Best and Worst Months to Visit Japan

Every month in Japan has it's pros and cons! Join me as I ramble on about my favorite (and least favorite) aspects of each month!
My Insta: / lysa_kay
Music Credits:
music Music by a href="pixabay.com/users/alex_makemu..."Oleksandr Savochka/afrom a href="pixabay.com//?..."Pixabay/a
Chapter:
00:00 - Intro
00:43 - June
04:59 - July
07:35 - August
10:45 - September
13:26 - October
16:33 - November
19:13 - December
20:54 - January
23:59 - February
24:48 - March
27:12 - April
29:46 - May
31:55 - Outro

[@kathi1987]

A quote from the movie Mr Baseball “ Japan takes the best from all over the world and makes it her own “ 💗

[@vincentg616]

Lyssa = smiling eyes One day… I’ll go to Japan 🇯🇵

[@kyrar.j.4856]

Thank you for the warning about Golden Week, I'd never heard of it!

[@richardsoane6192]

More informative than a hundred other videos I have watched in the past 12 months.

[@RaymondwLin]

My favourites.....in order of my preference, November, October, March, April, February, December...and then the rest......July, August last.

[@Lyssakay]

A good list!

[@jdogge1967]

What about September😂

[@proxy8918]

Love your longer length videos!

[@jasondiiorio2623]

I just went to Tokyo for the first time in January this year and the advice is pretty spot on -- if you go towards the end of the month there is actually a lot to do, in Nara they light a mountain on fire and have some fireworks which is actually really cool. there's also Setsubun very early February which is pretty fun as well. some other positives the country is pretty empty ! but my favorite part is that you get to see a clear view of mount fuji. In terms of weather - towards the end of the month I found that with several layers on it was only cold 1 time and that's because it hailed in Nara for like 5 minutes and that night was an anomaly. it rained once and it snowed a bit too but overall it was worth seeing in the winter and I don't even like winter.

[@Lyssakay]

True! Also at the end of summer in Kyoto they light a couple of kanji symbols on fire!

[@kt2107]

So informative! Will take notes for when I visit Japan 😁Props to you for powering through to spring with that scarf 😂

[@Lyssakay]

LOL Thank you! It was a struggle!

[@jan-ovepedersen5764]

My first visit in Japan and Tokyo was in January of 2023, and my second visit was in July. January was cold, but not that cold, I'm from Norway and are used to way colder temps. July was rather hot for my liking. My next visit will be this November. Thank you for your tips on when to visit Japan. Greetings from Norway 🙂

[@EllieDi]

I love hot weather, so July and August are heaven for me...that being said, probably March all the way through May (skipping golden week) are the best time to travel to Japan, there're more things to do.

[@Lyssakay]

I am the exact same with hot weather! I love it!

[@vonplus00]

Thank uu, this is very clear and loved all the recommendations. Im excited to try all the food!!!

[@Lyssakay]

Food is the best here!

[@TheBenzaus]

Thanks for the great recommendations for what else to see expect when I visit in September for the formula 1.

[@takumihasegawa5794]

i really like your energy, keep it up.

[@AndrewAbroadTravel]

Fantastic video Alyssa. A lot of people are going to use this video to plan when to go to Japan. I'll come in January because it'll be empty then!

[@Lyssakay]

haha! Great strategy!

[@AndrewAbroadTravel]

Didn't really mean to be in Tokyo this month but worked out this way. Weather has been surprisingly warm but this past weekend was pretty. I froze walking around Shimokitazawa. Bottom line. You were correct January isn't the best time to come to Tokyo. Off to Thailand soon for a month and will be back in Tokyo and Osaka early March.

[@colinmathie2710]

Regarding the sumo info there are actually 6 tournaments through out the year, Tokyo holds 3 in January, May + Sept, and the rest are in Osaka in March, Nagoya in July and Fukuoka in November.

[@corrado]

very cool... most of the times I've visited Japan was always around November... All the Christmas stuff is already out and the summer crowds are gone... Best time in my opinion.

[@Watchamocalit]

This was really well done! Such a fun and informative watch

[@jonathansakura]

I came in January and had a blast!!!!! I came in August this time and it was awful because japan lacks air conditioning 😅 Greetings from korea 🇰🇷 😊❤

[@HushedHermit]

January is my favourite time to visit too 😂

[@Lyssakay]

Haha! Japan really has no bad time to visit! But I do wish they had more AC!

[@ekwebeman]

I'll be going in november for the first time. Landing in the evening on Halloween actually. So happy to hear you talk so highly of that month :)

[@Lyssakay]

That is literally the exact same time I first came to Japan! Have fun!

[@joits]

Yay November! It was also the first month I visited Japan a few years ago, and it's also when I next return to Japan. I much prefer the cooler weather when visiting places and of course, I'm hoping to see some fall colors in various places when I visit. Also... poor January! Lol...

