Most "when to visit Japan" advice is WRONG

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"When's the best time to travel to Japan?" always produces answers filled with common myths that deserve to die a slow, painful death. Join me to learn why "Golden Week" isn't as bad as everyone claims, why rainy season and summer aren't to be feared, and why New Year trips are great.
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2019.1.1 成田山新勝寺で初詣 - hisa2960 tubeno16
• 2019.1.1 成田山新勝寺で初詣

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11 май 2024

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Комментарии : 50

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

MONTHLY INSIDER EMAIL: japanunravelled.substack.com/subscribe

@Colourisedspoon Месяц назад

I have resisted going in Summer because my body is made for colder weather however, I have come to realise the only con of Summer is the weather. The amount of events, festivals, galleries and pop ups I am missing due to the weather during Summer has eroded my resistance to near zero. Summer almost seems like the season of fun

@rolandomichel2070 Месяц назад

Andrew! You are too good to us, always bringing the useful data!

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

You're very welcome!

@madtitan1463 Месяц назад

I visited last year from Nov 29- Dec 13th. Weather was just right, had a few warmer days. Fall leaves, Winter illuminations everywhere.

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Yeah, I love that you can still catch autumn colours in December!

@pok5555 Месяц назад

That's really good info. I like to add something that people might like about "bad times to visit Japan" from my experiences. Summer - It is very hot in the major cities such as Tokyo and Osaka, maybe too hot to be able to enjoy walking around. BUT, there are a lot of Firework festivals (Hanabi) in the evening. These events might be very crowded, but most of people love Hanabi! Raining Season - A Nature escape. Raining makes fresh air and trees more green. Book a luxury onsen on any nature places or onsen cities will be much cheaper in a raining season. ... February is actually good to visit any parts of Japan because Flight tickets and Hotels are cheaper this month (as well as November). Tourism places are mostly less crowded than other months.

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Thankyou!

@sarcsmj6422 Месяц назад

This video really helped! I'm traveling to japan this june and was worried about the weather. But very happy that there will be dry days there too!

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Good to hear! Yeah, it's surprising isn't it? Have a great trip!

@stuff8575 Месяц назад

Hi Andrew,I am visiting Japan with my son for the first this October. I contacted another you tuber who lives there and was criticised for booking a hotel in Kyoto and was told it's cheaper to stay in Osaka. Well we want to stay inn Kyoto and despite booking early I found cheap accommodation in Kyoto. It's not like we're going to sit in the hotel all day! We booked a hotel close to the centre for £405 for 5 nights including breakfast. I think this is pretty reasonable. I agree with what you say about too many people saying don't go here and there but a couple of other good you tubers like yourself have really helped us with really good advice which has helped us plan our itinerary. As we're on a budget we have 5 nights in Tokyo for about £500 and two nights in a capsule hotel in Hiroshima for £60. Thanks for the great videos and advice. The planning ahead makes things so easy and removes a lot of hassle.😊

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

I'm glad to hear I was helpful! Not sure about these prices. As I haven't been traveling this year I'm not sure what's happening but I expect demand is pushing prices up. But the yen is dirt cheap for you! Anyway yes, I'd stay in Kyoto over Osaka any day of the week. Hope you have a great trip.

@WayneHendersonVO Месяц назад

Thanks for this eye-opening video. Despite the chance of potentially having winter weather, my wife and I would love to go back to Japan, and experience the New Year’s Day traditions, like the Fukubukuro shopping frenzy, and other things like that.

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

It's definitely an underrated time of year, so have fun!

@Matmat123_5 17 дней назад

I completely agree that we need to rethink preconceived notions about the best time to visit Japan. When it comes to Tokyo, there are two periods to avoid at all costs for me : the cherry blossom season and the period from July 15 to September 15. Focusing a trip solely around cherry blossoms is very risky, as we don't know exactly when they will bloom. For example, this year there was a three-week delay, and I felt sorry for the travelers who paid exorbitant hotel prices and saw nothing. As for summer in Tokyo, it's getting worse and worse. Last summer was awful. Indeed, during that time, one can go to the northern regions, but recently, even in Hokkaido, it can be very hot, with frequent temperatures above 35°C. For me, the best time to visit is indeed the end of the year, especially in Tokyo with the Christmas illuminations. Plus, the weather is guaranteed to be 100% good. June is fine as well.

@himawari4166 Месяц назад

I will be there during rainy season, I love to buy those beautiful umbrellas and love the fresh air and ajisai

@japanunravelled 28 дней назад

Exactly - plus any greenery looks great in the rain.

@WizardOfOss Месяц назад

A lot of truth in this video! That said, while I have travelled Japan twice in summer (mostly Hokkaido and Tohoku), do keep in mind it is still pretty darn hot, just slightly less unbearable than in Tokyo. But all of the matsuri made it worth coping with that. Same with Golden Week, perfectly doable if you plan a bit and be flexible, and again so many events and matsuri. Winter might actually be my favorite time of year to visit Japan. Okinawa is indead pleasant, mainland Japan isn't too bad (and it's the driest time of year!), and Hokkaido and Tohoku in winter is just an amazing experience (and yes, so many matsuri!). Nevertheless most of my travels have been either in spring or autumn. But that's kinda for two reasons: 1) lots of matsuri (did you notice I really like those?), and 2) with generally two trips to Japan each year and trying to avoid summer, April/May and October/November are just the most practical way of splitting the year...

