April Best Events in Japan


2023.04.27

NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR

April Best Events in Japan

April in Japan is known for its pleasant days and pastel cherry blossoms.
But the inviting weather offers ample travel opportunities aside from the sakura events.
This guide will give you great recommendations for April events across Japan that aren’t solely focused on sakura.

  • 01

    Kyoto: Miyako Odori (都をどり)

    Miyako Odori

    Miyako Odori

    Miyako Odori

    Miyako Odori

    Held at the Minamiza Theatre in Kyoto from April 1st to 27th, this traditional dance of 8 scenes is a jewel of Japanese culture.
    The performance features local settings through the passing of Kyoto’s four seasons and offers a dramatic finale brimming with cherry blossoms.
    Witness more than 140 years of history at this classical dance.
    Tickets can be purchased online.

    Web site: http://miyako-odori.jp/english/

    Miyako Odori

    Miyako Odori

    Minamiza
    rating

    4.5

    159 Reviews
    place
    Kyoto Prefecture Kyoto Shi Higashiyama Ward Shijyo Ohashi Ebisu
    phone
    0755611155
    opening-hour
    Varies depending on the perf…
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  • 02

    Aichi: Inuyama Festival (犬山祭)

    Inuyama Festival

    Inuyama Festival

    Inuyama Festival

    Inuyama Festival

    Taking place in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture, from April 4th to 5th, what sets this festival apart is the “Yoyama.”
    Traditional floats with 365 lanterns parade through the nighttime city, illuminating cherry trees and bustling streets alike—an ethereal experience not soon to be forgotten. The lanterns are lit around 6p.m.

    Web site: https://inuyama.gr.jp.e.jm.hp.transer.com/festival.html

    A National Treasure, Inuyama Castle
    rating

    4.5

    1053 Reviews
    place
    Aichi Pref. Inuyamashi Inuyama Kitakoken 65-2
    phone
    0568611711
    opening-hour
    9:00-17:00(Last entry16:30)
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    indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden

    103-1 Aza Kitakoken, Oaza Inuyama Aichi

    Agoda
    • indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden
    • indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden
    • indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden
    • indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden
    • indigo Inuyama Urakuen Garden
  • 03

    Gifu: Takayama Spring Festival (春の高山祭り)

    Takayama Spring Festival

    Takayama Spring Festival

    Takayama Spring Festival

    Takayama Spring Festival

    On April 14th and 15th, the city of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture holds its Spring Festival, complete with its renowned “hikiyama,” or traditional floats with ornate decorations. There are 11 of these prized floats, and 3 of them feature special puppet performances of daring displays.

    Web site: http://www.hida.jp/english/festivalsandevents/4000208.html

    Takayama Spring Festival

    Takayama Spring Festival

    Takayama Jinya
    rating

    4.0

    1116 Reviews
    place
    Gifu Pref. Takayamashi Hachikenmachi 1-5
    phone
    0577320643
    opening-hour
    [3/1-10/31]8:45-17:00(Latest…
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  • 04

    Kanagawa: Kamakura Festival (鎌倉まつり)

    Kamakura Festival

    Kamakura Festival

    Kamakura Festival

    Kamakura Festival

    From Sunday to Sunday, April 12th to 19th, Kamakura holds its annual spring festival.
    Of particular interest is the “yabusame,” or mounted Japanese archery.
    This time-honored display features an archer shooting targets while riding a galloping horse, and it takes place at 1 p.m. on April 19th.

