Japan packing list for cherry blossom season (March–April)

Changeable, and often wet

Spring in Japan moves quickly. Early March can feel like winter and late April like early summer, and one week can mix bright days with steady rain. Plan around a long-sleeved top, a light jumper and a packable insulated layer that fits in the day bag, so an evening under the blossom does not end early. Sitting still at a hanami spot after dark is colder than walking.

Pollen

Cedar pollen season runs from about February into April, and some travellers who never get hay fever at home find they do in Japan. Masks are normal on trains and sold in every convenience store and pharmacy. Bring antihistamines you know suit you. Decongestants containing pseudoephedrine are restricted in Japan, so check before packing any.

Sakura crowds and Golden Week

The blossom opens in the south first and works north, usually reaching Tokyo and Kyoto in late March or early April and holding at its peak for about a week. Forecasts are published weeks ahead. Kyoto rooms for those weeks go early, so book once the dates are fixed and keep a refundable option. Golden Week, a run of public holidays from the end of April into early May, fills trains and hotels across the country: reserve shinkansen seats and rooms well ahead, or plan around it.

Small things that save time

An eSIM is simpler than a pocket wifi unless several people share one connection. Add Suica or PASMO to an iPhone’s Wallet (on Android it depends on the handset), or buy an IC card at the station. Carry some cash for shrines and small restaurants, from 7-Eleven or post-office ATMs. Large stations have coin lockers for a day bag, and public bins are rare, so keep a small bag for rubbish.