Japan Rail Pass Now - Japan Travel Guide

Overview
Seasonal Attractions
Winter – December to February
Winter time in Japan sees many tourists heading to ski and snowboard on the slopes of Hokkaido and Nagano. There’s a variety of highly-rated
ski resorts offering fun and thrilling snow adventures, as well as breathtaking views of the snow-capped alps. Winter is also festival time in the
region, with the Sapporo Snow Festival and Otaru Snow Light Path Festival among the highlights in February.
In other parts of the country, illumination displays like the Sendai Pageant of Starlight (December), the Hiroshima Dreamnation (November to
January), the Kobe Luminarie (December) and Osaka Festival of Light (December to January) are also highly anticipated.
Spring – March to May
In Japanese culture, cherry blossoms (or sakura) symbolise life and honour. The blooming of the cherry blossom trees is a highlight of spring,
with both locals and tourists organising trips to the finest sakura viewing spots to enjoy the mesmerising white and pink flowers.
Many parks in Japan are home to thousands of different types of cherry trees and they are very popular from late April to early May. If you’re
planning to visit Japan in spring, make sure to check forecasts for the peak cherry blossom bloom times to make the most of your trip.
Summer – June to August
Even though summer in Japan is quite hot and humid, tourists still flock to the country for many different exciting activities and events during
these warmer months. There are fireworks displays almost every night to ward off negative energy, along with music and dance festivals, and
cultural events held in many Japanese cities.
For instance, the Tokyo region holds the Summer Purification Rites in Kanagawa in June, and both the International Fireworks Display in Yokohama
and the Sumida River Fireworks Festival in July. In Kansai, the Gion Festival, the Tenjin Festival, and the Sumiyoshi Festival are all great
events to attend in July. Other notable celebrations to see include the Kanto Festival in Akita in August and the Awa Odori Folk Dance Festival
in Tokushima in July and September.
Autumn – September to November
September, October, and November are the peak tourist months in Japan and the viewing of its colourful autumn leaves is a popular activity.
There are numerous spots to take in the spectacular autumn foliage, especially in areas close to the mountains, as well as in castle gardens,
parks and temples.
7 - Japan Travel Guide