Best time to visit Japan

Japanese winters are usually sunny with little rain or snow. The air is dry, with low humidity. January is the coldest month in Tokyo and Kyoto. The weather is usually crisp and sunny. It’s a good time for sightseeing with cold but quite comfortable temperatures above the freezing levels. Don’t forget to take your warm coat though, because occasional freeze and snowfalls are possible. Hokkaido weather in January is much colder with temperatures slightly below freezing. It can snow, but it also rains for about half of January in Hokkaido. So rubber boots and umbrella are handy. Okinawa is much warmer in January than the rest of Japan. During the day the air warms up to 20°C (68°F). It never gets really cold here, but you will need a sweater and a light jacket for evenings and early mornings. It’s a good time for hikes and long walks.

It’s a peak of winter and the coldest month in Japan overall. In Tokyo, February is almost as cold as January. There is a mix of sunny and cloudy days. However, the skies are mostly clear. There are 11 rainy days so don’t forget an umbrella. Sightseeing is also possible since the weather is sunny and dry. Towards the end of the month, you could see the nature waking up and ume beginning to blossom. February is also the best time to do winter sports and see some legendary snowy landscapes of Hokkaido and Shirakawago. The temperature on Hokkaido often drops below freezing. There can be a few days of snow during February, and it’s going to rain for sure for almost half of the month. Okinawa remains comfortably warm and dry in February. You can witness cherry blossoms here during this month.

It’s probably the best time to visit Japan. Nature starts to awaken. With every new day, you see more and more cherry trees in blossom. Towards the end of the month, the whole country will turn into a beautiful garden. The temperature is also rising. You could go for a picnic or sit in an outdoor café enjoying the warmth. In Tokyo, the temperature picks up to a comfortable level. However, you will still need a coat for evenings, mornings and sudden cold waves. There are also 16 rainy days in March so pack an umbrella. The skies are mostly clear, and there are about four hours of daily sunshine. Hokkaido remains cold in March. It’s also rather wet. Snow is possible, and there are about 20 rainy days. Pack some waterproof clothes and boots. Okinawa is beautiful and blooming in March. It’s finally warm enough to go to a beach and enjoy the spring sun.

It is one of the most beautiful and popular months to visit Japan, marked by cherry and other trees’ blossoms. Parks and gardens are crowded by people enjoying warm pleasant weather and beautiful flowers in full bloom. You will be tired of taking pictures of the enchanting landscapes both in the cities and country-side. In Tokyo, the weather is very comfortable to stay outdoors. You will need a light jacket for the late evenings and an umbrella. There are 16 rainy days this month. Spring finally arrives in Hokkaido. It is getting warmer, but you’ll still need a coat for cold waves and nights. It also rains a lot. With up to 20 rainy days, an umbrella will come handy. April is one of the best months in Okinawa. It is warm, sunny and dry. The perfect weather for the beach, hiking or sightseeing.

Cherry blossom is over but flowers are still in bloom, vegetation is lush and the weather is perfect for walking outside. It is perfectly warm and sunny in Tokyo. With six hours of daily sunshine, you can do plenty of sightseeing. May has 16 rainy days, but rains are short and not too intense. If you plan to visit Okinawa and other locations in the south of the country, pack sunscreen and light breathable clothes since heat can be really intense. Also, take an umbrella, since May marks the start of the rainy season. However, it’s still a good time for a beach vacation. If you go to Hokkaido, a light jacket will be handy since the spring is usually delayed for about a month there.

The rainy season is underway, and even if it doesn’t rain every day, the sky is rather grey. However, in Tokyo, there are still six hours of daily sunshine, and the skies are often clear. There are 20 rainy days this month as well so be prepared for wet weather combined with the summer heat. June, however, is a very pleasant time in Hokkaido, where it’s still sunny and dry, so it’s a perfect time to visit this beautiful island. In the countryside, it’s possible to see how the farmers are planting rice. In Okinawa, June brings 80% humidity, heat, and constant rain.

The rainy season stops in the first half of July, but it’s still too hot and humid for sightseeing. It’s cooler in the mountains, so you can climb Mount Fuji. In Tokyo, it’s hot and sticky. There are 20 rainy days in July, but the skies are more clear than in June. There are six hours of daily sunshine. July is a good time to go for a beach vacation in Okinawa. It’s very hot, but it’s also finally dry, which means that you can spend a lot of time on the seaside enjoying the breeze and tropical weather. Hokkaido is usually cooler than the rest of the country, which also makes it a good destination this month.

The hottest month in Japan. You can survive on the beach or in the mountains. In Tokyo, it’s hot and sticky weather with less rain than in June or July. Sightseeing in Tokyo and Kyoto are only possible if you hop from one air-conditioned venue to another. You will need light breathable clothes and sunscreen. The skies are mostly clear, and there are about 16 rainy days this month. Okinawa is a good place to visit this month. The heat is not too bad if you spend your time on the beach. But humidity and rainfall increase compared to July. And mind the typhoon season in Okinawa at the end of summer. August is one of the best times to visit Hokkaido where the weather is very comfortable, not too hot or cold. It rains for about 16 days, but the rains are not too intense.

The heat becomes more bearable is September. But it’s still rather hot. In addition, it gets dark and cloudy. In Tokyo, the rains become more frequent. There are over 20 rainy days this month. The skies are usually cloudy, there are just four hours of daily sunshine. The South of the country might experience typhoons with some strong showers and winds. They usually last for a few days. As a bonus, after the typhoon, the weather is usually nice and clear. It’s still rather hot and humid for sightseeing. But a perfect time for outdoor activities in the mountains. Hokkaido offers perfect weather for hiking in September. It’s very pleasant, and the rain is moderate and not too intense.

The weather starts to cool down. The trees are changing their color. It’s one of the best months to be in Japan. Whether you choose outdoor activities or sightseeing, you’re guaranteed a comfortable stay. Take a windbreaker or light jacket since the temperature at night might drop to 15 OC. In Tokyo, there are still 17 rainy days in October, but it gets drier and brighter towards the second half of the month. The temperature is also moderate and pleasant to take long walks and go sightseeing. Hokkaido offers moderate and dry weather in October. But take a jacket for evenings and sudden cold waves. Okinawa experiences some drop in temperatures in October. However, it’s still possible to visit the beach. The sea temperature is still warm.

This is one of the best months to visit Japan. Trees show all shades of yellow and red while the grass is still green and the weather is warm enough for a long walk through all the best sights. Go to the mountains or the countryside and your camera will be overloaded with amazing pictures. In Tokyo, November is a clear and sunny month with comfortable temperatures. You can wander through the city for hours, enjoy its parks and gardens and various outdoor sports. There are just 12 rainy days, and this month is usually quite dry. In Hokkaido, it can already snow in November, and you will for sure experience some rain. The temperatures cool down so pack some warm layers and a coat. Okinawa is much warmer than the rest of Japan. The temperatures drop, and it’s a great time to go hiking or sightseeing. You can still get a few warm days to visit the beach, but cold waves are also possible

The beginning of winter is a good time to travel and see the sights. The weather is still not that cold, with plenty of sunshine. The North of the country can experience some snow which means the start of the highly anticipated skiing season. In Tokyo, December is the dryest month of the year. The weather is crisp and clear. The temperatures are not too cold to spend time outdoors but pack some warm clothes and a coat in case of cold waves. It’s quite sunny. There are about six hours of daily sunshine and just 12 rainy days this month. In Okinawa, it’s warmer than in the rest of Japan. However, the beach season is definitely over. It’s good weather for hiking and sightseeing.