Japan Spring Festivals 2026: Famous Events in March, April, and May

• Table of Contents
• Recommended Experiences to Enjoy Japan's Spring
• Japan's Spring Festivals: March Festivals
• Japan's Spring Festivals: April Festivals
• Japan's Spring Festivals: May Festivals
• Kanda Festival (Tokyo)
• Related Articles

Recommended Experiences to Enjoy Japan's Spring

In spring in Japan, there are plenty of experiences that are unique to the season, not just festivals. From here, we will introduce three recommended experiences that are easy to enjoy even for first-time visitors: Nippon Professional Baseball, the ZAKURO SHOW, and cherry blossom viewing.

Japanese Professional Baseball

© SoftBank HAWKS

In spring, Japanese professional baseball begins with team building with spring training in February, followed by exhibition games in March, revealing new players and opening roster members. In 2026, exhibition games will run from February 21st to March 22nd, with the official season opening on March 27th, followed by interleague games between the Central and Pacific Leagues from May 26th to June 14th. The official opening games in particular often feature a pitching duel between ace pitchers, and there are often events and giveaways, making them some of the most popular games of the year.

Get Japanese Pro Baseball Tickets

ZAKURO SHOW

ZAKURO SHOW

ZAKURO SHOW is a live Japanese musical instrument event in the Omotesando and Harajuku areas of Tokyo, where you can experience traditional Japanese instruments (koto, shamisen, shakuhachi, and wadaiko drums) up close. It began in November 2018 and will resume regular performances in spring 2023. Centered around Japanese musicians who graduated from Tokyo University of the Arts, the show aims to select and structure music that is accessible to international visitors.

The performance lasts about an hour, and there are two programs: Program A at 17:00 and Program B at 19:00, with different songs. Tickets can be purchased at Tickets in Japan. Check the event schedule on the official website for the date and venue, and arrive well before the start of the show. The content of Programs A and B is different, so if your schedule allows, you can enjoy the differences by watching both programs in their entirety.

Book Tickets for ZAKURO SHOW

Cherry Blossom Viewing

Hanami is a classic spring event in Japan, where people enjoy food and conversation while admiring the cherry blossoms in parks and along rivers during the cherry blossom season. The blossoms progress from south to north, and in most areas they begin to bloom between late March and early April, although in Hokkaido they may not bloom until late April or later in some years.

Japan's Spring Festivals: March Festivals

In March in Japan, there are a series of events to welcome spring, such as the Doll Festival, lucky charm markets, and snow festivals. Here we will introduce some of the most representative festivals held in March across Japan.

Yanagawa Hina Matsuri "Sagemon Meguri" (Fukuoka)

The Yanagawa Hinamatsuri (Doll Festival), also known as "Sagemon Meguri," is a spring tradition held in Yanagawa City, Fukuoka Prefecture . From February 11 to April 3, 2026, tourist facilities and stores in the city's shopping districts will be decorated with "sagemon," which combine Yanagawa balls with fabric crafts such as cranes, rabbits, chicks, and crawling dolls. The colorful decorations brightly decorate the waterside townscape, making it a great place to take photos and stroll around.

Jindaiji Daruma Market (Tokyo)

The Jindaiji Daruma Market is a spring event held every year on March 3rd and 4th at Jindaiji Temple in Chofu City , Tokyo , and is officially called the "Yakuyoke Gensan Daishi Grand Festival." Jindaiji Temple is known as one of the oldest temples in the Tokyo area, and is said to have been held since the Edo period, making it one of Japan's three largest daruma markets. The temple grounds are lined with many stalls, and the sight of vermilion daruma dolls spreading out all over is a must-see.

Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival (Hokkaido)

Source: Hokkaido Official Tourism Website

The Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival will be held from January 24th to March 8th, 2026, at a special venue on the banks of the Ishikari River at Sounkyo Onsen in Ishikari River Kamikawa Town , Hokkaido . The approximately 12,000m² venue will feature around 30 ice sculptures of various sizes, each taking around three months to create. Other highlights include a 13m-tall ice room and observation deck.

Explore Japan’s Spring Festivals in March

Japan's Spring Festivals: April Festivals

April marks the start of spring in Japan, with colorful festivals held all over the country. We'll introduce the characteristics and dates of each festival, from Kyoto's artistic dance and spectacular floats, to historical processions and events to enjoy the cherry blossoms.

Miyako Odori (Kyoto)

Miyako Odori is a spring stage performance that has been passed down in Gion Kobu, Kyoto's entertainment district. It allows visitors to enjoy the splendid dances of geisha and maiko, who are usually only seen in tatami rooms, in a theatrical setting. It will be held at the Gion Kobu Kaburenjo Theater from April 1 to April 30, 2026. Over the course of about an hour, eight scenes unfold without a curtain rise, moving through the four seasons, from one spring to the next. Each year, new works incorporating Kyoto's famous landmarks and classical literature are performed.

