Tokyo Weather in April: What to Wear & Rain Days
Tokyo Mate
Think cherry blossoms end and summer arrives? Tokyo April actually stays pleasant all month — but with up to 5°C swings between early and late April and about 10 rainy days, packing the wrong clothes can ruin the trip.
Tokyo in April is one of the best months for travel — warm enough for comfortable walking, long enough daylight for evening sightseeing, and cherry blossoms still lingering into mid-month.
But the temperature gap between early April and late April can exceed 5°C, and rain shows up about once every three days. Without the right preparation, you'll either be sweating in a coat or freezing in a T-shirt.
This guide uses JMA (Japan Meteorological Agency) climate normals (1991–2020) and NAOJ (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan) 2026 official data to cover early/mid/late April temperatures, clothing recommendations, rain prep, and sunset times — all in one place.
💡 Looking for March weather instead?
🌡️ Early & Mid-April Weather: Temperatures and Daily Swings
Early April (April 1–10): Spring, but mornings are chilly
Based on JMA climate normals, early April daytime highs sit around 16–18.5°C, while morning lows drop to 7–9°C.
On sunny afternoons, a light jacket is enough. But when you leave the hotel in the morning or head back in the evening, you'll definitely want an extra layer. The daily temperature swing averages 9–10°C, which is why "it was warm during the day but freezing at night" is the most common complaint for early April travelers.
| Date / Daily Swing | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| April 1 / ~9.5°C | 16.7°C | 7.2°C |
| April 5 / ~9.7°C | 17.6°C | 7.9°C |
| April 10 / ~9.7°C | 18.5°C | 8.8°C |
(Source: JMA Climate Normals 1991–2020, Tokyo Observation Point 47662)
Mid-April (April 11–20): Daytime spring, evenings still cool
By mid-April, daytime highs reach 18–20°C — comfortable enough to walk around in a long-sleeve shirt. But evening lows stay at 9–10.6°C, so a light outer layer is still necessary after sunset.
| Date / Daily Swing | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| April 11 / ~9.7°C | 18.7°C | 9.0°C |
| April 15 / ~9.6°C | 19.3°C | 9.7°C |
| April 20 / ~9.5°C | 20.1°C | 10.6°C |
(Source: JMA Climate Normals 1991–2020, Tokyo Observation Point 47662)
This period overlaps with full bloom to petal-fall for cherry blossoms, making it the best time to sit on park lawns on a sunny afternoon and enjoy petals drifting through the air.
🌸 Want detailed cherry blossom spot guides and routes?
🌤️ Late April Weather: Golden Week and the Shift Toward Summer
Late April (April 21–30): On the doorstep of early summer
Late April brings daytime highs of 20–21.9°C — warm enough for short sleeves or thin shirts on some days. Evening lows rise to 10.8–12.3°C, so a light jacket is all you need at night.
| Date | Avg High | Avg Low |
|---|---|---|
| April 21 | 20.3°C | 10.8°C |
| April 25 | 21.0°C | 11.5°C |
| April 30 | 21.9°C | 12.3°C |
Golden Week Heads-Up (April 29 – May 6, 2026)
Golden Week kicks off on April 29 with Showa Day (昭和の日). The weather is great for sightseeing, but this is when all of Tokyo gets extremely crowded — major attractions, restaurants, and transportation run at peak capacity.
Disneyland, teamLab, and popular restaurants require advance reservations. Shinkansen and bus tickets sell out weeks ahead of time.
If your schedule is flexible, booking for early to mid-April instead of Golden Week will save you money and stress.
👔 April Clothing Recommendations: Early, Mid & Late
Early April Outfits
Plan around the morning low of 7–9°C. During the day, a long-sleeve shirt with a thin jacket or cardigan works fine, but leaving the hotel in the morning and returning in the evening calls for an extra layer.
- Recommended combo: Long-sleeve tee + thin knit + light trench coat or packable puffer
- Must-haves in your bag: Folding umbrella + thin scarf or muffler (for evening breeze)
Mid-April Outfits
Daytime feels comfortable in a thin long-sleeve or light shirt alone. But after sunset, you'll want a light jacket or cardigan — it gets noticeably cooler once the sun goes down.
