Although Tokyo's busiest foreign-tourist season is summer, the city lends itself to visiting year-round. In fact, when the rest of Japan is besieged with vacationing Japanese during Golden Week (Apr 29-May 5) and summer vacation (mid-July through Aug), Tokyo can be blissfully empty, as Tokyoites pour out of the city to the countryside.

Keep in mind, however, that in mid-February, hotel rooms may be in short supply as high-school students from around the nation converge on Tokyo to compete in entrance exams for the city's prestigious universities. In addition, popular tourist destinations outside Tokyo, such as Nikko, Kamakura, and Hakone, will be jam-packed on major holidays. And from December 31 through the first 2 to 4 days of January, it seems as though the entire nation shuts down, including most restaurants and museums.

Although Tokyo's busiest foreign-tourist season is summer, the city lends itself to visiting year-round. In fact, when the rest of Japan is besieged with vacationing Japanese during Golden Week (Apr 29-May 5) and summer vacation (mid-July through Aug), Tokyo can be blissfully empty, as Tokyoites pour out of the city to the countryside.

Keep in mind, however, that in mid-February, hotel rooms may be in short supply as high-school students from around the nation converge on Tokyo to compete in entrance exams for the city's prestigious universities. In addition, popular tourist destinations outside Tokyo, such as Nikko, Kamakura, and Hakone, will be jam-packed on major holidays. And from December 31 through the first 2 to 4 days of January, it seems as though the entire nation shuts down, including most restaurants and museums.

Although Tokyo's busiest foreign-tourist season is summer, the city lends itself to visiting year-round. In fact, when the rest of Japan is besieged with vacationing Japanese during Golden Week (Apr 29-May 5) and summer vacation (mid-July through Aug), Tokyo can be blissfully empty, as Tokyoites pour out of the city to the countryside.

Keep in mind, however, that in mid-February, hotel rooms may be in short supply as high-school students from around the nation converge on Tokyo to compete in entrance exams for the city's prestigious universities. In addition, popular tourist destinations outside Tokyo, such as Nikko, Kamakura, and Hakone, will be jam-packed on major holidays. And from December 31 through the first 2 to 4 days of January, it seems as though the entire nation shuts down, including most restaurants and museums.

Although Tokyo's busiest foreign-tourist season is summer, the city lends itself to visiting year-round. In fact, when the rest of Japan is besieged with vacationing Japanese during Golden Week (Apr 29-May 5) and summer vacation (mid-July through Aug), Tokyo can be blissfully empty, as Tokyoites pour out of the city to the countryside.

Keep in mind, however, that in mid-February, hotel rooms may be in short supply as high-school students from around the nation converge on Tokyo to compete in entrance exams for the city's prestigious universities. In addition, popular tourist destinations outside Tokyo, such as Nikko, Kamakura, and Hakone, will be jam-packed on major holidays. And from December 31 through the first 2 to 4 days of January, it seems as though the entire nation shuts down, including most restaurants and museums.