If it happens to coincide with your stay in Tokyo, here are some festivals and events that you should definitely visit.
They are so interesting (even for a Japanese person) that I have taken a 6-hour bus ride to Tokyo on several occasions just to catch a glimpse of them.
I have confidence you won’t regret the trip to experience it either!
1. Cherry blossoms 🌸
Around the end of March, cherry blossoms begin to bloom in Japan. For Japanese people, cherry blossoms have long been a special flower.
Walking along a row of cherry trees or having a picnic and drinks under a cherry tree can be an enjoyable time.
Enjoying a party under the cherry trees with friends, family, or colleagues is a time-honored tradition (in Japanese this is called Hanami).
Especially during the cherry blossom season, both day and night are very lively. When in full bloom, cherry blossoms are extremely beautiful and captivating to behold, but they soon fall, and their fleeting but short life makes them even more beautiful.
In my article about the best authentic places to visit in Japan i mention the top places around Japan where you also can experience this one of a kind event.
Here are some popular Hanami spots in Tokyo!
Along the Meguro River
When you get off the train at Meguro River, the platform is so crowded with people that it is difficult to escape from the station. About 800 cherry trees are planted on both sides of the Meguro River, and from some bridges along the river, it looks like a tunnel of cherry blossoms.
Along the Meguro River, there are many food stalls where you can enjoy sweets and drinks. Many of them sell drinks with strawberries in them.
Not only when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, but also when they begin to fall is a spectacular sight, as the river is stained pink with cherry petals, creating a beautiful carpet-like view.
Ueno Onshi Park
With more than 1,000 cherry trees, this park has been known as a cherry blossom viewing spot since ancient times. Visitors can enjoy more than 50 varieties of cherry blossoms in a variety of colors and shapes, including whitish, light pink, and dark pink.
It is amazing that more than 3.5 million people visit here during the cherry blossom season. People are often seen on TV spreading out sheets and enjoying hanami while drinking.
Located just a short distance from Ueno Station, it is also very accessible.
Inokashira Onshi Park
The park has a large pond with many cherry trees surrounding it. The cherry trees are reflected in the water, making hanami by the lake a special experience.
Another great attraction of this pond is that you can rent a boat and enjoy the cherry blossoms while riding in the boat.
Although it is a bit far from the city center, it is accessible on foot from the station, making it easily accessible from the city center.
Read more about places to view cherry blossoms in Japan here.
2. Shibuya Halloween 🎃
There are plenty of things to do when you are in Japan, but seeing and experiencing the Shibuya crossing might be one of the most popular ones to check of the list, and if you visit during Halloween, you will boost that experience.
Because during Halloween, Shibuya becomes even more lively (especially at night). With eager visitors dressing up for this western holiday.
Due to the tremendous popularity of Shibuya, security is stepped up every year during this time, with police and security personnel everywhere.
I was really amazed at the unity of security at the scramble crossing. There are turret-like structures erected throughout the city to provide extra security. One year, 100 million yen was spent on security during Halloween, which became a hot topic. It is that popular.
Participants were dressed up in handmade costumes that reflected the year’s trends, popular characters, and originality, and enjoyed taking pictures with other strangers. Many foreigners also enjoyed themselves.
Many foreigners were also enjoying themselves.
Even the politicians who were speaking on the street were in costume.
Of course, there are also many people who are not wearing cosplay, so just walking around the Shibuya area and looking at the cosplayers is a lot of fun.
3. Comic Market 📚
Held twice a year in spring and winter, this unique Japanese event for experiencing doujin (self-published manga) and otaku (anime geeks) culture attracts many people from Japan and abroad. 500,000 or so people visit the event over the three days, making the venue very crowded.
At this event, visitors can display and sell their own doujinshi and related goods.
Cosplay is another popular activity at this event. In the cosplay area, many participants create their own costumes with their own hands. The level of perfection and reproducibility is astonishing. Around 8 minutes into the video, you can see a video about cosplayers.
Of course, non-cosplayers can also participate in this event.
If you like these types of events i would recommend checking our best anime and gaming spots in Japan article out, for more magical experiences in the capital of the world for anime and manga!
4. Blue Cave Illumination 💫
Before Christmas, every corner of Tokyo is lit up. Marunouchi, Roppongi, and Omotesando are all wrapped in various colors of light, creating a beautiful sight to behold, but what I would like to introduce here is something a little different from the illumination you usually see.
The “Blue Cave SHIBUYA” will be held along an approximately 800-meter stretch from Shibuya Park Avenue to the zelkova trees in Yoyogi Park. The blue LED lights create a fantastic atmosphere. It is as if you are in a starry sky. No matter how many times I visit this illumination, I am always impressed. It is one of the most spectacular night views in Tokyo (of many).
5. Meijingu Gaien Icho Festival 🍁
Autumn in Japan is a big event, with the leaves on the trees turning red and yellow, and the scenery of the city changing. It is no exaggeration to say that it is as attractive as cherry blossoms in spring.
The Ginkgo Festival is held every year in the outer garden of Meiji Jingu Shrine. The leaves of the ginkgo trees that stretch for about 300 meters turn into golden colors.
And when these colored leaves fall to the ground, they form a golden carpet, completing the golden tunnel.
At night, the trees are lit up, creating a fantastic atmosphere that is different from that of the daytime.
Since there are few places in central Tokyo where one can experience Japanese nature, many people look forward to this view.
Conclusion
This is a seasonal event and if by chance the timing is right, you are a lucky person. Please visit there.
If you haven’t yet decided on a date for your stay, why not schedule your stay to coincide with the event you are interested in?
If you do not have the ability to book your stay to time it with one of these events, you can always check out things to do in Tokyo for the must-do activities you can (in most cases) do any time of the year.
