Mar – May · 2027

Spring 春

Plum, then cherry, then wisteria: the blossom front walks north from March to May. Mild days, cold nights early on, and the whole country outdoors.

Where to beKyoto and Nara for the classics; the Alps and Tohoku for late blossom with fewer people.

Pros, cons and spring month by month

Phenomena · on average

Plum blossom 梅25 JAN – 15 MAR
Cherry blossom 桜20 MAR – 13 MAY
Wisteria 藤15 APR – 15 MAY
Fireflies 蛍25 MAY – 10 JUL
Snow 雪景色24 NOV – 23 MAR

The season words of spring are still being drawn

Recommended places

Winter 2026–27 冬Photo · そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0Fukuoka — Plum blossom · 25 JAN – 10 MAR · peak 20 FEBDazaifu Tenmangu太宰府天満宮6,000 plum trees at the grave of Tenjin, from late JanuaryImportant Cultural PropertyDays until the season
25 JAN – 10 MAR · Nature · Plum blossom

Plum blossom — Dazaifu Tenmangu 太宰府天満宮

Fukuoka
The shrine built over the grave of Sugawara no Michizane, the exiled scholar worshipped as Tenjin, whose flower is the plum: about 6,000 trees of 200 varieties flower in the grounds from late January to early March. The first to open is the Tobiume to the right of the main hall, the tree said to have flown from Kyoto in one night to follow him. The main hall reopened for worship in September 2026 after a restoration of three and a half years, its first in 124 years, and 2027 brings the grand festival held once in 25 years, 1,125 years after his death; its dates are not published yet.
Dates
25 JAN – 10 MAR

Where
FukuokaGoogle Maps

Open
Gates open 6:30 from the autumn equinox and 6:00 from the spring equinox · close 18:30 Dec–Mar, 19:00 Apr–May and Sep–Nov, 19:30 Jun–Aug · free

Survive
Heavy. January and February are exam season, and Tenjin is the god of learning: at weekends the approach is packed from the station to the hall. Come at gate opening, 6:30 in winter, and see the plums before the crowd arrives.

Holidays
National Foundation Day, Emperor's Birthday · long weekend: expect full trains and hotels

Access
Nishitetsu from Fukuoka (Tenjin) with a change at Futsukaichi, about 35 min, then 5 min on foot from Dazaifu Stn. The direct bus Tabito takes about 45 min from Hakata Bus Terminal and about 25 min from the international terminal of Fukuoka Airport.

Heritage
Important Cultural Property · main hall, 1907 太宰府天満宮本殿重要文化財

Source
Official site · checked 2026-09-20

Photos

3 photos · credits

そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0
酒呑みおやぢ · CC BY-SA 3.0
そらみみ · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo · kkawamura · CC BY 4.0Hokkaido — Snow · 04 FEB – 15 MAR · peak 20 FEBAbashiri drift ice網走の流氷Drift ice from the Amur, and an icebreaker that rides up onto itDays until the season
04 FEB – 15 MAR · Nature · Snow

Snow — Abashiri drift ice 網走の流氷

Hokkaido
The Sea of Okhotsk is the southernmost sea in the northern hemisphere to freeze: ice born off the Amur estuary drifts about a thousand kilometres south and reaches this coast around the start of February. The icebreaker Aurora rides up onto the floes and breaks them under its own weight, on a cruise of about an hour.
Dates
04 FEB – 15 MAR

Where
HokkaidoGoogle Maps

Open
Sails daily 20 Jan – 31 Mar, three to five departures between 9:00 and 15:30, about 1 h · ¥7,000, children ¥3,500 at last season’s fares; 2027 fares not yet posted

Survive
Wind can push the ice offshore overnight, so allow two days. The normal dates for 1991–2020 are 22 Jan for the first ice on the horizon and 4 Feb for ice at the shore. A sailing with 15 bookings or fewer may be cancelled: reserve ahead.

Holidays
National Foundation Day, Emperor's Birthday · long weekend: expect full trains and hotels

Access
The Aurora sails from the Ryuhyo Kaido Abashiri roadside station, 10 min by bus from JR Abashiri Stn.

