Japan in spring is magical. The cherry blossoms, the sunshine (and plenty of rain) over the temples. It’s also the perfect weather for eating udon and ramen soup. If you’re wondering what to wear in Japan in spring, look no further.
I spent two blissful weeks exploring Japan in spring. I started in Osaka, then headed to Kyoto and Hiroshima before finishing in Tokyo. In total, we spent about two weeks in Japan.
It’s a country I’ve dreamed of visiting for so many years and to actually see those flowers in bloom in the flesh was pretty special. But before you see them – you need to figure out what to wear in Japan in spring!
What to Expect from the Weather in Japan in Spring
The weather in Japan in Spring depends hugely on what areas you are visiting. If you are going to be in subtropical Okinawa, it will be much warmer than say, Tokyo or further north in the country.
If you plan to visit the main areas around Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo, then this article will be most helpful to you.
The weather in March and April is still chilly. When deciding what to wear in Japan in March and April, you’ll want sweaters and long pants. Temperatures typically range from 57-70°F (14-21°C) during the day in the central and northern regions.
Evenings are cooler, especially at the start of Spring in Japan. Lows can come down to 41°F (5°C) in March but they generally rise and by May it’s only a couple od degrees cooler at night.
The thing that I wasn’t prepared for was just how much it rained in April. April showers and all that, but it really is true in central Japan. We bought a cheap umbrella at a shop outside a train station. We then left it at our last Airbnb so hopefully someone else got some use out of it!
What to Wear in Japan in Spring
When thinking about what to pack for a trip to Japan in Spring, you’ll most likely have to consider a few main things: what sort of suitcase are you bringing? How many different places in Japan will you be visiting? Will you be going to any fancy meals or events while you’re there?
If you do forget something worry not, you can find just about ANYTHING you want in Japan. Especially Tokyo.
Rain Jacket
The number one thing you for what to wear in Japan in spring is a rain jacket. I only brought a flimsy windbreaker with me thinking that the spring weather wouldn’t be too bad. I was woefully wrong.
The rain isn’t exactly heavy or tropical in any way. But it spits this sort of very wet mist which can last all day long. If you don’t have a good rain jacket, then it won’t take long to get totally soaked through.
So many of the places and things you’ll want to explore in Japan are outside – temples, forests, cobbled streets, parks, and castles. The best part of each of these places is the gardens and little paths around them, so you’ll want to make sure you stay dry and warm.
My absolute favorite rain jacket is the Rain to Fame jacket from Columbia, which is unfortunately no longer available. Columbia is always a solid choice for rain jackets so you can consider the Columbia Women’s EvaPOURation Jacket as an alternative. It’s waterproof and breathable so you can wear it in cities as well as out on the trails. The Columbia Women’s Pardon My Trench Rain Jacket is a better option for earlier spring as it’s warmer. It’s a longer design so it offers more coverage while the vented back keeps you cool when slumping ramen. Both are machine-washable.
This Bloggerlove Rain Jacket is a cool option if you can’t resist a splash of color! The longer length makes it perfect for a city-oriented itinerary and you can even buy one in the exact same hue as the cherry blossoms. It’s perfect for what to wear in Japan in April when showers are frequent.
High-cut Blouses and Crew-neck T-shirts
Like many countries in this part of the world, low-cut cleavage-filled shirts just aren’t the done thing for what to wear in Japan in spring (or even summer). Feel free to wear micro-mini skirts and shorts, but getting the girls out is sort of frowned upon.
I felt most comfortable and stylish in crew-neck t-shirts or high-neck tunics and blouses (this one comes in loads of colors and patterns) paired with skirts or jeans. It helps that it’s not particularly hot in Japan in spring, so you’ll be quite happy to be more covered up anyway.
Midi/Maxi Dresses & Skirts
While you can, by all means, wear whatever length of dress or skirt you like, I’d say longer styles are what to pack for Japan – in all seasons.
The reason being that most temples require you to be covered to a certain extent. This meant that if I left the house already dressed and ready, I didn’t have to worry about buying something or bringing a scarf.
I also preferred this style thanks to the windy city streets. Between the rain and the wind whipping between the tall buildings in Osaka and Tokyo, I really preferred keeping my legs more covered up. On cloudy days, I even wore tights under my dresses.
This waisted maxi dress comes in classic black and pastel colors lovely for what to wear in Japan in spring. It’s so versatile and you can wear it with bare legs or tights, with boots or sneakers.
As a shorter option, this shirt dress is super stylish. It’s modest to blend in among the elegant Japanese women yet the slits on either side make it more practical than a pencil skirt design.
Jeans (or Other Trousers)
I love me a good pair of jeans and the pair that I packed for this trip were indispensable. I wore jeans pretty much every day whether it was for a day of touring or for an evening out to dinner. My darker pair of skinny jeans looked cute with Converse and also paired well with a pair of ankle boots for a nice dinner.
The only trouble with jeans is that they don’t dry quickly. They are pretty uncomfortable to wear if it’s raining and they get a little bit wet. So on rainy days either opt for a lighter fabric trouser or go with a skirt or dress.
