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Best Time to Visit Japan: When to Go & When to Avoid!

Home » Blog » Travel Tips » Best Time to Visit Japan: When to Go & When to Avoid!

Choosing the best time of year to visit Japan can be downright overwhelming. Each of Japan’s 4 distinct seasons has its draws and drawbacks (some more than others!). We’re going to break down exactly what to expect during winter, spring, summer, and fall so you can choose the best time to visit Japan based on your travel style and interests.

Japan has four distinct seasons: You’ve got the famed cherry blossoms in the spring, festivals in the summer, vibrant foliage in autumn, and powdery snow come wintertime.

So this begs the question: 

What time of year is best to visit Japan?

In short, you’ll have the best chance of comfortable weather and fewer crowds in early spring (March – early April) and in autumn (late October – November). Our personal pick would be to visit Japan during November; but more on that later…

Let me backup… Truthfully there is no correct answer, as each season has its own unique draws (and drawbacks too).

But we’re not going to just leave ya there, hangin’.

We’re going to go over the pros and cons of visiting Japan during each season to help you decide which time of year is ideal for YOU.

Just staying in Tokyo? We have another article about the best time to visit Tokyo , specifically!

Answer these questions to get started:

• Do you mind hot weather?
• What about cold weather?
• Are you easily bothered by crowds?
• How much of your time do you want to spend outdoors?
• Which would you rather see: cherry blossoms or colorful fall foliage?

Thinking about your answers to these questions is going to help you start to determine when to visit Japan.

Best time to visit Japan guide

Our experience, japan geography overview, weather in japan.

• Rainy season in Japan
• Typhoon season in Japan
• Best time of year to view Mt. Fuji
• Seasons in Japan
• Holidays and festivals in Japan
• Best time to travel based on activity
• How many days to spend in Japan
• What to pack for Japan

Overall BEST time to visit Japan

Want a quick recommendation? Jump down to see our personal advice for the best time to visit Japan. Plus, we’ll share what times of year we’d avoid visiting!

• Our Recommendation…

The ultimate Japan packing list

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, we have the ultimate resource for you!

This  FREE   PDF download  includes  everything  you’re going to want to pack for your Japan trip, including what NOT to bring, plus tons of insider tips!

Sign up for our  ultimate Japan packing list  now and get a copy sent straight to your inbox.

We visited Japan in summer, fall & winter

When: mid-August (2019) 

Our experience:

• Very hot and humid in most places
• Lots of Japanese tourists and international travelers in the popular places
• We had a few days of typhoon weather
• Mount Fuji wasn’t on our route, but she was only visible for a handful of days of our trip, due to clouds.
• Felt too hot to be able to enjoy onsens as much as other times of the year

Would we recommend visiting Japan in August? 

It wouldn’t be my top recommendation, honestly. I found it very hot and muggy, and I would much prefer visiting when the temps are more comfortable.

When: mid-November (2023) 

• Comfortable temperatures and no humidity
• Colorful foliage in some areas (it differs quite a bit throughout the country)
• During our 3-week trip, we had a little light rain , but not much
• Clear views of Mount Fuji
• Perfect weather for soaking in onsen
• Crowds in popular areas for foliage viewing, but nothing overwhelming

Would we recommend visiting Japan in November? 

Absolutely! Autumn is perhaps my all time favorite time to travel anywhere — and Japan is no different. I think autumn will always be my favorite time to visit Japan!

When: early February (2015)

• Mild winter temperatures (we’re used to very cold winters, and this wasn’t bad for us)
• Snow in the mountains was magical
• Even though winter is said to be the best time to view Mount Fuji , she was covered in fog when we visited
• Onsens were very enjoyable (we had a private outdoor onsen while it was snowing, which was amazing!)
• Obviously the cities are still busy (because they’re highly populated), but the amount of tourists was lower than other seasons
• Good deals on accommodation since it was outside of peak season
• We saw a few plum blossoms in Tokyo that were blooming early, which was a pleasant surprise!

Would we recommend visiting Japan in February?  Yes! I think winter is one of the best times to visit Japan and it’s very underrated. Next time we visit in the winter, I want to add more outdoor onsens and a snowboarding trip in the legendary Japanese powder!

While not a large country exactly, Japan spreads more than 1,800 miles (2,900+ kilometers) north to south, from the island of Hokkaido in the northeast all the way down to the island of Okinawa in the southwest.

A distance that large means the weather from north to south varies quite a lot. Hokkaido can be freezing while the subtropical island of Okinawa can be experiencing a beach day.

For the purpose of this article, we’ll mostly be discussing the weather on the island of Honshu. 

Located in the middle of the country, Honshu is where Tokyo , Osaka and Kyoto are all located, and is where most international travelers will start and end their trip, especially if it is your first time in Japan .

Another thing to take into consideration is that Japan is a very mountainous country. Common sense tells us that when you venture to higher elevations, you’ll find colder temperatures.

Fun Example: We went up into the Japanese Alps in August and found a drastic temperature swing: 95°F (35°C) at sea level to 65°F (18°C) in the mountains. This same area has snow until as late as early July. Crazy, huh?!

Psst! If you’ll be traveling more throughout the country, be sure to check out our bucket list of crazy fun things to do in Japan !

Let’s chat about the sun, the snow, the rain, and those dreaded typhoons. We’ll go over what type of weather you should expect throughout the year and describe our experience with a typhoon.

We’re also going over some important information if you are interested in viewing Mount Fuji.

Spoiler alert: You won’t be able to see this iconic mountain for much of the year.

Stats on Japan weather & seasons:

• Hottest month in Japan: August (average 80°F/41°C)
• Coldest month in Japan: January (41°F/5°C)
• Rainiest months in Japan: June and September
• Driest months in Japan: December and January
• Most crowded month in Japan: late April – early May (aka “Golden Week”, explained in the section about Spring )
• Least crowded months in Japan: January – early March are the least popular times to visit, which can mean cheaper prices and less crowds

Note: Again, these stats are for the central island of Honshu. If you are planning to visit the northernmost island of Hokkaido, or Okinawa in the very south, be sure to look up their specific weather, as they vary from the rest of the county.

Rainy season in Japan: Early Summer

The majority of the country experiences a rainy season from June through mid-July.

The good news is that during the rainy season, there’s a roughly 45% chance of precipitation each day (data from Tokyo), meaning you’ll have some dry days too! Some of those rainy days will be heavy, while others will be sunny before or after the rain.

Interesting Fact: Tokyo is one of the rainiest big cities on earth! In fact, it has more than double the amount of annual rainfall as London. Say whaaaat?!

Despite rain, you’ll find life goes on as usual in Japan, as locals are used to it. Do as the Japanese do and buy an umbrella to stay dry!

Typhoon season in Japan: Late Summer

Late May through October is known as typhoon season in Japan, with the majority of typhoons occurring in August and September. Data from the last 30 years show that an average of 11 typhoons approach the coast per year.

What is a typhoon?

A typhoon is a tropical cyclone. They are formed in the same way a hurricane forms, and the only real difference is the location at which they occur .

What is a typhoon like in Japan?

We visited Japan during the month of August, which as you now know is the peak of typhoon season. And one typhoon made landfall during our visit.

So how bad was it, really?

This was our experience: 

The entire day leading up to the typhoon was sunny with blue skies, and we both had this feeling that it wouldn’t be that bad.

But everyone was talking about it and how strong it would supposedly be. There was talk about trains shutting down, and we had a food tour cancel on us because restaurants were closing up shop.

But it’s beautiful outside, we thought naively. We put on rain jackets, grabbed our one umbrella and headed into town just as a drizzle began to start.

Soon, the winds increased and the rain started really coming down. But the trains still ran, and we decided to go catch a movie. By the time we got out of the show, the streets were mostly empty and the rain was really pounding, so despite our umbrella and rain jackets, we got completely soaked.

By the next morning, blue skies started peeking out from behind clouds and by the afternoon you would never know what had happened the previous night.

What to expect: Heavy rainfall and high winds, canceled and/or delayed trains, canceled tours. In some cases, it may only interrupt a day or two, and in others it might have longer-lasting effects. You should expect some plans to change since Japanese people take typhoons very seriously.

Best time of year to view Mount Fuji

Many visitors to Japan will want to glimpse the country’s most famous mountain, and for good reason — it’s absolutely stunning, and seeing Mount Fuji in person will be one of the highlights of your trip. That is, if you see her .

One thing many first-time visitors to Japan may not realize (ourselves included) is that Mount Fuji is notoriously shy. This means there is much of the year where your chances of seeing her are rare. Instead, this shy mountain will stay cloaked behind clouds and haze, only occasionally peeking through.

So what time of year will you have the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji?

• Best chances of seeing Mount Fuji: Based on data from years past, you will have the highest chance of seeing Mount Fuji between the months of November and February.
• Worst chances of seeing Mount Fuji: Alternatively, between April and August, you will have a slim chance of glimpsing this iconic mountain.

That said, nothing is promised when it comes to weather. 

We visited Japan for the first time during early February, when we should have had a good chance of seeing Fuji. We spent the night in Hakone and bought the (not so cheap!) Hakone Day Pass to get close to the mountain, yet we only saw WHITE FRICKIN’ CLOUDS.

And on the other hand, we’ve known people who have seen Fuji peek out during July and August, supposedly bad months for viewing the mountain.

But if you’re looking to get that iconic shot of a clear sky day and the mountain towering in the background in her famous symmetrical grandeur, late autumn through early spring will be your best bet at capturing this sight.

Psst! Check out our list of the most beautiful places in Japan you’ll have to see to believe!

Japan’s seasons at a glance

Japan has 4 distinct seasons: The winter is cold and the summer is hot. If either of those would bother you, it’s easy to eliminate a season right off the bat.

Spring is famously known for stunning displays of cherry blossoms around the country . But when we say famous, we mean it. Japan gets very busy this time of year with domestic and international travelers, so if crowds bother you, this is another easy elimination.

Fall comes with spectacular autumn foliage , and while not as crowded as cherry blossom season, it’s not an unpopular time to travel.

Jump to the season you’re interested in to read more about what to expect:

Winter in Japan

Spring in japan, summer in japan.

• Autumn in Japan

We’re going to go over what to expect during each season in detail so you can better plan your trip to Japan.

But before we dive in…

Did you know there are 72 “seasons” in Japan?

The traditional Japanese calendar was split up into 24 sections, and each of those were further divided into 3 subsections, creating 72 “micro seasons” .

These micro-seasons last 5 days, and the names of some of them are poetic:

• Frogs start singing (May 5th – 9th)
• Great rains sometimes fall (August 3rd – 7th)
• Dew glistens white on grass (September 8th – 12th)
• Insects hole up underground (September 28th – October 2nd)
• Maple leaves and ivy turn yellow (November 2nd – 6th)

While this isn’t necessarily something people go by in modern times, it’s a good reminder that the weather and atmosphere changes very often in Japan and it’s important to be prepared for it all.

During the winter months, major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto tend to enjoy mild temperatures, but you can find snow and colder temps in the mountains and on Hokkaido (the northernmost island in Japan).

Crowds tend to be fewer during the winter season, except for at the ski resorts where outdoor enthusiasts will be spoiled with some of the best powder in the world.

Winter comes with sunshine and blue skies that are statistically the clearest they’ll be all year long.

While winter may not be the first season you think of traveling, there’s actually a ton to do, and we think it is a great time to visit Japan .

• When is winter in Japan?  December – February
• Typical weather in Japan during the winter:  Dry, cold, & sunny
• Average winter temperatures:  35 ° F – 55 ° F (Tokyo) (2 ° C – 13 ° C)
• least crowded season, great for visiting Japan’s iconic landmarks
• Japan has great snow for skiing and snowboarding
• great time for onsens, snow monkeys and seeing scenic landscapes & villages dusted in snow
• cold weather, averaging around 43°F (6°C)
• some outdoor activities, like hiking and biking may be more difficult in the winter

Winter months at a glance

• December:  Third coldest month of the year, lots of Bonenkai (“forget the year”) parties and celebrations. Ski season begins in Sapporo.
• January:  Coldest month of the year, clear and sunny skies, snowy in the northern part of the country, best month for skiing and winter activities.
• February:  Second coldest month of the year, still great for skiing in the mountains, yet you can start seeing spring plum blossoms further south in the country.

Best things to do in the winter in Japan

We have a huge list of all the best things to do during winter in Japan , but here are some highlights:

• Go skiing or snowboarding
• Visit traditional villages like Shirakawa-go , which is stunning after a fresh show
• Go to the Sapporo Snow Festival (held for one week in February)
• Soak in an onsen (natural hot spring)
• Fill your belly with hot ramen noodle soup
• See “snow monkeys” at Jigokudani Monkey Park
• View Mount Fuji
• Photograph famous sights with a blanket of snow
• Check out some of Tokyo’s best activities that take place indoors

Best times and places to ski in Japan

• Sapporo:  December – March
• Nagano:  January – February

Winter is the best season to travel to Japan if…

• …you don’t mind colder temperatures
• …you want to ski or snowboard
• …you want to avoid the crowds
• …you want to save money and travel during off-peak season

What to pack for winter in Japan

• Lots of layers, including a versatile jacket, gloves and a hat
• Warm and comfortable footwear and socks
• Sunglasses (remember, this season has the sunniest days!)
• Hand warmers (you can buy these pretty much everywhere in Japan)
• Ski gear (if needed)

With stunning  sakura  (cherry blossoms) popping up all around the country and temperatures warming, it should come as no surprise that spring is a popular time to visit Japan. A  very  popular time, indeed.

If you travel to Japan in the spring, you’ll be rewarded with comfortable temperatures, beautiful blossoms, and  crowds .

• When is spring in Japan?  From March – May
• Typical weather in Japan during the spring:  Nice during the day, but chilly at night. Mostly sunny days with a more showers near the end of May.
• Average spring temperatures:  40 ° F – 70 ° F (Tokyo) (4 ° C – 21 ° C)
• comfortable temperatures
• beautiful cherry blossoms
• crowded (make travel plans far in advance!)
• things may be more expensive since it is peak season

What is Golden Week in Japan?

“Golden Week” is a series of four national holidays that all fall within the same week from April 29th – May 5th every year.

• April 29, Showa Day:  birthday of Emperor Showa, who ruled the country during World War II.
• May 3, Constitution Day ( Kenpo kinenbi ):  called  ,  this is the celebration of the Japanese constitution ratification in 1947.
• May 4, Green Day ( Midori no hi ):  similar to Earth Day, this holiday honors the environment.
• Pssst! For everyone else out there wondering why they don’t include young girls in this, there is a “Girls’ Festival” (Hina Matsuri) on March 3rd.

Many Japanese people have holiday from work during this time, so it is a popular time to travel for both international and domestic visitors.

If your trip falls during these dates (or even a bit before and after), you’ll have the unique opportunity to see some celebrations and mingle with lots of Japanese travelers.

But be warned, you should start booking your accommodation well in advance because rooms sell out in popular places, like Kyoto, for example. You’ll also want to reserve seats on trains ahead of your trip, otherwise you’ll be out of luck.

Should you avoid visiting during Golden Week in Japan?

I’m going to be honest, I don’t think we would travel to Japan during Golden Week because of the insane crowds.

If you want to see Cherry Blossom but aren’t excited about the prospect of crowds, we’d urge you to avoid Golden Week, and instead travel to Japan during early March.

When and where can you see cherry blossoms?

Cherry blossoms are only in bloom for roughly one week per location. They bloom at different times throughout the country, so if you want to extend the length of time you can view them, it’s best to travel south to north so you can see them for a longer period of time.

We have an entire guide to how you can see the cherry blossoms during Spring in Japan , but in short, here are some of the best times to go:

• Fukuoka: Late March – Early April
• Hiroshima: Late March – Early April
• Kyoto: First Week of April (very popular)
• Osaka: First Week of April (very popular)
• Tokyo: Late March – Early April (very popular)
• Kanazawa: 1st – 2nd week in April
• Matsumoto: 2nd- 3rd week in April
• Sapporo: Late April – Early May

Spring months at a glance

• March:  Temperatures are still cool, but it noticeably warms throughout the month. Skiing season in the mountains is starting to wind down, and toward the end of the month the first cherry blossoms start to reveal themselves.
• April:  This is the prime month for cherry blossom viewing, though many Japanese people have a whole week off from work (Golden Week), so most major cherry blossom sites will be incredibly crowded.
• May:  Very nice weather during the month of May — warm temperatures and sunny skies. Though it is technically the start of typhoon season, strong storms are very rare during the month of May.

Best things to do in the spring in Japan

• Head to Kyoto to photograph sakura (aka cherry blossoms) of course!
• Catch a glimpse of Mount Fuji
• Try some interesting new foods in Japan
• Take a day trip from Osaka to Hiroshima to check out some of the city’s super important historical sites

Spring is the best season to travel if…

• …you don’t mind crowds
• …you want comfortable temperatures (not too cold or too hot)
• …you want to see the famous cherry blossoms
• …you can make your bookings well in advance
• …you don’t mind paying a bit more for hotels and tours during peak season

What to pack for spring in Japan

• Thicker layers if traveling in March
• Light jacket for April and May
• Comfortable walking shoes
• Hiking attire if you plan to hit the trails

Summer in Japan is the time for festivals and celebrations. The summer spans from June to August, with August being the busiest travel month because school is out and many Japanese people travel over the Obon holiday (August 13-15).

(Unlucky for us, we unknowingly decided to visit Japan for our second time in August…whoops!)

Be prepare on ways to beat the humidity because it can get pretty sticky. Also it’s rainy season and the start of typhoon season, so don’t forget your rain jacket and umbrella

• When is summer in Japan?  June – August
• Typical weather in Japan during the summer:  Hot, humid, sticky, and rainy. But not as bad as everyone makes it out to be.
• Average summer temperatures:  70 ° F – 90 ° F (Tokyo) (21 ° C – 32 ° C)
• Festivals throughout the country during the summer months
• Prime season for outdoor activities like hiking
• great time to try scuba diving in Japan
• can get very humid
• rain is common at the beginning of summer (June – mid-July), and typhoons are common at the end of summer (August – September)

How bad is the heat in summer, really?

Over the last few years, I’ve realized I don’t handle extreme heat very well. I get tired and crabby much more quickly in the heat. Needless to say, I was very nervous about traveling to Japan during August — the hottest month of the year!

So what was it like?

Well, it did get pretty hot, like 98°F hot (37°C). And it did rain on us a few times but typically it would only last for 20-30 minutes and the rain would stop.

Some days were worse than others. After a rain, for example, it was actually pretty comfortable.

We’ve heard that summer in Tokyo is similar to summer in NYC, hot and humid. And Osaka in summer is similar to Washington D.C. in the summer, which is even more hot and humid. 

Knowing what to expect is half the battle , and this way you can prepare yourself for it.

All of our accommodation (even in tiny villages) had strong AC, so we never had an issue with being comfortable at night.

Summer months at a glance

• June:  The beginning of the month is quite nice, comparable to the weather in May. However,  tsuyu  (rainy season) starts around mid-June and last for about a month. It’s not rainy all day but there is a June gloom feeling that hangs around. Temperatures get warmer and the humidity increases as the month progresses.
• July:  Starts out rainy because of  tsuyu  (rainy season), this only lasts until mid-July. Temperatures and humidity continue to rise as this is typically the second hottest month of the year. Great time to see festivals including Kyoto famous Gion Matsuri festival.
• August:  The hottest month of the year in Japan. August is a good time to venture into the mountains to escape the heat. Many Japanese have August 13th-15th off because of Obon holiday, so try to avoid this time because it can get busy.

Best things to do in the summer in Japan

We have another guide to things to do during summer in Japan , but here are some top recommendations:

• Check out Tokyo’s digital art museum on a day that’s too hot or rainy to be outside
• Enjoy festivals including Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri and Osaka’s Tenjin Matsuri
• Go hiking through the Japanese Alps or venture up to Hokkaido
• Scuba diving (apparently the diving is actually really good in Japan!)
• Head to the beach
• Watch a baseball game

Ever thought of going  scuba diving in Japan ?  Being an island nation, the diving in Japan is actually quite good, and being an off the radar scuba destinations means less crowded dive sites! If you are visiting Japan in the summer time, you’ll have the best conditions for diving all over the country.

Summer is the best season to travel if…

• …you don’t mind humidity and a bit of rain
• …you like outdoor activities like hiking and biking
• …you want to experience cultural festivals

What to pack for summer in Japan

• Anti-chafing cream
• Hand-held fan (you can buy these all over and they make a nice Japanese souvenir )
• Deodorant, finding quality deodorant in Japan is very difficult (we switched to natural deodorant several years ago and will never go back!)
• Light, loose clothing that wicks sweat
• Umbrella for rain and shade

Fall in Japan

With typhoon season peaking at the beginning of September, the start of fall in Japan is typically rainy depending on where you are. However, the weather starts to clear up in October and by November the leaves are changing.

