If you’re looking to plan a trip to Japan, timing matters as much as the itinerary. The cheapest month to visit is March, when the country is shaking off the winter chill and just before the world arrives for cherry blossom season. Airfares and hotel rates dip, making it one of the smartest times to explore Japan without the crowds. For instance, round-trip direct flights from Delhi to Tokyo in March are available from approximately Rs28,616. From Mumbai, fares start around Rs50,266, and from Bengaluru, prices begin at Rs33,581. Come April, the pink wave sweeps across Tokyo, Kyoto, and beyond, and prices climb, flights alone can hover around Rs43,604 during cherry blossom weeks.
Autumn is the other high season. From October into November, the country glows red and gold with maple and ginkgo leaves, pulling in travellers from across the globe. Kyoto’s temples are framed by fiery foliage, Nikko’s mountains blaze with colour, and the Japanese Alps become a canvas of autumn tones. These months promise spectacular scenery, but with it comes the surge of demand, trains packed with leaf-peepers, hotels booked months in advance, and airfares edging towards their yearly peaks. For instance, round-trip direct flights from Delhi to Tokyo in October and November land approximately around Rs29,855. From Mumbai, fares start around Rs47,035, and from Bengaluru, prices begin at Rs35,784.
Interestingly, September, often seen as a bargain shoulder month, is currently tracking as the most expensive time to travel from India, according to Skyscanner data. It sits at the cusp of autumn, when the weather turns milder, the humidity eases, and the first hints of red appear on mountain slopes. Typically, this period sees thinner crowds than October or November, making it a sweet spot for quieter exploration but as of now, fares are peaking higher than expected. For instance, round-trip direct flights from Delhi to Tokyo are available from approximately Rs39,563. From Mumbai, fares start around Rs51,081, and from Bengaluru, prices begin at Rs39,122.
So, while April and November might win the postcard moments, September has emerged as the peak month, one to either avoid or book well in advance if you’re set on travelling then. But it’s March that takes the cake, offering both value and beauty, and marks the right time for when you should click that book button.
*Prices are dynamic and subject to change
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