Brandon Spencer is currently an intern from the United States. He recently graduated from Berry College, majoring in sports communications, and is currently seeking many different work opportunities in various countries around the world. He loves exercising, video games, anime, and pro wrestling. He’s also a big fan of soccer, so you can catch him watching a game or taking part in one!
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During the month of April, Japan is usually filled with tourists roaming the cities, taking in the beautiful scenery of cherry blossoms flowing through the wind during the prime season of spring. This year, Japan has been experiencing record level tourism and we can expect April to be one of the busiest months. With many people planning to visit Japan, we decided to give everyone a helping hand as to what kind of fun you could get into during your visit, more specifically in Tokyo.
Keep reading for our picks of events and things to do in Tokyo in April!
- 1. Bunkyo Azalea Festival
- 2. Yoyogi Park Wanwan Carnival
- 3. Nomihodai at a Beer Garden
- 4. Niku Fes
- 5. Cherry Blossoms
- 6. Catch a Baseball Game at Tokyo Dome
- 7. Asakusa Yabusame (Horseback Archery)
- 8. Art Aquarium Meccha Sakura Event
- 9. Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival
- 10. Kanamara Festival
- Japan Wonder Travel Tours in Tokyo
- Other Articles You Might Be Interested In
1. Bunkyo Azalea Festival
While cherry blossoms are the be-all, end-all for most tourists coming to Japan during the spring, Tokyo has a variety of different festivals related to other kinds of flowers as well, one of which being the Bunkyo Azalea Festival. At the Azalea festival, you can see over 3000 azalea flowers that have over 100 different varieties, and best of all they bloom at the beginning of April. There are also various types of performances throughout the day, as well as a cafe near the pond, so you can enjoy delicious food whilst viewing the flowers. We couldn’t think of a place more suited to the term “wanting a change of scenery” as you bask in the relaxing atmosphere of the Azalea festival!
When: Runs throughout April (9:30 AM-5:30 PM except April 1 it opens at 11 AM, 500 yen admission fee)
Website: Bunkyo Azalea Festival
2. Yoyogi Park Wanwan Carnival
Cat-lovers beware! Shield your eyes as you might get swayed by the perpetually better world of being a dog-lover at this one of a kind carnival (Yes, I’m biased. But I’m also allergic to cats so don’t blame me). The Yoyogi Park Wanwan Carnival is a festival catered to all things dogs, as you’ll get the chance to see professional dog photoshoots, dog grooming, food trucks (both for people and dogs) and contests to showcase your doggos capabilities. There are even on-site veterinarians to give your dog a check-up, free of charge! If you’re in the Tokyo area and are missing your little ones back home, swing by the Wanwan carnival and meet some new furry friends.
When: April 12 – 14, 2025 (10 AM-5 PM, free)
Website: Yoyogi Wanwan Carnival
3. Nomihodai at a Beer Garden
For those wondering what beer gardens are, beer gardens are extremely social environments designed to connect strangers. It’s a place where you can find yourself surrounded by trees and vegetation, while enjoying delicious food and freshly served beers. Sounds tempting, right? Well, the good news for you is that Tokyo has plenty to choose from! One of our fav’s for 2025 is the Forest Beer Garden in Shinjuku. Forest Beer Garden usually opens around the middle of April and is located at Meiji Jingu Gaien outer gardens. Alternately, if you’d like your beer with a view, check out Shinjuku Beer Garden Tenku Hills or Kagurazaka Rooftop Beer Garden (also in Shinjuku). All of these spots offer enticing all-you-can-eat and drink menus! If you’re looking for a nice night out with friends or family during the spring, don’t miss checking out one of Tokyo’s beer gardens.
