Best Time to Visit Tokyo: Complete Guide
Tokyo is incredible year-round, but the right timing depends on your priority: sakura, weather comfort, budget, crowd level, food seasonality, or photo conditions. This page helps you choose the best-fit window fast.
Quick Answer: What matters most to you?
Perfect Weather: Most comfortable daytime temperatures and low humidity.
Best window: October - November
Backup: Mid-May (after Golden Week)
Recommended period score: 9.5/10
Quick Verdict (February 17, 2026)
Best overall windows: Late March-Early April or October-November.
Right now: February (Winter)
⭐ Rating: 7.5/10
💰 Price: Index 35
🚶 Crowds: Index 24
✅ Good for: Budget travel, Museum routes, Food-focused trips
❌ Avoid if: Warm-weather preference
Last updated: February 17, 2026, 10:00 AM JST
Next update: March 1, 2026
At a Glance Comparison
| Season | Period | Weather | Crowds | Price | Highlights | Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 🌸 Spring | Mar-May | Excellent | Very High | High | Cherry blossoms, hanami, mild weather | ★★★★★ |
| ☀️ Summer | Jun-Aug | Challenging | Moderate | Moderate-High | Fireworks, matsuri, summer nights | ★★★☆☆ |
| 🍁 Fall | Sep-Nov | Excellent | High | High | Foliage, perfect city-walk weather, food season | ★★★★★ |
| ❄️ Winter | Dec-Feb | Cool | Low-Moderate | Low-Moderate | Illuminations, clear skies, value travel | ★★★★☆ |
The Verdict: Best Times Ranked
Expert ranking based on weather comfort, crowd pressure, cost efficiency, and seasonal experience quality.
Rankings
#2: October - November
Most balanced premium season with crisp air, low humidity, strong food culture, and excellent city-walk conditions.
Weather
55-68°F (13-20°C), clear and dry
Score: ★★★★★
Crowds
High but manageable
Score: ★★☆☆☆
Price
Expensive (25-40% above off-season)
Score: ★★☆☆☆
Best For
- ✅ Photographers
- ✅ Food-focused travelers
- ✅ Weather-sensitive visitors
- ✅ Second-time Tokyo trips
Avoid If
- ❌ Lowest-cost trip targets only
- ❌ Cherry blossom-only goals
Top Experiences
- • Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen night illuminations
- • Meiji Jingu Gaien ginkgo avenue
- • Autumn seasonal menus and market visits
- • Long urban photo walks with stable light
Insider Tips
- 💡 October weather is usually more stable than November.
- 💡 Maple and ginkgo peaks differ by 1-2 weeks.
- 💡 Day trips to Nikko or Kamakura are highly efficient in this period.
- 💡 Book 3-4 months ahead for central neighborhoods.
Sample 3-Day Itinerary
- • Day 1: Tsukiji + Hamarikyu + Ginza
- • Day 2: Asakusa + Ueno + Akihabara
- • Day 3: Harajuku + Shibuya + Rikugien
Season-by-Season Deep Dive
Understand Tokyo season personality by month with weather, crowd, price, and activity fit.
❄️ Winter (December - February)
Strong value season with clear skies and illumination culture, ideal for crowd-light and budget-focused city travel.
Overall season rating: 7.3/10
Pros
- ✅ Lowest prices in Feb
- ✅ Low crowds
- ✅ Winter lights and clear air
Cons
- ❌ Cold weather
- ❌ Holiday closures around New Year
January
3-9°C · Rating 6.5/10
Best dates: Jan 5-31
Avoid: Jan 1-3
Highlights: New Year rituals · Winter sales · Clear skies
February
3-10°C · Rating 7.5/10
Best dates: Feb 20-28
Highlights: Cheapest month · Plum blossoms (late Feb) · Low queues
December
6-12°C · Rating 7.5/10
Best dates: Dec 1-20
Avoid: Dec 29-Jan 3
Highlights: Illuminations · Holiday atmosphere · Clear air
Month-by-Month Comparison
12-month matrix for weather, rain, humidity, crowd pressure, pricing, and practical travel fit.
