Spring in Japan is a time of festivals and nature is at its most vibrant, between mid-April and early May. The exuberant display of blooming cherry blossoms at the Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival showcases over 2600 cherry trees of various varieties, more than anywhere else in Japan. It also coincides with Golden Week (late April-early May), a peak time for families to travel.
In Fukuoka, the Hakata Montauk Festival celebrates good fortune with over 33,000 performers parading through the streets in elaborate costumes, singing and dancing. It is one of the biggest festivals of Golden Week.
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival during the same time showcases the peak of over 500,000 blooming shibazakura phlox flowers in vibrant colors against the backdrop of Mount Fuji.
In early May, the exciting festival of Hamamatsu features the flying of kites to honor a child’s birth. Later, after fireworks,170 towns participate in thrilling flying kite battles.
On May 15th, the Aoi Matsuri Festival in Kyoto showcases the city’s history with a grand parade of over 500 traditionally dressed people who parade from the Imperial Palace to the Kamo Shrines.
Later in May, the Sanja Matsuri Festival in Tokyo presents Shinto religious rituals and traditional Japanese arts. Ukiyo-e, the tradition of wood block painting from the 1700’s famously inspired Van Gogh, Degas, Gaugin, Monet and others. Music, street food, elaborate shrines, geisha and drum performances add to the vibrancy of this festival.