Spring

Spring Travel in Japan: Cherry Blossoms & Where to Go

Spring in Japan is built around the cherry blossom bloom, which starts in Kyushu in March and moves north through Tokyo and Kyoto by late March to early April, reaching Tohoku and Hokkaido in April and May. Outside the bloom itself, spring brings mild, comfortable walking weather across most of the country — a strong pick for first-time visitors and for temple, garden, or mountain-view itineraries.

Climate range

Kyushu and the Pacific coast (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto) warm up quickly through March and April, with mild days and cool mornings.
Tohoku and Hokkaido stay cooler for longer, with a real chance of a late cold snap into April.
Rain showers are common through the season, so pack for both sun and rain rather than one or the other.

Crowds and booking

The blossom window is short (roughly one to two weeks in each region) and moves with the weather, so it drives the year’s heaviest domestic and international demand.
Kyoto and Tokyo hotels and Shinkansen seats for the bloom window typically sell out 2–3 months ahead.
Late April into early May adds Golden Week, a run of national holidays when domestic travel spikes again — expect higher prices and fuller trains even outside the blossom window.

Where this season suits

Spring suits first-time visitors who want classic hanami scenery and comfortable walking weather, and travelers building a temple, garden, or mountain-view route. For a quieter, later bloom with room to explore beyond the crowds, see our self-drive spring trip through Yamagata. The prefectures below are a starting point for the classic hanami bases.

What to pack and safety

Layers work best: a warm layer for cool mornings and evenings, and something lighter for mild afternoons.
Bring a compact umbrella or rain shell — spring showers are common and can arrive with little warning.
Walking shoes matter more than in any other season, since hanami spots and temple routes involve a lot of time on foot.

Checking exact event dates

Cherry blossom timing and matsuri dates change every year and cannot be predicted far in advance. Confirm the current forecast on JNTO’s official cherry blossom forecast, and check specific festivals on JNTO’s festivals and events listings or the event organizer’s own site before booking non-refundable hotels or trains. Checked 2026-07-30.