SEASONAL

Japan Seasonal Events

Japan Seasonal Events: seasonal guides grouped by region, based on official Japanese tourism and transport sources, each with the date the information was checked.

5 guides

Kyoto

SeasonalKyoto

Kyoto Autumn Leaves 2026: Foliage Forecast, Best Spots and Night Illumination Schedule

Kyoto autumn leaves 2026 forecast: Arashiyama from mid-November, the city peaking late Nov to early Dec, plus illumination dates and reservation rules for top spots.

Updated 2026.10.19

Hokkaido

Snow sculptures lit up at night at the Odori Park site of the Sapporo Snow Festival, seen from the Sapporo TV Tower

SeasonalHokkaido

Sapporo Snow Festival 2027: Dates, the Three Sites, Access and Where to Stay

Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 runs Feb 4-11. Guide to the Odori, Susukino and Tsudome sites, lighting hours, access, where to stay, and whether it is worth it.

Updated 2026.10.19

All of Japan

Autumn leaves and Taigetsukyo Bridge at Korankei in Aichi, a famous foliage spot in Japan, with visitors among the gorge

SeasonalBefore You Go

Japan Autumn Leaves 2026: Foliage Forecast Timetable and Best Spots (Hokkaido to Kyushu)

Japan autumn leaves 2026 forecast: Hokkaido from mid-September, Tohoku and Nikko late October, Kanto and Kansai mid-to-late November, Kyushu to early December.

Updated 2026.10.19

Champagne-gold lights on the trees along Marunouchi Naka-dori in Tokyo, with crowds, during Japan's Christmas illumination season

SeasonalBefore You Go

Japan Christmas Illuminations 2026: Dates for Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo and Kobe

Japan Christmas lights 2026: Sapporo White Illumination from Nov 20, Osaka Midosuji from Nov 3, Kobe Luminarie from Jan 29, 2027, plus Tokyo's announced dates.

Updated 2026.10.19

Crowds queuing early on New Year's Day for hatsumode at Meiji Jingu in Tokyo, a typical Japanese New Year shrine visit

SeasonalBefore You Go

Japan New Year Guide 2026-2027: Closures, Hatsumode Shrine Visits, Lucky Bags and Transport

New Year in Japan 2026-2027: bank and government closures, which shops stay open, hatsumode shrine etiquette, lucky bags and the Nozomi reserved-seat period.

Updated 2026.10.19