Kyoto, Japan in the spring. Experts say the best time to visit Japan is during the cherry blossom season from late March to mid-May.
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In Japan, fall foliage stretches late into the year, as gingko and maple trees pop with color well into December. Powderhounds flock to ski resorts like Honshu and Hokkaido in the winter months for bucket list ski trips, complete with deep powder and snow that’s light and dry and referred to as “Japow.” Then, spring brings the famous cherry blossom displays to the country.
With all the natural beauty and attractions, it’s no surprise that it can be hard for first-time visitors and repeat travelers to narrow down the best time to visit Japan.
Ahead, experts who specialize in Japanese travel share their advice on the best time of the year to visit Japan and also reveal the times of year you should avoid visiting Japan.
The cherry blossoms bring a few million tourists to Japan each spring.
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The best time to visit Japan is the cherry blossom season in the spring (late March to mid-May), says several travel experts we talked to, including Ben Julius, the founder of Tourist Japan, which operates tours and tour packages throughout Japan for visitors from all over the world.
“Japan’s already marvelous landscapes are lit up by the picturesque cherry blossoms, creating a magical environment,” he says. Plus, spring brings dry, comfortable weather so you visitors can spend time outdoors sightseeing and hiking.
Unfortunately, though, cherry blossom season is also one of Japan’s worst-kept secrets, and every year, the country welcomes millions of visitors.
In April 2024, more than 3 million visitors traveled to Japan, which is a 56% increase over April 2023, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. The number of American visitors to Japan in April 2024, which conicides with cherry blossom season, reached a record high of nearly 229,000 travelers, which is up 25% from the year prior.
To visit Japan during cherry blossom season with fewer crowds and lower hotel rates, Adeline Kuroki, a Japan travel specialist with Savor & Soak Travel Co., recommends heading to Japan a bit earlier and visiting the southern island of Kyushu. “This region is also known for its amazing hot springs, unique noodle dishes, and fresh sashimi,” Kuroki says. Or, go later in the cherry blossom season, and head north to the Japan Alps or the northern island of Hokkaido for late cherry blossom viewing, she suggests. These regions are excellent for hiking, hot springs, and in Hokkaido, the freshest seafood.
Something to keep in mind: You never truly know when the cherry blossoms will open and be at peak bloom, says Travelmation Travel Advisor Amy Thomasson who specializes in Japan trips. “If you plan a trip based on a projected forecast, it might not be right and you could miss out on seeing the blossoms,” she says. “It’s smart to know that in advance so you aren’t totally disappointed.”
Fall Is Also A Great Time To Visit Japan
Minoo Waterfall in Osaka, Japan during the autumn season. Fall is an ideal time to visit Japan, according to experts.
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Fall foliage tends to be more predictable and not as fleeting as cherry blossom season. So, when it comes to the best times to visit Japan, the cherry blossom season is followed closely in rank by the autumn leaf-peeping season from September to mid-November when the landscapes and attractions are adorned with a stunning tapestry of red and yellow leaves, Julius says. Some regions even have fall colors in December. The fall forecast is sunny and dry, with warm temperatures, but this is also a well-known high season, with higher prices and crowds.
“From our experience, the crowds tend to be slightly less overwhelming than in the spring with prices slightly more affordable, so [fall] is often considered to be the best time overall to visit Japan,” Julius says.
In fact, three Japanese destinations made it into Expedia’s top 10 trending international destinations for fall 2024.
Chureito Pagoda, a five-storied pagoda, surrounded by fall foliage. Leaf peepers can catch vibrant fall colors in Japan well in November, and sometimes even December.
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Llewelyn Thomas, managing director of Walk Japan, a walking tour company specializing in walking tours through many less-traveled areas from Hokkaido to Okinawa, has seen a significant increase in U.S. customers visiting during autumn, with 60% more U.S. guests booked for this season compared to last year.
In the autumn months, travelers take part in “momijigari” with Walk Japan, which is a tradition that translates to “hunting red leaves” and dates back to the Edo period of 8th century when Japanese royalty traveled around the country to see the lush green leaves fade to deep reds, oranges, and golds.
What Is The Cheapest Month To Visit Japan?
Aerial view at dusk of night skiing in Niseko Village. Niseko is a popular destination for ski resorts in Japan, so the prices will peak here in January and February, but other places in Japan during the winter tend to have lower room rates.
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January has the lowest average daily rate (ADR) of $112.52 and a moderate occupancy rate, with just 63% of rooms booked, according to the Beyond, a revenue management system for the accommodation industry.
September is the second most affordable month for hotel rates in Japan, with the ADR at $128.18, according to Beyond. Meanwhile, April and November have the highest room rates.
What Months Should You Avoid Visiting Japan?
People walking in Shibuya shopping district in Tokyo, Japan.
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If you’re a first time visitor to Japan, Thomasson recommends avoiding the summer. June, July and August tend to be hot and humid and is considered the typhoon season, she says, which means you could get completely rained out. If you do need to go in summer due to school vacations, then go as early in the summer for the most cooperative weather, she suggests.
Golden Week, which runs from late April to early May, is a very popular holiday time in Japan when many of the local residents take their personal vacations. Many family-run shops close down, trains have a more limited schedule and it’s really busy and harder to get around, she explains.
