Japan's best months change by region. Hokkaido is at its best in summer, Okinawa from winter into spring, and Mt. Fuji shows itself most clearly in winter. Tell the planner what matters to you, and it re-scores 11 regions for every month.
What matters to you?
Quick start
Skip leaves a factor out. Important counts it twice.
Balanced: every factor counts the same.
Weighted score from 1 to 5 (5 = best for your priorities). Darker cells fit better. An outline marks each region's best months, those within 0.2 of its top score. Select a month to rank the regions, or a region to see why it scores as it does.
Region
Best months
3.8
3.8
4.2
3.8
4.0
3.6
2.8
2.2
3.0
3.4
3.8
3.6
Mar · May
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
3
3
4
5
5
2
1
1
1
4
5
3
Fewer crowds
4
5
4
3
4
5
3
3
5
4
3
3
Lower cost
4
3
3
2
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
Things to see
3
3
5
4
3
3
4
3
3
3
4
4
Lower risk
5
5
5
5
5
5
3
1
3
4
5
5
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
11
12
17
21
24
28
32
33
30
23
18
13
Average high, °F
51
54
62
70
75
82
90
92
85
73
65
55
Rain, mm
60
56
116
134
140
168
156
155
225
235
96
58
Rain, inches
2.4
2.2
4.6
5.3
5.5
6.6
6.1
6.1
8.9
9.2
3.8
2.3
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-9%
-1%
+1%
+4%
+1%
-2%
-2%
-3%
-1%
+5%
+5%
+2%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
–
0.2
0.4
0.8
1.2
0.7
–
–
Counted as things to see
MarHeadline Cherry blossoms (first bloom Mar 24, full bloom Mar 31 on average)
AprAlso on Late cherry blossoms; Nezu Shrine azaleas (Apr 1–30)
JulAlso on Sumida River fireworks (last Saturday of July)
NovAlso on Autumn leaves (maples turn around Nov 28)
DecAlso on Autumn leaves into early December
Weather station: Tokyo. Hotel data: Tokyo Metropolis. Rainy season (tsuyu) on average Jun 7 – Jul 19.
3.8
4.2
4.0
3.6
3.4
3.2
3.0
2.6
2.8
3.2
3.6
3.6
Feb · Mar
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
2
3
4
5
4
1
1
1
1
5
5
3
Fewer crowds
4
5
4
2
2
5
3
2
5
2
2
3
Lower cost
5
5
3
1
2
3
4
4
3
1
1
3
Things to see
3
3
4
5
4
3
5
4
3
4
5
4
Lower risk
5
5
5
5
5
4
2
2
2
4
5
5
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
10
11
16
22
25
29
34
35
32
24
18
12
Average high, °F
49
51
61
71
77
85
94
94
89
76
65
54
Rain, mm
53
65
106
117
151
200
224
154
178
143
74
57
Rain, inches
2.1
2.6
4.2
4.6
6.0
7.9
8.8
6.1
7.0
5.6
2.9
2.3
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-24%
-15%
+2%
+11%
+6%
-2%
-6%
-5%
+3%
+14%
+14%
+2%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
0.1
0.3
0.6
0.7
1.1
0.7
–
–
Counted as things to see
MarAlso on Cherry blossoms begin (first bloom Mar 26 on average)
AprHeadline Cherry blossoms (full bloom Apr 4 on average)
MayAlso on Aoi Festival (May 15)
JulHeadline Gion Festival (float processions Jul 17 and Jul 24)
AugAlso on Gozan Okuribi bonfires (Aug 16)
OctAlso on Jidai Festival (Oct 22)
NovHeadline Autumn leaves (peak mid-November to early December)
DecAlso on Autumn leaves into early December
Weather station: Kyoto. Hotel data: Kyoto Prefecture. Rainy season (tsuyu) on average Jun 6 – Jul 19.
