Tokyo Spring Itinerary 2025: Things to Do, See & Eat

Spring in Tokyo is a lot of things: cherry blossoms — arguably the season’s main draw — perfect temperatures and vibrant festivals. As February fades into March, the arrival of the vernal equinox paints the city in blots of soft pastel pinks, vivid greens and clear blues, as if Tokyo just woke up from a winter slumber to welcome new beginnings. 

In this 2025 Tokyo Spring Itinerary, discover the top spots for cherry blossom viewing, seasonal events you won't want to miss and fun things to do beyond flower viewing. 

Spring in Tokyo, or haru in Japanese, is a season of mild temperatures and sunny skies, making it one of the most pleasant times to visit. In March, afternoons average around 13°C, with cooler mornings and evenings at 5°C. 

By mid-April, the days warm up to highs of 18.5°C and lows of 10.5°C. May sees the peak of spring warmth, with afternoon temperatures reaching 23°C.

Although spring temperatures can swing between warm and chilly, the days are typically sunny with low humidity, perfect for outdoor activities like cherry blossom viewing. Gentle rain showers may occur but are far lighter than Japan’s monsoon season in June. 

If you’re visiting Tokyo during springtime, we recommend packing heavier coats for March and lighter jackets as the season progresses. 

While the Japan Meteorological Corporation has yet to release its yearly sakura forecast, cherry blossoms in Tokyo typically bloom from late March to early April. In 2024, peak bloom occurred in early April, a trend that is likely to continue for 2025. 

The blossoms are fleeting, lasting about two weeks from the start of bloom to their peak, making it a breathtaking but short-lived spectacle. If you miss the blooms — or come too early — you can head to other regions in Japan. 

Cherry blossom timings vary across Japan due to climate differences. In warmer regions like Okinawa, sakura appears as early as January, while cooler areas like Hokkaido experience their blossoms from late April to May. For an early sakura experience, consider visiting Kawazu on the Izu Peninsula or Atami City from January to February.

There’s much more to enjoy in Tokyo during spring than chasing cherry blossoms and having picnics under sakura trees — though we wouldn’t blame you if that’s your focus. Festivals, unique springtime foods and exciting events are equally compelling reasons to plan your Tokyo getaway.

When: Late March to early April

The undeniable highlight of Tokyo’s spring is the cherry blossom, or sakura in Japanese. Blooming around late March, these delicate flowers draw visitors from across the globe. The fleeting nature of their bloom has inspired the beloved tradition of hanami (flower-viewing), where people gather to admire the blossoms’ ephemeral beauty.

While there are plenty of cherry blossoms in Tokyo, certain spots are more popular. Wander along the Meguro River in Nakameguro, where over a kilometer of sakura trees create a magical tunnel of sakura blooms above the narrow stream. 

Alternatively, head to Yoyogi Park, spread out a picnic mat and relax beneath the floral canopy with a beer and snacks.

Prefer a guided cherry blossom tour?

Join an evening tour in Nakameguro during the Sakura Festival, where cherry blossoms glow under lantern light, creating a magical riverside scene enhanced by tasty seasonal treats.

When: Early March

As one of the six Abbott World Marathon Majors, the Tokyo Marathon draws a wave of running enthusiasts from all over the world for its full 42.2-kilometer footrace. The race starts at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, taking runners through Tokyo landmarks like the Tokyo Sky Tree, Tokyo Tower and Asakusa. 

Only 38,000 runners are selected for the Tokyo Marathon, but over a million spectators — locals and visitors alike — line the sidelines, offering cheers of support. Friends, families and passersby gather for a front-row seat to the excitement. 

The energy on race day is electric: the roar of the crowd, the runners striving for personal records, and the overwhelming emotion of witnessing bucket-list moments unfold.

If you're visiting Tokyo during the marathon, head to a key route early in the morning — the runners pass through Nihonbashi, Ginza, Shinagawa and Hibiya before concluding at Tokyo Station — to experience the thrill of the race and cheer on the runners as they push for negative splits and fuel up with electrolytes along the way.

When: Late March to late May

From late March to late May, Showa Kinen Park in Tachikawa hosts its annual Flower Festival, kicking off with cherry blossoms and transitioning into vibrant fields of rape blossoms, tulips and more. The park is especially known for its tulips in April, but the festival also highlights poppies and rapeseeds in May, as well as water lilies later in the season.

Throughout the festival, visitors can enjoy a variety of flower-related activities and workshops.

Want to make Japanese sweets in the shape of flowers?

If you love flowers, use traditional wagashi molds to form delicate sweets in the form of Japan’s seasonal flowers while you sip hand-made matcha tea in a nerikiri-making class. 

When: Mid-March

Every year in March, on the second Sunday of the month, a sacred ceremony takes place at the foot of Mt. Takao. Yamabushi, or mountain ascetic monks, walk barefoot over smoldering coals produced by a sacred fire. 

It’s akin to a scene from a mythical film — figures in traditional robes moving through vermilion flames, the air thick with swirling smoke. 

Shizuka hits the trails and finds a surprisingly delicious surprise waiting for her.

After the flames have been extinguished, participants are invited to try fire-walking themselves. By then, the temperature of the coals is only slightly above body temperature, making it safe to walk. If you choose to take part, bring a wet towel to wipe off your feet afterward. 

If you're heading to Mt. Takao, it’s an easy one-hour trip from Shinjuku, but be sure to set aside the whole day. You can also take the opportunity to hike the scenic trails of the mountain and enjoy vegan zen food called shojin ryori on a guided hiking tour.

