When to go · Sakura
Sakura, month by month
The best months for Sakura: Mar, Apr, May.
Month by month
- JanuaryGoodOutside the best window (Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather). Across Japan: Cold, dry and clear in the cities after 3 Jan; ski season in Hokkaidō and the Alps.10 °C (50 °F) / 2 °C (36 °F), 6 rain days50 °F (10 °C) / 36 °F (2 °C), 6 rain daysCrowds: Low · 1 festival or holiday
- FebruaryGoodOutside the best window (Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather). Across Japan: Cheapest city month; Sapporo is the exception during the Snow Festival.11 °C (52 °F) / 3 °C (37 °F), 6 rain days52 °F (11 °C) / 37 °F (3 °C), 6 rain daysCrowds: Low
- MarchGreatInside Sakura's best window: Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather.14 °C (57 °F) / 5 °C (41 °F), 8 rain days57 °F (14 °C) / 41 °F (5 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- AprilGreatInside Sakura's best window: Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather.18 °C (64 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 9 rain days64 °F (18 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: High · 2 festivals or holidays
- MayGreatInside Sakura's best window: Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather.22 °C (72 °F) / 14 °C (57 °F), 9 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 57 °F (14 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
- JuneMixedOutside the best window (Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather). Across Japan: Rainy season in Honshū: grey, humid, fewer tourists; Hokkaidō is at its best.26 °C (79 °F) / 18 °C (64 °F), 10 rain days79 °F (26 °C) / 64 °F (18 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: Low
- JulyMixedOutside the best window (Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather). Across Japan: Rain ends mid-month then the heat begins; festivals everywhere.30 °C (86 °F) / 22 °C (72 °F), 11 rain days86 °F (30 °C) / 72 °F (22 °C), 11 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- AugustMixedOutside the best window (Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather). Across Japan: Hottest month and Obon travel peak: go north (Hokkaidō, Tōhoku) or plan short outdoor windows.31 °C (88 °F) / 23 °C (73 °F), 10 rain days88 °F (31 °C) / 73 °F (23 °C), 10 rain daysCrowds: High · 1 festival or holiday
- SeptemberMixedOutside the best window (Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather). Across Japan: Still hot; typhoon peak can cancel flights and ferries for a day or two.27 °C (81 °F) / 20 °C (68 °F), 9 rain days81 °F (27 °C) / 68 °F (20 °C), 9 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- OctoberGoodOutside the best window (Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather). Across Japan: Clear, mild and dry: the best all-round month.22 °C (72 °F) / 15 °C (59 °F), 8 rain days72 °F (22 °C) / 59 °F (15 °C), 8 rain daysCrowds: Medium
- NovemberGoodOutside the best window (Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather). Across Japan: Autumn leaves in Kyoto and Tokyo: excellent weather, peak hotel prices mid-to-late month.16 °C (61 °F) / 9 °C (48 °F), 7 rain days61 °F (16 °C) / 48 °F (9 °C), 7 rain daysCrowds: High
- DecemberGoodOutside the best window (Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather). Across Japan: Cold and clear until the New Year shutdown from 29 Dec.12 °C (54 °F) / 4 °C (39 °F), 7 rain days54 °F (12 °C) / 39 °F (4 °C), 7 rain daysCrowds: Medium · 1 festival or holiday
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Sakura, side by side.
Verdict
Mar: Great
Apr: Great
Daytime high
Mar: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Apr: 18 °C (64 °F)64 °F (18 °C)
Night low
Mar: 5 °C (41 °F)41 °F (5 °C)
Apr: 9 °C (48 °F)48 °F (9 °C)
Rain days
Mar: 8 (better)
Apr: 9
Crowds
Mar: High
Apr: High
Prices
Mar: High
Apr: High
Festivals listed
Mar: 1
Apr: 2
March: Inside Sakura's best window: Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather.
April: Inside Sakura's best window: Apr (tulip festival) – also Mar–May for mild weather.
Sakura: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.