Japan at a glance

GreatGoodOkayAvoid
 JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Verdictgoodgoodgreatgreatgreatokayokayavoidokaygreatgreatgood
Temp (°C)
10°
2°
10°
3°
14°
6°
19°
11°
23°
15°
26°
19°
30°
23°
31°
25°
27°
22°
22°
16°
17°
10°
12°
4°
Rain (mm)52561181251381681541682102359658
Crowdslowlowmediumhighhighlowmediumhighmediummediumhighmedium
Price$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$
NotesMany shops and restaurants close January 1-3; plan meals and shopping accordingly.Book Sapporo accommodation months ahead; hotel prices spike during the Snow Festival week.Sakura forecasts update weekly; peak bloom in Tokyo typically falls March 25-April 5.Reserve hotels 3-6 months ahead; domestic travel surges during late-month Golden Week.Avoid Golden Week (Apr 29-May 5) when domestic tourism peaks and transport books out.Tsuyu rains typically arrive early June; indoor attractions and onsen towns work well.Mt. Fuji climbing season opens July 1; heatstroke is a real risk in cities.Typhoon season intensifies; check forecasts before booking Okinawa or Kyushu segments.Silver Week holiday in late September can spike domestic travel demand briefly.Book koyo (autumn foliage) destinations early; leaves peak late October in the north.Kyoto temple gardens require early arrival or evening illumination reservations to avoid queues.Many businesses close Dec 29-Jan 3; ski resorts and hotels fill through New Year week.

Japan: best months — March–May, October–November.