2019 May Best Events in Japan

Goryokaku Park’s cherry blossoms

Once the hanami season has been and gone on Honshu Island, head north to Hokkaido where things are just getting started in early May. Hokkaido’s cherry blossom season is predicted to begin around Golden Week, with Goryokaku Park in Hakodate City one of the best places to admire the trees ignited in pink. Be sure to climb the 90-meter-high Goryokaku Tower for sweeping views across the park and its star-shaped castle fortifications.
URL：http://www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp/en/

Goryokaku Park’s cherry blossoms

Goryokaku Park’s cherry blossoms

Goryokaku Park

Hokkaido Hakodateshi Goryoukakuchou 44

0138315505

Open 24 hours[Inside the moa…

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Koinobori

The final day of Golden Week (May 5) is marked across Japan by Children’s Day, which honors the youth and their future as healthy and strong individuals. In the lead up to the event, koinobori (carp-shaped windsocks) are flown above houses with children and the world’s largest Koinobori Festival (the Koinobori Village Festival) takes place. It’s held every year from late March to early May in the city of Tatebayashi in Gunma.

Tatebayashi Koinobri Festival

Traditionally, koinobori would be created in sets, with a black one representing the father and a red one his eldest son while a Gogatsu Ningyo warrior doll was also displayed in the home. However, after Boy’s Day was changed into Children’s Day, the red koinobori now represents the mother and different colors are used to represent both sons and daughters.

Gogatsu ningyo

Tatebayashi City Office

Gunma Tatebayashi-shi Shiromachi 1-1

0276724111

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From May 3 to 5, the Kutani Chawan Festival will take place at Ishikawa’s Kutani Pottery Village, offering Kutani pottery items at alarmingly low prices. Aside from shops selling both traditional and modern wares, there will be food stalls set up where you can try the local delicacies.

Prior to the main festival, a Pre-Kutani Cha-Sen Festival will also be held from April 20 to 21 at the Aeon Mall Shin-Komatsu where you’ll be able to purchase Kutani-yaki specialities and everyday items at affordable prices. A special Kutani nail demonstration will also take place, with Kutani pottery designs being created as nail art.
URL：http://www.shinkutani.jp/english/english_top.html

Kutani Nail

Kutani Nail

Kutani Ceramic Art Village

Ishikawa Pref. Nomishi Izumidaimachi Minami 22

0761586102

9:00-17:00

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Hakata Dontaku / Photo by Hakata City

One of the largest festivals in Japan, the Hakata Dontaku has been taking place in Fukuoka for more than 800 years and is scheduled from May 3 to 4 this year. Its name originates from the Dutch word “zondag” meaning “Sunday” or “holiday” and once referred to any festival being held on holidays.

The Hakata Dontaku is marked by the grand Hakata Matsubayashi procession through the streets of Hakata, led by three gods of fortune riding on horseback. Dancers wearing traditional dress and musicians also parade through the streets, as do large trucks decorated with flowers, and live music is performed at stages around the city.
URL：https://www.dontaku.fukunet.or.jp/english/parade

Hakata Dontaku / Photo by Hakata City

Hakata Dontaku / Photo by Hakata City

Hakata

Fukuoka Pref

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Clam Digging

April to June is the season for clam digging in Japan when families grab their buckets and spades and head our to muddy beaches to dig for their dinner. Chiba Kisarazu is a popular clam digging destination near Tokyo and becomes crowded with people during the weekends in May due to the comfortable water and air temperatures.

If you don’t have your own equipment, don’t worry, as you can buy buckets, net bags and digging rakes at the beach. Most clam digging destinations will open a few hours before and after low tide when the conditions are at their best. Don’t forget to bring your hat, sunscreen and a bottle of water!

Clam Digging

Clam Digging

Kisarazu Beach Clamming Ground

Chiba Pref. Kisaradushi Nakanoshima

0438234545

See tide charts

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May also sees Tokyo celebrating two of its three major Shinto matsuri (festivals) - the Kanda Matsuri (May 9 to 15) and the Sanja Matsuri (May 17 to 19).