Inuyama Festival (Aichi)

Inuyama City Tourist Association

The Inuyamais a Mount Kuruma festival held at Haritsuna Shrine since the Edo period, and has been designated an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Property. It is scheduled to be held on April 4th and 5th, 2026, in front of Haritsuna Shrine at 65-1 Inuyama Kitakoken, Inuyama City , and in other locations. From 8:00 AM to 9:45 PM, 13 three-story Mount Kuruma will parade through the castle town, offering mechanical dolls to the accompaniment of flutes and drums.

Kamakura Festival (Kanagawa)

The Kamakura Festival is a spring festival in Kamakura that has been held since 1959, centered around Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine. Kamakura is a historic town where Minamoto no Yoritomo founded the shogunate, and the atmosphere of samurai culture can be felt even at the festival. The town is enlivened by a parade, and the Shizuka Dance, based on the legend of Shizuka Gozen, is performed in the dance hall on the shrine grounds. Another famous attraction is Yabusame, in which archers dressed as warriors shoot arrows while galloping on horseback, making for a thrilling moment. In some years, outdoor tea ceremony seating is set up, making it a fun event to combine with a stroll around Kamakura in the spring.

It is usually held from the second to third Sunday in April, and in 2026 it is expected to be held from April 12th to April 19th , but please check the official announcement for the final dates and viewing methods.

Explore Japan’s Spring Festivals in April

Japan's Spring Festivals: May Festivals

In May, a long holiday season and the season of fresh greenery, colorful festivals are held all over the country. There are many highlights, such as lively parades, traditional processions, and events that capture the beauty of flowers and history. Here we introduce some of the most famous festivals, which will also be useful for planning your trip.

Hakata Dontaku Minato Festival (Fukuoka)

The Hakata Dontaku Minato Festival is a grand spring festival held every year on May 3rd and 4th in the center of Fukuoka City , Fukuoka Fukuoka Prefecture , inviting all citizens to participate. The main venue is Fukuoka City Hall Fureai Hiroba, with parades and stage performances continuing in the surrounding streets, bringing the entire city to life. The festival originated in the folk event "Hakata Matsubayashi," which began in 1179 (the third year of the Jisho era), in which a group of people dressed as the god of fortune, Ebisu, Daikoku, and young boys deliver blessings accompanied by shamisen and taiko drumming. "Dontaku" is said to derive from the Dutch word for "holiday," and it became a beloved symbol of reconstruction after the war.

Sendai Aoba Sendai (Miyagi)

© Miyagi Perfectural Government

The Sendai Aoba Festival, which marks the arrival of early summer in Sendai, is scheduled to be held on May 16th and 17th in 2026. The festival will be held in the center of Miyagi Prefecture , Sendai City , and on Saturday, during the "Evening Festival," music will echo through the zelkova trees lining Jozenji-dori Street and the arcade street, and a succession of performances of the Sendai Sparrow Dance, which is said to have originated from the banquets held to celebrate the construction of Sendai Castle. Floats lit by paper lanterns illuminate the city at night, making for a photogenic sight.

Aoi Festival (Kyoto)

Source: kyototourism

The Aoi Festival is the annual festival of Shimogamo Shrine and Kamigamo Shrine in Kyoto, and is one of Kyoto three major festivals, alongside the Gion Festival and the Jidai Festival . It is said to have originated approximately 1,500 years ago, and is even mentioned in The Tale of Genji. Every year, religious ceremonies begin in early May, with the highlight being the "Roto no Gi" ceremony held on May 15th.

Matsumae Cherry Blossom Festival (Hokkaido)

Source: Hokkaido Official Tourism Website

The Matsumae Sakura Festival is a flower festival held annually from late April to early May in Matsumae Park and around Matsumae Castle in Matsumae Town , Hokkaido . Approximately 10,000 cherry trees of 250 different species are planted within the approximately 248,000m2 park, and the best viewing season continues for about a month, from early to late blooming varieties. During the festival, the area is lit up from sunset until 9:00 pm, and the combination of the Matsumae Castle tower and the cherry blossoms is very popular. On April 29th, there are performances of local performing arts such as Matsumae Kagura, as well as a stamp rally and street stalls.

Kanda Festival (Tokyo)

The Kanda Festival is the annual grand festival of Kanda Myojin (Kanda Shrine) in Tokyo, and was nicknamed the "Tenka Matsuri" (Festival of the World) due to the history of processions of portable shrines and floats parading through Edo Castle. The festival centers around the Shinko Festival, in which the divine spirit is offered in a phoenix-shaped palanquin, which parades through the city center accompanied by drums and music, and when the neighborhood association portable shrine enters the shrine, the shouts of the carriers echo throughout the temple grounds. It is known as one of Japan's three major festivals and one of the three major festivals of Edo.

It is traditionally held every two years, and since it was held in 2025, the next main festival is scheduled for 2027. The year after the main festival, it is common for the shrine to hold a Kagematsuri, a festival centered around religious ceremonies. Weekends during the main festival tend to be crowded, so it is best to arrive early. If you plan to watch, the procession times and traffic restrictions will be announced, so be sure to check in advance.

Related Articles