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Guide to Spring Festivals in Japan | MATOKA's Japan Travel Guide
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items Japan in the spring is more than just cherry blossoms. While people flock to see these trees, you can be having more niche experiences. Whether you’re seeking unique cultural experiences or outdoor adventure, these springtime festivals might just be ...
Sections
4
March
April
May
June
March
With ume blossoms disappating and cherry blossoms getting ready to bloom, this is a touristy season as people are coming from around the world to see the sakura. But there are many festivals to experience as well!
Taking place at Jindaiji Temple, one of the most distinguished and oldest temples in the Tokyo area, the Jindaiji Daruma Doll Fair is one of Japan’s biggest and most popular daruma doll festivals. Browse the many booths of daruma crafts and see some ...
Jindaiji Temple Daruma Doll Fair
I know firsthand how crowded it gets in Kyoto and Tokyo during cherry blossom season. So why not go someone a bit off route, like Aomori, where they hold one of the country's largest cherry blossom festivals by Hirosaki Castle Park.
Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival
One of the biggest spring festivals in Shizuoka! Enjoy the 3-day event featuring an outdoor food village, parades and performances, and cosplay…and of course, CHERRY BLOSSOMS!
Shizuoka Festival
I think this festival has become a meme because everyone makes videos about it, but it is a spectacle and something to do if you're in Aichi area. Specifically, it happens in the middle of March, so perfectly situated before the Cherry Blossom madnes...
Penis Festival at Tagata Jinja
No, you don't actually get naked, but this cherry blossom light show that happens at Hikone Castle in Shiga is a must if you're in the area at the end of March.
NAKED Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
April
Cherry blossoms are usually in full bloom during this month, so it might be the right idea to get out of the touristy areas and go to some of the exciting but niche festivals outside of Tokyo.
My personal motto is: if there's a chance for onsen, you have to strip naked and do it! Happening in Beppu City, Oita in April, there are more than 100 hot springs that are open to the public FOR FREE during this festival!
Beppu Hatto Hot Spring Festival
Belt your lungs out by participating in a Haiya Folk song, a traditional song that expresses how much Ushibuka women worry about their sailors when they're out at sea. Yes, you need to take a plane to Kumamoto airport, and then another 5 hour bus, bu...
The Ushibuka Haiya Festibal
Located next to Mt. Fuji, you can catch this festival even if you missed the Cherry Blossoms! they hold this festival in April-May and it's a beautiful sight. It's just a bit far to get to, but if you're staying in Tokyo and want a day trip, this is ...
Fuji Shibazakura Festival
Spring means strawberries, and one big pasttime for locals and foreigners alike is strawberry picking. It's not too hard to find strawberry farms, just make sure to book a reservation so that there are some left for you!
Strawberry Picking Japan
If you're looking for something closer to Tokyo, this festival in Kamakura is a week long in April and includes horse riding, archery, dancing, and an outdoor tea ceremonies.
Kamakura Festival 鎌倉まつり
May
With cherry blossom season wrapped and wisteria season on the rise (as well as Golden Week), you may see a fluctuation in the number of travelers at airports and on the Shinkansen, but it's worth it to see some of these festivals!
I love going to Hiroshima when I'm in the south of Japan, and although I haven't been in June to catch the Yukata Festival, you know that I am going back sometime soon since it's the first of it's kind!
Yukata de Kinsai Festival (Yukata Festival)
So you visit Japan in May in order to miss the Cherry Blossom rush. Instead, why don't you see Dragon boat racing, a tradition that is alive and well in modern Japan. This is especially true in Okinawa’s Naha City, where hundreds of dragon boat teams...
Naha Hari Dragon Boat Races
If you're looking for something a bit more traditional in May, the Hakata Dontaku Festival offers something for everyone, whether you want to dance with the locals or sit back and watch the parade wind through Fukuoka.
Hakata Dontaku
If you like street parades and wooden floats, then head over to Ishikawa, specifically Nanao City, to experience these floats fill the narrow streets of this fishing village! Plus, you can cross off “see a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage” off you...
Seihakusai Festival
June
Known as the rainy season in Japan even though it is hot and muggy, don't let the weather get to you and stay hydrated as you experience some of these Japanese festivals!
If you feel like you've lost your childish wonder and playfulness, it's time to get it back when you're traveling in Japan during June by watching the kite battle from the stands on the riverbank or by boat on the water. Or, take part in the action b...
Shirone Giant Kite Battle
This festival is SPECIAL since it ONLY TAKES PLACE EVERY EVEN-NUMBERED YEAR in mid-June. So if you don't catch it this year, you're gonna have to wait another two years to enjoy. The parade begins and ends at Hie Jinja near Asakusa and has over 500 p...
Sanno Matsuri
Japan loves their flowers and I know that there are a lot of flower enthusiasts on this list since we're talking about cherry blossom season. But in the off chance that you missed the sakura, check out the Hydrangea festival in Kyoto to see a differe...
Ajisai Matsuri｜紫陽花祭り
This festival celebrating Yokohama Port opening happens the first weekend of June in Rinko Park and features music concerts and performances, ship rides and fireworks!
Yokohama Port Opening Festival