[@sniper441]

Wonderful video thank you so much for sharing your knowledge!

[@silverian]

Nice monthly info with weather forecast, national holidays and food!

[@cgeorgy]

Spot on re January. Worst new years eve I ever had and next few days were difficult

[@stevew2926]

thanks for providing the time chapters but I enjoyed watching your entire video!

[@ChaosPrimus]

I haven't visited Japan yet so this is all food for thought. I'm English so naturally hate the sun, though my friend who I'm making plans to visit with can generally only travel in August typically... I think I'll need to try convince him to travel a different month so I'm not reduced to a puddle on the floor within 2 minutes of stepping outside!

[@Lyssakay]

hahaha I went to England during the summer a couple years ago and everyone in England was saying how hot 33 degrees was! I just thought it was funny!

[@ChaosPrimus]

@@Lyssakay In our defence, we are a people who's national pass time is complaining about things 😅

[@capitalb5889]

When you say August, I imagine that's because of school holidays. It is a problem that has affected me for a long time. Japan is not a great place in August. Last summer I was there in a heat wave and it reached 38C in Niigata and of course there is higher humidity. That's just too hot. If you are restricted to August, go in the second half - it is much cheaper and cooler. In my mind, the best time to visit is Autumn - November is great for the autumn colours. October nice also. September is still hot, but tolerably so. May is a really nice month. Before the rainy season and comfortably warm with good sunny days. I also generally advise against trying to time visits with cherry blossom - it can be a gamble, it's expensive and the weather can be poor. But while June is the rainy season, not all of Japan is affected by it.

[@caminodetokio4816]

Are you coming from a southern part of the United States? If so, it’s very understandable you don’t like January in Tokyo. But, if you live in a cold country, like northern Europe, January is the best season to visit Tokyo. Because winter is very mild and you can enjoy clear blue sky almost everyday in Tokyo. 1月はオススメです。(Ichigatsu ha/wa osusume-desu) (^_^) I’m sorry I have no intention to offend you.

[@Lyssakay]

I am from the south! No offense at all!

[@caminodetokio4816]

@@Lyssakay (=^ェ^=)

[@Jyaw3]

Good Video - informative Personally, been quite a few times, I think the best month(s) are October/November. Simply for the weather and lowest amount of tourists I'd say. If you're okay with the cold (Canadian here) October weather is amazing, like t-shirt/long sleeve is enough, maybe a light jacket but if you're doing a lot of walking around you don't need it. Will need to check out the Tokyo Ramen Show that you mentioned. Thanks!

[@kellyscott5675]

Really fun and informative video, Alyssa. Thanks for putting together such a comprehensive video. It definitely feels like fall would suit me best, but it was great to get this overview. Did you have much experience with winter weather before moving to Japan? As a Texan, I imagine this could have been almost as much of an adjustment as the culture shock. In any case, thanks for a fun and informative video.

[@Lyssakay]

Thank you! I did not have ANY experience with winter weather in Japan before I moved but I found the best method to cope was to go to a bunch of Onsen!

[@seebastian5834]

So far I've been in February for the Sapporo Snow Festival and a Trip to Okinawa, March/April for general Spring-y activities like Hanami, and twice in October... I think fall is possibly the best season allround for vacation, although nothing really beats having a dip in an Onsen in the snow (my dream is the onsen-hopping winter trip). My next trip is scheduled in 2 weeks due to some trouble getting time off... wonder if I'll get drowned.

[@Lyssakay]

I 100% agree with you!!

[@ooen]

LOVE the seasons and playful intro!! That was so joyful! And very informative video, well done! I don't know who loves January and why, except for cheap flights 😅 I would love to visit Japan, surprise surprise, during Sakura season, HOWEVER i would struggle with the crowds. Video idea (for near Sakura season, i guess 😅): places to enjoy sakura that will NOT be crowded/too popular! With that said, honestly i would go in June too, just cause i genuinely love rain... constant rain... only rain... rain and wind, yes please?! 🙃😆 I remember telling a Florida friend that i wanna experience hurricanes and she was like, "you wanna die?", lol - i'm greek btw.

[@Lyssakay]

Most of my extended family lives in Florida, so I feel the same about rain and June! Also good idea for a future video!

[@Highwind2013]

just want to say thank you for this insightful video! as I want to go to japan one day for a holiday, November sounds like a good time to go since autumn is my favorite season

[@callmezoran]

Awesome video! I'm gearing up for a fabulous return to Japan next month, and your suggestions are like little nuggets of gold in my travel treasure chest. Can't wait to put them to use and have the time of my life! 🌟🛫🇯🇵

[@Lyssakay]

thank you! have an amazing time!!

