Yes, Japan does celebrate Halloween, but it's concentrated almost entirely in Tokyo and mainly nightlife-focused, with smaller scenes in Osaka and Kyoto. Outside major cities, you likely won’t find...
JAPAN BY SEASON
Japan changes dramatically with the seasons — and each offers something magical to discover. These blog posts are your complete guide to traveling Japan year-round—Japan by season.
Complete Guide to Tsukimi: Moon-Viewing in Japan
If you find yourself in Japan in mid-to-late September and walk through a park in the late evening, you might just come across hundreds of Japanese people staring up at the sky. Although it might...
6 Refreshing Summer Day Trips From Kyoto to Escape the City
There are so many reasons to visit Kyoto during the summer…but the weather probably isn’t one of them. It’s always crowded, but when it’s also super hot and unbelievably humid, the city can become...
Our 7-Day Hokkaido Summer Itinerary for the Ultimate Road Trip
Thinking about a summer trip to Japan’s northern island? Well, it’s an incredible idea. And one that the locals in Tokyo and Kyoto will envy, with Hokkaido being one of the most desirable summer...
6 Amazing Summer Day Trips From Tokyo to Escape The Heat
Visiting Tokyo during the summer can be amazing. There are non-stop festivals and fireworks displays, and who doesn’t love eating kakigouri (shaved ice) on a hot afternoon in the sun? But we also...
The Complete Gion Matsuri Guide for First-Timers
Summer in Japan means two things: hot weather and festivals! And as the country’s biggest summer festival, Gion Matsuri is worth suffering all the heat and humidity just to experience it. The...
Before You Watch Sanno Matsuri, Read This Essential Guide!
Sanno Matsuri is one of Tokyo's three great festivals, yet a lot of visitors end up watching it from the wrong street, at the wrong hour, with no idea what they're actually witnessing. Held every...
Stunning Japanese Flowers to See in May
Everyone talks about cherry blossom season, and fair enough, it is spectacular. But if you ask long-term residents here which month is their favourite for flower-chasing in Japan, we bet a...
How Bad Is Rainy Season in Japan? An Honest Guide From Locals
If you are planning a trip to Japan around the summer, you have probably stumbled across the words ‘tsuyu’ and ‘rainy season’, and immediately started second-guessing yourself. That is completely...
What to Expect from Golden Week in Japan: The Complete 2026 Traveller’s Guide
Every year, for roughly ten days between late April and early May, Japan collectively exhales and goes on holiday. All at once. Around 40 million people take to the roads, railways, airports, and...
Where to Spend Valentine’s Day in Tokyo: 25+ Romantic Date Night Spots
It’s that time of year again, when couples start getting excited for a romantic day or evening together. If you’re spending Valentine’s Day in Tokyo, then you’re in luck! The city is overflowing...
Sapporo Snow Festival First-Timer’s Guide: 10 Tips to Know Before You Go
Planning your first-ever visit to the Sapporo Snow Festival? Well, firstly, that’s amazing! You’re going to have an incredible time! But, that being said, it is a big event that can seem a little...
6 Unmissable Japanese Snow Festivals to See Amazing Snow Sculptures in 2026
Did you know that Sapporo isn’t your only option when it comes to Japanese snow festivals? Believe it or not, but between December and March, there are places in Japan that get some of the deepest...
New Year’s Fireworks in Tokyo: Where to Welcome in 2026
Are you looking for New Year’s fireworks in Tokyo and…struggling? Don’t worry, it’s a rite of passage for Westerners spending the holidays in Japan to discover that things are done a little...
2025 Tokyo Christmas Market Guide: Where to Find the Best Festive Vibes
If you are visiting Japan in December, you might be surprised by just how seriously Tokyo takes Christmas. But it’s important to know that things work a bit differently here. In Japan, Christmas...