Monthly Suggestions for Your Trip to Japan — The Perfect Destination for Every Season
Tags: Japanese Culture, Travel, Japan, Japanese Food, Japanese

Monthly Suggestions for Your Trip to Japan — The Perfect Destination for Every Season JAPANKURU Aug 6, 2019·12 min read

The When and Where of Japan

Japan is proud of its four seasons, which each create unique environments and gorgeously varied scenery across the country. Sure, there are plenty of places that visitors end up in year-round, but the best way to get the most of your time here is to make sure you’re in the right place at the right time! If you’ve got flights booked, but you’re not sure where to go from the airport, this is the guide for you. For the rest of us, we’ll have to pick a destination and plan our next trip around it!

一月 | January : Hakone (箱根)

In Japan, once the temperature drops it’s time to head to a natural hot spring (or onsen, 温泉)! Japan is full of these natural sources of steaming hot water, and a bath in any one of them is a relaxing treat that will warm your cold fingers and toes. But Hakone is famous for onsen, and with its proximity to Tokyo, a trip to Hakone is a no-brainer for anyone staying in the big city!

Hot Springs Overlooking Mt. Fuji

An Owakudani Black Egg

While Japan is replete with great places to soak, most of them don’t give you a view of Mt. Fuji while you relax! You can get your sightseeing done from the tub, and I can’t think of any better multitasking than that, can you?

Aside from bathing in the warm waters, there’s plenty of other fun to be had in the area. Cooking food, especially eggs, in the steam and water from the hot spring is a popular activity. Giving it a try will warm any hands chilled by the January weather, and you’ll end up with a tasty snack to enjoy as well. (Sometimes the eggs even turn black from the sulfurous natural hot spring water! But they’re still delicious.)

More on Hakone’s hot springs.

二月 | February : Hokkaido (北海道)

Freezing a little in Hokkaido’s cold winter can be… well, kind of cool! If you want your winter vacation to really feel like winter, the northern-most island of Japan is the place to be.

Hokkaido is fairly well-known for lavender fields that bloom in the summer, but the real draws are all during the colder months of the year. See the snow pile up in Japan’s winter wonderland!

Shirahige Waterfall — (Literally white beard waterfall! 白髭の滝) The icy cold waters appear deep blue at the bottom of the falls.

Romantic Wintertime Otaru

If all you want is to see snow, you have the whole winter to appreciate the snow that blankets Hokkaido each year. But February is when you’ll get the chance to see some of the region’s famous snow festivals! The Sapporo Snow Festival, an annual event, is famous for the amazing (and enormous) sculptures carved and built out of the local snow. Or, the Otaru Snow Light Path is an event that allows visitors to traipse their way through the beautifully lit snowy roads of Otaru.

More on traveling to Hokkaido.

三月 | March : Tokyo (東京)

With March comes spring! And in Japan, spring means it’s time to get outside and appreciate all the flowers beginning to bloom and bring color back into our lives. As the capital of Japan, Tokyo goes big when it comes to the cherry blossoms (or sakura, 桜) the country is famous for! Sakura season starts towards the end of March, when blossoms burst into bloom all over the country, but it’s hard to go anywhere in Tokyo without spotting a handful of the pink petals (like Sensoji Temple, above↑).

Surrounded by Sakura, Even Riding a Rollercoaster

Do Some “Hanami” (花見), or Flower Viewing!

If you’re looking for a place to lay down a blanket, eat some snacks, and relax under the cherry blossoms (like the rest of Japan!), there are plenty of good spots in Tokyo. Some of the more popular locations are the Meguro River, Rikugien Garden, Shinjuku Gyoen Park, Ueno Park, and Chidorigafuchi Park. Or, just look around and you’ll find cherry-blossom-themed art exhibitions, experiential art spaces, food events, and much, much more. It’s a big city, and there’s a lot of sakura love!

More on Tokyo’s cherry blossoms.

四月 | April : Ashikaga (足利)

Not quite satisfied by all the cherry blossoms blooming in spring? Well, Japan’s beautiful displays of flowers, and the “flower viewing” culture that goes with them, aren’t limited to sakura. Students going into the new school year might dream of days filled with pink cherry blossom petals, but more the more romantic among us know that April brings fantastic displays of wisteria. There’s no better place to see these amazing swathes of purple and white flowers than Ashikaga Flower Park, in Ashikaga City, Tochigi.

The elegance of purple wisteria.

