BEST Time to Travel Japan? 🇯🇵 EVERY Month & Season EXPLAINED!

BEST Time to Travel Japan? 🇯🇵 EVERY Month & Season EXPLAINED!

there’s something for everyone in Japan from vibrant sakura that cover the country before vanishing as quickly as they appear lively summer festivals that fill the streets with energy to cool and calming autumn days in the mountains that lead into the breathtaking snow-covered landscape and winter adventures whether you’re planning a trip or just dreaming of one we’ll walk you through what to do see and savor month by month season by season not only the usual destinations but the small undiscovered towns and cultural events that are windows into what makes this country so special and offer you a taste of the real Japan so sit back grab a notebook and together let’s begin our journey through Japan starting with spring without question the most popular time to visit the land of the rising sun the spring season begins in March and ends in May and it is at the top of almost every traveler’s list for when to visit this season will leave you with the most picturesque views of Japan but it does come at a cost not only is this the busiest season but also the most expensive you can expect to pay almost twice in both airlines and hotel costs during this time particularly in the 2 to 4 week period that the cherry blossoms are in bloom you will also be competing with not only other tourists but also locals at the major tourist destinations in Kyoto and Tokyo personally I’m not a fan of standing in cues or moving through large crowds so during this time I try to avoid major destinations but not to worry as there’s always a quiet spot for those that are willing to seek out and explore new areas the first step in any spring travel to Japan is to book ahead and also to check the Sakrative forecast cherry blossoms bloom from the south of Japan to the north in a wave which is called the cherry blossom front every year it’s slightly different but the typical front is starting from around the last week in March in Kyushu southern Japan and ending in the first week of May in Hokkaido sakura only last one to two weeks after they open so it is important to time your trip correctly if you want to see them during their peak blooms during your trip fortunately however this is actually quite easy to plan for as every year in either late January or February the Japan Metrological Agency releases their forecast map with detailed information for every location across Japan and continue to update it until the blossoms begin to open which means that planning for your spring trip is best done as soon as the forecast is released early March travel will be cheaper than later in the month so planning a trip that starts early in the month and ends just as the Sakura begin to open can be a slightly cheaper way to experience Japan while still experiencing part of the hanami season the days will begin to get warmer but the nights will still be cold and in the northern or mountainous areas of the country you can still enjoy snowy days and winter sports in the first week of March across all of Japan you can see displays for Hina Matsuri Japan’s doll festival matsuri events are one of my favorite parts of living in Japan and they can be an absolute highlight to any trip and as luck would have it March is when my favorite Matsuri takes place just 35 minutes away from Kyoto Station by Rapid Train is the town of Omihachiman in Shika Prefecture where Saki Cho Matsuri takes place every year this is an incredible high energy event that will leave you speechless as locals will parade around town carrying floats on their backs drinking and dancing before they smash them together destroying the beautiful works of art before setting everything on fire after months of preparation the chanting and atmosphere is infectious and you’ll be blown away by the detail as everything on these ephemeral works of art is made from food saki Cho Matsudi takes place over two days with Saturday being the main display and float battles and Sunday being the final battle and burning in the evening omihiman is a seriously underrated side trip from Kyoto where you won’t have to battle other tourists during the spring months omihiman’s moat and ancient merchant streets offers a serene escape to Japan’s historic past a location which was even said to be loved by Oda Nobunaga although I might be said to be biased as this is where I first lived in Japan and I was even able to help carry one of the floats during Sagicho for the 10th district although unfortunately for the year I attended the only prize our team won was heaviest float the last week of March and beginning of April is when the Sakura begin to bloom and this is when the spring travel rush really starts to kick off there are many beautiful places across Japan and in fact no matter