Best Time to Visit Tokyo: Our Guide to Tokyo's Seasons
- Last Updated On August 23, 2026
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For us, the best time to visit Tokyo is spring or autumn. Both offer mild weather, beautiful scenery and comfortable conditions for exploring the city, although they’re also Tokyo’s busiest seasons. If you only have time for 1-day in Tokyo, make the most of it and come in spring or autumn.Â
Saying that, Tokyo is worth visiting any time of year. But some seasons are undeniably better than others, and a little context goes a long way when you’re planning a trip this far in advance.Â
We’ve spent 10 months living and travelling all over Japan, getting to know what each season has to offer. Throughout our time in Japan we’ve found ourselves constantly coming back and forth to Tokyo, because yes, it is just that good!Â
In this guide we’ll talk you through what each season has to offer and when is the best time to visit Tokyo.Â
In a Rush? Here Are Our Favourite Hotels in Tokyo
Tokyo Seasons at a Glance
Spring (March to May) - Cherry Blossom Season
Spring is when Tokyo is at its most breathtaking. It’s one of our favourite times to be in the city. From late March to early April the city transforms into a canopy of incredible pink cherry blossoms.Â
Our first trip to Japan in 2023 when we spent 5 days exploring Tokyo, was full of sakura lined rivers, park picnics under the canopy, and petals falling into our convenience store coffee. It’s truly the most magical time to be in Japan, let alone Tokyo.Â
The temperature is mild and pleasant, the city feels electric, everyone is in good spirits as they venture out with family and friends to enjoy the beauty of the sakura.The only downside is that everyone knows it. This is the peak season for visiting Japan, and the crowds and prices reflect that.Â
We’d recommend booking accommodation very early if you’re planning on coming for cherry blossom season. If you’re looking for recommendations on where to base yourself, check out our guide on where to stay in Tokyo.
Summer (June to September) - Festivals and Fierce Heat
Summer in Tokyo has a lot going for it.
Tokyo’s festival calendar is packed, the city feels alive in a completely different way, and there’s something undeniably vibrant about the season. From traditional festivals such as Asagaya Tanabata Matsuri and Shibuya Nebuta, to fireworks displays (Hanabi), to something we never thought we’d see in Tokyo, a salsa festival! There’s something going on every weekend in Tokyo throughout the summer months so you’ll never be short of things to do.
But let’s be very honest here, we couldn’t talk about Tokyo summer without mentioning the heat. Coming from England we’re used to humid summers with little infrastructure to keep cool, but Japan is on another level.Â
We spent an entire month living in Tokyo in September 2024, and even then, at the tail end of summer, the humidity was genuinely unbearable. We had to plan our days around which convenience stores we could duck into for air conditioning and Pocari Sweat. Electrolytes and cooling products will become your best friend.Â
If you’re heat-sensitive like we are, summer will test you!Â
Autumn (September to November) - Momiji & Golden Ginkgo
Autumn is our other top pick, and honestly, it gives spring a run for its money.Â
As the temperature finally drops to something merciful, the city shifts into amber and gold. Momiji (Japanese maple) and ginkgo trees turn the parks and temple grounds into something that feels almost surreal.Â
Crowds are present but slightly more manageable than spring, the light is beautiful for photos, and the weather is genuinely lovely for long days of walking.Â
Nakamise Shopping Street in Autumn.
Rikugien Gardens in Tokyo.
One thing worth knowing before you book. Autumn in Tokyo technically begins at the end of September, but the trees don’t typically reach full foliage until mid to late November. So if you’re planning your trip specifically around the autumn foliage (something we’d recommend), check the foliage forecast before you finalise your dates.
Autumn is also one of the best times to do a day trip out to Mt Fuji. November actually has the highest Mt Fuji visibility days, so your chances of seeing the snow capped mountain are much greater!Â
The autumn foliage framing the mountain is the kind of view that makes photographers weep.Â
Winter (December to February) - Cold but Magical
Winter is one of Tokyo’s quieter and more affordable seasons.Â
It’s cold, but not brutally, and the city wears it well. Illumination displays light up the streets, ramen tastes even better in the chill, and the queues at major sights are mercifully shorter.
Honestly though, we’re probably not the best people to ask about Tokyo in winter. We’ve spent very little time here in the colder months, instead opting to disappear to a Japanese ski resort for the season instead. But the time we did spend in the city before heading to the slopes was filled with Christmas markets and noticeably quieter than spring and autumn. Although the Christmas attractions still draw a crowd.
It left us wanting more, which feels like reason enough to put it on the list.
If, like us, you’re wanting to optimise budget and time-off from work. Visiting the city over Christmas and New Year is a great shout.Â
As long as you don’t mind layering up, winter is an underrated time to visit.
Best Time to Visit Tokyo: Our Recommendation
If you can choose, go in spring for the cherry blossoms or autumn for the momiji season. Both offer mild weather, stunning scenery, and Tokyo at its most photogenic. Just come prepared for the fact that you won’t be the only one who thought of it.Â
If summer is your only option, embrace the festivals, pack light breathable clothing, and make peace with the fact that the nearest air conditioned konbini will become your best friend.
When Not to Visit Tokyo
Golden Week (29th April - 6th May)
Golden Week is a period of national holidays in Japan where 4 public holidays all fall around the same time (dates can vary each year). This means that local tourism in the country soars and hotels throughout Japan can get booked up early, especially in Tokyo. Crowds and costs skyrocket, and to be honest, it’s just not as enjoyable. If you have flexibility, we’d recommend avoiding Tokyo during Golden Week.
