Mahanu🚧 Draft — not final. This page was auto-generated as day-one scaffolding for the project and still needs a human pass before it reads as finished. The blanks and placeholders below are intentional — someone who runs this project should fill them in and delete this notice.
Season decision
The first domino: everything — route, cost, crowds, what's even open — hangs off when we go. So this gets decided first, on purpose, with the trade-offs on the table instead of defaulting to "whenever we get leave."
| Cherry blossom (late Mar–Apr) | Autumn leaves (Nov) | Off-peak (Jan–Feb / Jun) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| The draw | sakura, the iconic Japan | koyo, arguably prettier, less hyped | cheapest, emptiest |
| Weather | mild, unpredictable | crisp, clear, ideal | cold (winter) or rainy (June) |
| Crowds | peak — everywhere, everyone | high but gentler | low |
| Cost | highest (flights + stays) | high | lowest |
| Booking lead time | months ahead, non-negotiable | months ahead | flexible |
| Watch-outs | bloom timing is a gamble (±1 week) | leaf timing varies by latitude | some mountain areas snowed in |
The call
- Our fixed constraints: school holidays / leave windows / budget ceiling → _____
- What we most don't want to miss: _____
- Decision: _____ because _____
What it unlocks (fill once decided)
- Booking deadline: the date after which flights/stays for this season get scarce or dear.
- Route implication: the season decides which regions are worth it (no point in a leaf route in April).