When to go walking in Japan

If you want to time your walking holiday with cherry blossom season, this varies according to where you are in the country. It starts as early as January in Okinawa, end of March and April in Honshu, and in Hokkaido, May is panoply of pink. Mount Yoshino, one of the most popular spots for spectacular arrays, starts around late March and reaches full bloom early-mid April. For walking on the Nakasendo Trail in winter, tour operators travel there December until March. Religious festivals in Japan are wonderful to witness, but they do get very busy, so best be aware of the key dates which are: New Year, Japan’s Golden Week (beginning May), and O-bon (mid August). Hotels book out, trains are packed and prices soar. Japan does have a rainy season, from mid-May to end June or sometimes as late as mid July, but it is never extreme. Just be sure to pack good waterproof gear and read your trip notes for more details. There may still be snow on higher ground in February; 4th February is considered the first day of spring in Japan. It is still cold, but the days are dry and sunny. The famous Ume blossoms come out during this month, considered the first signs of spring, and on the eve of official spring, 3rd February, Setsubun is celebrated at many shrines where roasted soybeans are thrown at people to ward off evil forces. Walking during October and November is just wonderful for the leaf changes in some of Japan’s ancient forests. Shikoku Island or the Mitarai Valley, for example, are just stunning at this time of year. You get typhoons knocking in around end August, September and October. Check out the Japan Meteorological Agency's English-language website for warnings. Walking among the paddy fields around, for example, the Nara Basin, in May and June is wonderful as it is planting season. Everyone comes out to help and it is quite a serene, beautiful site. The rice harvest, around September, is often accompanied by local festivals.