Travel time: Year-round
Japan’s climate is defined by its dramatic latitudinal stretch, extending nearly 3,000 kilometers from the subarctic north to the subtropical south. This geography creates a diverse weather profile where one can experience deep powder snow in Hokkaido while cherry blossoms are already peaking in Okinawa.
Spring is a period of rapid transition. Throughout March, the "Cherry Blossom Front" (sakura zensen) moves northward. While daytime temperatures in central cities like Tokyo and Kyoto range from 13°C to 20°C (55°F–68°F), evenings remain crisp. The air is generally dry, characterized by clear blue skies that locals call hare, though occasional "spring storms" can bring sudden wind and rain. In the northern regions, spring arrived much later, with snow often remaining on the ground in Hokkaido until late April.
Summer begins with Tsuyu, the East Asian rainy season. From early June to mid-July, a stationary rain front hangs over most of the country (except Hokkaido), bringing relentless humidity and grey skies. Once the front breaks, Japan enters a period of intense heat. Temperatures regularly exceed 35°C (95°F), but the high humidity—often reaching 80% or more—makes the "feels like" temperature significantly higher. This is the season of moshobi (extremely hot days) and tropical nights where temperatures do not drop below 25°C (77°F).
Early autumn is the peak of the typhoon season. Low-pressure systems from the Pacific can bring heavy rainfall and high winds. However, by October, the air clears and cools, leading to the most stable weather of the year. The koyo (autumn foliage) front moves from north to south, starting in Hokkaido in September. Days are typically mild and sunny, with low humidity, making it the preferred season for distance walking and outdoor exploration.
Japan’s winter is dictated by the Siberian Monsoon. Cold winds from the continent pick up moisture over the Sea of Japan and dump it as heavy snow on the western side of the mountains. This creates a sharp divide: the "Snow Country" (yukiguni) on the western coast sees some of the deepest snowfalls on Earth, while the Pacific side (Tokyo, Osaka) remains sunny, dry, and cold. Central Japan temperatures hover between 2°C and 12°C (35°F–54°F), while Hokkaido remains sub-zero for months.
Traditional Japanese culture is deeply rooted in the "72 Micro-Seasons" (shichijuni ko), which divide the year into five-day increments based on subtle environmental changes, such as "The First Peach Blossoms" or "The Polar Bears are Hibernating." This acute awareness of weather informs everything from seasonal cuisine (shun) to architecture. Historically, houses were built to facilitate airflow to survive the humid summers, a priority over winter insulation. Today, locals adapt to the intense summer humidity with Cool Biz (informal office attire) and stay warm in winter using kotatsu (heated tables) and kairo (disposable heat packs).