Tips for Planners
Here are some practical tips for planning events in Tokyo.
Time Zone
Tokyo time is +9 hours from GMT. Tokyo is +14 hours from EMT and +17 hours from PST. Tokyo observes no daylight saving time.
Best Times of the Year to Visit Tokyo
The ideal time to visit Tokyo is either in spring or autumn. Cherry blossoms are in full bloom from late March to early April. Autumn colors are at their brightest in middle and late November. The late April to early May Golden Week period and the Obon holidays centering around August 13 to 15 are times when domestic tourism and international airport traffic reach their peak, and for this reason it is advisable to avoid these periods. The rainy season lasts from early June to the middle of July.
Average Temperatures
| C | F | C | F | C | F | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| December | 9.0 | 48.2 | January | 5.3 | 41.5 | February | 7.0 | 44.6 | Winter |
| March | 10.1 | 50.2 | April | 16.3 | 61.3 | May | 20.5 | 68.9 | Spring |
| June | 21.5 | 70.7 | July | 25.3 | 77.5 | August | 27.2 | 81.0 | Summer |
| September | 24.4 | 76.0 | October | 20.1 | 68.2 | November | 13.9 | 57.0 | Autumn |
Public Holidays
Besides the holidays listed below, Japan observes three extended holiday periods. They are Year End to New Year’s (around December 29 to January 3), Golden Week (late April to early May) and the Obon holidays (around August 13 to 15).
| January 1 | New Year's Day |
| Second Monday of January | Coming-of-age Day |
| February 11 | National Foundation Day |
| Around March 21 | Vernal Equinox Day |
| April 29 | Showa Day |
| May 3 | Constitution Day |
| May 4 | Greenery Day |
| May 5 | Children's Day |
| Third Monday of July | Marine Day |
| Third Monday of September | Respect for the Aged Day |
| September 23 or 24 | Autumnal Equinox Day |
| Second Monday of October | Health and Sports Day |
| November 3 | Culture Day |
| November 23 | Labor Thanksgiving Day |
| December 23 | Emperor’s Birthday |
Availability of Hotel Banquet Rooms
Hotels are tremendously popular as venues for wedding ceremonies and receptions in Tokyo. The majority of these ceremonies and wedding-related events take place on the weekend and securing hotel banqueting facilities can sometimes be difficult at these times, and therefore requires forward planning. Convention halls present no such difficulties.
Special Hotel Rates
Tokyo-area DMCs often maintain priority reservation rights for a certain number of hotel rooms or can offer special discount room rates because of the amount of business they have had in the past with particular hotels. For this reason, it is often advantageous to deal directly with DMCs.
Tax
Japan charges a 5% consumption tax. Major department stores and electronics shops often offer their products duty-free to overseas travelers if they show their passports.
Tipping
Hotels and some restaurants include a service charge in their bills. It is not necessary to tip for service in Japan.
Electricity
Voltage: 100V AC
Current: 50Hz (Tokyo and eastern Japan) or 60Hz (Kyoto, Osaka, and western Japan)
Sockets: Flat two-pin sockets
