Planning a trip to Japan for 2009. Wondering what would be the best month to go.

[Flukestar]

Hello people. :-) First post here.
I'm am starting to gather information to plan a trip to Japan in 2009. Me and my friend would like to attend anime conventions in japan. Does anyone have any information and/or listing of the popular ones in any part of Japan, that we would be able to cover in a month? Any and all information would be greatly appreciated. Oh ... and other cultural events would also be welcome :-)

We are not only going just for the conventions :okashii: of course, we are planning this trip so it can be included as well for the 1 month trek to japan.
Most of the other miscellaneous travel information to and from japan can probably be gathered from this site and many others. So the main question is, which month should we plan for?

Thanks in Advance :-)

[ArmandV]

Welcome aboard! Not knowing when anime conventions are held, I couldn't tell you. I think there is a big convention in November, but can't remember the name of it. I understand that it's huge. You may want to Google around to check.

Personally, I prefer April. The weather is nice, not too cold and not too hot. Some rain. I've been to Japan during all seasons except winter and it rained during each of them.

[Goldiegirl]

I like spring, April like ArmandV recommended and early May was fine too. My favorite time is November, which could work for you if ArmandV is correct and their is an anime convention. I just love autumn in Japan, and my home state of Wisconsin too! :) Really no matter when you go you'll have a good time.

[Glenski]

I prefer October. Nice enough in daytime, cool and comfy at night, plus you can see fall colors. They seem to last longer than cherry blossoms. October also has more festivals than any other month, I think.

As for anime conventions... sorry. Don't have a clue.

[Hiroyuki Nagashima]

About an event of ANIME.
Tokyo International Anime Fair
http://www.tokyoanime.jp/en/index.php
2009 years, it is March 21 from March 20.

Comic Market
2009 year because it is undecided , Please refer to this.
Comic Market is held twice a year; once in August, and once in December. These are referred to typically asSummer Comike andWinter Comike respectively. Summer Comike is 3 days long, and usually is held during the weekend around August 15th. Winter Comike is 2-3 days long, and usually is held between December 28th and 31st. The current convention location is theTokyo Big Sight convention center nearAriake, inOdaiba, K?t?, Tokyo. The major part of the convention runs from 10AM to 4PM, though the company booths run all the way until 5PM. On the last day of the convention, the company booths and Cosplay Square close an hour earlier, at 4PM and 3PM respectively. Since it is such a large event, the official Comic Market website recommends getting there in the afternoon if you don't want to wait in line to get in. Otherwise, if you get there at 10AM, you'll have to wait in line for about an hour, and get in around 11 or 11:30, and if you show up on the first train, you'll have to wait about 5 hours, and you'll get in around 10 or 10:30. The most recent Comiket was Comiket 73, on December 29-31, 2007, and the next Comiket will be Comiket 74, which is planned for August 15-17, 2008.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comiket
A state of summer, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9kP0NogQ-0A
Because this is a too huge event,
Attention is necessary.
There are a day of a woman and a day of a man.
A day of a woman, "BL" and "YAOI" are majorities it.
Because people gather from all parts of Japan,
inn is fully occupied.

Wonder Festival 2008 [Summer](WONDER FESTIVAL 2008 [SUMMER])
TheTokyo Wonder Festival is an annual event to display and sell "garage kits", which are sculptures that usually replicateanime and game characters, but also often recreate popularmecha/sci-fi characters and creatures. These models are extremely detail oriented, and many of these sculptures appear in very small quantities due to the amateur nature of their reproduction. Unusually skilled artisans are promoted specifically during the "wonder showcase", in which their works are given special attention and limited quantities of their masterpieces are sold for high prices to avid collectors. Many of the garage kits now sold at the Wonder Festival are oriented around female characters, often displayed in very exposing and often erotic positions. The market for these figures has spread overseas, and they have now become increasingly popular among collectors in many countries outside of Japan.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wonder_Festival
site
http://www.kaiyodo.co.jp/wf/
A state of summer, 2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FLE4plrLJiY

[Flukestar]

Thanks for warm welcome as well as the suggestions from everyone :cool:
Will definitely look into the seasons and months for the best time to travel to Japan. I will also have to discuss with my friend on the suggestions given, along with a whole bunch of other things: Air ticket prices, booking in advance, etc. etc.
:-)
Once again ^^ many thanks to all of you who replied.

[Prizm]

I was in Tokyo in early May (spring), and the weather was nice - in the low 20s (celcius). Although at that time you'll miss the snow and sakura.

[Gnarf]

We traveled to Japan in October and it was a really nice autumn experience. It was still warm enough to be able to walk around outside all days. Next time we go to Japan we will try and see the sakura blossom in the spring (March/April). But so is everyone else, so the tickets to get there is at it's peak. October was actually the cheapest month to fly to Japan (at least from Sweden) last year.