Japan In April 2025: Climate, Festivals, Journey Ideas & Extra

Are you making ready for a visit to Japan in April? We’ve got collected all of the related details about climate situations, seasonal occasions and general bills for anyone visiting this time of 12 months.

Enchanting landscapes with blue skies, a sea of pink cherry bushes stretching out in opposition to the backdrop of Mt Fuji and the scent of flowers lingering within the air. April is without doubt one of the hottest months to go to Japan.

In case you’re contemplating visiting Japan in April, you’ve come to the proper place. This information will reply all of your questions on climate situations and clothes, offer you some journey suggestions & tips, and train you about the most effective festivals.

Is April a Good Time to Go to Japan? 

General, April is a nice month to go to Japan. 

From round mid-March, 1000’s of blooming cherry bushes flip the nation into a ravishing sea of pink. The annual “cherry blossom entrance” takes off on Japan’s southernmost predominant island Kyūshū (excluding Okinawa) and progressively strikes northwards till it reaches Tōhoku (mid-April) and Hokkaidō (late April to early Might).

Cherry blossoms are identified for his or her volatility. In case you’re travelling to Japan in March or April, it’s finest to regulate the cherry blossom forecasts as fickle temperatures and rain have an effect on the flowering interval.

Relying on the climate, cherry blossom season in every place lasts for a complete span of round two weeks. It’s divided into three levels: the opening of the primary blossoms (kaika, 開花), the interval of full bloom (mankai, 満開) and the petals drifting from the bushes, which the Japanese like to match to a snowstorm (sakura fubuki, 桜吹雪). 

Nevertheless, travelling round Japan in April additionally means coping with enormous crowds of individuals and greater costs for flights and lodging than different months.

Good climate, cherry blossom season and Golden Week (a sequence of 4 nationwide holidays) make April one of many busiest and most costly months to go to Japan (see under for extra).

Climate in Japan in April 

Japan is an archipelago that stretches over 3.000 kilometres from its northernmost to southernmost level. This implies temperatures differ significantly relying on the prefectures you’re planning to go to throughout your journey.

In April, spring totally arrives in most areas of Japan. Delicate days of as much as 20°C make exploring cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka a gratifying expertise. Throughout cherry blossom season, folks love gathering in parks for a picnic beneath the blooming bushes and having fun with time with household and buddies. 

Tōhoku and Hokkaidō in Northern Japan are nonetheless colder, whereas Japan’s tropical getaway Okinawa awaits guests with virtually summery climate round this time of 12 months. Beneath, you’ll find the common every day temperatures for Japan in April: 

Supply: Japan Meteorological Company (averages between 1991–2020)

The likelihood of rain on Honshū (which incorporates cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka) in April is round 30%. However you don’t have to be too apprehensive. There is perhaps just a few wet days, however April is just not Japan’s wet season. General, you possibly can count on clear skies and reasonable rainfall:

Supply: Japan Meteorological Company (averages between 1991–2020)

What to Put on in Japan in April? 

When visiting Japan in April, you’re ideally ready with a layered look. 

Following the “Golden Route” between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima, you possibly can count on nice temperatures of as much as 20°C through the day. Days with few clouds and loads of sunshine really feel heat however not sizzling but.

Deliver some T-shirts, long-sleeved shirts and sweaters, lengthy trousers, and snug sneakers/sneakers. 

Temperatures drop rapidly as quickly because the solar goes down. In April, the nights are nonetheless chilly at round 10°C. Ideally, you at all times have a mild (waterproof) jacket in your bag. In case you are inclined to get chilly rapidly, bringing a mild scarf and hat/beanie could be a lifesaver.

The above-listed issues are necessities for a visit to cities like Tokyo, Osaka or Fukuoka in April. Be certain that to regulate your wardrobe in line with your vacation spot inside Japan.

Is Japan Crowded in April? 

As tempting as taking a visit to Japan in April could also be due to beneficial climate situations, there may be one main downside. April is Japan’s peak journey season. Some locations develop into insanely crowded initially and finish of the month.

Cherry Blossom Season

Before everything, the cherry blossom season attracts thousands and thousands of vacationers from throughout the globe every year. Late March to early April is often the most effective time to see the gorgeous white-pink flowers in full bloom round Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

Throughout these weeks, standard cherry blossom spots like Osaka Fort Park, Ueno Park in Tokyo, and the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto are often full of folks. The identical applies to day journey locations outdoors Japan’s predominant cities like Himeji Fort and a few areas round Mt. Fuji (together with Hakone).  