If you can’t make it there until winter, they have “wisteria” lights to give you an equally fun experience.

Heavy curtains and delicate hanging tunnels, and created out of beautiful wisteria flowers, are a huge draw for Ashikaga Flower Park. It’s lovely enough to have been designated a natural monument by Tochigi Prefecture. More than 350 wisteria trees covering 1,000 square meters (about 10,800 square feet) bring visitors from around the globe, with pink, yellow, and white wisteria flowers joining the huge numbers of purple blossoms that hang over the park. The magical environment includes trees that are over 150 years old, so you can stroll the park and imagine yourself alongside the many others doing the same thing 100 years ago. If you want a more modern experience, visit at night to see the flowers lit up, creating a wisteria fairyland. (Plus, day or night, there are more than 5,000 azalea bushes in the park, for visitors who appreciate more vibrant blooms.)

Once you see Ashikaga Flower Park’s yearly wisteria festival, you can also head over to Ashikaga City to try on some Showa Era kimonos and walk around the historical site of Bannaji Temple.

More on Ashikaga, and the rest of Tochigi.

五月 | May : Osaka (大阪)

Osaka is known for friendly locals and amazing everyday food (and maybe the beautiful castle). With beautiful weather and Japan’s long Golden Week holiday in May, what better time is there to head over? May 5th is Children’s Day in Japan, so it’s a good chance to spend time with the family in a city full of warm smiles and piping hot takoyaki (octopus balls).

The must-see Osaka Castle.

The wonderful May weather gives visitors a chance to walk the city without freezing, or sweating in Japan’s summer heat. With the weather on your side, feel free to wander the Namba area, especially around Dotonbori, looking for amazing street food to chow down on. Or you can admire Osaka Castle and its moat, surrounded by lovely gardens. If you’re willing to plan around Golden Week vacation (or brave the crowds), the weather even provides a good chance to visit Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan.

Once you’re there, take a quick train ride or rent a car to easily reach nearby Kyoto, Kobe, or Nara. You’ll have a spectacular trip around Kansai.

More on Osaka’s amazing food culture.

六月 | June : Kamakura (鎌倉)/Enoshima Island (江の島)

If you’ve read our previous article, you already know that Enoshima Island is the place to be every June, when dramatic blooms of hydrangea burst into life. Japan’s rainy season is mostly during June every year, and while it might seem to put a damper on travel, the ample rain is what brings the beautiful flowers to life. Thousands of raindrops on hundreds of hydrangea petals, seen on Enoshima Island, also make for a beautiful view, and even better pictures to show your friends.

If you’re less interested in flowers and more into manga, the area is still the place for you. Enoshima Island is right off of Kamakura, where famous basketball comic Slam Dunk is based. The Enoden electric train line goes between the two places, and while it’s definitely popular as a way to view the hydrangeas, one of the Enoden’s train stations also holds a special place in many Slam Dunk fans’ hearts. Check out real-life Kamakurakokomae Station to get a good view of an iconic location in the manga and anime.

You can even surf in the area.

Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine, built in the year 1063.

Alongside beautiful flowers and famous anime spots, Kamakura has a rich history, leaving the area with lots of interesting monuments of all kinds. Famous monuments, and… cats! Plus, if you’re heading there in June it should be warm enough to spend some time on the beach. Stroll on the sand, or join some of the cool surfers in the water. If the weather is clear, you can even see across the water to Mt. Fuji! Kamakura and Enoshima have tons to offer.

More on Kamakura and Enoshima Island.

七月 | July : Hiroshima (広島)

If you’re not all that familiar with travel in Japan, the name Hiroshima may not call to mind very appealing images. In Japan it has a reputation as a popular tourist spot, though, and it has really earned it through and through. There’s fascinating and moving historic spots for those interested in the city’s past, but plenty else to enjoy as well!

For those traveling in July, head to Hiroshima for seaside sightseeing and refreshing food!

Juicy grilled oysters with Setouchi lemon.

Hiroshima okonomiyaki.

When you’re looking to get away from Japan’s summer heat, Hiroshima’s Miyajima Island is a great escape. The island is famous for Itsukushima Shrine, where the shrine gate sits in the water, and the ocean breeze sweeps across the island. Take a moment to admire the torii gate’s immense beauty, while the island’s deer inhabitants (yes, deer) prance slowly by. Or make the trek over to Hiroshima’s Okunoshima Island, where the locals are mostly rabbits. Yep, Hiroshima has more than one island packed with adorable animals!