4.0
4.0
4.0
4.4
4.0
3.4
2.6
2.4
2.8
3.6
3.8
3.6
Apr
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
3
3
4
5
5
2
1
1
1
5
5
3
Fewer crowds
4
5
4
4
4
5
3
3
5
4
3
3
Lower cost
5
4
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
2
2
3
Things to see
3
3
4
5
3
3
4
3
3
3
4
4
Lower risk
5
5
5
5
5
4
2
2
2
4
5
5
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
10
11
16
22
25
29
34
34
31
25
19
13
Average high, °F
50
52
61
71
76
84
92
94
89
77
66
55
Rain, mm
47
60
103
102
136
185
174
113
153
136
72
56
Rain, inches
1.9
2.4
4.1
4.0
5.4
7.3
6.9
4.4
6.0
5.4
2.9
2.2
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-11%
-5%
-2%
+4%
+2%
-1%
-2%
-0%
+3%
+9%
+5%
-1%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
0.1
0.3
0.6
0.7
1.1
0.7
–
–
Counted as things to see
MarAlso on Cherry blossoms begin (first bloom Mar 27 on average)
AprHeadline Cherry blossoms (full bloom Apr 4 on average)
JulAlso on Tenjin Festival (Jul 24–25)
NovAlso on Autumn leaves (late November to early December)
DecAlso on Autumn leaves into early December
Weather station: Osaka. Hotel data: Osaka Prefecture. Rainy season (tsuyu) on average Jun 6 – Jul 19.
3.8
4.2
3.6
3.6
3.2
3.4
3.0
2.4
2.8
3.2
3.6
3.6
Feb
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
2
3
4
5
5
2
1
1
1
5
5
3
Fewer crowds
3
5
3
2
2
5
4
3
5
3
2
4
Lower cost
5
5
2
1
1
3
5
3
3
1
1
3
Things to see
4
3
4
5
3
3
3
3
3
3
5
3
Lower risk
5
5
5
5
5
4
2
2
2
4
5
5
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
9
11
16
22
25
29
34
34
31
24
18
12
Average high, °F
49
51
61
71
77
84
92
93
88
75
65
54
Rain, mm
52
63
105
99
138
184
174
128
159
135
71
57
Rain, inches
2.1
2.5
4.1
3.9
5.5
7.2
6.8
5.0
6.3
5.3
2.8
2.2
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-26%
-16%
+5%
+11%
+11%
-4%
-10%
+1%
-3%
+15%
+18%
-3%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
0.1
0.3
0.6
0.7
1.1
0.7
–
–
Counted as things to see
JanAlso on Wakakusa Yamayaki hill burning (4th Saturday of January)
MarAlso on Omizutori at Todaiji (Mar 1–14)
AprHeadline Cherry blossoms (first bloom Mar 28, full bloom Apr 4 on average)
NovHeadline Autumn leaves (maples turn around Nov 21)
Weather station: Nara. Hotel data: Nara Prefecture. Rainy season (tsuyu) on average Jun 6 – Jul 19.
3.8
3.8
2.8
3.6
3.6
3.8
3.6
2.2
3.2
3.6
3.4
3.6
Jan · Feb · Jun · Apr +4
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
2
2
2
2
3
2
1
1
2
3
4
3
Fewer crowds
4
5
3
4
4
4
4
2
5
4
2
4
Lower cost
5
4
1
3
3
4
5
2
3
3
1
3
Things to see
3
3
3
4
3
4
4
3
3
4
5
3
Lower risk
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
3
3
4
5
5
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
8
10
14
18
21
24
29
30
27
20
16
11
Average high, °F
47
49
57
64
69
76
84
86
80
68
60
51
Rain, mm
128
151
285
322
327
420
425
346
449
404
197
108
Rain, inches
5.0
6.0
11.2
12.7
12.9
16.6
16.7
13.6
17.7
15.9
7.8
4.2
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-11%
-5%
+11%
+2%
+2%
-9%
-13%
+6%
-3%
+3%
+18%
-2%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
–
0.2
0.4
0.8
1.2
0.7
–
–
Counted as things to see
AprAlso on Cherry blossoms (early to mid-April, later than the coast)
JunAlso on Hydrangeas along the Hakone Tozan Railway (mid-June to early July)
JulAlso on Hydrangeas at the higher stations (early July)
OctAlso on Autumn leaves begin (late October)
NovHeadline Autumn leaves (late October to late November)
Weather station: Odawara, 3°C (5°F) cooler; rain at Hakone. Hotel data: Kanagawa Prefecture, ryokan. Rainy season (tsuyu) on average Jun 7 – Jul 19.