where you go every town will have its own Sakura viewing spots so there really is no shortage of places to visit but in my mind three locations really stick out as being particularly beautiful if not very busy the first is of course Kyoto’s Tetsugaku Nomichi the Philosophers Path considered to be one of the most beautiful Sakura spring walks in all of the country with its canals lined by hundreds of cherry trees starting from Kiyag station in the eastern part of Kyoto you can first view the trees along the Kiyag incline which was once used to transport goods from Ashika’s Lake Biwa passing Nanzenji and Aando Temple the 2 km philosopher’s path which leads towards the Gin Kakuji known as the silver pavilion my personal tip from here is to walk about 13 minutes towards Okazaki Ginger Kyoto’s rabbit shrine which in my mind is a direct competitor to Tokyo’s Gooto Kuji the cat temple in the battle for absolute adorableness is that a word probably not moving on speaking of Tokyo I actually have two favorite spots for hanami in Tokyo the first place is Yasukuni Ginger which is right next to the Imperial Gardens in central Tokyo yasukuni is somewhat controversial but its beauty is unquestionable and watching the petals fall over its temple grounds is truly remarkable but for my top Tokyo spot it has to be the canals of Naka Megodor over 800 Sakura trees line the banks of the Megodor River which is both a blessing and a curse as this Hanami location is absolutely packed of people at all times so much so that you will likely be herded in one direction right after leaving the station but as much as I dislike crowds even I thought it was worth the struggle as I ended up staying into the early evening hours just to watch the pedals fall and float down through the canals but if you thought that 800 Sakura a lot then you’ll be blown away by what is considered Japan’s best Sakura location Mount Yoshino featuring over 30,000 Sakura trees planted at different levels of the mountain which staggers the blooming and extends the season yoshino will be busy in spring but the mountain is large enough that quiet spots under trees can still be found making for a much more relaxing experience than the cities of either Kyoto or Tokyo and better yet Yoshino can be accessed just an hour away from Osaka via the sightseeing train Blue Symphony a luxurious retrostyle train with viewing windows and dining car that feel like stepping into the more refined travel of ages past incredibly riding the Blue Symphony costs just 1,170 yen but be warned that it is small with limited seats so booking ahead is a necessity april also features some uh well how do I put this truly unique Matsuri events such as Kanamara Matsuri in Kawasaki about 40 minutes away from Tokyo unfortunately YouTube won’t let me show these anymore oh my so you’ll just have to use your imagination traveling in May begins to become a bit cheaper in Japan as the Sakura season ends although you will still be able to see them in certain parts of the country like in Hokkaido one of the best parts of traveling in Japan is just how interconnected the country is by using the bullet trains with Shinkansen’s taking you to completely different regions in a matter of hours however be warned that late April and early May is best avoided due to Golden Week golden Week is a collection of four national holidays that fall within a oneweek period depending on how they fall with the weekends this can be a full week off for the Japanese locals many of which will also be taking their annual leave at this time as well what this means is that many people will be taking the trains to see their families or enjoy a well-earned vacation and the bullet trains will be running at high capacity and in some cases be completely booked out i have been in situations where I had to stand on the shinkansen the whole trip between Osaka and Tokyo for 2 hours due to no seats being available with that said for those that choose to risk the rush hour during this time they will be rewarded with another iconic view of Japan may 5th is children’s day in Japan where Japanese families and towns will display koi nobody carp streamers across the country these are a joy to see flying in the ever warmer spring breeze the tradition is to fly one koi for each child in that household but at certain locations towns will display hundreds of the streamers and this is my favorite time to rent a car to avoid the crowded trains and explore those little beautiful towns that you can find all across Japan mid to late May is a great time to visit Japan for those that enjoy mild temperatures and smaller crowds this would be ideal for visiting a Rioan or onen in the mountains with the still cool evening air contrasting a nice hot spring bath towards the end of May and until October typhoons can occur across the country which