<p>Planting saplings with high outplanting performance such as high survival rates and rapid growth is essential in forestry. Outplanting performance is influenced by the serial process from raising saplings in the nursery to the outplanting stage (SPRO). Fertilization during SPRO can improve outplanting performance. We evaluated the effect of SPRO with varying fertilizer doses across different seasons on nutrient accumulation and outplanting performance of containerized <i>Cryptomeria japonica</i> cutting saplings by applying four levels of fertilizer (i.e., no dose [dose of × 0], standard dose [dose of × 1], twofold of the standard dose [dose of × 2], and fivefold of the standard dose [dose of × 5]) in summer, fall, winter, and spring. After fertilization, we quantified concentrations of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium in shoots and roots, and evaluated survival rate, root collar diameter (RCD), height, volume index (VI), and height-to-diameter ratio (HDR) of outplanted cuttings for 24&#xa0;months. SPRO with fertilization in summer and winter induced little accumulation of nutrients and did not improve growth. Furthermore, SPRO with fertilization in summer tended to negatively affect survival, and SPRO with fertilization in winter did not improve the spindly shape (i.e., HDR of over 70). Application of the fertilizer dose of × 1 during SPRO in fall and spring induced accumulations of all nutrients and improved growth. However, SPRO with fertilization in spring improved growth in RCD, height, and VI as well as their relative growth rates (RGRs), indicating that the effect of fertilization during SPRO in spring is more evident than fall.</p>