When to go · Japan
Japan, month by month
The best months for Japan: May, Oct, Nov.
Month by month
- JanuaryGoodCold, dry and clear in the cities after 3 Jan; ski season in Hokkaidō and the Alps.Hokkaidō: cool · Honshū cities: cool · Okinawa: fineCrowds: Low · 7 festivals or holidays
- FebruaryGoodCheapest city month; Sapporo is the exception during the Snow Festival.Hokkaidō: cool · Honshū cities: cool · Okinawa: fineCrowds: Low · 3 festivals or holidays
- MarchGoodBlossom arrives late in the month: prices jump, book early.Hokkaidō: cool · Honshū cities: fine · Okinawa: best weatherCrowds: High · 4 festivals or holidays
- AprilMixedBlossom peak early April and Golden Week at the end: the two most crowded windows of the year.Hokkaidō: fine · Honshū cities: best weather · Okinawa: best weatherCrowds: High · 3 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatAfter Golden Week, one of the best months: warm, green, calmer.Hokkaidō: best weather · Honshū cities: best weather · Okinawa: rainyCrowds: Medium · 5 festivals or holidays
- JuneMixedRainy season in Honshū: grey, humid, fewer tourists; Hokkaidō is at its best.Hokkaidō: best weather · Honshū cities: rainy · Okinawa: rainyCrowds: Low · 4 festivals or holidays
- JulyMixedRain ends mid-month then the heat begins; festivals everywhere.Hokkaidō: best weather · Honshū cities: hot · Okinawa: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Medium · 9 festivals or holidays
- AugustMixedHottest month and Obon travel peak: go north (Hokkaidō, Tōhoku) or plan short outdoor windows.Hokkaidō: best weather · Honshū cities: hot · Okinawa: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: High · 8 festivals or holidays
- SeptemberMixedStill hot; typhoon peak can cancel flights and ferries for a day or two.Hokkaidō: best weather · Honshū cities: storm or typhoon risk · Okinawa: storm or typhoon riskCrowds: Medium · 4 festivals or holidays
- OctoberGreatClear, mild and dry: the best all-round month.Hokkaidō: fine · Honshū cities: best weather · Okinawa: best weatherCrowds: Medium · 6 festivals or holidays
- NovemberGreatAutumn leaves in Kyoto and Tokyo: excellent weather, peak hotel prices mid-to-late month.Hokkaidō: cool · Honshū cities: best weather · Okinawa: best weatherCrowds: High · 5 festivals or holidays
- DecemberGoodCold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.Hokkaidō: cool · Honshū cities: cool · Okinawa: fineCrowds: Medium · 5 festivals or holidays
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Japan, side by side.
Verdict
May: Great
Oct: Great
Crowds
May: Medium
Oct: Medium
Prices
May: Medium
Oct: Medium
Festivals listed
May: 5
Oct: 6
May: After Golden Week, one of the best months: warm, green, calmer.
October: Clear, mild and dry: the best all-round month.
Japan: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
Weather by region
How each climate zone rates each month.