What's the best season to travel to Japan?

Japan has become increasingly popular among Indonesian travelers since it started implementing a visa-free policy for Indonesian e-passport holders in December 2014. The two countries, which recently commemorated the 60th anniversary of their diplomatic relationship, are now closer than ever. The friendly relationship has made it much easier and comfortable for Indonesian people to travel to Japan.

If you’re planning a trip to visiting Japan check out which season suits you best. From spring to winter, each season in Japan presents its own story to tell.

Cherry blossom festival in spring

Purple beauty: Cherry blossom trees in Japan look most beautiful in the springtime. Join the country’s Hanami festival, where you can watch these beautiful trees while exploring Japan’s great outdoors.

Japan in spring is like a romantic walk in the park. The season, which runs from March to May, is one of the most popular seasons due to the Hanami festival. Hanami, which translates to “flowers watching” is dedicated to thousands of people watching the cherry blossom bloom in spring.

The beginning of spring is marked by the bloom of plum flowers, followed by the cherry blossom and ending when the latter falls. The Japanese cherry blossom or Sakura brings life to Japan. People compete for the best and most quiet spot to chill, drink and to enjoy the fresh spring air under the cherry blooms over a picnic in the park -- a simple, yet the perfect date with loved ones.

If you are keen to be a part of the Hanami festival and see the cherry blossoms, make sure to book your flights and hotels early, since people from all over the world are likely to flock to Japan for these pinkish petals.

Climb Up Mt Fuji in Summer

What comes after spring, then? It’s sun-soaking frenzy! Japan in summer is made for the adventurous soul. Wonderful landscapes and fascinating beaches are on the table for a feast for the senses. If you ever thought of climbing Mount Fuji, the middle of summer is the best time to do so. The mountain is open to the public to climb from early July to mid-September. Travelers can actually reach the peak in a day but a midnight run to the top is best to catch a one-in-a-lifetime Fuji sunrise. The weather is great and the mountain is barely covered in snow, which should make the climb bearable. The only challenge is that the iconic tourist site will be jam-packed with travelers running for their chance to climb the mountain during the short open period.

Is hiking a mountain is too extreme for you? Easy. After strolling around in the day, make sure to stay up after dark since summer in Japan is one of the most popular times to watch the fireworks. Almost every night, people are lighting up fireworks to celebrate the season.

Falling in love in Autumn

Autumn is when greenery turns into gold and rusted colors, presenting a picturesque beauty for the grams. People traveling in autumn are drawn to the nature and historical sites like Kyoto. The breeze of fresh air and the postcard-image of colorful leaves meeting Japanese Zen gardens can only be seen during this season. At night, gardens and trees will be lit up, reflecting themselves in the water like a magic scene.

In Tokyo, the most popular event during autumn is the Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Festival, featuring the gorgeous view of Ginkgo trees, which line at “Ginkgo Avenue” for about 300 meters in two lanes. The event is held for two weeks with nearly 2 million visitors every year.

Winter Wonderland

In the city, a Japanese winter is all blue sky and sunshine. Further north, winter festivals are everywhere. Northern areas like Hokkaido and the Northern Kanto region have some of the best snow festivals. One of the famous ones is the Sapporo Snow Festival of Hokkaido, attracting more than 2 million visitors annually. Visitors are able to see various sizes of ice sculptures at three sites: Odori Site, Susukino Site and Tsu Dome Site. Just like the Hanami festival, if you’re planning to go see this, then it is highly recommended to book your accommodation way ahead due to its popularity among international travelers.

Another snow festival worth visiting that dates back to 1950 is the Tokamachi Snow Festival. It features a number of snow and ice sculptures and a special event at the large snow stage,  including dance and vocal performances, as well as firework displays.

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