The Best Things to do in Japan in April

Visiting Japan in April

April is by far the busiest time to visit Japan but there is a good reason why – there are just so many things to do in Japan in April! In April you will find the peak of cherry blossoms all throughout Japan as the weather turns from bitter cold and gross to just right. It is right before Golden Week too, so there is excitement in the air as events and festivals start.

Is April a good time to visit Japan?

Yes and no. It is one of the most beautiful times of the year and because of that everyone has the same idea – to go to Japan! This means that the streets and venues are packed – and with the yen so low even that ignorant loser from school will be using Japan for a stag trip instead of Thailand this year. However, as someone who has spent 7 Aprils in Japan, I still think it is worth visiting at least once.

What you will find here

If you’re looking for the best things to do in Japan in April, here you will find it! I have put together a list of everything I know that is happening. I spent 7 years living in Japan and often travel back to Japan as a tourist so these are all based on my personal experience. If you’re also visiting in March, I have a blog post for that too!

Eat Spring themed food

Sakura themed sweets and cakes available in Japan during April

This month is all about sakura, so you’ll find cherry blossom themed food everywhere. One of the best things to do in Japan in April is eat all the delicious food! Every single cafe, restaurant, and bakery jumps on board the sakura-flavour train. If you’re looking for the best things to do in Japan in April I highly recommend trying at least one sakura treat. See below for some examples:

Please note for my vegan and dietary restricted readers that these options are rarely dairy or egg free. Please check the ingredients of each item if they’re not clearly labeled vegan. Chain stores sometimes have alternative milk options but they are sometimes not vegan so please ask the staff if you are unsure.

Andaz Pastry Shop: this is located at the Tokyo Andaz hotel and has some sakura themed cakes and sweets to be paired with champagne.

Yokumoku: a popular Japanese cafe located throughout the country specialising in sweets and biscuits. They usually have a limited edition sakura tin of biscuits.

Mabre Vegan: is a fully vegan bakery next to Shinjuku Gyoen. They offer a range of freshly made cakes, sweets, and sandwiches as well as some sakura themed options!

Ginza Cozy Corner: the 2025 sakura themed cakes this year are a Mickey collaboration! You can find Ginza Cozy Corner all over the country (not just Ginza).

Mister Donut: this American chain donut store is everywhere, too. The Mister Donut 2025 sakura themed donut is a sakura mochi donut!

Sakura themed drinks in Japan

Basically every chain coffee store will have a sakura-themed drink in April. Most places will have the drinks on offer starting in March and run through to the end of April (when they will offer a new Golden Week special!) Here are some of my favourite spots to get drinks:

Tullys: is like Japanese Starbucks and you can find it all over Japan (just like actual Starbucks). Tully’s 2025 sakura themed drinks are a Tom and Jerry Spring collaboration.

Starbucks: is the O.G cherry blossom-themed takeaway cup of Japan. Once you start seeing these bad boys turn up in the hand of every half-asleep salaryman and housewife you know it is officially Spring. Starbucks 2025 sakura themed drinks are Hojicha & Classic Tea Latte with Sakura Warabimochi and Matcha and Sakura Warabimochi Frappuccino® which sounds freaking fantastic. Warabimochi is like a melt-in-your-mouth type of mochi.

Pronto: is a popular Japanese chain store coffee that you will find everywhere in Japan. Pronto 2025 sakura themed drinks are Sakura Warabimochi Latte and a Sakura Milk Tea. Both look like they have milk as an allergen but you will need to check with staff if changing to an alternative milk makes it dairy-free.

Rooftop Bar: is located at Andaz Tokyo too, and has 3 different sakura themed drinks for JPY 2,750. The bar has views of Tokyo Tower which is amazing! Make sure you make a booking, though.

Cherry blossom themed high tea in Tokyo

Afternoon tea, or high tea, is a delicious treat offered at most of the higher end hotels in Tokyo and beyond. One of the best things to do in Japan in April is go to a nice hotel and enjoy the food and spectacular city views. I’ve been to two of them that I can recommend:

The Tavern Grill & Lounge: at Andaz, Tokyo made me a vegan version of their sakura themed high tea. They offer savory and sweet options and lots of strawberry flavoured treats! Make sure you book in advance!

The Lobby Lounge: at Shangri-la also has a great option available during April. This year they have a sakura parfait which sounds amazing. Make sure you book in advance!

