Description
Japan is an attractive destination through the year. Spring in April and May ushers Japan’s famed cherry blossom season. The streets and gardens of Japan transform into various shades of pink. Locally known as Sakura, the cherry blossom season draws people outdoors after winter as they picnic and stroll their tree lined streets to absorb this spectacle of nature. While is a great time to be in Japan, budget conscious travellers could look at other seasons as hotel and flight prices are high due the season’s popularity. The flip side of Japan’s rising stock in world of tourism is over-tourism. The Japanese town of Kawaguchiko recently built a barrier at a well-known selfie point against the backdrop of Mount Fuji to deter tourists from crowding the place.
Summer is the ideal time for those who wish to trek up to Mount Fuji. The snow recedes opening up a couple of months window to scale the peak, which is a volcano. This is also a good time to visit the highlands of the Japanese Alps and Hokkaido for some bracing weather to enjoy an onsen (hot spring) experience. Autumn colours of Japan is yet another spectacle. Relatively less crowded, this is a great season for nature watch. Winters are very cold in Japan, especially in the alpine regions which offer excellent powder snow. It makes for ideal skiing season. So if you crave snow and wish to experience snow related activities, November to February is the time to visit Japan. Also, the perfect season for travellers who wish to experience Japan on a tight budget.
One of Japan’s most iconic images is that of Mount Fuji. Visible from certain parts of Tokyo, it is a 3 hour drive/ 2 hour train ride to the beginning of the trails that lead up to the peak. The 4 main trails leading up to the summit of Mount Fuji are: Yoshida, Fujinomiya, Subashiri and Gotenba. Vehicles go to the base, after which the trek or hike begins. The largest, most well-known 5th station on Mt. Fuji is the Subaru line 5th station from Tokyo. Most travellers take reach this point, before embarking on the 6-7 hour climb. Located at 12,388 feet above sea level, the climbers should be prepared for sudden weather changes – thunderstorms, rain downpours, snow storms, hails storms. It is a steep ascent meant for seasoned hikers.
/whatsapp-logo-removebg-preview.png){kind=logo}