The time of year that you are travelling and the places that you are visiting will naturally have a major influence on what you pack. We recommend that you check the weather forecast prior
to your departure so that you can pack accordingly.
Japan has mostly a mild climate, but as it is an archipelago stretching over 3,000 km from north to south, there are local variations in the weather. Japan is also famous for the beauty of its four distinct seasons, and it is essential to pack accordingly.
Winter in Japan is from December to February.
The northern island of Hokkaido, the Japanese Alps and much of the Japan Sea coast gets a lot of snow. The rest of mainland Japan can get some snow, although Tokyo sees very little to no snow, and average temperatures are around 1-5 celsius. The weather is usually clear, crisp and pleasant. During the winter months, you will need to bring layers of warm clothes, as well as water/windproof clothing. If travelling in the north, make sure you bring shoes that are suitable for snow.
Spring in Japan is from March to May.
Cherry blossom season sweeps up the country from south to north. The trees bloom in Kyushu in March, reaching Tokyo by early April. It is often followed closely by a showery front. In the south, you can wear summer clothing, though temperatures drop at night and the weather can change quickly, so a sweater/long trousers are advisable. Further north, bring sweaters and jackets.
Summer in Japan is from June to August.
Summer in Japan is warm, with high humidity. June is usually the rainy season for most of the country, but Hokkaido misses out on this. Bring light, comfortable clothing that dries easily. Jackets are necessary if you plan to explore the Alpine regions.
Autumn in Japan is from September to November.
September is the time of year with the greatest risk of typhoons. In October and November, the weather is unpredictable but generally mild. The trees show beautiful autumn colours, sweeping from the northern areas and higher altitudes to other areas in November. During autumn you will need to bring layered clothing and warmer clothing for the north and the hills.
Suggested Packing List
The dress code on all Wendy Wu Tours is casual; however, it is important that all passengers dress respectfully when visiting temples. You might like to bring some smart-casual clothes for dining out in the evenings.
- Travel documents and passport - including a photocopy of your passport in case it is lost or stolen while you are abroad. Keep one photocopy at home and take another photocopy with you.
- Main luggage and luggage padlocks
- ‘Day bag’ – a smaller bag to carry with you during the day
- Rucksack/bag for any overnight trips – When taking bullet trains on our group tours your luggage is forwarded separately and often arrives the next day, so an overnight bag is useful to pack clothes and toiletries you may need for an overnight stay.
- Money belt to carry passport, cash, credit cards, etc.
- Shirts or long-sleeved tops of light cotton material
- A water/windproof jacket
- Light jumpers or thermals are great for layering
- A warm jumper/fleece for spring/autumn evenings
- A thick warm jacket and walking boots for winter
- Walking shoes and socks – it is important to have sturdy and comfortable shoes for sightseeing every day, preferably shoes that you can take off and put on easily.
- Sun protection – hat, sunglasses, sunscreen and lip balm
- Personal medical kit
- Antibacterial wipes or hand sanitizer
- Spare glasses
- Toilet paper or tissues – not all sightseeing areas and public toilets will have this available
- Snacks – tea bags/coffee, milk powder or sachets, or anything you cannot go without!
- Conversion plug and necessary chargers
- Camera and spare memory card
- Water Bottle – bring a water bottle with you so you can easily refill around the city. Tap water in Japan is safe to drink.
Climate Charts
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