top of page

The Best of Japan in All Four Seasons

Writer's picture: Keely McCormickKeely McCormick

Updated: Jan 14

One thing I learned from living in Japan for 3 years is to embrace seasonal changes. Theres something to look forward to in every season. Here are some of my recommendations:


Spring



Spring is the absolute best time to visit Japan. The temperature is perfect, cherry blossoms are everywhere, and festival season is beginning.


Beyond the famous sakura, spring brings waves of other stunning blooms. Plum blossoms arrive first in February, followed by cherry blossoms in March and April, then wisteria cascades down in late April and early May. Each has its own festivals and viewing spots.


Definitely check out the many cherry blossom viewing spots around Tokyo including:

  • Yoyogi Park

  • Shinjuku Gyoen

  • Asukayama Park

  • Meguro River


The mild temperatures make it perfect for exploring on foot. You can wander through traditional neighborhoods, visit temples without breaking a sweat, and enjoy outdoor markets and food stalls. Just pack a light jacket for the evenings.


Spring also marks the start of the school and business year in Japan, filling the cities with an energy of new beginnings. You'll see crowds of freshly-minted students and employees in their crisp uniforms and suits, adding to the season's sense of renewal.


Summer



Summer in Tokyo is hot, humid, and miserable. Thank God for air conditioning or I would have run back to California that first July.


The only saving grace is the abundance of summer festivals and fireworks. The massive Sumida River Fireworks Festival in July lights up Tokyo's sky with nearly 20,000 fireworks. Don't miss the Gion Festival in Kyoto, which runs the entire month of July. The highlight is the grand procession of floats (Yamaboko Junko) on July 17th. For something unique, head to Aomori's Nebuta Festival in August to see enormous illuminated floats of samurai and mythological figures parade through the streets.


Camping in the Japanese Alps is my favorite way to escape the city heat and see some of the most gorgeous nature outside of Switzerland.


The Kamikōchi valley in Nagano Prefecture is the crown jewel of the Northern Alps, with crystal-clear rivers and stunning mountain views.


The Konashidaira Camping Ground sits right along the Azusa River, offering tent sites with views of the iconic Mount Hotaka. Just remember to book well in advance during peak season.


For a more remote experience, head to Hakuba's Happo-one area. The Hakuba Goryu Camping Ground provides a perfect base for hiking the surrounding peaks, and you can even take the gondola up for easier access to alpine trails. The nearby Tsugaike Nature Park offers family-friendly camping with modern facilities.


In the Southern Alps, the Kitazawa Pass Camping Ground sits at an impressive 2,030 meters elevation, making it one of Japan's highest campgrounds. The stargazing here is incredible, and you're perfectly positioned for hikes to Mount Kitazawa and Mount Ainodake. Be prepared for cool temperatures even in summer - the altitude keeps things comfortable when the cities are sweltering.


Near Mount Fuji, the Motosuko Lake Camping Ground offers lakeside camping with Japan's most famous mountain as your backdrop. The view here is so iconic it appears on the ¥1000 note. The crystal-clear waters are perfect for swimming and kayaking when you're not hiking the surrounding trails.


A few camping tips:

  • Most sites require advance reservations, especially during peak season (July-August)

  • Many campgrounds rent basic equipment if you don't want to bring your own

  • Bear awareness is important - use the provided bear boxes for food storage

  • Access to many sites is easiest by car, though some, especially in the Alps are accessible by bus

  • The season typically runs from late April to early November, though this varies by location and altitude


If you're not a camper, the traditional way to beat the heat is to seek out seasonal foods like kakigōri (shaved ice), cold somen noodles, and chilled dashi. You'll also see locals carrying electric fans and UV blocking umbrellas to stay cool.


This is also a great time to take advantage of Tokyo's abundant nightlife. You can wander the streets of Shibuya all night long, popping into kombini's to get cold drinks to refresh.


Don't miss the morning markets - they're a great way to explore before the heat kicks in. By afternoon, you might want to follow the locals' lead and duck into one of Japan's excellent museums or department stores for their industrial-strength air conditioning.




