Just getting over the sakura blues? Same. The cherry blossoms came and went in a dreamy blur of pink petals and photo ops—and if you’re anything like me, you’re probably wondering what else spring in Tokyo has to offer now that the blooms are gone.
But here’s the good news: if you’ve just landed in Japan and missed peak sakura season, don’t stress. You’re actually right on time for some of the city’s most exciting and culturally rich spring festivals. From traditional parades and sacred ceremonies to baby-crying sumo contests (yep, that’s a thing), there’s still so much magic happening across Tokyo this spring.
Here are the top festivals coming up in late April and May that you definitely don’t want to miss.
1. Meiji Shrine Spring Grand Festival
Dates: May 2–3, 2025
Location: Meiji Shrine, Shibuya
Admission: Free
Nearest Station: Harajuku Station (JR), Meiji-jingumae Station (Tokyo Metro)
If you’re looking for something a bit more peaceful and elegant after the chaos of sakura season, this one’s for you. The Meiji Shrine Spring Grand Festival is all about classic Japanese culture in one of the city’s most beautiful spots.
Held over two days at the start of May, it honours Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken with traditional performances like Bugaku (super old-school court dance), Noh and Kyogen theatre, and even Japanese archery. It’s lowkey, soulful, and seriously impressive—even if you don’t know much about the art forms, just being there feels kinda magical.
Everything happens right in front of the main shrine building, and the best part? It’s totally free. You just walk in, grab a seat (if you’re early enough), and enjoy the show. It’s not packed with food stalls or loud crowds like some other festivals—this one’s more about soaking in the atmosphere and taking a little time to slow down.
If you’ve got extra time, definitely wander around the grounds a bit. The Inner Garden is lush in spring and the museum nearby has some cool artefacts tied to the emperor and empress.
Plus, the shrine is right by Harajuku and Yoyogi Park, so you can easily turn it into a half-day adventure. Grab a matcha latte after, and boom—perfect Tokyo spring day.
2. Ome Grand Festival
Dates: May 2–3, 2025
Location: Ome City, western Tokyo
Admission: Free
Nearest Station: Ome Station (JR Ome Line)
If you’re into classic festival energy—like floats, drums, and streets full of people having a good time—the Ome Grand Festival should be high on your list. It takes place out in Ome, a charming little area in western Tokyo that feels like stepping into a small town from the Edo period.
The stars of the show are the massive dashi floats—think towering, beautifully decorated wooden carts that get pulled through the streets while traditional music plays and the crowd cheers them on.
It’s got that nostalgic, old-school matsuri vibe that’s a bit harder to find in the big city. Locals really go all out for it, so the atmosphere is super festive but still relaxed. There are usually loads of food stalls along the roads (yakisoba, grilled mochi, sweet crepes—the whole lot), and the whole area is buzzing with music, colourful banners, and people in traditional happi coats. It’s like stepping into a different era, in the best possible way.
Getting there takes just over an hour from central Tokyo, but honestly? It’s worth every minute. Ome itself is a lovely little escape from the urban grind, with cute cafes, mountain views, and riverside spots to chill if you want a breather from the festival action.
Try to get there in the late morning, explore the town a bit, and then grab a spot along the main street to catch the parade when the floats roll out. It’s local, it’s lively, and it’s the kind of experience that’ll stick with you long after the music fades.
3. Naki Sumo Crying Baby Festival
Date: April 26, 2025
Location: Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa
Admission: Free (temple grounds)
Nearest Station: Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro, Toei, Tobu lines)
Yes, this is a real thing—and it’s as bizarre and adorable as it sounds. The Naki Sumo Crying Baby Festival is a long-running tradition where sumo wrestlers gently hold babies and try to make them cry.
Why? Because in Japanese culture, a baby’s loud cry is thought to scare off evil spirits and bless them with good health and a long life. It’s part spiritual ritual, part cultural quirk, and honestly, it’s just super wholesome to watch.