can disrupt travel plans some years or be a non-issue in others it’s worth checking on particularly if you plan to travel to the southern parts of Japan as spring gives way to summer between May and June Japan’s climate starts to rapidly change temperature and humidity really begin to rise and it is in the first weeks of June that the majority of the country experiences the suyu or rainy season during this time the chance of rain is approximately 40% during the peak and sunny weather reduces to 27% it won’t necessarily rain every day but there will be light rain on most days and this will last for a couple of weeks but most often until the end of the month june’s poor and unpredictable weathers can make it an unpopular time to visit Japan and tourist numbers decrease during this time but for those who don’t mind the rain or even enjoy it beauty can always be found for those that look for it temples and gardens can be particularly atmospheric at this time and enjoying a hot spring in the rain with less people around listening to the drops is a fantastic way to spend this month every season in Japan has its own distinct and unique feeling and this is the time in Japan for hydrangeia or ajisai flower viewing which can offer a tranquil alternative to spring’s sacred season and June also holds one of my favorite times in Japan hotu or firefly festivals walking through the warm early summer evening air following lanterns through the fields watching fireflies dance in the night sky make for an unforgettable and magical experience in Japan some of my favorite places to see fireflies at this time are Shiga’s Moryama which is a quick side trip from Kyoto all throughout Gefus’s Prefecture and Osaka’s Mino Park japan isn’t usually thought of as a destination for ecoourism but the country truly has some amazing biodiversity in fact while visiting Mino you can even catch a glimpse of another of Japan’s creatures giant salamanders which can be spotted in the canals at times along the path to the waterfall these salamanders have been known to grow over 5 ft or 1.5 m and have the most adorable carefree faces after the rainy season ends summer really begins to heat up temperatures skyrocket between July and August and commonly exceed over 100 Fahrenheit or 38° C in fact last year’s record high was recorded at almost 106 Fahrenheit or 41 C combined with the unforgiving 100% humidity midsummer days can feel like walking through hot soup many people do underestimate just how oppressive the wet heat can be and heat stroke is very common even among locals i usually do not recommend that visitors travel to Japan during this time unless they are from a similar climate or have traveled in a tropical environment before the heat can absolutely ruin a trip to Japan where tourists regularly put away 15 to 20,000 steps per day just visiting some of the attractions however provided you dress for the weather stay hydrated and can escape to a nice airond conditioned shop if you start to feel dizzy then there are some amazing events that take place during this season festivals take place throughout the year in Japan but summer is when the largest matsuri events take place during the day and fireworks fill the night sky two of Japan’s three largest festivals Gillion Matsuri and Kyoto and Tenjin Matsuri in Osaga take place in July and you can marvel as streets are closed for massive floats dance processions and small festival shops open called yatai which offer festival favorite street food like karag and takoyaki this is a great time to rent a yukata and enjoy the outdoors as locals celebrate across the country there is honestly too many festivals to mention at this time so no matter where you go there will be something to experience but for those who want to escape the city crowds and the heat of July it is also the start of the official hiking season for Mount Fuji with its main trails opening in the first weeks as snow is mostly melted at this time and they will remain open until early September with the higher altitudes offering a cooler experience japan is often thought of for its pop culture and neon lights of Tokyo but with almost 13,000 mountains it is also a paradise for hikers particularly in summer and autumn as August begins in Japan there is another national holiday that you should be aware of and that’s Oon a festival that commemorates one’s ancestors and for the Japanese it’s a time for reunions which means that similar to Golden Week in May people will take this opportunity to return home aon officially lasts 3 days but the busy travel season usually starts around August 9th and lasts for a little over a week trains will be very crowded during this time and many stores will be closed in previous years even ATMs would shut down at this time in the more rural areas but it shouldn’t be a problem at convenience