Japan

The word “Japan” conjures diverse and colorful images: the serene, iconic Mount Fuji; Kyoto temples fringed by cherry blossoms; the outrageous couture of Harajuku girls on a Tokyo Sunday; futuristic bullet trains; a geisha in kimono and painted face. It is the land of anime and pachinko, of exquisite cuisine, and of electronics and robotics innovation that transforms the way we live and work. Visiting Japan, it is easy to recognize what science-fiction writer William Gibson called “the global imagination’s default setting for the future.”

The foundation of this prosperous modern Japan was its post-war constitution, which along with an unstinting work ethic kindled unbridled economic growth. Even with the recessions of past decades, Japan is still home to the world’s third-highest GDP; it is a beacon of modernity to a continent that is racing to catch up with this once hermitic nation.

Japan’s insular past may be long gone but many of the old ways remain. One can still see elegant women in meticulous kimonos gingerly navigating massive crosswalks; kabuki opera performances; and sushi masters using techniques from the 17th-century Edo Period. This is what makes Japan so appealing: the harmonious confluence of the ancient and hyper-modern into one fascinating whole, firmly rooted in tradition but ever hurtling into the future.

Japan Regions

Explore in-depth information, experiences and highlights by navigating to specific regions using the links below on the right.

Hokkaido

Kyushu

Honshu

Southern Islands

okinawa

Shikoku

Tohoku

Why Remote Lands?

Exclusively Asia

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

With Remote Lands you'll travel with people who have made Asia the solitary focus of their own lifelong adventure. As our guest, in the continent that our north American founders Catherine and Jay have adored and explored for decades, you'll discover Asia on a journey that is completely, authentically your own, adapted from our own remarkable experiences and adventures over the years.

Seasonality & Festivals

Browse a month-by-month breakdown of suggested itineraries, seasonal activities, climate considerations and festivals.

When to Go

Choose Your Month

Festivals

Choose Your Month

Weather in Japan

Japan is a year-round destination with skiing in the winter and festivals in the summer. However, the best temperatures are between March and May (spring) and September to November (fall).

Due to its latitude, Japan is one of the relatively few countries in Asia that has four distinct seasons.
Spring (March through May) and autumn (October to early December) are generally the most favorable seasons for weather, but they are also the most crowded with tourists.
Cherry blossom season in Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa, and other main destinations for foreign visitors is usually late March to mid-April. Peak fall foliage is generally from early to late November.
Winter in these main areas is not prohibitively cold; snow in Tokyo is rare, for example. The weather is generally sunny and dry, although Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island, is one of the world’s great ski destinations and is especially popular with Australians.
Early summer is also a good time to travel. Although June begins to get hotter and more humid, it is not yet the “rainy season” that arrives in full force in July and August, when temperatures and humidity can be unpleasant. High temperatures and humidity often continue into mid-September.

Multi-Country Specialists

Japan Goes Well With

South Korea

China

Philippines

Hong Kong

Travelogues

An Asia-focused magazine brought to you by Remote Lands - a platform for adventure, luxury, and authenticity from experts and explorers around the continent.