When: Early April

Because the cherry blossoms in Tokyo typically reach their peak during the first week of April, expect more traffic in the city as more people scour to enjoy the last few moments with the baby pink flowers. 

At this point, you might already notice a few sakura trees sprouting young leaf buds, turning the crown into a quirky palette of fresh green and light pink. 

Prefer cherry blossoms without the crowds?

For a more serene and authentic experience, consider joining a guided tour of Yanaka, a charming neighborhood known for its connection to "Old Tokyo."

Located near Ueno and Nippori, where you can explore the backstreets, historic temples and shrines, all beautifully lined with cherry blossoms. Along the way, you can taste local delicacies, explore the artistic heritage of the area and immerse yourself in the spirit of the season.

When: April

Fortunately, sakura isn’t the only flower that graces Tokyo in spring. While Nezu Shrine remains a peaceful, lesser-known spot for much of the year, it transforms during the azalea season. 

With 3,000 azaleas of 100 different varieties in bloom, the shrine has become a vibrant haven for flower enthusiasts. The flowers include the rare black karafune, the small bean-shaped fuji-tsutsuji and the pinwheel-like hanaguruma.

When: Early - late April 

After the cherry blossoms, wisteria, or fuji in Japanese, takes the spotlight in Tokyo's spring bloom. You can easily know it from its vibrant lilac hues. Unlike sakura trees, wisteria cascades down from trellises like curtains of color. This stunning flower typically appears from mid-April to mid-May,.

One of the best places to see wisteria in full bloom is Kameido Tenjin Shrine, famous for its arched vermilion bridge and over 50 wisteria trees that bloom simultaneously on trellises during the shrine’s Wisteria Festival. Beneath the delicate vines, a peaceful pond reflects the purple blossoms. 

When: Mid-April

Yabusame is a traditional Japanese martial art that combines horseback riding and archery. In this ancient practice, archers ride at full speed on horseback while shooting arrows at targets placed along a straight track.

Today, yabusame is primarily a ceremonial and cultural event rather than a martial art used in warfare. It is often performed at festivals or special events, particularly during major celebrations at shrines and temples. 

A major yabusame event is held in Asakusa around mid-April at the Asakusa-jinja Shrine. This exciting show, starting at 1 pm, features archers dressed in traditional samurai hunting costumes as they skillfully shoot arrows at targets while riding horseback. 

Although yabusame is no longer a widely practiced sport, tickets for the event are often sold out.

When: Beginning of May (May 4)

In May, as the major flower seasons in Japan begin to fade and sakura trees shift to verdant green, the country turns its focus to festivals in anticipation of Golden Week, Japan's largest holiday period. 

Among the most celebrated events is Children's Day on May 5, which sees a stunning display of koinobori — colorful carp streamers fluttering in the air. One of Tokyo's largest koinobori festivals takes place at the foot of Tokyo Skytree, where 1,500 carp streamers fill the sky in a vibrant celebration of this cherished tradition. 

At the Postal Museum on the ninth floor of Tokyo Skytree, visitors can join a fun workshop to create their own koinobori using used stamps.

Read more: Festivals for Every Season in Japan

When: Third week of May 

The Sanja Matsuri, held annually on the third weekend in May, is one of Tokyo's three largest Shinto festivals, drawing nearly two million visitors over its three-day celebration. 

The festival honors the three founders of Sensoji Temple, whose spirits are enshrined at Asakusa Shrine next door. Throughout the entire festival, the already boisterous neighborhood is filled with food stalls, festival games and sounds of traditional drums.

The highlight of Sanja Matsuri is the procession of over 100 mikoshi, portable shrines that carry Shinto deities (kami). These shrines are paraded through the streets of Asakusa, symbolically bringing good fortune and blessings to local businesses and residents. 

The festivities officially begin on Friday, with the most intense activity occurring on Saturday when the mikoshi are carried from Sensoji Temple to Asakusa Shrine.

Sunday, the final day of the festival, starts early at 6 am when hundreds of celebrants, grouped by their neighborhoods and dressed in matching attire, assemble at Asakusa Shrine to compete carrying one of the three large main mikoshi, continuing the celebratory fervor by parading the gold shrines through Asakusa until 8 pm. 

When: The weekend closest to May 15

Held in mid-May, the Kanda Matsuri is one of Tokyo's most renowned festivals, alongside the Sanno Matsuri and Fukagawa Matsuri. It is a celebration of the Kanda Myojin Shrine, which enshrines three deities: Daikokuten, the god of good harvest and marriage; Ebisu, the god of fishermen and businessmen; and Taira Masakado, a revered 10th-century feudal lord who became deified after his death.

The main procession takes place on Saturday, where Shinto rituals invite the spirits of the three deities into elaborately decorated portable shrines. These mikoshi are the centerpiece of the procession, which winds through the streets of Kanda, Nihonbashi, Otemachi and Akihabara. 

The procession is accompanied by a thousand participants, including musicians, priests on horseback and people in colorful traditional attire.

The festivities continue on Sunday with mikoshi parades in various neighborhoods of Kanda and Nihonbashi. In keeping with tradition, each neighborhood has its own local guardian deity (ujigami), who is temporarily placed in a mikoshi and carried through the streets to bless the community.

For more springtime attractions, check out the best things to do in Japan in spring, try Japan’s spring foods or get a taste for the finer things with Tokyo’s Michelin star restaurants.