April in Japan: Full-Bloom Sakura, Festivals, and More!

April is when Japan truly embraces spring in full force. By this time, the last traces of winter have vanished, and the country is bathed in shades of pink and white as cherry blossoms reach their peak bloom. The crisp mornings and pleasant afternoons make it the perfect month for outdoor adventures, from hanami (flower viewing) gatherings to exploring Japan’s stunning natural landscapes.

While the cherry blossoms start blooming in March in the southern regions, by early to mid-April, they take over central and northern Japan. Cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka see an explosion of sakura festivities, while regions like Tohoku start witnessing their first blooms later in the month. This is one of the most beautiful and festive times to be in Japan, as people gather under the sakura trees for picnics, celebrations, and seasonal delights.

April Events and Celebrations

Hana Matsuri: The Celebration of Buddha’s Birth

On April 8th, Japan celebrates Hana Matsuri (Flower Festival), a Buddhist event honoring the birth of Siddhartha Gautama, the historical Buddha. Temples across Japan hold special ceremonies where people pour sweet tea (amacha) over small Buddha statues, symbolizing the gentle rain that is said to have fallen at his birth.

Many temples decorate their grounds with flowers, and visitors come to offer prayers and take part in the peaceful festivities. In major cities like Kyoto and Nara, well-known temples such as Senso-ji and Todai-ji host large Hana Matsuri events, often featuring parades and cultural performances.

Takayama Spring Festival: A Spectacle of Tradition

One of Japan’s most beautiful spring festivals, the Takayama Spring Festival (April 14-15), takes place in the historic town of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture. The festival is famous for its elaborate yatai (festival floats), which are beautifully decorated with intricate carvings, mechanical puppets, and glowing lanterns at night.

The festival brings an old-world charm, as participants wear traditional attire, and the town’s Edo-period streets come alive with music, dancing, and festive energy. It’s one of Japan’s most picturesque seasonal celebrations.

Miyako Odori: Kyoto’s Geisha Dance Performance

April is also the time for Miyako Odori, a stunning geisha and maiko (apprentice geisha) dance performance held at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater in Kyoto. This event is a rare opportunity for visitors to see Kyoto’s elegant geisha community perform choreographed dances, accompanied by traditional shamisen music.

Miyako Odori offers a fascinating glimpse into Kyoto’s cultural heritage and is a must-see for those who appreciate Japan’s refined arts and traditions.

April Adventures: The Ultimate Hanami Season

Hirosaki Castle Park: A Fairytale Scene in Northern Japan

Hirosaki Castle Park in Aomori Prefecture is one of the most breathtaking hanami destinations in Japan. With over 2,500 cherry trees framing the historic Edo-period castle, the park turns into an enchanted pink wonderland every April. One of the most iconic sights here is the moat filled with fallen sakura petals, creating the illusion of a pink river flowing beneath the castle walls. During the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival, which takes place from mid-to-late April, the park is beautifully illuminated at night, offering a dreamy atmosphere for an evening stroll. Visitors can also enjoy boat rides along the petal-covered waters, rows of food stalls selling local festival treats, and performances celebrating Aomori’s samurai heritage.

Mt. Yoshino: A Sea of Blossoms Across the Mountains

For those seeking a more immersive hanami experience away from the bustling cities, Mt. Yoshino in Nara Prefecture is an extraordinary choice. The slopes of the mountain are covered with over 30,000 cherry trees, creating a breathtaking gradient of pink as you hike up the trails. Due to its elevation, the trees bloom at different times, meaning that even if the sakura season has ended in the cities, visitors can still catch the beauty of late-blooming cherry blossoms here well into April. The area is also home to historic temples, charming ryokan inns, and natural hot springs, making it a perfect destination for a peaceful spring retreat.

Kakunodate: Hanami with a Samurai Touch

Cherry blossom season in Kakunodate, Akita Prefecture, is not just about flowers—it’s a journey back in time. Known for its well-preserved samurai district, Kakunodate features rows of stunning weeping cherry trees lining the historic streets, their long, delicate branches cascading like pink waterfalls. Many of the traditional samurai residences are open to the public, offering a unique opportunity to explore the refined lifestyle of the Edo period while being surrounded by blooming sakura. The Kakunodate Cherry Blossom Festival in April also includes cultural performances, tea ceremonies, and traditional crafts, making it an immersive hanami experience.

