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Original poster

Is Japan really that bad in August?

47 replies

SeaGlassDreamer · 13/09/2025 09:49

Planning a trip for Japan in 2027. We were originally going to do Easter for 3 weeks and take Ds out for school for 1 week. Speaking to someone recently who said that Japan has become so popular that going during the blossom season is hell on earth.

This only leaves us with August. I definitely want to go for 3 weeks as I’ll never get back there again and it’s always been a dream destination for me. I know it will be hot and humid but I think I can cope with that. We did Florida in August before.

Any views? Thanks

OP posts:
Lafufufu · 13/09/2025 09:50

If you did florida in August you will be FINE

aveenobambino · 13/09/2025 09:52

It’s worse than Florida in my opinion. I don’t think I’d do it with kids in August, sorry OP.

Original poster
SeaGlassDreamer · 13/09/2025 10:02

@aveenobambino. DS2 will be 17 so not little

OP posts:
Plastictreees · 13/09/2025 10:09

Whereabouts in Japan? Many places are unbearably hot in August.

Lafufufu · 13/09/2025 10:10

Lafufufu · 13/09/2025 09:50

If you did florida in August you will be FINE

Maybe not chatgpt has pointed out Japan has typhoon threats and travel disruptions in August too!!! 😵‍💫

Original poster
SeaGlassDreamer · 13/09/2025 10:16

@Plastictrees. Thinking of staying in a few places with day trips. Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima and a flight to Okinawa.

The perfect time would be October but that isn’t going to work as Ds will be in year 13 and I can’t take him out of school then. I was reluctant to take him out of school anyway.

OP posts:
sashh · 13/09/2025 10:16

My carer is there at the moment, he has been a few times, even in September it is hot and humid. He takes a cooling towel to hang round his neck and drinks a lot.

He is in Tokyo with a couple of side trips so I don't know if that is the same all over.

Plastictreees · 13/09/2025 10:19

I think the heat would detract from the enjoyment of the trip. Tokyo would be especially unbearable. I would go a different time.

Blossom season isn’t hell on earth. The summer is.

HanSB · 13/09/2025 10:21

I have been in August and it is so so incredibly hot, you walk out the door and are dripping with sweat in 2 mins! Saying that, we had a damp face cloth to wipe down and you can get cooling cloths and sprays that help as well. Jump into air conditioned shops wherever you can. Get ice lollies from 7-11s. I would do it again if it was the only time we could make it there

Original poster
SeaGlassDreamer · 13/09/2025 10:24

Hmm… Thanks all - Maybe we will have to brave the crowds at Easter.

OP posts:
Walkden · 13/09/2025 10:27

We went this year. It is humid even when overcast and pouring with rain it is 30 degrees. Pushing 40 on sunny days.

I don't think it's that bad as almost everywhere has air con. Shops. Undergrounds, hotel etc. cooled drinks vending machines are everywhere and water is only 100 yen or so, so you can cope start the day early have a break just afternoon in a coffee shop etc and it is do able.

Might needs to be very careful about long hikes etc though.

Radiatorvalves · 13/09/2025 10:35

Easter year 12 or year 13? Tbh neither of my kids wanted to go anywhere at Easter in Year 13 and only for a week in Year 12 (the predicted grades are largely based on year 12 exams. What does your DS think?

Kurokurosuke · 13/09/2025 10:39

Yes!!! The summer is looooong and humid. This year it hasn’t gone under 32 degrees.

If you do come in August be prepared. Or come in April. When it is lovely

Needlesnah · 13/09/2025 10:42

My kids (late teens/early twenties - one still going through the process) only relaxed over the summer holidays. Easter was a big study period leading up to AS and A level exams.

I lived in Singapore for many, many years - temperature was regularly 32 odd with high humidity. I don’t know how well that compares with Tokyo or the other cities but everything is set up to offer relief. Proper aircon in every shop or public transport. Japan is going to be just as organised in that respect. Personally I’d go in the summer.

