Season by season
Spring. Cherry blossom arrives in mid to late April, two to three weeks after Tokyo. May brings fresh green and the Grand Spring Festival.
Summer. Several degrees cooler than Tokyo, with frequent afternoon showers and mist in the cedars — which suits the shrines well.
Autumn. The shrine area usually peaks in early to mid November, after Lake Chuzenji (mid to late October). This is Nikko’s busiest period.
Winter. Often below freezing in the morning, with occasional snow on the shrine roofs. Clear, dry and uncrowded.
Festivals
- Yayoi Festival (13–17 April) — flower-decked floats at Futarasan Shrine.
- Toshogu Grand Spring Festival (17–18 May) — horseback archery on the 17th and the “procession of a thousand samurai” on the 18th.
- Toshogu Autumn Festival (16–17 October) — a smaller procession and archery.
Avoiding the crowds
Arrive at Toshogu at opening time, or after 15:00. Visit midweek in autumn. Taiyuin and Kanmangafuchi stay calm even on busy days.
Nikko month by month
| Month | Avg high | Avg low | Visit rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 3°C | -5°C | ★☆☆ Quiet / limited |
| February | 4°C | -5°C | ★☆☆ Quiet / limited |
| March | 8°C | -2°C | ★☆☆ Quiet / limited |
| April | 14°C | 3°C | ★★☆ Good time |
| May | 19°C | 8°C | ★★★ Peak season |
| June | 22°C | 13°C | ★★☆ Good time |
| July | 26°C | 17°C | ★★☆ Good time |
| August | 27°C | 18°C | ★★☆ Good time |
| September | 23°C | 14°C | ★★☆ Good time |
| October | 17°C | 8°C | ★★★ Peak season |
| November | 12°C | 2°C | ★★★ Peak season |
| December | 6°C | -2°C | ★☆☆ Quiet / limited |
Temperatures are approximate long-term averages for the area and vary with altitude; check a forecast before you travel.