[@Ciclify]

Mt. Fuji "obviously" 😂 Thanks for the summary, this is so valuable! The shift to fall Lyssa was the motivation I needed because I'm not nearly ready for summer to end (also why was 32:17 so relatable 😂)

[@Lyssakay]

SAAAAAAAME!!

[@4ELEVENTV]

It’s October for me. I love how Halloween lasts around a week and the cosplay and costumes is great for photography. Not to mention the weather. Spring is great too but the tourist increase is something I’d rather avoid during Sakura season. Great review. Keep it up.

[@YesYouAreAbsolutelyCorrect]

So, in conclusion. Alyssa really, like, REALLY loves January. 😌

[@EllieDi]

And doesn't want you to go to Hokkaido...not even if your mom made you😂

[@EnigmaDave]

@@EllieDi She throws out some of the best lines and ideas.

[@Lyssakay]

This is 100% accurate! Thank you for understanding!

[@bronislava1551]

Thanks for this nice and informative video Lyssa❤ Also, you could make one about your story of coming to Japan and what you do there, I would be interested😊 Thank you!

[@Lyssakay]

thank you! I've been thinking about making a video like that actually!

[@speeddevil3218]

Great video this one is gonna get lots of views

[@mattm7220]

As someone who is rain-lover, June sounds really nice; but then I'm torn because July sounds like it has more to do

[@TomLowdermilk-yn8wu]

June is in the rainy season but it's also when the lotus blooms. The Oga lotus garden in Chiba Park is so beautiful in this month with few to zero foreign tourists.

[@Lyssakay]

Honestly both are lovely! You can't choose wrong!

[@fukuokakusuo2391]

Come to Fukuoka in January to eat Motsunabe and Mizutaki!!

[@Lyssakay]

I really want to!

[@ChillEpps]

that's a sick chair

[@thomasedwards6641]

I was lucky I was in Japan in mid June for 10 days and only had a couple days of rain near the end of my trip.

[@Lyssakay]

That is very lucky!

[@gcm4312]

Oh great, just bought tickets for New Years and early January :D Any recommendations on where to go outside of Tokyo during the first week, since everything is probably closed over there? :) Great videos

[@danzingcat5949]

😍

[@RealSpaceHobo]

There are six (6) Grand Sumo tournaments in a year. 3 of them in Tokyo....🙂 They last 15 days...🙂

[@Donaschlag]

Despite the overtourism going on in Japan. Is it going to be really hot and crowded this weekend? I’ll be arriving to Japan for a couple weeks.

[@viffer94]

Matcha tastes like grass? Do you eat a lot of grass down in Texas? 😊 I think I’ll visit in January because I love skiing, it’ll be less crowded and I won’t feel like I’m being steamed, boiled and marinated in a hot pot nabe by the heat and humidity.

[@Lyssakay]

I don"t eat a lot of grass! I leave that to the cows lol. That sounds like a good plan!

[@Mordred478]

Lyssa, I am smitten by your beauty. 😍 Do let me know if you ever feel so inclined to marry a man who promises to make you tea and microwave popcorn for life. 😁

[@GodAtum]

when the least busiest time to visit as i hate crowds? but not too cold

[@ducsue751]

32:17 hmmmm. I think any month is your favorite except January in seems. Which do you prefer summer or winter? I used to say summer, BUT winter now. Though both are just as bad. I'd prefer to shiver my bones off than being drainage with sweat.

[@Lyssakay]

Haha! Honestly summer is my favorite because I have so many wonderful memories of summer vacation from my childhood. But I do love winter because of the winter sports! I love ice skating and skiing so much!

[@keijiazum9282]

only 1jan are closed from 2jan japan starts super big big sale in most shops

[@rohi-uu8fh]

分かりやすくて楽しめました！( ✌︎'ω')✌︎

[@Lyssakay]

ありがとうございます！日本にお住まいなんですよね？

[@rohi-uu8fh]

@@Lyssakayさん、返信ありがとうございます。日本に住んでいますよ。アリサさんの大ファンです！ (^ ^)Olivia Newton Johnさんのような雰囲気が特に好きです。

[@erchlvrsn5858]

What are the dates for the Wagyu beef fest?

[@jamiewilliams2603]

Mid July my guy

[@5h1n10]

I'm impressed that you could fit so many WRONG opinions in one video - but I still gave you a 👍

[@Lyssakay]

I impress myself too sometimes with all my weird opinions!

[@Frodokeuh]

WHY DO YOU HATE JANUARY SO MUCH??? it's my birthday month 🥺! (lol🤣)

[@moricantos]

Great video but she totally forgot to mention typhoons in September and October

[@Lyssakay]

I really did though! In Tokyo it's not a big deal usually but other places it is!

[@luke_stout]

No, matcha thinks you taste like grass! 😂

[@baracuda1412]

Thanks for the Video, but please adjust the Volume. It was much louder when the Month was displayed comparing when you speak and with headphones you hear difference even more