Best time to visit Japan? - YouLookFab Forum

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Best time to visit Japan?

merwoman

Veteran

DS is starting a workplace co-op in Kanagawa at the end of this month ( 7 months duration). I plan to visit Japan for a 2 week period and am debating whether to go Sept 18-Oct 1, or Nov 6 -18.
Still up in the air where I will spend my time while my son is at work - we will meet up on the weekends, but am figuring I will be spending time in Tokyo, Kyoto, perhaps Yokohama.
Can any of you dear ladies make recommendations on when would be the best time between my two date selections? From what I am reading fall colour will be maximal in November, but temperatures somewhat cooler.
Also, while I have reread Angie's post about her trip to Japan, have you got recommendations on things to see and do?
Arigatou gozaimasu!

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20 replies

Latest reply was from merwoman

Mochi

Veteran

merwoman, perhaps all bets are off with the wacky climate changes these days, but going by precedent, I would pick the latter date. It will have not only cooled down, but you will enjoy the beautiful fall weather, particularly if you get out of the city--you can see breathtaking sights of old temples and whatnot with the backdrop of beautiful autumn foliage (though weekends especially will be very very very crowded).

I'm going to ask hubby later today to back this up, though. It's been a while.

merwoman

Veteran

Thanks for weighing in on this Mochi. Weather everywhere is so unstable - but looking through temp postings it seems November may be dryer and cooler. Going over in September seems as though it will be too early for fall colour, and it will certainly be a lot warmer - maybe uncomfortably so for me who likes things on the cool side. Would certainly appreciate what your DH thinks as well.

MsMary

Veteran

I can't really comment on the weather, but I just have to say "oh my gosh! Japan with one's son is, like, the best thing ever!!" Here's a pic of us at the Shukkeien Garden in Hiroshima.

When I was there on a short visit in December, I had great luck with guides from http://www.toursbylocals.com. You type in the city you will be visiting and you get a list of guides and their tours, with reviews and contact info and everything. The guide we used in Hiroshima was good, and the one in Osaka was GREAT. And it was super awesome to have somebody with us who could speak the language and help us naviate the subway and ordering lunch and everything like that.

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merwoman

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Great pic of the two of you Mary - gorgeous mom and handsome son!! And thank you for the awesome tip on tours bylocals!! I'm trying to put together a rough itinerary so I have hotels looked after - and can figure out whether it will make sense to buy a train pass. Course first thing is to nail down dates :-).

MsMary

Veteran

Thanks!

We bought the JapanRail passes and figured out it was probably a wash economically, but it was great to just have them and not have to take time to buy tickets for each leg of the journey. Also the attendants at the JapanRail gates always spoke English and were great about pointing us to the proper platforms. Note, though, that the passes are not good for all the bullet train lines so you have to take that into account. We didn't find it to be a problem once we figured out what lines were available, but it did mean an extra half hour to an hour wait here and there for the correct train.

DonnaF

Veteran

If you like shrines and temples, Kyoto is the place to go. It is the most touristy and artsy of the three and has frequent festivals. Since it is in a valley, it gets pretty hot so November might be best.

merwoman

Veteran

Good to know regarding the rail pass Mary - my son won't be eligible for the special visitors rail pass, so I will have to research whether it makes sense for me to get one.
Another vote for November! Thanks Donna.I do intend on visiting Kyoto - fall colours in photos I've seen look spectacular!

Mochi

Veteran

Kyoto could very well still be brutally hot in September/October.

Hubby not home yet.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

I vote Cherry Blossom time which is when we were there last year - late April. Is that a possibility?

How fun, merwoman!!! I'm very excited for you

merwoman

Veteran

Thanks Angie!! I'm very excited at the prospect as well. April is not a possibility - DS's work placement is June to January. I think it will be November - going with my gut and Mochi and Donna's confirmation.

jasmine

Hi Merwoman! I would definitely go for the November dates. Last year it was still really hot here (Tokyo) in September and summer seems to be dragging on longer and longer every year.

If you have some spare time in Tokyo the Yanaka area is pretty interesting to walk around in; lots of old buildings and tiny little shops that are fun to poke around in (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3068.html).

Mochi

Veteran

Ha. Husband said both times are nice. He thinks you will avoid or minimize problems from the typhoon season by going in November.

merwoman

Veteran

Thanks for chiming in Jasmine! This is good to know about the temperatures and Yanaka looks delightful - I will definitely be adding it to my list.
Your hubby is a true diplomat Mochi! Good point about typhoon season.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Then November it is

anne

Veteran

Other things to see ( I lived there about 18 months)
- Active volcanoes in the south
the Japanese alps = breathtakingly beautiful.

merwoman

Veteran

That must have been an incredible experience Anne - were you teaching? And thanks for the suggestions! Any city/region in particular that I should head to? Could I also ask you what your top 3 things to see/do in Japan were?

anne

Veteran

Yes, I taught english to kindergarten children. This was back in the 90's! Had a ball!

Top 3 places Alps - as mentioned above. The only place name I can remember off hand was Hakuba (where some of the Japan winter olympics was) This region isn't too far from Tokyo. On the other hand if you aren't going to be there don't worry about it

Tokyo (sim reasons to others but don't miss Harujuku, where the young people wear the most extreme fashions!) I loved a museum about everyday life

Hiroshima (to see the best museum I saw in Japan re A Bomb) OR Kyoto for shines and temples

merwoman

Veteran

Thank you Anne! Purchased the tickets last night - so next step is to formulate an itinerary and book accommodations. Hiroshima is on my list of potentials - and your recommend plus seeing the lovely photo of Mary and her son have prompted me to take a closer look. I definitely want to experience Harujuku - and perhaps even Sugamo which is described as the Harujuku for older women.
Thanks again everyone for all the wonderful suggestions.

MsMary

Veteran

Hiroshima is great! If you go there, be sure to take the side trip to Miyajima Island, which is just awesome in every way! You can easily do it in half a day. Several of the guides on toursbylocals will combine a half-day Hiroshima city tour with a half-day Miyajima Island tour, which I would definitely recommend if your time is limited.

We stayed in the Sheraton in Hiroshima, which was great. Literally steps from the train station, which was super convenient.

merwoman

Veteran

The island looks spectacular - thanks for noting it Mary - and the hotel recommend!
Has anyone visited the snow monkeys? (macaques)