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Japan in April : cherry blossoms, spring vibes & what to expect

April is one of the best months to go to Japan. Cherry blossoms are at their peak in a lot of places, the weather is nice, and everything just feels like spring.

It’s also one of the busiest times, especially toward the end of the month, so planning matters a bit more here.

Where to Go in April ?

TOKYO

Shinjuku Gyoen

Good if you’re slightly late for sakura. Some trees bloom later so you still catch them.

Chidorigafuchi

One of the best views in Tokyo with the moat and boats.

Sumida Park

Cherry blossoms with Tokyo Skytree in the background.

And many other places : Ueno park, Motoara river, Sakuraaokacho, Meguro cherry blossom promenade, Rikugi-en


KYOTO

Philosopher’s Path

Easy walk with cherry trees all along the canal.

Maruyama Park

Main hanami spot. People gather here for picnics.

Kiyomizu-dera

Views over Kyoto with cherry blossoms around.

Ninnaji Temple

Good option if you arrive after peak bloom. Blossoms come later here.

But also : Kiyomizu-dera, Heian jingu, Hirano jinja, Chion-in temple, Kaege incline, Kiyamachi dori.


OSAKA

Osaka Castle Park

Big open area full of cherry trees.

Expo ’70 Park

Less crowded, different varieties so bloom lasts longer.

And : Daisen park, Kema Sakuranomiya Park.

NORTHERN JAPAN (mid to late April)

Hirosaki Castle (Aomori)

One of the best sakura spots in Japan. Petals cover the water.

Kakunodate (Akita)

Old samurai streets with weeping cherry trees.

HOKKAIDŌ (late April)

Maruyama Park (Sapporo)

Sakura starts here when it’s already finished in Tokyo.

Goryokaku Park (Hakodate)

Star-shaped park surrounded by cherry trees.

OTHER SPRING SPOTS

Ashikaga Flower Park

Wisteria start blooming mid to late April.

Hitachi Seaside Park

Seasonal flowers depending on timing.

Nara park & Yoshino yama are also really popular.

Of course, this is just a small selection. There are thousands of sakura spots across Japan, from major parks to quiet local neighborhoods. There are also different types of cherry blossoms, and they don’t all bloom at the same time.Some bloom earlier, some later, and some last longer than others. Before planning, always check which variety blooms in the cities you’re visiting and what timing you’re aiming for. The experience can vary a lot depending on the sakura type and the region.

🎎 Main festivals & events

Early April

Cherry blossom season in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka

All April

Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival, Tokyo

April 4 – 19

Kyo Odori, Kyoto

April 5

Kanamara Festival, Kawasaki

April 12 – 19

Kamakura Festival, Kamakura

April 11 – May 20

Ashikaga Wisteria Festival, Tochigi

Early to late April

Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival, Tokyo

April 12 – May 25

Fuji Shibazakura Festival (pink moss), near Mount Fuji

April 14 – 15

Takayama Spring Festival, Gifu

All month

Hanami picnics in parks

🍵 What to eat this month

  • Sakura sweets and drinks

  • Strawberry desserts

  • Bamboo shoots

  • Spring vegetables

  • Hanami bento

  • Sakura sweets like :

Sakura dango : Three-colored rice dumplings (pink, white, green) sold during hanami season.

Sakura daifuku : Soft mochi filled with red bean paste and flavored with cherry blossom.

Sakura anpan : Sweet bread filled with cherry-flavored red bean paste.

Sakura mochi : Pink rice cake filled with red bean paste, wrapped in a salted cherry leaf.

Sakura cheesecake / roll cake: Limited seasonal desserts sold in department stores and cafĂŠs.

Sakura KitKat : Seasonal flavor released around spring.
Sakura ice cream : My favorite !

Sakura latte
Cherry blossom flavored milk drink, often sold at cafĂŠs and convenience stores.

Sakura milk tea
Seasonal tea blends with cherry aroma.

Sakura sparkling drinks
Non-alcoholic cherry blossom sodas sold in supermarkets.

💡 Travel tips

Cherry blossoms are everywhere early April. Then petals start falling which is also really nice to see. North Japan blooms later. Spring flowers start replacing sakura toward the end of the month.

Early April is peak season
Late April gets busy with Golden Week
Book everything early
Bloom timing changes every year
Weather is mild but not always stable
Bring layers !!


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Marie creator behind @Tabimawari

Hi, I’m Marie, the creator behind @tabimawari.

I lived in Kyoto, learned Japanese, and keep returning to explore Japan beyond the obvious.

Planning a trip to Japan usually breaks at the same point: you save a lot of places, but don’t know how to turn them into a realistic route. Cities are large, distances are not intuitive, and it’s hard to know what actually fits in one day.

This guide was created to solve that. It helps you understand how places connect, how many days make sense per area, and how to build an itinerary that flows.

With the interactive map, you can explore curated spots across Japan, follow ready-made itineraries and day trips, mix my routes with your own, and adapt everything to your pace.

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Marie creator behind @Tabimawari

Hi, I’m Marie.


French islander from Reunion island, Japan lover, and travel planner behind Tabimawari.

I spent a year living in Kyoto, learning Japanese and falling in love with the culture. Since then, I’ve kept going back, exploring every corner from Tokyo to the tiniest hidden towns.

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