List of Seasonal Events in Japan in May
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May in Japan is the last season of spring and the beginning of early summer, but it is not as humid as in the mid-summer months. It has warm and sunny weather with some rainfall. May in Japan is also the last chance to see the cherry blossom in some areas of Japan. Some late-blooming cherry blossoms bloom from the end of April to early May.
May is also one of the perfect months to visit Japan apart from its pleasant weather, there are also a variety of cultural events taking place. May is one of the busiest months in Japan because of Golden Week which is Japan’s longest holiday. Golden Week is held between the end of April and the beginning of May where there are four national holidays held in one week. This is one reason why Golden Week is called Japan’s longest holiday.
Because of the nice warm weather in May, many outdoor activities are held in different areas throughout the month across Japan. However, Japan’s rainy season also starts between the end of May and July depending on the area. This rainy season is called Tsuyu (梅雨) which literally means “Plum Rain” because it is also the ripening season of Plums.
In this article, I would like to share with you the events held in different places in Japan in May. This is a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy and have a memorable experience of Japanese culture, from traditional customs to contemporary trends.
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
1. Golden Week
Golden Week is the longest holiday in Japan containing four national holidays within seven days between the end of April and the beginning of May.
Showa Day – This is the first holiday of the Golden Week which is held every 29th of April to honor the birthday of Emperor Showa.
Constitution Memorial Day – Another national holiday on Golden Week held on the 3rd of May in celebration of the ratification of the 1947 Constitution of Japan.
Greenery Day – This is a national holiday on Golden Week held on the 4th of May to celebrate nature and give thanks by visiting parks, gardens, and other greenery places.
Children’s Day – is one of the national holidays in Japan and the last holiday of the Golden Week held every 5th of May. A special day for children to celebrate their happiness and spent time together with their parents.
For more information about Golden Week, check out the following article!
▶︎Golden Week in Japan 2024: How to Travel
▶︎10 Best Things to Do in Golden Week in Japan
2. Carp Streamer Festivals
Children’s Day is one of the national holidays in Golden Week. One of the things that represent this day is the Koinobori or Japanese carp streamer with different colors of fish patterns. These cloths hang outside of houses and have specific meanings such as wishing the children to grow up strong and healthy. Many events and festivals are held in different areas of Japan to celebrate this day.
Genre: Koinobori Festa 1,000 (Carp Streamer Festival)
Location: Akutagawa Sakurazutumi Park (Osaka)
Dates: April 22 to May 5, 2024
Website: https://koinoborifesta1000.jimdofree.com/
Genre: Tsuetate Onsen Koinobori
Location: Tsuetate Onsen (Kumamoto)
Dates: April 1 to May 6, 2024
Website: https://tsuetate-onsen.com/english
Genre: 333 Children’s Day Koinobori Carp Streamers
Location: Tokyo Tower (Tokyo)
Dates: March 20 to May 6, 2024
Website: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/event/20240313000206/
3. Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament (Introduce Sumo Tournament Tour)
Sumo (相撲) was originated in Japan; it’s a Japanese style of wrestling and considered Japan’s National Sport. Japan is the only country where it is practiced professionally and even at the present time, the Sumo sport has ritual elements included such as the use of salt purification from Shinto.
This May, there will be a Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament held in Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena from May 12 to 26, 2024.
Genre: Sumo Tournament
Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena (Tokyo)
Dates: May 12 to 26, 2024
Website: https://www.sumo.or.jp//En/
<<Book Sumo Tournament Tour here!!>>
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1 minute walk from RYOGOKU STATION (Chūō-Sōbu Line (Local Nakano). |
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For more information about Sumo in Japan, Check out the following articles.
▶︎My SUMO Morning Practice Experience in Tokyo!
4. Late Blooming Cherry Blossoms
There are late-blooming cherry blossoms in Japan especially in cold areas like Hokkaido. here you can usually see the cherry blossoms from the end of April to early May.
Genre: Cherry blossom
Location: Fort Goryokaku (Hokkaido)
Dates: April 27 to May 6, 2024
Website: http://www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp/en/
Genre: Hirosaki Sakura Festival 2024
Location: Hirosaki Park (Aomori)
Dates: April 12 to May 5, 2024
Website: https://www.hirosakipark.jp/sakura/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Best Spots to See Late Blooming Cherry Blossoms in Japan
5. Wisteria
Wisteria (Fuji in Japanese) is one of the popular spring flowers in Japan that represent love and longevity in Japanese culture. It has a characteristic of a highly floriferous woody vine and comes in colors ranging from pink to purple to white.
