Asked what he foresaw as the next significant travel trend, CNN International anchor Richard Quest, guest speaker at the TravMedia Summit in Singapore last month, identified shoulder-season adventures.
It’s a trend being taken up especially fervently by Gen Z, who are choosing just-off-peak times to travel to make their money go further and avoid the worst of the tourist crowds. Recent reports including Airbnb’s “2025 Fall Travel Trends” point to the fact that those born between 1997 and 2012 are warming to the appeal of shoulder seasons, when demand is lower but many of the attractions of high season can still be enjoyed.
Here are five destinations and their shoulder seasons recommended for those seeking quieter streets and cheaper sleeps.
Kanazawa, Japan
Late May, early June, early September and early November
The crowd-free gardens of Kenroku-en, in Kanazawa, Japan. Photo: ShutterstockShoulder-season visitors to this Honshu Island city may miss out on the peak sakura/spring blossoms (forecast for the first week of April, in 2026) and peak autumn foliage (mid to late November) but they do get to experience Kanazawa’s well-preserved Edo-period architecture and gardens such as Kenroku-en without the crowds of the high season or those of Kyoto, about 235km away.
Furthermore, shoulder-season weather tends to be cool and clear, better suited for hiking Mount Iouzen or strolling through the Teramachi Temple District (home to the 1643 Myoryuji Temple) free from the intense humidity of summer.
Where to stay: OMO5 Kanazawa Katamachi by Hoshino Resorts, a modern hotel located in the bustling Katamachi district, known for its shopping, dining and nightlife. It is a five-minute walk from Kenroku-en Garden and the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, the only guided tours of which are provided by the hotel. Guests are also offered free food culture tours.
High season: 12,000-16,000 yen (HK$600-HK$800) per room per night; shoulder season: 7,000-11,000 yen. Visit hoshinoresorts.com
AloJapan.com