Spring in Japan
Spring in Japan extends from early March to late May. While cherry blossom season gets most of the attention, spring offers an array of experiences beyond sakura: wisteria tunnels, tulip parks, fresh mountain greenery, newborn animals at farms and parks, and the long Golden Week holiday opening mountain trails and coastal areas for the season.
What to See Beyond Cherry Blossoms
Wisteria (Fuji)
Wisteria blooms follow cherry blossoms by three to four weeks, typically peaking in late April to early May. The tunnels of hanging purple wisteria at Kawachi Fujien in Kitakyushu (Fukuoka) and Ashikaga Flower Park in Tochigi are among Japan’s most photographed spring scenes. Advance timed-entry tickets are essential for both popular spots.
Tulips and Other Spring Flowers
The Tonami Tulip Fair in Toyama Prefecture (late April to early May) fills vast fields with over 3 million tulips across hundreds of varieties. Hitachi Seaside Park in Ibaraki is famous for blue nemophila flowers carpeting a hillside in late April and for red kochia in autumn.
Cherry Blossom Beyond the Obvious
While the famous Tokyo and Kyoto spots are crowded in late March and early April, late-blooming varieties and northern locations extend the season. Mountain cherry (yamazakura) blooms alongside fresh green leaves rather than bare branches, creating a different aesthetic. The Hirosaki Castle late bloom (late April to early May) in Aomori is justifiably famous. Yoshino Mountain in Nara stages its bloom across altitude bands over several weeks.
Tea Harvest Season
The first tea harvest of the year (ichibancha or shincha) occurs in late April to May, with Shizuoka and Uji (Kyoto) producing the most prized yields. Tea plantation tours are available in both regions; Wazuka in southern Kyoto offers particularly scenic terraced tea fields during early morning mist.
Spring Outdoor Activities
Golden Week (late April to early May) marks the official opening of many mountain hiking courses and alpine resorts. Mount Fuji’s official climbing season begins in July, but spring hiking in the surrounding Fuji Five Lakes area offers beautiful views with fewer crowds. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in Toyama Prefecture opens in mid-April with its famous snow corridors — walls of snow up to 20 metres high carved through by ploughs.
Cycling weather improves dramatically in spring, and routes like Shimanami Kaido and the Noto Peninsula become extremely pleasant. Farm experiences — strawberry picking (ichigo gari) is available at roadside farms throughout Japan in spring — are popular family activities.
What to Wear
Early spring (March to early April) in central Japan can be cold, particularly in the mornings. Layering is essential: a light down jacket or wool layer for mornings, a lighter top for afternoons. Late April to May warms quickly in lowland areas but remains cold at altitude. Rain is common in spring — a compact umbrella or light waterproof is worth carrying.
Spring Travel Tips
- Golden Week (late April to early May) is Japan’s busiest domestic travel period — book transport and accommodation months in advance or plan around it
- Spring weather is changeable; check forecasts 2 to 3 days ahead rather than assuming warm weather throughout
- Many shrines and temples have seasonal events tied to planting and fertility traditions in spring — check local calendars
- Rainy season (tsuyu) typically begins in Kyushu in early June and reaches Tohoku by late June — the shoulder between Golden Week and tsuyu (mid-May) is often an underrated travel window
Last checked: April 2026. Seasonal event dates vary by year — verify specific bloom and festival dates close to your travel dates.