Best Time to Visit Shizuoka

When is the best time to visit Shizuoka?

Given the following key seasons, February to May and November to early December are perfect periods to visit Shizuoka.

Favorable Weather

Overall, the climate is neither cold nor hot with mildly moderate precipitation and low impact of typhoons in Shizuoka. Besides, sunshine hours are mostly abundant, allowing you to spend more time taking stunning photos under sufficient light.

Natural Beauty

Thanks to vast expanses of Shizuoka, various flowers are blooming one after another during February through early April. For example, you can admire Atami cherry blossoms at Itokawa Promenade around early February, Kawazu Sakura and cole flowers at Kawazu River in mid-February to early March, as well as Yoshino cherry flowers at Iwamotoyama Park, Sumpu Castle Park and Hamamatsu Flower Park in late March to early April. Plus, Atami Plum Garden is ablaze with plum flowers in February to early March.

The best time to appreciate colorful fall leaves is mid-November to early December. Sumata Gorge, Shuzenji Nature Park, Hamamatsu Castle Park and Ippekiko Lake let you savor the diverse beauty of late autumn in Shizuoka.

See more: Japan Cherry Blossom Dates Forecast in 2026 & Japan Fall Foliage Forecast in 2026

Multiple Activities

Your insight into local cultures and customs gets more profound by a myriad of activities, such as Omuro Yamayaki Festival on the second Sunday of February, Shizuoka Festival from the first Friday to Sunday in April, tea-picking season during late April through May, and Fujinomiya Festival in November 3-5.

Bonus Tip

During the Golden Week - usually between late April and early May, many Japanese go on trips, which puts great pressure on scenic spots and public transportation. And hotels nearby popular attractions are in high demand, and tend to be fully booked for a short time. Therefore, if your travel time falls within this period, pay attention to these points:
1. Book hotels and airline or train tickets well in advance.
2. Start your day early to avoid peak hours and reduce waiting time.
3. Stay patient and open-minded.

Best Time to Admire Snowcapped Mount Fuji: Late November to February

Generally, the first snowcap of Mount Fuji is expected around early October, but due to global warming, its timing has been postponed to late October or early November in the past two years, and the fresh snow doesn’t last long. Thus, late November to February is the safest time to see the snow-covered summit. Moreover, this period enjoys low precipitation and plenty of clear days, leading to the highest visibility all year round. 

Useful Information

1. The best time for shooting in a day is around 5:00 to 7:00 am, when the contours of Mount Fuji are clearly visible thanks to less cloud cover.
2. Recommended viewing spots: Miho no Matsubara, Nihon Daira Yume Terrace, Mt. Fuji World Heritage Centre and Fujisan Yume No Ohashi Bridge. 
3. Tanukiko Lake is renowned for its one-of-a-kind view of “Double Diamond Mount Fuji”: around April 20 or August 20, the sun rises or sets directly above the summit, making it sparkle like a diamond, along with the inverted reflection of this scene in the lake.

Best Time to Climb Mount Fuji: Early July to Early September 

The official climbing season for the peak of Mount Fuji is early July to early September, when the snow cover here has melted, and temperatures remain low but bearable. Around mid-August during the Obon Festival, all routes are the most crowded. 

Do note that:

1. With changeable weather along the routes, regularly check the weather forecast and adjust your schedule accordingly.
2. The temperature varies with different elevations, so pack clothes in various thicknesses.
3. Please confirm your accommodation early, if you intend to stay overnight in the mountains.

You may want to know: Can You Still Climb Mt. Fuji Now?

Best Time for Water Sports and Fireworks Shows: July to August

With the seawater temperature of 23-28℃ (73-82℉), July and August are the most comfortable months in a year to enjoy all water spots such as swimming, surfing and snorkeling. Most beach resorts open during mid-July through late August, equipped with professional lifeguards to protect tourists’ safety. Shirahama Ohama Beach, Sotoura Beach and Tatadohama Beach are highly recommended.

Magnificent fireworks displays in Shizuoka are mainly concentrated between July and August. For instance, Atami hosts one or two shows with 5,000 fireworks in mid- and late July, and four ones in August. During Fukuroi Enshu Fireworks Festival around late July, the night sky is aglow with 25,000 fireworks.

Advice

1. With intense sunshine by the sea, you’d better reapply sunblock every 2-3 hours.
2. Typhoons may approach or make landfall near Shizuoka during these two months, so focus on relevant warnings before your departure and during your stay.
 

Winter Trip to Shizuoka in December to February: Also Nice

Due to rare precipitation in winter, the monthly humidity averages around 61%, a comfortable level for most people’s daily activities. Plus, you don’t encounter severely cold weather since the lowest temperatures seldom fall below freezing. There is no better time than winter to do these two things:
1. Soak in a hot spring: Atami Onsen, featuring delightful sea views, can alleviate the symptoms of cold extremities and gynecopathy, while Shuzenji Onsen is very suitable for those suffering from neuralgia, arthralgia and muscular soreness.
2. Taste a bowl of steaming-hot Shizuoka’s oden, well-known for its dark broth and ingredients skewered on bamboo sticks.