Ready to explore Japan but not sure when to visit? Here is all you need to know about the best time to visit Japan, including pros & cons of times throughout the year and our recommendations for booking flights!
So When is the Best Time to Visit Japan?
We recommend visiting Japan during the late spring, specifically in the month of April.
Japan’s popular tourist activities are best enjoyed in the pleasant temperatures typical of April. You’ll also find fewer tourists than during the summer months, and – bonus! – late March to mid-April is also cherry blossom season.
Be sure to wander the neighborhoods of Tokyo and sushi-hop the top restaurants, pay a visit to the peaceful gardens in Kyoto, and hang with wild deer in Nara’s parks. And, of course, keep an eye on when the stunning cherry trees are blooming as you don’t want to miss the peaceful magic of these few weeks in Japan.
The Alternatives?
Japan has great skiing and snowboarding (namely in Hokkaido) and is worth a visit during the winter months for avid winter sports fans. We recommend visiting after the December holidays (February/March) for fewer crowds, though Tokyo is a great spot to spend New Year’s Eve if you enjoy the energy of a big city to ring in the holiday.
Best Time of Year to Visit Japan Based On…
| Weather | June-August are the warmest months in Japan. Rainy season for most of the country falls in June/July. |
| Cherry Blossoms | Late March through mid-April, though different regions won’t see blooms until early May or later. |
| Hot Springs (Onsens) | Located all over the country, these natural hot springs can be visited anytime, though we recommend visiting in the winter when the warm waters feel the most magical. |
| To Save Money | Off Season: mid-January through March. |
| To Avoid Crowds | Avoid Japan’s “Golden Week” national holiday at the end of April/early May. (2020 dates: ~Apr 29-May 5) The Christmas holidays are also a busy time. |
When is the Cheapest Time to Fly to Japan?
We analyze the data on the millions of flight searches performed on Skyscanner to help discover the cheapest times to fly to any given destination.
So when is the cheapest time to fly to Japan?
Based on historic flight booking data, we predict November will be the cheapest month to fly to Japan with prices up to 18% cheaper than the average yearly flight price.
Traveling to Japan in July is likely to be the most expensive. We expect costs during this month to be as much as 14% higher than average.
When is the Best Time to Book Flights to Japan?
We’ve analyzed our data on flight bookings from past years to help predict when to book flights to Japan.
- The cheapest months to book a flight to Japan: November and September, followed by October
- Booking a flight in November can see as much as 16% savings compared to the average yearly flight price
- The most expensive months to book a flight to Japan: May & June