- Recommended combo: Long-sleeve tee + cardigan or light jacket
- Even if you wear short sleeves during the day, always keep a light outer layer in your bag.
Late April Outfits
Short sleeves become an option, but evenings still need a thin outer layer. If you plan to spend time outdoors during Golden Week, start paying attention to UV protection too.
- Recommended combo: Short sleeve or thin long-sleeve + light jacket or cardigan (for evenings)
Clothing Summary by Period
| Period | Daytime (High) | Outfit |
|---|---|---|
| Early April | 16–18°C | Trench coat / packable puffer Scarf / muffler |
| Mid-April | 18–20°C | Light jacket / cardigan Cardigan essential |
| Late April | 20–22°C | Light jacket One layer is enough |
☔ Rainy Days in April: Rainfall and Umbrella Tips
Despite the image of "clear, sunny spring days," JMA climate normals show that Tokyo April gets about 124mm of rainfall with around 10 rainy days per month.
That's roughly one rainy day every three days. Early April rain tends to be light — around 5mm per day — so a folding umbrella is usually enough.
April rain in Tokyo is nothing like the rainy season. Showers tend to be brief, clearing up quickly, and all-day rain is rare. That said, since this overlaps with cherry blossom season, having one or two indoor backup plans will keep your itinerary flexible.
Indoor Itinerary Options for Rainy Days
Focus on areas with a high concentration of indoor attractions for a comfortable rainy day.
👉 Tokyo Rainy Day Itinerary: Indoor Routes & Umbrella Prep Guide
Temperatures can drop sharply after rain, so always check the JMA weekly forecast before your trip.
📌 Check JMA Tokyo Weather Forecast
🌇 April Sunset Times and Night View Spots
April is when days get noticeably longer in Tokyo. Based on NAOJ (National Astronomical Observatory of Japan) 2026 official data, here are the Tokyo April sunset times:
| Period | Sunset Time |
|---|---|
| Early April (April 1) | 18:02 |
| Mid-April (April 11–20) | 18:11–18:19 |
| Late April (April 21–30) | 18:19–18:27 |
(Source: NAOJ Astronomical Almanac, 2026 Tokyo sunrise/sunset data)
Sunset comes about 15–30 minutes later than in March, giving you significantly more evening sightseeing time. City lights start appearing roughly 20–30 minutes after sunset, so plan observatory or night view visits for after 18:30–19:00.
Top April Sunset & Night View Spots
- Shibuya Sky: An open-air rooftop observatory — perfect for watching the transition from sunset to city lights in one visit. For a mid-April sunset at 18:15, entering at 18:00 gives you the full experience.
- Tokyo Skytree: Sumida River cherry blossoms and city lights together make this a uniquely April experience.
- Roppongi Hills Observatory: The best view of Tokyo Tower, with a 360-degree panorama of the city skyline.
👉 Tokyo Observatory Comparison: Top 5 Picks
💡 Night View Tips
Even in late April, you'll need a light outer layer after sunset at outdoor observatories. Rooftop decks are especially windy, making the wind chill feel significantly colder than the actual temperature.
Tokyo April is one of the best months for spring travel. But packing the right clothes — accounting for the daily temperature swings and rainy days — makes all the difference.
Check the early/mid/late April weather differences before you go, and your trip will be much more comfortable.
🌸 Cherry Blossom Guides for April
👉 2026 Tokyo Cherry Blossom Forecast: Official Bloom & Full Bloom Dates
👉 Tokyo Cherry Blossom 3-Night 4-Day Itinerary
👉 Nakameguro Cherry Blossoms: Best Spots, Night Views & Cruise
👉 Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossoms: Boat Rides & Night Light-Up
👉 Shinjuku Gyoen Cherry Blossoms: Reservations, Tickets & Best Spots
👉 Ueno Park Cherry Blossom Festival: Timing, Light-Up & Best Spots