10 Exciting Activities in Japan You Can Only Enjoy in the Spring

Are cherry blossoms on your bucket list? Visit Japan in spring, when the whole country gets painted in delicate shades of pink and white! Many flowers, like the popular cherry blossoms or sakura, azaleas, and wisterias, bloom from late March to early May. 

Aside from watching flowers, there are heaps of things to do during springtime at the Land of the Rising Sun. Whether you're a nature lover, a history buff, or simply someone who loves to experience new cultures, you won't find a shortage of activities right here!

Don't know where to start your itinerary? Here are 10 things you shouldn't miss out on during spring in Japan

One of the best events to visit during spring in Japan is the Mt. Fuji Flower Festival, or the Fuji Shibazakura Festival. Aside from cherry blossoms, the shibazakura or pink moss is one of this festival's must-sees. From April 15 to May 28 this 2023, this breathtaking festival happens south of Lake Motosuko in the Fuji Five Lakes Area! 

Of course, who doesn't want to experience hanami, or cherry blossom viewing, while in Japan? In case you don't know, hanami is one of the most popular activities in Japan during the springtime. In major cities, you can see locals go on a picnic under cherry blossom trees. If you want a cherry blossom-filled day, book this cherry blossom tour that takes you to three sakura viewing spots (Yodogawa Kasen Park Sewari Area, Arashiyama, and Daigoji Temple) in Kyoto!

Spring in Japan also means there are strawberries abound! Lauded as the queen of spring fruits, Japanese strawberries, harvested in Tochiotome and Amaou, are known to be big and sweet. If you wanna try your hand at strawberry picking, travel north of Tokyo to Gunma Prefecture, where a vast strawberry field awaits you. After that, you can indulge in an all-you-can-eat crab lunch before visiting the light shows at the Ashikaga Flower Park!

Another much-awaited activity in Japan during springtime is ichibancha, or the annual harvest of Japanese tea farmers. The picking season starts in May, making the best time to visit green tea plantations smack dab in the spring! Visit a tea farm in Shizuoka prefecture with Klook and learn how their premium green tea is produced. You'll also have the chance to play a traditional chakabuki game, where you'll be identifying different types of tea!

When in Japan, your itinerary should include wearing a kimono to completely immerse yourself in Japanese culture. Where else to do that than in Okinawa, where the Okinawa Flower Festival is celebrated in January until the end of spring in May? Okinawa is the place to be if you want first dibs on the earliest cherry blossoms. Book your kimono rentals, and remember to bring your cameras for the prettiest photo opportunities with your outfit and Japan’s iconic flowers!

Japan is undoubtedly a destination filled with scenic landscapes. Looking for ways to soak in these sights, rent a bike, and go cycling at a nearby park? Take advantage of spring's beautiful weather and the fantastic view of cherry blossoms—a major main character moment! Aside from parks, you can also cycle along the Seto Inland Sea Road or visit different neighborhoods around Tokyo.

If you're in Japan during April, you're at the perfect time to take on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Also known as the Roof of Japan, this majestic Alpine Route is carved from an 18-meter-high snow wall from Toyama City to Omachi City in Hokkaido. While the route is open all year round, the snow corridor only runs from April to June. So, take advantage of this when you visit Japan in spring!

Flower festivals aren't the only events to watch during spring in Japan. This season also marks the most prominent traditional festivals in Japan. 

Hana Matsuri is celebrated on May 26 and is dedicated to the birth of Buddhism's founding figure. Here, you'll find most temples adorned with flowers to celebrate this day. During the third weekend of May, Sanja Matsuri is held in honor of the three men who established and founded the Sensō-ji Buddhist temple. Then, during odd-numbered years, the country celebrates Kanda Matsuri, known for its prominent parades of palanquins, musicians, and dancers.

What's a holiday without feasting on the country's trademark cuisine? Spring in Japan is the perfect time to indulge in cherry blossom treats, like sakura mochi, sakura yokan (a jellied dessert with a sakura bean paste), and sakura sake. You can also try pickled sakura leaves or flowers!

Aside from cherry blossoms, there are other other flowers to watch out for during spring in Japan. The season also welcomes the arrival of wisteria flowers. For a fantastic view of these lilac blooms, head to Kawachi Fuji Garden in Northern Kyushu, where the awe-inspiring Wisteria Tunnel looks straight out from a fairytale!