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Four islands, thirteen hours end to end by train, and a climate that runs from Hokkaido's ski fields to Okinawa's reefs. Most first trips are Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, which fit comfortably in a week; the season you come in decides what the rest of the country is worth adding.
Planning a trip to Japan?
Japan has four seasons that barely resemble each other, so the month you pick changes the trip more than the city does. Snow country from December, cherry blossom for about ten days in spring, festivals through the humid summer, and an autumn that rolls south for two months. Here is what each one is actually good for.
Niseko opens in late November and runs to spring, but the powder peaks from early January to mid February, when Hokkaido and the Nagano valleys get fresh snow almost daily. Cities are at their quietest and cheapest, and an outdoor onsen in falling snow is the whole point.
The bloom front moves north: Kyushu first, Tokyo and Kyoto in full bloom around the last week of March into the first days of April, Hokkaido not until early May. Full bloom lasts roughly a week per city, so build in slack. This is the busiest and most expensive time of year, and Golden Week at the end of April is the crowd peak.
Summer is hot and humid, and it is also when Japan throws its biggest parties. Gion Matsuri fills Kyoto for the whole of July, with the float parades on the 17th and 24th. Aomori's Nebuta runs 2 to 7 August and Tokushima's Awa Odori 12 to 15 August. Obon in mid August moves the entire country, so book early.
The koyo front runs the other way to the blossom, starting in Hokkaido's Daisetsuzan around mid September and reaching Tokyo in late November and Kyoto from late November into early December. Peak colour lasts two weeks or more in each area, which makes it far easier to time than sakura, and the weather is the year's best.
Tap a holiday to plan it
4 chances to get out of the country before the year ends.
Marine Day weekend
Jul 18 – 20, 2026
Marine Day (Mon 20 Jul)
↗ The first proper break of the summer. Okinawa, or two hours to Seoul. Biggest break 5 days offSilver Week
Sep 19 – 23, 2026
Respect for the Aged Day (Mon 21 Sep), bridge holiday (Tue 22 Sep), Autumnal Equinox Day (Wed 23 Sep)
↗ Five days without touching your leave. This is the one to go far on. 3 days offSports Day weekend
Oct 10 – 12, 2026
Sports Day (Mon 12 Oct)
↗ The best weather of the Japanese year. Stay for foliage, or go for value. 3 days offLabour Thanksgiving weekend
Nov 21 – 23, 2026
Labour Thanksgiving Day (Mon 23 Nov)
↗ The busiest foliage weekend at home. Book months ahead, or fly somewhere warm.Full calendar
Public holidays, plus the festivals worth planning around.
In a long weekendPublic holidayFestival
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