You can never go wrong with Japan, no matter when and where you go. Japan is totally a great country to visit at any time of the year. Yet, planning out which time of the year is a bit hard to set, knowing that each of Japan’s seasons offers a whole lot of experience.
What are the 4 seasons in Japan?
Japan is located in the temperate zone, so changes in each season are more distinct. A year is divided into four periods classifying the months of March to May as spring, June to August as summer, September to November as autumn, and December to February as winter.
Depending on your preferences, know how and why these four seasons are meaningfully enjoyable in Japan!
Spring
Spring has a comfortable temperature. The warmth during this season will make you enjoy hiking, wandering from one city to another, and chilling out in parks. Many travelers and sightseers visit Japan in spring as it is known for the Japanese seasonal tradition, “hanami” or flower-viewing, which commonly refers to cherry blossom viewing.
Summer
After the “rainy-season,” which is typically from the end of May to mid-July, the summer season begins. “Natsu” or summer is the hottest period of the year. Despite the real hot weather, some popular Japanese festivals are held during summers, such as Shinjuku Eisa Festival in Tokyo, the Gion Festival in Kyoto, and the Tenjin Festival in Osaka. Because of the high humidity rate during this season, planning out a beach trip to Okinawa would be awesome!
Autumn
Autumn in Japanese is “aki”. This is the period wherein the leaves start to change their color. Just like spring, autumn has a comfortable temperature too. It is a perfect time to go outdoors and experience a bunch of cultural events in Japan. Most tourists appreciate how yellow and red colors take over some famous spots in Japan like Kyoto prefecture, Nara prefecture, and Nikko city.
Winter
“Fuyu” is the Japanese word for winter. Regardless of the temperature dropping, winter in Japan is packed with festivals and fireworks displays. Some northern regions may be severely cold and snowy, but this is ultimately the best time to go skiing and snowboarding.
Trips to Hokkaido are popular, as well as skiing in Nagano and Niigata. In February, people witness the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival, so prepare your puffer jackets, snow boots, and beanies.
Conclusion
Seasons are vital as they influence our clothing, meals, and hobbies. Many countries experience four seasons just like Japan — cold, dry winters, or hot, humid summers, but one thing is for sure, there are definite seasonal thrills that only Japan can offer.
References:
https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0000283/
https://livejapan.com/en/article-a0000213/
https://hachi-navi.com/omotenashi/japan/season
BY LA