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This translation was generated by AI and may contain wording that differs from the facts. Please check the Japanese original or official sources for anything important. Japanese original
Key points
- Blossom spots: Himeji Castle, Kyoto's Philosopher's Path and Daigo-ji, the Chureito pagoda with Mount Fuji, and in late April Hirosaki and Kakunodate in the north.
- Spring flowers: from late April, the blue nemophila of Hitachi Seaside Park and the wisteria of Ashikaga Flower Park.
- Spring festivals, such as the Takayama Festival on 14–15 April with its ornate floats.
🌤 Weather and temperature
Tokyo averages about 14 °C, with pleasant days and the occasional chilly morning or evening.
| City | Average temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 7.3 °C | 55 mm |
| Tokyo | 14.3 °C | 134 mm |
| Osaka | 15.2 °C | 104 mm |
| Fukuoka | 15.4 °C | 118 mm |
| Naha | 21.5 °C | 161 mm |
Monthly averages based on Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020).
🚄 Crowds, holidays and prices
Blossom season draws travellers from around the world, Kyoto gets extremely crowded, and hotel prices are among the year's highest. Golden Week begins on 29 April.
🏮 Festivals and events
- Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival (Aomori · Late April to early May)
Around 2,600 Somei-Yoshino cherry trees in Hirosaki Park. Petal "rafts" on the moat and evening illuminations - Takayama Spring Festival (Sanno Matsuri) (Gifu · April 14–15)
Twelve dazzling floats and marionette performances. One of Japan's three most beautiful festivals - Inuyama Festival (Aichi · First weekend of April)
Marionette shows on 13 towering floats. At night each float glows with 365 lanterns - Nagahama Hikiyama Festival (Shiga · April 13–16)
Children perform kabuki on the stages of the floats. Began when Hideyoshi was lord of Nagahama Castle
Dates change from year to year; always check the official announcement.
🌸 Flowers and autumn colours
- Hirosaki Park cherry blossoms (Aomori · Late April to early May)
Around 2,600 trees. Fallen petals carpet the moat in "flower rafts". Some call them the finest cherry blossoms in Japan - Weeping cherries of the Kakunodate samurai district (Akita · Late April to early May)
Weeping cherry trees against black wooden fences. With the 2 km avenue along the Hinokinai River, it is the "Little Kyoto of Michinoku" - Takato Castle Ruins Park (Nagano · Early to mid-April)
1,500 Takato Kohigan cherry trees, hailed as "the finest cherry blossoms under heaven" - Mount Yoshino (Nara · Early to mid-April)
Some 30,000 trees bloom in waves up the mountain, from Shimo-senbon to Oku-senbon. A World Heritage Site - Meguro River cherry blossoms (Tokyo · Late March to early April)
800 trees along about 4 km of river. Paper lanterns at night - Chidorigafuchi (Tokyo · Late March to early April)
Rowing boats and cherry blossoms on the Imperial Palace moat. Illuminated at night - Matsumae Park (Hokkaido · Late April to mid-May)
10,000 trees of 250 varieties. From early to late bloomers, a whole month of blossoms - Himeji Castle cherry blossoms (Hyogo · Early April)
The White Heron Castle with around 1,000 Somei-Yoshino trees. One of Japan's top 100 cherry blossom spots - Kumamoto Castle cherry blossoms (Kumamoto · Late March to early April)
Around 800 trees beneath the castle keep as restoration continues - Nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki · Mid-April to early May)
5.3 million blue flowers blanket Miharashi Hill. In autumn the kochia bushes turn crimson - Great wisteria of Ashikaga Flower Park (Tochigi · Late April to early May)
A 160-year-old wisteria trellis covering 1,000 m². Illuminated at night - Fuji Shibazakura Festival (Lake Motosu) (Yamanashi · Mid-April to late May)
A carpet of some 500,000 moss phlox plants with Mount Fuji as the backdrop - Tonami Tulip Fair (Toyama · Late April to early May)
3 million tulips of 300 varieties. Toyama is Japan's top bulb producer - Nabana no Sato Illumination (Mie · Late October to May (illumination); tulips in spring)
One of Japan's largest winter illuminations, plus tulip and begonia gardens in spring
🍣 Seasonal food and traditions
- Seafood in season: Sea bream ("cherry bream"), halfbeak, firefly squid
- Produce in season: Bamboo shoots, spring cabbage, asparagus, amanatsu citrus
- Traditions and daily life: School entrance ceremonies, new fiscal year, cherry blossom viewing, Showa Day, start of Golden Week
📍 Where to go this month
Chureito Pagoda & Mt. Fuji
A five-storey pagoda, cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji in one frame — one of the most photographed views in Japan.
Himeji Castle
The 'White Heron Castle'. Its 400-year-old keep survived wars and fires intact; a National Treasure and World Heritage Site.
Hitachi Seaside Park
In spring 5.3 million nemophila turn the hill blue; in autumn kochia bushes blaze red.
Ashikaga Flower Park Great Wisteria
A 160-year-old wisteria spreads over a 1,000 m² trellis. Named one of CNN's '10 dream destinations in the world'.
Kiyomizu-dera Temple
The 13 m 'stage' is built from interlocking timber without a single nail. Kyoto's most-visited temple, famous for cherry-blossom and autumn illuminations.
Fushimi Inari Shrine
Some 10,000 vermilion torii gates wind up the mountain. Head shrine of 30,000 Inari shrines nationwide, open 24 hours and free.
🧳 What to pack
Spring (Mar–May)
- A light coat and layers: mornings and evenings around 10 °C
- Hay-fever medicine and masks: cedar pollen peaks in March
- A folding umbrella for frequent spring showers
- Comfortable shoes: blossom and temple days easily exceed 10,000 steps
💡 Travel tip
Visit famous blossom spots early in the morning; in Kyoto, arriving before 7 am lets you take photos in peace.
🗓 Other months
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Frequently asked questions
How long do the cherry blossoms last in April?
Full bloom lasts about a week in any one place, but the front moves north: early April in Tokyo and Kyoto, mid to late April in Tohoku, and early May in Hokkaido.
Is it hard to book hotels in April?
Kyoto and Tokyo start filling up months ahead for blossom season, so book as soon as your dates are set.