4.2
4.4
4.0
4.2
4.0
4.0
2.0
2.0
3.0
3.6
3.8
4.2
Feb · Jan · Apr · Dec
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
2
2
3
4
5
4
1
2
3
4
4
2
Fewer crowds
4
5
5
4
3
5
1
1
4
4
3
4
Lower cost
5
5
4
3
3
4
1
1
2
2
2
5
Things to see
5
5
3
5
4
2
3
3
3
4
5
5
Lower risk
5
5
5
5
5
5
4
3
3
4
5
5
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
7
8
13
17
21
24
29
29
26
19
15
9
Average high, °F
44
46
55
63
69
76
85
85
78
66
59
49
Rain, mm
61
55
108
106
123
157
178
177
265
230
76
50
Rain, inches
2.4
2.2
4.2
4.2
4.9
6.2
7.0
7.0
10.4
9.1
3.0
2.0
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-30%
-21%
-7%
+3%
-0%
-10%
+14%
+40%
+6%
+8%
+10%
-12%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
–
0.2
0.4
0.8
1.2
0.7
–
–
Counted as things to see
Dec–FebHeadline Clearest views of Mt. Fuji
AprHeadline Cherry blossoms (mid-April); Fuji Shibazakura Festival (mid-April to late May)
MayAlso on Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Jun–AugOff-season Haze and clouds often hide the mountain
Jul–AugAlso on Mt. Fuji climbing season (July to early September)
OctAlso on Good views of Mt. Fuji
NovHeadline Autumn leaves festival (all November)
Weather station: Kawaguchiko. Hotel data: Yamanashi Prefecture. Rainy season (tsuyu) on average Jun 7 – Jul 19.
4.0
4.2
4.0
4.0
3.6
3.6
2.8
1.8
2.4
3.2
3.6
3.8
Feb · Jan · Mar · Apr
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
3
3
4
5
5
1
1
1
1
5
5
3
Fewer crowds
4
5
4
3
3
5
4
1
4
3
2
4
Lower cost
5
5
3
2
2
4
3
2
2
1
1
4
Things to see
3
3
4
5
3
3
3
4
3
3
5
3
Lower risk
5
5
5
5
5
5
3
1
2
4
5
5
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
10
11
16
21
24
28
32
34
31
25
19
12
Average high, °F
51
52
61
70
76
82
90
92
88
77
66
54
Rain, mm
46
64
118
141
170
226
280
131
163
109
69
54
Rain, inches
1.8
2.5
4.7
5.6
6.7
8.9
11.0
5.2
6.4
4.3
2.7
2.1
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-23%
-12%
-0%
+5%
+4%
-5%
-2%
+4%
+6%
+14%
+14%
-5%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
0.1
0.2
0.6
0.8
1.1
0.3
–
–
Counted as things to see
MarAlso on Cherry blossoms begin (first bloom Mar 25 on average)
AprHeadline Cherry blossoms (full bloom Apr 3 on average)
AugAlso on Peace Memorial Ceremony (Aug 6)
NovHeadline Autumn leaves on Miyajima (maples turn around Nov 22)
Weather station: Hiroshima. Hotel data: Hiroshima Prefecture. Rainy season (tsuyu) on average Jun 6 – Jul 19.
3.6
4.0
3.8
4.0
3.2
3.8
3.0
2.2
3.0
3.2
3.2
3.4
Feb · Apr · Mar · Jun
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
1
2
3
5
5
2
1
1
1
5
3
1
Fewer crowds
3
5
5
3
2
5
4
2
5
2
2
4
Lower cost
5
5
3
2
1
4
4
2
3
1
1
4
Things to see
4
3
3
5
3
3
3
3
3
4
5
3
Lower risk
5
5
5
5
5
5
3
3
3
4
5
5
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
8
8
14
19
23
27
32
33
30
23
17
11
Average high, °F
46
47
57
66
73
81
90
91
85
73
63
51
Rain, mm
256
163
157
144
138
170
233
179
232
177
251
301
Rain, inches
10.1
6.4
6.2
5.7
5.4
6.7
9.2
7.1
9.1
7.0
9.9
11.9
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-22%
-14%
-2%
+5%
+10%
-7%
-5%
+5%
+2%
+14%
+18%
-5%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
–
0.2
0.5
0.7
1.0
0.4
–
–
Counted as things to see
JanAlso on Shirakawa-go winter light-up (four Sundays, advance tickets)
AprHeadline Cherry blossoms (first bloom Apr 3, full bloom Apr 8 on average); Takayama Spring Festival (Apr 14–15)
OctAlso on Takayama Autumn Festival (Oct 9–10)
NovHeadline Autumn leaves (maples turn around Nov 24)
Weather station: Kanazawa. Hotel data: Ishikawa Prefecture, 2025 only. Rainy season (tsuyu) on average Jun 11 – Jul 23.
