Japan Trip #4

[Damicci]

I need to start planning my 4th trip.

I want to go to Fukuoka during the summer. I know, I grew up in Humidity so no big deal there. Which month would be the best time to go as far as air fare goes?

I am sure it's expensive but which month may be the less expensive route.

 

[Iron Chef]

Hmm... you could always go after Golden Week but before O-bon which would place you somewhere between late May to early July maybe. June would be ideal perhaps, it's probably be the most economical not to mention warm enough outside minus the humidity.

 

[Damicci]

Do prices drop normally after golden week? I know prices change quite frequently especially depending on when you buy your tickets.

 

[Iron Chef]

Yeah, big time. Expect to pay double or even as high as triple normal fare rates during those peak times like GW and O-bon (depending on your desitination) unless you book well in advance. Best if you could travel either right before or right after imho unless you have a pre-planned itinerary that disallows that. Then again I am referring to in-country travel so in your case coming from outside Japan it may not be so much an issue re: price hikes, not sure really.

 

[ArmandV]

Yeah, big time. Expect to pay double or even as high as triple normal fare rates during those peak times like GW and O-bon (depending on your desitination) unless you book well in advance. Best if you could travel either right before or right after imho unless you have a pre-planned itinerary that disallows that. Then again I am referring to in-country travel so in your case coming from outside Japan it may not be so much an issue re: price hikes, not sure really.

This year, I went about a week or so before Golden Week and I noticed that some hotels were jacking up their prices as the days got closer. Next year, I hope to go about a couple of weeks earlier in April to avoid this.

I noticed that the average round-trip fares rose $300 in last Sunday's Los Angeles Times Travel section. They were $680 on average and are now listed as $980. I presume this is because of the holiday travel peak (New Years and all). It pays to shop around.