    Tsurugaoka Hachimangu
    rating

    4.0

    1615 Reviews
    place
    Kanagawa Pref. Kamakurashi Yukinoshita 2-1-31
    phone
    0467220315
    opening-hour
    6:00-20:30(21:00Gates shut )
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    GEN HOTEL KAMAKURA

    1-8-36 2F 3F Kamakura Kanagawa

    Agoda
    • GEN HOTEL KAMAKURA
    • GEN HOTEL KAMAKURA
    • GEN HOTEL KAMAKURA
    • GEN HOTEL KAMAKURA
    • GEN HOTEL KAMAKURA
  • 05

    Saitama and Yamanashi: Shibazakura Season (芝桜)

    HitsujiyamaPark

    HitsujiyamaPark

    Hitsujiyama Park (羊山公園) in Saitama Prefecture is famous for its vibrant spring arrangements of shibazakura, or moss phlox, and it’s easy to see why. With 9 varieties of shibazakura covering an area of 17,600 sq. meters, this park blossoms into a vivid wonderland during the Shibazakura Festival from late April to early May.
    The crown jewel of the event, Shibazakura Hill, is sure to wow you.

    Web site: https://translate.google.co.jp/translate?hl=ja&sl=ja&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Fnavi.city.chichibu.lg.jp&sandbox=1

    Hitsujiyama Park
    place
    Saitama Pref. Chichibushi Omiya 6360
    phone
    0494255209
    opening-hour
    Open 24 hours[Shibazakura no…
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    Hotel Route Inn Seibu Chichibu Ekimae

    2-3-18, Nosakamachi, Chichibu-city Saitama

    Agoda
    • Hotel Route Inn Seibu Chichibu Ekimae
    • Hotel Route Inn Seibu Chichibu Ekimae
    • Hotel Route Inn Seibu Chichibu Ekimae
    • Hotel Route Inn Seibu Chichibu Ekimae
    • Hotel Route Inn Seibu Chichibu Ekimae
    Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival

    Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival

    Fuji Shiba-sakura Festival (富士芝桜まつり), held April 18th to May 31th in Yamanashi Prefecture, offers stunning views of Mt. Fuji over a bright expanse of shibazakura.
    Boasting more than 8 million blossoms in whimsical arrangements, this event will give you a breathtaking scene that’s distinctly Japanese.

    Web site: http://www.shibazakura.jp/eng/

    Fuji Shibazakura (moss phlox)
    place
    Yamanashi Pref. Minamitsurugunfujikawaguchikomachi Motosu 212
    phone
    0555893031
    opening-hour
    8:00-17:00*Check the officia…
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  • 06

    Tochigi: Ofuji Festival, Ashikaga Flower Park (あしかがフラワーパーク 大藤まつり)

    Ōfuji Festival, Ashikaga Flower Park

    Ōfuji Festival, Ashikaga Flower Park

    Featuring a 150-year-old wisteria tree whose lavender blossoms fall from 1,000 sq. meters of trellis, the Great Wisteria Festival offers up a different shade of spring.
    White, yellow, and pale red wisteria form serene tunnels while azalea bushes blush from below.
    Expected event dates are from April 11th to May 20th, with nighttime light-ups also planned.

    Web site: https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/fujinohana_special2020/en/index.html

    Ashikaga Flower Park
    rating

    4.5

    1008 Reviews
    place
    Tochigi Pref. Ashikagashi Hasamachou 607
    phone
    0284914939
    opening-hour
    10:00-17:00 (Seasonal Subjec…
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  • 07

    Tokyo: Kurayami Festival at Okunitama Shrine (くらやみ祭)

    Kurayami Festival at Okunitama Shrine

    Kurayami Festival at Okunitama Shrine

    Known as the Darkness Festival, this lively event runs from April 30th to May 6th in Fuchu City.
    The main spectacles take place at night, such as the procession of traditional floats and the “komakurabe,” a horseback competition where 6 riders take 3 individual laps through the street.

    Web site: https://www.ookunitamajinja.or.jp/matsuri/5-kurayami.php

    Okunitama Jinja Shrine
    rating

    4.0

    241 Reviews
    place
    Tokyo Fuchushi Miyamachi 3-1
    phone
    0423622130
    opening-hour
    [Gates open time] [4/1-9/14…
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NAVITIME TRAVEL EDITOR