Japan in April: 7 Days to Explore Tokyo, Hakone, & Osaka

Japan in April is at its most beautiful, and most popular. On our spring trip to Japan, we joined over 3 million tourists — Japan’s second-highest number of monthly visitors ever — in search of cherry blossoms and balmy weather in the Land of the Rising Sun.

We spent just one week in Japan, including travel time. Although we didn’t have time to see or do everything, we were able to get an authentic taste of Japan’s beauty in springtime. We visited the cities of Tokyo, Hakone, and Osaka, and loved every minute of our trip!

In this post, I’ll go over some general travel tips for visiting Japan in April, what to wear/pack, how to get around, and lastly, our 7-day itinerary.

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General Travel Tips for Visiting Japan in April

First, let’s talk about some general tips for traveling to Japan in April.

Prepare for Crowds

Be warned: April is a very popular time to visit Japan. If traveling with crowds is a dealbreaker for you, this is not the month to go. But if you don’t mind, then go ahead and brave the tourists! 

Although noticeable, the crowds didn’t negatively impact our trip, apart from some longer lines and minor delays. However, as always when traveling in a foreign country, be on the lookout for pickpockets.

Plan Around the Cherry Blossoms — But Not Too Much

We were excited to see the cherry blossoms, but we were also just thrilled to experience Japan in general. That said, we didn’t make attending any Sakura Matsuri (cherry blossom festivals) a priority.

These fun spring celebrations go back hundreds of years and take place all over Japan. They are certainly worth attending — if you can catch one.

Cherry Blossom season in Japan is a constantly moving target, and festival dates aren’t confirmed until much closer to the time, as they’re dependent on the flowers being in bloom.

Particularly if going to a festival is a priority for you, then hold off on reserving your trip dates as long as possible. 

Although you can generally expect to see at least a few cherry blossoms in Japan in April, if you go too early or too late, they may not be blooming at your exact destination. The longer your trip window, the more likely it is you’ll see cherry blossoms.

Just remember that nature is unpredictable, and that Japan in April is beautiful — sakura in full bloom or not.

Be Ready for Weather

Part of the appeal of visiting Japan in April is to get there ahead of the rainy season in June and July. That said, Japan is rainier than average. The country gets nearly twice the amount of precipitation as the U.S.

We experienced quite a bit of rain during our stay, although there were beautiful sunny days too, and the temperatures were generally comfortable. Regardless of what time of year you visit Japan, be ready for whatever the weather might bring.

Japan in April: What to Wear & Pack

Speaking of the weather, when traveling (especially if you’re looking to travel light), the big question always looms: what should you wear and pack?

General Guidelines on What to Wear

I did a decent amount of research on what to wear in Japan and managed to intimidate myself pretty well. Japanese people are known for being very stylish. Women especially tend to dress more conservatively — they don’t show a lot of skin, even when it’s hot outside. 

In April, this can present a challenge as the weather can get quite warm. Although you are certainly able to wear shorts and tank tops, my goal as a tourist is always to avoid standing out as much as possible.

For our trip, I put together a capsule wardrobe that would be appropriate for the weather and help me blend in with the locals.

To help with my planning, I landed on the following guidelines:

• Neutral colors 
  • In general, Japanese people don’t wear a lot of bright colors. Although you certainly can wear them, you’ll stick out less if you stick to neutrals.
  • Additionally, when creating a capsule wardrobe for travel, you can reuse pieces more easily when they’re neutral colors. I chose mostly black, white, and green for my capsule.
• Classic styles
  • Again, when sticking to a capsule and trying to blend in, it’s good to stay away from anything overly trendy or eye-catching. And the most iconic style is timeless, so if you want to be fashionable, you can’t go wrong with classics.
• Lots of layers
  • Since the weather can fluctuate considerably in April, dressing in layers is key.
  • I got some silk tops and a chiffon skirt from Quince that were great — due to their design and material, I could wear them on warmer days without overheating. But I also had sweaters and a coat for when things got chilly.

My Capsule Wardrobe for Japan in April

Here’s a quick rundown of my capsule wardrobe for Japan in April.

