April and May has good weather. Busy times are cherry blossom season (late March to early April), Golden Week (early May) and O-Bon (mid-August). August is hot and humid, but is also the month for summer festivals.

June and July is rainy season (except Hokkaidō). September sees typhoons. Autumn foliage in November

Winter is cool and snowy in the mountains and winterland in northern Hokkaido with ice festival.