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori is my summer pick. Otherwise I'd happily spend all the summer in Hokkaido.

@matthewpham Месяц назад

Nooo! Don’t give away the secrets!

@rolandomichel2070 Месяц назад

Too Late!

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Haha! With the sheer number of videos saying the exact opposite, I don't think you need to worry!

@matthewpham Месяц назад

@@japanunravelled I just came back from Japan in winter. The next trip will be Japan in summer 😉

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Even though I live here, I'm still jealous!

@ritatojal Месяц назад

great video! yes, it's amazing how limiting most of the messaging around this issue is 🌿 thanks for expanding the possibilities! i did exactly those hokkaido and okinawa options at different times when it was too hot or too cold for me in honshu 😊👌🏼

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Glad you enjoyed it!

@aibao_eipariru_april Месяц назад

I do my long trips during the summer between May-July. Thanks for the weatherspark tip, the compare feature explained to me why even though “it’s so humid and hot” I still typically need a sweater coming from Phoenix Arizona 😂 it’s still up to 20°f cooler for the “perceived temp” compared to home. And I absolutely love the rainy season. Japan has the weirdest and thinnest rain that I’ve ever seen (I’m used to “big fat rain”) it’s its own experience basically. Like a mister that’s gone haywire. And inside out umbrellas are cool to me too because I watched way too much Mary Poppins as a kid. 😅 I don’t recommend bringing or buying an expensive umbrella for visiting during rainy/typhoon season. Your videos are refreshing because of those videos that are all the same and showing the same stuff. I’m not big into the mainstream tourist “you have to do XYZ in Japan” BS I just like walking around and exploring.

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

I'm glad you liked this one. Like you, I got a little tired of hearing the same repetitive nonsense. Rainy season is a lovely time I think because gardens and nature looks fantastic in the rain. Thanks for your comment!

@grahamhill8018 Месяц назад

Finally some sense, thank you Andrew! Going in mid June and absolutely can't wait 😊👌

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Hope you have a great trip!

@grahamhill8018 Месяц назад

@@japanunravelled , thank you Andrew, this is my wife's first longhaul flight, so quite and experience for us.

@davidtea3850 Месяц назад

I like the title of your video. Thanks. From my perspective I would say visit Japan whenever you can. And be prepared at least. I cannot travel during the Cherry Blossom season or Golden week or the matsuri festivals. In the end, I tend to avoid traveling during the summer seasons to avoid the heat and mosquitoes 😅. I cannot travel during the winter time while I would love to soak in an outdoor hot bath while seeing the snow falling. So I only have a limited time slot to visit in late spring and in fall.

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Thanks! Yes, I've never come across advice that just straight up says 'come when you can, it will be great whatever.'' But it's true. Do you foresee a day when you can visit in winter?

@ar-nq6gm 19 дней назад

new years is an amazing time to visit tohoku. stunning scenery with all the snow and barely anyone around.

@japanunravelled 17 дней назад

100% agree!

@bonwatcher Месяц назад

We went to Japan for sakura viewing this year and missed it in many places because we got there too early and there was a delay in blossoming this year... not to mention it rained about five days out of the two week trip. 🤷‍♂ Still a fun trip when avoiding the tourist traps. Thanks for some of your suggestions on off the beaten path places to see. 👏

@davec8153 Месяц назад

There are hundreds of varieties of Sakura and they don’t all bloom during the same period. I was there during the predicted peak bloom this year as well, and when I saw that the main variety wasn’t going to bloom yet, I went elsewhere in Japan to catch full blooms.

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

I'm glad you had fun despite the rain!

@stuff8575 Месяц назад

Thanks Andrew. I definitely made the most of the exchange rate and bought my Yen early. Even got my mobile suica sorted out and topped up. 😊

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Fantastic!

@rccarsaregreat1468 Месяц назад

Hello Japan Unravelled. I am planning to go to Japan in February for two months. I would like to choose my travel destinations relatively spontainiously. Is it possible to find accomedation with around 3-4 days booking in advance. Or is it more difficult outside of the big citys?

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Andrew here. Feb is very low season. I don't foresee any trouble for you.

@peacewalker9978 Месяц назад

Hi Andrew! This video is great! I was thinking of visiting during early to mid october this year. Trying to miss the summer crowds but before the leaf changing crowds. Its my 5th? time going and so even if I end up in Kyoto again I dont plan on any tourist hotspots. Is it really a lull in tourism or has the bounce back after covid kinda thrown all that conventional wisdom out the window? as it just seems to be trending up and up and up.

@japanunravelled Месяц назад

Thanks! October is definitely an overlooked period for travel, as obviously most of the autumn visitors target November for autumn leaves. Across the board visitors are up, but it's most noticeable during the peak seasons. It's a post-covid, cheap yen thing. Just imagine a graph for a normal year, and push every month up. What I'm hearing in many comments though is that if you avoid the hotspots, you don't notice much difference. It's certainly been my experience too.