Fall



Fall is also a nice season to visit. The weather is cooling off, but be wary of typhoon season!

The Japanese autumn rivals spring for natural beauty.


The momiji (maple) and ginkgo trees turn the country into a canvas of reds and golds. Places like Kyoto's Arashiyama district and Mount Takao near Tokyo become packed with photographers and nature lovers.


This season brings some of Japan's best food. Matsutake mushrooms, sweet potatoes, pacific saury, and new harvest rice all make their appearance. The Japanese take autumn eating seriously - you'll find special seasonal menus everywhere from convenience stores to high-end restaurants.



Winter



Winter in Tokyo is cold but nice. There are less tourists compared to Spring and Summer and typhoon season is over.


If you're in town for Christmas, head to a KFC to pick up a special Christmas Meal and then after explore many of the city's illuminations and Christmas Markets. The most spectacular illuminations are at Tokyo Midtown, Roppongi Hills, and the famous "Blue Cave" in Shibuya, where hundreds of thousands of blue LED lights transform Meiji-dori into a magical tunnel. For Christmas markets, the German-inspired one at Hibiya Park offers mulled wine, sausages, and handcrafted ornaments.


This is also the best time to take trips to see areas outside of Tokyo. Hokkaido is a short plane ride away and has the world renowned ski area, Niseko. The powder snow here is considered some of the best in the world, drawing skiers and snowboarders from across the globe. The resort area offers everything from beginner slopes to challenging backcountry routes, plus amazing après-ski onsen and restaurants serving Hokkaido specialties.


Niigata and Nagano also have great skiing and are known for their sake! Hakuba Valley in Nagano, host of the 1998 Winter Olympics, offers ten different resorts with varied terrain for all skill levels. In Niigata, the Echigo-Yuzawa area combines excellent skiing with sake tourism - many breweries offer tours and tastings of their winter-brewed sake.


This is also a great time to visit an Onsen village, such as Nozawa in Nagano or Ginzan in Yamagata. Ginzan Onsen is particularly magical in winter, when snow blankets its historic wooden buildings and gas lamps line the streets, creating a scene that looks straight out of a Ghibli movie. The rotemburo (outdoor baths) are especially enjoyable when snowflakes are falling.


Winter also brings unique festivals and events:

  • The Sapporo Snow Festival in February transforms the city with massive snow and ice sculptures

  • The Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival in Tochigi features hundreds of mini snow huts lit by candles

  • The Snow Monkeys of Jigokudani in Nagano are at their most photogenic, soaking in hot springs surrounded by snow

  • The Tokamachi Snow Festival in Niigata showcases incredible snow art and traditional performances


Traditional winter foods provide comfort in the cold:

  • Oden (simmered fish cakes, vegetables, and eggs in dashi broth)

  • Nabe (hot pot dishes perfect for group dining)

  • Roasted sweet potatoes from street vendors

  • Hot sake and amazake (sweet, low-alcohol sake)


Be aware that the first week of the new year is generally a time for people to stay home from work. Thus, most businesses are closed. However, this is the perfect time to join the locals in hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) at famous shrines like Meiji Jingu in Tokyo or Fushimi Inari in Kyoto. Just be prepared for crowds - millions of Japanese people participate in this tradition.


If you're visiting during this period, make sure to book accommodations well in advance and consider reserving a fukubukuro (lucky bag) from major retailers - these mystery bags filled with discounted merchandise are a fun New Year's tradition.


Winter travel tip: Some buildings and trains can blast the heat so if you get warm easily, I would recommend layers!


Conclusion

Japan has something for everyone, with each season offering its own unique experiences. While spring's cherry blossoms might get all the international attention, every season has its own festivals, foods, and natural beauty to discover.


The key is to embrace what each season does best - whether that's spring hiking, summer festivals, fall foliage viewing, or winter hot springs. Just pack accordingly, keep an eye on the weather, and you'll find that Japan's seasonal changes are part of what makes it such a fascinating country to visit.


What season would you visit Japan?


4 views0 comments

Recent Posts

See All

Comentarios


bottom of page