May in Japan is something of a Goldilocks zone in astronomy: the perfect season when it’s neither too hot nor too cold. It’s time to relax and travel! Keep in mind: during the Golden Week at the beginning of the month, all trains and hotels are overcrowded. If you are planning to travel around Japan in early May, be sure to book everything in advance.
– Golden Week lasts from the end of April to the beginning of May. At this time, transport in Japan is loaded to capacity.
– Since the main destinations are full of tourists in May, we recommend you to visit places less popular among tourists.
– The giant carp-shaped flags that can be seen in the countryside in May are koinobori, traditional decorations for Children’s Day (it is celebrated on May 5 and used to be called Boys’ Day).
– The second half of May is relatively calmer – travel around Japan until the rainy season starts in June.
From April 18 to May 20, the Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi Prefecture is open for wisteria blossoms. For the whole month you may appreciate the sights of 150-year-old trees at the festival. The backlight turns at night making the wisteria look spectacular. It’s not far from Tokyo, and it’s nice to spend a spring night there.