We visited Japan in November 2023 and put together this guide to autumn in Japan that’s full of useful info.

• When is autumn in Japan?  September – November
• Typical weather in Japan during the autumn:  Rainy in September and beginning of October because of typhoon season
• Average autumn temperatures:  50 ° F – 80 ° F (Tokyo) (10 ° C – 27 ° C)
• nice temperatures
• beautiful fall foliage in countryside
• September can be a pretty humid and rainy month, but it starts to get better in October

When can you see fall foliage in Japan?

The colorful leaves peak a bit later than other places in the Northern Hemisphere, like North America and Europe. The best display of autumn colors can typically be seen toward the end of November and even through the beginning of December.

You can find past and current reports of fall foliage here .

Autumn months at a glance

• September:  peak of typhoon season in the southern prefectures, there can be airport and train delays. But it is the month with the least amount of visitors so it will be less busy.
• October:  rainy in the beginning of the month but the temperatures start to drop making going outside more manageable.
• November:  cool, crisp and dry time of year. Autumn foliage peaks near the end of November

Best things to do during the fall in Japan

• Hike the Kumano Kodo Pilgrimage Trail
• Sneak some views of Mount Fuji
• See the fall foliage on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
• Eat sweet treats like deep fried maple leaves in Minoo Park
• Travel to Osaka for leaf peeping in the parks

Autumn is the best season to travel if…

• …you are seeking comfortable temperatures
• …you would like to see (and photograph!) fall foliage
• …you want to explore the major cities
• …you like to avoid crowds
• …you enjoy cool and crisp air

What to pack for fall  in Japan

• Umbrella just in case it rains
• Light jacket for November

Holidays & festivals in Japan

It’s a good idea to check the calendar before booking your flight to Japan, as there are many national holidays that can affect your travels.

Some of these festivals will be fun to observe, but they can also mean trains book up quickly and hotels mark up their rates for peak times.

Here are some of the (not all!) big holiday dates to know:

• January 1:  New Year’s Day (people often travel on the days before and after)
• February 11:  Foundation Day
• Around March 20 – 21:  Vernal (Spring) Equinox Day
• April 29 – May 5:  Golden Week
• 3rd Monday in July:  Marine Day
• August 11:  Mountain Day
• August 13 – 15 : Obon
• 3rd Monday in September:  Respect for the Aged Day
• Around September 22 – 23:  Autumn Equinox Day 
• October 1:  Citizens Day 
• 2nd Monday in October:  Health and Sports Day
• November 3:  Culture Day
• November 23 : Labor Thanksgiving Day 
• December 23:  Emperor’s Birthday

Festivals in Japan

In Japan, festivals are called  matsuri  and they take place all year long. This is a list of some of the more unique festivals in Japan.

• Jan 15:  Nozawa Fire Festival , in Nagano, Japan
• Feb 5-12:  Sapporo Yuki Matsuri  (Snow Festival), Sapporo, Hokkaido
• Late March:  Sumo Wrestling Spring Basho , Osaka
• Early June:  The Kaiko Kinenbi , Yokohama Port Opening Ceremony (Boat Races)
• July:  Shonan Hiratsuka Tanabata Matsuri  (Star Festival), Hiratsuka
• Late July:  Tenjin Matsuri  (Festival of the Gods), Osaka
• October:  Warai Festival  (Laughing Festival), Wakayama

Best time of year to travel to Japan based on activity

Check the list below to find the activities you’re most interested in doing while in Japan. See what time of year is best to help you decide when to plan your trip.

• Photography:  Spring or Fall
• Beating the crowds:  Winter
• Hiking:  Spring, Summer or Winter
• Skiing/Snowboarding:  Winter
• Onsens:  Winter, Spring or Fall
• Scuba Diving:  Summer
• Beach Hopping:  Summer
• Spotting Mount Fuji:  Late Fall, Winter, early Spring
• Festivals and Celebrations:  All year!

In our opinion…

We’ve traveled to Japan in both the summer and the wintertime, and each had its own pros and cons.

Summer was hot and humid—like really humid—so we found ourselves sweating through our shirts daily. But we’ve been in hot and humid climates before, so honestly, it wasn’t anything we hadn’t dealt with before. But still, it wasn’t all that pleasant, and it wouldn’t be our season of choice.

The wintertime was picturesque in the countryside where the snow stuck to the ground. And in the big cities, we actually got many sunny, blue sky days which was a surprise. The cold temperatures made it fun to pop into cozy noodle shops or soak in hot onsens, whereas those activities were not quite so pleasant in the August heat.

We preferred winter over summer, because the crowds were fewer and we’re accustomed to cold weather, so we found it to be quite mild actually.

However, if we were able to choose, we would without a doubt, travel to Japan in the fall: early November, specifically.

November has a smaller chance of rain than October, and more comfortable temperatures than December.

The temperatures will have cooled off from the crazy summer humidity, yet it wouldn’t be too cold for hiking. It wouldn’t have quite the same crazy crowds as cherry blossom season brings. And fall foliage in Japan is something we’ve been dreaming about seeing!

Alternatively, early March would offer the beginnings of cherry blossom season, comfortable weather, and less crowds than those you’ll find late April and early May during Golden Week.

How many days do you need in Japan?

There’s so much to see and do in Japan that it can be overwhelming trying to decide how long your trip should be. Ideally, 2-3 weeks  will give you enough time to see iconic and lesser-known sights as well as recover from a long travel day and potentially a big time difference.

But the ideal duration for your trip depends on several factors, including destinations you want to visit and your travel style. Our guide to how many days to spend in Japan will help you figure out how much time you need based on what you want to do.

What to pack for traveling to Japan

We know it can be overwhelming packing for a trip to a new destination. That’s why we spent hours creating these super helpful guides full of  packing hacks and tips for traveling in Japan  that you won’t find anywhere else:

• Our  Japan packing guide  lists all the essentials (many of which you might not think about), as well as what you should NOT pack for a trip to Japan.
• This article on  what to wear in Japan  will help you create a perfect capsule wardrobe for every season and let you in on some cultural taboos so you can be sure to dress appropriately.
• With this  FREE Japan packing list PDF download , we’ll send checklists straight to your inbox for everything from clothing and toiletries (for both women and men!) to what shoes to pack and extra stuff you may want to have on-hand just in case. Click the image below to get your free copy!

More resources for traveling in Japan

We have TONS of resources on travel in Japan and destinations throughout the country. Check out our  Ultimate Japan Travel Guide  for all the answers to your most burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below!

• Japan Rail Pass: Where to Buy & Is It Worthwhile?
• Trip to Japan Cost: Tips for Budget Travel in Japan
• Japan Pocket Wifi vs. Japanese SIM Card: Review & Comparison
• Best Japan Travel Apps
• Expert Tips for Visiting Japan (Dos & Don’ts!)
• Ultimate Japan Travel Guide: Everything You Need to Know for Your First Trip to Japan
• Helpful Japanese Words & Phrases to Know for Traveling in Japan 

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We’d love to hear from you!

What season sounds best to you? Why? Do you have any more questions after reading this article? We’ll try our best to bet back to you!

Comments (11) on “ Best Time to Visit Japan: When to Go & When to Avoid! ”

Such a nice article. Thanks for sharing

Thanks, buddy, I really want to visit Japan, and your post makes me more excited about the Japan tour

Thank you so much!! Love the recommendations and help!! Will Use this to Plan my trip

It was a nice post. Pictures were overwhelming !!!!!!

I want to travels Japan

Thanks for sharing

Awesome tips! 👌 My question would be, is there any pro or cons going the last week in May to beginning of June. Looking at 2 weeks. Fukuoka & Tokyo. 😊 TIA!

Did you end up going during that time? We’re going this year in that exact time; late My early June for two weeks.

Want to visit Japan for a conducted tour of 15 days and am thinking of mid September to early October.

Very well article. Thank you very much. This is the first article I read for the trip we are planning. The details were amazing. 🙂

Where was the picture under “summer months at a glance” (with Katie walking up the steps) taken? It’s absolutely beautiful, and I’d love to go there when I visit!

At first, all your pictures are Wonderful. Nice interpretation?

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When Is the Best Time to Visit Japan?

By Amber Port

When is the best time to visit Japan?

It depends on what type of trip you’re looking to take. However, spring and autumn tend to be the most beautiful weather-wise. We’d recommend a trip between March and May or September and November. If you’re looking to steer clear of crowds, then a trip in May after Golden Week is for you.

When is the best time to visit Japan for cherry blossoms?

Cherry blossom season is one of the most popular times to visit Japan . Crowds of people excitedly welcome spring with the blooming of the beautiful Sakuras, with various festivals popping up across the country to celebrate.

The blooming timeline does depend on what region of Japan you’re in. For example, the bloom time in southern Japan is slightly earlier than the other regions, while the middle of April is the peak month for Tokyo. We recommend checking out the cherry blossom forecast via the Japan Meteorological Corporation if you want more information on the regions you’ll visit.

Need more inspiration? We've rounded up all the best reasons to visit Japan in 2024 after it was voted the best country in the world in our 2023 Readers' Choice Awards .

When is the best time to visit Japan for good weather?

The weather is the most mild and sunny during the spring months between March and May or autumn from September to November. The summer months see higher, humid temperatures with increased rainfall.

What is the cheapest time to go to Japan?

It’s always cheapest to travel during the off-season, which would fall between mid-January and March. The winter months see a decrease in the number of tourists, meaning airlines and hotels are eager to greet visitors.

When is the busiest time to visit Japan?

Cherry blossom season and Golden Week are the busiest times to visit Japan. The Sakura season sees many international tourists arrive, while Golden Week (a collection of four national holidays) at the beginning of May shows increased domestic tourism.

A version of this article originally appeared on Condé Nast Traveller .

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The Best, Worst, and Most Affordable Times to Visit Japan

Whether you want to see the cherry blossoms or avoid the crowds, these are the best times to visit Japan.

A snowy getaway in Hokkaido, a beach vacation in Okinawa, or a photography trip to capture cherry blossoms in Tokyo — the best time to visit Japan depends entirely on what you want to do when you arrive.

As a country with a seemingly endless amount of activities and festivals on offer throughout the year, there really isn't a bad time to visit. But if you're interested in shrine-hopping in Kyoto, seeing the pink hues of cherry blossoms, or gazing at fall foliage, you'll want to carefully time your visit. Here are the tourist seasons to be aware of when planning your trip.

• High Season: March to May and September to November
• Shoulder Seasons:  June to August and December
• Low Season:  January to March

Use this guide to find the perfect time for your dream trip to Japan.

Best Times to Visit Japan for Smaller Crowds

Travelers from all over the world come to Japan to admire the cherry blossoms, so it should come as no surprise that sakura season (late March to April) marks the busiest time for tourism. Domestic travelers also take advantage of Golden Week (a series of four national holidays in Japan) from the end of April to the beginning of May. You'll want to avoid visiting during that time, unless you meticulously plan ahead, since trains, hotels, and sightseeing spots can often be overcrowded or booked out entirely. Stunning foliage tends to draw crowds in the autumn, especially when the leaves reach their colorful peak between mid-October and early November.

If you're looking to avoid the crowds, plan your visit during the rainy season, which typically begins in June and lasts until mid-July. Though this period tends to be humid and drizzly, it's one of the best times to enjoy the popular tourist spots without the crowds. Japan is also quieter between January and March, making it a perfect time to pair sightseeing with snow sports and onsen visits.

Best Times to Visit Japan for Good Weather

Japan, while not especially large, is surprisingly varied when it comes to weather. Frigid winters at the northernmost tip of Hokkaido make the subtropical islands of southern Okinawa seem worlds away. The rainy season typically runs from early June to mid-July throughout most of the country — Tokyo included — except in Okinawa where showers begin in early May. Meanwhile, in Hokkaido, summertime brings mild temperatures and blue skies.

If you aren't hitting the ski slopes, March to May and September to November are generally considered the best times to visit the country for pleasant weather. That's when travelers can find the iconic cherry blossoms that seem straight out of a postcard, or, on the other hand, vivid autumnal leaves. During these seasons, rainfall is minimal, skies are clear, and temperatures are mild, ranging from 50 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit most days.

For those not averse to heat and humidity, summer brings a different tempo to Japan. It's a time of year perfect for exploring nature — ideally, somewhere cool up a mountain or as far north as possible. The lusciously cooler climes of Hokkaido are heaven in the summer, with rainbow-bright flower fields and countless outdoor activities, from hiking to horseback riding.

In the winter, the northernmost prefecture of Hokkaido is undeniably the best place to ski or snowboard, but areas outside of Tokyo, such as Niigata, are only a Shinkansen ride away and boast great alpine resorts. Those who prefer the warmth would do best to fly south to Okinawa during the winter for a more subtropical climate.

Best Times to Visit Japan for Lower Prices

Japan has a reputation for being a pricey destination, but there are times of year when it's less expensive to visit. During the low season, between January and March, you may be able to find deals on airfare and hotel rooms. Prices tend to spike during the holiday season, especially around the New Year, so it's best to avoid the beginning of January if you're trying to save money.

Costs rise again in late March and April for the peak cherry blossom season and remain high throughout the spring and summer. For your best bet of scoring reasonably priced accommodations while also enjoying mild weather, aim to visit in September or October.

Best Times to Visit Tokyo Disneyland

Spring and autumn are generally the best, most temperate times of year to visit Tokyo Disneyland. It's worth avoiding weekends and national holidays — particularly Golden Week, which is one of the busiest periods at the theme park. The extreme heat in July and August can make it difficult to enjoy outdoor attractions. On the other hand, the temperatures rarely exceed 50 degrees in January and February, making those months less popular.

The period from mid-September through the beginning of December offers a combination of pleasant weather, thinner crowds, and seasonal entertainment. Spooky decorations and fall-themed events can be enjoyed in the weeks leading up to Halloween. Starting in November, the theme park celebrates the holiday season with its Christmas at Tokyo Disney Resort programming, which includes magical parades, characters in festive costumes, and heart-warming decorations that help offset the chill in the air.

Best Time to Visit Japan for Cherry Blossoms

If you're hoping to time your visit to Japan with the peak cherry blossom season, bear in mind that the bloom dates vary depending on the weather. The cherry blossom front — meticulously studied and broadcasted across the country — edges its way up, starting at the southernmost tip of Japan as early as January. The best times for cherry blossoms in Kyoto, Tokyo, and the surrounding regions are often from the last week of March to the first week of April. And for more northerly cities such as Sapporo? Don't expect to see any pink at least until May.

Best Times to Visit Japan for Food Lovers

Japan is a great destination for food lovers year-round — but it's also seasonal. So, if you have a favorite Japanese cuisine or ingredient, it's worth finding out when to visit to avoid missing out completely. Summertime treats include light, cool sōmen noodles, kakigōri shaved ice, and delicious unagi (eel); autumn is heaven for matsutake mushrooms, sweet potatoes, and sanma (Pacific saury); winter is all about warming nabe hot pots, citrus fruits, and kaki (persimmon); and spring goes hand in hand with sea bream, takenoko (bamboo shoots), and sakura mochi rice cakes.

Worst Times to Visit Japan

While there's no bad time to visit Japan, some months are worse than others, depending on your goals. If pleasant weather is a priority, avoid the rainy season, which typically runs from early June to mid-July throughout Japan (except in Okinawa, where it begins in May). This period is often preceded by extreme heat and humidity, with cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto being especially unbearable during the peak summer months of July and August.

Those looking to save money and avoid crowds should steer clear of Golden Week, which runs from the end of April to the beginning of May. This is when many domestic travelers take their holidays, so expect higher prices, less availability at hotels, and larger crowds.

The Best Time to Visit Japan

TripSavvy /  Elise Degarmo  

Weather changes, typhoon season, and busy festivals should all be taken into account while deciding when to go to Japan. The best time to visit Japan is during early spring when the short-lived cherry blossoms are blooming but before or after the busy stretch of Golden Week holidays.

Although avoiding lousy weather is usually the goal of vacations, consecutive sunny days draw bigger crowds to East Asia. You'll have to share transportation and attractions during high season. Hotels are already a bit pricey in Tokyo, but they skyrocket during some of Japan's busiest festivals.

The Weather in Japan

With an archipelago of close to 7,000 islands spread north to south in the Pacific, the weather in Japan can differ significantly between regions. Tokyo can be near freezing while people enjoy T-shirt weather just a little south.

Most of Japan enjoys four distinct seasons, with snow in the winter. However, Okinawa and the islands in the south stay warm throughout the year. Northern Japan often receives heavy snowfall that melts quickly in spring. Tokyo itself doesn't ordinarily receive much snow. The megalopolis got a dusting in 1962, and then snow made headlines again in 2014 and 2016. In January 2018, a massive snowstorm caused disruptions in Tokyo.

Rainy Season in Japan

Even when no typhoons are spinning nearby to mix things up, Japan is a relatively wet country with ample rainfall and high humidity.

The rainy season in Japan typically hits in the summer months , around the middle of June to the middle of July. In Tokyo, June is a stormy month. Historically, showers slack off just a bit in late July and August then return with force again in September.

Adding to the meteorological madness is the threat of typhoons. Typically, most typhoons cause trouble for Japan between May and October. As you can imagine, a typhoon in the area completely changes everything weather-related—and not usually for the better.

Dry Season in Japan

A better way to call the time of year most travelers visit Japan would be the "drier" or "less rainy" season. Rainy days are a thing throughout the year, so building too tight of a sunshine-based itinerary could lead to disappointment.

Fortunately, Japan has some exciting ways to spend time indoors during rainy afternoons.

The driest months in Japan are typically December, January, and February. November and March are "shoulder" months between the seasons—often an ideal time to visit any country to avoid peak-season prices and groups.

Typhoon Season in Japan

Typhoon season for the Pacific Ocean runs between May and October, although Mother Nature doesn't always go by the Gregorian calendar. Storms can arrive early or drag on later. August and September are usually the peak of typhoons in Japan.

Even if they don't threaten Japan, big typhoons in the area can cause severe delays and congestion for air traffic. Check the Japan Meteorological Agency website for current warnings before you plan to travel. Your ticket may be refundable if your travel insurance covers trip cancellation due to acts of nature.

Key Events & Festivals in Japan

Visiting Japan when big festivals are in progress is a great way to get in on the fun and see locals enjoying themselves. But on the other hand, you'll have to compete with crowds at popular sites and pay higher prices for accommodation. Either make a point to arrive early and enjoy the festival or avoid the area altogether until regular daily life resumes.

• Christmas and New Year: Celebrations for Shogatsu (Japanese New Year) can get busy. From the week before Christmas until a few days into January, malls and public transportation are even more crowded. During the holiday season, the Japanese public gets a rare chance to see the inner grounds of the Imperial Palace. This happens on only two days a year: the Emperor's Birthday (December 23) and on January 2.
• Obon : Temples and shrines get busy in the summer during the three-day Obon festival . Dates for Obon vary, depending upon the place in Japan. Obon, in Tokyo and eastern parts of Japan, is usually observed around July 15. Hachigatsu Bon, an even busier time, is celebrated around August 15. Although Obon, commonly just called Bon, is not an official holiday, many Japanese families take leave to pay homage to ancestors around that time of year.

When to Go to Kyoto

Kyoto is a favorite cultural destination for tourists in Japan . The busy season months here can become very crowded. Spring and fall are the busiest times in Kyoto; October and November are the peak months for tourism. Consider booking your trip to Kyoto in August when rain slacks off a little but crowds haven't surged yet. If cold weather doesn't scare you, January and February are good months to visit Kyoto. You'll certainly want to book accommodation in advance if visiting Kyoto in November.

January is winter across much of the country, although some areas like Okinawa remain semi-tropical year-round. This can be a much quieter time to visit, especially after the rush of the New Years holiday.

Events to check out:

• Seijin no Hi (Coming-of-Age Day) is celebrated on the second Monday of January. This date is considered the collective birthday for all who have turned 20, the country's age of majority, in the past year. 
• Shōgatsu is celebrated from January 1 through 3 each year. Many families gather together for meals and other celebrations.

February is generally Japan's coldest month, but if you like to ski, it's among the best times of year to visit. Many times, plum ( ume ) blossoms begin blooming toward the end of the month, signaling that spring is on its way. Temperatures in Tokyo typically average around 45 degrees Fahrenheit, while it can be as cold as 20 degrees up north in Sapporo.

• More than two million visitors head to Yuki Matsuri in Sapporo. This annual snow festival includes an international snow sculpture contest, ice slides, and more.
• February 3 marks the first day of spring on the traditional lunar calendar, and it's also celebrated in Japan as a day in which one must ward off evil. People often visit Buddhist temples and ward off the devil, while welcoming fortunes in.

Japan is extremely enjoyable to visit during the spring . Large crowds of people flock to local parks for picnics, parties, and to enjoy hanami —the deliberate viewing of cherry blossom and plum blossom flowers . Families, couples, and even entire offices get in on the fun. The timing of the blooms depends entirely upon the warming weather. The flowers begin in Okinawa and warmer parts of Japan around mid-March, then move north as the weather gets warmer until early May. Forecasters predict the timing as blooms appear from south to north.

