January
Good time to goCool and relatively dry; highs near 10°C, lows near 2°C, about 60 mm rainfall
Good for urban sightseeing and skiing, with short daylight hours.
February
Good time to goCool and generally dry; highs near 11°C, lows near 3°C, about 57 mm rainfall
Quieter month suited to cities, winter scenery and snow regions.
March
Good time to goMild but changeable; highs near 14°C, lows near 6°C, about 116 mm rainfall
Cherry blossoms begin in southern and urban areas, lifting demand and prices.
April
Best time to goExcellent sightseeing conditions; highs near 19°C, lows near 9°C, about 134 mm rainfall
Peak cherry-blossom period varies by region; dates and hotels sell quickly.
May
Best time to goWarm and comfortable before the rainy season; highs near 24°C, lows near 14°C, about 140 mm rainfall
Strong all-round travel month, though Golden Week crowds the first days.
June
Shoulder seasonRainy season commonly begins; highs near 26°C, lows near 19°C, about 168 mm rainfall
Humid with frequent rain, though sightseeing remains practical with flexibility.
July
Shoulder seasonHot and humid; highs near 30°C, lows near 23°C, about 156 mm rainfall
Crowdsmoderate
Pricesmoderate
Festivals and mountain travel appeal, but midday sightseeing is tiring.
August
Shoulder seasonHot and humid; highs near 31°C, lows near 24°C, about 155 mm rainfall
Busy around Obon, with typhoon risk increasing later in the month.
September
Shoulder seasonWarm and wet; highs near 28°C, lows near 21°C, about 225 mm rainfall
Crowdsmoderate
Pricesmoderate
Elevated typhoon risk throughout; late September can improve noticeably.
October
Good time to goComfortable; highs near 22°C, lows near 15°C, about 235 mm rainfall
Crowdsmoderate
Pricesmoderate
Autumn colour begins in northern and high-altitude areas; rain can be substantial.
November
Best time to goCool and often clear; highs near 17°C, lows near 9°C, about 96 mm rainfall
Excellent for autumn foliage, especially in Kyoto and Tokyo.
December
Good time to goCool and relatively dry; highs near 12°C, lows near 5°C, about 58 mm rainfall
Crowdsmoderate
Pricesmoderate
Winter illuminations, Christmas travel and ski season begin.
- BestApr, May, Nov
- GoodJan, Feb, Mar, Oct, Dec
- FairJun, Jul, Aug, Sep