Takayama Weather in April

Season: Spring
Overview: cool, rising temperature, sakura season
As it comes to April, spring comes in Takayama. It becomes warmer, as the average temperature increases as high as 17 degrees Celsius (62.6 degrees Fahrenheit). It is still a little cold in early April; to the mid-late April, the temperature can reach 25-29℃ (77-84.2℉) to the highest during the day. Even in a cool year, the highest temperature is not lower than 24℃ (75.2℉). However, you can experience a big temperature gap between day and night, for the lowest temperature is no more than 10℃ (50℉) at most times.

It is likely to rain on half of the month, or 8 days at least, which are almost all short showers. When it’s not raining, it turns to be quite sunny. The great thing is that cherry blossoms are blooming during mid-April, and the very grand Takayama Spring Festival is held on the 14-15th.

Sakura - Takayama in April

Averages of Takayama Weather in April

Temperature: 3~17℃ (37.4-62.6℉)
Precipitation: 119mm
Rainy/Snowy Days: 11 days
Sunrise: 05:00-05:38
Sunset: 18:13-18:37
Daylight hours: 13h 5min
Sunshine hours: 8h

Is There Snow in Takayama in April?

It is unlikely to snow in Takayama city throughout April. Even though it snows, it is a light snow or sleet during the first a few days. In mountainous areas, there is some snow cover that hasn’t melted completely in early April. To the middle of April, no snow can be seen any more, except the light snow on the summits.

On Sanmachi Suji Street

Is Takayama Still Cold in April?

It remains cold in Takayama in early April due to the higher altitude and cooler climate, at an average temperature around 8℃ (46.4℉). The night temperature drops below zero degrees Celsius in early April, while it’s still bleak to the end of April, even if it is warm during the day.

What to Wear in Takayama in April?

It is optimal to wear in multiple layers in whole April. Thin sweater with a thick jacket and plush pants are great around Takayama in the first half of April. A thin down coat or overcoat is still needed to adapt to the much lower temperature after nightfall.

To late April, a long-sleeve clothes, like a long shirt, hoodie and blouse, is proper. On cooler or raining days, you can add a jacket on the top. Sweatpants or long dress and sneakers are also suitable.

It’s recommended to watch the local weather forecast before your travel, so as to make sure the clothes you should wear and whether a foldaway umbrella is needed. If you are sensitive/allergic to pollens or catkins of some plants in spring, you may need a mask.

Cherry Blossoms in Takayama

Usually, cherry blossoms begins to flower since mid-April in Takayama, 1-2 weeks later than in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Kyoto. In warmer years, the viewing period comes as early as Apr. 8th or so; while in cooler years, it is also possible to bloom as late as April 20-22nd. The top sites for cherry blossoms in Takayama are listed below.
See More: Japan Cherry Blossoms Forecast

1. Nakabashi Bridge over Miyagawa River

Miyagawa River is one of the best places of cherry blossoms in Takayama, especially the landmark Nakabashi Bridge. The blooming cherry blossoms and eye-catching red bridge set each other beautifully, which makes Nakabashi Bridge a top photo spot of cherry blossoms in the city, together with the clear river.

2. Hida Gokoku Shrine

Hida Gokoku Shrine, next to the highland of Shiroyama Park, is a peaceful site to see cherry blossoms. You can see the tall trees make up a tunnel of cherry blossoms, extending from the little stone bridge in front of the shrine to the high stone torii gate. Also, there are many sakura trees insides. It is impressively beautiful, and you could enjoy the beauty as sitting on a bench there.

See Sakura on the Bridge

Cherry Blossoms by Miyagawa River

3. Miyagawa Ryokuchi Park

Miyagawa Ryokuchi Park is popular in Takayama, as people gather together for cherry blossoms viewing there on the western bank of Miyagawa River. The lawn under luxuriant cherry blossom trees is great for picnic, and it’s also wonderful to roam along the Miyagawa River while enjoy the stunning sakura scenery.

Takayama Spring Festival – A Feast of Beauty

On April 14-15th every year, Takayama Spring Festival, aka Sanno Matsuri, attracts a great number of visitors from all over Japan and the world. It is regarded as one of three “beautiful” festivals in Japan, showing an aesthetic feast of Japanese traditional culture. In addition to festival procession with paraders in traditional Japanese clothes on the two days, the floats display, marionette performance, and nighttime floats parade are the highlights that can’t be missed.

12 yatai, the luxurious festival floats looking like small two-storied towers in Japanese style, are displayed in procession. In front of Takayama Jinya at 10:00 or 14:00, you can watch the wonderful 50-min performance of karakuri – the marionette, which is on three floats called Sanbaso, Ryujin-tai, and Shakkyo-tai respectively. At night of April 14th, Yomatsuri, the night float parade, has a distinct dreamy vibe, as each float is decorated with 100 bright lanterns.

Tips:

One or more of these activities may be canceled if it is raining heavily.
If the float parade is canceled, you can also get a chance to see the festival floats at their “garages”.
It’s extremely crowded during Takayama Spring Festival. Thus, take good care of yourself and your family. Don’t get too close to the floats.

Takayama Jinya