April has been quite warm in most places of Japan. However, in early April, you may feel a little chilly if staying outdoors after night falls. In Okinawa in the south of Japan, it has been warmer, or even hot sometimes, especially when the sun is shining at noon. But for Hokkaido in the north, it is still a bit cold as the snow cover is melting.

From the perspective of local weather, April is completely one of the best months to travel to Japan. It becomes mildly warm in most areas, while cherry blossoms are competing in blooming. To late April, the cherry blossoms on mountains and in the northern regions are into full bloom gradually.

April is one of the most expensive months to visit Japan. Cherry blossom season in the first half of this month and the Golden Week holiday coming in last days brings crowds and rising prices.

See Also: How Much Does a Trip in Japan Cost

April is mild to wear cardigan, windbreaker, trench coat, hoodie, casual sweatpants, jeans, sneakers, and so on. During the early days, you may need a thin sweater to keep warm; later, you can get dressed thinner to adapt to the warmer weather. It would be better to wear in layers, also for the large diurnal variation of temperature. You could take more spring/autumn clothing when travelling to Japan in April.

In Hokkaido, it’s optimal to choose a long-sleeve shirt or blouse, plus a windbreaker or trench coat. Slip-resistant ankle boots is advised, and you can take a waistcoat or one more jacket when going outdoors.

For the islands in southern Japan, it’s warm enough to wear a T-shirt in the daytime. When it’s raining, you can add a thin jacket on the top. Meanwhile, remember your sunscreen cream.

1. Cherry Blossoms Viewing

Cherry blossom is the essential thing to do in April in Japan. The cherry blossoms are in bloom in April, especially the first half of this month. If you get to Japan a little bit late, beautiful cherry blossoms can also be discovered on mountains or in the northeast of Honshu and Hokkaido. Tokyo is convenient for a spring outing to admire the cherry blossoms, while Kyoto seems to take you back to the ancient times for swirling petals over the old city. Mt. Fuji and central mountain areas are also great to enjoy the beauty. You can shoot the Mt. Fuji and cherry blossoms into the same pictures, but you’re supposed to go there later as the blooming period is about one week late than in Tokyo.

 Japan Cherry Blossom Date Prediction 2025

Cherry Blossoms, Ueno Park

2. Go Hiking in Spring

In Japan, many mountainous areas that closed in winter would be reopened in mid or late April, such as Kamikochi in Northern Japan Alps. Since then, hiking and mountaineering are accessible there. It’ll be relaxing to hike in the fine weather, to explore rural Japan with beautiful flowers like wisteria.

Hiking in Japan Alps Mountains

3. Takayama Spring Festival

Would you like to get into a local festival? Takayama Spring Festival is the grandest and best-known around Japan in April. Held on April 14th and 15th every year, it’s very lively and attract thousands of tourists to join in the fun there. Nearly two dozens of floats, in the shape of luxury old houses, some with exquisite puppets on, would parade around the city to the accompaniment of traditional music. It would be a fresh experience to watch the parades on the two days as well as at the night of April 14th. You’re suggested to learn the schedule beforehand, so as to catch the wonderful parade and Karakuri puppet show.

Easter Celebration is also interesting in Tokyo Disney Resort and Osaka Universal Studios Japan. The street performances, Easter parades, lovely decoration, limited-edition toys, etc. compose a world of joy, where you, with your kids, could have fun to your heart’s content.

If you plan to visit Japan in April 2026, see our Japan Tours to find out your preferred itinerary.