Once your stomach starts to rumble, refresh yourself with local Setouchi lemon cuisine! The lemons are a regional specialty, and the juice is an excellent garnish on top of local oysters, fresh off the grill. Or sit down to a meal of Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, accompanied by a glass of fresh lemonade. You’ll feel all ready to venture back out into the July heat!

More on Hiroshima’s many destinations, and food specialties.

八月 | August : Kagoshima (鹿児島)

Once you hit August in Japan, there’s no escaping the summer heat, so you might as well lean into it! Kagoshima is famous for its volcanic activity, which provides the region with ample hot springs, vents of natural steam, and the active volcano Sakurajima. If you head to the beach and dig into the sand, instead of hitting a cool layer a few inches down, you’ll find even warmer sand, heated by volcanic activity! Get yourself buried in a “sand bath” and enjoy the warm, heavy sand up against your skin.

Sengan-en Garden

Stop by the local Shirokuma Cafe shaved ice shop for this delightfully refreshing bear-shaped treat!

While you’re in Kagoshima, we highly recommend you stop by Sengan-en Garden to cool off in the greenery. It was once attached to a residence belonging to the Shimazu clan, built in 1658, but is now its own UNESCO World Heritage Site! Must-see features of the garden include peaceful ponds, and a “Very Large Rock.”

More on Kagoshima, and the surrounding area.

九月 | September : Okinawa (沖縄)

September in Japan, summer is still in full swing, and after so many months of heat, all you want to do is jump into the water! So the obvious choice is somewhere where you can splash in the surf all day, like Okinawa. As one last hurrah before the end of summer vacation, take a nice long trip to Okinawa; luxuriate on the beach, and then tackle some water sports.

Churaumi Aquarium, with its famous whale shark tank!

Cape Manzamo (万座毛)

If the beach isn’t how you want to spend all of your time, of course there’s lots of other options in Okinawa. The Churaumi Aquarium is world-famous for its spectacular exhibits, including a huge tank with multiple enormous whale sharks. The cliff at Cape Manzamo is also a fun excursion, with its elephant-like profile. Or, hang out in the city and fill up on the local specialty, Okinawa soba!

More on Okinawa, where to go and what to eat.

十月 | October : Ibaraki (茨城)

The Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki prefecture often gets a lot of love on social media thanks to its impressive fields of nemophila blooms (often called “baby blue eyes”). This event actually happens in the spring, but the park is equally overwhelming in the fall, when the hills are covered in deep red kochia flowers!

The kochia flowers in action.

One of Japan’s “power spots”, Oarai Isosaki Shrine.

Kochia flowers are also known as ragweed, but that nickname does it no justice. The burgundy tufts make the hills look like they’re covered in red velvet, and you can only see them during the fall! It’s a beautiful and unique floral display.

More on traveling in Ibaraki.

十一月 | November : Yamagata (山形)

Yamagata is known domestically for its delicious cherries, but stay a little later in the year and you’ll find breathtaking views of the region’s autumn foliage.

Nearby Okama Crater

The glorious mountains.

With the autumn frost giving each twig and leaf a little twinkle of light, the views of all of the leaves changing colors along the mountain ridges of Yamagata are not to be missed. Look in any direction, and the deep valleys will show you scenery beautiful enough to be in a museum.

More on a trip to Yamata.

十二月 | December : Nagano (長野)

Like many parts of the world, Japan takes pleasure in artfully lighting up winter nights (or as they call it, “illumination”). Out of all the many locations that use little lights to create magical winter atmospheres, the biggest in Japan is APA Resort Jouetsu-Myoko’s illumination. Add some cheer to a chilly evening with a visit to this brightly lit wonderland, right nearby!

The next day, take advantage of Nagano’s great mountains and hit the slopes for some excellent skiing!

Kagamiike, or “mirror lake”.

Japanese taiyaki cakes… with apples!

Once you’re in Nagano, don’t miss Togakushi Shrine and the beautiful forest of giant cedars in the surrounding area. And for fans of history, or just beautiful Japanese tradition, head to the old samurai rest station of Naraijuku!

More on driving through Nagano, and lots to do there.

So, when are you coming to Japan?

No matter when you arrive, Japan is full of fun places to visit. Not every trip to Japan has to be stuck with the same itinerary, so we hope you’ll take advantage of this resource and plan something unique and spectacular for your next excursion!

Be sure to look out for more exciting articles every day at JAPANKURU!

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