Even a beautiful country has its challenging seasons. Here’s when to pause — or plan with care.

March 20 – April 7

Overcrowded Domestic Travel: End of School & Fiscal Year
Late March carries the promise of cherry blossoms — and with it, a rush of movement. Students graduate, companies close their fiscal year, and families take one last holiday before the new school term begins on April 1. The result is a surge of domestic travel across Japan.

Rail stations brim with travelers, flights are packed, and city parks — particularly those famed for sakura — become nearly impossible to navigate. While blossoms may be blooming, accommodation is limited, prices soar, and the charm of the season can feel lost in the crowds. Consider arriving earlier in March or waiting until mid-April for a gentler experience of spring. This is also the time when cherry blossom season in Japan typically begins.

April 27 – May 6

Golden Week: Japan’s Busiest Holiday Period
When is Golden Week in Japan? This rare alignment of four public holidays within ten days turns the entire country into a moving population. Bullet trains, domestic flights, and expressways are at capacity. Hotel rates double or triple. Even usually serene temples and museums pulse with long queues.

If you must visit during this time, book far in advance, minimize intercity travel, and anchor yourself in one location. The energy is festive, but spontaneity — and stillness — will be hard to come by.

June 5 – July 15

Rainy Season: Constant Rain + High Humidity
Is June a good time to visit Japan? For most travelers, it’s not ideal. Japan’s tsuyu, or rainy season, is slow and soaking. Unlike tropical storms, tsuyu brings consistent drizzle, grey skies, and high humidity that settles over much of the country. Urban travel can feel muggy and uncomfortable, and outdoor activities — from mountain hikes to city photography — lose their luster.

While the landscape remains lush, it’s hard to appreciate Japan’s natural beauty under an umbrella. However, Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, remains largely unaffected — offering crisp air and clear days while the rest of the country waits for summer’s arrival.

July 25 – August 31

Extreme Heat + Obon Holiday Crowds
Late summer in Japan is intense. Temperatures regularly exceed 35°C (95°F), and the humidity is unrelenting, making even short walks exhausting. While summer festivals and fireworks are in full swing, the climate often eclipses the charm.

Adding to this is Obon — a Buddhist holiday in mid-August when families return to ancestral homes to honor their loved ones. It’s one of the most congested travel periods in Japan, with bullet trains on reserve-only schedules, full flights, and packed highways.

September 1 – 23

Typhoon Season + Potential Silver Week
When is typhoon season in Japan? It peaks in September, especially in southern and coastal areas, often causing transportation delays, cancellations, and last-minute rerouting. While many days are clear, the possibility of sudden storms can make itinerary planning difficult.

Complicating matters further is Silver Week — a rare but impactful convergence of national holidays that, when aligned, creates a second Golden Week-style travel surge. Though it doesn’t happen every year, when it does (as in 2024), domestic travel skyrockets again. If visiting in September, flexibility is essential — and a close watch on weather and holiday calendars is wise.

December 28 – January 3

New Year Shutdown: Domestic Travel + Closures
New Year’s in Japan is a time of deep cultural significance — quiet, reflective, and filled with family rituals. But for visitors, it presents logistical hurdles. Trains and flights are crowded as people return to hometowns. Most restaurants, boutiques, museums, and even convenience stores close from January 1 to 3.

Shrines overflow with pilgrims during hatsumode, the first prayer of the year, turning serene places into packed thoroughfares. Travel infrastructure stretches thin.