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Resort Glamping.com
For Glamping Reservations of Japan(Mt.Fuji, Awaji Island, Beppu, Tottori, Izu, Kyoto, Osaka, Hokkaido, Kyushu etc.)
December 2026, 2
When planning a trip, the other thing to consider besides the destination is when to travel.Accommodation and transportation costs vary depending on the season, even for the same destination.In order to travel as cheaply as possible, many of you may be wondering, ``When is the cheapest time to travel?'' and ``Are there any other ways to reduce travel costs other than seasonal travel?''In this article, we will introduce when is the cheapest time to travel domestically, as well as ways to keep your travel costs low other than choosing the season.
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Even when traveling to the same destination, the prices of accommodation, airline tickets, bullet trains, limited express tickets, rental cars, etc. can be higher or lower depending on the season.In particular, the number of travelers has an impact on travel prices.
In the travel industry, periods with a high concentration of travelers are called "on season," and periods with relatively few travelers are called "off season." Typical examples of on seasons are long holidays such as Golden Week, summer vacation, and New Year's. Many people tend to take time off at the same time, leading to increased travel both domestically and internationally. On the other hand, there are fewer travelers after long holidays and periods centered on weekdays, making this the off season. If you want to keep costs down, simply avoiding busy holidays is effective, and it's also worth noting that discount campaigns are often available for the off season.
Demand rises sharply during peak season, which means prices for accommodation and flights tend to rise. The main reasons for this are the combination of stable weather, a lot of events, and overlapping school and company holidays, which means more people are willing to travel even if it's a little more expensive. If you want to keep costs down, the basic rule is to avoid these peak times, and it's also effective to check for discount campaigns that tend to be available after long holidays.
Times when there are relatively fewer travelers are called the "off-season" or "low season," and travel prices are cheaper. Unlike peak seasons, off-seasons are more likely to have empty hotel rooms, airplanes, bullet train seats, etc. Services with limited room and seat availability, such as hotels, airline tickets, and bullet trains, have lower profit margins when there are empty rooms or seats. Since it is better to reduce empty rooms and seats even if it means lowering prices, tours and room rates are often cheaper in the off-season.
Domestic travel tends to be more expensive during the busy periods for the tourism industry, such as the New Year's holiday, Golden Week, and summer vacation. Looking at it on a monthly basis, prices tend to rise in August and early January. Prices also temporarily rise in spring and autumn when consecutive holidays are involved. Looking at it throughout the year, whether or not there are consecutive holidays can be considered a major dividing line in price fluctuations.
Cheap domestic travel times are between consecutive holidays or outside of tourist season. Specifically, June and November tend to be relatively cheap. In November in particular, prices can settle even in popular areas if you just avoid the peak of the autumn foliage season. The key is to think of it as "shifting it a little" rather than "avoiding the best season."
For example, if you're traveling to see the cherry blossoms, you can avoid the crowds and costs by simply going a week before or after the expected peak bloom date. The same goes for autumn leaves; you can enjoy a more tranquil atmosphere just before or at the end of their peak viewing period. By choosing a time closer to the off-season while still retaining the charm of the popular season, it's easier to strike a balance between cost and satisfaction.
We have summarized the trends in travel costs by area that is popular for domestic travel.
Hokkaido is popular during the summer and winter event periods, but June is a relatively recommended time to visit. The temperature starts to stabilize, making it easier to sightsee, and prices tend to settle down before the summer holidays. It can get chilly in the mornings and evenings, so it's a good idea to bring a jacket.
Complete guide to Hokkaido in summer! From clothing to sightseeing spots and events
The cheapest times to visit Okinawa are early June to early July and October. Prices tend to drop just after the rainy season ends and before and after typhoon season, making these the perfect time to travel and enjoy sightseeing and gourmet food other than the sea.
Kyoto is popular year-round, but mid-May is a relatively calm time. It's before the rainy season and is comfortable, and you can avoid the peak of cherry blossom and autumn foliage viewing, making it easier to take your time sightseeing.
In Osaka, early to mid-April is a good time to visit as it is cheap. With the new fiscal year coming up and many people finding it difficult to take time off, tourism demand temporarily drops, so accommodation prices tend to drop.
The cheapest times to travel abroad are mainly during the "off-season" periods that exclude long holidays and school holidays in each country. In general, prices tend to be higher during the New Year holidays, summer vacation, and local public holidays, and lower after long holidays or during seasons when the weather is unstable.
However, circumstances vary by country and area, and even within the same month, the on/off schedule may be reversed depending on your destination. Check whether there are any events in your area, the weather (rainy season, cold waves, etc.), and the local holiday calendar, and compare the average prices for flights and accommodation as a set before making your decision.
In the United States, late November to mid-December and January and February tend to be relatively cheap. This is mainly because there are fewer long weekends and holidays, which reduces tourism demand. While cold regions are more susceptible to the effects of the weather, in urban areas, indoor tourism is the norm, so airfares and accommodation costs tend to be lower.
In East Asia, the peak peak season is the Lunar New Year, and travel costs tend to rise around that time. Demand tends to calm down during periods with fewer public holidays and major events, such as March and June in South Korea and May and September in Taiwan, and airfare and accommodation prices tend to fall. Avoid long weekends and look for cheaper travel times.
Summer is the high season in Europe, but winter is the off season. There are ways to enjoy the cold season, such as visiting Christmas markets and museums. Southern Europe is relatively warm and perfect for walking around town, while Northern Europe is more focused on snowy scenery and indoor sightseeing, so it's important to plan your trip taking into account the differences in climate.
