The good news for travelers is that there is no single best time of year to travel to Japan. Yet this makes it difficult to decide when to visit, as each of Japan?s seasons has its own special highlights!
Japan is truly a year-round destination, and Japanese culture is remarkable in its profound appreciation of the changing of the seasons.
As you?ll see when you visit, each season ? and even sub-season! ? is celebrated with seasonal foods, and often matsuri (festivals).
Because of this, we typically recommend taking advantage of any chance to visit Japan. On the other hand, if your dates are flexible it?s worth thinking about which time of year you?d enjoy most.
After all, some travelers hate the cold ? or the heat and humidity of summer ? while others will do whatever it takes to avoid crowds! (When planning a trip to Japan, a key question to ask yourself is: would you rather have better weather, or fewer tourists around") So we?ve put together this comprehensive guide to help you determine the best time to travel to Japan.
Highlights of Japan?s Seasons
Before delving into much more detail about each of Japan?s distinct seasons below, here are some brief highlights on what to expect at different times of year:
Spring in Japan is famous for the cherry blossom season, and if you?re lucky ? and don?t mind the crowds ? you may experience hanami (cherry-blossom viewing) in all its glory.
Summer is arguably the most festive time of year, with colorful matsuri (festiva...