Kanda Matsuri

The Kanda Matsuri only takes place during odd-numbered years and is a celebration for the wealth and good fortune of people. It is marked by a day-long procession through central Tokyo on the Saturday and a parade of portable shrines through various neighborhoods on the Sunday. The festival originated during the Edo Period and is associated with the Kanda Myojin Shrine, which enshrines the deities of Daikokuten, Ebisu and Taira Masakado.

Sanja Matsuri

Sanja Matsuri

The Sanja Matsuri is one of the largest and wildest festivals in Tokyo, honoring the three men who founded Sensoji and taking place at the Asakusa Shrine. It features a parade of mikoshi (portable shrines), which are taken through the streets to bring good fortune to the local businesses and residents, as well as plenty of traditional music and dancing.

For more information, please check the planned schedule and details on the shrines’ official webpages.
URL：https://www.kandamyoujin.or.jp/kandamatsuri/
URL：https://www.asakusajinja.jp/english/

Kanda Shrine (Kanda Myojin)

Tokyo Chiyoda-ku Sotokanda 2-16-2

0332540753

9:00-17:00

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浅草寺

4.5

9329 Reviews

東京都台東区浅草2-3-1

0338420181

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Manpaku

Held at the Showa Memorial Park, this huge food festival will be taking place from May 16 to June 3 this year. It’s divided into around 12 different areas, including sections dedicated to seafood and meat, as well as regional delicacies from across Japan. Feast on steaming hot ramen and golden gyoza dumplings or opt for a healthier treat at the salad bar, all washed down with local brews.

The name Manpaku is a play on the words “manpuku” (enjoy food to the fullest) and “mankitsu hakurankai” (enjoy the exhibition to the fullest), so it guarantees to be a stomach-filling experience. The Showa Memorial Park can be reached along the Chuo Line to Nishi-Tachikawa Station or is around 15 minutes’ walk from Tachikawa Station.

Manpaku

Manpaku

Ticket Prices:
Weekdays:
General (high school and older) 500 yen
Children (includes elementary and junior high school students): Free
Saturdays, Sundays and holidays:
General (high school and older) 800 yen
Children (includes elementary and junior high school students): Free

Showa Kinen Park

Tokyo Tachikawashi Midorichou 3173

0425281751

[Mar.--Octo.] 9:30-17:00 [N…

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Design Festa

The largest art event in Asia, the Design Festa will be taking place from May 18 to 19 at Tokyo Big Sight’s West Hall. Around 70,000 people are expected to attend, with a program that includes live performances and fashion shows, as well as a workshop area where you can create your own art. More than 5,000 exhibitors from around the globe will display their artistic creations in the Booth Area while you’ll be able to sample both local Japanese and global culinary delights in the Restaurant Area.
URL：https://designfesta.com/

Tokyo Big Sight is a five-minute walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo-Seimon Station on the Yurikamome Line or around 10 minutes’ walk from Kokusai-Tenjijo Station on the Rinkai Line.

Design Festa

Design Festa

Tokyo Big Sight (Tokyo International Exhibition Center)

3.5

681 Reviews

Tokyo Koutou-ku Ariake 3-11-1

0355301111

8:00-22:00※Depends on event

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Roppongi Art Night / Roppongi Art Night 2019 Main visual

On the evenings of May 25 and 26, Roppongi is set to transform into an open-air art gallery as the Roppongi Art Night takes place. Outdoor installations, live music and cultural exhibitions will ignite the streets, beginning at around dusk and going through until the early hours of the morning.

Roppongi’s art museums and galleries will stay open until dawn, with the Mori Art Museum’s observation deck offering an unforgettable sunrise across the city. Shops and restaurants throughout the district will also get in on the action to create a buzzing atmosphere throughout the night.
URL：http://www.roppongiartnight.com/2019/english/

Roppongi Art Night / Fruits Tree (Choi JeongHwa)

Roppongi Art Night / RedBall Project （Kurt Perschke)

Roppongi Hills

Tokyo Minato-ku Roppongi 6-10-11

0364066000

[Shop] 11:00-21:00[Restauran…

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