Source
Official site Snow page · checked 2026-09-19

Photos

2 photos · credits

kkawamura · CC BY 4.0
Lkj12344321 · CC BY-SA 4.0
Spring 2027 春Photo · Raita Futo · CC BY 2.0Tokyo — Cherry blossom · 24 MAR – 20 APR · peak 31 MARShinjuku Gyoen新宿御苑900 cherries of 70 varieties on the lawns of a former imperial garden, late March into mid-AprilDays until the season
24 MAR – 20 APR · Nature · Cherry blossom

Cherry blossom — Shinjuku Gyoen 新宿御苑

Tokyo
A former imperial garden of 58 hectares in the middle of Shinjuku, with about 900 cherry trees of some 70 varieties, so the season runs long: early kanzakura from February, Somei-yoshino from late March, then the double-flowered yaezakura into mid-April on the wide lawns of the English garden. Tokyo’s normal first flowering is 24 March, full bloom 31 March.
Dates
24 MAR – 20 APR

Where
TokyoGoogle Maps

Open
9:00–18:00 from 15 March, last entry 17:30; 9:00–16:30 from October to mid-March · ¥500, over-65s and students ¥250, children free · closed Mondays except 25 March – 24 April, and 29 December – 3 January

Survive
Heavy. No alcohol and no bicycles inside, and the gates may switch to advance booking at weekends in the cherry weeks. Go on a weekday at the 9:00 opening; the yaezakura of mid-April draw half the crowd of the Somei-yoshino.

Access
Shinjuku Gate is 5 min from Shinjuku-gyoemmae Stn on the Marunouchi line and 10 min from JR Shinjuku Stn; Sendagaya Gate is 5 min from JR Sendagaya Stn.

Source
Official site Cherry blossom page · checked 2026-09-24

Photos

2 photos · credits

Raita Futo · CC BY 2.0
Kakidai · CC BY-SA 4.0
Photo · MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0Nagano — Cherry blossom · 05–20 APR · peak 12 APRTakato Castle Park高遠城址公園1,500 pink Takato-kohigan cherries that grow nowhere elseHistoric SiteDays until the season
05–20 APR · Nature · Cherry blossom

Cherry blossom — Takato Castle Park 高遠城址公園

Nagano
1,500 Takato-kohigan cherry trees — a variety that grows only here, with smaller and markedly pinker flowers than the usual Somei-yoshino. The park sits on the ruins of the castle of the Takato clan, vassals of the Takeda.
Dates
05–20 APR

Where
NaganoGoogle Maps

Open
Open at all hours · ¥600 during the cherry festival, ¥1,000 on the two busiest days, paid entry only while the trees are in flower; free the rest of the year, autumn included

Survive
Opens at 06:00 specifically because of the crowds. After 10:00 there are queues for both the entrance and the car park. Admission is charged only in season.

Access
JR Ina-shi Stn, then 25 min by bus. Direct buses run from Shinjuku during the blossom season.

Heritage
Historic Site · Takato Castle ruins, 1973 高遠城跡史跡

Source
Official site Cherry blossom page · checked 2026-09-22

Photos

4 photos · credits

MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0
江戸村のとくぞう · CC BY-SA 4.0
Ina City Tourism Association · ⓒ伊那市観光協会
Ina City Tourism Association · ⓒ伊那市観光協会
Photo · Bergmann · CC BY 3.0Kyoto — Cherry blossom · 08–20 APR · peak 13 APRNinna-ji仁和寺Kyoto’s last cherry blossom, at eye level under the pagodaWorld Heritage · National TreasureDays until the season
08–20 APR · Nature · Cherry blossom

Cherry blossom — Ninna-ji 仁和寺

Kyoto
The last cherry blossom in the city. The Omuro cherries, about 200 trees, most of a variety called Omuro-ariake, grow only about two metres tall, so the blossom hangs at eye level with the five-storey pagoda behind it. They reach full bloom in mid-April, after the rest of Kyoto has finished.
Dates
08–20 APR

Where
KyotoGoogle Maps

Open
9:00–17:00 March to November, last entry 16:30; 9:00–16:30 December to February, last entry 16:00 · Goten garden ¥800, students free · during the flower festival a special admission of ¥800, students free

Survive
Heavy. During the Omuro flower festival, 27 March – 6 May in 2026, the grounds charge ¥800; high school students and younger are free. Mid-April weekends queue at the gate from opening.

Access
Randen tram to Omuro-Ninnaji, 3 min on foot; or city bus 26 from Kyoto Stn, about 40 min.

Heritage
World Heritage · Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto, 1994 古都京都の文化財世界遺産National Treasure · Kondo hall 仁和寺金堂国宝

