Inevitably, I always get asked by people planning trips when the best time to visit Japan is. As someone who loves this country with all of my heart, I can confidently say that there really is no best time to visit the country. First of all, Japan has so much to see and do that you’re literally spoiled for choice no matter when you choose to come. Secondly, there are seasonal festivals and natural beauty to be had during all times of the year. So, whenever you choose to travel to Japan, know that you’re going to be blessed with an awesome trip ahead of you.
On that note, though, I want to talk about an often overlooked time to come to Japan: the period between the day after Golden Week (a string of national holidays at the end of April that runs into early May) and the start of the rainy season in June. During this time, things begin to shift quite noticeably. These few weeks tend to be a bit of a lull, and as a result, the overall atmosphere feels much more relaxed. The rush of the cherry blossom-fueled frenzy is finally over in all but the most northern regions, while summer holidays have yet to start. What’s more, most locals will have done their traveling during Golden Week, meaning that there are far fewer people out and about.
In other words, May somehow manages to strike the perfect balance between a time when there are fewer crowds at Japan’s most beautiful places and when booking accommodation can be done cheaply. On top of that, May is also a time of the year when there is still rather pleasant weather with comparatively low humidity all across Japan. Soon thereafter, though, warmer days start to roll in as hellish summer heat begins to take over. With all of this in mind, why not start planning your trip to Japan in May and enjoy the season of fresh greenery?
First, Avoid Golden Week at All Costs
First things first, you’re going to want to avoid Golden Week like the plague. If your travel dates happen to overlap with it, it’s honestly worth reconsidering your entire itinerary altogether. This is one of the very few times of the year when Japan can feel genuinely overwhelming, and as such, it comes with an extreme spike in prices across the board. Hotels fill up far in advance, trains get uncomfortably packed, and even places that are usually calm and collected start to feel a bit chaotic. Simply put, it’s not the version of Japan most people are hoping to experience.
So what exactly is Golden Week? Well, it’s a cluster of national holidays that starts in late April and runs into early May, effectively giving people several days off in a row. Because taking extended time off work at other points in the year isn’t always easy, many Japanese workers take full advantage of this window to travel, often all at once. As a result, you get a massive wave of domestic tourism sweeping across the country in a very short period of time. In turn, major cities, popular sightseeing spots, and even regional destinations all feel the impact, with transportation networks and accommodations stretched close to capacity.
That said, if you absolutely have no choice but to travel during Golden Week, the key is to plan ahead and be strategic. Booking your accommodation and transportation well in advance is essential, and it’s worth considering destinations well off the beaten path. Even then, however, you’ll need to be prepared for higher prices and larger crowds. If you can, though, I suggest you just avoid Golden Week entirely (indeed, I often just stay in central Tokyo). Instead, give it a week or two, and you’ll find that the crowds thin out dramatically, prices begin to drop, and Japan settles back into a much more enjoyable rhythm.
Flowers After the Cherry Blossom Season
May is a time whereby the final petals of the Somei Yoshino cherry blossom season have largely fallen. While the northernmost extremes of Hokkaido might just finally be reaching full bloom, elsewhere the pretty pink blooming landscapes that characterize the pleasant temperatures of mid-April are already long over. As a result, the scenery begins to shift into something a little different. That said, there are still plenty of other late spring flowers to enjoy come May, such as moss phlox, which can be seen at places like Chichibu up in Saitama Prefecture or over at central Japan’s Fuji Shibazakura Festival.
In addition to this, the lush greenery that comes into its own during the first weeks of May plays a huge role in shaping the season. Alongside it, one other thing that nature lovers can look forward to is the nemophila that bloom at famous locations like Hitachi Seaside Park and Tokyo’s Toneri Park. These delicate blue flowers blanket entire hillsides in a soft, almost surreal shade of blue, creating landscapes that feel completely different from the pink hues of cherry blossom season. Typically peaking in early to mid-May, they offer a short but spectacular viewing window that’s well worth planning around.
Beyond that, May also brings with it a variety of other seasonal blooms that tend to fly a bit under the radar. Wisteria can sometimes still be found hanging in soft purple clusters at certain spots, while rose gardens across the country begin to hit their stride as the month goes on. Toward the very end of May, early irises also start to make an appearance, hinting at the seasonal shift into early summer. Taken together, it’s a surprisingly diverse time for flower viewing, and one that feels far less crowded and more relaxed than the headline-grabbing cherry blossom season.
