When to go to Japan.
Blossoms, leaves, rain and crowds — then one page a month with the 72 micro-seasons.
When to go
Blossoms, leaves, rain and crowds across the year. Tap a month for the details.
January
NormalWinter: many sunny, cold days; northern areas under powder snow.
Good for: Snow, skiing, hot springs, early Okinawa blossoms.
Nature
- Okinawa cherry blossoms open (Naha avg Jan 16)
- Ski season in the north
Japanese holidays 2027: Jan 1 New Year's Day, Jan 11 Coming of Age Day
psst — Many shops and sights close around Jan 1.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for January →February
NormalColdest stretch; often clear skies; snow in the north.
Good for: Snow festivals, skiing, Okinawa blossoms.
Nature
- Okinawa cherry full bloom (Naha avg Feb 4)
- Powder snow in northern Japan
Festivals
- Sapporo Snow Festival — Feb 4-11, 2027 · Sapporo, Hokkaido
Japanese holidays 2027: Feb 11 National Foundation Day, Feb 23 Emperor's Birthday
psst — Book Sapporo hotels early for festival week.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for February →March
BusySpring arrives: cool, breezy, generally sunny.
Good for: Late-month cherry blossoms in Tokyo and Fukuoka.
Nature
- Cherry first bloom: Fukuoka Mar 22, Tokyo Mar 24, Kyoto Mar 26
- Full bloom: Tokyo and Fukuoka Mar 31
Japanese holidays 2027: Mar 21 Vernal Equinox Day, Mar 22 substitute holiday
psst — Bloom dates shift yearly; check forecasts before booking.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for March →April
Very busyMild, sunny spring days; cool evenings.
Good for: Kyoto blossoms, gardens, festival floats in Takayama.
Nature
- Kyoto cherry full bloom avg Apr 4
- Blossoms move north through the month
Festivals
- Spring Takayama Festival (Sanno) — Apr 14-15 · Takayama, Gifu
Japanese holidays 2027: Apr 29 Showa Day
psst — Kyoto hotels sell out; prices peak early April.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for April →May
BusyWarm and pleasant; Okinawa enters rainy season.
Good for: Mid to late May: mild weather, fewer crowds.
Nature
- Sapporo cherry first bloom May 1, full bloom May 6
- Okinawa rainy season starts avg May 10
Japanese holidays 2027: May 3 Constitution Day, May 4 Greenery Day, May 5 Children's Day
psst — Avoid travel May 3-5; trains and hotels packed.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for May →June
QuietRainy season on main islands: humid, frequent rain.
Good for: Lower prices; Hokkaido; Okinawa after Jun 21.
Nature
- Rainy season starts: Kyushu Jun 4, Kansai Jun 6, Tokyo Jun 7
- Okinawa rainy season ends avg Jun 21
psst — Pack rain gear; plan indoor options.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for June →July
BusyRain ends mid-month, then hot and intensely humid.
Good for: Festivals, beaches, Hokkaido's cooler summer.
Nature
- Rainy season ends avg Jul 19 (Kyushu, Kansai, Tokyo)
- Northern Tohoku ends avg Jul 28
Festivals
- Gion Matsuri — Jul 1-31; parades Jul 17 & 24; Yoiyama Jul 14-16, 21-23 · Kyoto
Japanese holidays 2027: Jul 19 Marine Day
psst — Heat and humidity; carry water, rest midday.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for July →August
Very busyHot and humid nationwide; typhoons possible.
Good for: Summer festivals, fireworks, mountains, Hokkaido.
Nature
- Typhoon season (Aug-Sep)
Festivals
- Aomori Nebuta Festival — Aug 2-7 · Aomori
- Awa Odori — Aug 12-15 · Tokushima
Japanese holidays 2027: Aug 11 Mountain Day
psst — Typhoons can cancel flights and trains; keep plans flexible.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for August →September
NormalStill hot early; cooling later; typhoon risk continues.
Good for: Fewer crowds than summer; late-month comfort.
Nature
- Typhoon season (Aug-Sep)
- Autumn leaves begin late Sep in the far north
Japanese holidays 2027: Sep 20 Respect for the Aged Day, Sep 23 Autumnal Equinox Day
psst — Watch typhoon forecasts; buy flexible tickets.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for September →October
BusyCooling, comfortable, mostly clear autumn days.
Good for: Walking, hiking, festivals, Hokkaido foliage.
Nature
- Sapporo maple color avg Oct 28
- Leaves turn from Hokkaido southward
Festivals
- Autumn Takayama Festival (Hachiman) — Oct 9-10 · Takayama, Gifu
- Jidai Matsuri — Oct 22 (rain: Oct 23) · Kyoto
Japanese holidays 2027: Oct 11 Sports Day
psst — Takayama rooms book out for festival dates.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for October →November
Very busyCrisp, dry and sunny; colder in the north.
Good for: Autumn leaves in Tokyo and Kyoto, clear views.
Nature
- Ginkgo yellow: Sapporo Nov 4, Fukuoka Nov 20, Tokyo Nov 23, Kyoto Nov 24
- Tokyo maple color avg Nov 28
Japanese holidays 2027: Nov 3 Culture Day, Nov 23 Labor Thanksgiving Day
psst — Book Kyoto stays months ahead for late November.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for November →December
NormalWinter begins; many sunny days; snow in the north.
Good for: Late Kyoto leaves, illuminations, early skiing.
Nature
- Maple color: Fukuoka Dec 1, Kyoto Dec 5
- Ski season begins in the north
psst — Closures start around the New Year holidays.
Places at their best
Plan a trip for December →Blossom, leaf and rainy-season dates: Japan Meteorological Agency 1991–2020 averages — real dates move each year, so check the forecast. Typhoons and snow: JNTO. Crowd levels are our own estimate from holidays and festivals. Checked 2026-10-28.
The year in temperature
Show as table
| Month | Sapporo | Naha | Tokyo |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | -3.4° | 17.5° | 5.5° |
| February | -2.9° | 17.5° | 6.5° |
| March | 1.1° | 19.5° | 9.5° |
| April | 7.5° | 21.5° | 14.5° |
| May | 13.5° | 24.5° | 19.5° |
| June | 17.5° | 27.5° | 22.5° |
| July | 21.5° | 29.5° | 26.0° |
| August | 22.5° | 29.5° | 27.5° |
| September | 19.0° | 28.5° | 24.0° |
| October | 12.0° | 26.0° | 18.5° |
| November | 5.5° | 22.5° | 13.0° |
| December | -1.0° | 19.5° | 8.0° |
When it gets crowded
- New Year — usually Dec 29 – Dec 31
- Cherry blossom (Tokyo/Kyoto) — usually Mar 20 – Apr 10
- Golden Week — usually Apr 29 – May 5
- Obon — usually Aug 13 – Aug 16
- Autumn leaves (Kyoto) — usually Nov 15 – Dec 8