Typhoon Season (August - September)
Typhoon season technically runs throughout the whole of summer in Tokyo, however, it peaks around August to September time. For obvious reasons the weather can be highly unpredictable and even dangerous. If you’re planning a trip around reliable weather, we’d avoid choosing August or September specifically for that reason. Typhoons can bring heavy rain and travel disruption, although they certainly don’t affect every trip.
Our first month in Tokyo was during September and whilst there wasn’t a strong typhoon, the rain was relentless. Not what you want on your holidays!
Things to Know Before Visiting Tokyo
Whatever season you decide to visit, here's what you'll need to know before you land.
How to Get Around Tokyo
Getting around Tokyo is going to heavily rely on using the vast rail network. To make getting around Tokyo easier, you should absolutely get a Suica card. Fortunately, we've written a whole guide on what a Suica card is and how to set one up!
Get an eSIM
Staying connected in Tokyo is going to massively improve your trip. Having reliable access to Google Maps and Google Translate makes navigating the streets and restaurants 1,000 times easier. Even after living in Japan for 10 months, we still relied heavily on Google Maps to get around! Check out our guide on the best eSIM options in Japan.
Cash is Still King
Sort of. A lot of places in Japan accept cards now, and even some vending machines accept Suica. But having cash can still be useful for certain shops and stalls. We always recommend taking a debit card that doesn't charge foreign transaction fees. For us, that's Chase or Revolut. Then, when you get to Japan, withdraw cash at the first 7-Eleven ATM you find. It's free and you generally get a good exchange rate.
Stand on the Left
When using the escalator in Tokyo, you stand on the left-hand side so people can walk up the right. In Osaka, it's the other way around. Don't ask us why!
Get Travel Insurance
We always recommend having travel insurance when you go away. Whilst Japan is an extremely safe country, travel insurance covers you for more than just accidents. Lost luggage, cancelled flights, theft. Make sure you have adequate insurance before you get to the airport. We've written a guide on the best travel insurance for long-term travel.
Learn a Little Japanese
You don't have to become fluent. But learning a few phrases such as hello (kon-ni-chi-wa), excuse me (su-mi-ma-sen), and thank you (a-ri-ga-to) will go a long way! If you really want to test yourself, try this one after a meal or as you leave the restaurant: gochisousamadeshita (go-chee-soh-sah-mah-deh-shee-tah). It means thank you for the meal!
Convenience Stores are Your Best Friend
Honestly, it should be one of the first things you do in Tokyo. Get off the plane and head straight to the konbini. Try all the snacks, try all the bentos, try everything you don't recognise. You'll soon learn what your favourite is and always be able to grab one when your energy levels are low.
Trains Stop Running Around Midnight
Trains in Tokyo stop running around midnight, so plan your nighttime activities accordingly! It's a rite of passage to miss the last train and spend your whole night in the club until the first train at 5am. This is why 24-hour ramen bars exist!
FAQs About The Best Time to Visit Tokyo
What is the best time to visit Tokyo?
For us, the best time to visit Tokyo is spring or autumn. Spring brings the famous cherry blossoms and mild temperatures, while autumn offers beautiful foliage and comfortable weather for exploring. Both are popular seasons, so expect larger crowds and higher accommodation prices.
What is the best month to visit Tokyo?
If we had to choose one month, we'd pick November. The weather is generally comfortable for exploring, the autumn foliage can be spectacular, and the intense summer heat has disappeared. If cherry blossoms are your priority, late March to early April is another fantastic time to visit.
Is spring a good time to visit Tokyo?
Absolutely. Spring is one of the most beautiful times to visit Tokyo, particularly during cherry blossom season. The weather is mild, parks are filled with sakura, and the city comes alive with hanami picnics and festivals. The downside is that spring is also one of Tokyo's busiest and most expensive periods.
Is autumn a good time to visit Tokyo?
Yes. Autumn is one of our favourite times to visit Tokyo. Temperatures are comfortable, the summer humidity has disappeared, and the city's parks and temples are transformed by red, orange, and golden foliage. For autumn colours, we'd aim for mid to late November, although the exact timing varies each year.
Is summer a good time to visit Tokyo?
Summer can be a great time to visit if you enjoy festivals, fireworks, and lively evenings, but be prepared for intense heat and humidity. We found September particularly hot and humid during our month living in Tokyo. If you're not good with heat, we'd choose spring or autumn instead.
Is winter a good time to visit Tokyo?
Winter is an underrated time to visit Tokyo. It's generally quieter than spring and autumn, temperatures are cold but manageable, and the city looks fantastic when its winter illuminations are lit up. It's also a good option if you want to avoid peak-season crowds, although Christmas and New Year can be exceptions.
When is cherry blossom season in Tokyo?
Cherry blossoms in Tokyo typically bloom from late March into early April, although the exact dates vary each year depending on the weather. If seeing the sakura is your main reason for visiting, we'd recommend checking the latest cherry blossom forecast before booking your trip.
When is autumn foliage season in Tokyo?
Autumn foliage usually reaches its best in Tokyo around mid to late November. The timing can vary from year to year, so it's worth checking an autumn foliage forecast if you're planning your trip specifically around the colours.
When should you avoid visiting Tokyo?
There isn't really a month we'd say you absolutely have to avoid, but we'd be cautious about visiting during Golden Week if you want to avoid crowds and higher prices. August and September can also bring intense heat, humidity, and a greater risk of typhoons. If you have flexibility, spring and autumn offer a better balance of weather and scenery.
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Hi! We’re Mark & Sarah.
We’ve been travelling the world together for the past 4 years. Exploring destinations such as Europe, South America, South East Asia, Japan and Australia. Now we’re sharing everything we’ve learned on our travels, to help you get out there and have your own adventures!