• Tokyo's international anime fair, AnimeJapan, is the world's largest anime festival, held each March.
• By late March, Japan is in a full-blown cherry blossom craze. While it's hard to predict when exactly the season will fall, the last two weeks of March are typically a safe bet.

A tradition all over Japan, Hanami literally means viewing flowers. Picnic under the beautiful flowing trees in any public park during this special season. Usually lasting for only two weeks in March, the sakura (cherry blossom) schedule changes a bit every year, so it’s hard to nail down exactly when to come.

April gets extremely busy in Japan, as cherry blossoms are usually peaking. But why not join in on the fun? The weather is sunny, crisp, and clear. Beware, though: School holidays and Golden Week, at the end of the month, can cause crowds to swell.

• Takayama hosts a famous spring festival each year in mid-April. It includes floats lit with lanterns and a festive lion dance.
• Miyako Odori runs throughout April in Kyoto . This festival showcases geiko dances and music. Buy tickets in advance!

Golden week is the most significant, busiest holiday period of them all in Japan. It's the busiest time to travel in Japan; you'll have fun, but watch out! Golden Week starts up around the end of April and runs into the first week of May. Several consecutive national holidays fall within a seven-day stretch. Many Japanese families tack on a valuable week of vacation away from work, so transportation and accommodation fill up quickly on both ends of the holiday. Public parks will be busy.

• Golden Week officially begins with Showa Day and concludes with Children's Day. However, many families take additional vacation days before and after. The impact of Golden Week stretches to around 10 to 14 days.
• Sanja Matsuri is Tokyo's largest festival, bringing more than 1 million visitors to Asakusa. The highlight is an exciting parade of men and women in traditional dress.

Early June in Japan is quite nice, but tsuyu (rainy season) sets in later in the month. While it doesn't rain all day, the gloomy and wet weather is the norm. Despite this, there are still plenty of things to do in the rain: Hot springs and wooded mountain temples are still quite serene, rain or shine. Additionally, hiking season kicks off as the snow melts in the Alps.

• In June, Osaka is home to a major rice-planting festival that dates back more than 1,700 years. During this celebration, 12 women plant rice seedlings in the paddy at Osaka's Sumiyoshi Shrine.
• Yosakoi Soran Matsuri is an annual folk dance festival held in Sapporo. The event attracts almost 40,000 dancers from all over the country and even more visitors. Dancers perform all over the streets and throughout city parks.

Luckily, the rainy season in Japan is short-lived, and it's typically over by the end of July. The country is hot and humid this month, but abuzz with events and activities. This is a great time for a beach visit to Okinawa.

• Mt. Fuji officially opens to climbers on July 1.
• Gion Matsuri , one of Japan's most popular festivals, is held from July 17 to 24 in Kyoto. Intricate floats are pulled through the streets. This is a busy time to visit, so book well in advance.

August is also hot and humid and can be crowded as many school children, and their families take holidays within the country. Hokkaido is a popular destination in August since the weather is prime for outdoor activities.

• Obon, in mid-August, spans three days of honoring the dead, whose spirits are said to return to the earth during this time. Graves are swept and presented with offerings, while lanterns are floated down the country's rivers.
• Many Japanese cities host dramatic displays of fireworks in August. One of the best shows is the Lake Biwa Fireworks festival, held near Kyoto in early August.

September is still warm, but humidity begins to die down. This is the peak of typhoon season though, so Okinawa, Kyushu, and Shikoku are at risks of periods of extremely hard rain and high winds.

• Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri is an interesting festival held in Osaka each year. Danjiri (festival floats) are released in the streets.
• Seto is famous for its ceramics and commemorates the craft each year during the second week of September. The eponymous festival features pop-up stalls selling affordable pottery and other handicrafts. Around 500,000 people attend each year.

October is a fantastic month to visit, marked by bright, warm days, with little humidity. Fall foliage peaks in the Japanese Alps during this month.

• Roppongi Art Night is held each year in mid- to late October. Arts venues stay open all night and host large-scale installations and performances throughout this exciting weekend.
• Japan loves celebrating Halloween, and it's worth a visit to Tokyo's Shibuya district on October 31, if you want to see thousands of costumed revelers.

November has beautiful weather, with temperatures beginning to fall at higher elevations and further north in the country. Temperatures in Tokyo range from 45 degrees Fahrenheit to 65 degrees, while Sapporo is as cool as 35 degrees at night.

• The Ohara Festival, held in the southern prefecture of Kagoshima, features a street parade of more than 20,000 dancers.
• The Momiji Festival in Kyoto includes five incredible period-decorated boats that are meant to recreate the atmosphere of Japan's Heian court. Re-enactors play traditional instruments and recite noh and kyogen . (P.S. The best views of the event are from the Togetsu-kyo Bridge.)

If you are planning to visit Japan in December , avoid visiting during the last week of the month and the first week of January. While Christmas is not a celebrated national holiday, many people still take time off working during this period, which books up hotels and makes transportation more difficult. Many businesses close over the period leading up to New Year's Day.

• On December 31, temple bells ring 108 times at midnight as part of Joya-no-kane , an annual purifying ritual.
• Kyoto celebrates the unique Daikon radish during the Sanpoji Daikon Festival. The vegetable becomes available in late Autumn, but the festival takes place in mid-December. More than 10,000 people eat the hot radish, which is believed to have health benefits.

In March and April, you may be able to catch the cherry blossom season while enjoying crisp and sunny weather.

Japan's rainy season falls over the summer with June and July being the rainiest months. Late July and August tend to be a bit drier, but it gets rainy again in September.

Typhoon season typically lasts between May and October, reaching its peak in August and September.

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The best times to visit Japan

Editor's Note

There are many reasons visitors flock to Japan , the Land of the Rising Sun.

Here, you can immerse yourself in ancient traditions intertwined with modern innovation while appreciating majestic temples that coexist with bustling city streets. Each season paints a different picturesque landscape, creating something new to admire with every visit.

Given all the unique aspects of this captivating country, deciding on the best time to visit Japan can seem daunting. Fortunately, there are several times that stand out, whether you wish to witness the magical cherry blossom season, visit Tokyo Disney Resort or take advantage of flight and accommodation deals .

Here's everything you need to know about the best times to visit Japan so you can plan a memorable trip based on your priorities.

When to go to Japan for good weather

Japan's weather pattern exhibits four distinct seasons: spring, summer, autumn and winter. Each season offers its own unique attractions and experiences to enjoy.

Spring (March to May) is renowned for its cherry blossoms and comfortable temperatures. With most days hovering between 50 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit, you'll generally find perfect conditions for outdoor activities like hiking and biking.

Japan's summer (June to August) can be hot and humid, often exceeding 80 degrees. Even with the heat, the season draws visitors keen on trekking the country's stunning mountains and lounging on its beaches. Also, summer's long daylight hours allow ample time to get outside and experience all the country has to offer, including numerous vibrant festivals.

Autumn (September to November) brings a refreshing break from summer's humidity. The temperatures range from 50 to 70 degrees, making it possible to comfortably enjoy various outdoor activities. The changing colors of fall foliage , known as koyo ("red leaves" in Japanese) or momiji (the Japanese word for the red-tinted maple leaves in the fall), transform Japan's landscapes into riotous red, orange and gold hues.

Lastly, winter (December to February) can be cold, especially in the northern regions with heavy snowfall. Despite the chilly conditions — average temperatures sit between 40 and 50 degrees — winter illuminations and opportunities for snow sports in Japan's world-class ski resorts make the season a worthwhile time to visit.

While temperatures vary widely from season to season, each time of year brings noteworthy opportunities. The best time to visit for superb weather ultimately depends on your interests and preferences.

Related: Reader success story: How this couple used travel rewards to cover an epic $50,000 anniversary trip to Asia

Best times to witness Japan's festivals

Japan's festivals, known as matsuri, are colorful, vibrant affairs that provide unique insights into the country's cultural and spiritual life.

One of Japan's most renowned festivals takes place every summer in Kyoto. Gion Matsuri, a monthlong celebration in July, features elaborate processions with traditional yama and hoko floats.

If you're a fan of lively dance, the Awa Odori festival, held every August in Tokushima on Shikoku Island, is a must-see. It's one of Japan's most prominent dance festivals and is part of the Obon season, a Buddhist event that honors the spirits of ancestors. Thousands of dancers fill the streets to perform the characteristic Awa dance while spectators cheer, creating infectious joy and excitement.

As autumn begins, visitors head to Osaka to attend the Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri. Held annually in Kishiwada, this September festival is among Japan's most thrilling. It is known for its danjiri (ornately decorated wooden floats), which local teams pull through the city streets at incredible speeds. This daring festival is a heart-stopping spectacle that symbolizes community strength and unity.

The Takayama Festival, a charming event in the mountainous city of Takayama, is another one you won't want to miss. Taking place twice a year in October and April, the festival showcases traditional Japanese puppet theater, mikoshi processions and stunning lantern displays.

For winter visits, time your arrival around the Sapporo Snow Festival in February. This spectacular event in Sapporo showcases massive snow and ice sculptures, attracting millions of visitors.

Or, end the year with a flourish by partaking in December's Chichibu Night Festival. A fantastic winter event in Chichibu, just 90 minutes northwest of Tokyo, this celebration is considered one of Japan's top festivals featuring floats — and for a good reason. The dazzling floats adorned with intricate woodwork, detailed tapestries and gilded decorations are a sight to behold. Additionally, the festival includes a spectacular fireworks display, adding a sparkling finale to the year.

Best time to see cherry blossoms in Japan

Japan's cherry blossom (or sakura) season is a treasured time when landscapes transform into romantic canvases splashed with delicate pink hues. Sakura season typically begins in late March and runs through early April, though the exact timing varies from year to year and from south to north.

Popular cherry blossom viewing spots include Ueno Park and Chidorigafuchi in Tokyo, Maruyama Park in Kyoto and Hirosaki Park in Aomori. Hanami parties, where people gather under blooming sakura trees for picnics and celebrations, frequently occur during this time of year and shouldn't be missed.

Flower-watching celebrations happen across Japan from mid-March through early May, though peak bloom dates vary slightly depending on location. For 2024, the earliest peak bloom dates are expected by March 26 in Kochi, with peak bloom estimated for March 30 in Tokyo and April 1 in Kyoto. For estimated dates for more than 1,000 viewing locations, see the Japan Meteorological Corporation's 2024 forecast.

Related: The best places to see cherry blossoms around the US

Best time for skiing in Japan

Japan's winter sports scene is internationally recognized thanks to its powdery snow, top-notch facilities and stunning mountain scenery. The onset of snowfall typically occurs in mid-November on the northern island of Hokkaido, resulting in the first ski resorts — usually Niseko, Rusutsu and Kiroro — beginning to open during the third week of that month.

Related: How (and why) to plan a ski trip to Niseko, Japan, with points and miles

The powder snow, renowned in Japan, is usually abundant from December to February. For those seeking optimal powder conditions, January and February are the recommended months to visit. On Honshu, Japan's main island, Nagano — the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics — also offers excellent skiing opportunities at resorts like Hakuba.

Related: Why it might be cheaper to fly abroad to ski

Best times to visit Tokyo Disney Resort

Visiting Tokyo Disney Resort, home of Tokyo Disneyland and Tokyo DisneySea, is a magical experience for all ages, with thrilling rides, enchanting parades and a chance to meet beloved Disney characters.

The parks are open throughout the year, but if you want to avoid the largest crowds, consider visiting between mid-January and mid-March or between mid-September and mid-November. The weather is generally comfortable during these periods, with fewer local and international tourists.

To truly bypass hordes of tourists, avoid visiting during Japan's major holiday periods, such as Golden Week (late April to early May) and Obon (mid-August), as these are peak times for domestic travel and can result in overcrowded conditions.

Related: A beginners guide to visiting Tokyo: Everything you need to eat, see and do

Cheapest times to visit Japan

For budget-conscious travelers, visiting Japan during the shoulder seasons — late May to early June and late November to early December — can be more economical. These times fall right after Golden Week in spring and autumn's koyo season but before the busy summer and winter holidays. You'll find fewer tourists, so flight prices can be significantly cheaper, costing up to 18% less than the average yearly prices, according to Skyscanner. Hotel rates also historically take a dip in these slower seasons.

In addition to the shoulder seasons, winter is an excellent time to visit when sticking to a tight budget. Japan becomes notably affordable once you steer clear of the holiday season. Moreover, from mid-January to mid-March, you can relish the added benefit of experiencing a less congested environment while out and about.

Related: The best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles

Bottom line

Ultimately, the best time to visit Japan depends on your interests and the experience you wish to have. Whether you want to view the ephemeral sakura, ski down powdery slopes, immerse yourself in vibrant festivals or witness the magic of Tokyo Disney Resort, Japan always has something to offer.

Each season and festival has its unique charm and allure, inviting you to uncover the multifaceted beauty of this incredible nation.

Related reading:

• 2024 cherry blossom forecast announced for Japan
• Peak bloom date announced: Best time to see DC's cherry blossoms in
• The 11 best hotels in Tokyo for your next Japan getaway
• Teppanyaki: Norwegian Cruise Line's take on the art of Japanese grilling (with menu)
• The best ways to travel to Japan with points and miles

• TRAVEL Where to Go When to Go What to Do Tips and Advice Where to Stay
• CULTURE Sports Arts & Entertainment Traditions Cultural Tips History
• FOOD & DRINKS Where to Eat Bars and Brewery Regional Specialty
• SPECIAL EVENTS Festivals Shows & Concerts Tournaments & Competitions Exhibits
• ANIME Anime Spots Anime Events Recommendations Anime Tours
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WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT JAPAN | BEST SEASON TO TRAVEL TO JAPAN

“When is the best time to go to Japan?” I get this question at least once a week. I used to answer with a bunch of information about my favorite festivals , food , seasonal flowers , and so on. But now, I counteract it with this question: “What interests you about Japanese culture?” No matter when or where you go , you’ll have more than enough options for things to see and do. Here, we’ve broken down the best things about Japan by season and month to help you start planning your trip!

SPRING IN JAPAN

Japan’s spring season lasts from mid-March to early May, depending on where you visit. Most parts experience fluctuating temperatures with chilly mornings and evenings and warm afternoons. Average temperatures in Tokyo range between 40°F to 79°F (4°C to 23°C). Check your destinations’ weather reports before you pack and bring multiple layers.

Things to Do in Japan in March

Plum Blossoms

AnimeJapan Convention

Fire and Light Festivals in Kansai

Things to do in japan in april.

Takayama Sanno Spring Festival

Wisteria Bloom

Things to do in japan in may.

Mount Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Kyoto Aoi Matsuri

Baby Blue Eyes Festival

Ibaraki Prefecture’s newest claim to fame is the Baby Blue Eyes flower display in Hitachi Seaside Park. From mid-April to early May, 4.5 million flowers bloom on Miharashi no Oka Hill. Around the same time, you can also see thousands of tulips and some late-blooming cherry blossom trees. Average Temperatures in Tokyo in May High: 23°C/73°F Low: 15°C/59°F Click Here for More About May

VIEW JAPAN SPRING TOURS FOR 2024, 2025 & 2026

Summer in japan.

There’s no getting around it. Many regions of Japan have subtropical climates, and they can get quite hot and humid. In Tokyo, the lowest average temperature in June is 66°F (19°C), and the highest in August is 88°F (31°C). That might not sound terrible to some, but take into account that the humidity level can reach 83%!

Things to Do in Japan in June

Yosakoi Soran Bushi in Sapporo

Hydrangea in Hakone

Things to do in japan in july.

Lavender Fields in Furano and Biei

Kyoto Gion Matsuri

Wear a Yukata

Things to do in japan in august.

Awa Odori Festival in Tokushima City

Attend Tohoku’s Three Great Festivals

Around the same time in August, three of Japan’s biggest festivals take place in the Tohoku region. Aomori City holds the Nebuta Festival , where teams pull massive paper floats through the streets. During the Kanto Festival in Akita, performers balance several-meter-high poles with dangling lanterns on different parts of their bodies. You can also celebrate Tanabata in Sendai , where paper decorations and streamers cover every inch of the downtown area. Average Temperatures in Tokyo in August High: 31°C/88°F Low: 24°C/75°F Click Here for More About August

VIEW JAPAN SUMMER TOURS FOR 2024, 2025 & 2026

Autumn in japan.

Depending on where you go, you’ll start to feel the autumn chill at some time between September and early December. The temperate weather and fall foliage brings in almost as many visitors as cherry blossoms but is a little less overwhelming. The leaves’ brilliant colors stay around for about a month, which helps stagger the influx of crowds. Pack long sleeves and plenty of layers if you intend on racing around Japan’s rural areas.

Things to Do in Japan in September

Kishiwada Danjiri Matsuri

Tokyo’s Sumo Tournament

Things to do in japan in october.

Takayama Hachiman Autumn Festival

Ride the Shimanami Kaido

Things to do in japan in november.

Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival

Shichi Go San

Though it isn’t an official holiday, it’s undoubtedly the cutest! In Japanese culture, seven, five, and three are lucky ages. Boys aged three and five and girls aged three and seven wear kimonos and receive blessings at shrines. This event takes place on the weekend closest to November 15th. Average Temperatures in Tokyo in November High: 17°C/63°F Low: 9°C/48°F Click Here for More About November

VIEW JAPAN AUTUMN TOURS FOR 2024, 2025 & 2026

Winter in japan.

If you’ve ever been traipsing about in Tokyo in midsummer , it might be hard to believe that it can get cold in Japan! Depending on how far north or south you are, winter in Japan is from December to mid-March with average temperatures swinging between 35°F and 53°F (2°C and 12°C) in Tokyo. Bring warm clothes no matter where you go, and consider packing snow boots if you’re headed north.

Things to Do in Japan in December

Winter Illuminations

Chichibu Yomatsuri

Celebrate the New Year

Things to do in japan in january.

Snow Monkeys at Yudanaka Onsen

Gassho Houses in Shirakawa-go and Gokayama

Things to do in japan in february.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Otaru Snow Light Path Festival

Kawazu Cherry Blossoms

Believe it or not, you can see cherry blossoms in winter! Kawazu is a small town near Tokyo where an unusual breed of sakura grows. These trees bloom earlier and at a slower rate than most cherry trees. The height of the festival usually happens around the last week of February and the first week of March. Average Temperatures in Tokyo in February High: 10°C/50°F Low: 2°C/35°F Click Here for More About February

VIEW JAPAN WINTER TOURS FOR 2024, 2025 & 2026

When is the worst time to go to japan.

Golden Week

Lunar New Year

For China and other Eastern countries, the period before, after, and during the Lunar New Year is a peak period for travel. The annual dates generally fall in January or February. Not everyone goes to Japan, but it is a desirable destination because of its proximity. You can join in the fun in Yokohama , Nagasaki, and Kobe’s Chinatowns. Got a good idea of when you want to go to Japan?

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NORTHERN OR SOUTHERN JAPAN? WHICH TO VISIT NEXT

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11 Things to Know When Traveling to Japan

What does a foreign traveler need to know when visiting Japan? While there are many lists out there, a lot of them seem to have trouble distinguishing between the incidental and the truly important. Here we try to parse it down to 11 key things you definitely need to know and a few more that could be helpful. Happy travels!

1. Transportation in Japan

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oG8NH-9U2mY

Japan has some of the best public transit on Earth, so there’s little need to rent a car (if you do, you’ll need an International Driving Permit ). Most visitors opt to get a JR Pass (Japan Rail Pass), which allows unlimited use of JR lines for a seven-, 14- or 21-day period. The cheapest pass costs only slightly more than a round-trip Shinkansen (bullet train) ticket between Tokyo and Kyoto, so assuming that’s on your agenda, there’s really no reason not to get one. Just be sure to order it before you get to Japan—you have to receive your voucher before you arrive and then exchange it upon arrival. 1a. Different Kinds of Trains There are different kinds of train lines in Japan. Most—but not all—overland trains are JR, so your JR Pass will work on them. But look out for private lines named the “Kintetsu Something Line,” the “Seibu Something Line,” etc.—basically anything not “JR.” Subways aren’t covered either, so while Tokyo is mostly navigable by JR, depending on your plans, you may have to supplement by buying individual tickets or investing in a chargeable Suica card (there’s a ¥500 deposit you can get back when you give up the card at the airport station on your way out; you can get a card from a machine at any station). Suica works in Tokyo and many other areas of Japan, but not all, so check the compatibility list before you try to use it outside the Tokyo area. 1b. Station Exits When you look up a destination station, check which exit you need to take. While small stations might just have one or two exits, the largest will have dozens upon dozens attached to vast underground networks, and taking the wrong exit could leave you both disoriented and as much as a kilometer (0.6 mi) away from your goal. 1c. Last Train With the exception of some rare sleepers, there are no 24-hour trains in Japan. Always keep an eye on the departure time of the last train, as taxi rides are expensive—and the cost goes up after the train lines shut.

