Written by Alexandra Ziminski
Researched by Patrick Balfe
Cherry blossoms, spring festivals, and the promise of summer make April a beautiful time to be in Japan.
No matter where you are in the country, you’re bound to get your fix of flowers and traditional events. It’s also one of the best times of the year to see geisha in Kyoto.
For events in Tokyo and surrounds, have a look at our event listings on Tokyo Cheapo.
Kansai events
These are events in Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, Mie, and the surrounding areas.
Osaka Nemophila Festival
April 11–May 10Osaka Maishima Seaside Park, Osaka
A blanket of 1 million blue flowers
Two blues meet when a million nemophila flowers bloom in front of Osaka Bay. Depending on the time you go, there may also be some cherry blossoms and tulips to add to the floral overload.
Heian Jingu Reisai Festival
April 15–16Heian Jingū Shrine, Kyoto
Traditional ceremonies and blooming flowers
An annual opportunity to see local geiko and maiko (Kyoto’s geisha and geisha-in-training). The two-day event features musical performances, dances, and traditional ceremonies.
Kyo Odori
April 4–19Miyagawa-chō Kaburenjō, Kyoto
An annual spring performance from Kyoto geiko and maiko
One of the traditional performances held in Kyoto, this dance event features geiko and maiko from the Miyagawa-chō district. It is one of the newer events in Kyoto, and the style is similar to Kabuki theater, with an impressive final act featuring all of the performers.
| Advance sales: ¥5,500 | ||
Miyako Odori
April 1–30Gion Kōbu Kaburenjō Theater, Kyoto
Geiko and maiko performances in a traditional theater
This is the annual performance of geiko and maiko from different districts, known as the dance of the capital. Enjoy the performance in the renovated Kaburenjō Theater, which has hosted the show since 1873.
Hikiyama Festival
April 9–17Nagahama Station, Shiga
Kids doing kabuki theater performances
This festival is celebrated for its children’s kabuki theater, called kodomo kabuki. The floats wheeled through town have stages built into them, and the young children perform as they move through the streets.
Osaka Mint Bureau Cherry Blossom Viewing
Osaka Mint Bureau, Osaka
Illuminated hanami
Only open to the public for a few days each year (reservations required), the Osaka Mint buildings have an amazing variety of trees, which are illuminated in the evening. They have a lot of yaezakura (late-blooming flowers with more petals), so it’s great if you are a tad late for the regular blooming period.
Kawanishi Genji Festival
April 12Kawanishi, Hyōgo
Traditional parade
Honoring the historical text Tale of Genji, the Kawanishi Genji Festival features a parade of traditional Heian-period dress, considered the height of Japanese culture. One person appears as Genji and rides a white horse; this is the highlight of the procession.
Kemari Festival
April 29Tanzan Shrine, Nara
Shinto rituals and ball games
Celebrating the traditional ball game (kemari), this festival sees local priests enter the shrine and perform a beautiful procession and rituals. Visitors can explore the shrine gardens and play kemari themselves at the event.
| At the door: ¥600 | ||
Kanto events
These are events just outside of Tokyo, including Tochigi, Ibaraki, and the surrounding areas.
Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival
April 11–May 20Ashikaga Flower Park, Tochigi
Blooming wisteria flowers
Ashikaga Flower Park’s annual Great Wisteria Festival is the place to see pretty purple wisteria — fuji no hana in Japanese — in all its glory. And also to see less common varieties in pink, white, and yellow. Basically, it’s a really big park with LOTS of wisteria!
Hokkaidō events
Here’s what’s happening in Hokkaidō this spring.
Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival
April 18–May 10Matsumae Castle, Ōshima
Blooming cherry blossoms
Ōshima’s Matsumae Castle is the prefecture’s top cherry blossom viewing spot. It’s also Hokkaidō’s only castle and Japan’s northernmost one. There are over 10,000 cherry trees here, representing some 250 varieties that bloom in succession over the course of nearly a month — from the Somei-yoshino type in late April, to the many-petaled Kikuzakura in late May.
