and Hokkaido are cooler than the rest of the
country and offer many choices for outdoor recreation and sightseeing.
When traveling in Japan
you must keep in mind of the main national holidays which are the biggest
holiday periods and the peak traveling season.
|
Golden Week: |
late April to
early May |
|
Obon Week: |
mid-August |
New Year's, from around December 27th to January 3rd are
also usually busy - especially on the ski slopes - and accommodation around
that period can be very difficult (and expensive) to find.
You’ve probably heard that Japan is an expensive country to
travel in. If you are travelling on the (Shinkansen) bullet trains, it
is expensive. There are cheaper ways to get around though, even if
they do take longer. If you are coming from overseas and plan to
travel around, get hold of the JR Rail Pass which allows you to travel
around freely.
Japan’s trustworthy rail
system and public transportation network make traveling quick and easy - you
really can set your watch by train times. They are very rarely late
and almost always on time.... to the minute!
Many people who visit Japan arrive in Tokyo and travel on to Kyoto. This
is a good route if it is your first time to the country or if you only have a
week or less to look around. Depending on what you want to see and experience,
each region of Japan has special offerings to attract different kinds of
people. If you’re a nature buff, you may want to head toward the Tohoku
region or Hokkaido. If you enjoy cultural attractions such as temples and
shrines, you may want to explore the Kansai area and Western Honshu. Regardless
of what you hope to see, if you do a bit of research and plan ahead you are
guaranteed a time you will never forget. Here's
a quick look at the seasons and when is the best time to visit Japan.

From December to March (and beyond), much of Japan is covered in snow, especially the
mountainous areas in Honshu and Hokkaido. The Japan Sea side of Honshu can get
particularly cold with vast amounts of snow arriving from China and Russia. Surprisingly
to many people, there are more ski resorts per capita in Japan than any other
country in the world. Many of those resorts are tiny ski hills with one
or two lifts, but there are perhaps a few hundred decent sized resorts and
some truly world-class skiing & snowboarding on offer.
Hot spring resorts are
very popular all year but perhaps most popular in winter. They are a
great way to warm yourself up, and if you decide to go skiing or snowboarding
you'll soon realize that nothing goes better with a day on the mountain than a
post-ski soak in an onsen. Tokyo, southern Japan and Kyushu don't usually see
much snow, but if you're traveling anywhere else, it's a good idea pack some
warm clothing and be prepared.

Cherry blossoms. Other than Mt. Fuji, perhaps nothing is more
representative of Japan then it's famous cherry blossoms. In April and May
the country is awash in whites and pinks as the plum and cherry trees are in
bloom. The prime time to see the flowers is early to late April, but keep in
mind that the further south you are, the earlier they will bloom.
Spring is a great time to be in Japan, but be aware that
during the peak season, certain famous viewing areas can be packed and popular
tourist destinations will be extremely congested. The main time to avoid is
during the Golden Week holiday from late April until early May.

Summer is generally not a good time to visit Japan unless you are planning
to go to Hokkaido, or if you don’t mind hot steamy weather. Summer begins in
June and has a rainy season ("tsuyu") that usually lasts from mid-June to
mid-July. It won't rain everyday, but it does most, so an umbrella is a
necessity unless you don’t mind getting wet. If you are traveling in the city it’s a good idea to keep an eye
on your umbrella, as they are one of the few things that seem to disappear in
Japan if you’re not too careful! Evenings can be cool but when the rain stops
it gets hot and extremely humid, so pack accordingly.
From the end of August to the September is typhoon season and though most
storms run their course before they hit the mainland, you can count on one or
two a year biggies every year. Typhoons can wreak havoc on one’s travel plans
so you may want to keep an eye on the weather before you go. Obon Week is the
second week in August and although there are many festival and events, it is a
very busy time to travel as most people are returning to their hometowns to be
with their families.

Fall in Japan is very pleasant and a great time to visit.
A trip to the countryside and mountains in the autumn is highly recommened.
There are many local festivals that coincide with the
autumn harvest and you will see people
busy working in their rice fields. Days are cool and clear, and the radiant fall
colors can be seen everywhere. This is especially nice for visiting temples and
shrines as the famous Japanese maples are crimson red and often lit up for
visitors to enjoy.
The other great thing about fall is that WINTER COMES
NEXT!