Seasonal Fun from Mid-May to Early Summer
Another highlight of visiting Japan in May comes in the form of its many high-profile seasonal festivals, which take place all across the country throughout the month. At the same time, this period offers a nice mix of events, ranging from more refined, traditional processions to lively, high-energy street celebrations. For travelers, it’s the perfect time to avoid peak travel times while also having the opportunity to experience Japan’s cultural side through some of its great festivals, all in a way that feels both accessible and authentic without needing to go out of your way to find it.
One of the standout events during this time is the Aoi Matsuri, held at Kamigamo Shrine. Dating back over a thousand years, this festival is known for its elegant procession featuring participants dressed in Heian-period (794–1185) attire, slowly making their way through the streets of Kyoto. In contrast to more energetic festivals, it’s a much more refined and subdued experience, but that’s very much part of its appeal. Watching it unfold feels a bit like stepping back in time, offering a glimpse into the world of the imperial court and Japan’s aristocratic past.
On the other end of the spectrum, things get far more energetic during the epic Sanja Festival, which is centered around Tokyo’s Asakusa Shrine. Here, the atmosphere is loud, lively, and at times a little chaotic, as teams carry portable shrines through the streets to the cheers of huge crowds. It’s one of Tokyo’s biggest festivals and draws in a massive number of visitors, but compared to the chaos of Golden Week, it still feels far more manageable. As such, experiencing both ends of this spectrum is part of what makes May such an interesting time to be in Japan.
The Best Time to Explore the Japanese Alps
Though most regions in Japan are blessed with clear skies and perfect weather during the first half of May, there is honestly no better time for outdoor activities like hiking the Japanese Alps. With snow beginning to melt at higher elevations and trails gradually reopening, this period offers a sweet spot where conditions are both accessible and comfortable. At the same time, temperatures remain mild, the air is crisp, and visibility is often excellent, making it an ideal time to get out into nature and take full advantage of the season before peak travel picks up again.
Places like Kamikochi really come into their own during this time, with walking trails winding through pristine forests, clear rivers, and wide-open valleys framed by towering peaks. As a result, it’s the kind of environment where you don’t necessarily need to commit to a full-on mountain climb to be rewarded with stunning views. Even a casual day hike can feel incredibly immersive, with fresh greenery all around and snow-capped mountains still lingering in the distance. Honestly, this time in spring, when the rush of April is gone but the weather has yet to get hot, is one of my favorite times of the year in Japan.
Later on, as spring gives way to summer, conditions begin to shift quite dramatically. Temperatures rise, humidity starts to build, and hiking becomes a far more physically demanding experience, especially at lower elevations. While summer has its own appeal, there’s something about May that strikes a near-perfect balance between comfort and scenery. If you’re even remotely interested in getting outdoors during your trip, this is one of those windows where everything just lines up in your favor.
Why You Need to Visit Japan in May
All in all, readers are highly encouraged to consider an upcoming visit to Japan in May. You can experience the country before the horrible summer humidity starts to set in, enjoy the post-Golden Week hotel prices, and even savor some of the last vestiges of spring’s splendor. What’s more, there are also high-profile events like the Sanja Festival in Tokyo or the Aoi Festival at Kamigamo Shrine. Especially in the case of the latter, this seasonal celebration allows you a chance to experience music and dance performances once seen in the halls of the Kyoto Imperial Palace centuries ago.
Of course, this is just the tip of the iceberg as to why one would want to plan a trip to Japan in May. Comfortable weather aside, one reason to pick Japan over other destinations during this time of the year is the affordability. As noted above, following the departure of the cherry blossom chasers at the end of April and the madness of Golden Week, many hotels discount their inventory greatly due to the drop in demand. As a result, you can get some really good deals on rooms during this lull in the travel season.
Nowadays, it’s becoming harder and harder to book my beloved Dormy Inn at an affordable price, but last year I was able to stay for multiple nights for cheap during my visits to northern Japan as well as the island of Shikoku. This allowed me to finally cross off Matsuyama, Imabari, and even do an extensive tour of all of Kochi Prefecture before the inbound travel season resumed again and the hellishly hot summer weather made traveling in Japan feel like a sauna session. Suffice to say, I am a real fan of this time of the year and can’t more highly recommend it.
That said, there are of course a few trade-offs to keep in mind. If you visit Japan in May, you miss out on the cherry blossoms as well as the hydrangeas that come with the rainy season in June. And while there are some seasonal festivities to be had around this time of the year, May is ultimately a solid time for visiting evergreen destinations that are usually super crowded. While they won’t be entirely ghost towns, various constraints on the travel industry ensure that at least the very worst impacts of overtourism are somewhat lessened. So while it’s not quite like it was during the pandemic, when the country was closed, it’s still a noticeable improvement.
Until next time travelers…
