Japan is a country worth visiting anytime of the year. However, spring stands out as the best season for traveling to the “land of the sun” for many reasons. April is the start of warm weather and many celebrations. Here are the top 10 things to do in Japan in April.
Also see: The Top 23 Cities to Visit in Japan
1. Go cherry blossom hunting
Every spring, locals and foreigners alike flock to parks in Japan for hanami: cherry blossom viewing. Symbolizing life and new beginnings, sakura holds great significance in Japanese culture. Throughout the country, you can witness the magic of these delicate flowers blooming, forming a sea of pink. It is one of the most beautiful sights to behold. Check this guide here for everything you need to know about cherry blossom season in Japan.
2. Find flowers other than cherry blossoms
Although cherry blossoms is all the rage during the spring season, there are as well many other stunning flowers to see in April. Just around Tokyo, you can visit colorful events, such as the Bunkyo Azalea Festival at Nezu Shrine, which features over 100 variety of azalea plants. Or the Wisteria Festival at Ashikaga Flower Park, showcasing an enchanting tunnel of wisteria. And let’s not forget the Hitachi Seaside Park, where April’s main highlight includes rolling hills covered in millions of baby blue Nemophila.
3. Taste the seasonal treats
Each season has its own delicious flavors in Japan. April is the chance to get many sweet treats like Sakura mochi (mochis AKA sticky rice balls), Sakura Kit Kats and Sakura Frappuccinos at Starbucks. They taste as good as they look pretty! Don’t miss the opportunity to hunt down these eats as they won’t be sold once Spring is over. Other than the obsession with sakura, strawberries are also in season as well as bamboo shoots.
4.. Attend Earth Day
An event held on April 22nd in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Earth Day is a family friendly festival with a mission of encouraging “thinking and acting on the planet”. There are various workshops as well as Earth concert with live performances. Children can learn about where food come from and how to better protect the environment. Sustainability is cool!
5. Have fun at Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea
What’s better than Disneyland? Disneyland with a theme! Both Tokyo Disneyland and Disneysea are fully decked out from March to June every year, for an over the top Easter Extravaganza. Enter the happiest place on earth that is filled with decorations, bunnies, flowers, and colorful eggs. You will love the Easter parades and special menu items. Mickey and friends in their Easter outfits is pure cuteness. Can we say super Kawaii?! Check out this guide for tips on visiting Tokyo Disneysea and Disneyland.
6. Go strawberry picking
As mentioned previously, strawberry is in season in April. Make a day trip to a strawberries farm, there are several around the Tokyo area. They are usually all-you-can-eat style for a flat fee. Definitely gorge yourself with the sweet delicious strawberries in Japan. They are even sweeter when you pick them yourself. Promise.
7. Watch a baseball game
Baseball is the most popular sport in Japan. The atmosphere at live games are infectious with roaring cheers and exciting energy. Even non-baseball fans will have a blast. April is the perfect time to get your tickets as the kick off starts at the end of March. Tokyo Dome, Meiji Jingu Stadium, Yokohama stadium are all great places to catch a match.
8. Check out other spring festivals
As the weather gets warmer, more and more festivals pop up throughout the country. Many regions in Japan have their own signature festivities, which is wonderful for getting to know traditional Japanese culture. Some of the most famous spring festivals include: Miyako Matsuri, the geisha festival held in Kyoto; Inuyama Matsuri, a giant parade with lanterns held in Inuyama city; and Kanamara Matsuri, the notorious phallus festival celebrating fertility, held in Kawasaki.
9. Enjoy nightlife in Tokyo
On the flip side of attending traditional festivals is hitting the modern night clubs in Tokyo. Everyone can finally shed the thick winter jackets and dress as comfortable and sexy as they like. Kabukicho in Shibuya, Shinjuku, and Roppongi are some of the hottest areas for nightlife in the city. The Japanese girls have an insane sense of style! Check out: 9 Secrets to Dressing like a Japanese Girl.
10. Relax on the beach in Okinawa
While the rest of Japan is still chilly, the tropical Okinawa in southern Japan is ready for bikini season by April. Relax on the pristine beaches and temperate weather. You will feel more like you are in Hawaii than Japan. The best part? This time of the year sees relatively less tourists, so you can possibly have the gorgeous ocean views all to yourself.
11. Visit Kyoto
The cherry blossoms are in full bloom in April, an optimal time to visit the famous Japanese city of Kyoto. It's busiest the first couple of weeks of April, if you want to avoid the crowds, the last two weeks are much quieter. Kaiseki in April in Kyoto is particularly memorable, make sure to fit in this special Japanese seasonal style meal when traveling to Japan.
Also see: What to Eat in Kyoto Station
There are so many fun things to do in Japan in April. From flower chasing, to festival going, to seasonal treats tasting, which experience are you dying to try? Share with us your favorite in the comments below.
Meet Our Contributor
Viola is a Canadian girl who is obsessed with seeing the world. She loves hunting for unusual destinations and best sunset spots with her camera. Viola’s favorite country is Japan, where she lived for two years. You can read find all her guides on her blog The Blessing Bucket Follow her on Instagram here.
