Japan weather & when to go: April
Japan April weather overview
Unlike neighbouring March, April is the ideal time to visit throughout the country. With the beach resorts opening up in southern Okinawa and the continuation of Cherry Blossom season in locations such as Kyoto this is a great time to start touring and even spring skiing enthusiasts have options in Hokkaido.
Japan weather & when to go
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April’s weather in detail
Hokkaido
Sapporo, Niseko, Furano
The snow begins to melt on Hokkaido’s lower grounds as the temperature warms up, with the mercury hitting double figures on a good day and bright sunny days (avg temp: 8°C). Most of Sapporo’s ski resorts close for the season in April, although snow is still visible on some of Hokkaido’s highest peaks and a handful of resorts, such as Niseko, go into ‘spring skiing’ mode, for those die-hard winter sports enthusiasts.
Honshu
Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima
It’s no secret that April is considered to be a perfect month to visit Japan. Spring is in full swing across Honshu and central Japan, with pleasant daily temperatures (avg temp: 15°C), although evenings still tend to be on the cool side.
Cherry blossom madness continues as the blossoms hit their flowering peak at the beginning of the month in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, with picnics and ‘hanami’ parties breaking out under blossoming trees; the slightly cooler cities of Kanazawa and Takayama tend to enjoy blooms until later in the month. For an iconic photo head to Hakone and the Fuji Five Lakes region this month and capture an image of Mount Fuji surrounded by cherry blossom. It doesn’t get any more Japanese!
As you can imagine, as April is a beautiful time to visit Japan, Honshu and the island’s tourist highlights, especially Kyoto can be crowded during this time, both with locals and foreign visitors.
Shikoku & Kyushu
Matsuyama, Fukuoka, Nagasaki
April is a dry and sunny month across the islands of Shikoku and Kyushu with the mercury rising as high as 19°C on a good day. The temperate climate can extend cherry blossom season into early April on Kyushu.
Okinawa Islands
Naha, Okinawa, Kerama
As temperatures increase in Japan’s southernmost province and a tropical feel descends on the islands (avg temp: 21°C), April is time for Okinawa’s beach resorts to open, although water temperatures at the beginning of the month are still a little fresh. Avoid Golden Week and you’ll find the beaches pleasantly crowd free.
