Best time to visit Tokyo

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Tokyo

Best time of year to visit Tokyo

March to May and September to November with pleasant temperatures are the best time to visit Tokyo. Spring will fascinate you with cherry blossoms and blooming wisteria tunnels. You might want to avoid Golden Week when residents travel in and out of the city. Visiting Tokyo in the middle of autumn means tasting all kinds of Japanese fruits like kaki, yuzu or nashi pears and being petrified by fantastic autumn foliage. June to September is a peak tourist season with longer lines and torturing heat accompanied by humidity. Lounging on the beach or climbing Mount Fuji sounds like a good summer experience. Winter in Tokyo can be chilly but mainly tolerable. December through February period gives you a chance to try exotic Japanese inago or zazamushi. The prices in Tokyo are high throughout a year, so there might be no seasonal deals.

13 THINGS TO DO IN TOKYO (APRIL 18 - APRIL 27)

Wisteria Tunnels

Wisteria Tunnels

mid-April–mid-May • nature

Visit the hundred-year-old wisteria gardens during bloom and see their unbelievable beauty

Hanami Season

Hanami Season

February–April  • activity

Enjoy the colorful sights of spring blossoms

Beach Season

Beach Season

April–October • activity

The official beach season starts with the end of school. But you can enjoy it any time

Baseball Season

Baseball Season

late March–October  • activity

An American sport with a Japanese twist

Strawberries

Strawberries

December–May • food

The unique Japanese strawberries make for great romantic gifts

Hanami Dango

Hanami Dango

late March–April • food

Thanks to this traditional Japanese dessert you will be able to feel cherry blossoms with all your five senses

Toyosu Market

Toyosu Market

all year round • activity

A successor of the legendary Tsukiji market is a new gourmet tourist mecca

Kusa Mochi

Kusa Mochi

March–May • food

Traditionally eaten in spring, "grass mochi" is a true delight

Whale Watching

Whale Watching

all year round • nature

A wonderful alternative to whaling from Hokkaido to Okinawa

Fukinoto

Fukinoto

late March– April • food

Taste this true sign of spring

Onsen & Bathhouses

Onsen & Bathhouses

all year round • activity

Winter in Tokyo can be very pleasant if you warm up in one of the bathhouses

Aogashima Volcano

Aogashima Volcano

November–September • nature

How about a nice weekend getaway to a miniature volcano nestled in a crater island?

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

Kitesurfing and Windsurfing

September–May • activity

The Japanese capital offers plenty of spots for wind sports enthusiasts

52 THINGS TO DO OUT OF SELECTED DATE RANGE

Fuji Shibazakura

Fuji Shibazakura

unconfirmedmid-April–late May 2023 • event

A festival that celebrates the beauty of Shibazakura

Sumo

Sumo

out of rangeMarch 12–26, 2023 | May 14–28, 2023 | July 9–23, 2023 | September 10–24, 2023 | November 12–26, 2023 • event

Check out this famous and ancient Japanese sport in action!

Ume Blossom

Ume Blossom

out of rangeFebruary–March • nature

The beautiful though often underappreciated blossom of the Japanese plum is one of the first signs of spring

Climbing Mount Fuji

Climbing Mount Fuji

out of rangeearly July–mid-September  • activity

Climbing Mt Fuji is a truly beautiful experience​!

Winter Illumination

Winter Illumination

out of rangeearly November–mid-February • event

Tokyo beats many European capitals as far as holiday lights are concerned

Kanamara Matsuri

Kanamara Matsuri

out of rangeApril 7, 2024 • event

An interesting festival that celebrates fertility and openness that welcomes everyone!

Hydrangea Blossoms

Hydrangea Blossoms

out of rangeJune–early July • nature

Explore the temples of Kamakura with its stunning flower carpets

Tanabata Festival

Tanabata Festival

out of rangeJuly 7–August • event

Celebrated nationwide, this festival brings colour and romance to daily life!

Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition

Tsuchiura National Fireworks Competition

out of rangeOctober 28, 2023 • event

One of the last major fireworks shows of the year

Kurayami Matsuri (Darkness Festival)

Kurayami Matsuri (Darkness Festival)

out of rangeApril 30–May 6 • event

Watch this surreal night-time light procession which will throw you back in times of ancient Japan

Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri

Fukagawa Hachiman Matsuri

out of rangemid-August • event

Definitely the wettest in Japan! This water-throwing festival brings both happiness and prosperity

Naki-Zumo

Naki-Zumo

out of rangelate April or early May • event

This Baby Crying Festival that has been making children cry for over 300 years!

