Trip prep
Everything worth knowing before you go to Japan. Rules and perks can change, so double-check official sources before you leave.
Seasons
Japan stretches far from north to south, so the same month can feel very different by region. Use the cherry blossom, rainy season and autumn leaf timing to pick your dates.
Cherry blossoms, rainy season and autumn leaves by region
Based on Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020). Cherry dates are first-bloom dates; full bloom is usually about a week later. Each year can shift by 1–2 weeks.
| Area | Cherry blossoms | Rainy season | Autumn leaves |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hokkaido (Sapporo) | Cherry blossomsEarly May | Rainy seasonNone | Autumn leavesLate Oct–early Nov (Daisetsuzan mid-Sep) |
| Tokyo | Cherry blossomsAround Mar 24 | Rainy seasonAround Jun 7–Jul 19 | Autumn leavesLate Nov–early Dec |
| Nagoya | Cherry blossomsAround Mar 24 | Rainy seasonAround Jun 6–Jul 19 | Autumn leavesLate Nov (Takayama late Oct) |
| Osaka & Kyoto | Cherry blossomsAround Mar 26–27 | Rainy seasonAround Jun 6–Jul 19 | Autumn leavesMid Nov–early Dec |
| Hiroshima | Cherry blossomsAround Mar 25 | Rainy seasonAround Jun 6–Jul 19 | Autumn leavesMid–late Nov |
| Shikoku (Matsuyama, Takamatsu) | Cherry blossomsAround Mar 26–28 | Rainy seasonAround Jun 5–Jul 17 | Autumn leavesMid–late Nov |
| Fukuoka | Cherry blossomsAround Mar 22 | Rainy seasonAround Jun 4–Jul 19 | Autumn leavesLate Nov–early Dec |
| Okinawa | Cherry blossomsMid Jan–Feb (Kanhizakura) | Rainy seasonAround May 10–Jun 21 | Autumn leavesHardly any |
What to wear by season
- Spring (Mar–May): warm days but chilly mornings and evenings. Bring a light jacket or thin down.
- Summer (Jun–Aug): over 30° and very humid. Wear breathable clothes and a hat; a handheld fan helps. Air conditioning is strong indoors, so carry a thin layer.
- Autumn (Sep–Nov): September is still hot; it cools from October. By November you'll want a sweater or light coat.
- Winter (Dec–Feb): Tokyo and Osaka are mild (around 10° by day). Hokkaido, Takayama and Shirakawa-go drop below freezing with heavy snow, so bring snow boots.
- Okinawa stays around 20° by day even in winter, so light long sleeves are enough.
Typhoons and holiday crowds
- Typhoons peak in August and September, and Okinawa is often hit from July to October. Flights and ferries may be cancelled, so get travel insurance and flexible bookings.
- Japan's big holidays, Golden Week (late Apr–early May), Obon (mid-Aug) and New Year (late Dec–early Jan), mean crowded, pricey transport and hotels.
- Kyoto is especially packed on peak cherry blossom (late Mar–early Apr) and autumn leaf (Nov) weekends. Aim for weekdays or early mornings.
As of October 2026