4. Niku Fes
Meat lovers, get ready to drool! Forget making friends with salad, because Niku Fes is returning to Odaiba, and it’s a carnivore’s dream come true. Celebrating its 11th year, this isn’t just a food fest, it’s a full-blown party, complete with live music. Forget your usual dinner plans, because you’ll be diving headfirst into a world of A5 steak, melt-in-your-mouth wagyu sushi, slow-roasted goodness, loaded beef bowls, and sizzling kebabs. With heaps of Japan’s best meat restaurants all in one place, you’ll have lots to choose from including plenty of delicious craft beer to wash it down with. You can even participate in the World Meat Showdown, with dishes inspired by nine different countries. You get to taste them and vote for your favorite! Think of it as a global meat tour without the jet lag. If you’re anywhere near Tokyo and love meat, this is your (and my) happy place.
Pro tips: Food and drink tickets are ¥700 a pop, and you’ll need them to grab your grub. Arrive after 4 PM for the “secret menu,” or bring a crew for group deals. And remember, it’s a cashless affair, so load up your app or IC card.
When: Apr 26 (12 PM-9 PM), Apr 27-29 (10 AM-9 PM), April 30-May 2 (11 AM-9 PM), May 3-6 (10 AM-9 PM)
Website: Niku Fes
5. Cherry Blossoms
Well, we were bound to mention them at some point, right? To use a sports analogy, Cherry blossoms are the Lionel Messi of tourist attractions here in Japan. Meaning they are the marquee, the main event, and the reason people came to the show in the first place! And because of its stardom, there are an absurd amount of viewings and festivals related to cherry blossoms in Tokyo during the months of March and April. Just in Tokyo alone, you can find amazing cherry blossom viewing areas, such as Tokyo Midtown, and festivals like the Nakameguro Cherry Blossom Festival. With all the choices out there, we decided it was impossible to narrow it down to just one cherry blossom viewing or festival. Still, if you’re in Tokyo during April, you should definitely check out one of these events!
If you want to find out more about cherry blossom season in Japan this spring, check out our article down below!
6. Catch a Baseball Game at Tokyo Dome
Springtime rolling around can only mean one thing in the world of sports here in Japan, baseball season! If you didn’t know, one of Japan’s most beloved sports is baseball and the beginning of the season is always a sight to behold. When talking about baseball, one would be remiss if they didn’t mention the Tokyo Dome, quite possibly THE stadium for baseball here in Japan. The Tokyo Dome is home to the Yomiuri Giants, not just one of the most popular teams, but also arguably the most successful teams in the NPB (Nippon Professional Baseball). So, if you want to experience the passion for baseball here in Tokyo, we recommend catching a glimpse of the magic at Tokyo Dome!
Website: Yomiuri Giants Schedule/Tickets
7. Asakusa Yabusame (Horseback Archery)
Witness the thrill of ancient Japanese archery at the Asakusa Yabusame. This is your chance to step back in time and experience the breathtaking martial art of horse-mounted archery, a tradition deeply rooted in Edo-period Asakusa. Skilled archers, riding at full speed, aim to strike three targets, earning prizes in a graceful ceremony. Beyond the main event, you can watch the historical training method of kusajishi, where archers test their aim against a grass deer target. While kusajishi is free to enjoy, you’ll need to secure your tickets to see the captivating yabusame up close. It’s an opportunity to catch a rare glimpse into Japan’s martial arts heritage, and be part of a sporting spectacle that many tourists never have a chance to see!
When: April 19, 2025 (11:45 AM-2:30 PM with yabusame from 1 PM-2:30 PM, free, 3000 yen to watch yabusame)
Website (ticket information): Asakusa Yabusame
8. Art Aquarium Meccha Sakura Event
The Art Aquarium in Ginza transforms the humble goldfish into a living, breathing art installation. You can admire thousands of these creatures gliding through illuminated glass vessels, bathed in a symphony of vibrant, shifting lights and projections. This isn’t your average art gallery or aquarium; it’s a full-blown sensory journey that is enhanced by cherry blossoms during spring. You can explore nine distinct exhibition spaces, from the intricate Origamirium to the enchanting Goldfish Bamboo Grove and the captivating Goldfish Corridor, showcasing both rare and familiar breeds. During the Meccha Sakura event, a sea of cherry blossoms, both real and projected, envelopes the entire space. Goldfish dance amidst cherry-colored lights, the delicate fragrance of blossoms fills the air, and soothing music completes the immersive experience.
