Japan has very distinct seasons, each offering a totally unique vibe, but which season stands above the rest as the perfect time to visit?
Summer, Autumn, Winter, and Spring. No country I’ve been to has more distinct seasons than Japan. From the temperature to the natural aesthetic to the distinct seasonal goods that each season brings, your experience in Japan will change drastically depending on the time of year you choose to visit.
As a man who experienced all four seasons of Japan numerous times, I will preface that there is something good and exclusive to be enjoyed in every season, and it does ultimately come down to personal preference. Nevertheless, in this article, I will express my own feelings about each season as well as the feelings of the masses, such as the most (and least) popular times of year to visit.
Hopefully, by the end of the article, you’ll have more clarity about what each season in Japan is like and will be able to decide for yourself the optimal time to visit!
Seasons to Avoid!
This is going to sound like total propaganda, but for your own sake, I highly recommend avoiding summer in Japan. More than any country I’ve been to, the humidity during summer is so incredibly sweat-inducing, and the wind is totally stagnant – it’s just not worth it!
In fact, I’d extend that sentiment to say you should also avoid the month before and after summer, namely May and September, as they are likely to have that humidity either starting up or still lingering about. That being said, if you plan to visit Okinawa or you want to center your stay around Japanese beaches, then summer could well be the right fit for you, but even then, I’d say to stick to the nicer sunny days of spring and autumn instead.
The People’s Favorite
With that out of the way, the rest of the seasons are all quite well-liked among visitors to Japan. Although winter can get exceptionally cold here, particularly in the more snowy regions, it still offers a far more pleasant experience than the humid hellhole of summer.
That being said, winter still does not match the vast popularity of Japan’s autumn and spring. Autumn tends to be a better choice for longer stays as the iconic red momiji leaves and golden autumn trees stay in bloom longer than the cherry blossoms of spring. However, that short week or two when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom is when Japan’s overseas visitors spike to new all-time records. Rightfully so, of course, since the beauty of sakura trees is simply unmatched, particularly where they are large and vast, such as the stunning Sewaritei Yodogawa Riverside Park.
Indeed, autumn and spring are easily the most popular times of year to visit Japan, as decided by the people. As a complete package, I’d say autumn is the more popular option over the entire duration of the season, but the couple of weeks of spring in which the cherry blossoms peak
My Personal Pick!
The picture gives it all away, but yes, it is true, my favorite season in Japan has and always will be winter! There may not be any blooming trees or warm sunny days, but something about the icy cold air of the Japanese winters just awakens something in me (at the very least, it keeps me awake and sharp!).
That’s not all, winter in Japan is a time when there is so much to see in terms of festivities and holiday atmosphere. Despite being a non-Christian country, Christmas in Japan is celebrated with a lot of heart and love, perhaps even more so than back home in Australia. Everyone gets serious about their winter fashion too, sporting their cool long coats and cozy Uniqlo attire (you’ll definitely need it to survive winter here!).
Winter is also the time when you can enjoy the amazing Sapporo Snow Festival on the northern island of Hokkaido. Speaking of snow in Japan, there’s so many awesome places to enjoy it such as the Snow Monkey Park in Nagano and the ski slopes of Yuzawa!
Above all, I truly just enjoy walking in the freezing cold weather with my winter jacket and popping open a hot coffee can from the vending machine~
To learn more about life in Japan, check out my book: The Japanese Pursuit of Perfection. This book features my most profound observations of Japanese culture and society as a foreign resident. Available in e-book, paperback, and hardcover. Grab your copy today!