Handn blog Japan is a country where you can enjoy the beautiful landscapes of each season.
Each season has its own unique charm, and every visit offers new discoveries.
Here are five carefully selected recommended tourist spots for each season to help you fully enjoy the beauty of Japan’s four seasons.
To fully appreciate Japan’s four seasons, it’s important to visit destinations that match each season. Here’s a guide to the best ways to enjoy each season in Japan.
Spring: Cherry Blossoms and Cultural Experiences
Spring is the season to enjoy cherry blossoms and cultural experiences. Visit cherry blossom spots to soak in the beauty of Japan in spring. The country turns pink, bustling with people enjoying hanami (flower viewing). Participating in traditional spring events and festivals is also recommended. You can enjoy spring while experiencing Japan’s culture and history.
Summer: Beaches and Festivals
Summer is the season to refresh at the beach and experience Japan’s traditional summer festivals. Enjoy swimming at beach resorts like Okinawa and Shonan, and participate in local summer festivals to experience dancing and fireworks. The beauty of fireworks in the summer night sky is a unique charm of Japan. Each region has its own unique culture and traditions, making summer festivals appealing to tourists.
Autumn: Autumn Leaves and Food Trips
Autumn is the season to enjoy autumn foliage and food trips. Visit famous autumn leaf spots to enjoy the beautiful scenery while savoring autumn delicacies like matsutake mushrooms, chestnuts, and new rice. Taking photos with the autumn landscape in the background is also recommended. You can enjoy autumn foliage across Japan, offering a widespread autumn landscape.
Winter: Snow Scenery and Hot Springs
Winter is the season to enjoy snow scenery and hot springs. Warm up in hot springs while viewing beautiful snow-covered landscapes. Visiting snowy regions like Hokkaido and Nagano lets you enjoy winter scenery and hot springs. Winter activities such as skiing and snowboarding are also available, providing a fun winter sports experience. Enjoy the winter scenery unique to Japan and the warm hospitality.
Spring: Cherry Blossom Season
Ueno Park is one of Tokyo’s most popular cherry blossom spots. About 1,000 cherry trees bloom, attracting many visitors for hanami. The park also has Ueno Zoo and Ueno Museum, making it enjoyable all day long.
Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto is known for its cherry blossoms. The temple is illuminated during the cherry blossom season, creating a magical atmosphere. The view of cherry blossoms from the temple’s stage is spectacular.
Hirosaki Park in Aomori Prefecture is one of Japan’s top cherry blossom spots. About 2,600 cherry trees bloom, and the cherry blossom festival is held here. The illuminated cherry blossoms at night are also beautiful and very popular with tourists.
Nara Park is a spot where you can enjoy historical scenery and cherry blossoms simultaneously. About 1,700 cherry trees bloom in the vast park where deer roam freely. Enjoy hanami while feeling the arrival of spring with the deer.
Mount Yoshino in Nara Prefecture is a representative cherry blossom spot in Japan. About 30,000 cherry trees cover the entire mountain, creating a pink carpet-like landscape. The view from the mountaintop is breathtaking and captivates visitors.
Summer: Blue Seas and Festivals
Okinawa’s beaches are among the most beautiful in Japan. White sandy beaches and clear blue seas create a perfect resort atmosphere. Marine sports such as snorkeling and diving are also very popular.
Kyoto’s Gion Matsuri is one of Japan’s three major festivals, held every July. The festival features magnificent floats and traditional events, making it a must-see event for tourists.
Aomori’s Nebuta Matsuri is one of Japan’s representative summer festivals. The sight of giant lantern floats parading through the town is impressive and attracts tourists. Fireworks are also launched on the final day of the festival.
The Shonan area in Kanagawa Prefecture is a popular summer beach resort. Many beaches around Enoshima and Kamakura offer swimming and surfing. Relaxing at the beach is the best way to enjoy Shonan’s summer.
Kochi Prefecture’s Yosakoi Matsuri is known for its unique dance and music. The sight of dancers in colorful costumes parading through the town is spectacular. Tourists can also join in the dancing and enjoy the festival.
Autumn: Autumn Leaves and Food Trips
Daigoji Temple in Kyoto is known for its autumn leaves. The vast temple grounds are filled with vibrant red and yellow leaves, making it a perfect spot for a leisurely walk while feeling the arrival of autumn.
Nikko in Tochigi Prefecture is a beautiful autumn leaf destination. Historic sites such as Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Kegon Falls attract many tourists during the autumn foliage season. The autumn leaf drive on Irohazaka is particularly spectacular.
Kurama-dera Temple in Kyoto is especially beautiful during the autumn foliage season. Located on a mountainside, it offers a quiet environment surrounded by autumn leaves. The view from Mount Kurama is also stunning.
Hakone in Kanagawa Prefecture is a tourist destination where you can enjoy hot springs and autumn leaves. The autumn leaves around Hakone Yumoto and Lake Ashi are impressive, and you can enjoy the autumn leaves while soaking in hot springs. The combination of autumn leaves and hot springs is the best.
Mount Takao in Tokyo is an easily accessible autumn leaf spot. Well-maintained hiking trails offer spectacular views from the mountaintop. Many people visit for autumn foliage viewing on weekends in autumn.
Winter: Snow Scenery and Hot Springs
Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture is a UNESCO World Heritage site with beautiful winter snow scenery. The gassho-zukuri houses covered in snow look like something out of a storybook. The illuminated Shirakawa-go at night is also enchanting.
The Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido is a winter event attracting tourists from around the world. Giant snow and ice sculptures are displayed, and the night illuminations create a beautiful scene.
Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture is one of Japan’s top hot spring destinations. The hot springs are especially enjoyable in the cold winter. The scenery of the Yubatake is beautiful, and enjoying a hot spring tour is also recommended.
Nozawa Onsen in Nagano Prefecture is a winter resort where you can enjoy hot springs and skiing. The abundant hot spring water and high-quality hot springs are a highlight, and you can relax in the hot springs after skiing or snowboarding. It’s a place where you can enjoy both winter sports and hot springs.
Daisetsuzan in Hokkaido offers spectacular winter scenery. The vast mountain area is covered in pure white snow in winter, providing opportunities for skiing, snowboarding, and other winter activities. You can enjoy winter scenery and physical activity in the great outdoors.
To fully enjoy Japan’s four seasons, it’s important to visit destinations that match each season. Japan has different charms for each season. By visiting at the right season, you can enjoy Japan’s diverse natural landscapes and culture. Cherry blossoms in spring, beaches and festivals in summer, autumn leaves, and hot springs and snow scenery in winter. A journey to enjoy these seasonal landscapes will surely be an unforgettable memory.
Use this guide to plan your journey to fully enjoy Japan’s four seasons. Explore the beautiful landscapes and rich culture of Japan through these recommended seasonal destinations. A journey to discover the charms of Japan’s four seasons awaits you.