Obon Matsuri

Obon Matsuri

out of rangeJuly 13–15 | August 13–15 • event

Feel the spirituality of the Japanese Buddhist festival of the Dead

New Year's Eve in Tokyo

New Year's Eve in Tokyo

out of rangeDecember 31 • event

Discover the uniquely Japanese way of greeting the New Year

Halloween

Halloween

out of rangelate September–October • event

Join the massive Halloween matsuri festivities in Tokyo

Kinkan

Kinkan

out of rangeNovember–February • food

A small fruit with a sweet peel

Kakigori or Shaved Ice

Kakigori or Shaved Ice

out of rangeJune–August • food

Suffering from intense summer heat? Cool down with delicious Kakigori

Asakusa Tori No Ichi Fair

Asakusa Tori No Ichi Fair

out of rangeNovember • event

Celebrate the arrival of winter and the end of the year

Inago

Inago

out of rangeDecember–February  • food

This insect dish is available in jars or freshly boiled and prepared over rice during winter

Toshikoshi Soba

Toshikoshi Soba

out of rangeDecember 31 • food

Traditional noodles for a great New Year's meal

Asakusa Sanja Matsuri Festival

Asakusa Sanja Matsuri Festival

out of rangeMay 17-19, 2024 • event

A large traditional festival in the center of Tokyo

Cherry Blossom

Cherry Blossom

out of rangelate March–early April • nature

The favorite natural attraction for Tokyo residents and visitors

Ume

Ume

out of rangeJune–July • food

Well-known for their blossoms, umes are Japanese plums

Kaki

Kaki

out of rangeNovember–February  • food

An autumn fruit with a woody texture

Koenji Awa Odori & Harajuku Super Yosakoi

Koenji Awa Odori & Harajuku Super Yosakoi

out of rangeAugust 26–27, 2023 • event

Huge dancing festivals, full of positive energy

Fireflies (Hotaru)

Fireflies (Hotaru)

out of rangelate May–mid-July • nature

Firefly watching is a favorite summer nighttime activity in Tokyo parks

Kichiji

Kichiji

out of rangeDecember–February  • food

A small fish with a great taste

Fuji Apples

Fuji Apples

out of rangeSeptember–November • food

These special Japanese apples are both sweet and juicy

Yuzu

Yuzu

out of rangeNovember–December • food

Used mostly for cooking, this citrus fruit has a unique taste

Tokyo Marathon

Tokyo Marathon

out of rangeMarch 3, 2024 • event

Update: The Tokyo Marathon 2020 will be held only for the marathon elites and the wheelchair elites

Asakusa Samba Carnival

Asakusa Samba Carnival

out of rangeSeptember 17, 2023 • event

For one day, Asakusa turns into Rio

Satonishiki Cherries

Satonishiki Cherries

out of rangeMay–July • food

A bright red and luxurious variety of cherry

Eel

Eel

out of rangeJune–August  • food

In Japan summer means eel time!

Sea Cucumber

Sea Cucumber

out of rangeDecember–February • food

Though not too pleasing to the eye, these creatures are a true delicacy

Kyoho

Kyoho

out of rangeSeptember–December • food

Japanese grapes with a thick skin

Nabemono or Nabe

Nabemono or Nabe

out of rangeDecember–February • food

Try this Japanese hot pot dish when it's cold outside

Sanno Matsuri

Sanno Matsuri

unconfirmedJune 7-17, 2024 • event

One of three most important festivals in Tokyo

Nashi Pears

Nashi Pears

out of rangeSeptember–October • food

Similar to apples in taste and texture, Japanese pears are large and crispy

Asparagus

Asparagus

out of rangeMay–July • food

You will find it everywhere during this season!

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

Sumida River Fireworks Festival

unconfirmedJuly 27, 2024 • event

One of the oldest and most famous fireworks shows in Japan

Mission Uchimizu

Mission Uchimizu

out of rangeJune–August • activity

Japanese simultaniously pour the water on the pavements to cool the heat

Surfing & Windsurfing

Surfing & Windsurfing

out of rangeAugust–October • activity

Try some adrenaline-pumping sports right in Japan's capital

Ako Gishi-sai Festival

Ako Gishi-sai Festival

out of rangeDecember 14 • event

Honour the most well-known samurai heroes from the Edo period

Tokyo Comic Con

Tokyo Comic Con

unconfirmedDecember 8–10, 2023 • event

The celebration of American popular culture in Japan

Jindaiji Daruma Ichi Fair

Jindaiji Daruma Ichi Fair

out of rangeMarch 3-4, 2024 • event

Spring arrival is always celebrated by Daruma doll fair at the Jindai-ji temple in Tokyo

Kanda Matsuri

Kanda Matsuri

out of rangemid-May • event

One of the greatest festivals in Tokyo with 100 portable shrines being carried through the city

Fugu Season

Fugu Season

out of rangeOctober–March • food

This expensive luxury food can also be deadly

Mt. Takao Hiwatari-sai Festival

Mt. Takao Hiwatari-sai Festival

out of rangeMarch 10, 2024 • event

Don't miss a chance to see a fire-walking festival on Mt. Takao

Daikoku Matsuri

Daikoku Matsuri

out of rangeJanuary 14–15, 2023 • event

Start the New Year by honouring the Japanese god of fortune

Senso-ji Hagoita-Ichi Fair

Senso-ji Hagoita-Ichi Fair

out of rangeDecember 17–December 19 • event

A holiday fair at one of the most famous sightseeing spots in Tokyo

Zazamushi

Zazamushi

out of rangelate November–February • food

Most often eaten in winter, zazamushi might be the strangest dish you have ever tried!

Mikan

Mikan

out of rangeOctober–January • food

A citrus fruit that is easy to peel

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