Japan Travel Weather

March - May

Recognized as the symbol and national flower of Japan, the cherry blossoms, also known as "sakura" that blooms in spring make this season a culturally significant one. Being able to go and see the pink flowers in parks and across avenues is such a popular activity, that it has its own name for it, "hanami".

A popular spot to view cherry blossoms is in Chidorigafuchi Park. Situated right by the Imperial Palace, it is a great spot for viewing cherry blossoms with sights of iconic landmarks in the same frame. You can even see Tokyo Tower from this location. Boats can be rented for the moat which goes around the Imperial Palace, and you can catch glimpses of it peering through the canopy of the sakura. In the evening there are illuminations which light up the trees by the river bank, complementing the pink petals with the night lights of office buildings, and most notably, Tokyo Tower.

Within heavily visited areas like Tokyo and Kyoto, the temperature often lies around the 64°F to 68°F. The further north you travel, temperatures can range from 57°F and to lows of roughly 50°F in Hokkaido. Down south you can expect levels of 59°F to 68°F. Most days in this season you will be pleased to know will be filled with calm sunny days, but there will also be windy, rainy days dotted around the months so be prepared with a rain jacket.

For anyone that is interested in any festivals that take place during this season, a notable one is Kanda Matsuri in Tokyo. Recognized as one of Tokyo's three greatest festivals, it takes place in May, but only on odd-numbered years. The counterpart to this event, "Sanno Matsuri", is also known as one of Tokyo's biggest festivals, but is only held on even-numbered years. Spanning the length of around a week, the highlights of Kanda Matsuri lies on the weekend. Sacred, portable, Shinto shrines known as "mikoshi" believed to be carrying a deity, are paraded through the streets and is a spectacle for all to behold.

June - August

When you think of summer, you probably think of the warm sun on your skin, eating tons of ice cream, hanging out with friends, and feeling free. It is no different in Japan, and there are so many festivals that go on during this season that it would be almost impossible to list them all down.

Depending on the area the temperatures can vary slightly, but on average they sit around the 68°F to 86°F mark. Although keep in mind that the humidity is the real danger and makes it feel a lot hotter than it actually is. Countering the soaring heat, from June to mid-July, Japan experiences what is known as a "rainy season" where heavy rainfall hits the country. Once that passes and we head into August, temperatures start to rise a bit more where it can even reach up to 95°F.

An iconic event that takes place in Tokyo in summer, is the Sumida River Fireworks. Held in July, bursts and flares of color are splashed across the night sky in one of Japan's biggest firework festivals. Pyrotechnic work is put on display as the sky continues to set ablaze throughout the night. It can be seen from pretty much all over the Asakusa area, as the fireworks are sent shooting off along the portion of the river between "Senso-ji Temple" and "Tokyo Skytree". The best and most obvious spot to see the show would be by the river, however there are flocks of people eagerly anticipating this event each year. Some other spots you could try out would be "Sumida Park" and from the top of "Tokyo Skytree" if you are quick enough.

September - November

Probably the most iconic and distinguished highlight of a Japanese autumn, the leaves are splashed with vibrant and picturesque colours of yellow, orange and red. It is something that is enjoyed by Japanese people so much that there are celebrations and events created, specifically for viewing the leaves.

"Momiji-gari" or "kōyō" is one of these said events, and roughly translates to "autumn leaf hunting" in English. This is when, as the name suggests, people go out in search for the most beautiful and scenic locations where the leaves can be seen. It is a very popular activity for people to do during this season and is a great way for people to socialise and have a picnic, while surrounded by the enchanting colours of nature.

One of the top locations for gazing at the autumn foliage is at Tsutanuma Lake which is found up north in the prefecture of Aomori. Found in the city of Towada, this spectacular lake offers picturesque sights of a lush forest engulfed in an inferno of colours. With incredible views all throughout the year, it really shines as a stand out spot during autumn. As the clear calm water of the lake beautifully reflects the pigments of the leaves, it leaves you feeling as if you stepped foot into a dream-like mirrored world.

As the season transitions into autumn and days get cooler, the hot sweaty days of summer are no more as temperatures sit around 68°F to 77°F during the day, and 59°F to 68°F during the morning and night. The weather is perfectly balanced, albeit the odd day here and there where it may be a bit chillier, but nothing that would ruin a day out in Japan. Although rainy days still occur in autumn, compared to the rainy season of summer during the months of June and July, it hopefully should be nothing that could ruin your trip.

December - February

The time of celebrations, snow, and freezing temperatures, it can become quite gloomy, especially with the diminished hours of sunlight. While nothing can be done with the daylight situation, there are many events going on to keep your holiday spirits high.

On the chilly winter days with a dark cloak shrouding over the sky, winter illuminations and displays sparkle the night vividly. An event which people excitedly look forward to each year, it makes the streets light up like a Christmas tree. As it is not something that is specific to an area, you can often find light displays all over Japan. A notable one being the "Kobe Luminarie" that can be seen in the city of Kobe. The origins of this winter illumination are important as it began with the purpose of raising money and bringing back tourism to the city after the "Great Hanshin Earthquake" in 1995 that took the lives of around six thousand people. The popularity of the event meant that it continued annually, and millions attend the event each time.

In most areas of Japan, the temperature sits around a cool 46°F to 34°F, however in the northern island of Hokkaido you will experience the temperature in the negatives to levels of around 18°F. Snow is not really common in Japan outside of the northern areas, but with low humidity in this season the sky is very clear allowing for ideal views of Mt. Fuji. A top spot to see the famous mountain is at Lake Kawaguchi where you will be treated to a stunning panoramic sight.