April is the busiest month for cherry blossom in many cities. Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka can all see peak flowers in April in a typical year. The streets fill with visitors, and the trains are full. You can still enjoy the trip if you plan the day around the crowds and book early.
What to expect
Peak blossom brings three things:
- Crowded parks, temples and river paths
- Full hotels and higher room prices
- Long queues at the most famous viewpoints
The flowers are the reason for the crowds. The trees look best for a short time, so many visitors come on the same days.
Book early
Book your hotel as soon as you fix your dates. Rooms near the main stations sell first. If you can, choose a base on a train line that reaches your main sites in one change.
Book timed tickets or tours before you travel, when a place offers them. Many spots sell out on busy days.
Plan the day around the crowds
Go early. The first hour after opening is the quietest time at most parks and temples. Eat a late lunch, and visit the busiest place at the start of the day.
- Start at a park or temple at opening time.
- Walk the less famous paths in the middle of the day.
- Head to the river or a quiet street in the late afternoon.
- Return to the hotel before the rush hour trains.
Tokyo in April
Shinjuku is a useful base, because many lines meet there. Shinjuku Gyoen is a large garden with many trees, and it is less crowded on weekday mornings. Ueno has many trees too, and the museums give you a rest when the crowds grow.
Kyoto in April
Kyoto's streets are narrow, and the crowds can make them hard to walk. Arashiyama is famous, so go early or late in the day. Higashiyama has many temples and lanes, and you can see them better early in the morning.
Do not stand still in a narrow lane. Keep moving, and step to the side when you need to stop.
Osaka in April
Osaka has blossom in its castle park and on its river paths. The Dotonbori area is busy every evening, with food stalls and bright signs. It is a good place for a night walk after a day of flowers.
Eat at the places that the locals use. For food, use Tabelog to find a restaurant that suits you. Read the recent reviews and check the opening times on the restaurant's page.
Protect your day
Crowds can make a day tiring. Take short breaks, drink water and carry a small bag with a light jacket.
- Keep your phone charged and have a paper map.
- Pick one main sight for each half day.
- Use the station crowd signs, and avoid the busiest exits.
Check first: Check the official site of each park, temple and castle for any notice on blossom viewing, such as closed paths, ticket limits or food rules. Check the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) for the bloom timing before you fix your last days.
Week-by-week tips
Peak bloom lasts only a short time. Use the first days of the bloom window for the busiest parks, because they are often less crowded than the peak weekend. Keep the weekend for a short trip or a quiet day in the hotel.
Weekdays are usually calmer than weekends. If your dates are fixed on a weekend, go to the least famous park in the morning, and keep the famous park for a weekday if you can.
Plan a meal with a booking for the evening. Many restaurants fill on blossom weekends, and a walk-in table can take a long time.
What to do next
Use the planner to set your April days and see which city fits your plan. Then read the city pages for the areas you want.
See also: Osaka guide.
