The Best Time to Visit Japan

Over the years, I have been asked on multiple occasions about the best time of the year to visit Japan. Though the question may seem straightforward, it actually touches on an important aspect of Japanese culture.

While I lived in Japan, more than a dozen locals told me that one key thing that differentiates Japan from other countries is its four distinct seasons. I found this to be a strange thing to say, partially because I knew that many other cities also enjoy four seasons, and partially because I preferred year-round warm weather thanks to my Californian background.

However, over time I understood that this sentiment focused more on the special Japanese traditions related to each season rather than proudly stating that somehow Japan could be the only country in the world to have four distinct seasons. As the months rolled on and the weather changed, I came to appreciate the way that these Japanese cultural traditions celebrated the best aspects of each season.

I gave a presentation on this very topic at the Meet Japan Facebook group event on October 17 in Berlin. The goal of my talk was to provide a framework for thinking through when the ideal time to visit Japan would be based on the goals of your trip. I provided a few recommendations of my own on when to visit and shared a couple pictures of me in Japan across the last dozen years, so definitely check the presentation out below 🙂

https://www.slideshare.net/DavidMcNeill3/the-best-times-to-visit-japan

Key Presentation Takeaways

The season that you travel to Japan in will have a significant impact on your experience there so be sure to take it into account when booking your next trip to Japan!

Spring

As you probably already know, the blooming of the cherry blossoms is an important event in Japan that signals the thawing of the winter cold into a fresh new spring. Locals head to a nearby park on the weekend to marvel at the beauty of the cherry blossoms, take a few pictures under the trees, and drink a lot, but not necessarily in that order!

I know that you may have seeing the cherry blossoms in-person on your bucket list, but just know that this will be the BUSIEST time of the year to visit Japan. Tourists arrive by the busload and Tokyo is certainly more crowded than usual. This means packed hotels, expensive airfare and a lot more people to share the sights with. My vote would be to wait until May when the weather is better, crowds thin out, and airfares may decrease during the Golden Week holiday.

Summer

Japanese summers are really hot. Not just due to temperature but also the insane humidity. This will likely mean that you will be able to do see and do less during your trip as you avoid the heat during the day. If you can stomach the punishing humidity, you will be rewarded with festivals during the day and spectacular fireworks shows at night during the summer!

Autumn

Autumn is pretty amazing in Japan. The leaves turn from green into gorgeous yellows, oranges and reds, so it is a nice time to get outside and go for a hike. The weather also cools down and less tourists come to Japan during this time, so you will have more space and time to enjoy your trip.

Winter

Last but not least, winter provides some great opportunities for outdoor activities like skiing and snowboarding, assuming decent snowfall. Though I am not much of a snow sports person, my friends in Japan made a point to head to the slopes every weekend for December through February, so I am sure that it is an absolute blast! If sports isn’t your thing, you can certainly keep yourself busy with ice festivals and wonderful hot cuisines made for the colder months.

When to Visit Japan

The answer to this question completely depends on your goals for your trip. If you have to see cherry blossoms, then you have to try to see them between mid-March and mid-April depending on the city. If you love skiing, then winter is the time for you. My personal recommendations are May and October for the reasons I listed above. The good news is that whenever you choose to visit Japan, you will definitely have an awesome time, so don’t let this decision hold you back from booking your tickets!

Originally published at www.davidemcneill.com on October 24, 2017.