Hakodate Weather in April

 Season: Spring 
 In short: 
1. The weather of Hakodate in April gets a bit mild but it has a large daily temperature gap.
2. The climate is mostly rainy or cloudy, with only a few sunny days.
3. At the end of April, cherry flowers begin to bloom.

Temperature

In early April, temperatures generally range between 3 - 8°C (37 - 46°F). Some snow residue may still be visible on the street, which may look dirty instead of scenic. On rainy days, temperatures can drop by 1 - 2 degrees Celsius (34-36 degrees Fahrenheit), making it even colder. Therefore, a light down jacket is recommended.  Spring finally arrives in full by late April. Daytime temperatures typically reach 11 - 13°C (52 - 55°F), contributing to pleasant and comfortable climate perfect for outdoor activities, such as sakura blossom appreciation or city sightseeing. 

Spring comes to Hakodate in April, and the overall temperature is rising in despite of some fluctuations. In specific, it is relatively cold earlier this month with the lows of 2 - 4℃ (35.6 - 39.2℉) and the highs of 9 - 14 ℃ (48.2 - 57.2℉). By middle April, the climate turns warm with the high temperature of 12 - 15℃ (53.6 - 41℉), and sometimes it can reach roughly 20℃(68℉). The daily temperature varies greatly: the gap is approximately 10 - 15 degrees Celsius (50 - 59 degrees Fahrenheit). Thanks to the rise in temperature, cherry blossoms usually start to bloom in late April and the flowering season lasts till early May.

Cherry Trees and Lake

Precipitation 

The monthly average precipitation rises to 75mm (3 in), and there are 16 rainy days. April may see continuous rainfall, but most of time the rain is light and doesn’t last for a long time. But the rain can bring down the temperature significantly.

Does it snow in Hakodate in April? 

Yes, but the possibility is low and it may snow only in early April, and no snow accumulation occurs. In the past five years, it just snowed five times in total at that time. With the temperature increasing, the accumulated snow in winter has melted already. If you would like to admire snowy scenery, you are advised to go to Hakodate in earlier months like January and February. 

Longer Daylight Hours/ Sunshine Hours

Goryokaku Park Stele

The average duration of daylight is about 12 hours, from 6:14 - 17:27 at the beginning of the month to 5:21 - 18:02 at the end of the month. Compared with winter months, longer daylight hours enable you to plan a quite leisurely schedule including more attractions. You should be reminded that the opening hours of scenic areas are lengthened accordingly. For example, Goryokaku Park opens an hour longer than previous months till 19:00. 

In addition to rainy days, the number of cloudy days occupies a large part of the whole month, so the average length of sunshine hours is only 6 per day. The UV rays are moderate, so light sun protection is needed.

Packing List Based on Hakodate Climate in April

 Clothes: You need to wear thick clothes in the early part of the month, such as sweaters or hoodies as inner clothes, 3-in-1 jackets as outer ones and sweatpants. During the rest of days, long-sleeved T shirts, thin jackets and long jeans are enough.

 Shoes: Comfortable hiking shoes plus high-ankle socks are recommended. 

 Others: The cherry blossom season is the peak period of hay fever, so remember to bring facial masks and anti-allergic medicines. Keep a raincoat or an umbrella handy in case of rainfall.

Travel Highlight: Cherry Blossoms 

1. As for the best sites to visit cherry blossoms, Goryokaku Park is one of a kind with 1,500 cherry trees. The Cherry Blossom Hill Street, flanked by nearly 100 cherry trees and seeming like a long pink tunnel, is also a popular cherry flowers site in Hakodate.
2. During cherry blossom season, these famous viewing sites can be quite crowded. To avoid the main crowds, it is recommended to go there before 9:00. Besides, in the early morning, the sunlight is soft, easy to take beautiful photos.
3. A night light show is held in Goryokaku Park where red and white lanterns hanging on the cherry trees will be lit up at 19:00-21:00 during April 19 to May 6.
4. The blooming time of cherry blossoms is not stable and relatively short, which makes it easy to miss the best viewing time. Keep an eye on the local notices and arrange your schedule flexibly, if you plan to enjoy them in this period of 2026.

Hakodate Magistrate's Office

Travel Tips

1. The cherry blossom season overlaps Japan’s Golden Week in some years, for which plenty of tourists from home and abroad flock here. Early reservation is advised. 
2. Except for enjoying cherry blossoms, lots of attractions and events are recommended: appreciate white masses of lysichiton americanus in Onuma Quasi National Park from Late April to early May, or savor Spanish cuisines at the gourmet feast BAR-GAI in mid-April.

Hakodate Weather by Month