When: February 28-April 23, 2025 (for the Meccha Sakura event, buy tickets here)
Website: Art Aquarium Ginza
9. Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival
Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you; this is actually a festival that is held here in Tokyo during April (and it’s not even the most intriguing one). The Nakizumo crying baby festival has been going on for over 400 years, and the significance of the festival actually has a greater meaning than one would have anticipated. In Japanese culture, it is said that when babies cry it allows them to grow faster, encourages good health, and rids them of any evil spirits.
Every year, parents bring their dressed up babies to this hilarious competition. The goal? To make their baby cry first! Sumo wrestlers gently bounce the babies in the ring, while a referee taunts them. If that isn’t enough to bring on the tears, then uut comes a scary tengu mask (think bird-demon). And if the two little ones happen to start bawling at the same time? Then it’s a cry-off! The loudest, most determined wailer wins. The festival happens across Japan, but if you’re in Tokyo you can head to Asakusa, or the Yukigaya Hachiman Shrine to participate. It’s a chaotic, cute, and totally unique Japanese tradition.
When: April 29, 2025 (differs depending on the location)
Website: Nakizumo Crying Baby Festival at Yukigaya Hachiman Shrine
10. Kanamara Festival
Yeah, remember when I said that there’s an even more intriguing festival held in Japan during the month of April? Welp, here it is, and to quote the show How I met your Mother, “That’s a penis!”. I know what you’re thinking, the concept of a festival like this has to be a “phallacy” (Okay, I’ll stop), but tis true as the Kanamara Festival, similar to the Nakizumo festival, has an interesting backstory. It is said that the gods of the Kanayama shrine healed the Shinto goddess, Izanami, after she gave birth to a fire god. Because of this, many sex workers around the local teashops would begin to pray at the shrine for protection against STDs. Nowadays, people have gone to the shrine to pray for good fortune in marriage, fertility and childbirth. While technically, the Kanamara Festival is just outside of Tokyo (Kawasaki), it’s still an event that I would recommend attending. I mean, where else would you see people proudly showcasing their shiitake mushroom-like appendages?!
When: April 6-14, 2025 (11 AM-4 PM, parade starts at 11 AM on April 6)
We hope you enjoyed reading about some of the events in Tokyo during April. We know there are probably other events around Tokyo that may have been left out but fret not, as we may mention them in a future article, especially if they’re interesting! If you’re in Japan during the month of April, make sure to check out some of these popular and unique events that Tokyo has to offer!
Japan Wonder Travel Tours in Tokyo
Japan Wonder Travel is a travel agency that offers guided tours throughout Japan.
From private walking tours to delicious Food and Drink tours, we can help organize the best tours just for you! If you want to explore Japan and learn more about the history and backstories of each area you are traveling in, our knowledgeable and friendly guides will happily take you to the best spots!
In addition, we can provide you with any assistance you may need for your upcoming trip to Japan, so please feel free to contact us if you have any questions or need some help!
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Explore the most lively and popular fish market in Tokyo, where you will have the chance to try some of the local’s favorite street foods and sake along with your friendly English-speaking guide!
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There’s no better way to explore an area than taking a tour with a knowledgeable local guide. You will have the chance to learn about the history and interesting background stories of Tokyo, as well as discover some hidden gems which can be hard to do without a guide.
▶Shinjuku Bar Hopping Tour: Experience Tokyo’s Nightlife in Izakaya
Check out the best spots in Shinjuku while bar hopping through the lively and vibrant area. Try some delicious local food and drink as you explore the narrow yet photogenic alleys that the town has to offer. Experience Japanese izakaya culture and drink in Shinjuku like the locals!
▶Kimono Experience in Tokyo
Step into the charm of the kimono, a beloved icon of Japanese tradition, ideal for festivals and wandering quaint streets. Asakusa offers the perfect setting to don your kimono and create cherished memories with picturesque backdrops. Let Kimono Rental Wargo dress you up for a day of delightful exploration in timeless style!
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Happy traveling!
