Land of the rising sun – The jewels of Japan with Spear Travels.

Japan for all seasons

Experience Japan with Wendy Wu Tours. Contact Spear Travels in Thame to discover more.

Japan is a unique and intriguing destination, a place of rich, timeless culture and age-old tradition fused with a modernity that’s fast paced and vibrant. This enchanting archipelago has so much to explore that deciding when to visit can be a tough call. Luckily, Japan is a country for all seasons, so you can simply base your decision on the time of year that suits you and your interests best.

JAPAN IN THE SPRING
From March to May, spring in Japan is a time of optimism and new beginnings. As the weather starts to warm up (although there is still plenty of snow in Hokkaido), the locals like to get outside to enjoy the beauty of nature reawakening. This is the most popular time to visit Japan due to the cherry blossoms (Sakura) – celebrating the hazy pink blooms adds a buzz to the atmosphere – but there are flowers blooming everywhere that are equally as beautiful to behold, such as wisteria and moss phlox, while temples and gardens have meticulously curated collections of blooms to admire. There are also plenty of seasonal treats to enjoy, like Sakura flavoured drinks and foods, which help to get you into the spring spirit.

JAPAN IN THE SUMMER
The summer months, June to August, bring with them fireworks, centuries-old festivals and revelry galore, all a joy to behold. Hot and humid with a rainy season, called ‘Tsuyu’, from June to mid-July, it is now that the crowds of the spring disperse. Wherever you happen to be travelling you’re likely to stumble across a fascinating regional festival or custom, while in August there are colourful parades for Obon, the festival to honour the dead, a time when many locals will travel home to their families to celebrate. July brings the clear skies that allow Mt Fuji to open to climbers and is the perfect time to tour traditional gardens and explore the countryside.

JAPAN IN THE AUTUMN
Rivalling the spring for the greatest show of natural beauty, the autumn months – September to November – are when temperatures start to cool down but things stay warm and sunny right into November. This is a time to be outside, especially in late October when the leaves begin their gradual change into a spectacular sea of red, yellows and browns, particularly breathtaking in the Japanese Alps. Unlike the cherry blossom the autumn colours are slightly more predictable in terms of timings, and they last longer giving more people the opportunity to enjoy them. Also, as it’s harvest season you can expect menus full of fresh produce as well as tasty treats like chestnuts, pumpkin soup and sweet persimmons.

JAPAN IN THE WINTER
For those who don’t mind enduring the cold for something truly magical, the winter would be a fantastic time to explore Japan. The days are usually sunny, the popular sights are quiet, and the countryside is given a dazzling winter makeover thanks to the annual snowfall. Tuck into seasonal comfort foods like hot pots, broths, and ramen before heading straight for a soak in a snow-surrounded onsen. But onsens are not just for humans. In the Japanese Alps, a troop of adorable, fluffy snow monkeys also enjoy a soak in their very own hot springs and witnessing them is an endearing experience. At Buddhist temples, the new year is traditionally rung in by a bell tolling 108 times, representing the cleansing of worldly passions.

Experience Japan on a fully inclusive escorted tour with the UK’s No.1 Japan Specialist, Wendy Wu Tours.

JAPAN UNCOVERED
17-day escorted tour from £7,590pp
Includes: Return flights, all hotels, all meals (44 in total), experienced local guide, all sightseeing & entrance fees, all transportation
Various departures from March 2026 – November 2027
Osaka – Hiroshima – Kyoto – Kanazawa – Takayama – Nagano – Mount Fuji – Tokyo

JEWELS OF JAPAN
11-day escorted tour from £6,190pp
Includes: Return flights, all hotels, all meals (27 in total), experienced local guide, all sightseeing & entrance fees, all transportation
Various departures from March 2026 – November 2027
Tokyo – Mount Fuji – Mishima – Kyoto – Hiroshima – Osaka

You can read more articles like this one in the latest edition of Thame Out.