• Tops
  • 2 Long-Sleeve Silk Tops
  • 2 Long-Sleeve Bodysuits
  • 1 Short-Sleeve Silk Top
  • 2 Short-Sleeve Tops
  • 1 Cardigan
  • 1 Pullover Wool Sweater
• Bottoms
  • Black Jeans
  • Black Pants
  • Black Chiffon Pleated Skirt
• Footwear
  • Nike Air Force One Sneakers
  • Black Chelsea Rain Boots 
• Outerwear
  • Camel Coat

Other Things to Pack

In addition to a capsule wardrobe (and the usual travel packing list), I recommend bringing a few other key items to be prepared for visiting Japan in April.

• Rain Ponchos — they take up very little space but are a great way to be prepared for rain if you don’t want to wear full-on rain gear.
• Umbrella — I brought a travel-sized one and was glad I did, but there are plenty of cheap umbrellas for sale in Japan if you’re on the fence.
• Travel Backpack — I brought my waterproof travel backpack from Amazon as my personal item. Although I didn’t generally carry it around for day trips, just be aware that if you are on a train, most Japanese people wear their backpacks backwards (on the front) out of courtesy to avoid bumping into other people.
• Belt Bag — I use this instead of a purse for day trips when I travel. I love my Lululemon one, but there’s a similar option on Amazon.
• Comfortable & Waterproof Shoes — Whatever shoes you bring, be sure to have at least 2 pairs of comfortable walking shoes — one waterproof. My favorite Target Chelsea rain boots were a lifesaver on rainy days since they’re comfortable yet waterproof.

Japan in April: How to Get Around

Public transit in Japan is both incredibly efficient and incredibly confusing for those unfamiliar with it. That said, it’s worth figuring out, and I would not recommend renting a car unless you’re planning to visit more remote areas in Japan.

We rode the subway/trains around Tokyo, and took the Romancecar, the Shinkansen (bullet train), and the subway/trains between and around the other cities. We also walked as much as we could when the weather was nice.

Acquire a Suica Card (Digital If Possible)

For riding the subway and most shorter-distance train lines in Japan, you will want to purchase a Suica card, although be aware that certain trains can require additional reservations (most of the ones we rode around Tokyo did not).

I wanted to purchase the card in advance (since that’s how I travel), but for us it was easier to wait until arrival — they have a dedicated station for purchase and pickup.

However, once we arrived, we realized that if you have an iPhone, you can follow these instructions to add a new card to your Apple Wallet, add money as needed, and scan your phone instead of a physical card when entering/exiting the train station. When we were there, Android phones/Google Pay did not have this ability, and my research on whether this has changed is inconclusive.

Apparently, since we’ve been in Japan, there has been a shortage of physical Suica cards. There is, however, an app that seems to be going exciting places.

I’d recommend pursuing digital options (either via digital wallet or app) over a physical card if you can, since it is incredibly convenient and seems to be the direction Japan is heading.

Japan Rail Pass: Worth It?

One of my biggest questions before going to Japan was whether I should purchase the Japan Rail Pass. Although it gives you unlimited access to all JR lines, including the Shinkansen, it is quite expensive, and it does not grant access to the subway or non-JR trains. 

The minimum duration of the pass is one week, and then it goes up in one-week increments, along with a significant additional cost.

After we calculated the price of all our train rides, we realized it wouldn’t save money to buy the Japan Rail Pass, so we opted to buy our train tickets separately (in addition to having our Suica cards for the subway).

If you are looking to take a lot of longer train rides, particularly the Shinkansen, the pass may be worth it. However, it does not grant you access to the subway or non-JR trains, so you won’t be able to get around Japan with only a JR pass — you will also need a Suica card.

Additionally, you will still need to reserve seats on the Shinkansen (if you want a guaranteed spot, which is recommended in busier seasons such as April). Although it is free to do so with the JR Pass, it is an extra step, so if you are trying to simplify your travel, just keep that in mind.

You can read more about what’s included in the pass, as well as the general FAQ, if you have more questions.

My recommendation: Calculate the cost of any planned JR train rides (especially Shinkansen rides), and if it exceeds the cost of the pass, then purchase it.

Allow Extra Time and Ask for Help

Especially in April, when Japan is crowded, it’s crucial to allow extra time for transportation and not to be afraid to show up and ask questions. Some trains require both a ticket and a seat reservation, even some subway lines (although most do not).

I’m the type of person who likes to do all my research and book everything in advance, but in Japan, not everything is handled online.

All the Japanese people we talked to were very friendly and helpful, and so if you have any doubt about what tickets or reservations you need for a train, just show up early and ask (use Google Translate on your phone to communicate if necessary).

