If you’re a fan of spring blossoms and fall foliage, then you’ll appreciate cruising Japan during the shoulder months of March-April or October. Go during this time to catch cherry tree and maple leaf festivals, celebrated with flower-viewing boating excursions and fairs.
Spring and fall have sporadic rainstorms and mild weather, making both ideal periods for a tour of Japan. The best time to cruise the country can often be decided on travelers’ weather and festival preferences.
Fall sees foliage that begins to turn brilliant colors in October through early November. Visit Japan during the fall to see the renowned maple, ginkgo, and ash trees turn yellow, orange, red, and purple. It is also a season of many regional festivals. Fall is a great time to cruise in Japan as the weather is cool and dry.
Winter months (December and February) bring moderate cold and snow, good news for the many Japanese ski resorts and winter sports enthusiasts. The weather rarely dips below 30F (-1C). However, New Year’s is widely celebrated and is a very busy time for traveling with airlines, highways, and trains crowded with passengers.
Cruising Japan during spring (March through May) allows passengers to experience the famed cherry or sakura blossoms, which bloom in March or April. Plum trees blossom as early as the end of February, and the season is characterized by various blossom-viewing festivals. April 29 through May 5 is Golden Week, a time when most of the population goes on holiday, leading to crowds.
Summer (June through August) is divided into two seasons; June to mid-July is the rainy season, and mid-July through August is hot and humid. The rainy season can be a cool and less crowded time to travel to Japan.
The O-Bon festival occurs from August 13-16 and many Japanese citizens go on vacation. Tokyo is quieter than usual as many residents return to their home towns for the holiday.
Unlike mainland Japan, the northern region Hokkaido does not experience rain nor hot and humid temperatures in summer, but cool, dry weather.
Best Time to Go on a Cruise to South Korea
If you want to see the vibrant pink of the cherry blossoms in bloom, the best time to visit South Korea is between March and May, but ifyou want to see the leaves change color and enjoy cooler weather, visit between September and November.
June, July and August offer the best conditions for hiking, but the weather is hot and humid away from the mountains. December, January, and February temperatures are bitterly cold, with temperatures regularly falling below -10C (14F) and even lower.
China Cruise Time
A cruise down the awe-inspiring Yangtze River is a must for any visitor to China.
The best time to visit is during April-May and September-October, when the weather is warm and mild and flight schedules are stable. Of course, since this is the peak time for Yangtze River Cruises, booking far in advance or flexible travel dates are necessary.
Spring and autumn are the best time to visit Great Wall of China, with comfortable temperatures and greenery on the mountains. However, if you don’t like the sweltering heat, avoid visiting during this season.
Winter is a good time if you want to avoid crowds, but because it is cold, therefore, it's not recommended to visit in winter.
Best Time to Cruise Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar
Other stops on a cruise of Asia may include Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand, and Myanmar. The southern regions of these countries, particularly coastal areas, experience a monsoon season from May to October. Summers in these areas are hot and humid.
A more enjoyable time to visit is later in autumn and early winter, when temperatures are cooler and rain is unlikely.
While Mekong River cruises are offered all year-round, the best time to visit is during the dry season between November and April. The cool temperatures in November through January make this the ideal time to take a river cruise in Asia, since the wet season has already passed and the weather is still relatively low. The Mekong River is the twelfth largest river in the world, flowing through six Southeast Asian countries.
If your Asian voyage continues up towards Russia and the Arctic Circle, expect the largest holiday crowds and warmest weather in July and August. To avoid the crowds, try the shoulder months of May to June and September to early October. In early autumn the foliage is brilliant and mushrooms and berries are ripe and ready to be picked or foraged. Winter is bitterly cold, hence its reputation, though Russians are very hospitable and eager to share their theater, indoor warmth, and vodka to enjoy while watching the snow. Spring (February-mid April) in Russia in spring is very slushy, muddy, and generally not recommended for enjoyable travel.
Contact Adventure Life for expert advice in planning the best time to cruise southeast Asia.
Adventure Life is always an excellent choice when planning complicated, extreme, or exotic vacations or expeditions. They provide friendly professional services and advice and are enthusiastic and encouraging in helping us to prepare and thoroughly enjoy our trip. They handle all the details which greatly reduces the stress of planning a difficult trip. I'm very impressed with Adventure Life and definitely recommend them to friends and family.
Scott Trochim
3 days ago
The response from Adventure Life to my first inquiry was prompt and promising. I worked with Jamie Broeckel, Trip Planner, via text, email, and phone calls- always extremely responsive and thorough with information and explaining the process to arrange a private tour for me to Malaysia Borneo. Within about week, the booking was complete and I made decisions because of Jamie's great customer service , friendly manner, and overall competence on behalf of the company's travel expertise. Now I have an itinerary, additional Trip Planner Assistants, several links for vital information for traveling to Maylasia, etc. Still many details for Sept. trip, but now the heavy lifting is done and I can enjoy the rest of the anticipation and research!! Thanks Jamie- you are amazing!!!!
Susan Campo
5 days ago
The trip was not only memorable for the amount of animals we saw but also for the people and accommodations at the two camps where we stayed. Our first guide, BK, was a wealth of information about the animals, landscape and down to the plants and what they were used for. Everyday out was a learning experience with him. All the people at the camps were gracious and the food was excellent.
Our second camp in the Okavanga was just as good as the first as far as the staff, accommodations, food and animals. After our experience at the first camp we amazed that the high quality remained the same. Our guide, G, made sure we were able to enjoy every experience including a rush through the bush to witness a cheetah and an ensuing hunt that he heard over his radio.
In both camps there were enough guides out that if they saw something the other guides were informed which helped in seeing as much as possible. It was also nice that the concessions were large enough that we did not have vehicles following each other throughout the day.
Normally there is always something in a trip of this length that we think could be improved upon but this is the rare case where we cannot think of anything. From the time we left the States to when we returned it was one of the most hassle free vacations we took.
Perhaps emphasizing the use of the laundry facilities at the camps would be useful because of the luggage restrictions would be the only thing I can think of as an improvement to future clients.
Kenneth Dropek
6 days ago
Mary was so pleasant and professional. She made sure all of our questions were answered.