2. Arrival Airport for Japan

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/5316/

Try to use Haneda Airport if you can. It’s much closer to Tokyo city center, and a much cheaper and more pleasant trip than the long slog from Narita. Rather than the Keikyu Line, you’ll probably want to use the monorail, since it’s covered by the JR Pass. If you do have to use Narita, only take the Narita Express if you have the JR Pass—if you don’t have the pass, take the Keisei Electric Railway Skyliner , which is much cheaper. You can also take local trains from Narita, but they take forever, and you’ll have to navigate more transfers.

3. Electronics in Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/AC_power_plugs_and_sockets

If you’re coming from North America, your electronics will work without an adapter in Japan (assuming they don’t have a ground pin, as most Japanese sockets won’t take one). From anywhere else, you’ll need to buy an adapter. 3a. Wi-Fi Japan’s Wi-Fi is sporadic, so unless you have roam-everywhere cell service, you’ll want to rent pocket Wi-Fi from a kiosk at the airport. The rate is usually around ¥1,000 per day (about US$9). If you’re in a pinch, head to a McDonald’s or a convenience store . Some major Tokyo stations (e.g., Shinjuku, Shibuya) also have Wi-Fi. Wi-Fi will be free in all modern hotels, but older traditional inns ( ryokan ) may not be connected.

4. Money in Japan

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Japanese_yen

Most major restaurants, transportation routes and tourist destinations will take international credit cards. However, if you want to go places with local color—or, for that matter, most temples and shrines—you’ll need cash. Since bank machines close late at night, your best bet 24 hours a day is 7-Eleven, which has bank machines where you can withdraw yen using select international cards. It’s a good idea to have ¥10,000 of emergency cab fare cash at all times.

5. Directions in Japan

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/5822/

Use Google Maps to get around: input your destination and it will show you all the possible ways you can get there, including the train costs, times and transfers. For famous spots, just input the name in English. For lesser locations, you can try copying and pasting the kanji. If that doesn’t work, find the address in Japanese and paste it into Google (addresses input in English tend to give results that are off by about 100 meters/109 yards or more). Also, Google tends not to include specialist tourist buses in its calculations, so you may have to do some additional research to get to some more out-of-the-way locations. (If you don’t feel like looking for kanji, you can try the same name in Apple Maps, which sometimes has English names registered that Google Maps does not.) 5a. Station Names All train stations are labeled in English and Japanese. But buses in the countryside (and even many in cities) will only identify stops in Japanese, so travel to spots far from train lines can be tricky without using a Google Map. 5b. Orientation All but the largest streets have no names in Japan, and houses are numbered non-sequentially in blocks. When you need to find things, trust your Google Map, or look for landmarks. Also be aware that maps posted in stations tend not to be oriented with north at the top, so they can be confusing. 5c. When Lost Station staff and police officers are amazing for directions. They won’t speak much (or any) English, but they have extensive knowledge of the area. Believe it or not, the cops at a police box (koban) are quite accustomed to offering directions!

6. Japanese Convenience Stores

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/3648/

Japanese convenience stores sell almost anything you could need in a pinch: phone chargers, razors, underwear, alcohol, food (including heatable dinners, which you can ask them to heat for you) and much more. Nearly all convenience stores are open 24 hours, and there’s one roughly every 200 meters (220 yds) in most urban environments. Many also have Wi-Fi, and you can use the Loppi machine at a Lawson convenience store to buy tickets to the Ghibli Museum, Tokyo Disneyland, sumo and more.

7. Food in Japan

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/3733/

Eating out is cheap in Japan. Nobody tips (don’t even try—it will just make the staff feel guilty and confused). You can get a good lunch for about ¥1,000, and a good dinner starting around ¥2,000. If you want some tips on how to navigate popular Japanese-style pubs, called izakaya , you can take a look here . 7a. Reading Menus Chain restaurants will generally have pictographic menus, so just point to order. Similarly, fast food restaurants will have pictographic menus on the counter you can point to. Mid-sized restaurants might have plastic replicas of their food outside, and it’s not unheard-of to drag staff out front and point to the thing you want. However, small restaurants will probably only have Japanese menus, so don’t venture in without someone who can read Japanese. High-end restaurants tend to include English subtitles on their menus to look posh—though an Italian restaurant may just as likely have Italian! 7b. Paying To pay at a restaurant, just take your time getting up and slowly walk to the register. They’ll have your bill ready for you upon arrival. (Some places will keep a running tab on a clipboard or similar at your table; if so, bring that along.)

8. Language in Japan

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/6620/2/

The average Japanese person speaks almost—but not quite—zero English. Expect the average person to understand the following words: hello, goodbye, yes, no, OK, numbers 1-10 and thank you. That’s it. There are plenty of people who know lots more, of course, but don’t count on it. And believe it or not, you can get really far with just that list and some strategic thinking. 8a. Getting By in English Everyone in Japan studies English in junior high, and it’s now being introduced earlier and earlier in elementary school. But only a fraction of them remember any of it, and the result is that everyone has pretty good latent English vocabulary, and lousy English grammar. On top of this, most people know the English words for major tourist spots in their area (or the English is close to the Japanese anyway). So, to be understood, just drop your grammar and say the thing you want with an obvious, confused shrug: “Tokyo Disneyland?” is enough to get you on your way (and remarkably close to what a Japanese person would say in any event). Similarly, station staff only expect you to state your destination, so you don’t need anything more when buying a ticket. That said, if you want a leg up, knowing how to say “Excuse me” in Japanese can help you grease a lot of wheels; you can find out about it here .

9. When to Go to Japan

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/2557/

Japan has some amazing annual events and festivals you might want to see. The big ones are cherry blossoms in spring (late March to early April from Tokyo down; mid April to early May further north); fireworks displays and summer festivals in August; and changing leaves in late October to late November. New Year’s is also a big deal, but not so much for visitors. It’s also worth noting that while the mountains are small, if you ski, Japan has some of the best powder snow you could ask for. However, for each major event—and particularly in spring—you will have to compete with all the locals and international tourists hoping to catch Japan at its best. 9a. Times to Avoid The first week of May is Golden Week , Japan’s biggest holiday. Everything is booked solid, so avoid coming at this time. June is the rainy season , though some years it rains very little, so it’s hit and miss. And although there are some great events, August is ridiculously hot (Kyoto is like human soup), and you can also expect one or two typhoons to hit somewhere in the country (typhoon season usually continues to late September).

10. Tattoos in Japan

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/186/

Tattoos are associated with the Yakuza in Japan, and visible tattoos will get you barred from water parks and hot springs (a blanket “no tattoos” policy is how they keep gangsters out). Some hot springs will let you enter if you cover your tattoos with stickers, but some will not let you in at all. If you want more info on this whole rigamarole and the ways around it, take a look here .

11. Exceptions in Japan

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/3784/

Finally, be aware that Japan is great at regular procedure, and terrible at exceptions. Everything is done the same way for everyone; so if you want something a little off-menu, you will likely cause confusion, as it’s usually only the manager or owner who will have the ability to make a change. Excluding an item, like asking for a burger without pickles, isn’t a big deal—but an exchange, like potatoes instead of carrots, will require a top-level decision.

Bonus Round

https://allabout-japan.com/en/article/2787/

Here are a few other little tidbits that might be of assistance, but aren’t as essential, when traveling around Japan: a. Different Kinds of Passes in Japan There are day passes and weekend passes for transport in most major Japanese cities. Look at the local transportation website before you arrive and consider whether getting one might save you some money. Remember, local subways won’t be covered by a JR Pass. b. Using Chopsticks in Japan If you can’t already use chopsticks, learn how. They’re the default in Japan, and while most places with pictographic menus will have forks, you’re going to find it difficult to enjoy the full range of food options (like sushi and izakaya ) if you can’t use the local tableware. c. Toilets in Japan While most Japanese restrooms now have Western-style toilets, if you’re out in the countryside, you might want to know how to use a squat toilet . On the other end of the spectrum, if you encounter a fancy washlet toilet , don’t panic—just don’t hit the button that looks like the Golden Arches unless you want a wet bum … or a wet chin, if you’ve hit the button while facing the bowl. d. Trash Cans in Japan There are basically no trash cans except inside train stations and at convenience stores in Japan. If you have garbage, be ready to hang onto it for a while. e. Easy-to-Remove Shoes for Japan Be ready to take your shoes off a lot at historical sites, and anywhere with tatami straw mats (like someone’s house). You don’t really want to wear laced shoes in Japan—they’re a pain. Bring some comfy shoes you can walk in for hours, but slip out of easily. f. Etiquette in Japan If you want to get around without annoying people, don’t talk on the phone while on the train (or talk too loudly, unless you’re in Osaka), and don’t smoke outside anywhere but a designated area (so don’t smoke and walk). Also, keep an eye on which side of the escalator people stand on (you stand left in Tokyo, but right around Kyoto and Osaka). We hope that all helps! There are of course more things you could know, but this should be enough to get by!

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Best (and Worst) Time to Visit Japan 2024, Cherry Blossom Time

Japan is a year-round popular destination with four distinct seasons. Each season offers a variety of charming scenery and culture-rich events for you to enjoy.

The best times to visit Japan are in spring (March to May) for cherry blossoms and in autumn (September to November) for colorful foliage. Both periods have pleasant weather.

Japan Weather and Climate

The worst time to visit japan.

• Best Time for Cherry Blossoms

Best Time for Pleasant Weather and Fewer Crowds

• Best Time for Cheapest Prices
• Travel Guide by Month

The first trip to Japan mainly includes visits to the central three cities: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. The following two weather and rainfall infographics are based on these three cities.

• Sharon Huang (Japan Expert)
• 6 years of travel advisor experience
• Has helped 5,000+ clients

Summer (June to August) is the rainny season in Japan. It is hot and humid, with an average high temperature of about 31°C (88°F), which can feel like 41°C (106°F). It is considered to be the worst time to visit Japan, but it doesn't rain every day so it doesn't really hinder travel.

Plenty of indoor activities, such as ninja experiences and sushi-making, also minimize the impact of rainfall and humid heat. Additionally, July and August are the festival seasons in Japan, making it a good time for families with kids to immerse themselves in authentic Japanese traditions.

June is a better time to travel for families compared to July and August, as it offers slightly cooler weather and fewer crowds (the official summer vacation in Japan begins in July).

Just contact us if you are thinking of a trip to Japan. We'd like to create a wonderful trip based on your needs and interests, whatever the weather.

Best Time for Cherry Blossoms in Japan

• March to April: 10–18°C (50–64°F)

Cherry blossoms in spring (March to May) are Japan's most beautiful scenery, and you can admire them almost everywhere in Japan. They usually reach full bloom from late March to early April (March 24th to April 2nd), making the spring or Easter vacation the perfect time to travel to Japan.

If you want to avoid the large crowds and enjoy slightly lower prices in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka , the week before full bloom (around March 16th to 23rd) is your best time. Except for some trees where the cherry blossoms have not yet fully opened, the scenery during this time is almost as stunning as it is when the blossoms are in full bloom.

If you want to appreciate the cherry blossoms in April to early May with fewer crowds and lower costs , Hokkaido, the northernmost part of Japan, is an excellent destination for you. It is also the perfect place to experience Japanese indigenous culture. The best time to view cherry blossoms in Sapporo is in mid to late April (around April 15th to 20th).

Suggested reading: How to Plan a Japan Cherry Blossom Trip

Hotels around popular attractions are always booked up quickly, contact us at least 3 months in advance to have the best chance of room availability and choice.

1) May is the transitional month from spring to summer in Japan. It's warmer and has clear days, with an average temperature of 15–23°C (58–73°F). It is advisable to avoid Japan's "Golden Week" public holiday from April 29th to May 5th. After May 7th, it is a perfect time to travel as the crowds and travel costs decrease.

2) September and October are cooler months in Japan , the average temperature range from 18-25°C (64-77°F). While there are about ten rainy days in September, there are very few visitors during this time. In October, the number of sunny days increases, and it is also when the maple leaves start turning red, creating beautiful autumn scenery.

Get more ideas about best time to visit Tokyo , Kyoto , and Osaka >>>

Best Time for Cheapest Prices in Japan

Winter (December to February) is considered the cheapest time to visit Japan, except during Christmas and New Year. It is cold and dry, with an average daily high of 10°C (50°F). It is not too cold to travel, making it the ideal time to relax in the hot springs at a Japanese-style ryokan inn and take in the unique scene of snow monkeys.

Just let us know your interests and requirements , and we can help make it happen.

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Japan Weather Guide by Months

Click the sign of each month to check the travel guide information.

January and February: Cold and Dry

• Average temperature: 2–10℃ (36–50°F)
• Average rainfall: 70 mm (3 in)

January and February in Japan have cold weather with more clear days, but it is not too cold to travel. Top experiences in Japan in winter include soaking in hot springs, watching snow monkeys bathing in onsen hot springs, appreciating gassho-zukuri farmhouses (their steep thatched roofs named after 'praying hands' are extremely charming when covered in snow and illuminated during winter nights), and skiing in Hokkaido.

Festivals and events: New Year is the most important festival in Japan in January. You could experience a bell-ringing ceremony at a shrine to pray for luck in the coming year in a traditional Japanese way.

Get more ideas about plan a winter trip to Japan >>>

March and April: Best of Cherry Blossoms

• Average temperature: 7–19℃ (45–66°F)
• Average rainfall: 110 mm (4 in)

March and April, the cherry blossom season, is one of the best times to travel to Japan, thanks to the comfortable weather, clear days, and the most attractive scenery.

The cherry blossoms are generally in full bloom from late March to early April. Imagine wearing a kimono to take pictures or having a picnic under the cherry trees with your family/partner and watching the petals flutter in the breeze. It would definitely make some memorable moments.

Festivals and events in March and April: Hanami is a traditional term for viewing cherry blossoms, and it is the most popular activity in spring in Japan. Many traditional ryokans and excellent guides are also fully booked in advance, so we recommend you make your decision at least 3 months in advance. Our Japan expert would customized the trip based on your group size, budget, and requirements.

May: Warm and Sunny

• Average temperature: 15–23℃ (59–73°F)
• Average rainfall: 140 mm (6 in)

May is warmer and the skies are clear. The Golden Week (typically from April 29th to May 5th) is a public holiday in Japan and many Japanese choose to travel during this time. The crowds and costs tend to decrease after May 10th, making it a perfect time to visit Japan.

June: Coolest Summer Month

• Average temperature: 19–26℃ (66–79°F)
• Average rainfall: 178 mm (7 in)

June is the start of summer and the plum rain season. Rainfall is sometimes in the form of a steady drizzle, and it doesn't rain every day. It's suitable to wear both long sleeves and short sleeves to cater to the varying weather conditions.

June is a better month to spend your summer vacation, especially for families with school-age children. You could enjoy cooler temperatures, fewer crowds, and favorable prices compared to July and August.

Check more details about plan a summer trip to Japan >>>

July and August: Best Time for Festivals and Fireworks Celebrations

• Average temperature: 24–31℃ (75–88°F)
• Average rainfall: 163 mm (6 in)

July and August are hot and humid in Japan. Japan offers abundant indoor activities inside air-conditioned buildings , such as ninja experiences, pottery making, and Pokémon Center fun. This helps to minimize worries about the heat and rain. Additionally, taking a private tour in a private air-conditioned car could help to minimize the inconvenience caused by rainfall.

Festivals and events in July and August: Both months host culture-rich festival celebrations and grand fireworks celebrations, such as the Sumidagawa Fireworks Festival in Tokyo, the Gion Festival in Kyoto, and Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. These lively and amazing celebrations allow you and your kids to experience authentic float parades, enjoy the colorful fireworks in the cool summer breeze, and feel the cultural atmosphere deeply.

September and October: Cooler Weather with Fewer Crowds

• Average temperature: 17–24℃ (63–75°F)
• Average rainfall: 164 mm (6 in)

The weather becomes cooler in September and October, and typhoons sometimes hit Japan, bringing heavy rain and strong winds, especially in September. It does not rain every day (about 10 days a month) and it tends to be drier in October.

It's the low season to travel to Japan so you could expect fewer crowds and cheaper costs. If you are traveling in September, it is important to keep your itinerary flexible in case of flight delays or cancellations.

November: Best Time to Visit for Colorful Autumn Foliage

• Average temperature: 9–17℃ (48–63°F)
• Average rainfall: 86 mm (3 in)

November in Japan is one of the best times to travel due to the pleasant weather and many dry days. During this month, the whole country explodes with colors. You could appreciate red, orange, and golden autumn foliage scenery throughout Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and other parts of Japan.

December: Perfect for Soaking in Hot Springs and Celebrating Christmas

• Average temperature: 5–11℃ (41–52°F)
• Average rainfall: 65 mm (3 in)

Japan in December is not too cold. It's the best time for you to experience unique winter activities , such as soaking in the hot springs to enjoy the snow scenery, watching the snow monkeys bathe in their own "onsen" (hot spring bath), and appreciating the gassho-zukuri farmhouses' lighting at night.

Festivals and events in December: Japan is an excellent destination for families to celebrate Christmas in. Eye-catching Christmas illuminations and a fancy Christmas feast would help to make a Japan vacation a great experience for you and your family.

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When is the best time to visit Japan?

• Month-by-month

The best time to visit Japan is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). This is when Japan is at its most vibrant, with delicate cherry blossom or bright red leaves adding contrast to the scenery. Remember, it can also be very crowded at this time.

The summer months (June to August) offer ideal conditions for hikers and lovers of the outdoors, but only in the mountains of the Japanese Alps and Hokkaido’s wild national parks. Elsewhere, the weather is hot and humid. Rainy season occurs from the end of May until the middle of June or July.

For a very different experience, head to the north of Japan in winter (December to February). It’s snowy, but the people brighten the dark days with a variety of festivals and events.

It’s a good idea to take Japan’s national holidays into account, too. Shogatsu (Japanese New Year), Obon (in mid-August or mid-July, depending on the area), and the Golden Week (between April 29 and May 5) are busy times for residents.

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Month-by-month guide for travelling in Japan

Visiting Japan in January

The weather is usually cool, dry and sunny during January and sites are much less crowded than later in the year. In northern Japan there is heavy snowfall making conditions good for skiing.

Visiting Japan in February

February is the peak of the ski season in northern Japan. Across the country days are generally cool, dry and sunny and many attractions are less busy than at other times of the year.

Events & Festivals

• For one week in early February, Sapporo is overrun with enormous ice and snow sculptures, built in the central Odori Park as part of the Sapporo Snow Festival.

Visiting Japan in March

The weather starts to get milder in March and blossom on the plum trees marks the beginning of spring. Toward the end of March the cherry blossom begins to emerge in the south of the country, which is celebrated by the Japanese with picnics in local parks. As this season is a popular time to visit Japan, the country gets very busy toward the end of the month.

• The cherry blossom spreads north through mainland Japan.

Visiting Japan in April

This is the peak viewing time for the cherry blossom as the trees start to bloom further north. The blossom during this time is beautiful and provides a magical experience, but if you travel during this time you have to expect everywhere to be very busy, and hotel rates escalate too.

• Known as one of Japan’s top three most beautiful festivals, the Takayama Matsuri is held in the old town of Takayama where floats and shrines are paraded through the streets.

Visiting Japan in May

The weather in May is pleasantly warm and usually dry, and the vegetation is green and vibrant. Cherry blossom only reaches the northern parts of Hokkaido by this month, while in Okinawa , May is the rainy season. The first week of May is Golden Week, a national holiday and one of the busiest weeks of the year for domestic travellers.

• Asakusa in Tokyo is the centre for the Sanja Matsuri, held on the third full weekend in May. Colourful floats and shrines, accompanied by musicians and dancers in traditional Edo period costumes parade between Sensoji Temple and Asakusa Shrine.

Visiting Japan in June

This time of year is hot and humid and there is typically rain in most parts of Japan. This means that the trees and plants are at their most vibrant, and Japan’s gardens are particularly beautiful.

Visiting Japan in July

There are numerous festivals held all over Japan in July, making it a lively time to visit. The rainy season generally ends across most of Japan by the end of the first half of the month, but the humidity continues. July is also one of the best months to climb Mount Fuji , a hike which is only possible during the more favourable conditions of the warmer months. This is the peak season for domestic tourism and also sees the highest levels of rain and threat of high winds in Okinawa.

• Japan’s most famous festival, the Kyoto Matsuri, is held in Kyoto and dates back to the 9th century when it began as a religious ceremony to appease the gods. Enormous floats are marched through the streets throughout the month, although they are most impressive on July 17th.
• In the 7th lunar month, as part of the Obon Festival to honour the dead, the Awa Odori is held in Tokushima on Shikoku Island. Musicians and dancers flood the streets in vibrant costumes.

Visiting Japan in August

Festivals continue across Japan during August and this is a busy domestic travel period as it is the school holidays. The weather is generally hot and humid across the country, with Hokkaido  being cooler and more comfortable.