3.4
3.0
4.0
4.0
4.6
4.0
3.0
2.6
3.2
3.8
3.8
3.0
May
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
1
1
2
3
5
5
3
3
5
4
3
1
Fewer crowds
3
3
5
5
3
4
1
1
3
3
5
3
Lower cost
4
2
5
5
5
2
1
1
1
2
4
3
Things to see
5
5
4
2
5
4
5
4
3
5
2
4
Lower risk
4
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
4
5
5
4
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
0
1
6
14
19
24
28
28
24
17
10
2
Average high, °F
32
35
44
57
67
75
83
83
76
63
50
35
Rain, mm
108
92
78
55
56
60
91
127
142
110
114
114
Rain, inches
4.3
3.6
3.1
2.1
2.2
2.4
3.6
5.0
5.6
4.3
4.5
4.5
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-6%
+6%
-13%
-26%
-11%
+7%
+17%
+16%
+13%
+7%
-9%
-2%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
–
0.1
0.2
0.7
0.7
0.2
–
–
Counted as things to see
JanHeadline Snow country and skiing (Niseko powder, late December to mid-February)
FebHeadline Sapporo Snow Festival (Feb 4–11, 2027)
MarAlso on Late ski season
Apr & NovOff-season Between seasons: snow melting or not yet settled
MayHeadline Cherry blossoms (Sapporo full bloom May 6; Hakodate first bloom Apr 28 on average)
JunAlso on Lavender begins (late June)
JulHeadline Lavender peak (mid-July to early August); summer festivals
AugAlso on Late lavender; summer festival (to Aug 18)
OctHeadline Autumn leaves (Sapporo mid-October to early November)
DecAlso on Ski season opens (Niseko from Nov 28)
Weather station: Sapporo. Hotel data: Hokkaido. No rainy season (tsuyu) in Hokkaido.
4.6
4.4
4.2
4.2
3.4
3.6
2.2
1.8
2.6
2.8
3.8
4.4
Jan · Feb · Dec
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
5
5
5
4
1
1
1
1
1
2
4
5
Fewer crowds
4
5
5
5
4
5
2
1
4
3
5
4
Lower cost
5
3
3
3
4
3
2
1
2
2
3
5
Things to see
4
4
3
4
4
5
5
5
5
4
3
3
Lower risk
5
5
5
5
4
4
1
1
1
3
4
5
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
20
21
23
25
27
30
32
32
32
29
26
22
Average high, °F
68
70
73
77
81
86
90
90
89
85
78
71
Rain, mm
102
114
143
161
245
284
188
240
275
179
119
110
Rain, inches
4.0
4.5
5.6
6.3
9.7
11.2
7.4
9.4
10.8
7.1
4.7
4.3
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-15%
+2%
-3%
-1%
-6%
-2%
+9%
+11%
+4%
+9%
+3%
-12%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
0.4
0.6
1.5
2.2
1.9
1.1
0.3
–
Counted as things to see
Jan–FebAlso on Hikanzakura cherry blossoms (Naha first bloom Jan 16, full bloom Feb 4 on average)
Apr–MayAlso on Beach season (beaches open late March to early April)
Jun & SepHeadline Best beach months
Jul–AugHeadline Best beach months (summer peak season)
OctAlso on Beach season (to late October); Naha Tug-of-War
Weather station: Naha. Hotel data: Okinawa Prefecture. Rainy season (tsuyu) on average May 10 – Jun 21.
