Best time to visit Japan with kids
Japan weather & climate
The best time to visit Japan with family is during the spring and autumn seasons, making both Easter and October half-term the best times to visit Japan with children. The weather is usually warm and dry, and you’ll get to experience Japan at its most colourful whether that’s the famous cherry blossom in spring or the fiery red leaves in autumn. These months are no secret though, so it’s best to plan ahead.
That said, Japan is great to visit year-round if you’re ready for the seasons. Summers can be hot and humid, winters crisp and cold, but the country is so varied from north to south that you’ll always find somewhere that suits the time of year.
Typical monthly climate in Japan
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ● 7°C 🌦️ |
● 9°C 🌦️ |
● 12°C 🌤️ |
● 15°C ☀️ |
● 18°C ☀️ |
● 21°C 🌦️ |
● 29°C 🌧️ |
● 30°C 🌤️ |
● 25°C ☀️ |
● 19°C ☀️ |
● 9°C 🌤️ |
● 5°C 🌧️ |
February half-term
February is a chilly month in Japan, with temperatures in Tokyo and Kyoto usually around 5-10°C, while the Japanese Alps are even colder and blanketed in snow. It’s a great time to visit if you’re looking to escape the crowds of the high season and experience the magic of Japan’s snow-covered landscapes, with plenty of chances to soak in steaming hot springs. Just remember to wrap up warm!
Easter (March-April)
March in Japan is when you’ll see milder temperatures and the start of the year’s blossom season, with plum trees in bloom at the start of the month and the first cherry blossom emerging in the south by the end of March. April is one of Japan’s busiest months for a holiday, with peak cherry blossom and temperatures in the high teens. Spring is a fantastic time to visit and making the most of the longer Easter holidays you’re able to truly experience this wonderful country.
May half-term
May half-term is easily one of the best times of the year for a holiday in Japan, with warm and pleasant temperatures throughout Japan but before the rain and humidity of summer begins. Wisteria trees are bursting into purple splendour across Honshu and even in northernmost Hokkaido, and it’s a great time to explore the country – it is still a very busy time of the year however, so do expect bigger crowds around the main highlights.
Summer holidays
The summer holiday obviously allows you to explore Japan in more depth with a bit more time to spare, but the weather is still hot and humid with temperatures around 30c in Tokyo and the surrounding cities, and often rainy at the coast so if you’re planning to hit some of the white-sand beaches on Honshu or further south (best to wait until later in August or early September). August is also a great time to visit Japan if you want to experience Japan’s traditional festivals, including fireworks galore and dance events across the country.
October half-term
October is one of the loveliest months to visit Japan, with cooler temperatures and the picture-perfect autumn landscape with the red and orange leaves of maple and gingko trees changing colour throughout the month. You’ll experience a very mild temperature in the main cities of around 18-20C, perfect weather for sight-seeing, exploring or getting outdoors, such as on the Nakasendo trail. It’s a great month for a holiday to Japan if you love culture too, with lots of exhibitions traditionally beginning at museums and galleries this month. And the harvest season is firmly underway, with everything from Japanese pears and persimmons to chestnuts turning up on menus across the country.
Festivals: The Takayama Autumn Festival is Japan’s third largest, taking place every October in the Takayama region, celebrating nature’s bounty with dances, marionettes and a parade of decorative floats.
Winter holidays
December isn’t usually the first choice when deciding on the best time to visit Japan with kids, but if you’re happy to brave the cold, you’ll enjoy the sights with much smaller crowds, experience its cities come alive with winter illuminations as well as many festivals during the Christmas season. We’ve got a winter-focussed itinerary on our main Japan website if you’re curious of what you could do…
If you’re spending Christmas in Japan don’t forget to do what the locals do and grab yourself a bucket of KFC for dinner!
