March to May and October to November are considered the best time visit Japan, even though climate differs from north to south. Nothing can be more vibrant, yet more crowded, than Japanese parks during the Hanami (cherry blossom) season in April. Avoid the ‘Golden Week’ in early May when all the country is on the move. Summer can be hot and humid washed up with typhoon rains and spiced up with high prices because of holidays. You can conquer Mount Fiji in July–August thanks to warm days. October and November bring striking red and yellow hues to the landscapes. A period from December through February is cold so it’s time to experience traditional outdoor onsens or watch the snow monkeys taking a hot bath.
The first week of April is the best chance to see Japanese cherry trees in full bloom!
Visit the hundred-year-old wisteria gardens during bloom and see their unbelievable beauty
Although thousands of firefly species live around the world, there are not that many places where you can observe such magic
A festival that celebrates the beauty of Shibazakura
Enjoy the colorful sights of spring blossoms
Around 200 fluffy residents of this village enjoy its diverse infrastructure with fox hotels as an alternative to fox houses, also fox feeding area, and even fox shrine—everything to cater their needs
Mice are not allowed to the island, but guests bringing tuna cans are welcome
Watch fireworks every night on Lake Toyako over six months!
Don't miss the chance to meet prominent Japanese Geishas while in Kyoto
In order to attract eels, Japanese fishermen use an interesting technique. Check it out for yourself!
Mind visiting this bamboo grove to relax from the noisy city streets
Blood Pond Hell... For some it became the sheer blood hell—the Japanese used the pond to boil sinners in their own blood and dirt...
Discover the ravishing beauty of the blooming meadows
The official beach season starts with the end of school. But you can enjoy it any time
An American sport with a Japanese twist
Learn about the Samurai culture and traditions at Kembu Theater in Kyoto
Discover the beauty and magic of Japanese gardens at night
The unique Japanese strawberries make for great romantic gifts
Thanks to this traditional Japanese dessert you will be able to feel cherry blossoms with all your five senses
Traditionally eaten in spring, "grass mochi" is a true delight
Taste this true sign of spring
A wonderful alternative to whaling from Hokkaido to Okinawa
A successor of the legendary Tsukiji market is a new gourmet tourist mecca
A beautifully strange flower
The possibly humanmade underwater structure could date back to the ice age
Japan offers some great windy places perfect for this sport
Visit one of the world's most fantastic tree houses when it's bathing amidst the cherry blossoms
Visit one of Japan's 'hell valleys' to see snow monkeys playing and bathing in hot springs
Check out this famous and ancient Japanese sport in action!
The beautiful though often underappreciated blossom of the Japanese plum is one of the first signs of spring
Climbing Mt Fuji is a truly beautiful experience!
A truly wild festival with giant floats and hundreds of participants
A season for purple fields of beauty
A deadly festival of log riding that attracts more than half a million people
Tokyo beats many European capitals as far as holiday lights are concerned
Just half an hour by bus from Biei, you can feel the magic of winter and see a different version of the Blue Pond
Explore the temples of Kamakura with its stunning flower carpets
An interesting festival that celebrates fertility and openness that welcomes everyone!
A spectacular 10 days in western Kyoto!
A wonderful week full of bright yellow colours and hundreds of Pikachus dressed in cute costumes
The beautiful mystic sight of spinning fire rings is an unforgettable experience
Enormous characters set afire to guide ancestors to the other world
Finally being nude brings some luck and fortune at this festival!
One of the last major fireworks shows of the year
This grand fireworks finale spans over two kilometers of the riverbank!
Celebrated nationwide, this festival brings colour and romance to daily life!
Get smothered by thousands of bunnies at a former secret military base
Definitely the wettest in Japan! This water-throwing festival brings both happiness and prosperity
A colourful miracle of spring!
One of the oldest fishing traditions in the world, Ukai fishing is a fascinating practice. Check out just how it's done!
This Baby Crying Festival that has been making children cry for over 300 years!
These amazing yellow flowers are now in bloom!
A bit commercialized but this beautiful festival of snow statues is a winter highlight in Sapporo parks
Feel the spirituality of the Japanese Buddhist festival of the Dead
The deer may be not the only attraction of Nara Park, but they are definitely the most popular one, especially the little ones
The tiny beach on Takenomi island is really one of a kind
This hand-held fireworks festival has been celebrated since the 1500s!
If you suppose these are man-carved ice blocks, you underestimate the talents of nature—the snow monsters appear on their own
A small fruit with a sweet peel
Japanese Lantern Festivals, where people commemorate the souls of the dead, is the second most essential event in the country after New Year's Eve.
It's easier to spot the cranes at the winter feeding sites of the national park, the only known place where endangered Japanese Cranes live
This insect dish is available in jars or freshly boiled and prepared over rice during winter
Gorgeous proud birds spend the winter in the snow-covered lake
Traditional noodles for a great New Year's meal
Suffering from intense summer heat? Cool down with delicious Kakigori
Embrace the shimmering colors of autumn all over Japan
This fierce festival of "fire and violence" includes lots of smashing, dedicated to Yasaka Shrine in Ushitsu of Noto Peninsula
Enormous lantern-floats with human figures and intense dancing make this summer festival extraordinary
An autumn fruit with a woody texture
A scenic road with dramatic mountain scenery
Discover the uniquely Japanese way of greeting the New Year
Choose winter sports in Japan, the scenery is unforgettable!
Well-known for their blossoms, umes are Japanese plums
The oldest winter festival in Japan promises tons of fun
A small fish with a great taste
Colourfully decorated boats race for a good catch and safety
Have you ever dreamt of going back to your childhood and starting a sand fight?
A top-tier show in Japan that attracts thousands of spectators
Used mostly for cooking, this citrus fruit has a unique taste
With its beautiful colours and stunning displays, the Shinmei fireworks festival will not leave you disappointed!
Update: The Tokyo Marathon 2020 will be held only for the marathon elites and the wheelchair elites
Visit this one-of-a-kind ice festival in Japan
These special Japanese apples are both sweet and juicy
A bright red and luxurious variety of cherry
Though not too pleasing to the eye, these creatures are a true delicacy
A special fruit to eat during winter
Watching fireflies is a summer obsession for the Japanese
An extraordinary winter event will make your eyes sparkle
The Festival of Lights of Osaka consists of two main events and welcomes everyone to rejoice in this extravaganza
A special ceremony to welcome spring by throwing soybeans
Japanese grapes with a thick skin
In Japan summer means eel time!
A unique festival that features rituals with dolls
Try this Japanese hot pot dish when it's cold outside
For one day, Asakusa turns into Rio
Similar to apples in taste and texture, Japanese pears are large and crispy
You will find it everywhere during this season!
Japan's largest outdoor music festival provides a great opportunity to enjoy the best of indie, rock and world music! And maybe also win a year's supply of meat?
Even without trick-or-treating Halloween is an incredible holiday in Japan
Traditional rice planting is quite a spectacular event!
A specialty of Nagano, this bee and wasp larvae dish is one of a kind!
One of the oldest and most famous fireworks shows in Japan
Japanese simultaniously pour the water on the pavements to cool the heat
Feel the atmosphere of the Hokkaido's second largest winter event
The celebration of American popular culture in Japan
Giant straw sculptures mark the end of the harvest season in Japan
What can be better than dancing and drinking in a rice mud field?
A festival of 15 meter-long snakes from around Mamada district
Enjoy the spirit of event with tiny illuminated snow statues
This bloody battle between spiders is a regional highlight
One of the largest ballooning events in Asia
Most often eaten in winter, zazamushi might be the strangest dish you have ever tried!
A citrus fruit that is easy to peel