Use Google Maps

Additionally, remember that Google Maps is your friend! Although you can use the offline version, I strongly advise having cell service in Japan. If you have data, Google Maps will be able to show you a greater level of detail, including how long until the next subway line arrives. It was immensely helpful for getting around. 

Again, the train system in Japan is highly organized but very confusing, so leveraging Google Maps is a great way to understand it better. I purchased a digital e-SIM through Holafly to avoid international charges for data. It was inexpensive and worked great!

Japan in April: Our 7-Day Itinerary

We were fortunate to travel to Japan with friends who had been there before (and are expert travelers). We piggybacked on their excellent planning and loved every place we visited. 

During our visit, we stayed in three cities: Tokyo, Hakone, and Osaka, and also did day trips to Kobe and Nara while staying in Osaka. Although on the map the cities don’t look that far away, something that I didn’t fully realize until visiting is that Japan is BIG.

Even traveling by bullet train from Hakone to Osaka took nearly three hours. 

Unless you have months to spend in Japan, you won’t be able to see everything. Rather than try to contrive a trip where you can cover the entire country, I recommend evaluating what you want to see and then concentrating your time in those areas. 

Additionally, depending on where you’re traveling from in the U.S., the flight to Japan is around 11-14 hours. It also has a 14-17-hour time difference, so be warned that you will burn a decent amount of time in transit, especially on the way there. 

Now, I’ll dive into our 7-day itinerary!

Tokyo

We spent our first several days traveling and exploring Tokyo.

Day 0-1: Travel to Tokyo

We flew ZipAir and had a positive experience! It’s a budget airline, so nothing fancy, but we thought it was worth it. Our flights were direct to Narita International Airport, which is about a 90-minute train ride to Tokyo.

We arrived fairly late in the evening (losing a day due to the time difference), and stumbled upon an unusually short wait time for the renowned Ichiran!

For this unique ramen dining experience, you place and pay for your order at a kiosk and receive printed tickets with your order specifications. Once you’re seated (in single stalls), you present your tickets through your window, and they bring you your ramen!

Do I recommend this as being easy on the stomach while extremely jet-lagged after 17 hours of travel? Maybe not our smartest move…but it was delicious and absolutely worth it.

Day 2: Explore Tokyo

On our first full day in Japan, we explored Tokyo! We stayed at an Airbnb in Shinjuku City. The location was excellent for exploring, although we still had to take the subway around the city since Tokyo is so large.

Tsukiji Outer Market

Since we were up bright and early the next morning due to jet lag, we chose to make the most of our time by starting out at the Tsukiji Outer Market. Although known to be a bit touristy, we really enjoyed this experience.

Since it gets extremely crowded even relatively early in the day, going as soon as we woke up enabled us to beat some of the crowd. 

While technically a fish market, there’s a huge variety of street vendors selling all kinds of delicious food (and dessert). Since I can’t really do raw fish, I was a little nervous about eating in Japan.

I figured my love of noodles would get me through — but I was pleasantly surprised by Japanese desserts. They completely surpassed my expectations in both quality and number of options to choose from. 

We waited in line for these fun (albeit touristy) candied strawberries.

My favorite thing I ate the entire trip was the custard-filled mochi I found at the market. I confess that I did not get a single photo because I ate it too quickly — it was that good!

Hamarikyu Gardens

The Hamarikyu Gardens are close in proximity to the Tsukiji market, which made them an ideal next stop. We explored the beauty of the gardens — this is probably where I was most wowed by the cherry blossoms.

We also stopped by Nakajima Tea House for some green tea and dessert. Both the food and the experience were delightful!

Uniqlo Ginza Flagship Store

As Uniqlo fans, we had to stop by the iconic Uniqlo flagship store at Ginza. I don’t remember how long we were there — it has 12 floors, and though we tried to visit all of them, we could have spent even more time there. 

Cat Cafe Nyankoto

When I travel, if I have the option, I generally seek out a cat cafe. Japan offered an abundance to choose from! We spent a peaceful hour at Cat Cafe Nyankoto hanging out with the kitties. 

Hakone

Hakone was our little oasis during the trip. We were only there for a little over 24 hours, and our sole goal was to relax at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with an onsen (hot spring). 

I wish we could have stayed longer, because Hakone’s tranquil beauty is truly breathtaking. Additionally, its proximity to Mount Fuji makes it an ideal base to explore from.

