When Is the Best Time to Book a Family Vacation in Japan?

Japan is a place that both celebrates and honors the past and that looks forward excitedly to the future. It is a land of both incredible natural beauty and amazing feats of human engineering and a prime destination for anyone planning a special family vacation. If you are considering a trip to Japan, keep these important things in mind when scheduling your trip.

There are several times during the year when large holidays are celebrated nationwide. Hotels fill up during these times as Japanese residents, expatriates, and foreigners travel around the country to celebrate with friends and family. The three major holiday seasons in Japan are the days leading up to and following New Year's day, the end of April and beginning of May, which is called Golden Week, and the mid-August holidays called Obon. While these holidays are beautiful and exciting times to be in Japan, they are also when the native citizens are most likely to be using the transportation system and many stores and attractions will be closed or only open for short times. That said, if you want to see what the holiday season is like in Japan, you should book your lodgings as early as possible.

Weather should also play a role in determining the best times for a Japan travel. For most people, spring is the ideal time to visit as the weather is warm and sunny. Spring is when the cherry trees bloom and following the course of cherry blossoms across the country becomes a bit of a national obsession. Autumn can also be a good time to visit as the deciduous trees change colors.

Winters vary a great deal across Japan, with the Pacific coast seeing drier, sunnier winters than the western sea coast, which experiences colder, windier winters. The mountain areas do experience heavy snowfall, which can be good destinations for those who enjoy winter sports like skiing or snowboarding. If you enjoy tropical weather, summer is a warm, humid time to be in country. Most people choose to avoid family holidays in Japan in June and September, as these are the two rainy months.

Japan travel at off-peak times for Inside Japan honeymoons does mean more choice and better prices on lodging in Japan. The weather may be unpleasant, but the prices and the crowding will be less bothersome, particularly in popular destinations like Tokyo or Osaka. Whether you decide to travel during one of the peak seasons or not, try booking hotel rooms directly through the hotel's website instead of using a hotel aggregator site. Another way to save is to avoid the big hotel chains and look instead for better prices at smaller places like business hotels or those used by Japanese people when they travel from city to city. Wherever you plan to stay, you should take some time before your trip to get an idea of the shops and restaurants near your lodgings so you'll know where to go for needed supplies once you arrive.