Visiting Japan in September

The domestic crowds associated with August have usually dissipated by September and skies are often clear and blue, although the weather can still be hot and humid. In late September the leaves start to change colour in Hokkaido , a process which makes its way south over the next few weeks. Toward the end of September there is a five-day national holiday known as Silver Week, during which prices increase dramatically as the Japanese travel about the country. Silver Week only occurs every few years.

Visiting Japan in October

This is the start of the autumn season for mainland Japan and brings striking red and gold hues to the landscape. The weather begins to cool down from the heat of the summer, making October a pleasant time to visit.

Visiting Japan in November

This is the peak time to see the colourful leaves in mainland Japan. Travelling around tends to be much quieter during this month, and the weather is pleasantly cool and mild.

Visiting Japan in December

The weather is cool and typically dry in December, and the country isn’t busy for the first couple of weeks which makes it a good time to visit if you don’t mind the chilly temperatures. Ryokan properties don’t tend to have much in the way of heating so staying here can be cold. However, outdoor onsens can be really special experiences during the winter months, particularly in the north of Japan where you can be bathing in natural thermal hot springs yet surrounded by snow. Toward the end of December it gets busier as the school holidays start, and some attractions close in the run-up to the New Year.

Japan Climate Guide

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Travel Advisory January 8, 2024

Japan - level 1: exercise normal precautions.

Japan – Level 1: Exercise Normal Precautions

Reissued after periodic review without changes.

Exercise normal precautions in Japan.

Read the  country information page  for additional information on travel to Japan.

If you decide to travel to Japan: 

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive Alerts and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Follow the Department of State on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Follow Embassy Tokyo’s American Citizen Services section on  Facebook  and  Twitter .
• Review the  Country Security Report  for Japan.
• Visit the CDC page for the latest  Travel Health Information  related to your travel.
• Prepare a contingency plan for emergency situations. Review the  Traveler’s Checklist .

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Quick Facts

Duration of intended period of stay. Please note you cannot travel on a passport you have previously declared as lost or stolen even if you subsequently locate it

One page required for entry stamp

Amounts equivalent to ¥1,000,000 or above subject to declaration

Embassies and Consulates

U.S. Embassy Tokyo  1-10-5 Akasaka, Minato-ku, Tokyo 107-8420 Japan Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Fax: 81-3-3224-5856 Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need.

U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe 2-11-5, Nishitenma, Kita-ku, Osaka 530-8543, Japan Telephone: 81-6-6315-5900 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Fax: 81-6-6315-5914 Our  Navigator Assistant  will guide you to the information you need.

U.S. Consulate General Naha 2-1-1 Toyama, Urasoe City, Okinawa, Japan Telephone: 81-98-876-4211 Emergency Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Fax: 81-98-876-4243 Our  Navigator Assistant  will guide you to the information you need.

U.S. Consulate General Sapporo Kita 1-jo Nishi 28-chome, Chuo-ku, Sapporo 064-0821, Japan Telephone: 81-11-641-1115 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-11-641-1115 Fax: 81-11-643-1283 Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need. All assistance at the Consulate General Sapporo is by appointment only.

U.S. Consulate Fukuoka 5-26 Ohori 2-chome, Chuo-ku, Fukuoka 810-0052, Japan Telephone: 81-92-751-9331 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Fax: 81-92-713-9222 [email protected] Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need. Routine services are provided by appointment only.

U.S. Consulate Nagoya Nagoya International Center Bldg. 6th floor, 1-47-1 Nagono, Nakamura-ku, Nagoya 450-0001, Japan Telephone: 81-52-581-4501 Emergency After-Hours Telephone: 81-3-3224-5000 Fax: 81-52-581-3190 Our Navigator Assistant will guide you to the information you need. Emergency services are provided by U.S. Consulate General Osaka-Kobe. 

Destination Description

See the Department of State’s Fact Sheet on Japan for information on U.S-Japan relations.

Entry, Exit and Visa Requirements

Visit the  Embassy of Japan  website for the most current visa information.

There are no COVID-related entry requirements for U.S. citizens.

Entry & Exit:

• You must have a valid passport and an onward/return ticket for tourist/business "visa free" stays of up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the entire time you are staying in Japan.
• You cannot work on a 90-day "visa free" entry.
• "Visa free" entry status may not be changed to another visa status without departing and then re-entering Japan with the appropriate visa, such as a spouse, work, or study visa.
• Visit the Embassy of Japan website for the most current information on all visa categories.
• Japanese immigration officers may deny you entry if you appear to have no visible means of support. 
• All foreign nationals are required to provide fingerprint scans and to be photographed at the port of entry. Exceptions to this requirement include diplomatic and official visa holders, minors, and individuals covered under SOFA Article IX.2. For further information about landing procedures, please visit the  Immigration Bureau of Japan’s website . 
• Make sure your passport is valid. Note you cannot travel on a passport you have previously declared as lost or stolen even if you subsequently locate it. Japanese authorities will likely deny you entry into Japan if you attempt to do so. If you have reported your passport lost or stolen, you must apply for a new passport before travel.

Transiting Japan: 

• Ensure that your passport and visa are valid and up-to-date before you leave the United States. Passport services are not available at the airport.
• Airlines in Japan may deny you boarding for transit if you do not have the required travel documents for an onward destination in another country or if your passport does not have six months of validity remaining. For the entry requirements of the country you are traveling to, visit the  State Department's Country Specific Information  website.

Military/SOFA Travelers:  While active-duty U.S. military personnel may enter Japan under the Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) with proper Department of Defense (DoD) identification and travel orders, all SOFA family members, civilian employees, and contractors must have valid passports to enter Japan. Please consult the  DOD Foreign Clearance Guide  before leaving the United States.

See  the Immigration Bureau of Japan’s website  for various immigration procedures.

HIV/AIDS Restrictions:  The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to or foreign residents of Japan. 

Find information on  dual nationality ,  prevention of international child abduction  and  customs regulations  on our websites.

Safety and Security

For police services in Japan, dial 110. For fire or ambulance services, dial 119.

Crime:  Crime against U.S. citizens in Japan is generally low and usually involves personal disputes, theft, or vandalism. In addition:

• Robberies committed after a victim has been drugged from a spiked drink can occur, especially in nightlife districts.
• Sexual assaults are not often reported, but they do occur, and victims may be randomly targeted.  Victim's assistance resources or shelters are difficult for foreigners to access.
• Hate-related violent crimes rarely occur, although some U.S. citizens have reported being the target of discrimination because of their nationality or their race.
• Pick pocketing can occur in crowded shopping areas, on trains, and at airports.
• Police reports must be filed before leaving Japan, as Japanese police will not accept reports filed from overseas. 
• In instances involving credit card theft or fraud, Japanese police often provide a report number rather than a police report.  You can provide this report number to your credit card company to confirm the incident with the police.

Entertainment and Nightlife Districts in Tokyo: 

• Exercise caution in all entertainment and nightlife districts throughout Japan, especially Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, Shibuya, and Ikebukuro. 
• Incidents involving U.S. citizens in these areas include physical and sexual assaults, drug overdoses, theft of purses, wallets, cash and credit cards at bars or clubs, and drugs slipped into drinks. 
• Drink spiking at bars and entertainment venues, especially in areas such as Roppongi and Kabuki-cho, near Shinjuku, has led to robbery, physical and sexual assaults, and credit card fraud.  Some victims regain consciousness in the bar or club; other victims may awaken on the street or other unfamiliar locations.
• U.S. citizens have reported being threatened with gun or knife violence in such venues so that they will pay exorbitant bar tabs or withdraw money.  U.S. citizens have also reported being beaten when they have refused to pay or hand over money.
• There have been reports of U.S. citizens being forcibly taken to ATMs and robbed, or made to withdraw funds after being unable to pay exorbitant bar tabs.
• Please be aware that Roppongi, Kabuki-cho, and other entertainment and nightlife districts have also been the scenes of violence between criminal syndicates. 

See the  Department of State  and the  FBI  pages for information on scams. 

Police reports must be filed at the nearest police station prior to departure from Japan. The Japanese police cannot accept reports filed from overseas. Report crimes to the local police at 110 and contact the U.S. Embassy at 03-3224-5000 (011-81-3-3224-5000 from overseas).  Remember that local authorities are responsible for investigating and prosecuting the crime.

See our webpage on  help for U.S. victims of crime overseas .

• help you find appropriate medical care;
• assist you in reporting a crime to the police;
• contact relatives or friends with your written consent;
• explain the local criminal justice process in general terms;
• provide a list of local attorneys;
• provide information on  victim’s compensation programs in the U.S. ;
• provide an emergency loan for repatriation to the United States and/or limited medical support in cases of destitution
• help you find accommodation and arrange flights home; and/or
• replace a stolen or lost passport.

Contacting Police, Fire and Ambulance Services:  You can reach the police throughout Japan by dialing 110. Fire and ambulance services can be contacted by dialing 119.  Note that English-speaking dispatchers may not be available. Please review advice on  “Calling for Help” on our  website . If you need assistance, you should be able to describe your address/location in Japanese or find someone who can do so, since few police officers speak English.

Domestic Violence:  Victim's assistance resources or battered women's shelters exist in major urban areas, but are difficult for foreigners to access. These types of resources are also generally unavailable in rural areas. Investigations of sexual assault crimes are often conducted without female police officers present, and police typically ask about the victim's sexual history and previous relationships.

Tourism:  The Victim's assistance resources or battered women's shelters exist in major urban areas, but are difficult for foreigners to access. These types of resources are also generally unavailable in rural areas. Investigations of sexual assault crimes are often conducted without female police officers present, and police typically ask about the victim's sexual history and previous relationships.

See our webpage for more  information on insurance providers for overseas coverage.

Local Laws & Special Circumstances

Criminal Penalties:  You are subject to Japanese law while you are in Japan. If you violate Japanese laws, even unknowingly, you may be arrested, imprisoned, or deported. If you are arrested in Japan,  even for a minor offense , you may be held in detention without bail for several months or more during the investigation and legal proceedings.

Some offences are also prosecutable in the United States, regardless of Japanese law. For examples, see our website on  crimes against minors abroad  and the  Department of Justice  website.

The vast majority of arrests of U.S. citizens in Japan are for drug-related offenses. Japanese authorities aggressively pursue drug smugglers and users, including recreational users with sophisticated detection equipment, "sniffing" dogs, blood tests, “stop and frisk” tactics, and other methods. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking a drug that is illegal in Japan are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and fines. Please note that some drugs which may be legal in certain jurisdictions outside of Japan, including marijuana and synthetic drugs, remain illegal in Japan. This also applies to certain prescription drugs that doctors in the United States may prescribe.  Japanese law makes no distinction between medical and recreational marijuana; therefore, having a prescription for medical marijuana will not help you avoid arrest or prosecution. Even possession of a small amount of marijuana for personal medical or recreational use can result in a long jail sentence and fine. Japanese customs officials carefully screen incoming packages, and individuals who are mailed drugs can be arrested and prosecuted as drug traffickers.   

Confiscation of Prescription Drugs and Other Medication:  It is important to note that some medications that are routinely prescribed in the United States, including Adderall and marijuana, are strictly prohibited in Japan. The Japanese government decides which medications may be imported legally into Japan. The Embassy and Consulates of Japan in the United States have limited information available and do not have a comprehensive list of specific medications or ingredients. Please see more  information on importing medicines  into Japan.

You must carry your U.S. passport or Japanese Residence Card (Zairyu Kado) with you at all times. In Japan, you may be taken in for questioning if you do not have your passport or Japanese residence card to show your identity and status in Japan (e.g., as a visitor, student, worker, or permanent resident).

It is illegal to work in Japan while in tourist or visa-waiver status. Overstaying your visa or working illegally may lead to fines of several thousands of dollars, and in some cases, re-entry bans as long as 10 years, or indefinitely for drug offenders. For additional information, please see  Japan’s Immigration Control and Refugee Recognition Act  and contact the  Japanese Embassy  or nearest Japanese Consulate in the United States for more information.

Driving under the influence of alcohol could also land you immediately in jail. The blood-alcohol limit in Japan is 0.03%. Punishments can be up to 10,000 USD in fines and up to five years in prison.

Possession of a gun or ammunition is a crime in Japan. Carrying a knife with a locking blade, or a folding blade that is longer than 5.5 cm (a little more than two inches), is illegal in Japan. U.S. citizens and U.S. military personnel have been arrested and detained for more than 10 days for carrying pocket knives that are legal in the United States but illegal in Japan. The possession of lock-picking tools is illegal in Japan.

Establishing a Business : Individuals establishing a business or practicing a profession that requires additional permits or licensing should seek information from the competent local authorities, prior to practicing or operating a business.

A  list of English-speaking lawyers  located throughout Japan is available on our  website .

Arrest Notification : If you are arrested or detained, ask police or prison officials to notify the U.S. Embassy immediately. See the Department of State’s webpage  and the Embassy’s  website  for additional information.

Counterfeit and Pirated Goods: Although counterfeit and pirated goods are prevalent in many countries, they may still be illegal according to local laws. You may also pay fines or have to give them up if you bring them back to the United States. See the U.S. Department of Justice’s website for more information .

Faith-Based Travelers:  See our following webpages for details:

• Faith-Based Travel Information
• International Religious Freedom Report  – see country reports
• Human Rights Report  – see country reports
• Hajj Fact Sheet for Travelers
• Best Practices for Volunteering Abroad

LGBTQI+ Travelers:  There are no legal restrictions on same-sex sexual relations or the organization of LGBTI+ events in Japan.

Laws governing rape, sexual commerce, and other activity involving sexual relations do not apply to same-sex sexual activity. This leads to lower penalties for perpetrators of same-sex rape and sexual assault and greater legal ambiguity surrounding same-sex prostitution.

See our  LGBTQI+ Travel Information  page and section 6 of our  Human Rights report  for further details.

Travelers with Disabilities:  The law in Japan prohibits discrimination against persons with disabilities. Japanese disability laws require the public sector to provide reasonable accommodations and the private sector to make best efforts in employment, education, access to health care, or the provision of other services; however, there are no penalties for noncompliance. Social acceptance of persons with disabilities in public is not as prevalent as in the United States.

Although Japan’s accessibility laws mandate that new construction projects for public use include provisions for persons with disabilities, older buildings are not likely to have been retrofitted for accessibility. At major train stations, airports, and hotels, travelers with disabilities should encounter few accessibility problems. Note that many smaller stations are inaccessible to those who cannot climb stairs. Information on travel in Japan for travelers with disabilities is available at  Accessible Japan .

Travelers with disabilities can learn more about resources available in country from the Japan National Tourism Organization’s  traveling with a disability page .

Students:  See our  Students Abroad  page and  FBI travel tips .

Women Travelers:  See our travel tips for  Women Travelers .

Conditions at Prisons and Detention Facilities:  Japanese prisons and detention facilities maintain internal order through a regime of very strict discipline.  U.S. citizen prisoners often complain of stark, austere living conditions and psychological isolation.  Heating in winter can be inadequate in some facilities, food portions can be significantly smaller than what many may be accustomed to, and access to specialized medical care, particularly mental health care, at detention facilities and prisons is sometimes limited. Additional  information on arrests in Japan  is available on our embassy website.

Customs Regulations:  Please contact the Japanese Embassy or nearest Japanese consulate in the United States, or  visit the Japanese Customs website  for specific information regarding import restrictions and customs requirements.

Japanese customs authorities encourage the use of an Admission Temporaire/Temporary Admission (ATA) Carnet in order to temporarily import professional equipment, commercial samples, and/or goods for exhibitions and trade fairs into Japan.  For additional information, please call (212) 354-4480, or  email the U.S. CIB  for details.

Pets:  The Japanese  Animal Quarantine Service  (AQS) sets procedures for importing pets. At a minimum, the process will take seven to eight months, though the process can take up to a year before a pet may enter Japan. Advance planning is critical. You can find more information about  importing a pet into Japan  or information about  exporting a pet from Japan  on our  Embassy website.

Employment Issues:  U.S. citizens should not come to Japan to work without having the proper employment visa arranged ahead of time. Teaching English, even privately, and serving as hosts/hostesses are both considered "work" in Japan and are illegal without the proper visa.

Some U.S.-based employment agencies and Japanese employers do not fully or correctly represent the true nature of employment terms and conditions. A minimum requirement for effectively seeking the protection of Japanese labor law is a written and signed work contract. If there is no signed contract, Japanese authorities are not able to act on behalf of foreign workers. If you are coming to Japan to work, carefully review your contract and the history and reputation of your Japanese employer before traveling to Japan. Complaints against U.S.-based employment agencies or recruiters may be directed to the  Better Business Bureau  or the Office of the Attorney General in the relevant state(s).

Disaster Preparedness : Japan is prone to natural disasters, including earthquakes, typhoons, tsunamis, and landslides. See the  Embassy’s  webpage for recommendations and steps you can take to prepare for an emergency. The Japan Tourism Organization’s  Safety Tips app  and  NHK World app  provide Japanese government emergency “J-Alerts” to your cell phone in English through push notifications. “J-Alerts” can provide early warning emergency alerts on earthquakes predicted in a specific area, sometimes seconds before an earthquake hits. 

Radiation: Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant : The Government of Japan continues to closely monitor the conditions at and around the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. You should comply with all travel restrictions and cautions put into place by the Government of Japan for areas surrounding the plant. For more information, contact the  Japan Nuclear Regulation Authority .

For police service in Japan, dial 110. For fire or ambulance, dial 119.

Ambulance services are widely available but receiving hospitals may decline to accept inbound patients unless they can provide proof of funds to pay for services.

COVID-19 Testing:

• Travelers should contact Japanese local health providers to determine the location of testing facilities within Japan. A non-comprehensive list of some COVID-19 testing facilities can be found here on the Embassy website.

COVID-19 Vaccines:

• The COVID-19 vaccine is available for U.S. citizens to receive in Japan.
• Review the Government of Japan’s  English language website  on COVID-19 vaccinations in Japan.
• Visit the FDA's website to  learn more about FDA-approved vaccines  in the United States. 

The Department of State does not pay medical bills.  Be aware that U.S. Medicare/Medicaid does not apply overseas. Most hospitals and doctors overseas do not accept U.S. health insurance.

Medical Insurance:  Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage overseas. Some care providers in Japan only accept cash payments. See our webpage for more information on insurance providers for overseas coverage. Visit the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for more information on type of insurance you should consider before you travel overseas.

We strongly recommend  supplemental insurance  to cover medical evacuation.

If traveling with prescription medication, check with the government of  Japan’s Ministry of Health website to ensure the medication is legal in Japan; possession, use, or importation of a prescription drug that is illegal in Japan may result in arrest and criminal prosecution. Always carry your prescription medication in original packaging with your doctor’s prescription. U.S. prescriptions are not honored in Japan, so if you need ongoing prescription medicine, you should arrive with a sufficient supply for your stay in Japan or enough until you are able to see a local care provider.

Vaccinations:  Be up-to-date on all  vaccinations recommended  by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Further health information:

• World Health Organization
• U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention  (CDC)

Japan has a national health insurance system which is available only to those foreigners with long-term visas for Japan. National health insurance does not pay for medical evacuation. Medical caregivers in Japan may require payment in full at the time of treatment or concrete proof of ability to pay before they will treat a foreigner who is not a member of the national health insurance plan.

U.S.-style and standard psychological and psychiatric care can be difficult to locate outside of major urban centers in Japan and generally is not available outside of Japan's major cities. Extended psychiatric care can be very difficult to obtain.

Air Quality: Visit AirNow Department of State for information on air quality at U.S. Embassies and Consulates.

Travel and Transportation

Road Conditions and Safety : Driving in Japan can be complicated and expensive. Traffic moves on the left side of the road. Those who cannot read the language will have trouble understanding road signs. Highway tolls can be very high, and city traffic is often very congested. A 20-mile trip in the Tokyo area may take two hours. There is virtually no legal roadside or curbside parking; however, traffic is commonly blocked or partially blocked by those illegally parked curbside. In mountainous areas, roads are often closed during the winter, and cars should be equipped with tire chains. Roads in Japan are much narrower than those in the United States.

Traffic Laws : Japanese law provides that all drivers in Japan are held liable in the event of an accident, and assesses fault in an accident on all parties. Japanese compulsory insurance (JCI) is mandatory for all automobile owners and drivers in Japan. Most short-term visitors choose not to drive in Japan. Turning right or left on red lights is not permitted in Japan, and all passengers are required to fasten their seat belts.

Japan has a national 0.03 percent blood-alcohol-level standard for driving, and drivers stopped for driving under the influence of intoxicants will have their licenses confiscated. If you are found guilty of driving under the influence, speeding, or blatantly careless driving resulting in injury, you are subject to up to 15 years in prison. 

