Best time to visit Mainland Japan

The best time to visit Mainland Japan is April, May, October and November, judged across 26 places; July to August are its low season.

in seasongoodnot its bestlow season

Updated September 2026 · East Asia · 26 places, each judged for what it is · climate normals from ERA5 reanalysis

Mainland Japan month by month

MonthSeasonWhyBest places
Januarynot its best9°C highs · best Apr–MayHakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Fujikawaguchiko
Februarynot its best10°C highs · best Apr–MayNozawa Onsen, Hakuba, Fujikawaguchiko
Marchgoodcherry blossom · before the heat · 15°C highsHakuba, Beppu, Nozawa Onsen
Aprilin seasoncherry blossom · before the heat · 19°C highsBeppu, Kumamoto, Nara
Mayin seasonbefore the heat · 24°C highs · 9 h sunKanazawa, Sendai, Hiroshima
Junenot its bestmonsoon · 27°C highs · best Apr–MaySendai, Nagano, Kanazawa
Julylow seasonmonsoon · 31°C highs · best Apr–MayKaruizawa, Hakone, Yakushima
Augustlow seasontyphoon season · 32°C highs · best Apr–MayKaruizawa, Hakone, Fujikawaguchiko
Septembernot its besttyphoon season · 28°C highs · best Apr–MayKaruizawa, Hakone, Sendai
Octoberin seasonautumn colour · the heat has broken · 22°C highsFukuoka, Hiroshima, Kumamoto
Novemberin seasonautumn colour · the heat has broken · 18°C highsKagoshima, Osaka, Beppu
Decembergoodthe heat has broken · 12°C highsHakuba, Nozawa Onsen, Fujikawaguchiko

In season: one of the region's three best months, and good in its own right. Low season: one of its three worst, and well below its best. The reasons compare each month with the region's own year and name the seasons on the ground — monsoon, autumn colour, hurricanes — where most of its places share them.

All 26 places in Mainland Japan

Mainland Japan — FAQ

When is the best time to visit Mainland Japan?
April, May, October and November. In May: before the heat · 24°C highs · 9 h sun.
When is the low season in Mainland Japan?
July to August. In July: monsoon · 31°C highs · best Apr–May.
Which months are in season in Mainland Japan?
April, May, October and November — the months among its best that are also good in their own right.