| Month | Temp (°C) | Rain (mm) | Humidity | Crowd | Price | Rating | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3-9°C | 52 | 52% | 6.5/10 | Low crowds after Jan 4, Shopping | ||
| February | 3-10°C | 56 | 54% | 7.5/10 | Budget travel, Museum routes | ||
| March | 7-14°C | 118 | 60% | 8/10 | Early spring routes, Sakura anticipation | ||
| April | 13-18°C | 125 | 64% | 9.5/10 | First-time Tokyo trips, Photo-heavy itineraries | ||
| May | 18-24°C | 138 | 67% | 8.5/10 | Balanced weather-value trips, Outdoor city routes | ||
| June | 21-26°C | 168 | 76% | 7/10 | Budget-conscious plans, Museum-heavy itineraries | ||
| July | 24-30°C | 156 | 78% | 6.5/10 | Matsuri seekers, Night-city culture | ||
| August | 25-31°C | 154 | 79% | 6/10 | Festival-focused trips | ||
| September | 22-27°C | 209 | 77% | 7/10 | Flexible schedules | ||
| October | 16-21°C | 197 | 68% | 9.5/10 | All-day walking, Photography | ||
| November | 10-16°C | 92 | 63% | 9/10 | Foliage seekers, City + garden routes | ||
| December | 6-12°C | 51 | 56% | 7.5/10 | Couples, Night photography |
Special Interest Guides
Fast recommendations for specific goals: blossoms, foliage, budget, photos, food, festivals, and family travel.
Best Time for Cherry Blossoms
Best: March 28 - April 5
Backup: April 6-12 (petal-fall phase)
Peak sakura visibility and strongest hanami atmosphere.
⚠️ Book 4-6 months early to avoid inventory risk.
Best Time for Fall Foliage
Best: November 15-30
Backup: October 25 - November 10
Best overlap of maples, ginkgo, and cool photo-friendly light.
⚠️ Weekend garden crowds can be heavy.
Best Time for Budget Travel
Best: February
Backup: June
Lowest hotel and flight pricing of the year.
⚠️ Cold weather and fewer headline seasonal events.
Best Time to Avoid Crowds
Best: February - Early March
Backup: Late November - Early December
Low queue pressure in top districts and museums.
⚠️ Cool conditions and shorter daylight in winter.
Best Time for Photography
Best: October - November
Backup: Late March - Early April
Stable skies, excellent contrast, and seasonal color layers.
⚠️ Prime spots still require early starts.
Best Time for Food Experiences
Best: October - November
Backup: January - February
Autumn ingredients and winter comfort dishes both peak strongly.
⚠️ Top restaurants require early booking in peak season.
Best Time for Festivals
Best: July - August
Backup: March-April
Highest density of matsuri and fireworks.
⚠️ Heat and humidity can reduce daytime activity tolerance.
Best Time for Families
Best: Mid-May to Early June
Backup: Late October
Good weather with fewer peak-season bottlenecks.
⚠️ Golden Week and school holiday windows inflate costs quickly.
Weather Deep Dive
Temperature, rainfall, and humidity trends by month with side-by-side month comparison.
Tokyo Weather Signals by Month
January
3-9°C
Rainfall 52mm
Humidity 52%
Temp span
February
3-10°C
Rainfall 56mm
Humidity 54%
Temp span
March
7-14°C
Rainfall 118mm
Humidity 60%
Temp span
April
13-18°C
Rainfall 125mm
Humidity 64%
Temp span
May
18-24°C
Rainfall 138mm
Humidity 67%
Temp span
June
21-26°C
Rainfall 168mm
Humidity 76%
Temp span
July
24-30°C
Rainfall 156mm
Humidity 78%
Temp span
August
25-31°C
Rainfall 154mm
Humidity 79%
Temp span
September
22-27°C
Rainfall 209mm
Humidity 77%
Temp span
October
16-21°C
Rainfall 197mm
Humidity 68%
Temp span
November
10-16°C
Rainfall 92mm
Humidity 63%
Temp span
December
6-12°C
Rainfall 51mm
Humidity 56%
Temp span
Month Weather Comparison
October vs February
Temperature: 16-21°C vs 3-10°C
Rainfall: 197mm vs 56mm
Humidity: 68% vs 54%
Packing focus: Light jacket, Long sleeves, Comfortable shoes
Crowd Calendar
Peak and off-peak windows with holiday spikes and practical day-level crowd prediction.
Major Crowd Spikes
Golden Week (Apr 29 - May 5)
100%
Highest domestic travel pressure nationwide.
Cherry Blossom Peak (Mar 28 - Apr 7)
95%
Extremely dense in sakura hotspots.
Autumn Peak (Nov 15 - Nov 30)
85%
High in parks, gardens, and evening illumination areas.
Christmas to New Year (Dec 20 - Jan 3)
90%
Holiday demand and operational closures overlap.
Late Winter (Feb)
30%
Most crowd-light major month in Tokyo city zones.
Crowd Predictor
Predicted crowd level: 100% (Extremely High)
Base month index: 92. Day-type adjustment applied for practical planning.
