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If you are unsure, go in spring (late March to May). It is cherry blossom and fresh-green season, neither hot nor cold, and the best fit for a first trip to Tokyo and Kyoto. Whatever season you choose, avoid Japan’s own holiday weeks and the June–July rainy season.
I was born in Japan and lived there for 26 years before moving to Dubai. When friends here ask me when to go, I recommend spring with confidence.
The best time to visit Japan is spring
Spring, from late March to May, is the season I recommend most. It is the kind of in-between season we do not really have in the Gulf: Tokyo averages about 9–19°C, so you can walk around all day in comfort.
What you can enjoy:
- Cherry blossoms. Japan is at its most beautiful when the cherry trees bloom. Parks, rivers and old temples turn soft pink, and petals drift through the air like snow. The blossoms open across the whole country, and each place frames them in its own scenery: old temples in Kyoto, castles in Osaka and Himeji, and views of Mount Fuji. In Tokyo, they usually bloom from late March to early April. Many spots are lit up after dark, and having a picnic under the trees, called hanami, is a much-loved spring custom.
- Spring sweets. Cafés and sweet shops sell seasonal treats such as sakura mochi and cherry blossom desserts, and strawberry desserts are everywhere in spring, which children love.
- Mild, sunny days that suit the classic first route through Tokyo and Kyoto.
A morning walk under cherry blossoms at a temple in Kyoto, sakura sweets and tea at a café in the afternoon, and the trees lit up after dark on the way back to your hotel.
What to watch out for:
- Cherry blossom season and Golden Week are the busiest weeks of the year.
- From February to April, cedar and cypress pollen fills the air in much of Japan. If you have hay fever, bring your usual allergy medicine.
- Mornings and evenings can be cool, so bring a light jacket.
- For the best spots and when the blossoms open in each city, see our cherry blossom guide.
For a quieter spring, go in mid-May, after Golden Week. In 2027, Eid al-Adha (expected around 16–17 May) falls right in this window, which makes it a great time for Gulf families.
If spring does not work, choose autumn
Autumn, in October and November, is the next best choice. Tokyo averages about 13–18°C, and the scenery turns red and gold.
- What you can enjoy: autumn leaves, at their best in Kyoto from mid to late November in a usual year (2026 is a late year, with Kyoto at its best from late November into early December; see our guide to autumn leaves in Japan), harvest-season food such as new rice, chestnuts and Japanese pears, and comfortable walking weather.
- What to watch out for: September can still be hot and is the peak of typhoon season, and famous autumn-leaf spots in Kyoto are very crowded on November weekends.
A slow morning in a Kyoto garden as red maple leaves fall into the pond, roasted chestnuts from a street stall, and a cool, clear evening walk through the old streets.
If you can only go in summer or winter
Summer and winter both have their own pleasures, as long as you know what to expect.
Summer (June to August): about 22–27°C
- What you can enjoy: fireworks and summer festivals, including Kyoto’s Gion Festival in July, and cool weather and lavender fields in Hokkaido.
- What to watch out for: the rainy season in June and early July, humid heat that feels heavier than the Gulf heat, typhoons from August, and Obon crowds in mid-August.
Watching fireworks light up the night sky at a summer festival, or escaping the heat in Hokkaido, where the lavender fields are in full bloom in July.
Winter (December to February): about 5–8°C
- What you can enjoy: snow scenery and skiing in Hokkaido and the mountains, the Sapporo Snow Festival (4–11 February 2027), hot pot dishes (nabe), hot springs (onsen) and city illuminations. Snow is often the highlight for children: see our guide to things to do in Japan with kids.
- What to watch out for: snow and ice make streets slippery, heavy snow can stop trains and flights in Hokkaido and on the Japan Sea side, days are short (sunset around 4:30 pm in Tokyo in December), and many businesses close over New Year.
Snow falling over a hot spring in the mountains, a steaming hot pot dinner at your ryokan, and the snow sculptures of the Sapporo Snow Festival in February.
Weeks to avoid in any season
Whatever season you pick, try to avoid Japan’s three big holiday weeks and the rainy season. During the holidays, much of Japan travels at once, so trains, hotels and sights are crowded and rooms are hard to find.
- Golden Week 2027: 29 April and 1–5 May.
- Obon 2027: around 13–16 August, when many people travel back to their family hometowns.
- New Year: about 29 December 2027 to 3 January 2028. Many shops and restaurants close for a few days.
- Rainy season: in Tokyo, it usually runs from about 7 June to 19 July, according to the Japan Meteorological Agency.
- Typhoon season: typhoons are most common in August and September and can stop flights and trains for a day or two.
Hotel prices also rise in these weeks. Our guide to how much a trip to Japan costs explains what to budget.
How to fit a trip around Gulf holidays
Here is what you will find in Japan during the main Gulf holidays in 2027.
- Eid al-Fitr (around 9–10 March): the start of spring, just before the cherry blossoms. Some days are still chilly.
- Eid al-Adha (around 16–17 May): the best of spring, with fresh green leaves and Golden Week already over.
- Winter school break (December): winter in Japan, with snow in the north. Avoid the last days of December if you want shops and restaurants open. See Japan in December with kids.
- Summer holidays (July and August): hot and humid in Tokyo and Kyoto. Hokkaido is the cooler choice.
Eid dates depend on the moon sighting, so confirm them closer to your trip. For what to enjoy at each Eid and plans for 4 to 9 nights, see Japan for Eid.
Let a Japanese local shape your trip
Once you know the season, the next step is a plan that fits it. Message us on WhatsApp with your travel month, the number of travellers, the children’s ages and what you would like to enjoy, from cherry blossoms to snow. We will put together a customised trip for that season, from hotels and ryokan to private experiences. Start a free chat.
What is the best time to visit Japan?
Spring, from late March to May. The weather is mild, the cherry blossoms are beautiful, and it suits a first trip to Tokyo and Kyoto. Avoid Golden Week, Obon, New Year and the June–July rainy season.
When do the cherry blossoms bloom in 2027?
In Tokyo, cherry blossoms usually bloom from late March to early April. Exact dates change every year, and official forecasts are published in early spring.
Is Japan too hot in summer?
July and August are hot and very humid in Tokyo and Kyoto. If you travel in summer, plan indoor breaks, or head to Hokkaido, where it is cooler.
Can snow stop my trip in winter?
Heavy snow can delay or cancel trains and flights, especially in Hokkaido and on the Japan Sea side. Leave some spare time in your plan and check forecasts before you travel.
Can I visit Japan during Eid?
Yes. In 2027, Eid al-Adha (around 16–17 May) falls in late spring, after Golden Week, which is one of the best times to go. Eid al-Fitr (around 9–10 March) comes just before the cherry blossoms.
