Best Time To Visit Japan: The Land Of Cherry Blossoms
As I have mentioned in the previous article about the best time to visit Vietnam, I would again say the same, that the best time to visit Japan depends entirely on the purpose why you are visiting Japan.
Choose the time depending on whether you want to take a vacation by the beach in Okinawa, or want to witness the snowcapped mountains in Hokkaido, or visiting to the cherry blossoms in Tokyo.
Japan is a country that will present you with an endless number of activities and numerous festivals that go on throughout the year. There is no bad time for visiting Japan. So, you can visit this place anytime. But, if you want to see Japan through the pink hues, want to go shrine-hopping in Kyoto, or have a look at the fall foliage, then pick your timing carefully.
Tourist Seasons In Japan
If you are planning a trip to Japan, here are the tourist seasons that you have to be aware of.
- High season: High season is from March to May and from September to November.
- Shoulder season: The shoulder season is from June to August and December as well.
- Low season: The low season is from January to March.
Best Time To Visit Japan To Avoid The Crowd
The Sakura season is one of the busiest times to visit Japan. This is the time when the country turns pink. People from all over the world come here to witness that. This happens during late March and April. Even domestic travelers take advantage of this time.
So, unless you have meticulously planned your visit to the cherry blossoms and have booked your tickets and hotels ahead of time, this is the time that you should particularly avoid. The foliage also has the power to draw a good amount of tourists from mid-October to early November.
So, to avoid the crowd, plan to visit the country during the rainy season, which begins in June and lasts til mid-July.
When Should You Visit To Get The Best Weather?
Japan does not have varied weather. The winters are frigid in Hokkaido. This makes the southern part of Okinawa feel like a secluded place that is far away from the world. The rainy seasons run from June to mid-July.
If you want to ski on the slopes, then it is best to visit from March to May or September to November. This is the time when the weather is pleasant and suitable for skiing. If you are not accustomed to the humidity and heat, then summer is the time when you can visit the mountains. Hokkaido would seem like a heavenly destination in Summer.
And if you prefer summer, then visit Okinawa during the winter. You will get a subtropical climate during this time.
Best Time To Visit The Country At A Low Rate
Japan has a reputation for being costly, but at times, it becomes a little less expensive to visit Japan. It is during the off-season when you can visit Japan at a low price. During the off-season between January and March, you will get deals on tickets, hotels, and adventure activities as well at a low cost. During the holiday season, the prices spike. So if you want to save some money, avoid going there at the beginning of January.
When Should You Visit If You Have Plans To Go To Tokyo Disneyland?
If you have plans to visit Disneyland, then Spring and Autumn would be the best times to visit. It would be best to avoid national holidays and the weekends. The golden week is the busiest time of the year.
July and August are extremely hot, which will not allow you to enjoy the outdoors. Mid-September to the beginning of December is a pleasant time to take a trip to Disneyland, as the weather is quite pleasant, and it is also not overcrowded
Best Time To Witness The Cherry Blossoms
If you wish to visit Japan during the cherry blossom season, keep in mind that the dates vary depending on the weather. Cherry blossom season is spread all through Japan and happens at different times of the year.
It edges its way upward, beginning from the southern tip of Japan and starting from January. The best time to witness this is in Kyoto and Tokyo, and its surroundings start mostly at the end of March and last at the beginning of April.
Best Time For The Food Lovers
If you are a food lover, then Japan would be a paradise for you throughout the year. But it is seasonal as well. So, if there is a particular Japanese cuisine or ingredient that you prefer, then it is best to look for that item before you visit there so you do not miss out on it completely.
Summertime treats are kakigori shaved rice, cool, light somen noodles, and, of course, some unagi. During Autumn, you will find meals with a lot of sweet potatoes, matsutake mushrooms, and sanma. And the winters are filled with nabe hot pots, kaki, and citrus fruits.
Is There A Time You Should Avoid?
As I mentioned in the beginning, there is no best time to visit Japan; some months are not as welcoming as others. But that depends on why you are visiting. If you want to visit Japan in pleasant weather, then try to avoid the rainy seasons, beginning from June and lasting till mid-July.
After the rain, Japan experiences extreme humidity and heat, and it becomes unbearable in Kyoto and Tokyo during this time. July and August are Japan’s summer months.
And if you want to save some money as well as avoid the crowd then abid the Golden Week, and the holidays. This is the time when even domestic travelers travel because of their holidays. Thus prices are also higher, hotels are also not available, and, needless to say, there is a larger crowd.
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