See our  Road Safety page  for more information. The National Police Agency (NPA) oversees the administration and enforcement of traffic laws in Japan. You can find further information in English on the  NPA English website . Information about roadside assistance, rules of the road, and obtaining a Japanese driver's license is available in English from the  Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) web site . See  the Japan National Tourism Organization’s website for car rental and driving in Japan.

Emergency Assistance : For roadside assistance, please contact the Japan Automobile Federation (JAF) at 03-5730-0111 in Tokyo, 072-645-0111 in Osaka, 011-857-8139 in Sapporo, 092-841-5000 in Fukuoka, or 098-877-9163 in Okinawa.

International Driving Permits (IDPs):  An international driving permit (IDP) issued in the United States by the American Automobile Association (AAA) or the American Automobile Touring Alliance (AATA) is required of short-term visitors who drive in Japan. You must obtain an IDP issued in your country of residence prior to arriving in Japan. The U.S. Embassy andU.S. consulates do not issue IDPs. IDPs issued via the Internet and/or by other organizations are not valid in Japan. 

Foreign residents in Japan who use an IDP may be fined or arrested. In practice, the term “resident” involves more than simply visa status or length of stay in Japan and is determined by the police. In short, a driver license from country outside Japan is not a substitute for a valid Japanese license for foreign residents. See the U.S. Embassy’s  website  for more information on driving in Japan.

Aviation Safety Oversight : The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has assessed the government of Japan’s Civil Aviation Authority as being in compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards for oversight of Japan’s air carrier operations. Further information may be found on the  FAA's safety assessment page .

Maritime Travel : Mariners planning travel to Japan should also check for U.S. maritime advisories and alerts  in the Alerts section of the Embassy’s messages. Information may also be posted to the  U.S. Coast Guard homeport website , and the  National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency (NGA) broadcast warnings website portal  select “broadcast warnings.”

For additional travel information

• Enroll in the  Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)  to receive security messages and make it easier to locate you in an emergency.
• Call us in Washington, D.C. at 1-888-407-4747 (toll-free in the United States and Canada) or 1-202-501-4444 (from all other countries) from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Eastern Standard Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
• See the  State Department’s travel website  for the  Worldwide Caution  and  Travel Advisories .
• Follow us on  Twitter  and  Facebook .
• See  traveling safely abroad  for useful travel tips.

Review information about International Parental Child Abduction in  Japan . For additional IPCA-related information, please see the  International Child Abduction Prevention and Return Act ( ICAPRA )  report.

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TRAVEL to JAPAN – Tips and Information Guide (2024)

Everything you need to know about travel to Japan in our brand new Japan travel guide.

Japan is an island nation with a tremendous amount of history and culture intertwined with is present fast-paced reputation. 

From the epic wilderness of Hokkaido down to the tropical beaches of Okinawa, travelling to Japan is an experience like no other.

Whether you’re into food, culture, history or the outdoors Japan has it all. Travel to Japan is on the rise and it’s easy to see why.

Of Japan’s four main islands Honshu gets the vast majority of visitors. Travellers are in constant awe of the spectrum of Kyoto’s temples, taken captive with Nara’s deer and consumed by eating everything in sight in Tokyo.

However, the islands of Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku are also home to some of the country’s most stunning scenery and are definitely worth a visit. 

Whatever you want, you can find it in Japan. Let us help you plan your journey to one of the most awe-inspiring destinations on the planet!

The Perfect 3 Days in Tokyo Itinerary

The best day trips from every city in japan [2024], 18 amazing things to do in kyoto at night (2024 guide), travelling in japan: at a glance.

Here are the basics about travel to Japan.

OTHER MAIN CITIES:

Osaka ,  Kyoto , Nagasaki,  Fukuoka ,  Sapporo  and  Nagoya  

Yen (See  current exchange rates ) (1$USD is approximately 108 yen) 1 beer is approximately 500 yen (USD$5)

ENTRY / VISA:

Visa requirements for Japan are very straightforward. Most travellers are visa-free and can stay for 15, 30 or 90 days depending on their nationality. For information about which countries are granted visa-free access click  here.

Japanese is the official language in Japan. And while most of the world speaks a fair amount of English, do not expect Japanese people to speak it. However, in some hostels and hotels, English is spoken. Before travelling to Japan be sure to learn a few key phrases to help you enjoy your travels more and, of course, to show respect for the Japanse way of life. Many signs are in both Japanese and English and announcements at subway and train stations are often in both languages.

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world for both men and women. Petty theft and violent crime are extremely rare. Stories of people leaving wallets, passports and bags on trains and being reunited with them are the norm. However, you should still be sensible and follow the usual travel precautions.

ELECTRICITY:

100 volts / Type A and B electric sockets (Be sure to get your universal travel adapter  before you leave)

TRANSPORTATION:

By far the most common way to get between cities in Japan is by using the JR Pass. Within the larger cities, you can very often make your way around using public transportation.  Traditional taxis are also available in most cities and suburban regions. And rideshares such as Uber are on the rise as well – though don’t count on one of these outside of the main Japanese metropolises.

Don’t Forget to Pack the Most Important Thing: Travel Insurance !

TOP 5 TRAVEL EXPERIENCES IN Japan

With so much to see and do in Vietnam, it really is hard to pick the top experiences.

However, we think that to truly appreciate Vietnam you need to plan to do these 5 activities during your visit.

Gorge yourself on sushi.

Japan is known for sushi. You can find it everywhere. For added enjoyment, try your hand at making it!

Book a  sushi cooking class here .

Visit ancient temples in Kyoto

Kyoto is the magical, ancient city of Japan known for being the spiritual centre of the country. Immerse yourself in the beauty and stillness of its many temples.

Check out our  3 days in Kyoto itinerary  here.

Spend the night in a Ryokan

Staying in a ryokan is the most authentic way to experience Japan. Splurge on the experience and find yourself turning Japanese after a refreshing stay!

You can stay in a  great ryokan in Murakami .

Climb/View Mt. Fuji

One of the most picturesque volcanic mountains in the world is accessible to climb, or simply view, throughout much of the year.

This is the best  Mt. Fuji day trip you can find anywhere

Get lost in a giant bamboo forest

Bamboo that stretches to the sky can be found in Kyoto. Be mesmerized by the sound of the swaying forest.

Other Things to do in Japan

Party with robots in Tokyo:  The  90-minute show  is one of the most unique and bizarre must-do activities in Tokyo. It may take you a few minutes to figure out  what you’re watching  (don’t miss that video of it). But you’ll definitely be glad you went!

Watch a sumo wrestling match . Sure, sushi can be found on every street corner. But eating it at every meal won’t give you a chance against world-famous sumo wrestlers. Catch a match and be a part of a long and sacred activity.

Cross the world’s busiest pedestrian intersection . Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo will blow your mind with the number of people moving at any given time when the traffic stops to let pedestrians cross. Head to the QFRONT building to watch 2,500 people cross the streets below.

Hang out with deer in Nara . The normally shy creatures are anything but shy as they  can be found in abundance in Nara Park . Whether you want to interact with them, or simply view them in nature, the experience is worthwhile!

Spend the night in a capsule hotel . Japan is known for tiny packaging. A Capsule hotel is just as it sounds: a tiny box-like structure intended for one person to spend the night. Warning, this is not for the claustrophobic!

Relax in an onsen . Onsens are hot springs that can be found in natural and man-made settings. You haven’t relaxed until you’ve spent a few hours in an Onsen. Just know sometimes the dress code is your birthday suit! Check out  this one in Hokkaido . Just be careful if you have tattoos, because many onsens don’t allow them.

Go diving in Okinawa . While the northern Japanese islands have a tendency to be cold,  Okinawa  is located in a more tropical climate and lends itself to spectacular diving. You’ll love the underwater world of these islands!

Go Kart dressed as your favourite cartoon character . If you’ve ever played Mario Kart and wondered where in the world you could go and  ride around a go-kart  dressed up like Mario, Yoshi, Princess Peach or your other favourite characters, this is it.

Watch the cherry trees blossom . Japan has cornered the market in cherry tree blossoms. This is so much so that every year thousands of people participate in cherry blossom festivals as the trees unload their dazzling colour across the country. If you visit Japan in spring be sure not to miss out! This  particular tour is incredible as a day trip from Tokyo .

Hike with monkeys . If you enjoy hiking AND monkeys then the 30-minute hike outside of Kyoto is for you! But if you just prefer to hike and don’t want anything to do with monkeys, there are plenty of other great trails to hike in Japan!

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE  OTHER AMAZING THINGS TO DO IN   JAPAN

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There are plenty of amazing places to visit in Japan. Depending on your interests, trip duration and time of year you will find plenty of things to do during any length of stay. 

There’s a reason Tokyo is considered one of the most incredible, vibrant, unique and fascinating cities on the planet! Where ancient meets modern, history rubs shoulder with the future and the world’s best cuisine is out in full force.

Japan’s capital and a city full of awesome things to do !

A city where ultra-modern meets ancient and you can  do just about anything  you can imagine.

A magical place to  explore Japan’s rich culture and history .

Get away from the cities and explore the gorgeous island of Hokkaido !

For more information on specific things to do in the top places to visit in Japan, reference our following city travel guides: 

• 3 Day Tokyo Itinerary
• Day Trips from Tokyo
• 3 Day Kyoto Itinerary
• Day Trips From Kyoto
• 3 Day Osaka Itinerary
• Day Trips From Osaka
• 3 Day Yokohama Itinerary
• Day Trips from Yokohama
• Hokkaido itinerary
• Hokkaido activities

BE SURE TO CHECK OUT THESE OTHER AWESOME PLACES TO VISIT IN JAPAN . 

BEST JAPAN TRAVEL ITINERARY

Depending on whether you are starting from scratch or have a general idea of what kind of things you would like to see and do, we’ve put together a few itineraries that are sure to leave you wanting for nothing at the end of your visit. 

There are so many amazing things to do in Japan that planning an itinerary for your travel can be a little overwhelming. 

In this section, we’ll not only help you plan a 1-, 2-, or 3-week Japan itinerary but also give you an overview of many of the places you might want to consider visiting and things you may want to do. 

Of course, no one-size-fits-all plan will suffice. But if we were to head back to Japan these are the top places and things that we would want to do! 

KEEP AN EYE OUT FOR  AWESOME DAY TRIPS  FROM EVERY MAJOR JAPANESE CITY

3-Week Japan Travel Itinerary Highlights

Even with a country that seems as small as Japan, three weeks is hardly enough time to get started in seeing it all! 

However, with three weeks you can have a really nice time both spending more time in places many people only glance by as well as visiting some places that most people don’t see when they visit Japan.

Here’s an overview of how we’d spend 3 weeks in Japan. 

2-Week Japan Travel Itinerary Highlights

With two weeks to travel to Japan, you are going to have to cut out some of the nicer places you could see with an extra week or two. 

But the good news is you are still going to see and do a lot while you are here! 

This is an idea of how we’d spend 2 weeks in Japan. 

1-Week Japan Travel Itinerary Highlights

If you only have 1 week to visit Japan, don’t worry it is definitely worth your time. Of course, you’re going to have to pick and choose where you go and what you do much differently than if you had more time. 

And you likely won’t want to spend all of your time travelling from one island to the next. 

So if we had just 1 week in Japan, this is how we’d spend it. 

JAPAN TRAVEL PLANNING

You’re well on your way to becoming an expert when it comes to travel to Japan! Now we’ll fill you in on the rest.

Best Time to Visit Japan

There really is no best or worst time to visit Japan. The timing of your trip all depends on what you want to see and do and how willing you are to share your Japan travel experience with other travellers. 

Across the country  sakura  (cherry blossom) season in Spring is one of the most popular times to visit. But it happens at different times across the country due to the differences in climate from north to south along the island chain.

Another less popular, but no less stunning, time to visit is  Autumn  as the leaves begin to change colour.

Whilst this doesn’t quite bring in the crowds like  sakura  season does, the sheer array of colours on display is absolutely stunning, particularly on Japan’s most northerly island, Hokkaido. 

Summer  brings sweltering temperatures and typhoons in the south. However, Japan is extremely well prepared for such events. As such is still possible to travel to Japan during this of year. 

Winter  brings some of the world’s best skiing on Hokkaido as snow makes some roads and hiking trails impassable. However, this is also the best time to see the famous ice flows close to the Shiretoko National Park.

And, of course, it’s a great time to shred some powder if you’re looking for some world-class slopes! 

Japan Travel Budget Guideline

Japan has an unfair reputation for being incredibly expensive. And whilst you could easily empty your bank account in a short time, it is possible to travel in Japan for less money than you think.

Budgeting Tips

To make your money go further here are a few tips: 

1. Purchase the rail pass you need. There are a huge number of different types of rail passes available in Japan. This is your one-stop-shop for a variety of rail passes. 

2. Take advantage of low-cost internal flights. You can fly affordably between most major cities.  

3. Utilise convenience stores for finding cheap and delicious eats. 

4. Japan has an extensive and reliable night bus service. Use it to save on travel and hotel fees. 

5. Limit your alcohol intake, it’s surprisingly expensive. 1 beer = 500-600 yen (USD$5-$6).

6. Check the subway passes available in the city in which you’re staying and purchase the rail pass you need.

CHECK OUT OUR  JAPAN BUDGETING GUIDE  TO HELP MAKE YOUR MONEY GO FURTHER.

But there are a few things you should know about the different budgets at which you can choose to travel.

Note: Budgets shown as Single Traveller / Couples per day. 

Budget Traveller ($50-60 Single / $80-110 Couples)

Hostels are the best options for single budget travellers. However, if travelling as a couple it’s often cheaper to get a private room. 

There are plenty of awesome free things to do all over Japan. You will need to think outside the box and do your research but it is very possible to travel in Japan on a budget like this.

Your meals will likely come from low-cost restaurants and corner stores. And you’re likely going to spend a fair amount of time walking and taking public transportation. 

Mid-Range Traveller ($60-100 Single / $120-180 Couple)

Whilst you may not get much of an upgrade on the accommodation front, travelling in this budget range will put you in the position to possibly rent a car to explore parts of Japan that are more difficult to reach. 

In addition, you may be able to spend more time eating in some funky izakayas and sushi restaurants and participate in a few formal tours. 

Luxury Traveller ($250+ Single / $400+ Couple)

Luxury hotels and fancy restaurants are the order of the day here. If money is no object then travelling in Japan can extremely luxurious! 

For instance, you can stay in beautiful ryokans instead of hostels or hotels. And you can order a variety of different meals to enjoy while dining at some of the finer restaurants. 

Of course, you’ll also be able to do more by way of renting a car and/or joining up on a variety of different tour groups to keep your itinerary completely packed. 

Getting To and Around Japan

Japan is an island nation, thus travelling to Japan is limited to only air or water transportation.

The majority of International Flights will take you to Tokyo’s Narita or Haneda Airport’s or Osaka International Airport. From there you will connect, as necessary, to other Japanese destinations.

Entry Requirements

Visa requirements for Japan are very straightforward.

Most travellers are visa-free and can stay for 15, 30 or 90 days depending on their nationality. For information about which countries are granted visa-free access click  here.

Getting Around Japan

Travelling in Japan is both easy and convenient. 

The public transport network is wide-ranging and extremely reliable. And compared to many places in the world, it can also be quite affordable. 

Additionally, hiring a car is both easy and safe. 

Travelling by Air

Japan has an excellent domestic air travel network. There are two passes run by  JAL  and  ANA  that will allow you to take domestic flights for around $100.

The price can sometimes vary depending on where your origin and destinations. 

If you plan this effectively with other transport options available it has the potential to make your visit to Japan even more convenient and affordable.  

Travelling by Car

Although the country is fairly well connected with both public and private transportation options, hiring a car is an excellent option for travelling in Japan.

The best part is that it is not as difficult as you may imagine. 

Driving in Japan is safe and easy. For Hokkaido, Kyushu and Shikoku, a car is the best way to see most of each island’s most beautiful sights outside of the city centres. 

Travelling by Bus

There are a number of bus companies operating in Japan. The biggest of these is  Willer Bus Service.  

Not only are fares convenient and affordable, but they can also help you consolidate expenses if you travel at night. 

Combining overnight bus travel with a JR pass can save you a fortune as the difference in price between regional, 1 week national and 2-week national passes are huge. 

Travelling by Boat/Ferry

Often the only way to access some of Japans smaller islands, particularly in the Seto Inland Sea, is by boat or ferry. Japan boasts an excellent maritime transport network. 

Generally, ferries are affordable and in some cases, they are covered by a JR pass (the ferry to Miyajima being the most well-known example).

Naturally, the costs increase if you ferry a car or if you are taking a long-distance ferry.

Travelling by Train

Japan’s train network is simply incredible as it can take you from the north of Hokkaido to the south of Kyushu. 

But it can also be confusing as, like with a lot of things in Japan, there is a myriad of different options available to you. 

PURCHASE YOUR JR PASS TODAY

How to Maximise a JR Pass

Because your travel to Japan will very likely involve transportation on a JR line at some point, we’ve put together a few tips to help you plan your JR Pass use accordingly. 

• Download  Hyperdia  – This amazing app allows to research train times and more importantly prices. Currently, it is free to use for 3 months (after that you will need to pay). You can work out which JR pass is the best financial option. Do note that the seat fare (sometimes two-thirds of the cost) is not optional, you will need to pay it.
• You don’t need a rail pass for your entire time. Some people may be visiting Japan for 2 weeks and will buy a 2 week nationwide JR pass. You are likely not going to be using the train every day and it’s likely you will pay more than you need to. 
• Activate your JR pass at the right time. To activate you pass you will need to go to the station and inform them of when you want to activate it. Make sure you activate it when you really need it so you can get the most out of it.
• Check out the regional passes. There are numerous regional passes available that are much cheaper, but they cover a smaller area and don’t last as long. However, they can be a fantastic option. Combining such passes with night bus services can save you plenty of money. 

Apps and Technology

Japan is definitely well connected when it comes to technology.

When you visit Japan you are likely going to want to remain connected to the outside world as well as take advantage of mobile apps that make travelling through Japan a little easier. 

Here are a few we think you should definitely acquaint yourself with prior to your travels:

• Hyperdia  – Hyperdia is the premiere app for helping you to understand the transportation system in Japan. Find the right rail line, station and even schedules to help navigate what could otherwise be a complicated transportation system. 
• XE Currency  – Transfer, monitor and calculate currency as the need arises. This app may not be totally necessary as you are typically tied into rates the banks charge for services. But it is handy to have around. 
• Express VPN – This will protect your sensitive information wherever you travel – not just in Japan. Be sure to have this to keep your online information secure as you travel. 
• GuruNavi  – This app will help you to find food options in whatever prefecture you happen to be at the moment. You can search through different types of cuisine as well as to filter your selections for things like English-speaking staff and WiFi availability. 
• Google Translate – Even if you don’t know more than a handful of Japanese words, iTranslate will help you communicate as you travel in Japan. 

Best Things to Eat in Japan

Japanese cuisine is justifiably one of the worlds popular. It focuses heavily on high-quality ingredients and as a result portion sizes are smaller than you may expect.

Although fried dishes are common in Japanese cuisine, Japan has the lowest rate of childhood and adult obesity amongst the OECD nations.

This is down to a mixture of smaller portions and a culture that promotes restraint and health.

Yakiniku:  Japanese BBQ. These restaurants can be found all over Japan, and it is very rare that they are anything other than delicious. Many offer time based all you can eat/drink deals. Look out for the characters 放题 as they usually don’t advertise this in any language other than Japanese. 

Katsu Curry:  Fried chicken or pork cutlets smothered in Japanese curry. Heaven on a plate. 

Kushikatsu:  All manner of meat and veg skewered and deep-fried. 

Sushi and Sashimi:  This can go from cheap to eye-watering expensive. Conveyor belt sushi restaurants offer the cheapest prices. Be brave and try delicacies like sea urchin, horse or chicken sashimi.

Sukiyaki:  Meat and vegetables cooked in a hot pot with a small amount of water and soy sauce. 

Ramen:  The nations most popular noodle dish, often an excellent budget option. 

Gyoza:  Pan-fried dumplings, often filled with pork. 

There is certainly much more available than this, but hopefully this gives you a quick overview. 

Convenience   Stores:  For budget eating options convenience stores like lawsons, family mart and 7-11 are often an excellent option for a cheap and hearty meal! 

Izakaya : No mention of eating in Japan would be complete without mentioning Japan’s most famous eating places; the Izakaya (居酒屋).

An izakaya is a Japanese pub that is generally a place where friends, colleagues and family members will go to eat, drink and chat. 

The huge menus consist of small plates that are shared amongst the group. Expect to find sashimi, yakitori, cold dishes, salads, fried dishes and desserts.

ACCOMMODATION IN JAPAN

Japan has a huge range of accommodation options. The most obvious difference is whether it’s a Japanese or western style room.

In Japanese style rooms, you will be sleeping on tatami mats on the floor, which are actually incredibly comfortable.

This option is far more common outside of popular tourist destinations. Western-style rooms have regular beds. 

