Timing is everything in Tokyo, where cherry blossoms bloom like clockwork and summer festivals light up the night. The best time to visit Tokyo depends on what you want to see: pink petals at Ueno Park in spring, fiery leaves in Rikugien Garden come fall, or the winter lights that transform Omotesando and Yomiyuri Land into a sparkling wonderland. This month-by-month guide to Tokyo will help you choose the right activities for the summer’s sticky humidity and tell you how to join locals at festivals like the Sumida River Fireworks. Tokyo has a season for everything —and for you.
Choosing the best time to go to Tokyo
Best time for outdoor lovers
Late March to early April is a dream for outdoor enthusiasts, with Tokyo’s parks exploding in pink and white cherry blossoms. Head to Yoyogi Park for a hanami picnic (a traditional picnic under cherry trees) or take a serene stroll along the Sakura-lined Meguro River.
Best time for people on a budget
January and February are the best time to visit Tokyo on a budget. Flights and hotels are cheaper, and the city is less crowded. Though chilly, winter days are sunny, and you can snag post-holiday bargains in Tokyo’s department stores during their big New Year’s sales.
Best time for sightseeing
March to April for cherry blossoms and November for fall foliage are unbeatable for sightseeing. Start your morning early at Shinjuku Gyoen to beat the crowds, then explore Asakusa with Tokyo’s seasonal beauty as your backdrop. Clear, mild weather in these months makes it easy to cover Tokyo’s top spots without battling the heat or rain.
Tokyo throughout the seasons
Spring in Tokyo
March to May
Spring in Tokyo is cherry blossom season, and Hanami, flower-viewing season, peaks in late March to early April — Ueno Park and Meguro River are must-visit spots. Other highlights include the Sanja Matsuri festival in May and traditional tea ceremonies.
Summer in Tokyo
June to August
Summer in Tokyo is steamy as June starts the rainy season, but by July, the skies clear, and summer festivals begin. Don’t miss the Sumida River Fireworks Festival in late July or Bon Odori dances in local neighborhoods. Cool down with kakigori or sit in a beer garden for drinks.
Fall in Tokyo
September to November
Fall in Tokyo is stunning, with crisp air and golden ginkgo trees lining streets like Icho Namiki in Meiji Jingu Gaien. Late November brings breathtaking fall foliage to Rikugien and Koishikawa Korakuen gardens. Fill your belly with grilled sweet potatoes, chestnuts, and matsutake mushrooms.
Winter in Tokyo
December to February
Tokyo in winter is brisk, but the city feels warm under the lights at Omotesando and Roppongi Hills. January’s Oji Fox Parade ushers in the new year with traditional costumes, while February sees plum blossom season in parks like Yushima Tenjin.