Source
Official site Cherry blossom page · checked 2026-09-20

Photos

2 photos · credits

Bergmann · CC BY 3.0
KimonBerlin · CC BY-SA 2.0

All 15 windows in our notes, in the order they open

Snow at Abashiri drift ice, Hokkaido04 FEB – 15 MAR · peak 20 Feb
Plum blossom at Dazaifu Tenmangu, Fukuoka25 JAN – 10 MAR · peak 20 Feb · heavy
Plum blossom at Kitano Tenmangu, Kyoto01 FEB – 25 MAR · peak 25 Feb
Plum blossom at Osaka Castle Park, Osaka01 FEB – 10 MAR · peak 20 Feb
Plum blossom at Yushima Tenjin, Tokyo08 FEB – 08 MAR · peak 22 Feb
Cherry blossom at Chidorigafuchi, Tokyo24 MAR – 08 APR · peak 31 Mar · heavy
Cherry blossom at Maizuru Park, Fukuoka Castle, Fukuoka24 MAR – 06 APR · peak 31 Mar · heavy
Cherry blossom at Shinjuku Gyoen, Tokyo24 MAR – 20 APR · peak 31 Mar · heavy
Cherry blossom at Akizuki castle town, Fukuoka27 MAR – 07 APR · peak 1 Apr · heavy
Cherry blossom at Osaka Castle Park, Osaka27 MAR – 10 APR · peak 4 Apr · heavy
Cherry blossom at Takato Castle Park, Nagano05–20 APR · peak 12 Apr
Cherry blossom at Ninna-ji, Kyoto08–20 APR · peak 13 Apr · heavy
Cherry blossom at Japan Mint cherry passage, Osaka09–15 APR · peak 12 Apr · heavy
Wisteria at Kameido Tenjin, Tokyo12–30 APR · peak 24 Apr · heavy
Cherry blossom at Goryokaku Park, Hokkaido28 APR – 08 MAY · peak 2 May · heavy

Recommended events · spring 2027

Spring 2027 春 171Sport Days until the event 14 – 28 MAR · OSAKA Grand Sumo — March Tournament The one tournament of the year in Kansai, in a compact arena in Namba Photo · Ogiyoshisan · CC BY-SA 3.0
14–28 Mar · Sport

Grand Sumo — March Tournament 大相撲三月場所

Edion Arena Osaka, Namba, Osaka
The only one of the six annual tournaments held in Kansai, in a compact arena a few minutes from Namba where even the upper seats are close to the ring. The stables lodge at temples and halls around the city for the month, so wrestlers are a common sight on the streets and trains.
Dates
14–28 Mar

Where
Edion Arena Osaka, Namba, OsakaGoogle Maps

Tickets
The sale date is posted by the Japan Sumo Association; buy from the official seller. Buy tickets

Holidays
Vernal Equinox Day, Substitute holiday · long weekend: expect full trains and hotels

Source
Official site · checked 2026-09-19

Photos

2 photos · credits

Ogiyoshisan · CC BY-SA 3.0
KishujiRapid · CC BY-SA 4.0
184Show Days until the event 27 – 28 MAR · OSAKA AnimeJapan 2027 Japan’s main anime fair, held in Osaka instead of Tokyo Photo · Sakai Yayoi · CC0
27–28 Mar · Show

AnimeJapan 2027 AnimeJapan 2027

INTEX Osaka, Osaka
The industry’s main annual fair: studio stands, stage events and the first announcements of the year’s series. It has been held in Tokyo since it began in 2014; the public days of 2027 are at INTEX Osaka, on the bay side of the city.
Dates
27–28 Mar

Where
INTEX Osaka, OsakaGoogle Maps

Tickets
Ticket types and prices are not announced yet.

Source
Official site · checked 2026-09-19

Photos

Photo credit

Sakai Yayoi · CC0
205Art Days until the event 17 APR – 16 MAY · KYOTO KYOTOGRAPHIE 2027 An international photography festival hung in temples and townhouses Photo · Toyotsu · CC BY-SA 4.0
17 Apr – 16 May · Art

KYOTOGRAPHIE 2027 KYOTOGRAPHIE 京都国際写真祭 2027

Temples, machiya and galleries across Kyoto, Kyoto
An international photography festival, held every spring since 2013, that hangs its exhibitions in places you would otherwise not enter: temple halls, machiya townhouses, old industrial buildings. A month of main exhibitions, with a fringe programme, KG+, of smaller shows around them.
Dates
17 Apr – 16 May

Where
Temples, machiya and galleries across Kyoto, KyotoGoogle Maps

Tickets
The programme, the venues and the passport price for 2027 are not announced yet.

Holidays
Showa Day, Constitution Memorial Day, Greenery Day, Children's Day · long weekend: expect full trains and hotels

Source
Official site · checked 2026-09-20

Photos

2 photos · credits

Toyotsu · CC BY-SA 4.0
Toyotsu · CC BY-SA 4.0

All 5 events with dates in spring 2027

Itoshima oyster huts, FukuokaFood season · 1 Nov – 31 MarWinter on the Itoshima coast: oysters grilled at your own table in the fishermen’s huts
Yanagawa Sagemon Meguri, FukuokaMatsuri · 11 Feb – 3 AprThe canal town hangs out its girls’ festival ornaments for 52 days
Grand Sumo — March Tournament, OsakaSport · 14–28 MarThe one tournament of the year in Kansai, in a compact arena in Namba
AnimeJapan 2027, OsakaShow · 27–28 MarJapan’s main anime fair, held in Osaka instead of Tokyo
KYOTOGRAPHIE 2027, KyotoArt · 17 Apr – 16 MayAn international photography festival hung in temples and townhouses

Check spring against your own dates