April 2026 Events in Japan

Grand Sumo Minoh Expo Tournament

Sumo Minoh Expo is one of the most highly-anticipated sumo events of the year.

Kitano Odori

The first of Kyoto's annual spring geisha performances, performed by the geiko and maiko of Kamishichen.

Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (April)

Watch a dynamic procession featuring a massive dragon puppet at the Seiryu-e Dragon Festival in Kyoto.

Kiyomizu-dera Spring Illuminations

To celebrate the change to spring, Kiyomizu-dera will hold a night event to brighten up the foliage.

Illumination at Hirakata Amusement Park in Osaka

Hirakata Park’s illuminations return. Explore seven themed light areas, including a 13-meter Flower and Fairy Tree, 500 glowing lanterns, and 20 illuminated rides.

Beppu Onsen Festival

Show your gratitude for some of Japan's most sought-after thermal waters at the Beppu Onsen Festival

Gion Shirakawa Evening Cherry Blossom Illuminations

For just a short window in late March and early April, the sakura in Gion's Shirakawa area are illuminated.

Okinawa International Culture Festival

The Okinawa International Cultural Festival is bringing together locals, tourists, artists, and even a mascot for a two-day celebration of film.

Inuyama Festival

Celebrate the blooming of the cherry blossoms at the Inuyama Festival

Shizuoka City Festival

The Shizuoka Festival is Shizuoka City's biggest spring festival.

F1 Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix

Japan's premier motor racing event takes place at the Suzuka Circuit in Mie Prefecture each year.

Nagoya Castle Cherry Blossom Festival

Nagoya's biggest spring festival will be taking place on the grounds of the famous Nagoya Castle.

Expo ’70 Sakura Expo

Expo '70 Commemorative Park is known for being one of Japan's top 100 cherry blossom viewing spots.

Shingen-kō Festival and Samurai Parade

According to organizers, this is the largest samurai parade in the world.

Huis Ten Bosch Tulip Festival 2026

There's a little Netherlands in Nagasaki and in spring it transforms itself into a tulip paradise.

Kawanishi Genji Festival

The Kawanishi Genji Festival celebrates a Japanese literary classic-"Tale of Genji".

Maruyama Park Weeping Cherry Tree Illumination

The light-up event of the weeping cherry tree at Maruyama Park in Kyoto is a must-see annual tradition.

Miharu Takizakura Cherry Blossom Light up

Miharu Takizakura in Fukushima is known as the "waterfall cherry tree" and is one of Japan's major cherry blossoms spots.

Osaka Mint Bureau Cherry Blossom Viewing

See late blooming cherry blossoms in Osaka this spring.

Yodogawa Park Cherry Blossom Festival

A 1.4 km stretch of cherry trees in full bloom, food stalls serving seasonal bites, and a riverside path perfect for a slow stroll under the petals.

Okazaki Canal Boat Rides

See the beauty of cherry blossoms in bloom from the water.

Kyoto Toji Temple Cherry Blossom Illuminations

Kyoto is no stranger to spectacular sakura views, but Toji Temple's nighttime atmosphere is something else entirely.

Nijo Castle Sakura Festival 2026

Tokyo-based art collective Naked once again has a hand in these stunning, seasonal illuminations.

Imamiya Shrine Yasurai Festival

Step under the flowers and shake off bad luck at Kyoto’s Yasurai Festival, one of the city’s three most unusual traditional celebrations.