Best and Worst Times to Visit Japan: A Traveler’s Guide

Planning a trip to Japan? Although we all know that this country is a tourist magnet, it can get quite busy at certain times of the year. Make sure you don’t get caught in the crowds and pay high prices! This guide will help you plan your trip. Let’s reveal the best and worst times to visit Japan, taking into account factors like traffic congestion, weather and costs.

Also read: Sakura season in Hokkaido: catching the last flowers in Japan

Best times to visit Japan

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Plan your trip early and note the best months to visit Japan:

• Early in April: Enjoy pleasant weather and fewer crowds after the first New Year’s rush. Please note that Golden Week starts at the end of April.
• Mid-May to end of May: This period is a good place that invites you with pleasant weather and fewer travelers after the Golden Week.
• October and November: Ideal weather for exploring, with beautiful autumn foliage in November. But keep in mind that popular places like Kyoto can get busy.

When should you avoid visiting Japan?

Know when to travel to Japan and when to avoid crowded tourist centers:

• The end of March: The new academic and business year brings student travel and a relocation frenzy. Moreover, most tourist spots become very crowded, causing prices for transportation and accommodation to skyrocket.
• End of April to first week of May (Golden Week): Expect sky-high prices and busy tourist spots due to the long holiday in Japan called Golden Week – it’s actually Japan’s peak tourist period! Make sure you book Shinkansen seats in advance too!
• June to early July (rainy season): In Japan, rain showers are expected all day long, and while there are beautiful hydrangeas and roses blooming around this time, we have to be honest: traveling during the rainy season is a hassle.
• August: Extreme heat, humidity and summer holidays lead to busy transport and high prices.
• Fourth week of September (Silver Week): Silver Week is another long holiday in Japan (usually mid to late September), with multiple holidays aligned, creating another extended holiday season. Expect an influx of crowds and a price increase for most tourist attractions, accommodations, transfers and more.
• End of December to beginning of January: A year-end trip to Japan only sounds good if you’re traveling to visit family. But if you’re planning a trip to Japan at the end of the year, you might want to save that for a better time. Tourist spots, accommodations and ticket prices are at an all-time high around this period.

Also read: 10 Best Japanese Cherry Blossom Festivals to Add to Your 2024 Wishlist

Bonus tips to avoid the crowds

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• Choose alternative destinations: To discover Hokkaido or Okinawa instead for a rain-free experience.
• Visit during off-peak hours: Choose tourist spots that are perfect for the early morning or evening, such as visiting museums and temples.
• Use crowd monitoring services: In Japan there are websites that display real-time traffic levels. Make the most of this to avoid peak hours and ensure a more enjoyable experience while exploring.
• Avoid public transport: Rent a bike or scooter for a fun and environmentally friendly way to navigate.
• Hands-free travel: Take advantage of luggage storage services at airports, train stations, or special locations like Kyoto Station lockers so you can easily find your way around tourist hotspots.
• Discover the countryside: Skip the tourist crowd! The Japanese government has 11 new “pilot areas” that showcase rural gems and offer unique adventures beyond the big tourist centers in major cities.

Also read: 10 Underrated Sakura Spots in Japan

So, have you decided when to visit Japan this year? Pack your bags, bring out your itinerary and enjoy Japan in the best way possible! Let us know when you travel to Japan and if this guide helped you plan your trip!

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