Translation guide
The time of year when something is most popular, busy, or at its highest level. Japanese uses different words depending on what is peaking: tourism, business, natural phenomena, or agriculture.
The busiest time for travel, tourism, or events when crowds and prices are highest.
General term for a busy period in business, tourism, or services. Often used for travel peak seasons.
Summer is the peak season for tourism.
Direct loanword from English. Common in travel and hospitality contexts.
Hotels are expensive during peak season.
Literally 'harvest time,' used figuratively for the busiest, most profitable period for businesses.
Year-end is the peak season for retail stores.
The best time to see seasonal natural beauty like cherry blossoms or fall colors.
The time when a crop or product is at its best and most abundant.
The time of highest sales, production, or activity for a company or industry.
Peak period for business activity or life cycle. Can also be used for natural phenomena.
At its peak, this company had over a thousand employees.
Period of high demand. More technical, used in economics or business analysis.
The peak demand season for air conditioners is summer.
繁忙期 is a native Japanese term used broadly for busy periods in business and services. ピークシーズン is a loanword more common in travel and hospitality. Both are natural, but 繁忙期 sounds slightly more formal.
旬 is the most natural way to say a food is in peak season. It implies peak flavor and quality. You can say 「旬の食材」 (seasonal ingredients) or 「今が旬です」 (it's in season now).
紅葉の最盛期は11月です。
The peak season for autumn leaves is November.
米の収穫期は秋です。
The peak season for rice harvest is autumn.