April is Tokyo's postcard month, and the postcard is the first week.
Weather#
| Typical | |
|---|---|
| Days | ~19°C / 66°F, mild |
| Nights | ~10°C / 50°F |
| Rain | Some; a few wet days |
| Blossoms | Peak usually in the first week |
March is the lead-in; May the follow-on.
The three Aprils#
1 to 9: sakura. Hanami in Ueno, Yoyogi and Shinjuku Gyoen, the Meguro River lit at night, Chidorigafuchi by rowing boat. Also the crowds, the prices and the queues. Cherry blossom forecast and spots.
10 to 28: the calm. Petals gone, weather perfect, tourists thinner, prices sane. The best fortnight of the year to walk the neighbourhoods, do day trips and eat well. Fresh green (shinryoku) on the trees.
29 onward: Golden Week. Japan travels; book nothing on a shinkansen you haven't reserved; stay in the city, which empties a little as residents leave.
What's on#
Hanami, then azaleas at Nezu Shrine mid-month, then the start of Golden Week. The Kanamara Matsuri in Kawasaki in the first week is the one everyone photographs.
What to do#
Everything outdoors: the 5-day itinerary at its best, Hakone on a clear day, Nikko before the holiday crowds, Tokyo to Kyoto if you're going on. Things to do.
Pack#
Layers, a light jacket, an umbrella, shoes for walking all day. What to wear in Tokyo. Where to stay, booked early.
With a Tokyoite#
Hanami is a picnic Tokyoites have done every year of their lives; the shinryoku weeks after are when they're actually relaxed. Post your dates on Roavi Community and a Local Friend can show you either.
Tokyo in April? Spend an evening with someone who lives there.
Meet a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Tokyo in April?
Mild and mostly pleasant: highs around 19°C (66°F), lows around 10°C (50°F), occasional rainy days, no humidity yet. The best walking weather of the year alongside October and November.Are the cherry blossoms still out in April in Tokyo?
Usually in the first week: Tokyo's peak is typically the first days of April, with petals falling by the second week. Late-blooming varieties in Shinjuku Gyoen last a little longer. After the 10th, go north to see them again.What is Golden Week and should I avoid it?
A run of national holidays from 29 April to about 5 May when Japan goes on holiday: trains and hotels book out, sights are packed, prices rise. Tokyo itself can be quieter as residents leave, but travel in and out is hard. Avoid it or stay put in the city.Is April expensive in Tokyo?
The first week and Golden Week are among the most expensive of the year. The middle three weeks are moderate and pleasant. Book early for any of it.
