Choosing your season in Japan: cherry blossoms, autumn leaves, snow and weather
Every season in Japan has its own beauty, but blossom and leaf colour vary by region and from year to year. Here are the usual windows, based on information from the Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) and the Japan Meteorological Agency, and what to allow for when you choose a season.
Spring: cherry blossoms move north
Cherry blossoms open first in the south and west and move north. In JNTO’s listing, the average date of the first blooms is late March for Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka, during April in Tohoku, early May for Sapporo and mid-May for Kushiro in eastern Hokkaido. In 2026 the blossoms opened earlier in many places, for example on 19 March in Tokyo and 19 April in Sapporo. The dates change every year and forecasts are updated as spring approaches, so treat them as a guide. Spring is mild and comfortable, and also busy: plan early.
The rainy season and summer
The rainy season (tsuyu) begins around May to June; for most regions, the Japan Meteorological Agency treats June and July as roughly the rainy-season months. Summer is very hot and humid across Japan, and the mountains are cooler. August and September can bring typhoons that change travel plans. With children or older travellers, mix in indoor visits, a midday rest and plenty of water.
Autumn: colour from north to south
Autumn colour starts in Hokkaido and the mountains in late September and moves south, lasting into December in the south. In the “best season” column of JNTO’s listing, the leaves are at their best in mid-October in Kushiro, early November in Sapporo, mid to late November in Tohoku, late November in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Hiroshima, early December in Kagoshima and mid-December in Fukuoka. For 2026 the listing marks several places as later than usual. The weather is pleasant for walking and sightseeing.
Winter: snow in the north and the mountains
The ski season begins and the northern areas are covered in powder snow, while many other places have clear, sunny days. Mountain roads can close for snow and the days are shorter, so a winter plan should be gentle, with alternatives and extra travel time.
Choosing for a family
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for families of several generations, but they are busy and need early planning. Summer suits the coast and the highlands if you avoid the hottest hours. Winter is lovely for snow and hot springs; bring non-slip shoes and warm layers. If your dates are fixed, choose a journey that suits that season rather than chasing the exact day of the blossoms.
Asahi’s note
Tell us the window when you can travel; we will suggest places that are at their best then, and alternatives if the blossoms or leaves are not yet at their peak.
Official sources
- JNTO: Weather in Japan
- JNTO: Cherry blossom forecast
- JNTO: Autumn leaves forecast
- Japan Meteorological Agency: start and end of the rainy season
Rules and dates can change. Check the official pages before you travel.
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