When to visit - Japan

Japan is a year round destination but if you are planning a cultural tour of Honshu, the best time to visit Japan is either in spring, (March to May) or in autumn (September to November). During these seasons the weather is usually sunny and warmer than in the winter and fresher and drier than in summer.

Spring is also the time of the cherry blossom season in Japan, a delightful time of year to see Japan as the blossom spreads from south to north from late March to mid April. Those who choose to travel in the often-overlooked autumn season are rewarded with the equally spectacular sight of the maple leaves changing colour, lasting for around a month from the middle of October. The best time for skiing in Japan is winter (from December to March).

See our exciting range of tours of Japan.

The months that fall either side of the recognised spring and autumn season are usually good times to visit Japan. Although still cold, February and early March are generally sunny and crisp with low-rainfall and temperatures slowly starting to rise. If you are on a tour of Kyushu in the south, then there are likely to be some warmer days. Although November can see the odd typhoon pass over the country, it is generally a good time to visit Japan with low rainfall and, especially early in the month, pleasant temperatures and the spectacular autumn leaves.

In Central and Southern Japan the summers are very warm and at times humid, but excessively hot days are rare, and there are a number of superb festivals held during these warmer months. At this time you can expect occasional heavy rain in the more southern areas caused by typhoons moving north from the South China Sea.

In the mountains areas of Honshu, Shikoku and Kyushu temperatures are sufficiently reduced by altitude as to be quite pleasant in summer, and this is the most popular time to visit for walkers and hikers. The northern-most island of Hokkaido is delightful in summer when the weather is clear and warm, and the fields are full of spectacular blooms.

See our holiday ideas in Japan.

Winter is a relatively dry season in Japan, and a good season for sightseeing without the crowds, but it can get quite cold in the northern areas. In the south of Honshu and in Kyushu and Shikoku the winters are mild and almost subtropical. In the mountains of Honshu and Hokkaido the moist Pacific air collides with cold Siberian air, resulting in heavy snowfalls and excellent powder snow - ideal conditions for winter sports. Bamboo Travel can arrange visits to Japan's best ski resorts.