From Tokyo, With Love
Japan Travel Tips
Stories, travel tips, and behind-the-scenes from two photographers living in Japan.
Japan Autumn Packing List: What to Pack for September, October & November
What to pack for Japan in September, October and November. A month-by-month autumn packing list, from warm early-autu...
Japan Spring Packing List: What to Pack for March, April & May
What to pack for Japan in spring: a month-by-month list for March, April and May, plus what to wear for cherry blosso...
Japan Winter Packing List: What to Pack for December, January & February
What to pack for Japan in winter: a month-by-month list for December, January and February, with the layering system ...
Japan Summer Packing List: What to Pack for June, July & August
What to pack for Japan in summer: a month-by-month list for June, July and August, plus the cooling kit that makes th...
The Best Time to Visit Japan in 2026 (And What Nobody Tells You)
The honest answer on when to visit Japan in 2026. Why cherry blossom season is overrated for value, why winter and sh...
Best Time to Visit Tokyo: A Local-Source Calendar
When is the best time to visit Tokyo? Japanese sources break down weather, crowds, and seasonal highlights month by m...
Cherry Blossom Season vs Autumn vs Winter: Which Japan Trip Is Actually Right For You
Cherry blossom, autumn leaves, or winter in Japan — Japanese sources explain which season suits which type of travell...
When to Go to Japan vs When to Avoid: The Honest Answer From Japanese Sources
Japanese sources are unusually direct about when to avoid Japan — Golden Week, Obon, Silver Week, New Year — and wher...
Japan in February: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in February is Setsubun, Sapporo Snow Festival, and the first plum blossoms. Japanese sources explain what's wo...
Japan in January: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in January is hatsumode chaos then the year's quietest stretch. Japanese sources confirm it's the cheapest mont...
Japan in December: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in December means winter illuminations, a quiet pre-holiday lull, then a domestic travel surge for New Year. Ja...
Japan in November: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in November is peak koyo in Kyoto and central Japan. Japanese sources explain exact timing, which spots to prio...
Japan in September: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in September is the end of summer heat, typhoon season, and Silver Week. Japanese sources explain who goes wher...
Japan in October: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in October means peak koyo in Hokkaido, perfect weather, and the start of the autumn tourism rush. Japanese sou...
Japan in August: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in August is its hottest month and Obon season. Japanese sources explain the reverse-commute effect, where loca...
Japan in July: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in July means summer heat, Gion Matsuri in Kyoto, and the end of rainy season. Japanese sources explain what's ...
Japan in April: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in April is cherry blossom season in the first half and Golden Week chaos in the second. Japanese sources expla...
Japan in May: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in May is two very different trips: Golden Week chaos (Apr 29–May 5) or the emptiest, best-weather window of th...
Japan in March: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in March means two things: a quiet first half with plum blossoms, and a building cherry blossom rush in the sec...
Japan in June: Weather, Crowds, and What Japanese Travelers Actually Do
Japan in June has the lowest crowds of the year and hydrangea season. Japanese sources explain what rainy season actu...
The Best Time to Visit Japan in 2026: A Month-by-Month Guide
Japanese travel sources reveal when to visit Japan — and what to avoid. Golden Week timing, cherry blossom windows, a...