Visit the cherry blossom festivals in April

Fuji Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Yamanashi Prefecture

Fuji Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival is a short-lived festival on the Kawaguchiko north shore walking trail and is one of the many things to do in Japan in April! You will get views of Fujisan (Mount Fuji) and cherry blossoms all in one! It is open from 10am until 5pm and even has some craft stalls. From sunset until 9pm there are illuminations (lights on all the trees). 

Fuji Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 will be held from the 1st of April until the 4th of April at Kawaguchiko North Shore Walking Trail, Kawaguchiko.

Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Shiga Prefecture

Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Festival is a picturesque festival at Hikone Castle, which is just off Lake Biwa. It is surrounded by a moat, which ends up coated in a film of cherry blossom petals during sakura season. There are also illuminations here after sunset, too!

Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 will be held from the 1st of April until the 20th (subject to cherry blossom forecast) at Hikone Castle, Shiga.

Chiyoda Sakura Festival 2025

Tokyo Prefecture 

Chiyoda Sakura Festival is an epic festival in Tokyo. It is centred around the Chidorigafuchi Greenway which wraps around the imperial palace. Here, you’ll be able to rent boats to ride down the river lined with sakura, picnic (known as hanami), and enjoy illuminations during the evening. This is probably one of the most popular spots in Tokyo – and in all of Japan due to its location. The rental boats have a line that mirrors a Disney ride and the best picnic spots get taken early in the morning so be prepared for crowds! If you’re looking for the best things to do in Japan in April I highly recommend this one is on your list.

Chiyoda Sakura Festival 2025 will be held from the 12th of March until the 23rd of April at Chidorigafuchi, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo.

Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival 2025

Tokyo Prefecture

Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival is one of the most popular and pretty festivals because the trees lining the river lights up at night and it becomes alive with bustling food and drink stalls. Almost every sakura season I spent in Japan would include a visit to Meguro River because it’s that good! This is one of the most popular spots in Tokyo so it gets crazy busy but that is half the magic! If you don’t like crowds, you can go during the day and it’s also lovely. Even though some of the stalls and shops might not be open earlier it should still be high on your list of things to do in Japan in April.

Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival 2025 will be held from late March until Mid April at Meguro River, Setagaya-ku Tokyo.

Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival 2025

Tokyo Prefecture 

April is not just about cherry blossoms – there are also amazing wisteria starting to bloom! Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival is one of the earliest wisteria festivals in Tokyo. This place is really beautiful as it has a beautiful red bridge and a few food stalls. Just keep in mind that it gets really busy on the bridge.

Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival 2025 will be held from mid April to Late April at Kameido Tenjin Shrine, Koto-ku Tokyo.

Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival 2025

Tochigi Prefecture

Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival is a major flower festival held at Ashikaga Flower Park, in the prefecture of Tochigi – just outside of Tokyo. The park has flower displays year-round but from mid April to mid May the wisteria festival is on! There you’ll be able to walk under lanes of wisteria and view colourful peony and azalea, too. At night, the wisteria walkway has a light-up event from the 19th of April so if you’re looking for a things to do in Japan in April that are romantic, this ticks the box!

Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival 2025 will be held from the 12th of April until the 18th of May at Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi Prefecture.

Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival 2025

Tokyo Prefecture

Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival happens all April at the azalea garden at Nezu Shrine. There is a small walkway of mini-torii gates here too that you can see. Just keep in mind that if you are planning to take photographs here you can’t use a tripod.

Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival 2025 will be held from the 1st of April until the 30th of April at Nezu Shrine, Bunkyo-ku Tokyo.

Tateyama’s Snow Wall Walk 2025

Toyama Prefecture

Tateyama’s Snow Wall Walk (Yuki no Otani) is one of the most epic snow experiences! Although most of the snow season is over, this is one of the few things to do in Japan in April if you’re more of a winter person. Tateyama snow wall walk is literally carved straight out of the snow, creating a massive wall on each side of the road. The snow corridor generally opens on the 15th of April and April is the best time to go as the wall slowly melts the closer you get to summer.

Tateyama’s Snow Wall Walk 2025 can be seen from the 15th of April until the end of May on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route between Nagano Prefecture and Toyama Prefecture (depending on snowfall).

Where to stay in Tokyo

You can use the interactive map below to find all the available accomodation in Tokyo, Japan.