Best Time to Visit Japan
Japan is a country in Asia which added by many travellers’ to their bucket lists and they are looking to spend time with the country’s best shrines, enjoy cherry blossoms and spend time with nature and Japanese cutting edge technologies. It can be possible until you understand the best time to visit Japan, since the country has a diverse weather conditions depending entirely on what you want to do and when you are visiting?
Japan has distinct seasons, and each season offers unique experiences to adventure seekers. So, it is very important to consider the time of year, weather, cultural events and peak or low seasons before packing your backpack. So, let’s dig more about what is the best time to visit Japan along with cities like Tokyo and Okinawa.
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What are the Best Season to Visit Japan?
To visit Japan we have to know major seasons and its attractions. Here we can bifurcate into 4 seasons according to local temperatures and weather forecasts. Make sure that each season has something going to express you.
1. Spring Season
Spring is the most ideal season to visit Japan, starting from March to May, especially to enjoy the country’s renowned cherry blossom season. Temperature ranging from 3℃ to 26℃, spring season in Japan is often known for its cold, mild and pleasant conditions with some moderate air. “Sakura”, a Cherry festival held during this season along with other wildflowers, and flowers bloom festivals. Visitors take a leisurely stroll amidst these trees to enjoy its colourful flowers under more pleasant weather. Despite the Cherry blossoms, spring is the perfect time to enjoy shrines, temples, museums, Tokyo’s Ueno Park, hanami and to get a panoramic view of Mount Fuji.
2. Summer Season
Starting from June to August, summer in Japan can be hot and humid. Visitors may experience temperatures ranging from 30℃ or sometimes it may lead to more than that. Interesting thing summer in Japan, where the country also receives rains during the hot season and respite in mountain regions and typhoons during the end of the August month. Despite the hot weather, the country witnessed some of the vibrant local festival seasons and fireworks. Obon festival, Fukugawa Hachiman festival (where people beat the heat with a big water fight), Fuji Rock festival, Hiroshima Lantern festival and Aomori Nebuta Dastori festivals are held during summer periods here in Japan. Like winter season, during summer periods visitors surely going to experience less crowd and travel distraction, which helps take some mountain hiking, discounts in hotel bookings and visit Mount Fuji.
3. Autumn Season
Another major season in Japan is autumn, often known for its foliage and comfortable weather. From September to November, the autumn season provides some of the vibrant travel experience to backpackers. Temperature between 1 ℃ to 30℃ helps us to enjoy the panoramic view of Sakura, especially its varying hues of yellows and oranges. Same like other seasons, autumn also offers some of the best festivals and events to visitors. Events like Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo festival, Shibuya Halloween, and food events like Hokkaido food festival and Tokyo Wagyu show and Sumo Tournaments are the most enjoyable things. Either you come with a solo, family or with a partner, autumn is the perfect season to explore Japan. Make sure that season is known as the busiest and witnessing many things to do in Japan, festivals and events.
4. Winter Season
Visitors will enjoy things even during winter season. Winter begins from December to February, temperature remains low all over with a crisp, clear and cold. Winter witnessing -8℃ to -19℃ temperature under extreme cold and snowfall. Since country under winter obviously places and mountains are covered by the snow, making it the perfect time to make skiing and snow activities, especially in regions like Hokkaido. Despite low visitor traffic, winter also offers destinations to experience for backpackers such as The Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park, The Sapporo Snow Festivals, skiing with snow masters at Zoo Onsen and slopes at Yuzawa. Do not miss to attend “Shogatsu” (The Japanese New Year). Winter in Japan has fewer crowds and less travel or visitors distraction, hence you may get great offers and discounts on travel and hotel bookings.
Best time to Visit Tokyo
Best time to visit Japan and Best time to visit Tokyo have different seasons and things to enjoy. There are some similarities between the capital city and other parts of the country. Let’s see;
1. Between March and May
From March to May is known as an ideal time to head to Tokyo (capital city of Japan). Since weather in these periods is more pleasant to explore city’s, major attractions like cherry blossoms, Hanami parties, The Tokyo Anime Fair, Tokyo’s springtime beauty, ancient sites like Senso-ji and Meiji-jingu, Tsukiji market and Inokashira-koen. Temperatures around 15℃ to 20℃ must help to take a leisurely walk amidst the city’s streets, markets, and under blossoming trees.
