The essentials
When to go to Japan, in brief
Late March-April: the cherry blossoms
Flowering around 28 March in Tokyo and 2 April in Kyoto in 2026. Mild weather, 15-20°C, but very busy and pricey.
October-November: the autumn leaves
Autumn rivals spring: 14-18°C, clear skies, low humidity. The color peak in Kyoto is mid to late November.
June: the rainy season
The tsuyu hits the whole country except Hokkaido, from early June to mid-July. Steady rain and high humidity.
July-August: hot and sticky
Tokyo tops 32°C with high humidity. Season of matsuri and typhoons. Hokkaido stays cooler, around 21°C.
December-February: snow and onsen
Cold and dry on the Pacific side (2-11°C). Hokkaido and the Sea of Japan get heavy snow, perfect for skiing.
Golden Week: steer clear
Around 29 April to 6 May 2026, national holidays. Trains and hotels are jammed, prices peak everywhere.
The verdict
The best periods
April & Oct-Nov
The two prime windows: blossoms in April, leaves in November. Mild, bright, dry. Book 3 months ahead for the blossoms.
May, Sept, Dec-March
May is green and pleasant outside Golden Week. Winter suits skiing and onsen. September stays warm but quiet.
June & Golden Week
June brings the rainy season. Golden Week (late April-early May) jams trains, hotels and sites.
Month by month
The full calendar
Tap a month for the detailed guide: weather by region, where to go, festivals.
2-10°C
Dry, cold, skiing
3-11°C
Snow, onsen
6-14°C
First blossoms
11-19°C
Blossoms, mild
15-23°C
Green, pleasant
20-26°C
Rainy season
24-31°C
Hot, matsuri
25-32°C
Hot, humid
22-29°C
Typhoons possible
16-23°C
Mild, dry, leaves
10-17°C
Peak autumn leaves
5-12°C
Dry, cool, markets
Climate
Climate by region
| Region | Dry season | Wet season | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo & Kanto | April & Nov: 14-20°C, dry | June: rain; Jul-Aug: 32°C sticky | Ideal April & Nov |
| Kyoto & Kansai | Blossoms early April, leaves late Nov | Rainy June; heavy hot summer | Ideal April & Nov |
| Hokkaido (North) | Cool summer, 21°C; blossoms late April | No tsuyu; very snowy winter | Ideal June-Aug & ski |
| Okinawa (South) | Mild winter, 18-22°C | May-June rain; typhoons Aug-Sept | Ideal March-May |
Calendar
The key events of the year
Cherry blossom season (hanami)
Flowering around 28 March in Tokyo and 2 April in Kyoto in 2026, later in Hokkaido (late April). Peak crowds.
🇯🇵 Nationwide
Gion Matsuri
Kyoto's grand festival. The Yamaboko floats parade on 17 and 24 July through downtown.
🇯🇵 Kyoto
Nebuta Matsuri
Parade of giant illuminated lantern floats through the streets of Aomori, in northern Honshu.
🇯🇵 Aomori
Jidai Matsuri & autumn leaves
Historical procession of 2,000 costumed figures in Kyoto, at the start of the red leaf season.
🇯🇵 Kyoto
Our analysis
Japan has not one but two prime seasons, and the rest of the year sorts itself out easily. The country stretches 3,000 km from icy Hokkaido in the north to subtropical Okinawa in the south, so the calendar shifts with where you go. The rule of thumb: April or November.
Cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, the two peaks
From late March to mid-April, the blossoms open from south to north. In 2026, Tokyo expects flowering around 28 March, Kyoto around 2 April, Hokkaido only in late April. The window is short, 7 to 10 days, and crowds are at their highest. Book early.
November is the perfect flip side: 14 to 18°C, clear skies, low humidity and the maples blazing. The Kyoto peak falls mid to late November, and the colors hold two to three weeks, longer than the blossoms. It is my favorite window for a first trip.
The sticky summer and the June trap
From June to early July, the tsuyu (rainy season) soaks the whole country except Hokkaido. Skip June if you can. July and August climb to 32°C with heavy humidity, but this is peak matsuri and fireworks season. Hokkaido, at 21°C, stays a cool refuge.
Winter for the snow
From December to February, the Pacific side stays dry and cold (2 to 11°C), while Hokkaido and the Sea of Japan pile up world-class powder. Steaming onsen and ski resorts make this low season a real option, at reduced prices. One thing to dodge all year: Golden Week, in late April, when the whole country moves at once.
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Japan? +
Two windows stand out: late March-April for the cherry blossoms (15-20°C) and October-November for the autumn leaves (14-18°C). Mild, dry and bright in both cases.
When can you see the cherry blossoms in 2026? +
In Tokyo, flowering around 28 March; in Kyoto and Osaka around 2 April. Hokkaido waits until late April, Kyushu mid-March. The peak lasts only 7 to 10 days, so time it precisely.
What is the worst time to visit Japan? +
June brings the rainy season (tsuyu) everywhere except Hokkaido. Also avoid Golden Week (late April-early May): trains and hotels are fully booked.
Can you visit Japan in summer? +
Yes, but Tokyo and Kyoto top 32°C with high humidity from July to August. It is the season of matsuri and fireworks. Hokkaido, cooler at 21°C, is a good alternative.
When to go for skiing and snow? +
From December to February. Hokkaido (Niseko) and the Sea of Japan (Nagano, Hakuba) get heavy snow, while the Pacific side stays dry and cold.
Do you need to book far ahead? +
For the blossoms and the autumn leaves, yes: book flights and hotels three months ahead. These two peaks, plus Golden Week, send prices soaring.
Marie Laurent · Southeast Asia specialist
Updated June 1, 2026