Genre: The Great Wisteria Festival 2024
Location: Ashikaga Flower Park (Tochigi)
Dates: April 13 to May 15, 2024
Website: https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/
Genre: Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden
Location: Kitakyushu City (Fukuoka)
Dates: April 20 to May 6, 2024
Website: https://kawachi-fujien.com/
For more information about these events, check out the following articles!
▶︎Ashikaga Flower Park Great Wisteria Festival 2024
▶︎Kawachi Wisteria Garden 2024: The Most Beautiful Tunnel in the World
6. Nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park and Osaka Maishima Seaside Park
Nemophila is a small blue flower that blooms during spring. The Nemophila Flower Festival is held in various places, but especially in two popular places in Japan. The Hitachi Seaside Park and the Osaka Maishima Seaside Park from the beginning of April and May every year.
Genre: Flower Event
Location: Hitachi Seaside Park (Ibaraki)
Dates: mid-April to early May
Website: https://hitachikaihin.jp/en/flowers/nemophila/
Genre: Flower Event
Location: Osaka Maishima Seaside Park (Osaka)
Dates: April 6 to May 6, 2024
Website: https://seasidepark.maishima.com.e.agi.hp.transer.com/nemophila/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Nemophila at Hitachi Seaside Park 2024
7. Sanja Matsuri
Sanja Matsuri (三社祭) or Sanja Festival is considered one of the three great Shinto and the largest festival in Tokyo. This festival is held at Asakusa Shrine every third weekend of May for three days.
Genre: Festival
Location: Asakusa Shrine (Tokyo)
Dates: May 17 to 19, 2024
Website: https://www.asakusajinja.jp/english/
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4-minute walk from Asakusa Station. |
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For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Sanja Matsuri 2024: Tokyo’s Biggest Festival
8. Disney Palpalooza “Donald’s Quacky Duck City””
Donald Ducks and friends will be the star in the latest special event series of Disney Pal-Palooza. The entire resort will be surrounded by Donald Duck-themed decorations and designs. And even in food, there are also menus related to Donald Duck, goods for souvenirs are also available, and more fun activities.
Genre: Amusement Park
Location: Tokyo Disneyland
Dates: April 9 to June 30, 2024
Website: https://www.tokyodisneyresort.jp/treasure/donaldsquackyduckcity/
<<Book Tokyo Disney Resort tickets online here!!>>
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6 minutes walk from Maihama Station. |
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For more travel tips about Tokyo Disney Resort, Check out the following articles.
▶︎Tokyo Disneyland Food: 10 Must-Try Food at Tokyo Disneyland
▶︎Tokyo Disneyland Guide: Best Things to Do
▶︎Tokyo DisneySea Guide: Best Things to Do
9. One Million Rose Festival (Nagasaki)
Huis Ten Bosch offers a million roses to welcome the early summer season. A magical and relaxing view of colorful and beautiful roses surrounding the entire garden with fine-dining foods, beverages, and classical music.
Genre: Flower Festival
Location: Huis Ten Bosch
Dates: April 27 to May 26, 2024
Website: https://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/rose/
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15 minutes walk from Huis Ten Bosch Station. |
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For more travel tips about Huis Ten Bosch, Check out the following articles.
▶︎Huis Ten Bosch: Kingdom of Lights
▶︎13 Best Things to Do in Nagasaki
10. Spring Family Adventure (Osaka)
A lot of exciting fun rides and activities are offered at Universal Studio Japan for the whole family to enjoy. Come and make memories with your loved ones.
Genre: Amusement Park
Location: Universal Studio Japan
Dates: March 16 to June 30, 2024
Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/web/ja/jp/events/spring-family-travel-2024
<<Book USJ tickets online here!!>>
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5 minutes walk from Universal-City Station. |
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For more travel tips about USJ and Osaka, Check out the following articles.
▶︎Universal Studios Japan Event Schedule 2024
▶︎10 Best Rides at Universal Studio Japan
▶︎Best Things to Do at Universal Studios Japan
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Thank you for reading, I hope this article helps you and provides information about the places and events in Japan in May. For more related articles visit the articles below.
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Written by
Greetings to all mommies I am a supermom from Philippines. Previously, I worked and lived in Dubai for seven years, until 2015 the year I moved in Japan. Currently, I am happily settled here with my Japanese husband and our 7 months old baby. I could only describe my almost 6 years of living here as a roller coaster ride more so, after I gave birth to my son. Japan had changed me in ways unimaginable. It has influence my lifestyle, my perceptions and beliefs. I was able to witness firsthand the pros and cons of living in the country. From their language, culture and ethnicity, the people, place and in work. Those years were enough to give me quite personal and memorable experiences which I would be more than delighted to share with you.
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