| Japan has four distinct seasons and enjoys a | | | | the famous Fall colors that make an appearance |
| relatively mild and temperate climate, with the | | | | are beautiful to behold. Despite the cold |
| exception of Hokkaido to the north, and the | | | | temperatures winter in Tokyo and it's |
| subtropical area of Okinawa to the south. Each | | | | outlined regions can also be considered a |
| season has its own characteristics, with the highest | | | | relatively pleasant time of year, as |
| precipitation in most areas falling during the rainy | | | | most days are clear and brisk, with rain or snow |
| season, which runs approximately from mid June to | | | | falling only occasionally. It's also an excellent season |
| the end of July. June is the official start of the rainy | | | | to visit one of the numerous onsens located |
| season, with conditions gradually becoming | | | | throughout the Japanese countryside that |
| more humid and rainy in the steamy month of | | | | accommodate the winter crowd. There are few |
| July when temperatures can soar into the | | | | greater pleasures than sipping sake in a hot spring |
| high 90's daily with almost 100% humidity. | | | | bath situated among white covered hills as snow |
| For those who plan to travel to Japan in the summer, | | | | gently falls around you. For those who enjoy various |
| an extended visit to Hokkaido in the north which is | | | | winter sports, the northern regions of Honshu island |
| mercifully spared a rainy season is a welcome break | | | | such as Nagano and Hakuba which receive heavy |
| from the heat of Honshu and the other | | | | snow fall are also popular |
| major islands. Many Japanese living in the Tokyo area | | | | destinations for skiers and snowboarders. If |
| also take weekend getaways to the nearby | | | | you'd like to take a break from the |
| mountains of Chubu or Tohoku to escape the | | | | cold you might consider a week or |
| relentless heat. In addition to the rain and sweltering | | | | two in Japan's southern most island of |
| temperatures of summer, the months of August and | | | | Okinawa, where winter temperatures are comparable |
| early September are also considered typhoon season, | | | | to those found in Hawaii. Spring has been |
| when high pressure systems formed in the tropical | | | | toted as being the best time of year to be |
| areas of the western pacific ocean occasionally strike | | | | in Japan by most travel guide books, and for good |
| Japan's southern regions, inflicting torrential rain and | | | | reason. The temperatures are warm but not hot, and |
| strong wind. | | | | rainfall is sparse, with only occasional showers falling in |
| The arrival of Autumn in late September | | | | late evening. The first week of April also brings with |
| usually brings drier conditions and a drop in | | | | it the famous cherry blossom season that is one of |
| temperatures. In addition to Spring , the months of | | | | the most magical times of year in Japan, with many |
| October and November are possibly the best time to | | | | cherry blossom viewing events and festivals taking |
| visit Japan, as most days are clear and warm, and | | | | place throughout the country. |