Weather

If you want to travel to Japan, I think any time is good. ^_^ All times of year have their advantage. The following applies to the main tourist destinations, Tokyo, Yokohama, Kyoto and Osaka. Obviously things are different in the far north, far south, mountainous regions, etc.

In terms of pure nice weather, I think May and October are the best. April and November are a bit cooler but you can see cherry blossoms and autumn leaves, respectively. June isn't too bad regarding temperature, but it is the rainy season. Personally, I love July and August, but most people think it's too hot. Not great weather for very active, energetic sightseeing, anyway.

Right now we're enjoying the last of the pleasant, clear, but not cold weather. I would call it 't-shirt weather' - I was wearing a t-shirt all day today - but I was the only person doing so. In a place with thousands of people, I didn't see a single Japanese people in short sleeves. I think I've mentioned before that Japanese people tend to dress according to the season. Or perhaps they just feel the cold more.

Winter (December - February)

Gets rather cold. You may get the odd day of snow, but generally, Tokyo is not freezing. Good season for hitting the mountains and doing winter sports. You can enjoy winter hotpots. Also a good time to see Mt Fuji (the air is clearer so visibility is better). The weeks leading up to New Year become popular for big, drunken company 'year-end' parties. The New Year week isn't the best for travelling, as it's a holiday week in Japan.

Spring (March - May)

Spring is mostly cool and rainy. March is generally pretty cold and (if I remember correctly??) the trees haven't fully started to become green again. Cherry blossom season usually starts in late March or early April, and even the most unremarkable suburban areas become temporarily ablaze with beauty. May is a nice time of year, weather-wise. The first week of May is 'Golden Week', where most people have holidays, so it may be an inconvenient time to travel.

Summer (June - August)

June is the rainy season, which is humid. July and August are consistently hot and humid. This is a good time of year for summer festivals, including fireworks. Lots of people in yukata, and beer gardens opening around the place. I like summer in Japan, but most people find it oppressive.

Autumn (September - November)


In terms of weather, autumn is probably the most comfortable. Cooler than summer, warmer than winter, less rainy than spring. In November, you can also see beautiful autumn leaves. From late November, the landscapes start to look less beautiful as many trees have lost their leaves, or are in the middle of doing so.