2. From September to November
If you are not comfortable visiting during the March to May season, you can probably visit during these periods. These months witnessing autumn in Japan, making it more cool weather and ideal time to enjoy local events and festivals and beautiful fall foliage in parks and temples. You will experience sunny, hot and humid at the beginning of September, but at the end of November it turn to warm. Tokyo game show, Chrysanthemum festivals, Jidai Matsuri, Fans of electronic games, The Tokyo International Film festivals and food events occur are common this time.
3. June to August
Since these seasons are warm and sunny, visitors might get less crowd and low visitor traffic in Tokyo city. Travelers experience some of the festivals in Tokyo city like Sanno Matsuri, Mitama Matsuri, Sumida gawa firework festival, Obon and Asakusa Samba Carnival or Tokyo pride.
Best Time to Visit Okinawa
Okinawa is one of the Japanese cities, considered as the major tourist hub from its mesmerising beaches, mouth-watering cuisines, historical sites and Natural beauties. So, making a proper plan to visit Okinawa is also a crucial task. From January to March, Okinawa offers Island tours to Zamami, Tokashiki, Aka, and Geruma islands. Since the weather is so friendly, you can visit the island and do lot of recreational activities. Islands such as Le Island, Onna, Naha, and Yomitan are ideal places to watch humpback whales in an up close.
During May month, Okinawa welcomes us to enjoy Naha Hari Dragon Boat Races during Golden Week. Islands witnessing festivals like Tug of War festivals throughout the year in Yonabaru, Itoman and Naha. August hosts 10,000 Eisa Dancers Parade and cultural festivals like Ryukyu Lantern Festival also held in Okinawa from December through March.
When to Enjoy Sakura or Cherry Blossom
Undoubtedly the End of March to Early April months are considered as the more ideal and friendly season to enjoy “Sakura”. During these periods trees started blooming, from light pink to white with some darker pink, yellow or even green blossoms. Tokyo and Kyoto are 2 major places to enjoy cherry beauty and allow us to take a stroll under its trees. Despite that, this season also boasts various cherry blossom festivals and events. Make your trip plan properly around this period as the blooms are fleeting.
Best Time to Visit Japan for Food Lovers
1. Autumn
Each season here in Japan visitors are going to experience different kinds of cuisine options. Autumn is considered as more often a time for enjoying delicious food due to the local harvest season. Moreover, the season boasts regional food festivals that showcase seasonal cuisine like mushrooms, fish and delicacies such as chestnuts. Shinmai, Sanma, Yakiimo, and Oden are popular food options. If you go to Osaka, the city offers tremendous street foods, cafes and restaurants including takoyaki and okonomiyaki between Septembers to November.
2. Winter
Country is filled with snow and cold weather conditions, so choosing the right delicious dishes is also crucial. Obviously visitors expect warming dishes such as nabe and regional winter delicacies such as oden, crab, oysters, sukiyaki, mochi and roasted sweets. Backpackers are fortunate to experience the best winter cuisines if they attend Sapporo’s winter festivals or any local food festivals.
3. Spring
From March to May when Cherry blossoms are covering the famous destinations, Japan caters authentic delicious cuisines and some seasonal ingredients. Spring season is popular and known for its fresh seafood and delicate meals. Plum dishes, Sakura mochi, Tai, Ikango, spring cabbage and Asari clams are available cuisines during spring. Atten Sakura Matsuri festival, where visitors get the opportunity to sample spring themed dishes.
After coming through the above article, surely you will get some sort of idea when you should visit Japan? Moreover, ‘Best time to visit Japan’, truly based on individual interest and experiences. Make sure that each season in Japan has its own significance and offers unique glimpse of Japanese rich ancient cultures, geography, architecture, events, festivals and culinary delights. Do not forget to enjoy it.
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