Japan
Best Time to Visit Tokyo
Tokyo offers distinct experiences across four seasons, but autumn and early spring provide the sweet spot of pleasant weather and manageable tourism. Summer brings intense heat and humidity, whilst winter is cold but dry, with fewer crowds and lower prices.
✦ Visit late September to October for the optimal blend of favourable weather, manageable crowds, and stable prices without sacrificing Tokyo's vibrancy.
✅ Best months
Late September to October and late March to April. Autumn offers 15–22°C temperatures, clear skies, and the tail end of summer tourism. Spring mirrors these conditions with cherry blossoms (late March–early April), though accommodation fills quickly.
🔥 Peak season
Cherry blossom season (late March–early April) and Golden Week (late April–early May, a Japanese holiday period) drive peak volumes. Hotels inflate 30–50% above baseline, popular restaurants require advance booking, and parks become crowded. Summer school holidays (mid-July to late August) also see inflated rates, though September can dip briefly before autumn tourism resumes.
💷 Shoulder (best value)
May and early June offer 18–25°C weather, reduced accommodation prices (20–30% discount vs. spring peak), and thinner crowds, though humidity begins rising. October maintains excellent conditions with 15–22°C, fewer international visitors post-summer, and stable mid-range pricing.
🌙 Quietest & cheapest
December–February is coldest (5–10°C) and quietest, with hotel rates dropping 25–40%. Trade-off: limited daylight (sunrise ~6.50 a.m., sunset ~4.30 p.m.), occasional sleet, and some seasonal attractions closed. New Year's (28 Dec–4 Jan) reverses this entirely with domestic tourism surges.
Tokyo season by season
Spring (Mar–May)
Weather: 10–20°C; variable rainfall mid-April onwards; humidity rises into May
Crowds: high
Cherry blossoms (late March–early April) drive global interest; sakura season is iconic but congested and expensive
Summer (Jun–Aug)
Weather: 25–34°C; high humidity (60–80%); frequent rain in early June; typhoon risk July–August
Crowds: medium–high
Uncomfortable for walking; summer festivals (matsuri) offer cultural appeal; prices elevated during school holidays
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
Weather: 15–25°C; low humidity; crisp, clear skies; occasional typhoon early September
Crowds: medium
Ideal balance of comfort and tourism; autumn foliage (November) adds aesthetic appeal; prices stable
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Weather: 5–10°C; dry; occasional frost; minimal precipitation
Crowds: low (except New Year)
Excellent for clear skies and visibility; shortest daylight hours; bargain accommodation; winter illuminations (shopping districts)
🎭 Events worth timing a trip around
Cherry Blossom Festival (Hanami; late March–early April)—the year's most photographed phenomenon, drawing tourists worldwide and clogging parks and restaurants. Sumida River Fireworks Festival (late July) and Shibuya Crossing New Year's scramble (31 Dec–1 Jan) are secondary draws for specific interests.
🧳 What to pack
Carry a compact umbrella year-round; June brings frequent rain, spring months have unpredictable showers, and typhoon season (July–September) requires preparedness despite often-clear forecasts.
Found your dates? Get your hotel briefing.
Room tips, the 14-day forecast for your exact stay, dining, transport and more — free for any Tokyo hotel.
Guide last updated June 2026.