First-Timer’s Guide to Planning a Trip to Japan
A friendly guide to your first trip to Japan: where to go, when to visit, how to get around and how to travel with confidence.
Similar Posts
Discover the Stories Behind Every Destination
A guide to cultural travel across India, Japan, Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka, and how to travel in a way that connects with people and places.
Getting Inspired: How to Find Your Next Journey
Not sure where to go? Find your next journey by mood, season and style.
How to Save for a Trip: A Practical Travel Savings Plan That Actually Works
A practical, step-by-step plan for saving for a trip without giving up everything else.
The Melissa Tours Ultimate Packing Guide
A practical packing checklist for every kind of trip, with destination tips for Dubai, India, Nepal, Bhutan, Japan and Thailand.
Curated Travel Itineraries for Every Season
Where to go in each season, with itinerary ideas for Japan, Europe, the Himalayas, India, Dubai and Sri Lanka.
Weather shapes what you will see and do, from clear Himalayan views to comfortable desert evenings. This is a general guide to the seasons. Weather varies by year and region, so we confirm the best timing when you enquire.
Key takeaways
- Dubai: roughly October to April.
- India: roughly October to March for most regions.
- Nepal and Bhutan: spring and autumn.
- Sri Lanka: west and south December to March, east May to September.
- Japan: spring and autumn.
Dubai and the UAE
October to April is warm and comfortable. Summers are very hot and humid.
India
October to March is cooler and suits most regions. Summers are hot, and the monsoon brings rain from around June to September. The Himalayan regions have their own seasons.
Want this planned for you? Tell us your dates and a Melissa Tours specialist will shape the journey, or message us on WhatsApp.
Nepal
Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) bring the clearest views. Winter is cold at altitude, and the monsoon brings rain and cloud.
Bhutan
March to May and September to November are the most popular seasons, with clear weather and festivals. See our Bhutan guide.
Sri Lanka
The south and west coasts are best from about December to March, and the east coast from about May to September. The hill country is pleasant much of the year.
Japan
Late March to April brings cherry blossom, and October to November brings autumn colour. Summer is hot and humid and winter is cold and clear.
Thailand
November to February is generally cooler and drier, March to May is hot, and the rainy season runs through much of the middle of the year.
Europe
Spring and early autumn bring mild weather and fewer crowds, summer is lively and busy, and winter suits city breaks and festive markets.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is the best time to visit Dubai?
Roughly October to April.
When is the best time to visit Japan?
Late March to April and October to November.
When is the best time to visit Nepal?
Spring and autumn.
Does weather affect tours?
It can. We confirm timing and any seasonal considerations when you enquire.
Keep Reading
Explore Our Tour Packages
-
Payment Test (Do Not Book)
Internal payment test product. Not a real tour.
-
14 Day Japan with Hiroshima
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto and Hiroshima in fourteen days: a sushi class, Shirakawa-go, Nijo Castle, a tea ceremony, Nara and Miyajima. Small group of up to 22, planned by Melissa Tours. December 27, 2026.
-
14 Day Japan with Hiroshima
Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto and Hiroshima in fourteen days: a sushi class, Shirakawa-go, Nijo Castle, a tea ceremony, Nara and Miyajima. Small group of up to 22, planned by Melissa Tours. December 6, 2026.
Prefer something shaped around you? Every Melissa Tours itinerary can be customised. Browse all our tours or see upcoming Travel Adventures and seats left.
Travel When It Is at Its Best
Tell us your dates, and a Melissa Tours specialist will advise on the best timing and plan around it.
Our 24/7 Concierge Service looks after you from the first message to the day you are home.