Spring in Tokyo is a truly magical place. Visitors to the capital of Japan will enjoy stunning blossom displays and fascinating cultural activities.
When is Spring in Tokyo?
In Japan, Spring typically starts in March and lasts until May. The exact date of its arrival in Tokyo is dependent on a variety of factors, including temperature changes and humidity levels. Despite its unpredictable timing, one thing is for certain: when Spring finally arrives in Tokyo, it brings with it an aura of freshness and rejuvenation that is simply unmatched.
Spring in Tokyo Attractions
There are many great things to do in Tokyo in Spring. Flower viewing in Japan is so popular that it has its own word, hanami.
Officially, Spring starts in March, however you can admire plum blossoms from as early as February most years. In fact, plum blossom viewing was more popular in ancient Japan than cherry blossom viewing is nowadays.
Cherry Blossom vs Plum Blossom
So what is the difference between plum blossoms and cherry blossoms? Plum trees have a very aromatic fragrance compared to the light scent of cherry trees.
They have dark coloured bark while cherry trees have a light bark with horizontal lines. Cherry blossom petals have a split at the end, unlike plum petals.
Here are some suggestions for where to see the most beautiful Spring blossom in Tokyo.
8. Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival
If you’re lucky to be visiting Tokyo between 9 February and 3 March one year, don’t miss the Plum Blossom Festival in Setagaya, or Setagaya Ume Matsuri in Japanese. Held in Hanegi Park, it’s free to enter.
There are over 650 plum trees in full bloom – 270 pink trees and 380 white blossom trees.
Visitors can enjoy stalls selling plum themed food, tea ceremonies and haiku classes. Some plum delicacies are available throughout the year, such as umeshu plum wine and umeboshi pickled plums while others such as jams are more seasonal.
The festival is a good introduction to traditional culture in Tokyo.
Address: Hanegi Park, 38-52 Daita, Setagaya, Tokyo
7. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
One of the most beautiful public parks in Tokyo, Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden dates from the Edo period. Spread over 144 acres, it contains a Japanese garden and ponds, an English landscape garden and formal French garden.
There’s also a Taiwan pavilion, a wooded area known as Mother and Child Forest or Haha to Ko no Mori. The garden has some spectacular plum trees, which you can photograph with the NTT Docomo Yoyogi Building, the fourth tallest tower in Tokyo in the background.
From end of March onwards, there are over 1500 cherry trees in bloom. May and June are also good months to visit, in order to see the azalea flowers.
It costs 200 yen to enter the park, which is open from 9 am to 4.30 pm (last entrance at 4 pm) and closed on Mondays. There are also two Japanese tea houses where you can enjoy a warming matcha tea.
Address: Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, 11 Naitomachi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
6. Hanazono Inari Shrine
This Shinto shrine in Ueno Park is known for its beautiful plum and cherry blossom. It is dedicated to Inari the Japanese god of fertility and a place where people go to wish for happy relationships.
There are red torii gates next to the shrine that are among the most photographed spots in Tokyo.
If you have some spare time, check out the many museums within Ueno Park, including Tokyo National Museum. You could also enjoy a picnic while admiring the plum or sakura blossom.
Known as a hanami party, it’s a popular Japanese hobby in Spring. Be careful to check whether it is allowed in the park that you are planning to visit.
Picnics are permitted in Ueno Park and you can buy special hanami bento boxes in the shape of blossoms at nearby department stores. At night, lanterns are lit so that people can carry on enjoying the flowers.
Address: Hanazono Inari Shrine, 4-59 Uenokoen, Taitō, Tokyo
5. Hinamatsuri – Girls’ Doll Festival
Celebrating the good health and happiness of girls, Hinamatsuri takes place throughout Japan on 3 March each year. From mid February onwards, families display a hina-dan, an altar with rows of ohinasama dolls dressed in miniature kimonos.
These traditionally warded off bad luck. Two figurines at the top of the display represent the Emperor and Empress of the Imperial Court in the Heian era.
During Spring in Tokyo, families serve diamond shaped rice cakes called hishi-mochi, as well as pastel colored hina arare rice crackers. If you’re in Tokyo between 1 February to 31 March, you can see a magnificent Girls Doll Festival display at Keio Plaza Hotel in Shinjuku.
They are hosting an exhibition “Hina-matsuri through Tea Ceremony Culture and Hanging Art”. There are Mataro dolls from Kamigamo Shrine, together with 6,800 decorative figurines crafted from antique kimonos.
Quilt artist Mitsuyo Matsuo and the members of her Himawari Group made each item by hand and they all have specific meanings. For example, there are cranes and turtles to symbolize longevity.
The main exhibit in the hotel lobby is 3.3 meters high. There are also lots of historical items from Japanese tea ceremonies on display.
During the months of Februray and March, those dining at nine of the restaurants in Keio Plaza Hotel can enjoy special menu items to celebrate hina-matsuri.
