Month-by-Month Guide
Best Time to Visit Tokyo
Japan · Updated for 2026
Quick Answer
March – May & October – November
June – mid-July (rainy season)
Late March for cherry blossoms; November for autumn foliage.
20°C (68°F) spring, 31°C (88°F) summer
Tokyo Month by Month
Weather, crowds, prices, and events for every month of the year.
January
$$Crisp, dry winter days with clear views of Mount Fuji. New Year celebrations (Hatsumode) at shrines. Amazing winter sales.
Events: Hatsumode (New Year shrine visits), Winter sales
February
$$Still quiet and cold. Early plum blossoms appear. Valentine's Day is huge in Japan. Some of the best hotel deals of the year.
Events: Plum Blossom Festival, Valentine's Day
March
$$$$Cherry blossom season begins late March. Possibly the single most popular time to visit — book months ahead. Magical but crowded.
Events: Cherry Blossom Season (late March–early April)
April
$$$$Peak cherry blossoms in early April, then wisteria and azaleas. Golden Week (late April) is extremely busy with domestic tourists.
Events: Golden Week, Hanami parties
May
$$$Post-Golden Week sweet spot. Warm, green, and less crowded than March–April. Excellent month for gardens and day trips.
Events: Sanja Matsuri, Kanda Matsuri
June
$$Tsuyu (rainy season) begins. Humid and wet. Fewer tourists mean better prices. Hydrangea season is beautiful despite the rain.
Events: Hydrangea Season, Sanno Matsuri
July
$$$Hot and humid after rainy season ends mid-July. Summer festivals (matsuri) and fireworks (hanabi) begin. Evening events are the highlight.
Events: Sumidagawa Fireworks, Tanabata Festival
August
$$$Peak heat and humidity. Obon holiday means domestic travel surge mid-month. Amazing summer festivals and beer gardens on rooftops.
Events: Obon, Asakusa Samba Carnival
September
$$Still warm but cooling. Typhoon season brings occasional heavy rain. Late September starts to feel comfortable. Good hotel prices.
Events: Tokyo Game Show, Autumn Equinox
October
$$$One of the best months. Perfect temperatures, clear skies, autumn colours beginning. Halloween celebrations in Shibuya.
Events: Halloween in Shibuya, Tokyo International Film Festival
November
$$$Spectacular autumn foliage (koyo). Rikugien and Meiji Jingu Gaien are stunning. Cool, dry weather. Second most popular season after cherry blossoms.
Events: Shichi-Go-San, Autumn Foliage illuminations
December
$$$Cold but festive. Tokyo's Christmas illuminations are world-class. New Year preparations create a unique atmosphere. Dry and often sunny.
Events: Christmas Illuminations, Year-end markets, Comiket
Insider Tips for Tokyo
- 1 Buy a Suica or Pasmo card immediately — it works on all trains, buses, and many vending machines.
- 2 Book cherry blossom season hotels 6+ months in advance.
- 3 Avoid Golden Week (April 29 – May 5) unless you've booked well ahead.
- 4 Convenience store food in Japan is genuinely excellent — don't overlook it.
- 5 Many restaurants close between 2pm and 5pm. Plan lunch before 1:30pm.
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Shinjuku and Shibuya offer the best transport links. For a more refined experience, consider Marunouchi (near the Imperial Palace) or Ginza. Ryokan (traditional inns) in Asakusa offer a cultural twist.
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