Japan (Lonely Planet, 11th Edition) - Chris Rowthorn [2]
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See Climate Click here for more information.
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WHEN TO GO
The best times to visit Japan are the climatically stable seasons of spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November).
Spring is the time when Japan’s famous sakura (cherry trees) burst into bloom. Starting from Kyūshū sometime in February or March, the sakura zensen (cherry tree blossom line) advances northward, usually passing the main cities of Honshū in early April. Once the sakura bloom, their glory is brief, usually lasting only a week.
Autumn is an equally good time to travel, with pleasant temperatures and soothing colours; the autumn foliage pattern reverses that of the sakura, starting in the north sometime in October and peaking across most of Honshū in mid- to late November.
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DON’T LEAVE HOME WITHOUT…
The clothing you bring will depend not only on the season, but also on where you are planning to go. Japan extends a long way from north to south: the north of Hokkaidō can be under deep snow at the same time Okinawa and Nansei-shotō (the Southwest Islands) are basking in tropical sunshine. If you’re going anywhere near the mountains, or are intent on climbing Mt Fuji, you’ll need good cold-weather gear, even at the height of summer. And unless you’re in Japan on business, you won’t need formal or even particularly dressy clothes. Men should keep in mind, however, that trousers are preferable to shorts, especially in restaurants.
You’ll also need the following:
Slip-on shoes – you want shoes that are not only comfortable for walking but are also easy to slip on and off for the frequent occasions where they must be removed.
Unholey socks – your socks will be on display a lot of the time, so decent socks are a good idea.
Japan Rail Pass – if you intend to do much train travel at all, you’ll save money with a Japan Rail Pass, which must be purchased outside Japan; Click here for details.
Books – English-language and other foreign-language books are expensive in Japan, and they’re not available outside the big cities.
Medicine – bring any prescription medicine you’ll need from home.
Gifts – a few postcards or some distinctive trinkets from your home country will make good gifts for those you meet along the way.
International licence – if you appreciate the flexibility of having a rental car, note: most nationalities cannot rent a car in Japan without an international licence (Click here).
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SAMPLE DAILY BUDGETS
To help you plan your Japan trip, we’ve put together these sample daily budgets. Keep in mind that these are rough estimates – it’s possible to spend slightly less if you really put your mind to it, and you can spend a heckuva lot more if you want to live large.
Budget
Youth hostel accommodation (per person): ¥2800
Two simple restaurant meals: ¥2000
Train/bus transport: ¥1500
One average temple/museum admission: ¥500
Snacks, drinks, sundries: ¥1000
Total: ¥7800 (about US$80)
Midrange
Business hotel accommodation (per person): ¥8000
Two midrange restaurant meals: ¥4000
Train/bus transport: ¥1500
Two average temple/museum admissions: ¥1000
Snacks, drinks, sundries: ¥2000
Total: ¥16,500 (about US$170)
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Travelling during either winter or summer is a mixed bag – midwinter (December to February) weather can be cold, particularly on the Sea of Japan coasts of Honshū and in Hokkaidō, while the summer months (June to August) are generally hot and often humid. June is also the month of Japan’s brief rainy season, which in some years brings daily downpours and in other years is hardly a rainy season