The best time to visit Yamaguchi: a season-by-season guide

Yamaguchi has a mild climate and something to enjoy in every season, from cherry blossom over Kintaikyo to winter fugu dinners by a hot spring. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable, but each season has its own reasons to come.

Spring (March to May)

Spring is warm and bright. Cherry blossoms usually open in late March and early April, and the thousands of trees around Kintaikyo Bridge make it one of the best blossom spots in western Japan. The trees at Rurikoji in Yamaguchi city and Hagi Castle are lovely too. Golden Week, from late April to early May, is very busy everywhere.

The rainy season (June to mid-July)

Early summer brings the rainy season, with grey skies and heavy downpours at times. It is a quiet time to travel, and in June, fireflies glow along the rivers around Yamaguchi city, especially the Ichinosaka River near Yuda Onsen.

Summer (mid-July to September)

Summer is hot and humid, with highs above 30°C. It is the best season for the beaches of Tsunoshima, where the sea is at its bluest, and for cormorant fishing at Kintaikyo in the evenings. The Yamaguchi Tanabata Lantern Festival lights up the city in early August. Typhoons are possible from August to October.

Autumn (October and November)

Autumn is clear, dry and comfortable. The pampas grass on Akiyoshidai turns silver and gold, and the maples turn red in November. In 2026, the SL Yamaguchi steam train returned to the line from Shin-Yamaguchi to Tsuwano for autumn weekends and holidays.

Winter (December to February)

Winter is cool, with occasional snow inland and on the north coast. It is the season for fugu, which is at its best from about November to February, and the perfect time for a hot spring. In February, the grass on Akiyoshidai is burned off in a dramatic controlled fire called yamayaki. Read our guide to hot springs in Yamaguchi.

At a glance

• Best overall: October and November, then April and May.
• Best for cherry blossom: late March to early April.
• Best for beaches: July and August.
• Best for food: winter, for fugu. See what to eat in Yamaguchi.
• Most crowded: Golden Week, mid-August and autumn weekends.

For more on weather, packing and safety, see our Yamaguchi travel guide.