Day 3: Travel to & Relax in Hakone

On our last day in Tokyo, we stopped by the Kura Revolving Sushi Bar for lunch before getting on the train to Hakone. 

To get there, we took the Odakyu Romancecar Limited Express (booked in advance). It was a lovely experience and kind of felt like being transported back in time.

Since it’s a limited express train, it only stops at major stations, so the trip took about an hour and a half. 

Since Hakone was our time to relax between Tokyo and Osaka, for accommodations, we booked our splurge stay of the trip at Hakone Yumoto Onsen Aura Tachibana. Our room was lovely, and since we aren’t really about getting naked in public (to each their own), we chose an option with a private hot spring on the balcony.

It was completely peaceful and rejuvenating. We also had a delicious meal, and got to experience wearing traditional Japanese clothing!

Osaka

We loved Osaka — it had both beauty and energy and was a great way to finish our trip. We adventured around Osaka as well as the nearby cities of Kobe and Nara for our last few days in Japan.

Day 4: Travel to Osaka

After a slow morning in Hakone, we then hopped on a brief train ride to Odawara and rode the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Osaka, which took around three hours.

One note: we were able to reserve our Shinkansen tickets in advance online, but had to pick them up in person. We didn’t realize that since we had purchased tickets from JR West, we could not pick them up at a JR East service station or kiosk (the difference between the two was not very apparent to us).

The self-serve kiosk would not pull up our tickets, and the line was quite long to speak to someone, which had us concerned that we might miss our train. Fortunately, another train station employee was able to look at our information and tell us we were in the wrong place. 

Once we found the correct service station, the process to pick up our tickets was easy. Just be sure you allow plenty of extra time when riding the Shinkansen!

Kuromon Ichiba Market

After arriving in Osaka via the bullet train, we checked into our Airbnb, which was located pretty close to the center of the city. We then ventured over to Kuromon Ichiba Market.

Like the Tsukiji market, there were dozens of vendors selling all kinds of food and beverages. We also got to do a sake tasting, which was a ton of fun!

This was one of my favorite stops on our trip (and yes, I did find more mochi and no, I don’t have any photos because I ate it).

Day 5: Osaka & Day Trip to Kobe

Our fifth day consisted of a little more time in Osaka and a day trip to Kobe. 

Cup of Noodles Museum

We started the morning with a tour of the Cup of Noodles Museum in Osaka. This was such a fun experience, although it is important to note that you don’t actually get to eat any noodles during the tour (yes, there was an emergency 7-11 stop immediately after).

However, your ticket price includes creating your own personal cup of noodles, which you get to take with you.

After our tour, we hopped on a short train to Kobe, a city primarily known for its famous beef. We ate at Steakland Kobe-Kan for lunch and La Shomon for dinner. Although I’m not generally a big meat-eater, it was delicious! 

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway

We also spent most of the afternoon exploring the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway. We purchased tickets that included the gondola ride both up and down the mountain, and I’m glad we did!

Even with the ride, exploring the gardens took longer than we anticipated. But the beauty of the grounds and stunning views were well worth the time.

Day 6: Day Trip to Nara & the Dotonbori

For our last full day in Osaka, we did a quick day trip to Nara and finished by exploring the Dotonbori in Osaka.

Nara Park

The train ride to Nara is about an hour. Our main goal for the trip was to see and feed the legendary deer at Nara Park! You can purchase approved deer snacks at the park. 

Although it can be a bit overwhelming when faced with more aggressive deer, we had a lot of fun!

Exploring the Dotonbori

We finished our time in Osaka by exploring the Dotonbori, the part of Osaka with the most energy and nightlife. It has a variety of stores, restaurants, and bars, and is a very lively spot to hang out. This was one of my favorite places in Japan, and I recommend checking it out!

Day 7: Travel Home

For our final day, we had originally planned to take the Shinkansen back to Narita and then fly out, but we ended up finding pretty inexpensive flights from Kansai International Airport in Osaka to Narita to save the time and effort of transferring from the train station to the airport.

Since we were pretty tired at this point, it was well worth the time and energy saved.

Overall, visiting Japan in April was an incredible experience. If you’re looking to see Japan at the height of its beauty, consider planning a spring trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

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I don’t blog about travel often, but when I do, it’s because I feel like it’s worth sharing. Most days, I’m writing about cozy hosting ideas, home decor, and easy recipes.

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