Cigarette trousers or slacks are ideal for what to pack for Japan in spring. They won’t drag like flared trousers and the materials used dry faster. These high-waisted slacks are versatile to go with different outfits and look smart without being tight. Alternatively, a pair of satin jogger pants is a casual option that doesn’t run the risk of looking scruffy. Again – you’ll have no issues entering sacred places in these trousers.
Light Layers
It’s not particularly cold in Japan in spring, it’s just sort of damp. Each morning, I would leave our Airbnb in either jeans and a sleeveless blouse or a lightweight midi-dress. In my purse, I’d stuff a cardigan and be fine until sunset. I liked having the cardigan to cover my shoulders in certain places and also for the moments when the sun would go behind the clouds. If it started to rain, but it was still warm, I would just throw on my rain jacket and leave my sweater in my purse.
I recommend packing a few different light jackets or sweaters that are easy to take with you for the day and won’t weigh your bag down too much.
In terms of what to wear in Japan in March, you’ll want to have one chunky knit for cooler days and evenings. At the very least, it’s cozy for your Airbnb!
This knitted cardigan is ideal for what to wear in Japan in April and May when the temperatures start to rise. It’ll fling over a base layer or other sweater and you can remove layers as necessary.
Comfortable (and Cute!) Waterproof Shoes
I packed a few different pairs of shoes for Japan; I wanted to be comfortable walking around all day but still feel stylish and put together.
I brought a pair of Converse because I find them to be really fun and great for walking. My boyfriend hates walking in his Converse and finds that they give him achy feet. Choose a pair of comfortable and stylish sneakers that work best for you.
For evenings, I had a pair of slip-on flat shoes to wear with jeans and dresses and feel a little more formal. Slip-on shoes are handy for temples as you’ll often have to remove them prior to entry.
A pair of shoes that I wish I’d brought was my favorite rain boots. My Sam Edelman Tinsley rainboots are stylish and incredibly comfortable to walk in and most importantly, they keep my feet dry in all types of rain. They come in a few colors and the style doesn’t seem to change much over the years. These are a really great investment for traveling anywhere during rainy seasons (hello Mexico in summer).
When choosing what to wear in Japan in May you might want to consider sandals. Reef sandals for women are insanely comfortable and look great with any apparel. They’re water-friendly so you can wear them in all locations and wash them easily while on the road.
It’s pretty difficult to not take a couple of shoe options when deciding what to wear in Japan in spring.
What to Pack for Japan in Spring
These are some other essentials when deciding what to wear in Japan in March, April, and May.
Make-up and Cosmetics Bag
One of the things I love about Japan is that women aren’t afraid to play around with makeup. I never felt over-done with my red lipstick or bright blush. I love wearing makeup when I’m at home and so I always make sure to bring my favorites with me when I travel so I can still feel like myself. When deciding what to pack for Japan, I didn’t regret taking four lipstick shades – they all got their wear!
In addition, I took an eyebrow pencil, concealer, mascara, bronzer, and blush and it hardly took up any room in my luggage. The trick is to pack a decent travel cosmetic bag to keep everything organized and protected.
I recommend going with some waterproof brands because of the rain and moisture that seems to be forever in the air at this time of year. You’ll appreciate packing a cosmetic primer as it will help your make-up stay put while dashing around the sights.
Jewelry
Like make-up, jewelry is a cool way to spruce up your Japan outfits. Women in Japan are stylish and experimental so you can go ahead and take playful pieces to add color and texture. Tangled jewelry is not a look you’ll want to rock so pack all your pieces in a foldable jewelry organizer that slips into your carry-on bag.
Umbrella
As I mentioned, you may want to grab yourself a good quality umbrella that fits easily into your purse to take with you so you don’t have to spend half a day of your trip trying to buy one. A good quality travel umbrella will be much cheaper elsewhere (they were quite expensive in Japan).
This inverted travel umbrella packs down small. As well as being waterproof, it’s wind-resistant and offers UV protection.
Cross-body Day Bag
I carried a medium cross-body bag that had enough room for my phone, a bit of makeup, my sweater (and usually my boyfriend’s sweater), and a water bottle. It was big enough that if we wanted to buy a snack or something, that could fit, too. But it wasn’t so big that I was carrying around a backpack-sized bag all day.
If you prefer to have the weight evenly balanced, a smart leather backpack helps you blend in while in the cities. It’s perfect for what to wear in Japan in March when you’ll likely want to tote an extra layer.
You might also want a smaller version for the evenings just to carry your money and phone. This tiny shoulder purse has you covered!
Reusable Water Bottle
Good news – it’s safe to drink tap water in Japan in most instances. Pack a stainless steel insulated water bottle as it will ensure your liquids stay cold for 24 hours or hot for 12.
Sunscreen
Yes, even in the shoulder season you need to protect your skin. This mineral sunscreen stick is ideal for what to pack for Japan in spring. Only your face needs SPF attention at this time of year and it’s small enough to pop in a bag or pocket. It’s oil-free to avoid a shiny nose.
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