Travel costs can be reduced by avoiding peak seasons and optimizing by separating "airfare" and "accommodation." Using miles is an effective way to save on airfare; you can earn JAL/ANA miles with your credit card or at affiliated stores and exchange them for reward tickets, making the flight essentially free. For hotels, early bird and last-minute booking discounts are options. Early bird discounts are best for planning, while last-minute bookings can be difficult depending on availability, so be sure to check the terms and compare them with off-peak market rates.
Miles from airlines like JAL and ANA can be exchanged for airline tickets. You can save more efficiently by using credit cards or earning points at partner stores. This is a particularly good method during the off-season, when fewer miles are required.
Last-minute discounts are a system in which hotels and inns offer last-minute plans at reduced prices to fill vacant rooms. On Jalan, Rakuten Travel, and Ikyu, you can narrow down your search by "last minute," "same day," or "time sale," and then search for the cheapest dates. Price reductions are easy to track with app notifications and favorites, and they tend to be easier to find on weekdays off the calendar.
Airlines such as ANA offer early bird discounts. ANA's early bird discount, "ANA SUPER VALUE," allows you to select cheaper fares by booking up to 75 days in advance. For example, fares from Haneda to Sapporo (Chitose) start at around 1 yen one way, and even Haneda to Fukuoka and Haneda to Okinawa (Naha) can be found in the 1 to 2 yen range if you book early.
Airfares vary depending on the day of the week. Generally, flights tend to be cheaper from Monday to Thursday. Even if it's difficult to take a long vacation, you can save a little money even during peak season by using just one day of paid leave to set your departure and return dates on a weekday.
Demand is concentrated on weekends and holidays, and accommodation prices can be several thousand to 10,000 yen more expensive than on weekdays. Airfares also tend to be more expensive for weekend departures and arrivals. By shifting just one night to a weekday, you can save several thousand to over 10,000 yen in total on accommodation and transportation costs, creating a cheaper period for domestic travel.
LCCs such as Peach and Jetstar occasionally run promotions, so it's useful to use email notifications and apps to keep up to date with the latest information.
Package tours can be cheaper during the off-season. On the other hand, the appeal of making your own arrangements is the freedom you have. Decide whether you are more concerned about price or flexibility in your itinerary.
The reason travel prices are cheaper in the off-season is because there are fewer tourists.On the other hand, it is also an unpopular time when it is difficult for tourists to gather.Here are some things to keep in mind when booking travel plans and accommodation during the off-season.
The off-season is also the time when bad weather is likely to occur, such as the rainy season, typhoons, and snowfall.Please be aware that transportation may be delayed or canceled, and events may be cancelled.
Even in the off-season, from mid-January to early February, the temperature is low, so be aware that the climate makes it difficult to travel for anything other than winter sports.Due to snowfall and snow accumulation, there is a high probability that planes and trains will be canceled or delayed, and accidents will occur on expressways.
During the typhoon season from August to October, flights and ferries are often canceled.Unfortunately, your return flight may be canceled and you may end up spending the night at the airport.If you're considering traveling during this season, be sure to check the latest information on local weather and transportation.
Depending on the destination and time of year, travel prices may not be significantly cheaper even during the off-season. For example, the off-season from mid-April to Golden Week is a great time to travel as temperatures are high and comfortable, and the weather is stable. Therefore, even during the off-season, prices tend to be higher than from mid-January to early February. Also, depending on the location, cherry blossoms may be in full bloom in mid-April. Travel destinations and accommodations with popular cherry blossom viewing spots may have higher prices or may be fully booked and difficult to get into.
It is often during the high season that you can enjoy the natural scenery unique to each season, such as autumn leaves and cherry blossoms.If you're traveling during the off-season, these pleasures may be limited.
Also, during the rainy season, there is a lot of rain, so outdoor activities may not be possible.In winter and summer, you will need to take precautions against the cold and heat, and the ways you can enjoy your trip will be limited depending on the time of year you travel.
On the other hand, the winter off-season is also the season when food becomes more delicious.We recommend planning your trip for off-season activities such as gourmet food, winter sports, and hot springs.
Glamping is recommended when you are unsure of where to go during the off-season when travel costs are low.Glamping is an all-weather room with air conditioning and heating, so the appeal of glamping is that you can enjoy it regardless of the season.Another advantage of spending time in an environment close to nature is that you can enjoy spectacular views of nature even in the off-season when it is difficult to go out.
Some glamping facilities offer a wide range of easy-to-use services and facilities, including hassle-free activities that even beginners can enjoy, barbecues, hot springs, saunas, and game rentals. You can freely choose your stay style, so you can have a fulfilling time even during the off-season. Glamping is also recommended for family trips, three-generation trips, girls' nights, and anniversary trips.
Some people may be thinking, ``I want to go glamping, but isn't it expensive?'' or ``Is there a way to go glamping as cheaply as possible?''
In general, many glamping facilities offer cheaper accommodation prices during the off-season.Some facilities offer discount plans depending on the day of the week or time of year you stay, such as weekdays or seasonal discounts.Be sure to check out the websites of glamping facilities that interest you.
This time, we introduced ways to reduce travel costs based on explanations about the seasons.Choosing an off-season trip can reduce accommodation and transportation costs, but it also has its pros and cons, such as reducing the enjoyment of the trip and making it more dependent on the weather.Also, depending on your travel destination, prices may not be so low even in the off-season.After considering the purpose of your trip and how you want to enjoy it, try taking advantage of off-season reservations and other ways to reduce travel costs if necessary.
*This column was created based on information as of April 2026, 1.Please check the official website for the latest information on each facility and each prefecture campaign.
He is an editor at Resort Glamping.com, a glamping-focused media outlet visited by approximately 100 million people a month. He has written over 150 articles introducing glamping facilities and experience reports, and is involved in a wide range of glamping facility services, from planning and development to operation and customer acquisition consulting.
