Best times to visit Japan

The prime times to go to Japan are in the Spring (March to May) and Fall (September to November). At these times of the year, Japan takes on its best appearance with gentle pink cherry blossoms in spring and bright reds and oranges in autumn. It tends to be mild and comfortable, thus allowing for pleasant sightseeing. It can get rather crowded during these times, as they are both busy times of year for tourism.

Summer (June to August) offers a mixed bag of conditions. Cities and low Afaanake longer European locations could offer hot and humid days, whereas the higher regions (such as the Japanese Alps or Hokkaido) can.cuda would be plentiful with a cooler temperature and beautiful landscapes that would offer interesting experiences for hiking and enjoying nature. Also note that the rain-season typically would breed around the end of May and can extend until the middle of June or beginning of July, particularly in central and southern Japan.

Winter (December to February) would offer a vastly different side of Japan. The northern parts receive a good amount of snow, and we could experience the thrill of skiing or enjoy an onsen experience in the snow. The festivities surrounding winter light up towns and cities with glowing lanterns, carvings out of snow, and merry-making, even if the weather is cold.

It is also important to be aware of some off Japan’s national holidays. Golden Week is widely celebrated at the end of April-beginning of May. There is also Obon, which is celebrated sometime mid-august or mid-July, depending on the area, of which many Japanese travel away from home. Shogatsu, the Japanese New Year is celebrated in early January, and is another time of year when people will be travelling as well – meaning many flights, transportation and accommodations across Japan will be filled.

No matter what you are looking for, seasonal beauty, adventure or a cultural experience – Japan is a great place to visit all year-long, just be sure to pick the time and season that suits your style of travelling.

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May is a wonderful time to visit Japan, especially after the cherry blossom season and Golden Week. The weather becomes warmer, with dry heat, and the countryside turns lush with green foliage. This is also the perfect time to see the wisteria flowers in full bloom, creating a stunning display. Additionally, Tokyo hosts the Sanja Matsuri festival during this month, featuring parades of shrines, geisha, and people in traditional costumes. May offers a great combination of pleasant weather, beautiful scenery, and vibrant cultural events in Japan.

The Ultimate Month-by-Month Japan Travel Planning Guide

August in Japan is a busy time of year due to festivals and the school vacation period. Festivals are held throughout the country, showcasing Japan’s rich cultural traditions. The weather during this month is generally hot and humid, although Hokkaido offers a cooler and more comfortable climate compared to other regions. It’s important to note that popular tourist destinations can be crowded during this time, so it’s recommended to plan ahead and make reservations in advance. Despite the heat, August provides opportunities for outdoor activities and exploring Japan’s natural beauty.

What’s On:

  • During the 7th lunar month, the Awa Odori takes place in Tokushima on Shikoku Island as part of the Obon Festival. It’s a lively event where musicians and dancers flood the streets in vibrant costumes. The Awa Odori is known for its energetic dance performances accompanied by traditional instruments. It’s a festive and celebratory atmosphere where spectators can enjoy the dynamic performances and even join in the dancing. Attending the Awa Odori is a memorable way to experience Japanese culture and participate in the Obon Festival.

Best places to visit in August

Trip ideas and travel guides for exploring Japan

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Vietnam is just epic in every sense! Stephen at My Way Travel built us a bespoke tour to our requested place's from HoChiMin to Phan Thiet, DaLat, NaTrang, HoiAn, Halong Bay ending in Hanoi & it was amazing! All hotels, 3 tour guides over 5 day tours , drivers & transport worked very well & Stephen responded very quickly to any queries. We can’t thank or recommend him highly enough for helping us create an amazing adventure for a 70+ couple where everything was booked & organised but we had plenty of free time to explore on our own & find places for dinner most nights of our 18day trip. I’ll admit I was a little worried about using an unknown to me online agent but I really didn’t need to worry. The only thing I/we got wrong was not realising how tiring a busy tour can be especially in the heat so I’d recommend having a few days on a beach or round a pool relaxing before retuning back to Europe of further afield! Thanks Stephen for creating a well priced pretty last min wonderful tour for us!

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Wow, what a trip and experience. My Way Travel did an excellent job in creating a customized private tour itinerary for our 5 week trip to Indochina. Stephen was very responsive and easy to work with in creating a perfect itinerary, customized to our interests, budget, and timeframe. The logistics were well managed and all the tour guides and drivers in all 4 countries were fantastic. Stephen kept in touch throughout our trip to ensure everything was going well. The drivers were all excellent, prompt, and very safe drivers. Special call out to our guides; Tony, Kay, and Loc in Vietnam, Sony and Sambath in Cambodia, and Anne in Thailand for a fantastic cultural and historical experience in your respective countries. These guides were the best and really made our trip special. The sights that we saw were incredible, including Ha Long Bay and of course, Ankgor Wat. We really enjoyed the elephant sanctuary in Laos and the Laos city of Luang Prabang is a hidden gem. The bike tours that we did in Hoi An (Kay) and the Mekong Delta (Loc) to really get into the countryside and engage with local families was an incredible experience that we really enjoyed and will always cherish. We even got to stop at a local school and interact with some of the school children trying to practice their English which was pretty cool. We had a great bike tour in Siem Reap (Sambath) and all the incredible temples around Ankgor Wat. The tours that we had to understand and experience these countries from a historical and cultural perspective, brought to life by our tour guides, really made this trip a unique experience. We were well taken care of throughout our travels and the service and people were so friendly. We would highly recommend My Way Travel for your next trip to SE Asia and will not hesitate to use them in the future. Hopefully you get lucky enough to have some of the tour guides that we had.

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This was the fourth trip we have done with My Way Travel and arranged by Stephen. As always it was impeccably organised from arriving in Bangkok, flights to Chiang Rai, tour to the elephant sanctuary, to Krabi for a few days at the beach then transfer to Phnom Pen for the higlight of our trip, a cruise up the Mekong on a seriously luxurious boat, then transfer to Seam Riep. The hotels were excellent, the transfers seemless with good english speaking guides. We cannot recommend Stephen more highly.

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An amazing trip out together by Stephen at My Way Travel! This was our second trip ( went to Vietnam and Cambodia 2019). Stephen is great to work with- very flexible and listens to what we wanted to do. This trip was originally scheduled for April 2020. A honest company that asked if I wanted my deposit back and I said no - that I would use it in a future trip! How many companies around the world did this???? We had great guides In Bangkok and Chiang Rai and Chiang Rai. Fon was full of energy and fun in Bangkok. Ann was one of the best guides I have ever had- she took us to a couple of places not noted on the tour. We went for a hike at a waterfall and visited the cave where the Thai boys were rescued in the cave. Both Ann and Fon gave us wonderful suggestions for restaurants. I would absolutely recommend Stephen and My Way Travel! We plan to use him again in planning Bali!


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