Written by Alexandra Ziminski
Tokyo events for Monday, March 17 to Sunday, March 23, 2025
With a public day off and the latest cherry blossom forecast predicting first bloom around March 26 in Tokyo, this week is shaping up to be pretty — um — eventful.
More sakura festivals are about to light up the trees, but be aware that a full pink crown isn’t expected till the start of April. For those who could care less about flora, there’s also Anime Japan, a golden dragon dance, and cosplay.
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival
Hanami (flower-viewing) is a chance to reflect on the ephemeral nature of life — or a good excuse for a party. Bring something to eat, drink, a ground-sheet to sit on, and warm clothes for when the sun goes down.
Shibuya–Omotesandō Women’s Run
For only one day a year, Meiji Jingu Shrine opens its doors for an important 10 km race: the Shibuya–Omotesandō Women’s Run. Whether you’ve come to cheer or to participate, there will be an inspiring atmosphere.
Anime Japan
You may have gone to an anime convention back home. Why not go to one in the country that started it all?
| Advance sales: ¥2,500 | At the door: ¥2,800 | |
New Layers Paradise Cosplay Festival
Anime and manga come alive through cosplay and no one does it better like Japan. See cosplay from video games to anime — expect a good number of Bleach, One Piece, and Attack on Titan costumes mixed with more modern trends.
Family Anime Festa
Family Anime Festa is a convention designed for families and children, with all the anime still included. It is open to children of elementary school age and younger, along with their guardians.
Harumeki Early Blooming Cherry Blossom Festival
Beautiful as they may be, it’s not all about the somei yoshino. Typically in early March each year, harumeki cherry blossoms in Minami-Ashigara City bloom, bringing an early taste of spring to Kanagawa, one of Tokyo’s neighboring prefectures.
Tokyo Creative Salon
Tokyo Creative Salon is Japan’s largest fashion and design festival. The event has two main aims: to bring creative people together and make Tokyo one of the world’s leading creative cities.
Hadano Sakura Festival
Hadano Sakura Michi stretches 6.2 km and is lined with hundreds of cherry trees. But the best part is the illuminations in the mountains (well, hills really) a short hike above town.
Nihonbashi Sakura Festival
The festival is also called “Sakura Fes Nihonbashi”. Major local landmarks the Mitsui Building and Coredo Muromachi are illuminated at night, while the street leading to Fukutoku Shrine features a cherry blossom noren (fabric divider) avenue.
Edo Fukagawa Sakura Festival
One of the best opportunities to try a traditional Japanese cherry blossom festival with all the trimmings, the Edo Fukagawa Matsuri (Festival) has illuminations, boat rides, and plenty of food. There are also motorboat rides during the day and evening.
Jindai Botanical Gardens Cherry Blossom Festival
Where better to see one of Japan’s botanical beauties? The Jindai Botanical Gardens is home to sixty varieties of cherry blossoms, spread out across 750 trees. The mix of species and tree locations keeps them blooming brightly throughout the season, so every day is a new tapestry.
| At the door: ¥500 | ||
| At the door: ¥0 | ||
| At the door: ¥250 | ||
Gotenyama Cherry Blossom Festival
Gotenyama has been a much loved cherry blossom viewing spot since the Edo period and each year the famous and yearly cherry blossom festival will be held. This year’s festival will highlight bubbles, a foot bath, hanami with sake, and of course, the evening illuminations.
Bunkyo Cherry Blossom Festival
Heading into their 53rd year, the Bunkyo Cherry Blossom Festival is one of Tokyo’s most popular spots to see sakura. But the fun doesn’t end when the sun goes down, as the festival also has an illuminated portion.
Princess Kaguya Light-Up
See the spectacular sight of clouds and thousands of bamboo lanterns at this one-of-a-kind night light-up event. Created using artifically generated mist, this light display feels fantastical, blending tradition with technology.
Bokutei Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival
The festival centers around Sumida Park’s kilometer-long line of cherry trees and features night illuminations and festival stalls. Since the flowers stretch for such a long way, be sure to wear your good shoes and be prepared for a little bit of night chill to get the most out of your nocturnal hanami.
Golden Dragon Dance
Joined by a parade of geisha and local kindergarten children, the dragon ‘dances’ down Nakamise Shopping Street to the delight of the crowd. And yes, there will be a crowd. We recommend arriving early to get a good spot.
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