Japan also tends to be quieter between January and March, making it a perfect time to pair sightseeing with snow sports — and relaxing soaks at the nearest onsen (hot spring).
The cheapest time to go to Japan is during the winter months of December to mid-March, after the holidays pass. Mid-January to mid-March are also the least crowded times, so you can expect great deals on airfare and hotel rooms.
Also, avoid four major Japan holidays: Golden Week in May, Obon in mid-August, Silver Week in mid-September, and the New Year holiday from late December to January 3rd. During these four periods, the Japanese may use these dates to go on vacation.
The New Year period from 30 December to 4 January. The Golden Week period from late April to the end of the first week of May. The Obon holiday from 13-16 August.
The cheapest months to travel to Japan are typically January, February, and early June. January & February: After the New Year holidays, tourism slows down. Early June: This is Japan's rainy season (tsuyu), but showers are usually light. Fewer tourists mean lower prices on flights and accommodations.
When to Visit Japan in 2025? Avoid These Crowded & Expensive Months!
What month is Japan most expensive?
Late April – Early May – Golden Week, one of the costliest 10. Late December (Christmas–New Year) – Holiday surge, very expensive 11. Mid-August (Obon) – High domestic travel costs 12. August (summer vacation) – Most expensive overall.
Twelve days is just enough time to experience Japan, a country of extreme contrasts that will transport you back to the distant past at one moment and hurtle you forward to a futuristic world at the other. Explore this fascinating dichotomy on the tour of megacities like Tokyo and Osaka.
May is one of the best months to visit Japan, with mild temperatures and ideal conditions for outdoor activities. However, Golden Week, in early May, is one of the busiest travel periods. Book accommodations and transportation well in advance, or plan your trip after the holiday rush to avoid the crowds.
Silver Week is a week in September containing consecutive public holidays. If you travel in Japan during this time, some stores may be closed and public transportation may be crowded, so take a look at these travel tips for ideal destinations.
The best time to visit Japan is between March and May and between September and November as it's both warm and dry between these periods. However, the joys of springtime and the iconic blooming of the cherry blossoms in Japan are no secret, which means you'll be sharing the space with plenty of other travellers.
March also marks the beginning of a busy travel season as locals and tourists celebrate the arrival of spring with festivals, outdoor activities, and scrumptious food.
Visitor Arrivals: Is Japan crowded during April? Also known as Sakura season, late March through April is one of the most popular times to visit Japan. While you might encounter more tourists during this time of year, this is the best season to admire the blooming pink cherry blossoms.
When is the cheapest time to go to Japan? The cheapest time to visit Japan is in January and February, according to Wiggins and Tadehara—after the peak holiday season and before the rush of cherry blossom chasers.
While the rainy season from early June to mid-July technically qualifies as the “worst” time to visit Japan, the reality is less scary and more positive. With proper planning & realistic expectations, any time can be the right time for your Japan travels.
So, Is $5,000 Enough for a Week in Japan? Yes. If $5K (per person) is your travel budget, in most seasons you should be able to make this work for a Japan trip. This of course assumes that you're not booking five-star hotels and $400 sushi dinners every night.
Is $100 A Day Enough For Japan? As a budget traveller with careful planning, $100 a day is enough for travelling to Japan on a budget. Some day, you will even spend less than that. You can expect to spend around $50 on food (about 3 meals a day) and maybe $15 on transportation.
Spring. Widely considered the most beautiful season of Japan, spring is truly a season to begin the year off with. Enjoy the loving warm embrace of the sun as thousands of cherry blossom petals dance around you in a vivacious waltz.
While there are hotels everywhere in the city, you should definitely try to stay in one of the city's main urban hubs on the JR Yamanote loop line. The best places to stay are: Shinjuku, the Tokyo Station Area, Ginza, Marunouchi or Roppongi. For details, see my Where to Stay in Tokyo page.
Summer in Japan lasts from June to August and is usually a very hot season, with extreme humidity levels and daytime temperatures often higher than 30℃ (86°F), especially in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and other metropolitan areas.
During January, Japan typically has snow covering much of the country. According to Holiday Weather, in Tokyo, January is generally the coldest month during the year with temperatures soaring below 36°F. The article goes on to say that you can expect rain, some sunshine, light breezes, and low humidity.
Tokyo has two airports: Haneda and Narita. If you can, choose Haneda. Haneda is closer to Tokyo and nicer all around, but Narita is fine if you cannot get a good Haneda flight. If you don't intend to visit Tokyo, you might consider flying into Kansai.
Tokyo ranks as the largest city in the world with an estimated population of 37.4 million people, so dodging densely packed trains and crowded streets can prove to be a challenge in this vast metropolis.
Cities in Central Japan like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka stay cold in March, with temperatures around 5-13°C (41-55°F). However, the weather starts to warm up in late March, with daily highs occasionally reaching 25°C (77°F).
