Japan treats seasons as something special. In fact, it follows an ancient calendar with 72 tiny seasons, inspired by nature, the sun, and the moon. These micro-seasons mark beautiful moments—like fish breaking through ice in February, frogs singing in May, geese returning in October, or rainbows disappearing in November.
Most people plan trips around cherry blossom season, but sakura is unpredictable. Flowers bloom for a short time, hotels get expensive, and crowds grow fast. While spring is magical, Japan has something wonderful to offer all year round. Here’s a simple guide to enjoying Japan in every season.
Spring: Cherry Blossom Magic
Spring is famous for sakura (cherry blossoms). Blooms start in southern Japan in January and move north, reaching Tokyo by mid-to-late March and Hokkaido by May. People gather in parks for picnics under pink trees, day and night.
Kyoto and Osaka look stunning during this time, though they can be crowded. For quieter spots, head to Mount Fuji’s Five Lakes, Iya Valley, or see the ancient Miharu cherry tree in Fukushima.
Summer: Festivals & Fireworks
Summer in Japan is hot and humid, but it’s also the season of festivals. Tokyo hosts the famous Sumida River Fireworks Festival, with over 20,000 fireworks lighting the sky.
Across Japan, colorful dance festivals take over streets—like Awa Odori in Tokyo, Nebuta Festival in Aomori, and Tanabata Festival in Sendai. In cooler Hokkaido, summer is perfect for road trips, flower fields, cycling, and scenic train rides.
Autumn: Food & Fall Colors
Autumn brings pleasant weather, red and gold leaves, and amazing food. This is the season for chestnuts, sweet potatoes, mushrooms, and grilled fish.
Visitors can enjoy fruit picking—apples, grapes, persimmons, and oranges—or join tea harvesting near Tokyo. Places like Kyoto, Nikko, and Kyushu’s Yabakei Gorge are breathtaking with autumn colors.
Winter: Snow, Skiing & Wildlife
Winter is perfect for snow lovers. Hokkaido is famous for soft powder snow (“Japow”) and ski resorts like Niseko and Rusutsu. After skiing, relaxing in hot springs is a must.
Winter is also great for wildlife lovers. You can see red-crowned cranes, join drift ice cruises, spot snow monsters at Mount Zao, or watch snow monkeys bathing in hot springs near Nagano.