Fuji Shibazakura Festival: A Floral Carpet Beneath Mt. Fuji

For those looking for a different kind of spring flower viewing, the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, held near Lake Motosu in Yamanashi Prefecture, is a must-visit. Instead of cherry blossoms, this festival showcases vast fields of pink moss phlox (shibazakura), which bloom in vibrant shades of pink, purple, and white. The breathtaking sight is made even more magical with Mt. Fuji towering in the background, creating a truly iconic scene. Visitors can enjoy local festival foods, foot baths with a view of the flowers, and an observation deck that offers a panoramic perspective of the colorful landscape.

Miharu Takizakura: The Sacred Thousand-Year-Old Sakura

For a hanami experience steeped in legend, Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima Prefecture is an unforgettable sight. This 1,000-year-old cherry tree, one of the Three Great Cherry Trees of Japan, stands tall with its cascading pink branches resembling a waterfall of blossoms. Every April, thousands of visitors make the pilgrimage to witness its beauty, especially during the evening light-up, when the tree is illuminated in soft golden hues. The energy of standing beneath such an ancient and revered tree is both humbling and awe-inspiring.

Tokyo: Iconic and Hidden Hanami Spots

Tokyo is one of the most exciting places to experience hanami, offering a mix of popular scenic spots and quieter, off-the-beaten-path locations. One of the most famous places to view cherry blossoms is Shinjuku Gyoen, a massive park with different varieties of sakura, ensuring a long hanami season.

The park’s spacious lawns make it perfect for a relaxed picnic with a view of pink petals overhead. Another top destination is Chidorigafuchi, where you can rent a rowboat and paddle through the sakura-lined moats of the Imperial Palace, creating one of the most photogenic hanami experiences in Tokyo.

For a less crowded yet equally stunning experience, Rikugien Garden offers a tranquil hanami atmosphere with illuminated weeping cherry trees, while Yanaka Cemetery provides a unique setting, where cherry trees line the historic pathways of this quiet district. Meanwhile, Sumida Park near Asakusa offers riverside hanami views with Tokyo Skytree in the background, combining traditional and modern Tokyo in a single breathtaking scene.

Kyoto: Historic Hanami Amongst Temples and Shrines

Kyoto’s timeless beauty is elevated by cherry blossoms, as historic temples and shrines are draped in pink petals. Maruyama Park, home to Kyoto’s most famous weeping cherry tree, becomes a lively hanami hub in April, with festival stalls, music, and sake-filled celebrations. For those seeking a quieter, more elegant experience, the Philosopher’s Path is an enchanting cherry blossom-lined walkway that follows a peaceful canal near Ginkaku-ji Temple, perfect for a morning or late-afternoon stroll.

Some of Kyoto’s most stunning hanami views can be found at Kiyomizu-dera, where the temple’s wooden terrace overlooks a valley filled with cherry blossoms. The sight of Kyoto’s historic rooftops framed by sakura is nothing short of breathtaking. Meanwhile, Heian Shrine’s garden is a hidden gem, featuring pink weeping cherry trees that reflect beautifully over serene ponds. For a magical night experience, Nijo Castle hosts a sakura illumination event, casting soft pink glows over its traditional walls and gardens.

Osaka: Lively Hanami in the Heart of the City

Osaka brings a festive energy to cherry blossom season, with locals gathering for vibrant hanami parties filled with food, laughter, and music. Osaka Castle Park is one of the most famous hanami spots in the city, where thousands of sakura trees surround the majestic Osaka Castle, creating a stunning contrast between history and nature. The park comes alive with food stalls, performers, and lively hanami celebrations throughout April.

For a more scenic and relaxed hanami experience, Kema Sakuranomiya Park offers a stunning riverside walkway lined with over 5,000 cherry trees, where visitors can take leisurely boat rides under the blossoms. Meanwhile, Expo ’70 Commemorative Park, located just outside the city, provides sprawling landscapes filled with sakura trees and open spaces, perfect for a full-day hanami picnic.

For something a little different, Osaka Mint Bureau opens its gates for just one week each April, allowing visitors to walk through its exclusive sakura tunnel, featuring rare cherry blossom varieties not commonly seen elsewhere. This short-lived but highly anticipated event draws hanami lovers eager to see unusual shades of pink and white blossoms.

April Cuisine: Seasonal Delights to Savor

Sakura Sweets and Springtime Desserts

Spring flavors take center stage in April, with sakura-inspired treats found in nearly every café, bakery, and convenience store across Japan. One of the most beloved seasonal sweets is sakura mochi, a chewy pink rice cake filled with smooth red bean paste and wrapped in a salted cherry blossom leaf. The combination of sweet, floral, and slightly savory flavors makes it a hanami must-try. Another favorite is sakura dango, soft rice dumplings infused with cherry blossom essence and often served with sweet soy sauce glaze or azuki bean paste.

