If you’ve spent any time reading this website or following me on social media, you know that I love Japan’s cherry blossoms. I even recently joked that sakura season was my Super Bowl! (Well, I was serious about that, actually).
In spite of this—and, indeed, the fact that virtually all my spring trips to Japan are for cherry blossoms—they are not the only game in town at this time of year. Nor are flowers the only reason to visit, even though Japan offers an alluring array of them (more on those later).
No matter when you’re planning your trip to Japan in spring, or why you want to visit, I hope you’ll continue reading. Japan is as amazing in early May or mid-June as it is in late March or early April!
Why Spring is My Favorite Season for Traveling in Japan
Before I get into the details of my Japan spring itinerary, I need to talk about why I love traveling in Japan in the springtime. Beyond the sakura, of course, because that much is obvious. First up is the weather. While Japan can be rainy in spring—which I don’t love—rising temperatures make exploring so much more pleasant than it is in winter (even though I do deeply love Japan winter travel).
There’s also the element of light. The sun never stays up extremely late in Japan, due to the fact that the entire country belongs to the same time zone. However, you do end up with several extra hours of sunset in April or May compared to December or January, especially in the morning. Finally, beyond all the flowers (which I’ll discuss in a moment), the “new” green of spring is beautiful, and motivates me to want to explore.
What to Do in Japan in Spring 2027
Discover sakura‘s sassier sisters
Look, I love cherry blossoms as much as the next person, but there are all kinds of reasons you might not see them, with timing the most common around them. The good news? If you’re too late for peak sakura bloom in the places on your Japan spring itinerary, Japanese flowers like tsutsuji (azaleas), fuji (wisteria), momo (peach blossoms) and shibazakura (pink moss phlox) will await you, often with lighter crowds than the cherry blossoms would’ve had as an added bonus.
Hike before it gets too hot
Another of my favorite parts of visiting Japan in April? Hiking! While it’s too early to climb Mt. Fuji (and don’t even try—it’s foolish, in addition being illegal), spring is a fantastic time for hiking elsewhere, from Kyushu and Shikoku to the Japanese Alps. On my latest spring trip to Japan, I did my most extensive Nakasendo hike in years, completing not only the easy-but-crowded Magome-Tsumago circuit, but also the more strenuous (but much less trafficked) Torii Pass between Yabuhara and Narai.
(Or ski before it stops being cold)
As you’ll know if you read this site with any regularity, I am not a skier. Still, I enjoy visiting snowy places in Japan, and riding a ski lift up a mountain (with the intention of riding it down, of course). To the surprise of many travelers, spring (especially early spring) can still make for very good skiing, with Nagano ski hubs like Hakuba and Nozawa pretty “white” through the month of March, and japow remaining on the ground in Niseko and other Hokkaido ski resorts well into April some years.
Hit Okinawa’s beaches without the crowds
If you plan to visit Japan in May, you can actually get some quality beach time in. At this time of year, the entire Okinawa archipelago (from Ishigaki, to the main island, to Miyakojima) will be hot and mostly sunny, with the spring tsuyu or “plum rain” having largely abated. However, with the exception of the Golden Week holiday in early May, crowds are a fraction of what they’d be in the peak summer season, giving you an exclusive-feeling beach trip.
Discover the magic of the green season
What happens if you miss spring flowers entirely? Well, not to despair. You see, for about 4-6 weeks following the end of sakura season, Japan enters what I like to call the “green season.” While rainy days can occasionally characterize this time of year, what’s more apparent is how deep and new the greenery of the cities and hillsides is, from chartreuse bamboo forests, to fresh maple (and, yes, cherry) leaves in urban settings. This was the time of year I first visited underrated San’in, for example, and I credit that fact with why I’m still so in love with the region.
TIP: Another advantage of visiting Japan in late spring? You can see ayame (irises) and ajisai (hydrangeas) in certain parts of the country. While these are generally thought of as summer flowers, they bloom in early-to-mid June in many cities, namely in and around Tokyo.
Other Amazing Things to Do in Japan in Spring
This article will grow over time, but I never want to make it too comprehensive. Still, here are some additional ideas for what to do you on your spring trip to Japan:
- Come during Golden Week (Japan’s busiest domestic travel holiday) and do your best to navigate the madness.
- Appreciate warm weather good light without the insane crowds and extremely humidity of later in typical summer months.
- Lean into the short tsuyu (plum rains) season, which typically takes place in early June, just before the beginning of summer.
Other FAQ About Spring Travel in Japan
Is spring a good time to visit Japan?
Spring is a fabulous time to visit Japan, whether or not you time your visit to the bloom of the cherry blossoms. If you do come during late April or early May, however, be mindful that your trip may coincide with Golden Week, a busy domestic travel holiday.
Is Japan more expensive in spring?
Japan can be more expensive during cherry blossom season (late March or April, in most “popular” destinations) and also during Golden Week, just before and after May 1. In general, however, the rest of spring is a relatively affordable time to visit Japan.
How cold is Japan in March and April?
Japan’s tourist trail warms up significantly during the months of March and especially April, with mild temperatures common during the daytime especially. However, nighttimes can still be chilly; destinations in northern Japan or up in the mountains will still be cold in general.
The Bottom Line
There’s no “right” way to visit Japan in spring. Some travelers will come in late March or early April for cherry blossoms—present company included—and that’s perfectly valid. However, you could just as easily come earlier in March for plum blossoms, in mid-April to attend festivals in the Japanese Alps or in mid-May or early June with little regard for what flowers happen to be blooming. Regardless of the reason, spring is a fabulous season for traveling around Japan. Make your spring trip even more unforgettable when you hire me to plan your custom Japan itinerary.
