An incredible destination with so much to offer travellers all year round, Japan is right on the top of our travel bucket lists for 2019! Whether you’re wanting to experience the beautiful cherry blossom season, looking at a getaway for the family during school holidays, wanting to hit the slopes and have an epic winter adventure or you love the idea of taking in the gorgeous autumn colours – now is the time to start planning and locking in your 2019 Japan travel plans!
Our friends at InsideJapan are the experts, they’ve previously given us their tips and guide to travel in Japan, so we spoke to them to get the inside scoop on some of the best times to visit Japan during the year.
Cherry Blossom Season
It’s perhaps one of the most iconic times of the year to visit Japan, spring time, when the Sakura (or cherry blossoms) are in season and the picturesque tones of white and pink flowers are all around. This annual natural event occurs in late March or early April and there are many places in Japan to witness the beauty of the cherry blossom. We can work with the team at InsideJapan to put together a complete cherry blossom experience, including a fun picnic in the park to take in the breathtaking scenery.
Cherry Blossom in full bloom, image by InsideJapan
A Winter Adventure
Japan in the winter (December to February) is an adventurer’s dream, with a range of experiences you’ll only experience at this time of the year. It’s also a much quieter time to visit as there are fewer tourists around. We’ll begin with the most popular activities this time of year – the incredible snowsports! With over 500 resorts, Japan is home to some of the world’s best and most reliable powder snow. Skiing, snowboarding and snowmobiling will keep everyone busy and for those wanting something a little less adventurous there is igloo building in Niseko, onsen hot springs to relax in and if you’re lucky you may catch a glimpse of a snow monkey enjoying a bath at Yudanaka Onsen.
The Sapporo snow festival is also held every February and is a spectacular 7-day winter wonderland to experience. Be in awe of the snow and ice sculptures, take a toboggan ride, have a drink at an ice bar and just enjoy the incredible atmosphere.
Winter in Japan, image by InsideJapan
Colours of Autumn
October and November is a popular time to visit Japan to take in the incredible colours that the autumn leaves bring. It really is a spectacular season to experience, with a sea of bright oranges, red and golds giving you some breathtaking picture-perfect moments. There is a fun festival in Takayama in mid-October to celebrate this turn of the season, which is an unforgettable event to plan your trip around. Visit the beautiful National Park’s and waterfalls, explore the mountain plateau of Kamikochi and uncover the spectacular temples of Nikko. It’s a lovely time to explore Japan, with the cool weather and splendid scenery all around.
Travelers enjoying Autumn in Japan, image by InsideJapan
School Holiday Fun
Japan is a perfect family friendly destination, with so many cultural experiences, fun activities and experiences that will keep children of all ages (and their parents) entertained. The September/October school holidays are a great time to visit Japan – you’ll have the cool Autumn weather and be able to fit in many different activities. Japan is home to some fantastic theme parks including Disneyland in Tokyo, Universal Studios in Osaka and Legoland in Nagoya. The family can enjoy a traditional sumo tournament, have an exclusive samurai experience or enjoy a video games tour of Tokyo! We can help tailor specific activities or experiences based on your family’s interests and work with the team at InsideJapan to put together a family holiday in Japan you will never forget.
Sumo wresting, image by InsideJapan
As you can see, there really is not just one ideal time to visit Japan with an array of sights, scenery and activities to be enjoyed year-round. Whether you’re after the small group tour experience or a private and personalised itinerary with your own local guide to enjoy independently we can work with the experts at InsideJapan to make sure your visit to Japan is all you dream of and more!
Feature image by Harry Sargant, InsideJapan.