Beyond traditional wagashi, modern desserts embrace the sakura trend with sakura-flavored macarons, cheesecakes, ice cream, and even seasonal Starbucks drinks featuring pink whipped cream and edible flower toppings. Convenience stores also roll out exclusive sakura chocolates, sakura-flavored pastries, and even sakura-infused beer, ensuring that the spirit of spring is present in every bite and sip.

Fresh Mountain Vegetables and Seasonal Produce

April is also the season for sansai (mountain vegetables), which add an earthy freshness to Japanese cuisine. Takenoko (bamboo shoots) are at their peak, commonly served in rice dishes, grilled with miso, or lightly fried as tempura. Other wild greens, such as warabi (bracken ferns) and kogomi (ostrich ferns), bring a hint of bitterness that pairs beautifully with soy-based sauces.

Fresh seafood is another highlight of April, with shirasu (baby sardines) being particularly popular. These tiny, delicate fish are often enjoyed raw over rice bowls, lightly boiled, or crisp-fried as a crunchy snack. Another seasonal delicacy is sakura shrimp, which are found exclusively in Japan’s Suruga Bay. Their naturally pink hue makes them a visual delight, while their slightly sweet and umami-rich taste shines in tempura, pasta, or mixed into rice dishes.

Springtime Food Festivals and Hanami Bento

April is one of the best months to enjoy outdoor food festivals, where regional specialties are served in a lively, festive atmosphere. Yatai (street food stalls) pop up around major hanami spots, offering everything from grilled yakitori skewers and taiyaki (fish-shaped pastries) to sakura-themed bento boxes. These special hanami bento typically include colorful sushi rolls, seasonal pickles, tempura, and delicate sakura jelly desserts, making them the perfect meal to enjoy under the cherry blossoms.

April Weather in Japan: Spring in Full Swing

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka: Comfortable and Blooming

The heart of Japan experiences mild and sunny weather, with temperatures ranging between 10°C and 22°C (50°F – 72°F). Days are perfect for exploring parks, temples, and hanami spots, while evenings are still cool enough for a light jacket or cardigan. Occasional showers may occur, so carrying a small umbrella is a good idea.

Hokkaido and Tohoku: Late Blooming and Crisp Air

Northern Japan is still transitioning into spring, with temperatures between 5°C and 15°C (41°F – 59°F). Snow may still linger in higher elevations, but cities like Sapporo and Sendai start seeing cherry blossoms towards the end of April. A warm sweater and layers are recommended, especially for the brisk evenings.

Okinawa: Beach Season Begins

Japan’s tropical paradise, Okinawa, enjoys early summer warmth with temperatures ranging from 18°C to 26°C (64°F – 79°F). It’s a great time for snorkeling, diving, and exploring subtropical flower festivals. Packing light clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen is essential, though a light jacket might be useful for the breezy evenings.

Japanese Alps and Rural Areas: Cool and Refreshing

Regions like Takayama, Nikko, and Nagano still experience cool mornings and evenings, with temperatures ranging from 5°C to 18°C (41°F – 65°F). If you plan on hiking or visiting rural villages, bringing a warm sweater and comfortable walking shoes is a must.

April in Japan: The Best of Spring in One Month

There’s something about April in Japan that just feels perfect. The air is fresh, the skies are bright, and the whole country seems to be in a celebratory mood. Whether you’re strolling beneath a canopy of cherry blossoms, wandering through a lively spring festival, or simply sipping a seasonal sakura latte at a quiet café, April invites you to slow down and enjoy the moment. It’s the kind of month that makes you want to stay outside all day, just watching the petals drift through the air.

It’s also a time of endless possibilities—you could be marveling at ancient castles framed by pink blossoms, exploring hidden temples in the mountains, or even catching the last sakura blooms in the northern regions before they disappear for another year. And of course, no trip would be complete without indulging in Japan’s incredible spring flavors, from delicate cherry blossom sweets to the freshest seafood of the season.

If April sounds like the kind of adventure you’ve been craving, let us help make it happen. Whether you want a carefully curated travel plan or an expertly guided tour, we’re here to craft an experience that’s just right for you. 🌸 Start planning your perfect Japan trip now! Check out our Travel Planner or browse our Tours for the best ways to explore Japan this spring! 🌸