spring festivals Archives

April is the best time to be in Tokyo -- you can take advantage of all the events and festivals dedicated to spring flowers and warmer days. While peak bloom is already over at most of Tokyo's hanami hotspots, there are plenty of late-blooming varieties to check out at the end of the month. As the weather warms up, Tokyo residents take to the streets for parades, cultural events, crying babies, and cute puppers. For the top events in Tokyo throughout the year, check out our complete events guide -- organized by month. 1. Kanamara Penis Festival April 5 Kanayama Shrine, Kawasaki The world-famous "penis festival" It's that time of the year again -- the slightly controversial Kanamara Matsuri, better known as the “Penis Festival,” is back. While the event has certainly gotten bigger over the years (no pun intended), it is still better known among foreigners than locals. The highlight of the event is a procession in which four steel phalluses are paraded around the neighborhood. Side attractions include a radish-carving contest (guess the shape) the day before, and genital-shaped candy -- a crowd favorite, with long lines forming at booths that sell them. Have fun, but don't go too wild -- wacky as the event may seem, it still does have a religious element to it, after all. 2. Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival April 1–30 Nezu Shrine, Bunkyō Exquisite flowers If you're a fan of flowers, then the Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival is for you. This isn't just a festival where you go and "smell the azaleas," there are several events in store. Get the chance to take home potted plants at the daily flower market, cheer on those parading the mikoshi (portable shrine), and enjoy the Sunday drum performances. Tip: To see azaleas on a day trip from Tokyo, visit the Shiofune Kannon Temple Azalea Festival. 3. Kamakura Festival April 12, 18, and 19 Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine, Kamakura Archery, tea, and other traditions A yearly tradition since 1959, the Kamakura Festival is Kamakura's major spring event. Activities mostly take place on the grounds of Kamakura's famous Tsurugaoka Hachimangū Shrine and include a procession, Japanese archery competition, traditional dances, and an open-air tea ceremony. 4. Asakusa Horseback Archery April 18 Sumida Park, Asakusa See the power of a bow and arrow At the Asakusa Yabusame (horseback archery), participants don traditional garb and shoot targets from a galloping horse. Roars erupt when the aim is true, and sympathetic sighs when it isn't -- it's harder than it looks. Viewing the horseback archery requires advance tickets (), but there will also be a free show of normal archery in the morning before the yabusame. 5. Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival April 25 Behind Sensōji Temple, Asakusa Watch babies cry -- we promise it's interesting One of Japan's more unusual pastimes, crying baby rituals happen across the country each year. This one takes place in Tokyo's most popular tourist spot, Asakusa. What does it involve, you ask? Babies go head-to-head to see who will cry first as they are held by sumo wrestlers. The first to do so wins. 6. African Festival Yokohama April 10–12 Red Brick Warehouse, Yokohama One of Japan’s largest African cultural events Past years have seen a lively mix of African music and dance performances, hands-on workshops where you can try various traditional instruments like the djembe or join a dance class. There’s also typically an embassy area run by African embassies in Japan, offering travel and cultural information, alongside a market selling crafts and regional goods, plus a food area serving local dishes and drinks. 7. Edo Firemen's Annual Memorial April 29 Yūtenji Temple, Nakameguro Acrobatics on bamboo ladders As the spiritual descendants of the firemen of Edo (aka hikeshi), local construction workers perform as a memorial to the 120 firefighters (including those in the metropolitan police) who died between the Edo and Showa periods. The event was previously held at Sensōji Temple, but is now located at Yutenji Temple in Meguro. 8. Yoyogi Park Wanwan Carnival April 10–12 Yoyogi Park Cute dogs everywhere If you love dogs, doggos, doges, puppers, or whatever you call them, head to Yoyogi Park to see some real good bois at the Wanwan Carnival ("wanwan" being the Japanese term that kids use to refer to dogs). Bring your own good boys and girls too if you have them. With activities and attractions such as a dog café, opportunities to meet therapy and rescue dogs, free check-ups and nail-trimming services for your dog, contests, and games, this is the perfect event for dog lovers. Additionally, there will be a "Wanwan Shopping Mall" -- that is, rows of booths selling doggy treats and other goodies for our canine friends. 9. Flower festivals: cherry blossoms, tulips, wisteria, and more Cherry blossom festivals While the cherry blossom forecast for 2026 predicts full bloom in mid-to-late March, we have a whole list of ongoing cherry blossom festivals, here are some highlights: Chiyoda Cherry Blossom Festival Bokutei Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival Shibuya Sakura Stage Cherry Blossom Festival Wisteria festivals Ashikaga Great Wisteria Festival (day trip from Tokyo) Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival Other flower festivals April is also the time for tulips and shibazakura (moss phlox). Flowering at Hitachi Seaside Park Spring Flowers at Shōwa Kinen Park Chichibu Shibazakura Festival and Fuji Shibazakura Festival While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in March 2017. Last updated in March 2026 by Patrick Balfe.

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