Address: Keio Plaza Hotel, 2 Chome-2-１ Nishishinjuku, Shinjuku, Tokyo
4. Chiyoda Sakura Festival
Another beautiful place to admire the cherry blossom in Tokyo is at Chidorigafuchi Park. Dating from the Edo era, Chidorigafuchi moat was once part of the Imperial Palace.
There is a 700 meter long cherry tree tunnel and a boating lake which stays open late, however picnics are not allowed. Sakura season begins in late March or early April depending on the temperature.
From 26 March to 8 April, Chiyoda Sakura Festival is taking place. Visitors can view around 260 sakura or Japanese cherry trees.
The trees are illuminated in the evenings as it’s a popular pastime to see cherry trees then. In fact the Japanese word yozakura means cherry tree viewing at night.
Address: 2 Chome-2-１１番地先 Kudanminami, Tokyo
3. Nezu Shrine Azalea Festival
This historic shrine is a great place to see cherry blossom. It also plays host to the Bunkyo Azalea Festival from early April to early May each year.
There is a small entrance fee to the festival, where you can see a multitude of white, pink and purple azalea bushes.
Address: Nezu Shrine, 1 Chome-28-９ Nezu, Bunkyō, Tokyo
2. Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival
Taking place between 14 April and 6 May, this wisteria festival is held at Kameido Tenjin Shrine. This Shinto shrine has been a popular place to admire wisteria since the Edo period.
Entrance to the festival is free and there are food stalls as well as ikebana flower arranging, tea ceremonies and taiko drumming.
Address: Kameido Tenjin Shrine, 3 Chome-6-1 Kameido, Koto, Tokyo
1. Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse
One of the most Instagrammable places in Tokyo, Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse is a must see at any time of year.
This florist shop and tea house is particularly appropriate to visit during Springtime as it is adorned with fresh Spring blooms. There are actually 3 branches of Aoyama Flower Market Teahouse, including Kichijoji and Akasaka, pictured here.
They serve up a variety of sweet treats such as flower French toast, fresh herbal teas and rose jelly. We love the food at their Head Office branch at Minami-Aoyama and the decor is stunning.
The glass tables have plants growing underneath them! You may have to queue at the weekend so it’s best to visit during the week if possible.
Address: Aoyama Flower Market Tea House, 5-1-2 Minami Aoyama Minato-ku, Tokyo
Spring Food in Tokyo
There are many tasty foods to try in Tokyo in Spring. Here are some that you shouldn’t miss:
- Mikan are sweet, seedless citrus fruits. They are often eaten while sitting at a traditional low table with heating underneath, known as a kotatsu.
- Plum flavored treats including umeboshi pickled plums, plum syrups and umeshu plum wine.
- Sakura flavored food and drinks are popular. Try a cherry chuhai cocktail, a sakura latte or tea or sakura mochi sweets during your hanami party. Cherries themselves are available from June onwards. The most popular Japanese cherry is sato-nishiki.
- Sansai are foraged mountain vegetables and roots.
- Shirasu are young sardines that are caught from mid March onwards.
- Spring cabbage or haru-kyabetsu is a soft cabbage with sweet leaves that are often wrapped around meat or vegetables.
- Strawberries or ichigo in Japanese taste wonderful in Spring. You can take a day trip from Tokyo to go and pick them.
- Takenoko are bamboo shots that are generally steamed with rice.
- White asparagus is highly prized, thanks to the Japanese focus on food seasonality.
Where to Stay in Tokyo in Spring
With so much to see in Tokyo in Springtime, deciding where to stay can be a challenge. For those looking for a traditional Japanese experience, a ryokan might be just the thing. These guesthouses offer rooms with tatami mats, futons, and access to onsen hot springs.
There are also many contemporary luxury hotels. From the Park Hyatt to the Peninsula, you’re sure to find a perfectly designed room to fit your budget and style. Regardless of where you decide to rest your head at night, Tokyo in the spring is not to be missed. We stayed at the Keio Plaza Hotel, which has a convenient location in the Shinjuku district of Tokyo.
Weather in Tokyo in Spring
The weather in Tokyo varies from highs of 13 degrees in March to 18.5 degrees in April. It can get chilly in the evening but there is usually only light rain, making it an ideal time of year to visit Tokyo.
What to Wear in Tokyo in Spring
We suggest bringing a Winter coat if you visit Tokyo in March, together with a hat and scarf. In April and May, you can get away with a light scarf and jacket.
Why not experience traditional Tokyo customs like kimono wearing during your stay. You can rent one in Asakusa near Senso-ji temple or in Yanaka, a quiet neighbourhood with many beautiful temples.
Final Thoughts on Spring in Tokyo
Visiting Tokyo in Spring is a truly remarkable experience. From the breathtaking views of the cherry blossoms to enjoying the hustle and bustle of the city, it’s an unforgettable adventure.