3.8
3.8
4.2
4.2
4.0
3.4
2.4
2.2
2.8
3.4
3.8
3.6
Mar · Apr · May
Scores by month (1–5, 5 = best)
Score
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Pleasant weather
3
3
4
5
5
1
1
1
1
4
5
3
Fewer crowds
4
4
4
4
4
5
3
3
5
3
3
3
Lower cost
4
3
3
3
3
4
3
3
3
2
2
3
Things to see
3
4
5
4
3
3
4
3
3
4
4
4
Lower risk
5
5
5
5
5
4
1
1
2
4
5
5
What the scores are based on
Measure
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Average high, °C
11
12
17
21
24
28
33
34
31
25
19
13
Average high, °F
51
54
63
70
76
83
92
92
88
77
67
55
Rain, mm
74
70
104
118
134
250
299
210
175
94
91
68
Rain, inches
2.9
2.7
4.1
4.7
5.3
9.8
11.8
8.3
6.9
3.7
3.6
2.7
Hotel demand vs. yearly average
-9%
+0%
+0%
-1%
-1%
-4%
-2%
+0%
-1%
+6%
+9%
+2%
Typhoons passing near (average)
–
–
–
–
0.1
0.3
0.8
1.1
1.1
0.4
–
–
Counted as things to see
FebAlso on Nagasaki Lantern Festival (February)
MarHeadline Cherry blossoms (Fukuoka first bloom Mar 22, full bloom Mar 31 on average)
AprAlso on Late cherry blossoms
JulAlso on Hakata Gion Yamakasa (Jul 1–15)
OctAlso on Nagasaki Kunchi (Oct 7–9)
NovAlso on Autumn leaves (Fukuoka maples turn around Dec 1)
DecAlso on Autumn leaves into early December
Weather station: Fukuoka. Hotel data: Fukuoka Prefecture. Rainy season (tsuyu) on average Jun 4 – Jul 19.
How the scores work
Every region gets a score from 1 to 5 on five factors for every month, where 5 is best for you. Your settings decide how much each factor counts, and the table shows the weighted average.
Pleasant weather
Average daily highs for 2021–2025 from the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA). Highs of 18–25°C (64–77°F) score 5. The hotter or colder the month, the lower the score, down to 1 for highs of 31°C (88°F) and above or below 5°C (41°F). A month loses a point from 200 mm (8 in) of normal rainfall, two from 300 mm (12 in), and one more if at least 15 of its days fall in the rainy season (tsuyu).
Fewer crowds
Starts at 5. Japanese holidays take points off: New Year and the year-end, Golden Week, which runs from late April into early May and is counted in May, the start of summer vacation in July, and Obon with summer vacation in August. So do months when hotels are fuller than the region's yearly average, and months with a headline draw such as cherry blossoms, autumn leaves or a major festival.
Lower cost
How full hotels are compared with the region's own yearly average (Japan Tourism Agency, 2024–2025). Months 10% or more above average score 1 and months 10% or more below score 5. This measures demand rather than room prices, and it compares months within a region. It does not say one region is cheaper than another.
Things to see
Starts at 3. A headline seasonal highlight adds 2 and a smaller one adds 1. Cherry blossom and autumn leaf dates are JMA averages, and festival dates come from organizers and tourism boards. Off-season months lose a point: the spring thaw and late autumn in Hokkaido, and the hazy summer when Mt. Fuji is often hidden. Open a region to see what is counted.
Lower risk
Starts at 5. Typhoons take off 1 to 3 points, depending on how many pass near the region in that month in an average year (JMA, 1991–2020). Heat takes off 1 point for average highs of 31°C (88°F) or more and 2 points for 33°C (91°F) or more. Snow on the ground of 30 cm (1 ft) or more takes off 1 point, and 1 m (3 ft) or more takes off 2.
Each region is scored at one weather station: Sapporo for Hokkaido, Fukuoka for Kyushu, Naha for Okinawa and Kawaguchiko for the Mt. Fuji area. Hakone has no temperature record, so its highs are set about 3°C (5°F) below Odawara at the foot of the mountains. Kanazawa uses 2025 hotel data only, because Ishikawa's 2024 figures were unusual after the January 2024 Noto earthquake.
The scores describe a typical year. Blossoms can come a week or more early or late, and heat and typhoons vary from year to year. Check forecasts and event dates before you book.