Tōhoku events
These are events in Aomori, Miyagi, and the surrounding areas.
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
April 17–May 5Hirosaki Castle, Aomori
Blooming cherry blossoms and food stalls
Hirosaki’s 2,600 trees are late bloomers, offering a second chance to see the famous cherry blossom petals. There will be food stalls and a festival feel, as well as rowboats to explore the castle moat. A loop bus gets you there from the station, so it’s an easy day out in Aomori.
Hiroshima events
These are events in Hiroshima and the surrounding areas.
Hiroshima Mint Bureau Cherry Blossom Viewing
April 9–15Japan Mint Hiroshima, Hiroshima
Illuminated late-blooming sakura
Like Osaka, the normally off-limits Hiroshima Mint buildings have an amazing variety of trees, which are illuminated in the evening. They have a lot of yaezakura (late-blooming flowers with more petals), so it’s perfect if you are late for the regular sakura blooming period.
Kintaikyō Bridge Festival
April 29Kintai Bridge, Yamaguchi
Battle reenactments
Making the most of the fantastic bridge, this annual festival celebrates the return of daimyo to the city after time spent in the capital. In traditional Edo-era costume, locals and representatives from the nearby US military base reenact the march and are met by armor-wearing samurai challengers, before a battle ensues.
Chūbu events
These are events in Nagano, Aichi, Fukui, Shizuoka, Yamanashi, and surrounding areas.
Shizuoka Matsuri
April 3–5Shizuoka Station, Shizuoka
Performances, food stalls, and cherry blossoms
As the region’s biggest spring festival, this three-day event is a sight to behold and is filled with entertainment and performances. There is a yatai-mura (a food stall village), nebuta floats, cherry blossoms, parades, performances, and cosplay, so you’ll be well entertained.
Inuyama Festival
April 4–5Haritsuna Shrine, Aichi
An Intangible Cultural Property-worthy festival
This spring festival features impressive processions of 13 three-leveled dashi — traditional wheeled floats covered in lanterns. Dating back to 1635, the festival was recognized as an “Intangible Cultural Property” in 2006 by the Japanese government. During the festival, there is a performance by karakuri (traditional mechanized puppets), and they cover the floats with lanterns during the evening.
Fuji Shibazakura
April 12–May 25Fuji Motosuko Resort, Yamanashi
Blooming flowers with Fuji views
This is a great time to see Mount Fuji and enjoy the local delicacies. The Shibazakura festival offers carpets of stunningly bright flowers leading up to the mountain slopes. The moss phlox flowers are known as lawn cherries.
Fuji-Kawaguchiko Cherry Blossom Festival
March 28– April 12Kawaguchiko Music Forest Museum, Yamanashi
Sakura, Mt. Fuji, and market stalls
Cherry blossoms and Mount Fuji are a match made in flower heaven, so take this chance to visit Lake Kawaguchiko in spring. Along with lakeside walks accompanied by dozens of cherry trees, there will be a craft market and illuminations at the main site from sunset.
Takayama Spring Festival
April 14–15Hie Shrine, Gifu
One of Japan’s most famous traditional festivals
One of the area’s two biggest festivals (the other is in autumn), this event takes place against the stunning backdrop of Hida Takayama. It features processions of large floats, mikoshi, marionette performances, and plenty of impressive costumes and displays. This is one of the best opportunities to see a large-scale festival this early in the year.
Kyūshū and Okinawa events
What to look out for in Okinawa this season.
Hanabi Illusion Fireworks
April 11Naha, Okinawa
Elaborate pre-summer fireworks festival
One of the earliest fireworks festivals of the year, this event is sponsored by Japan Airlines and is held in Ginowan Seaside Park and Tropical Beach. There are live performances, music, and plenty of food and drink to choose from.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in March 2018. Last updated in March 2026 by Patrick Balfe.
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