Tokyo Weather

April is Tokyo's defining month — cherry blossom season at full bloom. The first week typically marks peak bloom; by week's end, falling petals create the famous 'hanafubuki' (cherry blossom snow). The city literally turns pink, and parks fill with people on tarps enjoying hanami picnics. Shinjuku Gyoen is our top pick — $3 / ¥500 entry, but the spacious, well-maintained grounds let you actually relax instead of fighting crowds. Mid-April brings fresh greenery as petals fall — a different beauty. Temperatures around 20°C are perfect for outdoor exploration: Harajuku to Omotesando, Odaiba seaside park. The downside: early April is one of the busiest tourist windows of the year. Disneyland queues run 2-3 hours, and same-day tickets to popular venues like teamLab Borderless are nearly impossible. April is high season pricewise. Book hotels 2-3 months ahead, especially for popular districts (Shibuya, Shinjuku, Asakusa). The week before Golden Week (late April) is slightly less crowded — a sweet spot if peak sakura isn't a must. Spring-only menus appear at restaurants and cafés — try sakura mochi, sakura latte, and other seasonal sweets.

March is dramatic — the city transforms from winter to spring. Early March is still chilly, but temperatures rise rapidly mid-month. Tokyo's cherry blossoms typically open around March 20-25, with full bloom about a week later. Late March to early April is the peak. From late March, Tokyo fills with international visitors chasing sakura. Ueno Park, Meguro River, Chidorigafuchi, and Shinjuku Gyoen are the iconic spots — weekend afternoons make finding a viewing spot nearly impossible. Smart timing: weekday mornings or evening illumination hours (6-9 PM). Nakameguro's nighttime cherry blossoms along the river canal are particularly magical, though the narrow path means heavy crowd control. Hotel prices spike sharply for cherry season. Business hotels normally $50-60 / ¥7,000 jump to $80-100 / ¥12,000-15,000. Book 3-4 months ahead for late-March travel. Flights also rise to $1,000-1,500 round-trip. Early-to-mid March still has off-season pricing — a smart play if you don't need full bloom and want to enjoy plum blossoms or early spring at lower cost.

May is often called 'the perfect month for Tokyo.' Average highs of 24°C and lows of 14°C — neither too hot nor cold. Fresh greenery makes Meiji Jingu's forest paths and Rikugien Garden particularly stunning. The catch: early May's Golden Week (April 29 - May 5) brings massive domestic Japanese travel, spiking hotel prices and crowds. International travelers should aim for mid-to-late May. May's signature event is Sanja Matsuri — one of Tokyo's three great festivals, held in Asakusa. Dozens of mikoshi (portable shrines) parade through the streets, drawing 1.5 million+ visitors. Stay near Asakusa during the festival to soak in the atmosphere from dawn to night. Post-Golden Week (mid-to-late May) is excellent value. Business hotels return to $55-67 / ¥8,000-10,000 and attractions become manageable. UV index spikes — wear sunscreen daily. Late May begins to feel slightly humid as rainy season approaches, but the actual rainy season starts in early-to-mid June, so it's not yet a concern.