When Is the Cheapest Month to Visit Japan?

It is relatively cheaper in the off seasons of tourism in Japan, including mid-May to June, September, and December to February except Christmas & New Year holidays. In particular, the winter days mid-January to February may be the cheapest month to visit Japan.

Cheapest Winter Except Christmas & New Year

As the winter is quite cold in Japan, almost everything is withered. Thus, it’s the most prominent slack season to visit the most regions in the country. However, Christmas and New Year period is a high season, for the two festivals are the crucial high-volume events in Japan. There are many celebrations, a deluge of visitors to pray for blessings to shrines and temples, and big sales in shopping malls.

Especially, mid-January to February after the holidays, but also before warm spring, is the cheapest months to visit Japan, with less crowds as well as friendly prices.

Cheaper Winter Days in Japan

Mid-May to June after the Golden Week

After the big holiday of Golden Week in early May, mid-May to June is a magnificent low season in Japan. It gets hotter and hotter during the period, and the rainy season comes. Also, the summer vacation has not come, there are relatively less visitors. Therefore, the prices get down somewhat.

September: Typhoon Season after Summer Vacation

It’s also a low season in Japan, in the transition period of summer and autumn. Apart from a few typhoons hitting the shore, the schools start so that students and teachers are back to work. The price drops accordingly during the time.

Notes

Although winter is the off season in most of Japan, it’s an exception in Hokkaido. Winter is the peak season in frigid Hokkaido, with numerous tourists for snow fun. Some other skiing resorts have the seasonal busy period as well in winter.

There are serried onsen resorts in Japan, for which winter is also not the off season but a peak season, to enjoy the warm hot spring comfortably.

Cheapest Ways to Travel to Japan on Budget

To get the cheaper flights, you can book the air tickets as early as possible.

Popular Food Stall at Local Fair

If you plan to take the trains or metro frequently, you can utilize Japan Rail Pass or the metro pass in the city you stay. You can calculate the expenses and then determine whether to buy the pass or not.

See also: How to Buy & Use Japan Rail Pass

Make a hotel search broadly to compare the prices. You can book a cancelable hotel at first, if you would find the more cost-effective hotel later, you can change your reservation. If you want a special accommodation in Japan, you may try the youth hostels or capsule hotels for a night, which are usually much cheaper.

As for dinners in Japan, small roadside restaurants and cafés are cheaper. Japanese fast food are also economical, the fast food chains Matsuya, Sukiya, Yoshinoya, etc. are all great to fill your stomach. The food in convenience stores can also be tried.

Some attractions in Japan are opened for free, such as shrines. Even there is an admission fee, it won’t be expensive.