Japan In April 2024: Climate, Festivals, Journey Ideas & Extra

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

Enchanting landscapes with blue skies, a sea of pink cherry timber stretching out in opposition to the backdrop of Mt Fuji and the scent of flowers lingering within the air. April is likely one of the hottest months to go to Japan.

If you happen to’re contemplating visiting Japan in April, you’ve come to the appropriate place. This information will reply all of your questions on climate situations and clothes, provide you with some journey ideas & methods, and educate you about the very best 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 timber flip the nation into a gorgeous sea of pink. The annual “cherry blossom entrance” takes off on Japan’s southernmost important island Kyūshū (excluding Okinawa) and progressively strikes northwards till it reaches Tōhoku (mid-April) and Hokkaidō (late April to early Could).

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

The first blooming forecast for the 2024 cherry blossom season was introduced on the finish of January. Common updates are deliberate for the next weeks.

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 timber, which the Japanese like to check to a snowstorm (sakura fubuki, 桜吹雪). 

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

Good climate, cherry blossom season and Golden Week (a collection of 4 nationwide holidays) make April one of many busiest and costliest months to go to Japan (see beneath 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 fluctuate drastically relying on the prefectures you’re planning to go to throughout your journey.

In April, spring totally arrives in most areas of Japan. Gentle days of as much as 20°C make exploring cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka a gratifying expertise. Throughout cherry blossom season, individuals love gathering in parks for a picnic beneath the blooming timber 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. Under, yow will discover the typical day by 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 should be too frightened. There could be just a few wet days, however April will not be Japan’s wet season. General, you possibly can anticipate clear skies and average 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 anticipate nice temperatures of as much as 20°C throughout the day. Days with few clouds and loads of sunshine really feel heat however not scorching but.

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

Temperatures drop shortly 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 gentle (waterproof) jacket in your bag. If you happen to are inclined to get chilly shortly, bringing a gentle scarf and hat/beanie generally is a lifesaver.

The above-listed issues are necessities for a visit to cities like Tokyo, Osaka or Fukuoka in April. Make certain 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 because of beneficial climate situations, there’s one main downside. April is Japan’s peak journey season. Some locations develop into insanely crowded at the start and finish of the month.

Cherry Blossom Season

Initially, the cherry blossom season attracts hundreds of thousands of vacationers from throughout the globe annually. Late March to early April is often the very best time to see the gorgeous white-pink flowers in full bloom round Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto.

Throughout these weeks, well-liked cherry blossom spots like Osaka Fortress Park, Ueno Park in Tokyo, and the Kiyomizu Temple in Kyoto are often full of individuals. The identical applies to day journey locations exterior Japan’s important cities like Himeji Fortress 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 anticipate the parks to be busier than traditional.

Golden Week

In late April, the so-called Golden Week additional spurs tourism in Japan. This time period refers to a collection 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 Could fifth. 

Throughout Golden Week, many Japanese take the chance to journey. Not solely home accommodations and technique of transportation such because the Shinkansen get booked up shortly (should 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 acknowledged above, April is certainly one of Japan’s peak seasons for home tourism. Costs for flights to Japan are larger than traditional 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. As a result of quite a few nationwide holidays between the top of April and the start of Could, many Japanese individuals journey each inside and out of doors Japan.

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

On prime of that, lodging can even be much more costly in comparison with different months. The extra demand, the dearer the accommodations. If you wish to go to Japan on a finances, it’s greatest to keep away from April.

Greatest Issues to Do in Japan in April 

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

1000’s of individuals have fun spring and the great thing about nature by means of flower festivals with cherry blossom occasions being the most well-liked amongst them. Need to have a picnic beneath the blooming cherry timber?

Japan’s spring nights develop into much more scenic by means of illumination occasions throughout cherry blossom season (also referred to as yozakura (夜桜) or “evening cherry blossoms”) in all places throughout the nation.

