August vs January pros/cons?
 

Hey all! So our June trip is called. Just refunded all tickets and hotels. My parents are older and I really do not want to risk traveling any time soon.

our next options would be August (not sure about 2020, but 2021) or Jan 2021 or 2022. The Aug20 and Jan21 trips might be tight with award availability since we’re within the 330day window with AA but I’m planning ahead.

I’ve been to Japan in July and August so I have an idea of what to expect for a summer trip, but what about a January trip? I know the fam won’t be into winter sports and we’ll be keeping the trip around Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka. So trips up north where there’ll be more snow won’t be considered (I think). I know there’ll still be crowds, but not as bad as the summer from what I’ve read. Also we’ll miss out on festivals. On the flip side, it won’t be hot in Jan, the winters are mild (we’re used to NYC winter, and I’m used to Midwest) and we won’t have to worry about typhoons in August. Greenery around temples won’t be as great in the summer but I don’t think it’ll be that bad.

any other pros and cons you guys have experienced?

thanks!

If you're concerned about older parents, I would not consider August 2020.
if "Operation Warp Speed" is a success, a vaccine might be available in the US by January 2021. I don't know if that's realistic or not, but I think that it will take a vaccine for elderly and vulnerable people to feel safe to travel again.
If you're accustomed to New York or mid-western winters, Tokyo and Kyoto are mild. (Kyoto tends to be the chillier of the two because of the surrounding hills). I really like Tokyo in winter - temperatures don't often go below freezing and the skies are clear. Downsides are that things go very quiet for a few days around New Years Day, and you don't have the lively festivals that you would have in the summer. (although you do have chances to see people dressed up in Kimono to visit temples for New Years and for coming of age day).
August is close to peak typhoon season. Gardens will be dried out and brown in winter. Perhaps that's what you meant.

Hi,

I have been to Tokyo in early January each year from 2016-2019 ( missed this year as I went in late Nov 2020) and loved it. The days were generaly clear and sunny ( in stays of a week we had 1 day of rain). The temples are very busy with New Year and coming of age day but it is an experience to visit them . There are still a number of winter illuminations around ( and Disney has its new year celebration shows-loved the watershow at Tokyo Disneysea). From many observation towers in Tokyo you have a good chance of seeing Mt Fuji ( better than other times of the year). It was generally cool but occasionally the wind can pick up and it will feel closer ot freezing . In my 4 visits to Tokyo in early Jan there was no snow but one year there was a snowfall in Tokyo the week after I got back to the UK.. It was so nice to be outdoors in the sunshine that the mueum closures ( first few days of Jan) did not bother me.

Regards

TBS

August: No way. There's a good chance you won't even be allowed into the country yet at that point, given how America is the top corona country in the world.

January: No way. There's a good chance we're all in the midst of another wave by then. And there's still a good chance you won't even be allowed into the country yet at that point, given how America is the top corona country in the world.

Now's not the time to even start making plans. If you must start planning now, then a year out at a minimum, please.

Unfortunately, HAILSTORM is probably correct. I am also wondering when my aged mother can visit. I told her that realistically, she shouldn't visit until she gets vaccinated or until the world gets a full handle on this virus.

I visited Japan in the first 6 months after 9/11. Planes were mostly flying at half capacity, attractions around Kyoto were sparsely visited in March/April, cherry blossom sites had very few foreign visitors. It was one of the most relaxing times I have ever visited - at the height of the normally busy time of the year.

My point is that a similar situation may occur after the pandemic settles down and a vaccine has been found and delivered. It may be an advantageous time to consider visiting at a better time of year than January or August.

I’ve just about given up on going in June. Waiting to cancel that one.
Have another trip in Aug , which I’m still hopeful about but not optimistic. I would go in Aug if the planes are flying and enough things are open in Jpn.
This winter is very iffy with possibility of recurrent outbreaks. I may not book my Dec flights until literally couple weeks before.

For OP, the elderly parents factor is a huge one. If it were me, I’m not taking any chances.

Winter is a fantastic time to visit Tokyo as has been said by others.

August in Tokyo is disgustingly hot and humid while "winter" tends to be very pleasant. IME it's often warm and yummy with temperatures around 50-60F in the middle of the day, so that one can walk around without winter coats etc. A bonus is that one might get some amazing views of Mt Fuji from Tokyo.

From what I've read, experts are predicting a big resurgence starting in the fall and continuing throughout the winter. That would make even Spring 2021 possibly infeasible. The only hope is the vaccine, but that's still probably a ways out despite the money being thrown at it.

Oh and August is no doubt the worst time to visit. I did once and never, ever did it again. Any other season is preferable, unless you have a specific reason like climbing Mt Fuji.

Aside from Covid, third visiting in January. My druthers is to arrive shortly after the new year when the lights are mostly still up.

Layered is ideal to be able to take off stuff when going inside or as conditions change. Many indoor spaces are border wise uncomfortably warm. I use a light zip up sweater and shell rain jacket (also wind proof) with gloves and a fleece cap for the extremities. Works for rain, snow, wind, and cold.

Last year, I did a summer trip to Northern Hokkaido and it was a delight. Car rental is the way to go, the drop charge for a one way rental is not totally crazy from most of the major companies. Very different experience from Honshu in August. I even got to see Russia, for real!

Thanks for the replies!

after reading everything and discussing with my family, we’re gonna plan for Jan 2022. Gives me time to plan out a winter trip and save some more for it. 🙂

If you get a chance - I definitely recommend this activity in winter. It's 2 hr Train from Tokyo to Nagano area.
Stay in a ryoken on the mountain...and see these guys. Was worth the trip

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...d2d5b034e2.jpg
https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7f4cb35812.jpg
https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...5ee324c1a3.jpg
https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...dee0173cd7.jpg

Can people share the hot spring with these monkeys? That would seem to be the ultimate special experience, but I realize that monkeys (especially males) have big teeth and can be aggressive if they're not just grabbing stuff from humans.

For a dissenting point of view:
WHY SEEING THE SNOW MONKEYS IN JAPAN SUCKED