Originally Posted by
Keyser
Planning a trip to Japan. This will be my first trip & will be traveling with my wife & 2 kids aged 11 & 9. We haven't decided whether to go in June or December. In June we will only be able to go for 10 days while over Christmas/New year we can stretch the trip out to 2 weeks. I'm getting the award space I want for 4 tickets both for June & December so I need to decide quick & book before the seats go away. What are the advantages & disadvantages of traveling to Japan over the summer or winter?
Quick and short response. Others will follow with detailed responses.
June is the rainy season in Japan, can be muggy and soggy overcast weather. But this is mother nature, the extent of rain during the rainy season varies every year, and cannot predict what this year will be. But because of that June is considered off-season and places will be less busy.
December/New Year will be a busy season. Hotel prices will be higher and busier than in June. New Year is the biggest holiday in Japan, and driving in/out of big cities around New Year is usually met with traffic jams. Near Tokyo highway going out of the city usually experiences traffic jams up to 40 km (25 miles) long. This past New Year, Dec. 29, 30, Jan. 2, and 3 were the dates with miserable traffic in/out of the large cities. FYI, if you decide to drive in Japan during New Year.