One Month In Japan in August

So August is seriously hot and humid in much of Japan. It also rains a lot; not as much as June/July, but a lot still. It also is summer, so peak tourist season for Americans and many Europeans.

So if I were me traveling, I would try to get away from the hot and the humid into the mountains, where the elevation can help a bit. I would also try to avoid the major tourist draws. With a month, I suppose you still hit them, but perhaps a little more abbreviated trip rather than a longer trip. So for example even though Kyoto has weeks worth of temples, it being hot/rainy/full of tourists might make me limit it to just 3 days.

Over a month though without any clear interests....I suppose you are really flexible. Try getting a guidebook or doing some research on what interests you

As above: look at a guidebook, or have a read through www.japan-guide.com for starters.

Japan is diverse, and there's interesting stuff all over the country. There are innumerable possibilities for one month.

And also as rpbourne says, August is hot in Japan - tropical hot - so do be prepared.

You can do a multiday hike on the ridges in the Japanese Alps staying in mountain huts.
And also climb Mt Fuji (afterwards, as the Japanese Alps will somewhat acclimatize you for the altitude).

If you want to see festivals, just Google Japan festivals August or buy a guidebook and check the appropriate sections. Once you have some on a list, plot them on a map and see what it takes to get from one to the next.

As others said, August is very hot and humid, so living in the cities (where all the concrete makes it all even worse) is almost unbearable if you are not used to it. But of course, it depends where you come from. If you live in the mountains in the temperate regions of the world like myself, it will be hell :D

But fortunately you are out of the rain season, making it a good time to visit higher altitudes or the northernmost regions like Tohoku and Hokkaido, which is all great for hiking. So I would definitely consider doing a classic tour of the Japanese highlights in central Japan (Tokyo, Nikko, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima just to list a few) and then reserve the latter half of the trip to a hiking/nature focus, following the route "Japanese Alps - Tohoku - Hokkaido"

But to have an exact itinerary, you should do some homework before as well: have a look at a guide or at the very good japan-guide website. Find your highlights and create your itinerary around them. Then maybe come back with your ideas and we can help you further :)

Thanks guys!! Singapore is as hot and humid, so it should be fine!! haha but just wondering, how is hiking in Japan like, are they tough in general? and can I do them solo?

Thanks! Singapore is as hot and humid, so it should be fine!! haha but just wondering, how is hiking in Japan like, are they tough in general? and can I do them solo?

Thanks! Singapore is as hot and humid, so it should be fine!! haha but just wondering, how is hiking in Japan like, are they tough in general? and can I do them solo?

Singapore has airconditioning though. It can be tougher to find a respite in Japan.

Hiking in Japan ranges from very easy to tough and technical. There is something for everyone.

In the Japanese Alps, there are major trails for hiking with lots of people and mountain huts all along the way. The main concern is the whether, which is sometimes horrendous on the high ridges.