Blog

Seasons5 min readGolden Week: plan around the holiday runGolden Week is a run of national holidays in late April and early May. Learn how it affects trains, hotels and opening hours, and how to plan around it.Seasons5 min readJuly heat and fireworks: a hot-season planJuly is hot and humid in most of Japan, with festivals and fireworks at night. Learn how to plan the heat, the evening events and the crowded trains.Festivals5 min readKanda Matsuri: a festival near AkihabaraKanda Matsuri is one of Tokyo's big shrine festivals, a short walk from Akihabara. Learn what happens, where to stand and what to check first.Seasons5 min readMarch: early blossom in Tokyo and KyotoMarch can bring the first cherry blossom in Tokyo and Kyoto. Learn when to expect it, how to avoid the crowds and what to pack for cool evenings.Seasons5 min readMay: mild weather and the spring festival seasonMay brings mild weather, green parks and spring festivals to Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Learn what to expect and how to pick the right days for a relaxed trip.Seasons5 min readReading a sakura forecast before you bookCherry blossom forecasts change often. Learn the difference between first bloom and full bloom, when forecasts appear and how to book with flexible plans.Festivals5 min readSanja Matsuri in Asakusa: the spring paradeSanja Matsuri is a spring festival at Asakusa in Tokyo, held in May with portable shrines carried through the streets. Learn how to watch it and plan your day.Seasons5 min readSeptember: shoulder weeks and typhoon checksSeptember can be a good month for travel, with the summer crowds gone. Learn how to use the shoulder weeks and check typhoon risk before you book.Festivals5 min readSummer fireworks: how to watch themSummer fireworks draw large crowds in Tokyo and Osaka. Learn how to choose a viewing spot, arrive early and get back to your hotel safely.Seasons5 min readWinter in the old cities: quiet streets and short daysWinter in Kyoto and Tokyo is cold, with short days and fewer crowds. Learn how to plan the shorter light, the cold and the quieter streets.Seasons5 min readJune: the rainy season and hydrangea walksJune is the rainy season in most of Japan. Learn how to plan rainy days, where hydrangea blooms near Kamakura and how to keep the trip dry and enjoyable.

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