Many single rooms in hostels, guesthouses or hotels will have bunk beds to fit more people. This will usually be stated when booking.

It is not always the most romantic option but it does help you get more bang for your buck. 

Types of Accommodations

Whilst hostels exist in Japan, they are not as cheap South East Asia. There is a reasonably good hostel network throughout Japan. But hostels are not as common or widespread as in other popular travel destinations.

If travelling in Japan as a couple or pair, a hotel room is often cheaper than 2 beds in a dorm. It’s always worth comparing, hostels are not always the cheapest option when there’s more than one of you. 

Western-Style Hotels

These will be the traditional hotels that you would find in most places in the world.

They include major Japanese and international brands and are more common in larger cities.

You can expect amenities and comfort similar to those you’d find in other destinations. 

Capsule Hotels

A unique way to spend a night or two in Japan is in a capsule hotel. As the name suggests, these are small enclosed spaces usually only large enough for a bed.

Sometimes you will have a television and a small storage space. But more often you can expect to have to stash your gear in a locker. You’ll also, obviously, be using shared restrooms. 

Traditional Japanese Ryokans offer luxurious stays in often gorgeous accommodation and locations. However, they can sometimes be very expensive.

It’s not uncommon for Ryokans to have an onsen. But if you want an authentic Japanese overnight experience you won’t find anything that surpasses a stay in a Ryokan.

Another good option in recent years is AirBnB, and there are more and more amazing places popping up to stay for very affordable prices every day.

As is typical in many destinations where Airbnb accommodations are popping up, you’ll likely find great value and a little more personal space with an Airbnb stay. 

Onsen Hotels

Last, but by no means least; Onsen Hotels. In short, these are hotels that have an onsen attached.

They cover a wide variety of budgets but often they are not the cheapest options available.

However, the luxury of being able to have an onsen whenever you want is well worth it. 

Just note that with onsens there are some basic rules to follow. These will often clearly displayed, but here they are:

• You must be completely naked – no bathing suits. Leave awkward at the door, with your clothes. 
• Do not put your towel into the onsen water. Most people wrap it around their head.
• Shower before you enter the onsen, taking care to splash others with your shower water.

Or, if you’d like to check out a few options on your own here are a few resources to get you started!

JAPAN TRAVEL TIPS

Travelling in Japan can definitely be rewarding. But it can also be a bit of a headache – especially if your knowledge of the Japanese language and culture is limited. 

Further, not being prepared for adventure can hamper your optimism as well.

Imagine you’re all set for your day of walking around majestic Kyoto and you failed to pack an umbrella or raincoat. 

Of course, you have your own reasons for travelling to Japan. So likely you know whether you plan to dive in Okinawa or climb Mt. Fuji. 

But for everything else in your journey, let us remind you of a few travel tips for Japan to make your adventure safer, more enjoyable and more affordable. 

General Japan Travel Tips 

While there are  many basic travel tips  we suggest you use when travelling to Japan, there are also plenty of Japanese-specific tips that will make your visit the best it can be. 

Here are a few we recommend you consider as you plan your trip to visit Japan: 

1. Research Cultural Norms and Behaviour

Japan is a country with a very strong national identity and behaviour. Breaking these behavioural norms is most definitely frowned upon. 

Here are a few basic Japanese cultural expectations:

• Do not talk loudly or answer your phone on the subway, bus or train. 
• Do not eat on the above. 
• Walking and eating are sometimes frowned upon. 
• Stand on the left-hand side of an escalator. 
• Follow the rules in an onsen.
• Do not litter – Japan is immaculately clean. 

If you’re not sure if something is ok, just ask.

Many Japanese people know that foreigners are unlikely to be aware of Japanese norms and expectations and will be happy to help you. 

2. Eat, Eat, Eat.

Japanese food tastes so much better in Japan. Take the opportunity to try things that you are very unlikely to find in your home country. 

3. International Drivers Permit

If you plan on renting a car in Japan you MUST have this document.

Without it not only will you be unable to rent a car, but you also will not be given a refund if you have already paid. 

4. Take your own chopsticks

Single-use chopsticks are the norm in Japan. Take your own and do a little bit for the planet. 

5. Do your research

A bit of planning and research does make a real difference, especially for utilising public transport. Getting a handle on this will leave you in the best place to get the most out of your trip. 

6. Show respect and places of worship:

All temples and shrines will have rules and guidelines clearly displayed in English or with pictures, yet some people are still not able to understand them. Don’t be one of those travellers that give everyone else a bad name. 

7. Remove your shoes

This is common everywhere in Japan. In some cases, you may need to remove them before entering the lobby of a hotel.

However, it is more common that you are expected to leave your shoes in the coves next to the door of your hotel room. This is especially common in more traditional Japanese hotels. 

8. Embrace Japanese toilets

The gadgets available in Japanese bathrooms are the stuff of legend. Soft music can be played so no-one can hear you doing your business, seats can be warmed on cold winter mornings and the variety of spray options will leave you feeling as clean as a whistle. 

Japan Packing List

We always travel with a  core packing list  wherever we go. And when it comes to Japan, many factors will affect what else you need to bring along with you. 

Check out our  travel essentials  and be sure to add any of the other additional items listed below. 

TRAVEL INSURANCE. SIMPLE & FLEXIBLE.

Which countries or regions are you traveling to, what’s your country of residence, enter traveler’s age, staying safe in japan.

Japan is a relatively safe country in which to travel.

Clearly you should always practice some basic safety guidelines no matter where in the world you travel. 

• Keep copies of your passport and financial documents in the event they are lost or stolen. 
• Don’t be flashy with expensive items or cash. You’re not very likely to be targeted as a tourist in Japan. But this would surely set you apart. 
• Avoid travelling alone at night. Call a taxi or Uber in advance and wait inside the venue until it arrives. 
• Be aware of your surroundings, particularly if you’ve had a night out drinking. 
• Keep your personal items close. Pickpocketing is about as bad as you can expect in Japan, so make sure your purse, wallet and phone, etc are secure particularly when travelling in crowded public transportation.

We won’t bore you with a more extensive list. Unless this is your first trip out of your home country you’ll be better off when you travel in Japan than many other places in the world. 

If this is your first trip, congratulations!

If you practice many of the same common-sense habits you would at home, then you’ll be quite safe and enjoy your time in Japan. 

Staying Connected in Japan

Japan is an ultra-modern country, particularly when it comes to technology. Thus staying connected when you travel to Japan will be no issue. 

Of course, like any place in the world, the further you go away from metropolitan areas the more you can expect slow to no-service in areas. 

For phone and data service, first check with your local cellular carrier to determine if your current plan will cover you when you travel to Japan.

In many cases, carriers have expanded their international coverage to popular places such as Japan. 

If not, they will likely have a very expensive option for you to purchase on a daily/weekly basis.

We feel like your money will go a lot further if you consider a few other options. 

Purchase a SIM Card

First and foremost is to pick up a local SIM card upon arrival in Japan. You will need to make sure that your device is unlocked before you can switch SIM cards.

However, this will be a reasonably inexpensive and fairly common way to access Japanese cellular networks without paying outrageous international travelling fees through your home carrier. 

Rent a Portable WiFi Device

A second option would be to  rent a portable WiFi device  that will allow you a certain amount of data/service over a set period of time.

These are relatively affordable compared to most cellular plans’ international options.

You’ll typically have to pick these up from central locations such as the airport or train station. But it’s likely you’ll be passing through here anyway. 

Access Free WiFI

And finally, you could always just ensure that your device is on aeroplane mode and then hop from one WiFi hotspot to another.

Plenty of places in the towns and cities you will visit will offer WiFi.

From restaurants, hotels, railway and train stations and even some public spaces, you’ll find many venues that will cater to your need to stay connected. 

Be a Responsible Traveller in Japan

Being a responsible traveller in Japan is important on many levels.

First, you represent yourself wherever you travel.

Nobody likes a jerk – especially people minding their own business in their own country.

Taking the time to learn about Japanese customs and culture will help you understand how you can be more responsible when you travel to the country. 

Second, you represent your home country and other travellers. If you act or say things that reflect poorly on yourself while travelling in Japan then these actions also reflect poorly on other travellers.

While stereotypes suck – the truth is that most people form opinions based on first experiences. So let’s try to make your interactions with others positive while travelling in Japan.

Additionally, the resources of the world are limited.

Even though you might have certain customs or routines back in your home country does not mean you need to extend them when you travel to Japan.

For instance, carrying a reusable water bottle is loads more responsible as a traveller – although you may not think twice about using disposable bottles back home. 

Key Japanese Travel Phrases

You don’t have to be fluent in Japanese to have a great time when you travel to Japan. But it does help to know a few key phrases.

This will not only assist you in your travels but it will also show respect to the local Japanese people that you are doing your best to assimilate into their culture. 

Books To Read About Japan

Maybe you already know everything about Japan. Chances are you don’t!

But even if you are well-read, here are a few suggestions that might be worth your time while you’re on the plane to Japan. 

A Geek in Japan . A fascinating read that takes you into the heart of understanding Japanese culture. This is a top pick among most Japan travellers.

Memoirs of a Geisha . Perhaps the. most well-known book in recent times thanks to its popularity as a movie. The historical fiction follows the story of a young woman thrust into the life of a geisha.

Rice Noodle Fish . A creative way of exploring Japan from a culinary standpoint. Tantalizing pictures of delicious food accompanies the personal story and in-depth information about some of Japan’s best eats.

Hokkaido Highway Blues . Follow a hilarious and entertaining journey by the author to traverse Japan in stride with the cherry blossoms. Meet a cross-section of Japanese culture through the lens of the author.

BOOKING RESOURCES

I know, I know – we’ve already mentioned these resources a bunch in this travel guide.

But here’s the thing… we know you’re going to want and need these resources to help you save money and have a more enjoyable trip

Table of Contents

Read our vietnam posts, budget travel in japan – ultimate backpacking guide [2024], 25 awesome things to do in tokyo, japan, 7 best day trips from osaka, japan (2024 travel guide), 12 awesome things to do in hakone, japan (2024 guide).

Japan travel tips: 13 things to know before you go

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With its glittering royal palaces, ancient temples and sacred shrines as well as sandy beaches, some of the world’s best skiing and beautiful national parks, Japan is a country you'll want to return to again and again.

• 1. Make sure you're wearing the right shoes

2. Visit during cherry blossom season

3. there’s no need to tip, 4. be polite, 5. ride the shinkansen, 6. buy a suica or pasmo card, 7. get used to the face masks, 8. check your drugs, 9. if you’re visiting tokyo, fly to haneda airport, 10. write down addresses, or print the kanji, 11. bring cash, 12.make use of konbinis, 13. prepare to come back.

It's also a very traditional place with a strict etiquette; if you're visiting for the first time, follow our tips to make sure you don't get caught out, with more insights in our round-up of fascinating facts about Japan.

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1. Make sure you're wearing the right shoes

Always ensure that you take off your “outdoor” shoes before entering a temple or someone's house, where you'll find “indoor” shoes to change into.

You'll need to take these off, though, to walk on tatami mats (often in temples and traditional houses).

And, if you go to the toilet in a temple, restaurant or home, make sure you switch into the toilet slippers.

Geta sandals © ZulAzri Zainal/Shutterstock

You might be surprised to learn that the glorious cherry blossom, seen adorning postcards and tourist brochures from across Japan, actually only blooms in the country during sakura (cherry blossom) season.

Running roughly from the end of March to early May, it can be the most expensive time to visit, but it’s also when Japan is at its most enchanting and vibrant.

Sakura is so prized that there’s even a word for enjoying looking at it (and other flowers): hanami . Walking through parks, you’ll notice crowds gathered for hanami parties, picnicking under trees.

In fact, it can be seen as rude, and if you do tip, you may find yourself being chased by a waiter, thinking you've left your change by mistake. An alternative, if you take a guided tour or cookery class for example, is to bring a small present from your country as a token of your appreciation.

Foreigners have a reputation for being noisy in Japan, especially on public transport, so be respectful; it’s impolite to answer your phone, and, if you’re listening to music, turn the volume down low. It’s ruder in Japan to blow your nose in public than sniff, and avoid eating on the go.

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Japan’s bullet trains are an experience in their own right. They glide smoothly through the country and, incredibly fast and always perfectly on time, they’re the best way to get around.

Organise a JR Pass before you go, which can be used on all Japan railways. Be aware that, while most people will be racing through the ticket barriers on prepaid cards, you’ll need to wait at ticket barriers for someone in the station to check your pass.

In our list of the best things to do in Japan find other things that need to be experienced in this fascinating country.

These prepaid cards are similar to London ’s Oyster card, and can be used on most metros and bus services and topped up in stations. You’ll have to pay a small deposit, but you’ll get most of it back if you hand your card in at the end of your trip.

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The cards can prove cheaper than paper tickets, particularly on journeys involving a change of lines. Not to mention, with a card you won’t have to stop and queue to print a ticket every time you board a train.

Japanese people often wear paper face masks, and while this might look odd to you, it’s perfectly logical. It’s to keep them, and you, healthy. During cherry blossom season they’re also worn to keep allergies away.

If you need to take medication on your travels, you may also be required to take your prescription, a letter from your doctor, or even an import certificate ( Yakkan Shoumei ). To avoid getting caught out without your medication, check uk.emb-japan.go.jp.

It’s likely to work out easier and cheaper to reach central Tokyo and your accommodation from Haneda airport than Narita airport.

Make sure you have any addresses you’ll need to locate written in Japanese. This will make it far easier for people to point you in the right direction, or for a taxi driver to understand where you want to go (although, be aware that taxis can be expensive).

Indeed, you may also want to download a map app that you can use offline, or buy a Japanese-English map.

© taffpixture/Shutterstock

It can prove fairly difficult to find ATMs in Japan, so it’s a good idea to exchange money before you go, or to take reasonably large amounts out at a time. When you do need to take more out, head to a post office, or to a 7-Eleven or Citibank ATM.

Konbinis , or convenience stores, tend to have many of the things that visitors will need, as well as delicious steamed buns. Familymart, 7-Eleven and Lawson are the big names, and you’ll find them everywhere you go.

From gadgets and gizmos for things you didn’t even realise you needed (a chopstick-held fan for your noodles, anyone?) to the bright, brash lights of Osaka and Tokyo, plus some of the most awe-inspiring architecture and peaceful temples you’ll find in the world – Japan will have you hooked.

Explore more of Japan with The Rough Guide to Japan . Compare flights , find tours , book hostels and hotels for your trip, and don’t forget to buy travel insurance before you go.

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15 Essential Travel Hacks When Visiting Japan

A sk anybody what's on their travel bucket list, and their response is sure to include "Japan." Thanks to a combination of rich heritage, lush landscapes, and labyrinth cities packed with skyscrapers, temples, and tourist traps alike, the country has soared in popularity, with American Express claiming that the number of bookings has increased by 1,300% since 2019 (via Bloomberg ).

Part of what makes Japan so alluring is that its culture and customs are so distinct and unique to those of other countries. That's also what makes it an overwhelming travel destination, especially for first-time visitors. If you start your journey in a major city like Tokyo, Yokohama, or Osaka, you're instantly immersed in a world of neon lights, bustling crowds, loud noises, a million different smells, and sensory overload.

With so much to see, do, and eat, a trip to Japan really isn't the kind of vacation you can make up as you go along. The last thing you need is to run into an easily avoided stumbling block like a lack of internet or 30 minutes spent figuring out the route to your next destination — which is why you'll want to arrive armed with as much knowledge as possible.

Read more: 28 Bucket List Destinations That Everyone Needs To Experience At Least Once

Get Quick Meals At 7-Eleven

It's tough to walk for longer than 20 seconds without stumbling upon a convenience store in Japan. Also known as conbini, these stores are usually open 24 hours a day and are packed full of affordable tasty treats that will keep you going without the time (and money) it takes to eat at an actual restaurant.

For as cheap as 200 yen ($1.34), you can enjoy the likes of onigiri rice balls, chicken karaage, sandos, oden, and bento boxes. We also recommend picking up taiyaki for a quick sugar boost. Shaped like fish and made of pancake or waffle batter, they're usually filled with red bean paste, custard, and chocolate and make for an endlessly addictive snack.

The most common store is 7-Eleven, which has over 20,000 locations throughout Japan and is miles above its U.S. counterpart in the culinary department. There are also over 15,000 FamilyMarts scattered across the country, but they typically don't offer as much variety.

Get Pocket Wi-Fi

Public Wi-Fi is surprisingly scarce in Japan, which can put you in some tough spots if you get lost mid-metro commute. Fortunately, pocket Wi-Fi exists -- and it is a lifesaver. For as cheap as $5 a day, you can rent a portable device that will allow you to access the internet on the go, even on the train. The majority will allow you to connect multiple devices at the same time and come in a variety of different speeds and GB, with some even offering unlimited data throughout your stay.  

If you rent in advance through a website like Ninja WiFi or Japan Wireless , you can pick up the device (also known by the much cuter name of a Wi-Fi Egg) at a designated counter once you've got through customs at airports including Haneda and Narita in Tokyo, Chubu Centrair, Kansai International, Fukuoka, and more. Once you're done, you can just pop it into the returns box at the airport on the way back. Easy.

Buy A JR Pass

Sadly, the JR (Japan Rail) Pass isn't as cheap as it once was. It surged in price by 70% in July 2023 as the yen continued to decline in value against other currencies around the world. However, if your itinerary includes extensive train travel, it's still worth the purchase.

The Japan Rail Pass will allow you to ride the rail to your heart's desire -- including the country's infamous, lightning-speed Shinkansen bullet trains (for a supplementary fee) and the Narita Express. It's more expensive to purchase once in Japan, so we recommend buying yours in advance on the JRailPass website where it costs $340.65 for seven days, $544.45 for 14 days, and $680.35 for 21 days.

If your visit is limited to just one or two cities, such as Tokyo and Osaka or Tokyo and Kyoto, then it probably isn't necessary. For example, a trip between Tokyo and Osaka typically costs $120 each way, which is considerably cheaper than forking out a few hundred dollars for a JR Pass.

Download Train Schedules And Maps

Japan has incredible public transportation. It also happens to be extremely overwhelming if it's your first (or second, or third) time in the country. Tokyo's metro can be especially confusing, with nine different train lines and 180 different stations to navigate. Its roads are even more complex with the majority not even having names, baffling even the city's own taxi drivers.

With that in mind, future-proofing for any situation where you may end up lost in an unknown place is always a good idea. Download or screenshot train schedules ahead of time through the JRailPass website, which offers both interactive and PDF versions of Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto's transportation systems. You can also download an offline version of the local area on Google Maps. This will also help if you face the aforementioned pesky issue of scarce public Wi-Fi, or if your portable Wi-Fi runs out of juice midday.

Use Citymapper

If you're visiting Tokyo, Citymapper is a must. Just like it does for multiple other cities across the globe, the award-winning app analyzes public transportation, congestion, and distance to figure out all the different ways you can reach your destination, and precisely how many minutes each option will take.

Whether it's walking, cycling, taxis, metro, or a combination of everything, all you need to do is select your chosen route and follow Citymapper's step-by-step instructions. When we say step-by-step, we mean it. The app's so smart that it will even tell you which exits and entrances to use at each station to make your journey as stress-free as possible. If you miss your stop or don't quite make your train, the app will also take that into account to restrategize your trip ASAP. You'll need to be online to request a new route, but if you check your journey ahead of time, you can save it to your homepage for offline use.

Visit Between January And March

There is no one "best" time to visit Japan, but there is a most convenient time. January to March tends to attract less crowds and will also usually bring the cheapest flights of the year. While it'll almost certainly be cold, you'll skip typhoon season and be in with a chance of seeing Japan in the snow.

If you do choose to visit at this time, just be sure to check the dates of the Lunar New Year (AKA Chinese New Year). This tends to be a public holiday across the region and will see cities across Japan packed with tourists. As it's such a popular time to travel, this will also be the exception to the "January to March is cheaper" rule with hotels and airlines driving up their prices over the holiday. The same is true of the end of March, which marks the beginning of cherry blossom season.

Make Advanced Reservations

There's a lot to enjoy in Japan. The problem is that everybody else wants to enjoy these things, too. Tourist attractions often book up months in advance, and a lot of them don't sell tickets at the gate, which doesn't leave much space for spontaneity for the average tourist visiting Japan .

If you plan on visiting the likes of the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo - The Making of Harry Potter, Tokyo Disney Resort, Ghibli Park, Shibuya Sky observation deck, Teamlab Planets, or the Studio Ghibli Museum, it's best to sort your tickets sooner rather than later. The Ghibli Museum is especially challenging, with tickets for the next month going on sale at 10 a.m. on the 10th of the month prior.

The same is true of the hotels at Tokyo Disney Resort . With one of the most impressive Disney hotel lineups in the world (including the MiraCosta, a hotel that is actually inside Tokyo DisneySea), rooms are in extremely high demand. These go on sale from 11 a.m. four months before the dates you hope to stay and are bookable through the Tokyo Disney Resort Online Reservations & Tickets website.

