Japan When To Go

Spring’s explosion of cherry blossoms and fall’s red foliage make these the perfect times to visit Japan. The weather is mild, and although prices are high, tourist numbers are evenly spread so you shouldn’t feel swamped by crowds. The priciest times to visit Japan are during the three-week-long national holidays each year: Golden Week falls in late April or early May, New Year in very late December, and Obon in mid August.

Extremes in weather keep many tourists from traveling during these cold winter months and, as Christmas is not celebrated, prices don’t shoot up until the New Year.

During the sizzling summer many Japanese flee the cities in search of cooler temperatures, but hotel prices in Tokyo remain relatively high. Prepare to book ahead for mountainous regions and the countryside.