When to go · Zao
Zao in April
Avoid month. Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May (muddy trails, crater may be closed).
Key facts
- Verdict
- Avoid
- Temperature
- 14°C (57°F)57°F (14°C) / 4°C (39°F)39°F (4°C)
- average high / low
- Rain days
- 10
- Crowds
- High
- Japan overall
- Prices
- High
- Japan overall
Verdict
Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May (muddy trails, crater may be closed).
Is another month better than April?
April is rated avoid. These months rate higher:
- JuneGreatInside Zao's best window: Jun–Oct for the crater; Dec–Mar for skiing.
- JulyGreatInside Zao's best window: Jun–Oct for the crater; Dec–Mar for skiing.
- AugustGreatInside Zao's best window: Jun–Oct for the crater; Dec–Mar for skiing.
- SeptemberGreatInside Zao's best window: Jun–Oct for the crater; Dec–Mar for skiing.
Weather in April
- ZaoHighs around 14 °C (57 °F), lows around 4 °C (39 °F), rain on about 10 daysHighs around 57 °F (14 °C), lows around 39 °F (4 °C), rain on about 10 days
Festivals and holidays
Dates as our data lists them. Moving holidays (lunar and Islamic calendars, Easter) shift every year: check the date for your year before you build a trip on it.
Cherry blossom season big impact
Late Mar – mid Apr (moves north through May) · Japan
Kyoto and Tokyo hotels at peak prices; parks crowded from dawn; book months ahead.
Golden Week big impact
29 Apr – 5 May · Japan
The biggest domestic travel week: Shinkansen reserved cars and hotels sell out; prices up.
Crowds and prices
- Crowds · Japan overall
- High
- Prices · Japan overall
- High
Japan overall: Blossom peak early April and Golden Week at the end: the two most crowded windows of the year.
High-price month: see what to book ahead.
Compare two months
Weather, crowds and prices for any two months in Zao, side by side.
Verdict
Apr: Avoid
Jan: Great (better)
Daytime high
Apr: 14 °C (57 °F)57 °F (14 °C)
Jan: 2 °C (36 °F)36 °F (2 °C)
Night low
Apr: 4 °C (39 °F)39 °F (4 °C)
Jan: -5 °C (23 °F)23 °F (-5 °C)
Rain days
Apr: 10 (better)
Jan: 12
Crowds
Apr: High
Jan: Low
Prices
Apr: High
Jan: Low
Festivals listed
Apr: 2
Jan: 1
April: Listed as a month to avoid: Apr–May (muddy trails, crater may be closed).
January: Inside Zao's best window: Jun–Oct for the crater; Dec–Mar for skiing.
Zao: figures are long-term averages from this guide, not a forecast.
What to pack
- A warm coat, hat and gloves for mornings and evenings
- A rain jacket or umbrella and shoes that dry fast