Original poster
SeaGlassDreamer · 13/09/2025 10:43

@Radiatorvalvesit would be Easter year 12. Ds wants to go. When Ds1 was in year 12 there wasn’t much going on around that time. I would check dates of mocks etc before we book. Not really a perfect to go when you factor in schools and uni for the eldest.

OP posts:
ladybirdsanchez · 13/09/2025 10:43

We were there in cherry blossom season this year and it was absolutely NOT hell on Earth! It was lovely and amazing and I was actually surprised at how few crowds we encountered. There were a couple of temples that were really busy, the little streets of Kyoto were very busy, as was the Tokyo Skytree at dusk, but apart from that, it really wasn't that crowded.

Personally, I wouldn't want go in the summer, because none of us can cope with 40-degree temps. I know people do it, but it wouldn't be enjoyable for us, it would be miserable.

Original poster
SeaGlassDreamer · 13/09/2025 10:44

@ladybirdsanchezthat sounds very promising! Which places did you visit?

OP posts:
coolmum123 · 13/09/2025 10:45

Kurokurosuke · 13/09/2025 10:39

Yes!!! The summer is looooong and humid. This year it hasn’t gone under 32 degrees.

If you do come in August be prepared. Or come in April. When it is lovely

@Kurokurosuke we are planning a trip to Japan for 3 weeks next year. We’re think of May and June. What is it like there at that time? Thanks

ladybirdsanchez · 13/09/2025 10:46

SeaGlassDreamer · 13/09/2025 10:44

@ladybirdsanchezthat sounds very promising! Which places did you visit?

Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hakone and Tokyo. We flew out the first Sat of the Easter holidays and hit peak cherry blossom season in Kyoto (which we went to first). It was one of the most amazing places we've ever been - we all loved it - adults and teens.

Muchtoomuchtodo · 13/09/2025 10:50

I’m assuming your DS won’t sit any exams in the summer of year 12 @SeaGlassDreamer?

We do AS levels so going away for the whole of the Easter holiday in year 12 was out of the question. Also check when your ds’s school does mocks as they are often used for ucas predicted grades.

I expected year 12 to be fairly chilled, however with open days and exams it was anything but!

Original poster
SeaGlassDreamer · 13/09/2025 10:51

@ladybirdsanchez Right looks like we are back on for Easter then! Will have to see if I can get info about school stuff etc. When Ds1 was in year 12 it was quiet at this time but appreciate that it was 2021 so we were still going through semi Covid rules. My friend has a child in the year above my Ds so I should be able to get info from her nearer the time.

OP posts:
ladybirdsanchez · 13/09/2025 10:53

One of our DC was in Y12 this year when we went. However, we went for two weeks, not three, and our holiday was within the school Easter break. Two weeks was long enough to see what we wanted to see. I'd love to go back, but Japan is one of those countries that is SO rich in things to see that you would need to go for several months to see it all.

Original poster
SeaGlassDreamer · 13/09/2025 10:55

@Muchtoomuchtodo- no As levels here. It’s hard to assess though isn’t it as if he starts A levels and finds them tough maybe year 12 isn’t such a good time to go. My kids have been badgering me for a family trip to Japan for years. It’s on the top of our dream lists for all 4 of us.

OP posts:
Needlesnah · 13/09/2025 10:55

I don’t know about the other countries but my first 2 did AS post covid, in England. The results from AS levels form the basis for uni offers. 1&2 received their initial offers from the AS level results. Honestly my peri memory is no good here re the timeline but I know Easter - AS level - was a definite no-go period for any type of travel.

RingoJuice · 13/09/2025 10:56

😆😆😆😆 it is incredibly humid in August. And unlike Florida, you’ll be walking around a lot, so it’s gonna hit harder. It’s the sort of climate where you take a shower and you’ll immediately feel sweaty again.