The best season
Spring is definitely the perfect season to visit this country. The cherry blossom, sakura (in the local language) makes the Japanese landscapes enchanting; it starts from the second half of March in Kyushu and Shikoku, and ends in Hokkaido at the beginning of May.
Between June and July, the monsoons bring the rainy season to Japan (tsuyu) and summers, in general, are characterized by a warm and humid climate. We went in August and we actually suffered a lot from the heat, especially in Kyoto.
Autumn is linked to the charm of the momiji red leaves, making their first appearance in Hokkaido, in the north, in mid-October, to reach Kyushu, in the south, by the end of November.
The seasons are marked by numerous festivals (matsuri) that take place throughout the country: an opportunity you must not miss in order to get closer to the Japanese culture.
What to wear
There are no particular recommendations. If you go in summer, wear sunglasses and a hat to protect yourself during the warmest hours.
Transportation
By train, full stop. If you are planning to visit different places around the country, it is certainly worth requesting the Japan Rail Pass, a subscription that allows you to travel unlimited throughout the Japan Rail network.
Public transportation in Tokyo and Kyoto are the best ways to move around. The other cities are all fairly small and usually there are always buses.
Where to stay
There is always something to suit every taste, from business hotels to traditional ryokan to love hotels and why not, you can also try a special experience by sleeping in a capsule hotel. There are also a lot of hostels.
