Tokyo in April
April is one of the best months of the year to visit Tokyo. Early April usually catches peak or falling petals. Book months ahead, and note Golden Week begins in the final days of the month.
Weather
Mild and lovely, highs near 66F (19C)
Crowds
Prices
What's on in April
Typically late March to early April, varies year to year
Cherry blossom season. Ueno Park, Meguro River, and Shinjuku Gyoen are the classic viewing spots. Hotels book out months ahead; petals last roughly a week once peak hits.
Late April into the first week of May
Golden Week. A run of national holidays when much of Japan travels at once. Shinkansen seats and hotels sell out; sights are at maximum domestic crowd.
Things to do in Tokyo
- 1
Senso-ji and Asakusa. Tokyo's oldest temple. Go before 8am to see the lantern gate and Nakamise lane without the crowds; by midday it is a river of people. official site ↗
- 2
Shibuya Crossing and Shibuya Sky. The famous scramble is best at dusk. Shibuya Sky's open-air deck sells out; book the sunset slot days ahead. official site ↗
- 3
Meiji Jingu. A genuine forest in the middle of the city. Early morning is serene, and you may catch a traditional wedding procession on weekends. official site ↗
- 4
Tsukiji Outer Market. The wholesale auction moved to Toyosu, but the outer market's food stalls remain a world-class breakfast. Go hungry, before 9am. official site ↗
- 5
teamLab Planets. The immersive digital art museum lives up to the hype. Timed tickets sell out weeks ahead in peak seasons. official site ↗
- 6
Shinjuku after dark. Omoide Yokocho's lantern-lit yakitori alleys and Golden Gai's tiny bars. Some bars are regulars-only; look for English menus as the welcome sign.
- 7
Ghibli Museum. In Mitaka, whimsical and wonderful for all ages. Tickets are sold in advance on a fixed schedule and sell out fast; plan this one first. official site ↗
- 8
A day trip to Kamakura or Hakone. Kamakura for the Great Buddha and hydrangea temples, Hakone for hot springs and Fuji views. Both are easy on a rail pass.
Beat the crowds
- →Do headline temples and markets before 8am. Tokyo sights open early, tour groups do not, and the difference at Senso-ji or Tsukiji is night and day.
- →For cherry blossoms, skip midday at Ueno and go at first light, or pick quieter spots like the Kanda River or Aoyama Cemetery over the Instagram rivers.
- →Never plan intercity travel during Golden Week or Obon without reserved seats booked as far ahead as the system allows.
Know before you go
- !December 29 through January 3: the New Year holiday closes many restaurants, shops, and some museums, while shrines see their biggest crowds of the year for first visits (hatsumode).
- !Golden Week (late April to early May) closes nothing, but sells out everything: treat trains and hotels like concert tickets.
- !Many museums close on Mondays, and when a Monday is a national holiday they close Tuesday instead. Check the specific museum before building a day around it.
Tokyo in April: quick answers
Is April a good time to visit Tokyo?
April is one of the best months of the year to visit Tokyo. Early April usually catches peak or falling petals. Book months ahead, and note Golden Week begins in the final days of the month.
What is the weather like in Tokyo in April?
Mild and lovely, highs near 66F (19C).
Is Tokyo crowded in April?
April is peak crowd season in Tokyo; expect lines at the headline sights.
What is happening in Tokyo in April?
Cherry blossom season (typically late march to early april, varies year to year); Golden Week (late april into the first week of may).