From March To May - Experience Japan's Spring Festivals And Events

Festivals and Events in April

Flower Viewing

In late March, a wave of warm weather called sakurazensen, (meaning cherry blossom front,) comes in from the south, letting people know that it is time for the cherry trees to bloom. Having a hanami, or cherry blossom viewing party, is the event of the season. The blooming season of these pink flowers lasts for only a few days, which means that popular cherry blossom spots will be exceptionally crowded with groups of people wanting to enjoy the fleeting beauty of these blossoms with co-workers, friends and family.

For instance, Daigo-ji Temple in Fushimi, Kyoto is a temple known for the Daigo-no-hanami: in the spring of 1598 the great warlord Toyotomo Hideyoshi held a grand party with over 1000 of his vassals on this site. To this day, the Hotaiko Hanami Gyoretsu is held every year on the second Sunday of April. Various kinds of cherry blossoms bloom inside the grounds of this World Heritage site.

School Entrance Ceremony

While autumn is the season associated with the start of the school year in western countries, Japan holds its school entrance ceremonies in April. Similarly, the entrance ceremonies held by companies accepting new college graduates are held in April as well. Even Japan’s fiscal year begins in April! The school entrance ceremonies, which are seen as a celebration, are featured on TV news, along with the beautiful cherry blossoms in the schoolyards.