The Best Places to Visit in Japan During August

Japan's summer month of August is typically the hottest in the year, and making your way around its cities can be a challenge full of water breaks and escaping into air-conditioned malls. While places like Tokyo, Kyoto and Fukuoka will see similar temperatures, not everywhere is always quite as hot. Here are some of the best places in August to either escape the heat, or embrace it.

Aomori

There's no better way to beat the heat than head north. Temperatures in northern regions such as Aomori, Akita and Hokkaido are comfortably lower than elsewhere in Japan. While most people flock to Japan's far north of Hokkaido to escape the brutal heat, Aomori's Nebuta Festival is held during the first week of August and is a spectacular sight to see, a dizzying display of local culture, bright colors and arts.

Okinawa

Unbeknownst to many, Japan has a string of incredibly beautiful islands with beaches just as stunning, if not more so, as popular places in Southeast Asia. Relish in the summer heat by heading to one of these islands and lounging on a beach or engaging in the endless offering of water sports.

As Okinawa can get a little chilly during the winter, summer is the most popular time for those living in Japan to head to these islands. If you're not too keen on sharing a beach with the crowds, head to one of the less popular islands like Ie or Iheya. Also be aware that August usually sees a number of typhoons hitting Japan and going through the Okinawan islands, they'll generally pass in a day or two, so it's best to spend at least a few days in Okinawa just in case you get caught in one.

Lake Suwa

In a beautiful setting located in the Japanese Alps, temperatures in Lake Suwa are generally a little cooler than lower down. There's plenty to do in the cities of Suwa and Okaya that surround the lake, but none more worth visiting than the Lake Suwa Fireworks Festival on August 15th. While there are plenty of firework displays all around Japan in August, the one at Lake Suwa is the largest by number of fireworks in the country, a tremendous 40,000 in fact.

Mt Fuji

If climbing one of the world's most iconic mountains has ever been on your list of things to do, the summer season is the only safe time to hike it. Mt Fuji's official climbing season lasts from early June to mid September, outside of that time mountain huts are closed and snow is common at the higher areas making a dangerous climb. Without ice and snow, the climb up Japan's tallest mountain is much easier and pleasant, easily achievable for those with a good level of fitness.

While most people tend to climb the mountain at night, sleeping in one of the mountain huts in order to see the sunrise, this climb requires a bit more preparation and determination due to the cold and lack of light. It's also usually crowded with people having the same dreams of sunset views. For an easier climb, head there early in the morning before the midday heat kicks in and make sure to use sun cream.

Hakuba

As one of Japan's most famous winter holiday and ski resorts, Hakuba is usually ignored during the summer months. Without the thick layers of snow and freezing cold temperatures however, this region of the Japanese Alps is much more easier to explore in the summer. While you won't get chance to go skiing or snowboarding in August, there's plenty of hiking trails and activities to take part in. The fields of Hakuba Iwatake turn into a beautiful garden of over two million lilies in July and August, a stunning sight to behold.

Conclusion

Be aware that Obon Festival takes place in the middle of August, many companies will give their employees up to a week off from work, meaning some places can get quite crowded during this period. In particular Mt Fuji can get quite crowded during this time and will sometimes mean having to queue while climbing up the popular routes. Hotel prices and domestic flights will also usually go up during this time and get booked much quicker.