I’ve been trying to decide what is the best season for a visit and everything I read is pretty inconclusive. We typically Don’t travel in the summers. Thoughts?
Posted by
Freedonia
16408 posts
Summer temperatures are brutal in much of Japan. Two of the more popular times for travel--meaning high prices and overcrowding of tourist spots--are during Cherry Blossom season and Golden Week.
Japan has experienced a record number of tourists this year so almost anytime will be busy.
But it's a great place to visit. I'm hoping to get back next March--before Cherry Blossoms.
Posted by
Chicago
1173 posts
Another "avoid if possible" time is New Year's - say about December 29 through January 3 - 4. Many Japanese travel during this period. Some businesses will also close for a few days. I'm not looking at a 2025 calendar - weekend attached to those dates will further impact travel by those extending the holiday.
I did the "shortly before Cherry blossom" time period for the regions I visited in spring 2023. I found crowd level was fine, but there was little foliage making the gardens barren and and forested areas dull without leaves. I preferred my second 2023 visit, late October - early November 2023 visit, for enjoying gardens and forest hiking.
There are notable regional differences in the various areas of Japan including different dates for cherry blossoms and autumn foliage - both of which greatly impact crowd levels of both foreign and local visitors. Here's some generalities:
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2273.html
Posted by
Bay Area, California
1638 posts
Fall is breathtaking in Japan. No rain (or little rain). There are foliage watching crowds, but foliage season is longer than cherry blossom season. I was there for a few days in 2023 and it was very nice. Note, however, that Kyoto in the last 10 days of Nov is a foliage hot spot and hotels get booked up fast.
The four seasons are very distinct in Japan and you will love it!