What April is like
April is mild and fresh, with cherry blossoms in the first half of the month in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, and later in the mountains and the north. It can rain, and evenings in the mountains are still cold.
It is a very popular time to visit Japan. Golden Week, a chain of national holidays, starts on April 29, when domestic travel peaks.
Highlights
- Takayama Spring Festival, Gifu. On April 14 and 15, twelve ornate floats, some with mechanical puppets, gather in the old town, then parade by lantern light at night.
- Furukawa Festival, Gifu. On the night of April 19, men in loincloths battle to get closest to a great drum carried through the streets.
- Tokubata Tenjin, Hyōgo. A small country festival with lion dances on a weekend in late April.
Tips for April
- Book hotels well ahead for the cherry blossom weeks and the Takayama Spring Festival.
- Read our hanami guide for bloom dates across Japan and how to join a picnic under the trees.
- Combine Takayama and Furukawa: they are 15 minutes apart by train, a few days apart in the calendar.
- Avoid travelling between April 29 and May 5 if you can; trains and hotels are at their fullest.