Right here’s an outline of some well-liked issues to do in Japan in April:  

• Take pleasure in hanami: Hanami (that means “cherry blossom viewing”) is likely one of the most beloved Japanese traditions throughout the spring season. Seize your self a blue picnic sheet, some snacks and drinks and head out to a park that enables guests to take a seat beneath the blooming cherry timber. Don’t overlook to stick to the fundamental guidelines talked about beneath whereas having fun with the swaying pink flowers above you. 
• Strive seasonal cherry blossom sweets: No hanami expertise is full with out making an attempt a number of 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 plenty of cherry blossom-flavoured stuff. Many cafés and eating places provide limited-edition spring menus, too. 
• Go to Japan’s varied 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 all around the nation all through spring. Try our record of chosen seasonal occasions beneath for some inspiration.
• Go strawberry selecting: Though strawberry season in Japan begins in December, strawberry selecting is a well-liked exercise throughout the heat spring months. Strawberry farms might be discovered throughout Japan, however the prefectures of Tochigi, Fukuoka and Kumamoto are the top-producing areas.
• Journey to Okinawa: April is likely one of the greatest months to go to Okinawa. Common temperatures nicely above 20°C make for an ideal early summer season getaway. The wet season hits Okinawa round mid-Could, just a few weeks earlier than Honshū. 

Primary 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 timber 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 timber is forbidden in some parks. 
• Don’t take up extra space than you want along with your picnic blanket. Don’t be too noisy. Take your trash again residence with you when leaving the park. Many different individuals additionally need to spend a pleasing time with their household and buddies. 

Festivals and Occasions in Japan in April 2024

Listed here are some festivals and occasions that can happen in Japan in April 2024:

• NAKED Sakura Competition in Nijō Fortress, Kyoto (08/03/2024 – 07/04/2024): This digital artwork exhibition is right for everybody who desires so as to add a bit of further magic to their cherry blossom expertise in Japan. Although the exhibition itself is about to begin in early March, the very best time to go to will probably be when the cherry blossoms within the gardens of Nijō Fortress 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 probably the most well-liked cherry blossom spots in Tokyo and attracts numerous guests with its cherry blossom avenue comprising over 800 timber annually. At evening, the timber are illuminated by lanterns.
• Osaka Fortress Park Cherry Blossom Competition in Osaka (late March to mid-April): With round 3,000 cherry timber, Osaka Fortress Park is likely one of the hottest cherry blossom spots in Kansai. At Nishinomaru Backyard, the cherry blossoms are lit by lanterns at evening.
• Beppu Hattō Onsen Competition & Mt. Ōgi Fireplace Competition in Beppu, Oita Prefecture (01/04/2024 – 07/04/2024): Often called Japan’s onsen capital, Beppu hosts a competition to have fun its scorching springs annually in early April. Along with parades and free entry to a number of the metropolis’s scorching springs, an enormous bonfire is lit the identical week in Mt. Ōgi. If you happen to’ve at all times been interested in Japan’s scorching 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. Throughout the competition, you possibly can dig up tulip bulbs, take pleasure in avenue meals or take a ship trip on Lake Inba. 
• Nemophila Concord at Hitachi Seaside Park, Ibaraki Prefecture (mid-April to early Could): Yearly between mid-April and early Could, Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki Prefecture sees a pointy rise in guests when a sea of blue nemophila flowers covers Miharashi Hill. Try the blooming forecasts earlier than visiting for the very best expertise.
• Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Competition in Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture (19/04/2024 – 05/05/2024): 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 numerous avenue meals and an illumination occasion at evening. The dates introduced are topic to alter relying on the blooming forecasts of the cherry blossoms.
• Ashikaga Flower Park Nice Wisteria Competition in Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture (mid-April to mid-Could): Ashikaga Flower Park is likely one of the most acclaimed journey locations to witness the great thing about wisteria in Japan. Other than loads of wisteria, you may as well see azalea flowers and peonies blooming across the similar interval. At evening, the park hosts a wisteria light-up occasion. Don’t overlook to take a look at the blooming forecasts earlier than visiting.  
• Fuji Shibazakura Competition in Fuji Motosuko Resort, Yamanashi Prefecture (mid-April to late Could): Throughout the Fuji Shibazakura Competition, you possibly can see round 500,000 Shibazakura crops (often known as “moss phlox” in English) turning big 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 reminiscent of cherry blossoms and plenty of nice festivals make this time of 12 months unbelievable for a visit. 

Though touristy spots in well-liked cities are extra crowded than traditional, the lovely spring landscapes make visiting Japan in April undoubtedly value 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 wonderful climate situations and the attractive colors of nature with fewer crowds, the autumn foliage season in November is an efficient various. Japan is busy in November, but not almost as swamped with vacationers as in April. Finally, all of it is dependent upon your private preferences.