One approach to keep away from the crowds is to go to lesser-known cherry blossom spots within the surrounding prefectures. However even right here it is best to at all times count on the parks to be busier than standard.

Golden Week

In late April, the so-called Golden Week additional spurs tourism in Japan. This time period refers to a sequence of 4 nationwide holidays inside a seven-day window beginning with the Showa Day on April twenty ninth and ending with the Youngsters’s Day on Might fifth. 

Throughout Golden Week, many Japanese take the chance to journey. Not solely home inns and technique of transportation such because the Shinkansen get booked up rapidly (in case you journey throughout this time, it’s suggested to pre-book tickets for the Shinkansen). Costs for worldwide flights to and from Japan additionally skyrocket round this time of 12 months.

Travelling to Japan throughout Golden Week is feasible however not advisable. Schedule your flights for the weeks earlier than or after Golden Week if you wish to lower your expenses and keep away from massive crowds.

Prices of Travelling to Japan in April 

As said above, April is considered one of Japan’s peak seasons for home tourism. Costs for flights to Japan are greater than standard between mid-March and early April (when most worldwide guests schedule their flights for cherry blossom season). 

Earlier than Golden Week (see above), flight costs often rise much more. Because of the quite a few nationwide holidays between the top of April and the start of Might, many Japanese folks journey each inside and outdoors Japan.

This makes discovering inexpensive flights extraordinarily troublesome. Once more, it’s finest to keep away from coming to Japan throughout Golden Week. 

On high of that, lodging will even be much more costly in comparison with different months. The extra demand, the costlier the inns. If you wish to go to Japan on a price range, it’s finest to keep away from April.

Greatest Issues to Do in Japan in April 

Sunny days, consuming hanami dango underneath blooming cherry bushes and strolling by enchanting landscapes with vibrant flowers in abundance – April is the month that sees Japan lastly awake from its winter slumber.

Hundreds of individuals rejoice spring and the great thing about nature by flower festivals with cherry blossom occasions being the preferred amongst them. Need to have a picnic beneath the blooming cherry bushes?

Japan’s spring nights develop into much more scenic by illumination occasions throughout cherry blossom season (often known as yozakura (夜桜) or “night time cherry blossoms”) all over the place throughout the nation.

Right here’s an outline of some standard issues to do in Japan in April:  

• Get pleasure from hanami: Hanami (that means “cherry blossom viewing”) is without doubt one of the most beloved Japanese traditions through the spring season. Seize your self a blue picnic sheet, some snacks and drinks and head out to a park that permits guests to sit down beneath the blooming cherry bushes. Don’t neglect to stick to the fundamental guidelines talked about under whereas having fun with the swaying pink flowers above you. 
• Strive seasonal cherry blossom sweets: No hanami expertise is full with out attempting among the artistic limited-edition sweets, snacks and drinks Japanese meals corporations come up with for sakura season yearly. Be careful for pink packaging and wrapping when visiting comfort shops and supermarkets in March and early April. It’s best to discover numerous cherry blossom-flavoured stuff. Many cafés and eating places provide limited-edition spring menus, too. 
• Go to Japan’s numerous flower parks and fields: Shibazakura, nemophila, wisteria, azalea, peonies, tulips – many different flowers in addition to cherry blossoms embellish April in Japan. Flower festivals happen everywhere in the nation all through spring. Take a look at our listing of chosen seasonal occasions under for some inspiration.
• Go strawberry choosing: Though strawberry season in Japan begins in December, strawberry choosing is a well-liked exercise through the heat spring months. Strawberry farms may be discovered throughout Japan, however the prefectures of Tochigi, Fukuoka and Kumamoto are the top-producing areas.
• Journey to Okinawa: April is without doubt one of the finest months to go to Okinawa. Common temperatures effectively above 20°C make for an ideal early summer time getaway. The wet season hits Okinawa round mid-Might, just a few weeks earlier than Honshū. 

Fundamental Guidelines for Cherry Blossom Viewing

Earlier than heading out for cherry blossom viewing your self, it is best to maintain some primary guidelines in thoughts: 

• Cherry blossoms are there for everybody to take pleasure in. Plucking the flowers off the bushes and touching or forcefully bending the twigs is frowned upon. Admire them from a slight distance as a substitute. 
• Lay out your hanami blankets solely in areas the place it’s permitted. Sitting beneath the cherry bushes is forbidden in some parks. 
• Don’t take up extra space than you want together with your picnic blanket. Don’t be too noisy. Take your trash again house with you when leaving the park. Many different folks additionally need to spend a nice time with their household and buddies. 

