A Month-by-Month Guide to Weather, Clothing, and What to Expect When Traveling in Japan
Japan is often described as a country of four seasons—but that’s just the beginning. While the concept of spring, summer, fall, and winter is important, Japan’s seasonal transitions are much more subtle and nuanced, often changing every few weeks. These changes can dramatically affect not only the weather, but also what you wear, what you eat, and how crowded popular spots will be.
In this guide, we’ll take you through Japan’s year month by month, helping you decide the best time to visit, what to pack, what to expect, and when to avoid major crowds. We’ve also added important domestic and international holidays that may impact your trip.
📷 If your travels bring you to Kyoto consider booking a tour or photography session with us!
🌱 Late Winter: Mid-February to Mid-March
- Weather: Cold and dry. Occasional snow in Tokyo, regular snow in northern Japan.
- Temperature: Tokyo 5–12°C / 41–53°F
- Clothing: Warm coat, scarf, gloves, layers.
- Notable Events:
- Start of plum blossom season (ume)
- Chinese New Year travelers, especially in major cities
- Cedar pollen allergies begin for many locals
- Travel Tips: Good time for winter sports in Nagano or Hokkaido, with smaller crowds than Christmas/New Year.
🌼 Early Spring: Mid-March to Early April
- Weather: Slowly warming, but mornings and evenings still chilly.
- Temperature: 8–17°C / 46–62°F
- Clothing: Light coat or jacket, long sleeves, scarf.
- Notable Events:
- School graduation trips and university breaks begin
- Start of cherry blossom forecasts
- Travel Tips: Sakura bloom timing varies by region—Kyoto and Tokyo usually start around late March. Book accommodations early.
🌸 Sakura Season (Peak Spring): Early to Mid-April
- Weather: Warm days, cool nights. Often sunny.
- Temperature: 10–20°C / 50–68°F
- Clothing: Layers, spring jackets, umbrella for surprise rain.
- Notable Events:
- Cherry blossom (sakura) season in full swing
- Picnics, festivals, seasonal sweets everywhere
- Travel Tips: One of the busiest tourist times. Expect large crowds at parks and shrines.
🍃 Late Spring: Late April to Mid-May
- Weather: Pleasant, low humidity, clear skies.
- Temperature: 15–25°C / 59–77°F
- Clothing: Light sweaters or long-sleeve tops.
- Notable Events:
- Golden Week (April 29 – May 5): One of Japan’s longest holiday periods
- Many domestic travelers = fully booked trains and hotels
- Travel Tips: Book everything far in advance or avoid this week entirely if you prefer quiet sightseeing.
☀️ Early Summer: Mid-May to Mid-June
- Weather: Warmer days, still pleasant before the rainy season.
- Temperature: 20–28°C / 68–82°F
- Clothing: Short sleeves, breathable clothes.
- Notable Events:
- Return of school trips (“shūgaku ryokō“)—groups of uniformed students at major tourist sites
- Travel Tips: A great time for sightseeing before the rain and heat hit.
🌧️ Rainy Season (Tsuyu): Mid-June to Mid-July
- Weather: Humid, rainy, overcast.
- Temperature: 22–30°C / 72–86°F
- Clothing: Quick-dry shirts, waterproof shoes, light jacket or umbrella.
- Notable Events:
- Hydrangeas bloom beautifully in temples like Kamakura’s Meigetsuin
- Travel Tips: Fewer foreign tourists. Great for indoor attractions (museums, tea ceremonies, cafes).
🎆 Midsummer: Mid-July to Mid-August
- Weather: Very hot, humid, and sunny.
- Temperature: 28–36°C / 82–97°F
- Clothing: Tank tops, UV-blocking clothes, hat, sunscreen.
- Notable Events:
- Obon (mid-August): Buddhist holiday for ancestral spirits; many locals travel home
- Summer festivals and fireworks shows
- Travel Tips: Dangerous heat for those not used to humidity. Stay hydrated and take breaks indoors.
🍧 Late Summer: Late August to Mid-September
- Weather: Still hot but slowly cooling; typhoons possible.
- Temperature: 25–33°C / 77–91°F
- Clothing: Summer clothes + light cardigan for the evening
- Notable Events:
- End of summer vacation for Japanese students
- Travel Tips: Keep an eye on weather alerts for typhoons, especially if traveling by train or plane.
