Darker cells are stronger weather or travel-fit months. The second row is crowd pressure.
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Darker cells mean a higher score for this topic on that metric.
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Quick answers
When is the best time to go?
Start with September, October & November. Choose July only with a written reason.
Is this a good honeymoon pick?
Romance score 86/100 sits next to crowd 62/100 — read both.
How crowded does it get?
On red months, empty midday or change region.
What should I budget per day?
Read daily spend as teaching bands on the cost page — mid is the baseline. Not a live fare, and nothing here is booking stock.
Do I need a visa?
Not a visa destination — a timing lens.
How many days do I need?
Countries breathe at 7–12 days, honeymoon islands at 5–8. Continents: pick one region.
The table starts at new wine.
A short phrase (koyo) is the door to etiquette.
Food
- new wine — new wine is a coordinate on the Autumn table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- matsutake — matsutake is a coordinate on the Autumn table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- truffle menus — truffle menus is a coordinate on the Autumn table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- songpyeon — songpyeon is a coordinate on the Autumn table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
- roast squash — roast squash is a coordinate on the Autumn table. Prefer markets to tourist menus.
Etiquette
- Greeting — koyo — Japanese autumn color
- Sacred sites — Cover shoulders and knees; read no-photo signs before the caption.
- Tipping — Tipping customs differ; read whether service is already on the bill.
- Queues — Skipping a queue is not a time save; it is a scene you cannot unshoot.
Festival notes
- Oktoberfest window — Oktoberfest window lands in September — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
- Chuseok travel — Chuseok travel lands in October — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
- Diwali travel — Diwali travel lands in October — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
- US Thanksgiving — US Thanksgiving lands in November — transport and beds move together. Lock dates first.
Phrases
- koyo — koyo: Japanese autumn color. Timing beats accent.
- harvest — harvest: wine and rice. Timing beats accent.
- shoulder — shoulder: thinner crowds. Timing beats accent.
- early dark — early dark: shorter days. Timing beats accent.
Culture is a speed, not a checklist. Slow is more accurate.
When to goPlacesHow to travelCultureCostHoneymoon notesToday