To get the most out of your next adventure it makes sense to consider some of the very local factors that combine to make up what you feel is the best time to travel to a destination. Many of these factors are very personal - some people prefer to travel when the weather is not too hot, or sites too crowded - others prefer to travel when a traditional local event is taking place. Taking into account the dates of public holidays can also make sense as these may have an impact on opening times of attractions, shops and restaurants, or might affect public transport or other services. Conversely public holidays can be a time of great local festivities and celebrations providing a feast of local expressionism and culture.
Japan has four distinct seasons. Springtime is warm with little rain followed by the start of summer with June being the rainy season. July and August are extremely hot and humid with some days reaching 40c before temperatures begin to fall during September followed by cold winters.
Spring is probably the best time of year to be in Japan as the temperatures are warm and there is not too much rain. March-April is the time of the famous cherry blossoms and festivals. July-August is best avoided as the temperatures can be extremely hot. Winter is a good time to go skiing or enjoy the hot-springs. New Years (December 29 to January 3), are the only days of the year when everything in the country shuts down.
| Event |
Occurs |
Description |
| Sumo Tournament |
11th – 25th May 2008 |
This tournament takes place in Tokyo. |
| Grand Festival of Toshogu Shrine |
17th – 18th May 2008 |
Helf in Nikko, this centuries-old festival has a gala parade, on the 18th May, of over 1,000 armor-clad people, who escort three shrine palanquins through the town’s streets. |
| “Gion Matsuri”of Yasaka Shrine |
17th July 2008 |
This festival is actually celebrated from the 1st - 31st of July and is one of the most noted festivals in Kyoto. On the 17th, bedecked “yama” and “hoko” floats parade through the main streets. |
| “Tanabata” or Star Festival |
6th – 8th August 2008 |
Held in Sendai, Miyagi Pref. This festival is the largest of its kind in Japan. The streets are decorated with coloured paper streamers. |
| "Yabusame” at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine |
16th September 2008 |
Held in Kamakura, Kanagawa Pref. “Yabusame” is a fascinating sport of horseback archery, a reminder of feudal days when “samurai” warriors competed in horsemanship and archery. |
| “Okunchi” Festival of Suwa Shrine |
7th – 9th October 2008 |
Held in Nagasaki, this festival has a parade of floats of Chinese origin including “kasa-boko” carts, lavishly decked with umbrella-shaped decorations along the city’s main streets. Colourful dances of Chinese origin are also performed. |
| “Jidai Matsuri” or Festival of Eras |
22nd October 2008 |
Held at Heian Shrine, Kyoto. This festival is held to commemorate the founding of the old capital city of Kyoto in 794. |
| “Chichibu Yo-matsuri” or all-night festival |
2nd – 3rd December 2008 |
Held in Chichibu City, Saitama Pref. The festival is one of the three grandest float festivals in Japan. On the evening of the 3rd, all the floats assemble at the Chichibu Shrine and proceed along the city’s main streets. |
