Japan experiences four distinct seasons.
The great extension in latitude of the country tends to accentuate the differences, not only between the seasons but also between the different geographical areas.
In general, the climate is cold in the north, temperate in the central regions and almost tropical in the southern islands.
It is a fascinating country, which can be visited all year round, with a preference for spring and the beginning of autumn.
To discover
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Read alsoTravel conditions in Japan: what you need to know to get there
When to go to Tokyo?
The month of April, the first two weeks of which mark the cherry blossom season, is ideal for exploring Tokyo.
Richie Chan
Overlooking Honshu Bay, Tokyo is a world in its own right.
The relatively mild temperatures, outside of winter, make it an attractive year-round destination, although June and September are marked by rainfall.
From the shopping sanctuaries in Ginza and Akihabara, to the intense religiosity visible when visiting the city's temples, like the Senso-Ji, Tokyo is resolutely a city of contrasts.
April, the first two weeks of which mark cherry blossom season, offers ideal conditions, with average temperatures of 14°C, less rain than in summer and a respite from the crowds that win the town in May.
The Japanese capital is also an excellent starting point for Mount Fuji.
Surrounded by five lakes and culminating at more than 3,000 m, this dormant volcano since the 18th century still retains all of its sacred character.
The best time to go there is between late fall and early spring.
Between April and August, clouds and mist conceal the mountain, while September marks the start of typhoon season.
Read alsoJapan: where to admire the cherry blossoms from March?
When to go to Kyoto and Osaka?
Third largest city in Japan, Osaka is a city looking to the future but also a city of history, with many temples and castles to visit.
f11photo
Kyoto, the former imperial capital, is best discovered in spring or autumn, when the thermometer reads between 18°C and 23°C.
The city retains real architectural gems, such as the Kikankuji temple, covered with fine gold leaf, or the Kyiomizudera, founded in the 13th century.
Be sure to take a stroll through Ryoan-ji Garden between late March and early April, when the cherry trees are in bloom.
Close to Kyoto, you can also visit Nara at the same time, the former capital of the country is full of treasures and is particularly famous for its parks full of deer.
A cosmopolitan city close to Kyoto, Osaka is the second largest city in Japan.
You can find everything here, from the underground shopping labyrinths of Kita to the neon lights of Dotombori, to the historic district of Tenno-ji, home to the temple of Shin Seka.
Read alsoFrom Kyoto, travel back in time to discover Edo-era Japan
When to go to Sapporo?
The Snow Festival attracts many visitors to Sapporo every February.
Supachai
Capital of the island of Hokkaido, Sapporo experiences snowfall between December and March.
Held every year in February, the snow festival is a not-to-be-missed event that attracts many visitors who come to marvel at the ice sculptures that can be admired in Odori Park.
If the arrival of spring announces the cherry blossom season in most of Japan, Sapporo sees its
sakura
blossom later than the center of the country.
The peak of flowering is reached around the end of April at the beginning of May, thus conferring an additional attraction on the parks of the city, like that of Moerenuma.
Maruyama Park is one of the best spots to admire the fall foliage, and the cooler temperatures are ideal for hiking, especially at Mount Moiwa, which serves as the backdrop to Nakajima Park.
The autumn landscapes also lend themselves perfectly to rest in the warm waters of Jozankei Onsen, nestled in Shikotsu-Toya National Park.
When to go to Hiroshima?
Spring and autumn are the best seasons to visit Hiroshima.
sara_winter
Hiroshima is best visited in spring (March and April) and autumn (October and November).
The cherry blossom season occurs between the end of March and the first two weeks of April, when the average maximum temperature reaches 20°C.
Fukuyama Castle, Senkoji Park, and the banks of the Motoyasu River, which runs through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, are great spots for viewing sakura day
and
night.
From late October to November, the foliage of autumn lends a unique charm to the city which you can soak up while strolling on the neighboring island of Miyajima, where it is important to take the tide into account to admire the famous gate Floating Torii of Itsukushima Shrine.
SEE ALSO
- Our program to prepare your trip to Japan.
