Best Time to Visit Tokyo

What Is the Best Time to Go to Tokyo?

In general, March to May in spring and October to November in autumn are the best months to visit Tokyo. The weather is relatively pleasant in these months, neither too hot nor too cold. In spring, the cherry blossoms, usually bloom from late March to early April, which is a charming highlight of sightseeing in Tokyo. Also, fall foliage brings Tokyo into the other peak season of travelling.

There are usually large crowds in the most popular attractions during the best time, thus take good care of yourselves and your belongings.

What Are the Cheapest Months to Go to Tokyo?

Wintertime, the low season from January to February, is the cheapest time when you can go on a budget travel to Tokyo. The prices fall after the New Year holiday, especially the mid-late February. The low prices last till early March, before the cherry blossom season comes.

The rainy season from June to July, especially June before summer vacation, is also a relatively cheaper period to Tokyo.

Tips: There would be some ups and downs in the prices throughout the year. Do book in advance.

Cheap Winter in Tokyo

High Season & Low Season to Visit Tokyo

High Season

Months: Mid-March to early May, July to August, Late October to November, Mid-December to early January
Pros: cherry blossoms, summer fireworks shows, fall foliage, New Year experiences
Cons: crowded, expensive, extremely hot in July & August

Low Season

Months: Late-January to early March, June, September
Pros: less Visitors & relatively cheap prices
Cons: bitterly cold weather, drippy & humid rainy season, or high incidence of typhoons

Best Time for Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

Visitors can enjoy the sakura in Tokyo from late March to early April. Usually, cherry blossoms begin to flower around March 21-24th, becomes full-blown on March 30th or March 31st, and fall, like snowing, on about April 8th-11st. In mountainous outskirts, cherry blossoms bloom a few days later. Particularly, the cherry blossom season comes 7-10 days later around Mt. Fuji area than in Tokyo downtown.

Cherry Blossoms in Tokyo

Best Time for Fall Foliage in Tokyo

It’s usually from late November to early December every year. Influenced by multiple climatic factors especially the temperature, the best viewing period could last for 1-2 weeks. As early as in mid-November, the leaves happen to change colors in Tokyo, in parks, gardens, shrines and temples. In Mt. Takao, Mt. Mitake or more mountain areas in the suburbs, it has entered the best maple viewing period in mid-late November.

Autumn Leaves at Odaiba

Best Time to See Mt. Fuji

On the sunny day in late autumn and winter, especially November to January, it’s more likely to get a clear sight of the summit of Mount Fuji with a snow cap. In the morning, the visibility is better than in the afternoon. Clouds would often shade the summit in other months, especially the rainy season and typhoon season.

If you want to gaze far on a skyscraper, it’s possible to see the snow-capped Mt. Fuji in Tokyo, on a clear day in winter of course. Tokyo Skytree and Tokyo Tower are great choice there.

Festivals & Events in Tokyo

Festivals & Events	Time	Site
New Year	early January	Hatsumode – New Year visit to a shrine/temple
Setsubun Festival	February 3rd or 4th	Shrines and temples
Golden Week	late April to early May, mostly from Apr. 29th to May 5th
Kanda Matsuri Festival	early to mid-May in odd-numbered years	Kanda Myoujin Shrine near Akihabara
Sanja Matsuri Festival	mid-May	Sensoji Temple in Asakusa
Obon Festival	August 15th
Fireworks Festivals	mostly in July & August
Katsushika Summer Fireworks Festival	July 22rd, 2025	Katsushika Shibamata Baseball Stadium by Edogawa River
Sumida River Fireworks Festival	July 26th, 2025	Sumida Riverbank – between Sakurabashi Bridge and Kototoi Bridge
Sumo Tournaments in Tokyo	January, May & September	Ryogoku Kokugikan Stadium
Winter Illuminations	December, some would last till January or even mid-February	Marunouchi to Tokyo Station, Roppongi Hills, Meguro Riverbank, etc.

Time to Avoid - Worst Time to Travel to Tokyo

1. June to September

Summer Vacation by Sea, Tokyo

June is just in the rainy season, as it rains often or it is overcast, and it’s very humid.
July and August are unbearably hot with a highest perceived temperature approaching or over 40℃ (104℉). Meanwhile, it’s crowded for the summer vacation, firework shows and Obon Festival.
September is the peak time of typhoons, when the weather is not good either.