🍂 Early Autumn: Mid-September to Early October
- Weather: Comfortable, cooling down
- Temperature: 20–28°C / 68–82°F
- Clothing: Long sleeves, light jacket
- Notable Events:
- Silver Week (occasional long weekend in September)
- Harvest festivals in rural areas
- Travel Tips: One of the best times to travel—mild weather and smaller crowds
🍁 Mid-Autumn: Mid-October to Early November
- Weather: Crisp and cool, especially in the evenings
- Temperature: 15–25°C / 59–77°F
- Clothing: Sweaters, layered outfits
- Notable Events:
- Fall foliage begins in the north and higher elevations
- Traditional festivals like Jidai Matsuri (Kyoto)
- Travel Tips: Ideal time for nature, mountain walks, and temple visits
🍁 Late Autumn: Mid-November to Early December
- Weather: Cold mornings, clear skies
- Temperature: 10–18°C / 50–64°F
- Clothing: Coat, scarf, warm layers
- Notable Events:
- Fall leaves in Kyoto and Tokyo
- University exam season = fewer local travelers
- Travel Tips: Book in advance if you’re planning to see foliage—it’s a very popular time to visit.
❄️ Early Winter: Mid-December to Early January
- Weather: Dry and cold, but not freezing in most cities
- Temperature: 3–12°C / 37–54°F
- Clothing: Winter coat, scarf, gloves
- Notable Events:
- Christmas light displays, especially in Tokyo and Osaka
- New Year (Shōgatsu): Jan 1–3—many businesses closed
- Travel Tips: Book early for New Year holidays. Many locals travel during this time.
❄️ Deep Winter: Mid-January to Mid-February
- Weather: Coldest time of the year. Snow in northern/central regions
- Temperature: 0–8°C / 32–46°F
- Clothing: Heavy coat, thermals, snow boots if heading north
- Notable Events:
- Sapporo Snow Festival (early February)
- Peak of ski season in Hokkaido, Nagano
- Travel Tips: A great time for hot springs and snowy scenery. Fewer tourists in big cities.
📍 Regional Differences to Keep in Mind
- Hokkaido: Longer, colder winters; shorter, milder summers
- Kyoto/Osaka: Very humid in summer, beautiful foliage in autumn
- Tokyo: Balanced climate, very hot in summer
- Okinawa: Subtropical—beach weather until late October
🎒 What to Pack by Season
- Spring: Layers, comfortable shoes, light jacket
- Summer: Sunscreen, hat, water bottle, fan
- Autumn: Sweaters, umbrella, camera for foliage
- Winter: Heat packs (kairo), thick coat, gloves, thermal leggings
🌏 When Is the Best Time to Visit Japan?
🏮 Golden Week (Late April to Early May)
Japan’s biggest domestic travel week. A cluster of national holidays means that almost everyone in Japan is on the move. Hotels fill up months in advance, shinkansen tickets sell out, and prices on everything go up.
➡️ Expect long lines at major attractions and fully booked trains and buses.
🧧 Lunar New Year (Varies: Late January or February)
Japan itself doesn’t celebrate Lunar New Year, but many tourists from neighboring countries—especially China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and South Korea—take vacations during this time.
➡️ Expect crowded airports, shopping districts, and popular destinations, particularly in major cities.
🎍 New Year Holiday (December 29 to January 3)
New Year is Japan’s most sacred holiday. Locals travel to visit family, businesses close, and thousands of people visit shrines to pray for good fortune.
➡️ Transportation is jam-packed, and many restaurants, museums, and shops may close for several days.
🍁 Silver Week (Mid to Late September, Some Years)
Not as consistent as Golden Week, but when several public holidays fall close together in September, Japan experiences another spike in domestic travel.
➡️ Accommodations in popular areas may become scarce and prices can increase suddenly—especially in Kyoto, Hakone, and hot spring towns.
✈️ Chinese National Day Holiday (October 1–7)
During this “Golden Week” in China, many Chinese travelers take advantage of the holiday to visit Japan.
➡️ Expect increased tourist traffic in shopping areas, outlet malls, luxury brand stores, and major sightseeing spots.
Don’t Wait for the “Perfect” Time—Go While You Can
We’ve all seen how quickly ordinary life can change—through a pandemic, personal loss, or global unrest. Moments that once seemed guaranteed can vanish without warning. So if you’re fortunate enough to be in a place where traveling to Japan is even an option, that alone makes it the perfect time to go. Don’t wait for the ideal season or perfect forecast. The ability to go is reason enough.
🧳 Final Thoughts: Travel Japan Seasonally
Understanding Japan’s seasonal rhythms will make your trip smoother, more comfortable, and more memorable. You’ll pack smarter, plan better, and discover the beauty of Japan’s deep connection with time, nature, and tradition.
Each season comes with its own foods, customs, festivals, and atmosphere. Embrace them—and you’ll feel like you’re not just visiting Japan, but truly experiencing it.
🎥 For more travel tips and guides on all things Japan check out the PiQtour YouTube channel!
