Japan July 2025

[Holidayqueen1]

Hi everyone

After a fab 2 week trip to Japan last October ( Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima), we ( husband and 16 year old son) have booked 2 weeks next July with friends who also have a 16 year old. We know summer can be hot and wet but it’s the only time we can all go so bit the bullet.
We’re now trying to get a plan together which everyone will enjoy. The other family may go and do some of the things we already did but we’ll spend a few days together in Tokyo and at least another week.

we’d really like to see some of the more rural Japan but after looking at Hokkaido I think 2 weeks there may be a stretch for the teens who are keen to swim. Other than onsen there doesn’t appear to be much public swimming in Hokkaido.

options I’m looking at are Kyushu ( flying into the south and making our way up north then Shinkansen back). This looks like it has a great mix of hot springs, volcanoes and beaches BUT it looks wet 😬

Okinawa which looks amazing for beaches but bit of a schlep as no direct flights from Tokyo so will take a long time and if we do the Shinkansen it’s a long way and ferry

aomori- gorge and a hot springs hotel then down to Sendai and matsushima, and possibly the izu peninsular for beaches.

has anybody been to any of these places and can recommend or been to other places which would be amazing- ideally a mix of culture, beach ( if poss!) and nature ( I know we’re asking for a lot, just conscious that there aren’t many hotels with pools!!)

thanks so much

And sorry I should say that we’re not goi g all the way to Japan for beaches, they would be a benefit rather than the reason! Just a mix of things we’ll enjoy. If we go to aomori, we’d also probably add on Kanazawa and would hope to get views of Fuji from Izu.

I lived in Japan for 8 years and go annually to visit ILs in July. I find it too hot and humid but it’s the only time we can be there for a chunk of time.

Until the Japanese universities and schools break up for the summer (end of 3rd week of July) for the most part beaches will be deserted during the week and water parks will be closed.

Kamakura is important historically and is also a large town with a chilled surf vibe nearish to Tokyo. There’s often an onshore breeze, beach bars, and surfboards/inflatables to hire. Watch out for the birds of prey (kites, I think) that will attack your picnic if you are not vigilant.

Nojiri lake is also worth visiting (and staying for a few days) if you want to escape the heat. It’s possible to hire SUP and kayaks.

You can get to Okinawa prefecture direct from Tokyo with Peach Air. We went to Ishigakijima this year. It’s surrounded by coral reefs and the snorkelling was amazing on the beaches to the north of the island. It’s actually a few degrees cooler than Tokyo, and that few degrees (low 30s) made it more tolerable.

Kamakura is also somewhere that you can see Fuji. We only went for a day trip but loved the chilled, beachy vibe of the place and we were fortunate to be able to go on a crystal clear day with a perfect view of Fuji.

Thanks both, Kamakura sounds great! I had found those flights but they’re from
Narota and we fly into Haneda, Narita is quite a challenge to get to and from from
what I remember from a work trip ages ago, is that right? Definitely an option though thanks. If we did that for a week, would you recommend maybe a couple of days in Tokyo first, then Okinawa then back to Tokyo and surrounds?
ooh lake Nojori isn’t far from
aomori is it? I’m wondering if we could land in Haneda then get the Shinkansen up to shin aomori, do the gorge, the lake and Sendai and Matsushima then spend a few days in Kanazawa and Kamakura and end in Tokyo. Definitely food for thought thank you both so much, am veering towards option 2 I think as we’ll see more of Japan that way! If anyone has any hotel or thing to do recs please shout!

Oh goodness ignore me, don’t know what I looked up but the lake isn’t near Aomori!! Will have a look and see what we can do, thanks so much!

Hi

we've had a bit more of a think and latest plan is ( not nec in this order!), lake Nojiri, Hida, Takayama, Kanazawa, kamakura, hakone, Nikko and Tokyo. Possibly Kusatsu onsen too. Do you think this makes sense/ would work and has a good mix of rural Japan with lots of stuff to do? Thanks so much!

i don’t have personal experience of most of those places but they make sense to me as a sort of loop from Tokyo and then back, you are packing a lot in but presumably that suits the way you like to travel. I’d be really interested to hear about this trip. It sounds like a really great itinerary. Are you planning on driving or using the trains?

Thanks @Takoneko and yes that’s what we thought! We did a Japan trip last Oct to the cities and can’t wait to go back and see more of rural Japan. I think we’ll use trains, they are amazing! Will keep you posted!!

Can I ask how does the heat and humidity in Japan in July compare with SW Florida/Miami (we've been many times to Florida and although hot and humid, we're all fine with this)?