stores in large cities it is worth remembering to grab some cash or food supplies if you are traveling to the countryside as my co-workers often used to remind me and I have been caught out once or twice when I forgot lanterns can be seen at night across the country which make for relaxing evening walks and during the day beach trips and swimming are a great way to beat the heat okinawa is Japan’s most famous swimming destinations but there are beautiful beaches all around the coast you can visit my personal favorite in August is Yakushima a small island off the coast of Kagoshima that’s landscape inspired the Ghibli film Princess Monoke and here you can go snorkeling through coral reefs swim with sea turtles camp at the beach or explore the mossy covered forest with trees large enough to hold hidden shrines some of which are over 5,000 years old or just relax in the natural hot springs and taste the local specialties like flying fish for a unique summer destination Hokkaido is also a great choice in August as the usually snow-covered north of Japan at this time is a comfortable 73° F or 22° C average in this month perfect for a road trip or visiting its many national parks the green fields of Hokkaido at this time are often compared to summer in New Zealand september in Japan will still be quite warm even though it’s technically the beginning of autumn you probably won’t feel like it for a while in fact you’ll likely still want to be wearing shorts until sometime in October but September will not be quite as oppressive as August with the added advantage of being the off season september January and February are the least traveled months in Japan which makes them the cheapest with fewer crowds and easier reservations for activities with over tourism a rising issue in Japan this is a good time to see popular sites like Kiloto’s many temples with less foot traffic for better photos and there are of course a few must-see events that take place at this time osaka’s Kishiada Danji Festival is one of the most exciting and most dangerous festivals in all of Japan where teams will pull massive multi-tonon wooden floats through the streets as fast as they can making sharp turns through tight streets ocean departments need not attend this festival is so much hazardous fun that they even hold it a second time in mid-occtober but for something a little bit more relaxing one thing at this time of year that I like to attend is Ukai events ukai is a traditional type of fishing that uses corance to catch sweet AU fish as boats travel downstream with burning brazes this is an image of Japan that has stuck with me since I was a teenager and I try to revisit it every single year ukai takes place in summer months across Japan in about a dozen rivers but it’s most famous in Gefue where it lasts between May and October and also in Kyoto’s Arashyama and Uji between July and September if there is one thing that I can convince you to add to your summer trip then make it this you won’t soon forget it i promise october my personal favorite month but in Tokyo and Kyoto you’ll notice it’s still quite warm transitions between seasons can happen quite suddenly in Japan and one October night you might feel comfortable in a t-shirt and the next you’ll need a jacket so check the forecast and pack accordingly october is known for pleasant and mild weather not too hot not too cold and not too rainy honestly the weather is just about perfect for travel in Japan in October the only drawback being that is a little bit too early to see the autumn colors which will start in mid- November unless of course you are in the very north or high mountainous altitude like many countries October is the time for harvest and seasonal foods hot pot meals become popular as well as seasonal fruits like pimmens and pears both fresh and dried are available in October I love to visit Gefue the historic and geographic heart of Japan with beautiful little mountain towns like Gujo Hachiman and Takayyama at their best in the warm autumn light in recent years Halloween celebrations have been increasingly popular in Japan with hundreds of thousands of people dressing up and taking to the street for parties on the night of and weekend nearest to October 31st the atmosphere in Japan for Halloween is incredible and Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan Halloween Horror Nights is particularly fun unfortunately if anything Halloween has become a victim of its own popularity in recent years which has seen the mayors of Shibuya and Shinjjuku banning drinking on the streets with increased police presence marshalling people single direction through popular spots like the Shibuya Crossing they even put Hachiko in a box osaka street Halloween parties have been the go-to in recent years but even there it seems like cracking down on activities