Any time is great to be in Japan, but Spring is just so much more fun. The cherry blossoms are blooming, the weather is perfect, and the days are packed with numerous fun activities to do! It’s no wonder that April is one of the best times to be in Japan, and Tokyo in particular is a destination you simply can’t miss. But if you can’t decide what to do in Tokyo in April 2024, here are a few things you may want to check out.
Night Sakura Viewing at Nakameguro – Credit: Princess_Anmitsu, Shutterstock
Sakura Viewing at Nakameguro
If you are in Japan in April, you really can’t miss the most iconic spot for Sakura viewing. In peak Sakura bloom, a beautiful canopy of pink and white covers the trendy Meguro River promenade, which stretches for almost 2 kilometers, making it one of the most visually striking spots in all of Tokyo. Once it is dark, take a walk along the scenic path under the illuminated sakura flowers and if you are lucky, you may even catch a live Taiko drum performance. For an even more special Sakura viewing, you can also take a relaxing, open-top boat cruise along the Meguro River. After that, you can explore the rest of the fashionable district, enjoy some cherry blossom-inspired delights like sakura tea and sakura-flavored mochi, and maybe end the day with some great local coffee!
If you want to enjoy an authentic Hanami or Sakura viewing experience in Tokyo, with a local, do join us on an evening Hanami tour of Tokyo!
Dates: No fixed dates, but it is usually held in mid-March/April depending on when the flowers are fully bloomed.
Location : Meguro River promenade. It is best reached from Nakameguro Station on the Toyoko or Hibiya lines.
Banners at Kanamara Matsuri, Kawasaki – Credit: Morumotto, Shutterstock
Kanamara Penis Festival
One of the most quirky festivals in Japan is the Kanamara or Penis Festival, usually held on the first weekend in April at Kanayama Shrine in Kawasaki. Traditionally, sex workers used to pray at this shrine for protection against any STDs. Over the years, the festival has become popular with tourists as well and is now more associated with fertility and successful marriages, rather than the sex industry. One of the main highlights of the festival is the procession of three erect phalluses along the streets, cheered on by a lively crowd, which happens on Sunday. Despite all the fun and games, keep in mind that the shrine is a place of worship, and it is important to be respectful.
Dates: Different activities spread over 6th & 7th April 2024.
Location: Kanayama Shrine, Kawasaki, located on the grounds of Wakamiya Hachimangu Shrine. Head for the Kawasaki-Daishi Station, which is about 15 minutes away from Yokohama Station. At Kawasaki-Daishi, you need to walk a couple of minutes to reach the shrine.
The Annual Crying Baby Sumo Festival – Credit: Mahathir Mohn Yasin, Shutterstock
Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival
If you don’t mind listening to the cries of one-year-olds, head out to the Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival, where young parents proudly set up a friendly competition to see which baby cries first. As per tradition, the babies are carried into the ring by Sumo wrestlers, as the priests do their best to gently encourage the babies to cry faster. The baby that cries first, is declared the winner. This strange custom comes from the belief that babies who cry grow up to be healthier and are protected from evil spirits. Generally, two rounds of competitions are held in the day – the first around 11.00 am and then around 2.15 pm – so make sure you get there in time to hear the babies bawling.
Dates: Mid April, 2024
Location: Sensoji Temple, Asakusa and other areas, Tokyo
Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/english/
The Dance Of The White Heron, Asakusa – Credit: Becris, Shutterstock
Shirsagi-no Mai
Also known as the Dance of the White Heron, Shirsagi no Mai is a parade that originally dates back to the Heian Period. The parade takes place at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa on the second Sunday in April. The main show consists of several dancers, dressed in white heron costumes and a lot of face paint, performing elegant dance moves. The dance depicts several ceremonies to promote peace and has different characters, including warriors, musicians, guardian children, and a parasol carrier. It’s a dazzling sight watching the dancers make their way from Nakamise Street, through the Hozomon gates and up the Sensoji Temple steps, into the temple. As far as dance performances go, it’s definitely worth the wait.
Dates: Usually mid-April, around the 14th of April
Location: Sensoji Temple, Asakusa, Tokyo
Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/english/
Enjoy Belgian Beer and Snacks in Tokyo – Credit: https://belgianbeerweekend.jp/en
Belgian Beer Weekend
Held over two consecutive weekends in April in Toyosu, the ‘Belgian Beer Weekend’ is a fun way to experience this country’s unique beer culture, right here in Japan. Dig into authentic Belgian fries, listen to some live music, and even make some new friends at this beer festival. The way it usually works is that you buy tickets, which will get you a special Belgian Beer Weekend glass (which you get to keep), and some tokens. As you visit the different stalls, if you see a beer you fancy, just exchange the necessary tokens at the stall, fill your glass up, and enjoy! It is one of the most popular outdoor events in the spring, so a good tip would be to book your tickets on the official website before you visit. Extra tokens are available at the venue as well. For detailed information on the available drinks and venue floor maps, download the BBWalker (Belgian Beer Walker) app.
Dates: 5th to 7th April & 12th to 14th April, 2024
Location: Citabria Baypark, Toyosu
Website: https://belgianbeerweekend.jp/en
For more details on the fees, timings, and the BBWalker app, check out the official website.
Indulge in Vegan delights at the Tokyo Gourmet Vegan Festival – Credit: https://vegefes.com
Gourmet Vegan Festival
For vegans, April has a special surprise in store. On April 21st, Kiba Park will host the Tokyo edition of the Vegan Gourmet Festival. This is Japan’s biggest plant-based festival and is 100% dedicated to the vegan lifestyle. Here you can enjoy different types of plant-based food and buy products that do not use any animal products, including fish, meat, dairy, and eggs. You can get a chance to interact with different volunteer organizations and learn more about how a vegan lifestyle is more sustainable for both you and the planet.
Dates: 21st April 2024 from 10:30 am to 4:00 pm
Location: Kiba Park Event Plaza, Tokyo
Website: https://vegefes.com
For more details on the timings and fees, check out the official website.
Dig into the juiciest gyozas and dumplings at the Craft Gyoza Festival – Credit: https://craftgyoza.jp/fes/
Craft Gyoza Festival
If you love the juicy goodness of gyozas and dumplings, you have to check out the Craft Gyoza Festival at Komazawa Olympic Park Square. There will be a wide variety of gyozas available here, including steamed, grilled, fried, and boiled, so you can enjoy whatever catches your fancy. In addition to the more common dumplings, there will also be stalls serving ones that are stuffed with omi beef, black pork, and even shrimp. Entry is free, and most of the dumplings will only set you back by 600-700 Yen. Totally worth the price, we think!
Dates: 26th April to 6th May 2024 from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm
Location: Komazawa Olympic Park, Tokyo
Website: https://craftgyoza.jp/fes/
For more details on the timings and fees, check out the official website.
Whether you are interested in watching unique parades, catching public dance performances, listening to bawling babies, or just binging on beer, Tokyo has everything happening this April. Spring is always one of the most popular times of year for visitors and locals alike across Japan, and Tokyo is no exception to this rule. Although it may seem overwhelming at first, there are plenty of things for you to find and experience that will leave you with memories for a lifetime. Whatever you do this April in Tokyo, one thing is certain, you’ll have so much fun, that you will be left wanting more!
Feature photo credit: Jezael Melgoza on Unsplash
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