Spring in Japan offers a unique blend of natural beauty and cultural experiences that you won’t find any other time of year.
Spring brings iconic cherry blossoms and special seasonal activities.
This magical time turns the country into a colourful wonderland of celebration.
A spring visit to Japan lets you enjoy many activities.
You can have hanami parties under blooming sakura trees.
You can also go strawberry picking or attend mountain festivals.
Spring in Japan shows a blend of old traditions and natural beauty, whether you’re visiting for the first time or returning.
Warm weather and a festive vibe are perfect for exploring popular spots and hidden treasures across the country.
Don’t just read about them. Add these spring bucket list experiences to your Japan trip.
- Rejuvenate Your Senses: Sand Steam Bliss & Mysteries of Lake Ikeda
- Tokyo Sakura Cherry Blossom Viewing w/Sake Tasting Hanami Bento
- 1-Day Snow Walls of Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route Tour
- Tokyo Okutama Day Trip Tour
- Departing from Takayama [Regular sightseeing bus] World Heritage Sites Shirakawago and Gokayama Ainokura
- Wasabi Farm Walking Tour & Lunch
Spring Bucket List
Here are 10 places to make your Japan trip in Spring more memorable.
Hanami under blooming cherry blossoms
Spring in Japan means one thing: cherry blossoms!
Maruyama Park in Kyoto is perfect for this experience.
It features a famous weeping cherry tree that’s lit up at night, creating a magical atmosphere.
Ueno Park in Tokyo is another popular spot for hanami.
While it gets crowded, the atmosphere is festive and joyful.
The fleeting nature of hanami makes it more special.
You get to enjoy the delicate pink flowers that signal spring’s arrival.
Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route
The Tateyama-Kurobe Alpine Route is a breathtaking 90 km journey through Japan’s Northern Alps, nicknamed the “Roof of Japan.”
You’ll see amazing mountain views and gain 2,400 meters in elevation.
What makes this adventure unique is that you’ll use 8 different modes of transportation to complete the traverse in a single day!
The route is most famous for its massive “Snow Walls”.
Kurobe Dam offers excellent vantage points to explore.
Seeing the dam from different angles, especially after riding the ropeway, helps you appreciate its size even more.
Aichi’s Inuyama Festival
Inuyama Festival happens on the first weekend of April each year in Aichi Prefecture. It’s known as one of Japan’s most beautiful spring festivals!
At this magical event, you can see thirteen huge decorated floats parade through the streets.
The sounds of flutes and drums create a lively atmosphere as you watch.
A special highlight is the mechanised doll performances on the floats.
The timing is perfect as the festival often coincides with cherry blossom season, making your visit even more spectacular.
Inuyama’s streets burst with celebration in spring.
You can see real traditional Japanese culture here.
Experience the Fuji Shibazakura Festival
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival is one of Japan’s most stunning spring events.
It showcases vast fields of pink moss (shibazakura) with magnificent Mount Fuji as the backdrop.
Typically held from mid-April to late May or early June, this festival offers a breathtaking blanket of bright pink flowers.
It’s considered the largest shibazakura matsuri in all of Japan!
As you wander through the vibrant pink landscape, you’ll have plenty of photo opportunities.
The contrast between the colourful flowers and snow-capped Mt. Fuji creates an unforgettable scene.
The exact peak viewing time varies yearly, so it’s worth checking the latest bloom forecasts before your visit.
Visit wasabi farms in Nagano Prefecture
Spring is the perfect time to explore Nagano’s famous wasabi farms.
Daio Wasabi Farm in Azumino is one of Japan’s largest, spanning 15 hectares of beautiful grounds.
You can walk around the farm for free, watching the wasabi grow in clear flowing water.
The surrounding mountain views make for lovely photos too!
Many farms offer guided tours where you can learn about wasabi cultivation.
You’ll discover why these plants need such specific growing conditions.
Don’t miss trying wasabi-flavoured treats in the farm shops.
Fresh wasabi ice cream is surprisingly delicious and nothing like the paste you’re used to!
Boat ride through the sakura-lined Meguro River
The Meguro River offers one of Tokyo’s most magical cherry blossom experiences.
You can escape the crowds by booking a hanami cruise along this picturesque waterway.
With over 800 cherry trees lining both sides of the river, you’ll enjoy stunning 360° views of pink blossoms as you glide through the water.
The 90-minute cruise starts from Shinagawa and turns back near Meguro Gajoen.
For your 2025 visit, book tickets early as these cruises are incredibly popular during sakura season.
It’s an unforgettable way to see Japan’s cherry blossoms from a new view.
Visit Okutama
Tucked away on Tokyo’s western edge, Okutama is a peaceful wilderness escape that offers a refreshing break from city life.
You’ll be surrounded by green mountains and lovely lakes.
They look especially beautiful in spring.
The sparkling green Ogouchi Reservoir is perfect for photos.
The hiking trails nearby are full of seasonal flowers.
Many trails lead to amazing viewpoints where you can see cherry blossoms against mountain backdrops.
For the adventurous, try outdoor activities like kayaking or fishing on the Tama River.
You can also explore a fascinating limestone cave or visit a 300-year-old sake brewery for a taste of local tradition.
Soak in a Volcanic Sand Bath in Kagoshima
Spring is a great time to try a volcanic sand bath in Kagoshima.
Unlike a regular hot spring, this unique experience involves being buried in warm sand heated by natural geothermal energy.
Ibusuki is the best place for this.
You will wear a light cotton robe and lie down while attendants cover you with the heated sand.
The warmth helps improve circulation, relaxes muscles, and leaves you feeling refreshed.
Spring is ideal because the weather is mild, making it comfortable to enjoy the heat without feeling too hot or cold.
Some sand bath locations are near cherry blossom spots, so you can enjoy the flowers after your soak.
It is a relaxing and unusual way to welcome the season.
Enjoy Takayama
Tucked away in the Japanese Alps, Takayama offers a glimpse into Japan’s past with its beautifully preserved old town.
When you visit in spring, you’re in for a real treat!
The Takayama Spring Festival in April is one of Japan’s most beautiful festivals.
Elaborate floats parade through the streets in a display of traditional craftsmanship.
Wander through the historic Sanmachi district with its wooden merchant houses.
Many now house sake breweries where you can stop for a tasting.
The area is also known for its delicious Hida beef.
Try this local speciality while soaking up the town’s peaceful atmosphere.
Visit historic Hiroshima
Hiroshima offers a powerful glimpse into Japan’s past while showcasing its resilience.
You can explore the Peace Memorial Park and the Atomic Bomb Dome, which stand as solemn reminders of the 1945 bombing.
Beyond war history, Hiroshima has beautiful spots like Shukkei-en Garden.
Spring brings lovely cherry blossoms to the garden.
Hiroshima Castle, rebuilt after the war, provides fascinating insights into feudal Japan.
For a peaceful retreat, visit Mitaki-dera Temple with its lush grounds and waterfalls.
Spring is an especially moving time to experience Hiroshima, as new life blooms around these historic sites.
Before You go
We hope this has given you some good additions for your spring bucket list trip to Japan.
Some of these are lesser known than others but with a bit of planning, you should be able to do a few of them.
Happy travels.