by the government is the direction that things are headed with the Ebizu Circle Bridge being closed on partying nights it still is an amazing experience to take part in but it might be one of those things that you want to experience before it’s completely locked down by the officials late October into November is when the country really starts to cool down the humidity is low and you need to start dressing warmer this marks the beginning of the real autumn travel season and the country begins to transform into the beautiful red orange and yellow of Japan’s fall colors while not as busy as spring sakura season autumn tourist numbers really begin to increase at this time which also means the price starts to increase as well but the price of visiting at this time for me at least is well worth it as I believe that this is Japan at its most beautiful even more so than the spring sacred season particularly in cities like Kyoto where the temples look their absolute best the stage of Ki Mizuetta opens into a forest of maple trees with Kyoto city as a backdrop and after seeing it you’ll immediately see why this season is so popular tokyo’s Maji Jingu shrine or Osaka’s Katsi are fantastic but nothing quite beats the serenity of an autumn hike away from the cities you might hear people say that Japan is a photographers’s dream or even that it’s impossible to take bad photos in Japan and I have to admit that I owe the majority of my portfolio to this season which is why I try to make the most of it every day catching that early morning light as the days grow shorter and shorter while slightly longer than the Sakura season the Mumiji are all too ephemeral and in the northern prefectures such as Hokkaido and Al Morti snow will already have begun to fall as well as the mountainous peaks across the country with the drop in humidity visibility also increases and you may even be able to see Mount Fuji with its snowy cap all the way from Tokyo but the view is all the better if you take the time to visit the Fuji 5 lakes at the base of the mountain winter officially begins in December and in many parts of the country winter sports will have already begun while not often thought as such Japan is an amazing country for winter sports nagono even hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics in its snowy mountains easily accessible in a little over an hour from Tokyo via bullet train japan does have many castles but Nugenol is one of the most unique with its beautiful black exterior contrasting the snowy landscape it is here in Nagonol that you will find the Shika Ken Ski Resort just one of 500 other snow resorts found across Japan but this one in particular is recommended as you’ll be able to stay in the onsen town with its warm flowing geothermal rivers and is just below Jig Gokuani home of the legendary Japanese snow monkeys whose habit of relaxing in the hot water has captured the hearts of people around the world oh just look at him living his best life one thing that you will notice is just how popular Christmas is in Japan christmas decorations and advertisement will appear the very day after Halloween with no Thanksgiving to buffer it christmas markets pop up during this time and since Christmas is the time of giving how about giving the gift of liking the video with a cheeky little subscribe if you’re enjoying this content but funnily enough Christmas isn’t even a national holiday in Japan it’s more of a couple’s night so date themed events are common that must be nice but for the rest of us we can enjoy the beautiful illuminations across the country during winter as streets around the country are covered in beautiful displays and walks through the cold winter air before enjoying a nice hot ramen is the best way to enjoy this time of year while Christmas is a family or religious event in most Western countries and New Year’s Eve is a time to party and celebrate the reverse is true in Japan which isn’t to say you cannot find New Year’s parties or countdown events in the cities of Japan but many Japanese take this time to join their families in the first shrine or temple visit of the year in an event called Hatsumo you don’t need to be Shinto or Buddhist to attend these and all are welcome and a New Year’s Eve visit to one is a great way to ring in your New Year and have a taste of traditional Japanese lifestyle as well as some of the sake that is also served at these events similar to Oon the first few days of January will have many shops closed opening again on the 4th so plan ahead but worst case scenario convenience stores should still be open january and February will have the lowest amount of tourists which can make for a more authentic experience and there are a few really incredible festivals at this time to attend from late January the Coobe Illuminary is held to commemorate the