Festivals and Occasions in Japan in April 2025

Listed here are some festivals and occasions that may happen in Japan in April 2025:

• NAKED Sakura Competition in Nijō Fort, Kyoto (14/03/2025 – 13/04/2025): This digital artwork exhibition is 7ideal for everybody who desires so as to add a bit further magic to their cherry blossom expertise in Japan. Although the exhibition itself is about to begin in early March, the most effective time to go to might be when the cherry blossoms within the gardens of Nijō Fort are in full bloom between late March and early April. Entrance begins at 6 PM and ends at 9 PM (closure at 10 PM). 
• Ueno Cherry Blossom Competition in Ueno Park, Tokyo (mid-March to early April): Ueno Park is called one of the crucial standard cherry blossom spots in Tokyo and attracts numerous guests with its cherry blossom avenue comprising over 800 bushes every year. At night time, the bushes are illuminated by lanterns.
• Osaka Fort Park Cherry Blossom Competition in Osaka (late March to mid-April): With round 3,000 cherry bushes, Osaka Fort Park is without doubt one of the hottest cherry blossom spots in Kansai. At Nishinomaru Backyard, the cherry blossoms are lit by lanterns at night time.
• Beppu Hattō Onsen Competition & Mt. Ōgi Hearth Competition in Beppu, Oita Prefecture (01/04/2025 – 06/04/2025): Referred to as Japan’s onsen capital, Beppu hosts a competition to rejoice its sizzling springs every year in early April. Along with parades and free entry to among the metropolis’s sizzling springs, an enormous bonfire is lit the identical week in Mt. Ōgi. In case you’ve at all times been interested by Japan’s sizzling spring tradition, this competition is the proper alternative.
• Sakura Tulip Festa in Sakura, Chiba Prefecture (early April to late April): Over half 1,000,000 tulips adorn the flower fields on the annual Tulip Festa in Sakura Metropolis all through April. In the course of the competition, you possibly can dig up tulip bulbs, take pleasure in road meals or take a ship journey on Lake Inba. 
• Nemophila Concord at Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibaraki Prefecture (mid-April to early Might): Yearly between mid-April and early Might, Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture sees a pointy rise in guests when a sea of blue nemophila flowers covers Miharashi Hill. Take a look at the blooming forecasts earlier than visiting for the most effective expertise.
• Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Competition in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture (23/04/2025 – 05/05/2025): Even in case you are too late for cherry blossom season in Central Honshū, you possibly can nonetheless see them blooming when travelling up north to Tōhoku in late April. Hirosaki Metropolis in Aomori Prefecture hosts a well-known annual cherry blossom competition with plenty of road meals and an illumination occasion at night time. The dates introduced are topic to vary relying on the blooming forecasts of the cherry blossoms.
• Ashikaga Flower Park Nice Wisteria Competition in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture (mid-April to mid-Might): Ashikaga Flower Park is without doubt one of the most acclaimed journey locations to witness the great thing about wisteria in Japan. Apart from loads of wisteria, you may also see azalea flowers and peonies blooming across the identical interval. At night time, the park hosts a wisteria light-up occasion. Don’t neglect to take a look at the blooming forecasts earlier than visiting.  
• Fuji Shibazakura Competition in Fuji Motosuko Resort, Yamanashi Prefecture (mid-April to late Might): In the course of the Fuji Shibazakura Competition, you possibly can see round 500,000 Shibazakura crops (often called “moss phlox” in English) turning enormous fields in entrance of Mt. Fuji right into a pink dreamscape. Once more, check out the climate and blooming forecasts earlier than visiting!

Conclusion – Visiting Japan in April 

April is one of many busiest and hottest journey durations in Japan. Nice climate, loads of blooming flowers equivalent to cherry blossoms and plenty of nice festivals make this time of 12 months implausible for a visit. 

Though touristy spots in standard cities are extra crowded than standard, the lovely spring landscapes make visiting Japan in April undoubtedly price it. Simply keep away from Golden Week on the finish of the month if potential. A extreme enhance in home tourism makes Golden Week even busier than cherry blossom season. 

If you wish to profit from glorious climate situations and the gorgeous colors of nature with fewer crowds, the autumn foliage season in November is an efficient different. Japan is busy in November, but not practically as swamped with vacationers as in April. Finally, all of it is dependent upon your private preferences.