Download The Japan Connected-Free Wi-Fi App

If you don't want the responsibility of carrying around and charging pocket Wi-Fi, download the Japan Connected -free Wi-Fi app. Whether you need to double-check directions or just have a quick midday TikTok break, this handy tool will search over 170,000 internet hotspots to find the closest location to you. The majority of these will likely be at a 7-Eleven, where you'll almost always be able to go online.

As if that feature isn't useful enough, the app eliminates the need to fill in the registration forms that typically serve as a barrier before you can access public Wi-Fi. Fill out your name and email once and the app will complete each form on your behalf. While you used to need to be online to find the Internet (which kind of defeats the app's entire purpose), you can now download the offline map to ensure you can always find a connection. Just remember to be careful with what data you enter or share while using any public Wi-Fi network .

Japan has been a "cash is king" country for years, meaning paying with notes and coins is the default over ApplePay and credit cards. This attitude has slipped in recent years, but cash still has a strong grip on the country's residents with only 36% of people preferring cashless payments.

While you should be able to use your card in most major outlets and tourist locations -- such as department stores, malls, theme parks, supermarkets, and even taxis -- a lot of restaurants, cafes, and bars still prefer to be paid in cash. This number will be much higher outside of major cities, and many local restaurants, markets, or temples won't have the facilities to accept card payments even if they want to. Exchanging at least a chunk of your spending money into Japanese yen ahead of time will save you in sticky situations (plus it helps you control your spending, which is always a bonus).

Choose Taxis Over Ubers

Although Uber exists in Japan, it's not as widespread or commonplace as in countries like the United States, Canada, or the United Kingdom. Journeys tend to be more expensive than those taken with local cabs, making the latter the service of choice for locals and tourists alike.

The upside to Uber is, of course, the fact that it's so familiar for many tourists. It's easy to order your taxi and pay via card, and the entire process is in English. However, your cheapest option is to hail taxis on the street, as you won't need to pay a base fare for the pick-up service. It'll say on the front of a car in Japanese if it's occupied. It's also color-coded so tourists can understand. Red means it's taken. Green means it's available. If you do want to pre-book, most locals prefer to use the Go app for journeys anywhere within Japan's 47 prefectures. This works similarly to Uber, except it allows you to pay with both cash and card and will give you a flat rate for journeys to and from the airport.

Purchase A Suica Card

The question isn't so much what a Suica card can do ; what can't it do? This prepaid, contactless card can be repeatedly loaded up with more cash to pay for public transport, including the metro, trains, buses, and taxis. Beyond transportation, Suica is also accepted in many shops, restaurants, cafes, and even vending machines. Just look out for the Suica symbol to know if they do -- and if you can't spot it, it's at least worth asking.

You can purchase your card before arriving in Japan and return it at the end of your trip to recover your 500 yen ($12) deposit. Due to a manufacturing shortage, the sale of new Suica cards is temporarily on hold as of June 2023, but if you're on a temporary visa, you can still purchase a Welcome Suica card. This doesn't require a deposit, doesn't need to be returned, and is valid for 28 days. These can only be purchased inside Japan at locations such as Narita and Haneda airports and will come with a reference paper which you'll need to keep on your person at all times.

Utilize Storage Lockers

For security reasons, storage lockers are a rarity at train stations around the world. Japan is an exception. You'd be hard-pressed to find a major station without coin lockers (which, despite the name, can actually be used with a Suica card, too), and in Tokyo, most stations come equipped with storage facilities.

Baggage storage is one of those things you don't realize you'll need until you desperately need it. These lockers are useful if you only have a few hours before heading to your hotel or next destination and want to stow away your belongings so you can freely explore. They also happen to be extremely cheap, typically costing between $1 and $5. There's usually no problem finding a vacant locker, but if you are struggling, you can download the  SPACER app , which will allow you to find and reserve a locker at major stations such as Shinjuku, Osaka, and Shibuya in advance. This is currently only available in Japanese, but there are plans for an English version in the near future.

Avoid National Holidays

Lunar New Year isn't the only holiday worth skipping if you want to avoid the crowds. National holidays bring in huge crowds anywhere, but especially Japan, where workers get little annual leave and want to take advantage of the break. If you do decide to brave big attractions like Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji Temple, or Tokyo Skytree, you'll likely find yourself shoulder-to-shoulder with fellow tourists.

For a quieter vacation, April 29 to May 6 -- or, Golden Week -- is one of Japan's busiest holiday periods. This tends to be the most hectic season for the likes of Tokyo Disney Resort and Universal Studios Japan, where you can expect to wait in long lines for everything, from the park entrance to the restrooms. While Christmas isn't a national holiday in Japan, it is for many other countries, meaning the festive season can also bring an influx of tourists to both of these locations. Late September (Silver Week), New Year, and the Obon Week in August are typically also very busy.

Claim Your Tax Refund

From clothes to gadgets, Japan is one of the most unique places for retail therapy in the world. If you're a tourist, you can also shop with the peace of mind that you'll get at least some of your money back. Any non-resident visiting Japan for less than six months can enjoy tax-free shopping, meaning you can reclaim 10% of the value of your purchase.

There are a few catches. First, you'll need to check that the store is in fact a "tax-free shop" by checking for a logo stating as such at the entrance. They're extremely common and can be found in the likes of Namba City, Echika Ikebukuro, and Seibu Shibuya. You'll also need to have spent more than 5,000 yen ($33) in the same store on the same day. Some stores will let you pay tax-free from the offset if you present your passport, while others will require you to present your receipt at a tax exemption counter on the same day to get your money back.

Download A Good Translation App

If you know Japanese, you're good to go. For those of us who aren't bilingual, Japan can be tough to navigate at times. While most signs in major cities will have translations, less than 30% of people living in Japan speak English, which means it's inevitable you'll hit the language barrier at some point during your stay.

A good translation app is a must, especially one that's able to translate pictures. Google Translate is always a go-to, but one of the best choices is iTranslate Translator . Not only can it tackle text, but you can also use it to scan and translate menus, signs, labels ... you name it. Best of all, it can work offline if you download the Japanese pack ahead of time. It's free to download but will cost you $5.99 a month to unlock its full potential. Considering how useful it is, it's better to spend $5.99 than find yourself stranded in a restaurant blind-ordering a dish because you can't read the menu.

Read the original article on Explore .

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Golden Week crowds greeted with high temperatures as holiday period kicks off

Temperatures soared Sunday across a broad swath of the country, as Japan marked the second day of the Golden Week holiday period, with millions of travelers venturing to both international and domestic destinations.

Meanwhile, Osaka and central Tokyo reached 28 C, well above averages for this time of year, while Nagoya hit 28.3 C. The mercury in the cities of Maebashi, Gunma Prefecture, and Fukushima also hit 30 C.

As Japan began its Golden Week holidays, which last until May 6, crowds of travelers headed to airports and train stations for trips to visit their hometowns or resorts, with families carrying hefty suitcases forming lengthy lines at airline counters.

Around 835,200 people were projected to travel through Narita International Airport in Chiba Prefecture for international flights and 263,300 people for domestic flights during the busy holiday period.

An estimated 23.3 million people in Japan, about 90% of pre-pandemic levels, were expected to travel during the 11-day period, according to a report from travel agency JTB.

The Golden Week holidays this year are the first since the government downgraded the classification of COVID-19 to match that of the seasonal flu last May, lifting all remaining travel guidelines due to the virus.

Destinations consistently favored by Japanese tourists such as Hawaii and Guam were popular, while nearby South Korea and Taiwan were choices for those mindful of the weak yen, as reported by NHK.

A total of 2.96 million seats were booked for bullet trains and other reserved trains from Friday up until the end of the holiday period, a 16% increase from last year, according to the nation’s six Japan Railway operators.

But rain could put a damper on plans in some areas on Monday, when a low-pressure system is expected to approach western Japan, with rain likely drenching the Kyushu region from the morning and spreading to the Chugoku and Shikoku areas around noon. Some areas are expected to experience heavy rain and thunderstorms.

In the Kinki region, rain is expected starting in the evening, but the Tokai, Kanto and Hokuriku regions may see some sun with a chance of rain at night. In Okinawa, rain and thunderstorms are likely until around noon, mainly in the southern islands.

Tokyo, Nagoya and Naha, the capital of Okinawa Prefecture, were forecast to see temperatures of 27 C, 25 C and 29 C, respectively.

On Tuesday, rain is anticipated from the Kyushu to Kanto areas, mainly in the morning. In the Tohoku region and Hokkaido, showers are likely to continue into the afternoon, possibly turning into heavy rainfall.

Wednesday will see scattered rain in Okinawa, Kyushu, extending to Kanto, but the skies are forecast to clear on Thursday from Kyushu to Hokkaido, potentially creating ideal conditions for Golden Week outings next weekend.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

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MAY THE FORCE BE WITH YOU IN JAPAN: THE 2024 JAPAN PARADE IN NEW YORK

New York – April 26, 2024 : On May 11, 2024, the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) will be celebrating the U.S.-Japan Tourism Year with a commemorative “May the Force Be With You in Japan” float at the third annual Japan Parade in New York. The festivities will kick off at 1pm, with the parade route stretching from 81st Street to 67th Street along Central Park West.

The float will include costumed fans who have been officially invited by Lucasfilm , in conjunction with Japan Parade and members of Japan Society . Star Wars Celebration , the ultimate Star Wars fan event, will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan from April 18-20, 2025. In honor of that, JNTO will roll out a sweepstakes to win a free trip to Japan, which will run until September 30, 2024. Further details of the sweepstakes will be announced online on May 11. Wheelchair tennis star and four-time Japanese Paralympic gold medalist Shingo Kunieda has been named this year’s Grand Marshal, and the parade will also feature a live performance by the cast of Demon Slayer: The Stage, the musical stage adaptation of the popular anime and manga series, Demon Slayer. The parade will also feature performances from taiko bands, bon-odori dance troupes and martial arts groups.

Alongside the Japan Parade, Japan Street Fair will be held on West 72nd Street, with over 20 food tents serving authentic Japanese street cuisine. The street fair will also feature a JNTO tent, highlighting the best of travel to Japan, and cultural activities including calligraphy, water balloon yo-yo fishing, origami and a photo opp with Hello Kitty. A charity tent will collect donations for Noto earthquake victims, providing a free Japan Parade tote bag as a thank-you gift. In addition, JNTO has recently released a special video message from Boston Red Sox player Masahiro Yoshida, whose hometown in the Hokuriku region was affected by the earthquake.

For more information on the Japan Parade, please visit https://www.japanparadenyc.org/ .

ABOUT U.S.-JAPAN TOURISM YEAR

2024 will mark the first time both the United States and Japan have developed this kind of union, which seeks to promote increased travel, mutual tourism, and cultural exchanges between the two countries. The Tourism Year agreement is a project of Japan National Tourism Organization(JNTO), the Japan Tourism Agency (JTA) and the Japan Association of Travel Agents (JATA), in conjunction with the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Travel and Tourism Office and U.S. Commercial Service, the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo and Brand USA. For more information, visit https://www.japan.travel/en/us/us- japan-tourism-year-2024/ .

ABOUT JAPAN NATIONAL TOURISM ORGANIZATION (JNTO)

As the official tourism board, JNTO seeks to inspire international travelers to visit Japan. Focusing on sustainability, diversity and preservation of its history and culture, JNTO encourages travelers to explore the country while supporting local businesses, learning about indigenous cultures, and helping conserve its natural sites.

For more information about travel to Japan, visit https://www.japan.travel/en/us or the JNTO pages on Facebook , Instagram and Youtube . To contact the New York office of the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) directly, please e-mail [email protected] .

ABOUT STAR WARS CELEBRATION

Star Wars Celebration is the ultimate fan experience focused on the galaxy far, far away… The event is filled with major announcements, immersive exhibits, an interactive show floor, screenings, exclusive merchandise, celebrity guests, panels, autograph sessions, fan-inspired activities, costumes, and other surprises celebrating all things Star Wars! Star Wars Celebration is truly a once-in-a-lifetime experience where memories are made, families are brought together, old friends are reunited, and new friendships forged — all in the setting of the ever-evolving Star Wars universe.The event is produced by Lucasfilm in cooperation with ReedPop, the organizers of New York Comic Con, C2E2, PAX, and many more events all over the world. The event will be held at Makuhari Messe in Chiba, Japan April 18-20, 2025 .

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A Japanese Village Wants Tourists to Come for Heat, Soot and Steel

To lure visitors, residents of Yoshida, famed for its high-quality steel, are inviting tourists to help produce it.

The furnace in Yoshida reaches temperatures of about 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Credit...

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Photographs and Text by Craig Mod

• April 18, 2024

This past October, I found myself in Yoshida Village standing before a tatara, a giant open-top furnace that was filled with charcoal and raging with such controlled ferocity that it could have been a set piece in Lucifer’s bedroom.

Deep within the belly of those orange flames sat a growing and mangled ingot that contained some exceptionally high-quality steel called tamahagane, or jewel steel, from which Japanese swords have been made for much of the country’s history. The presence of a usable ingot seemed unlikely, and if true, downright alchemic. All we had been doing for the last 20 hours was gently shaking iron sand and fresh charcoal onto the flames at timed intervals.

Yoshida is nestled back in the mountains of Shimane Prefecture in central Japan, abutting the ever-turbulent Sea of Japan. For nearly 700 years, workers around Yoshida made jewel steel in places called tatara-ba (literally “furnace spots”) on a grueling schedule — one that reshaped mountains and rivers, that seared the brows of generations of sooty men shoveling charcoal in loincloths. Then, at the start of the 20th century, production all but ceased. Other methods were cheaper and more efficient.

At the height of its steel prowess, Yoshida swelled to nearly 15,000 people. Today, the population hovers around 1,500. As with many towns in the Japanese countryside, a mix of aging population, low birthrates and loss of industry has emptied its streets.

Recently, though, in a Colonial Williamsburg sort of way, 24-hour re-enactments of the old iron-smelting traditions began to be performed in Yoshida. The firings are managed by a man named Yuji Inoue, who works for Tanabe Corp., which owns the furnace. “We consider the tatara a symbol and a pillar of town development,” he told me, standing next to the flickering furnace. Mr. Inoue and Tanabe Corp. were trying to remake Yoshida into a kind of tatara village, which he hoped would create self-sufficiency, expand the population and revitalize the town.

And so with this notion of countryside regrowth in mind, a few times a year they fire up their furnace, invite tourists and birth an ingot weighing about 250 pounds.

The open-top blazing furnace was set on a concrete plinth in the center of a room. Flanking its longer sides were air intakes tubes, feeding the furnace, kicking it up to around 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit. Around it all hung Shinto purification ropes. Just before the fire was lit, a priest had blessed the whole place, for luck and safety.

Safety was paramount because around the flames, at various stations, milled a team of some 20 excited tourists, a mix of both Japanese and a few foreigners, all dressed in very hip dark gray jumpsuits. These were people paying roughly ¥200,000, or about $1,500, for the chance to be a worker in a tatara-ba for a day and night. (They would get to keep the jumpsuits and a small piece of raw steel as souvenirs.) Their faces and hands were streaked by charcoal.

Jewel steel is produced by sprinkling iron sand — alluvial (river-deposited) sand saturated with iron — slowly over a charcoal pit. The tourists spent hours chopping the pine charcoal to precise sizes. They used scoops woven from bamboo to gather heaps of charcoal and dump them atop the furnace.

Off to the side stood a man named Noriaki Yasuda. He was the designated conductor — called a murage — of this slow dance between heat, charcoal and dampened iron sand. Dressed in an electric blue jumpsuit, he stood out in beautiful, almost poetic, contrast to the licking orange flames.

Monitoring the airflow, the color of the fire and the height of the charcoal with paternal concern, Mr. Yasuda scowled and watched, sometimes retreating to sit in his dark alcove, his arms crossed, still scowling and watching. To produce steel using the tatara technique, it turns out, you spend a lot of time watching.

Outside the all-encompassing warmth of the tatara-ba, the October mountain air felt like prickles on the skin. The sky was abundant with shooting stars. Shimane Prefecture truly is in Japan’s hinterlands. You can take trains to Shimane, but from Tokyo it’s a fairly arduous journey. So it’s easier (and cheaper) to fly there. Of course, I rode the trains. The 500-mile trip took about seven hours.

The area is best known for its astounding Izumo Shrine, a foundational place in Japanese cultural mythology. Still, Shimane was one of the least visited prefectures in 2019. Only a sliver of all inbound tourists made their way that year. In contrast to sites like Gion in Kyoto, which is now overwhelmed by visitors, Shimane reminded me of Covid-era Japan when international tourism was effectively banned.

“Steel is just iron with a little bit of carbon,” Mr. Yasuda explained to me. When I finally built up the courage to talk with him, his face lit up in a wide smile from behind his mask. (Everyone was wearing masks, less out of Covid concerns and more because of the charcoal dust.) He casually led me to a blackboard in the back of his resting space and sketched out the basic chemical formulas of what was happening in the furnace, how charcoal serves two purposes. First, it burns much hotter than wood. And second, its carbon atoms are essential to the formation of steel; embedded between iron atoms, they increase the strength of the metal.

As I stood and watched that giant burning thing, I thought back to Akihira Kawasaki, the master Japanese swordsmith I had visited a few days earlier. I explained how I had never before held a Japanese sword, had never carefully looked at one up close. He nodded and removed one of his gleaming works from its scabbard and placed it on a piece of red felt.

I picked it up, and it felt like holding a black hole, as if light were disappearing into the ridge line of the blade, as if light was being flipped and flopped onto and into itself. My eyes couldn’t get a purchase on the thing. It glimmered and reflected like a mirror and simultaneously seemed to inhale the world. Held up to the lights, the blade seemed to glow as if lit from within.

I was mesmerized. It was a thing of extraordinary beauty: delicate yet strong, and terrifying in sharpness. An atavistic choir in the subcortical corner of my brain was screaming, “Stay away from that edge!” When I placed it back on the felt — warily, delicately, with great focus — I still accidentally sliced off a corner of the mat.

The gap between the smelting process and the end product of the sword was enough to make a thinking person faint. All this charcoal and sand, this heat, this sootiness, this periodic removal of slag — impurities that come out like molten lava, scooped up with shovels and carted away in beaten-up old wheelbarrows to be dumped outside in a smoldering heap — from the bottom of the furnace. That this process of utter rawness could result in a Japanese blade so pregnant with artistry and violence was a miracle of the highest order.

Back inside the tatara-ba, after 20 hours of feeding the furnace, the sand ran out and the process ended. A crowd of some 30 villagers, including several children, squeezed inside the furnace’s building. The concrete outer shell of the furnace was gingerly lifted with the help of a winch. The full force of the heat hit us all immediately. Inside still burned a mass of charcoal. Below the bed of charcoal was a floor of liquid slag. And in the middle of it sat what looked like a mauled rock — the ingot all this work had produced.

The crowd cheered. The ingot was brought onto the dirt floor, and we all gathered around it to take a family portrait.

Can you revitalize a town through steel-making in 2024? I don’t know. But Japan is dotted with this kind of history, culture and craft. The countryside is disappearing, but efforts like this are a worthwhile way to look back and honor what was — and to build something sustainable and future-facing.

There’s a practical element to it all, too: Tamahagane can’t be made any other way. “It seems that modern steel-making cannot produce the same thing,” Mr. Inoue told me when I asked why it was worth all the effort. “The tamahagane is right there, as the highest-quality pieces of the ingot,” he said. Those pieces will be broken off and shipped to a handful of swordsmiths across the country, and also to the museum shop in Yoshida. It turns out that tamahagane also makes amazing golf putters.

Craig Mod is a writer and photographer based in Kamakura and Tokyo. You can follow his work on Instagram: @craigmod . His previous book, “Kissa by Kissa,” chronicles a 435-mile walk along the Nakasendo Highway from Tokyo to Kyoto. His forthcoming book, “Things Become Other Things,” will be published by Random House in the spring of 2025.

Follow New York Times Travel on Instagram and sign up for our weekly Travel Dispatch newsletter to get expert tips on traveling smarter and inspiration for your next vacation. Dreaming up a future getaway or just armchair traveling? Check out our 52 Places to Go in 2024 .

Open Up Your World

Considering a trip, or just some armchair traveling here are some ideas..

52 Places:  Why do we travel? For food, culture, adventure, natural beauty? Our 2024 list has all those elements, and more .

Mumbai:  Spend 36 hours in this fast-changing Indian city  by exploring ancient caves, catching a concert in a former textile mill and feasting on mangoes.

Kyoto:  The Japanese city’s dry gardens offer spots for quiet contemplation  in an increasingly overtouristed destination.

Iceland:  The country markets itself as a destination to see the northern lights. But they can be elusive, as one writer recently found .

Texas:  Canoeing the Rio Grande near Big Bend National Park can be magical. But as the river dries, it’s getting harder to find where a boat will actually float .

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