Hunchin Earthquake a stunning display with over 100,000 handpainted light bulbs which almost feels like you’ve been a good boy all your life and you’re about to meet the big man but my pick for the best January event is in N for the annual Wakusa Yamayyaki literally fried mountain event nata is of course famous for its friendly deer and giant Buddha statue as well as the largest wooden structure in the world that holds it but on the fourth Sunday of every January they set an entire mountain on fire a site that really has to be seen in person to be believed and don’t worry they make sure there’s no Bambies up there before they begin february is in a weird place for travel in Japan between Christmas and the Sakura season it’s most famous for throwing beans at onie as people yell out with ogres and in with good luck in an event called Setsub celebrated both in Japanese homes or in shrines where you can attend and hopefully catch some good luck rice cakes snow will very much still be covering the northern prefectures making it a great time to see snow covered Japan or enjoy the remainder of the ski season which can last into March in the mountains the Saporoto Snow Festival is held at this time over 7 days but it is very popular so booking hotels and flights ahead of time is very important if you do not want to be left out in the cold and while Hokkaido will still be very much a winter wonderland in the southern lower half and even in Tokyo you may begin to see ume or plum blossoms which are often confused for Sakura these bloom late February and early March and signal the end of winter and beginning of spring because these do bloom in the low tourist season they are a fantastic alternative to the Sakura season for a cheaper or less crowded trip and to be honest your friends probably won’t even know the difference when you try to make them all jealous with your Japan holiday photos and while I have shown you many different things to do in your trip to Japan this video doesn’t even scratch the surface of the unique beautiful and unforgettable destinations across this country i want more people to leave the tourist trail behind and experience all that Japan has to offer not just the same three spots across Tokyo or Kyoto and for one such trip you should check out this video to make the most of your next time in Hiroshima exploring mysterious islands tasting the freshest catch of the inland sea and sampling the best from the local breweries on a 3-day trip that will not leave you disappointed and I’ll catch you in the next

There is more to JAPAN than you can ever experience in one Trip! So when is the BEST Time to Visit? Let’s take a journey through one of the worlds most Amazing destinations, Month by Month, Season by Season. Experience Cultural events, taste the best food, and plan for your Japan Trip of a life time! Not only that but ill share with you some of my favorite and Secret events and destinations in this country that I love, so much so that I’ve been living here for over 10 Years!
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More Japan Videos!
BEST Tokyo Nightlife► https://youtu.be/0h97ZAyANC4
Ryokan & Hot Spring Guide► https://youtu.be/ebaUWCwCgrM
ESCAPE The Crowds► https://youtu.be/pir0yzqbMBU
HIDDEN Mountain Village► https://youtu.be/QeinCek9nf0
GIANT Salamanders in JAPAN!► https://youtu.be/KdgE_Wby0dM
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Guide to EVERY Month & Season in JAPAN!
00:44 Spring in Japan – What you NEED To Know
01:44 DON’T Miss The Sakura with This TIP!
02:32 March Travel in Japan
03:15 My FAVORITE Festival in Japan!
04:22 April Travel in Japan
04:45 Japan’s Top 3 Cherry Blossom Spots
07:31 May Travel in Japan
07:58 The WORST Time to Travel Japan!
09:18 Typhoon Season in Japan
09:31 Summer in Japan – Be Warned
09:41 June Travel in Japan
10:25 Underated Japan Travel Event
10:35 Japan’s AMAZING Creatures!
11:26 July Travel in Japan
12:22 Japan’s BIGGEST Summer Festivals!
13:08 When to Climb Mt Fuji
13:35 August Travel in Japan
13:50 Watch Out for OBON
14:35 Japans Secret Island Paradise
15:24 Autumn Travel in Japan The Good and Bad
15:35 September Travel in Japan
16:02 Japans Most EXCITING Festival!
16:26 MUST See Event in JAPAN
17:01 October Travel in Japan
17:18 The PERFECT Month in Japan
17:48 MUST See Mountain Town
18:01 Halloween in JAPAN
19:00 November Travel In Japan
19:10 Momiji – Fall Colours
20:28 Winter Travel Pros and Cons
20:43 Decemeber Travel in Japan
21:28 Japans Snow Monkeys!
21:40 Christmas in Japan
22:20 New Years Eve in Japan
22:55 January Travel in Japan
23:18 Illuminations in Japan
23:32 BEST Winter Event in Japan
23:57 February Travel in Japan
24:26 Sapporo Snow Festival
24:42 Ume Blossoms – Alternative to Sakura
25:04 So much More to Japan
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#Japan #japantravel #travel