Cherry Blossom Season in Japan

Spring: The first two weeks in April are understandably Japan’s peak season and many hotels are booked up months in advance. It is a pleasant time of year to travel, although do be prepared for hordes of excitable schoolchildren overrunning Kyoto and Tokyo during this time. We recommend booking at least 6-9 months in advance for travel in spring, although we will endeavour to put together itineraries at shorter notice.

Summer: A popular time for domestic tourists to travel, particularly up into the Japanese Alps region or northern Japan to escape some of the summer heat and humidity. This is also Okinawa's peak season. Booking 3-6 months in advance should mean that we can secure you the perfect summer trip.

Autumn: The autumn leaf season is longer, from early October through to the start of December in parts of the country, so travel at this time of year is easy to arrange. However, October gets very busy in tourist areas, so advance booking of 6-9 months is recommended.

Winter: Japan's least busy season, although Japan's winter sports resorts are packed from December through until March. Winter festivals such as the Snow Matsuri in Sapporo can mean a shortage of accommodation and advance booking is necessary. Travel over Christmas is relatively easy, although the New Year period is very busy and major attractions tend to shut down for the period.