When to visit Nara without the crowds
Nara (Japan) is calmest in January, February, June and December: fewer people and better prices. It gets busiest in April, May, August, October and November. Below is every month with crowds, temperatures and festivals. Careful with June: the calm has a reason (see the seasonal heads-ups).
Best months
Jan–Feb, Jun–Jul & Sep
When everyone heads home
The second week of December.
Tip
Most visit as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka: stay over and see the temples empty at dusk.
Month by month
| Month | Crowds | Avg. high | Festivals & holidays |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 1/5 · calm | 10 °C (49 °F) | Wakakusa Yamayaki hill burning (January), New Year's Day, Coming of Age Day |
| February | 1/5 · calm | 11 °C (51 °F) | Foundation Day, The Emperor's Birthday |
| March | 3/5 · moderate ✦ | 15 °C (59 °F) | Vernal Equinox Day |
| April | 4/5 · busy ✦ | 20 °C (69 °F) | Shōwa Day |
| May | 4/5 · busy | 25 °C (76 °F) | Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children's Day |
| June | 2/5 · calm ⚠ | 28 °C (82 °F) | |
| July | 3/5 · moderate | 32 °C (90 °F) | Marine Day |
| August | 4/5 · busy ⚠ | 34 °C (93 °F) | Mountain Day |
| September | 3/5 · moderate ⚠ | 30 °C (87 °F) | Respect for the Aged Day, Autumnal Equinox Day |
| October | 4/5 · busy | 24 °C (74 °F) | Sports Day |
| November | 5/5 · busy | 18 °C (64 °F) | Momiji, autumn leaves (November), Culture Day, Labour Thanksgiving Day |
| December | 2/5 · calm | 12 °C (54 °F) |
⚠ = seasonal heads-up. ✦ = something special to see.
Before you go: seasonal heads-ups
- Rainy season (tsuyu): rain most days until mid-July.
- Typhoon season (Aug–Sep): flights and trains can be cancelled.
What to see, and when
- Cherry blossoms (late March–early April).
Crowds are a relative index for each place: 1 is its calmest month and 5 its busiest. Temperatures: Copernicus ERA5, 2016–2025 average. Includes official tourism statistics (e-Stat, Nara Prefecture, 2023-2025). How it works
Frequently asked questions
What is the best month to visit Nara without the crowds?
The calmest month is usually January and February (crowds 1/5). In February the average high is 11 °C (51 °F). All the calm months: January, February, June and December.
When is Nara most crowded?
The busiest season is April, May, August, October and November. The second week of December.
What is the weather like in Nara?
Average highs range from 10 °C (49 °F) in January to 34 °C (93 °F) in August, from Copernicus ERA5 (2016–2025).
What should I know before going to Nara?
Rainy season (tsuyu): rain most days until mid-July. Typhoon season (Aug–Sep): flights and trains can be cancelled.
What is there to see in Nara by season?
Cherry blossoms (late March–early April).
What festivals are there in Nara?
The main ones: Wakakusa Yamayaki hill burning (January) (January); Momiji, autumn leaves (November) (November).
More places in Japan
- Kyoto calm in January, February and June; busiest in March, April, May and November
- Tokyo calm in January, February, June and September; busiest in April
- Osaka calm in January, February and June; busiest in March, April, May, August and November
- Hiroshima & Miyajima calm in January, February, June and December; busiest in April, May, August and November
- Sapporo (Hokkaido) calm in March, April, May and November; busiest in February, July and August
- Naha (Okinawa) calm in January, February, April, June and December; busiest in July and August
- Hakone calm in January, February, June, July and September; busiest in August and November
- Kanazawa calm in January, February, June and July; busiest in May, August and November
- Nikko calm in January, February, March, April, June and December; busiest in August, October and November
- Fukuoka calm in January, February and June; busiest in May, August and November
- Kawaguchiko (Mount Fuji) calm in January, February, March, June, October and December; busiest in August