aelle, around the world.

Since I came back from Japan, I’ve had quite a few people planning their own trip to the land of the rising sun asking me for advice. I’ve written wordy emails and had long, long, beer enhanced conversations ; poured tips and tricks ; shared my favorite experiences with dreamy eyes. After repeating myself so often, I tend to sometimes forget the most helpful tidbits or wear out the dreams…. Which is why I thought it would be useful to compile them here. So here comes a series of posts on the Japanese experience for first timers.

I can only go during Christmas holidays, is that fine? Or: What is the worst time to go to Japan?

Well, end of December is probably one of the worst times to travel to Japan. The New Year’s celebration, Oshôgatsu, which lasts for about 5 days, is pretty much the only holiday that Japanese people do take – all of them. It is a family celebration, so most people leave the cities to stay with their parents and grandparents in the countryside or suburbs. All businesses are closed. You might have a hard time finding anything to eat at all.

The second bad time to visit Japan is during Golden week, at the very beginning of May. This set of National holidays was implemented as an effort to help Japanese people take some time off and boost tourism. A lot of companies are closed during this week, most hotels are totally booked and transportation prices go through the roof.

The last time I suggest to avoid, although a lot of travelers have no choice since it’s their only time off, is the whole summer. Right after June rain season, Japanese summers are very hot and humid. Mountains and some coastlines are exceptions, but most places that you’ll want to visit will be very uncomfortable.

I am going to Japan in October, is that cool? When would be the best season to go to Japan?

Autumn is in my experience the most pleasant time to stay Japan. As temperatures get cooler and the sky turns grey in Europe, October and November are still warm enough in Tokyo, with amazing bright blue skies that will last until the early days of spring.
The two classical seasons to enjoy Japanese nature are Kôyô, literally, colorful leaves, when Japanese maples turn bright shades of red at the beginning of November, and Sakura season, the very famous cherry blossoms, in April. These 2 moments are absolutely gorgeous and if you happen to be present at these key periods of the Japanese year you will not regret it. However, don’t expect to be able to plan your whole trip around it… as the dates obviously vary from place to place and from year to year with the weather.

More about Koyo
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2014.html

More about Sakura seaon
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2011.html

About Japanese temperatures:
http://gojapan.about.com/od/weathergeography/ig/Japan-Weather-Charts/