Best mitigation: start flagship attractions before 8:00 AM and keep indoor blocks for midday.
Typical day pattern
6-8 AM: Low · 10 AM-3 PM: Highest · 6-9 PM: Moderate-high in top districts
Price Calendar
Hotel and flight index trends by month with booking timing strategy.
January
Strong value month for both hotels and flights.
February
Strong value month for both hotels and flights.
March
Moderate pricing; early booking still recommended for central zones.
April
Book far ahead; premium seasonal pricing expected.
May
Moderate pricing; early booking still recommended for central zones.
June
Moderate pricing; early booking still recommended for central zones.
July
Moderate pricing; early booking still recommended for central zones.
August
Moderate pricing; early booking still recommended for central zones.
September
Moderate pricing; early booking still recommended for central zones.
October
Moderate pricing; early booking still recommended for central zones.
November
Book far ahead; premium seasonal pricing expected.
December
Moderate pricing; early booking still recommended for central zones.
Events & Festivals Calendar
Monthly event lens with crowd impact and booking pressure to reduce surprises.
| Month | Event | Timing | Crowd Impact | Booking Need |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | Hatsumode Shrine Visits | Jan 1-3 | Very High | No ticket, but schedule early-hour visits. |
| February | Setsubun Events | Around Feb 3 | Moderate | No booking usually needed. |
| March | Cherry Blossom Opening Period | Late March | High | Hotel and key dining bookings required early. |
| April | Hanami Peak Weeks | Early April | Very High | Critical: book 4-6 months ahead. |
| May | Golden Week | Apr 29 - May 5 | Very High | Critical: early transport and hotel booking. |
| June | Hydrangea Viewing | Mid-Late June | Low | No major booking pressure. |
| July | Sumida River Fireworks | Late July | Very High | Reserve viewing/dining spots early. |
| August | Obon and Summer Matsuri | Mid August | High | Plan transport carefully. |
| September | Autumn Kickoff Festivals | Late September | Moderate | Watch weather for typhoon impacts. |
| October | Autumn Cultural Events | October | Moderate | Book popular dining and hotels early. |
| November | Garden Foliage Illuminations | Mid-Late November | High | Advance tickets/slots recommended. |
| December | Winter Illuminations | Dec 1-25 | Moderate | Book holiday week separately. |
Interactive Tools
Decision helpers for month selection, budget planning, crowd prediction, and booking sequence.
Best Time Finder Quiz
Recommendation
1) October (9.5/10)
2) May (8.5/10)
3) November (9/10)
Top fit reason: Best weather of year · All-day walking
Tokyo Budget Calculator
Hotel: $1,232
Food: $770
Transport: $308
Attractions: $392
Local buffer: $252
Flights: $1,554
Contingency: $295
Estimated total: $4,803
~$343 per person/day
Booking Timeline
4-6 months before trip
- • Book flights and core hotel.
- • Lock high-demand windows (sakura, autumn, holidays).
2-3 months before trip
- • Reserve premium restaurants.
- • Book key observation decks or special events.
3-4 weeks before trip
- • Finalize day-by-day route.
- • Recheck weather and seasonal progression.
7-10 days before trip
- • Adjust outdoor vs indoor balance.
- • Confirm transport disruptions or holiday closures.
Practical Tips
Operational advice for booking, packing, crowd management, and trip cost control.
Booking Strategy
- • Cherry blossom and autumn peak windows require the earliest booking timeline.
- • Use refundable rates for weather-sensitive seasons.
- • For central Tokyo neighborhoods, rates climb fastest as dates approach.
Packing by Season
- • Spring/Fall: light layers and walking-first footwear.
- • Summer: breathable clothing plus cooling/hydration setup.
- • Winter: insulating layers for evening routes and wind exposure.
Crowd Management
- • Use 6-8 AM windows for flagship attractions.
- • Place indoor attractions in peak midday crowd hours.
- • Prioritize weekdays for gardens and seasonal photo spots.
Money-Saving Tactics
- • Travel in February or June for best accommodation value.
- • Book non-refundable rates only after route confidence is high.
- • Leverage convenience stores and lunch sets to reduce daily burn rate.
Tokyo Timing FAQ
Common decision questions answered with practical planning context.
Late March to early April and October to November are the strongest overall windows. Spring is iconic for sakura, while fall offers the most balanced weather and city comfort.
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Last Updated: February 17, 2026, 10:00 AM JST
Next Update: March 1, 2026
Decision Confidence: 90% (month-level)
This guide is decision support for month selection. For date-level seasonal events (sakura/foliage), always verify with dedicated forecast pages.