April Festivals
In Japan, April is often called ‘uzuki,’ meaning the month of the rabbit. This is thought to be because it is the month in which the deutzia flower (usagi-no-hana in Japanese, which literally means ‘rabbit’s flower’) blooms. April is the period when spring really gets going and the plants and flowers grow beautifully, and this results in various outdoor events. It is also the start of new business and school years, so together with March, it is a very busy time. Here we introduce some of the April festivals in the Greater Tokyo area, as well as popular spots for cherry blossom viewing.
Bunkyo Azalea FestivalNezu ShrineApril 7 to May 6,2018 Nezu Shrine, which has more than 300 years of history, is a popular site for its azaleas. You'll feel as if you're in another world with about 100 species and 3,000 shrubs in full bloom.
Buddha's Birthday FestivalTsukiji HongwanjiApril 8,2018 This is an event which celebrates the birth of Buddha. Based on the legend that it rained nectar ("Kanro no Ame”) when Buddha was born, tea is poured on Buddha's statue. Other than that, food stalls from nearby restaurants and the Tsukiji Market are set up on the grounds, attracting large crowd of people.
Shirasagi-no Mai (White Heron Dance)Senso-ji TempleApril 8,2018 Shirasagi-no Mai is a ceremonial dance at Senso-ji temple. The dancers don stunning white heron costumes and form an elegant procession. It is held on the second Sunday of April and marks the coming of spring to the temple. The dance is also performed during the Sanja Festival in May, and on November 3.
The 30th Narita Taiko Drum FestivalNaritasan Shinshoji TempleApril 14 to 15,2018 One of Japan’s premier taiko drum festivals, featuring around 1,500 of the best drummers from all over Japan. The festival has a packed line-up, including hundreds of drummers lining up in front of Naritasan Shinshoji Temple’s Great Main Hall for a mass performance, an atmospheric late-evening performance, and a drum parade.
Kameidoten Shrine Fuji (Wisteria) FestivalKameido Tenjin ShrineApril 15 to May 6,2018 Wisteria flowers start to bloom from late April. Japanese people are fascinated by these violet flowers which seem to overflow when blooming. The wisteria has also been a very prominent theme in Ukiyoe (Japanese style of art). The contrast of colors is very striking since the the Wisteria flowers are reflected on the water of the pond below it. We also recommend the illuminations at night.
Asakusa Yabusame Archery EventSumida ParkApril 21,2018 Yabusame is a powerful, heroic spectacle involving archers wearing Kamakura era hunting attire firing arrows at three successive targets from the back of a running horse. Traditional Japanese kusajishi (grass deer) archery is also exhibited in Sumida Park’s Sanya-bori Square. This is a competition of skill enjoyed by large crowds in which archers dressed in traditional robes and lacquered head gear shoot arrows at targets shaped like deer.
Annual Spring FestivalYasukuni ShrineApril 21 to 23,2018 The annual spring festival is one of the most important among the festivals being held at Yasukuni Shrine. Various ceremonies take place during the three-day festival, dipping the shrine in a very unique and exciting atmosphere. Dance, music and flower exhibits also take place within the grounds which are a form of offering to the gods.
The 16th Ryogoku Nigiwai FestivalEdo-Tokyo MuseumApril 28 to 29,2018 Ryogoku is a Tokyo neighborhood that still retains its old atmosphere and is home to the Ryogoku Sumo Hall. The Ryogoku Nigiwai Festival offers a chance to experience the town’s charms, including sampling and comparing the chanko hotpot dishes prepared by each sumo stable, watching an exciting line-up of stage events, and learning about the history of Ryogoku on a walking tour with a specialist guide.