Spring in Japan isn’t just about cherry blossoms. Once the petals fall, the festival season begins — and from April through mid-May, a number of traditional events take place at shrines, temples, and mountain trails around Tokyo.
Here are four festivals worth adding to your itinerary.
1. Narita Taiko Festival — Chiba
April 18–19, 2026
The Narita Taiko Festival (成田太鼓祭) is one of Japan’s premier taiko drum festivals, held at Narita-san Shinshoji Temple and along the Omotesando approach in Narita City, Chiba. Now in its 36th year, the two-day event draws over 50 groups from across Japan — and more than 200,000 visitors.
Highlights:
- Sengan Hana Daiko — The opening ceremony where all performers gather in front of the Great Main Hall and play simultaneously. The sound is overwhelming in the best possible way.
- Naritasan Senen Yobutai — An evening stage performance lit by burning torches beside the 1,000-year-old temple. One of the most atmospheric moments of the entire festival.
- Senko Banrei Parade — The grand finale parade along the Omotesando, featuring not only taiko groups but also steel drum and other world music performers.
Most performances are free to watch. The Omotesando is closed to traffic and transformed into a pedestrian festival zone for the two days.
Official website: http://nrtm.jp
Access: 1 min walk from JR Narita Line “Narita Station” or Keisei Main Line “Keisei-Narita Station” to Narita-san Omotesando
2. Mt. Takao Grand Spring Festival & Chigo Parade — Tokyo
Third Sunday of April (April 19, 2026)
The Mt. Takao Grand Spring Festival (高尾山春季大祭) is held at Yakuoin Temple on Mt. Takao, in Hachioji, western Tokyo. The centerpiece is the Chigo Parade (稚児練行) — a formal procession of around 100 children dressed in traditional Heian-era ceremonial robes (稚児装束), accompanied by mountain ascetic monks (yamabushi), priests, a brass band, taiko drum groups, and lion dance performers.
The procession departs from the Eleventh Chaya (a rest stop midway up the mountain) at 11:00 AM and arrives at the Main Hall around 12:15 PM.
At the temple, a special fire ritual (goma) is performed, and the Main Hall is opened for a rare public viewing.
The mountain is at its best in spring, with fresh greenery along the trail and views from the summit.
Official website: https://www.takaosan.or.jp/spring_ochigo.html
Access: Keio Line “Takaosanguchi Station” — take the cable car or hike up to the temple
3. Meiji Jingu Grand Spring Festival — Tokyo
April 27 – May 3, 2026
In the heart of Tokyo, surrounded by 70 hectares of forest, Meiji Jingu holds its Grand Spring Festival (春の大祭) — a series of classical performing arts offered to the spirits of Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken.
This is not a loud, bustling street festival. It’s something quieter and rarer: a chance to watch Japan’s finest traditional performers on a temporary outdoor stage in front of the main shrine, completely free of charge.
Performing arts offered over the festival period:
- Bugaku (ancient court dance and music) — April 27 (Sat)
- Noh & Kyogen (classical theater) — May 2
- Hogaku & Hobu (traditional Japanese music and dance) — May 2
- Sankyoku (koto, shamisen, shakuhachi ensemble) — May 3
- Satsuma Biwa (a form of narrative lute music) — May 3
The shrine’s inner garden is also beautiful at this time of year, with azaleas and yamabuki (kerria) in full bloom along the paths.
Note: Photography is not permitted during Noh and Kyogen performances.
Official website: https://www.meijijingu.or.jp/spring_taisai/
Access: 1 min walk from JR Yamanote Line “Harajuku Station” or Tokyo Metro “Meiji-jingumae Station”
4. Sanja Matsuri — Tokyo (Asakusa)
May 15–17, 2026
Sanja Matsuri is one of Tokyo’s largest traditional festivals. Over three days, around 1.8 million people visit the Asakusa area, centered on Asakusa Jinja (Asakusa Shrine), located right next to Senso-ji Temple.
What happens each day:
Day 1 (Friday, May 15) — Grand Procession & Binzasara Dance
The festival opens with a spectacular grand procession (大行列) through the streets of Asakusa. Geisha, festival musicians on floats, and performers in Edo-period costumes march through the neighborhood. The highlight is the Binzasara Dance (びんざさら舞) — a ritual dance dating back to the Heian period, designated as an Intangible Folk Cultural Property of Tokyo. → Learn more about the Binzasara Dance
Day 2 (Saturday, May 16) — 100 Mikoshi Procession
Around 100 portable shrines (mikoshi) from the 44 neighborhoods of Asakusa are carried to the shrine in a joint procession.
Day 3 (Sunday, May 17) — The Main Event
The three main mikoshi of Asakusa Shrine are carried out (宮出し) and paraded through the city from early morning. The carriers shake and jostle the shrines with tremendous force — a ritual called tama-furi, meant to amplify the divine power within. The festival concludes at dusk with the return of the mikoshi to the shrine (宮入り).
Around 500 food stalls line the streets throughout the festival.
Official website: https://asakusajinja.jp/sanjamatsuri/schedule/
Access: 7 min walk from Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Tobu Skytree Line, or Tsukuba Express “Asakusa Station” / 9 min walk from Toei Asakusa Line “Asakusa Station”
Check official websites for the latest schedules before you go, as dates and details can change.
Explore more experiences in & around Tokyo!