The event takes place at Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest and most famous temple, right in the heart of Asakusa. You’ll see babies dressed in little festival outfits, wrestlers in their ceremonial gear, and a priest acting as the judge, declaring which baby cried louder (or first).
Don’t worry—it’s all very gentle and good-natured, with lots of cheering and laughs from the crowd. It’s a bit of a photographer’s dream too, so bring your camera if you’re into capturing offbeat moments.
If you’re already planning to visit Asakusa during your trip, this is the perfect excuse to time it with something a bit different. The temple grounds get lively with onlookers, and it’s easy to pair the festival with a stroll down Nakamise Street for snacks and souvenirs after.
No ticket needed—just show up, find a good viewing spot, and enjoy the delightful chaos of crying babies being cheered on by a crowd. Tokyo in spring really is full of surprises.
4. Adachi Fireworks Festival
Date: May 31, 2025
Location: Arakawa River, Adachi Ward
Admission: Free (some paid seating available)
Nearest Station: Kitasenju Station or Adachi-Odai Station
Fireworks in spring? Yep, you read that right. The Adachi Fireworks Festival, usually a summer staple, is switching things up and lighting up the skies in May this year. With around 13,000 fireworks launched over the Arakawa River, it’s one of Tokyo’s biggest displays—and now you don’t have to melt in the midsummer heat to enjoy it.
Picture this: mild evening breeze, picnic blanket, drinks and snacks, and a sky full of explosions. Pure magic.
Locals start arriving early to claim the best riverside spots, and you’ll see everything from groups of friends and couples on date nights to full-on families with bento boxes and lawn chairs.
If you want a guaranteed seat, there are paid options available, but honestly, part of the fun is just spreading out on the grass with everyone else and soaking up the atmosphere.
To get there, head to Kitasenju Station and follow the crowd—it’s a bit of a walk, but well signposted and all part of the experience. Pro tip: bring snacks and something to sit on, because once you’ve found your spot, you won’t want to move.
Also, don’t be in a rush to leave right after the finale—the stations can get a bit packed. Just chill by the river for a while and enjoy that post-fireworks glow.
5. Sanja Matsuri
Dates: May 16–18, 2025
Location: Asakusa Shrine, Asakusa
Admission: Free
Nearest Station: Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro, Toei, Tobu lines)
Sanja Matsuri isn’t just a festival—it’s a full-blown party with centuries of tradition behind it. Held over three action-packed days in mid-May, it’s one of the biggest and rowdiest Shinto festivals in Tokyo.
The main event? Around a hundred mikoshi (portable shrines) get carried—more like bounced—through the streets of Asakusa by teams of locals shouting, chanting, and working up a serious sweat. It’s loud, it’s lively, and it’s absolutely electric.
The energy is non-stop all weekend. You’ll see traditional musicians, dancers, and food stalls all over the place, plus loads of people dressed in festival gear. The streets around Senso-ji and Asakusa Shrine are totally packed, but it’s the good kind of crowded—everyone’s there to have a good time.
If you want to catch the big mikoshi processions, the best day to go is Saturday, when the three main shrines make their rounds through the neighbourhood.
For the best experience, get there early (like, morning early) and be ready to wander—there’s something happening around every corner. Wear comfy shoes, bring water, and maybe pack a little patience too, because yeah, it gets hectic.
But honestly? It’s one of the most unforgettable things you can do in Tokyo in spring. The mix of history, community spirit, and full-blown festival chaos is something you just have to see for yourself.
Still So Many Spring Festivals to Soak Up
Look, sakura season gets a lot of hype—and yeah, it’s gorgeous—but spring in Tokyo doesn’t pack up once the petals fall. In fact, that’s when some of the city’s most fun, fascinating, and totally unexpected festivals kick off.
So if you’re in Tokyo this spring, or thinking about booking a last-minute trip—go for it. The weather’s perfect, the crowds are buzzing, and the culture is on full display. Just grab your camera, your curiosity, and maybe a bento or two… and dive in. Spring’s not over—it’s just getting good.
