Tokyo events for Monday, March 18 to Sunday, March 24, 2024.
It’s time. The cherry blossom forecast predicts that this week the buds will bloom and that means many of Tokyo’s sakura festivals are also opening up.
The trees might not be ready for their close-up just yet, so if you’re waiting, how about heading to Anime Japan, a Holi festival, or a chilly pop-up café?
Candlelight Concert: Best of Joe Hisaishi (Studio Ghibli)
Warm up a spring night with candlelight and your favorite songs from Studio Ghibli composer Joe Hisaishi. A string quartet will take you on a journey through Studio Ghibli hits such as Howl’s Moving Castle, Spirited Away, My Neighbour Totoro, and Princess Mononoke.
| Advance sales: ¥5,400 | ||
Rang Barse Tokyo Holi
Holi is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar. It is popularly known as the “Festival of Colors” and is a major festival across the world. Celebrants welcome the beginning of spring with bonfires and smearing different colors on the body.
Tokyo Creative Salon
The event has two main aims: to bring creative people together and make Tokyo one of the world’s leading creative cities. To achieve these aims, Tokyo Creative Salon will be hosting various fashion and design-related events.
Shibuya–Omotesandō Women’s Run
For only one day a year, Meiji Jingu Shrine opens its doors for an important 10 km race: the Shibuya–Omotesandō Women’s Run. Whether you’ve come to cheer or to participate, there will be an inspiring atmosphere.
Koganei Cherry Blossom Festival
Koganei is known for highlighting musical artists during their festivals and the sakura season is no different with a wide range of singers performing on a special stage within the park. There are numerous areas where you can set up a picnic and because it isn’t in the center of Tokyo, there’s a lot of space.
Rikugien Gardens: A Mystical Weeping Cherry
The vast tree — 23 m by 15 m — is brightly lit by spring sunlight during the day when you can marvel at its sheer size and great age. At night the tree is floodlit, and its pink blooms are illuminated. The park’s evening opening hours are extended during the illumination and the teahouse will be open as well as fun snacks (think mochi on a stick with a face) sold.
| Advance sales: ¥900 | At the door: ¥1,100 | |
Anime Japan
You may have gone to an anime convention back home. Why not go to one in the country that started it all? Anime Japan has everything you’d expect: exhibitions, goods, special anime-business collaborations, and stage appearances and performances by some of the biggest names in the industry.
| Advance sales: ¥2,300 | At the door: ¥2,600 | |
Ghostbusters Frozen Pop-Up Café
The new Frozen Café takes inspiration from the film by creating a tiny world of ice. Hear the floor snap and crack and feel it shake as you walk over it. Order original drinks such as No Ghost Shake, Frozen Ginza Soda, Frozen Ginza Latte (despite the name this is piping hot!), and Ghost Hot Cocoa — all come with free stickers.
Hibiya Blossom
The main exhibition, which will be in Hibiya Step Plaza, is called “Blossom Garden ~ Plant Sculpture”. This sustainable flower dome is decorated with artificial flowers made out of recycled plastic bottles. From 4 p.m. to 11 p.m., the surrounding area and dome will be illuminated.
Cherry Blossom Festivals
We’d be here all day if we listed all the cherry blossom festivals happening in and around the city, so here are a few that start this week — make sure to check out our full article and event listings for more.
- Gotenyama Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar. 14 to Mar. 31)
- Meguro River Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar. 19 to Mar. 31)
- Chiyoda Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar. 22 to Apr. 2)
- Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar 16. to Apr. 7)
- Edo Fukagawa Sakura Festival (Mar. 16 to Apr. 7)
- Bokutei Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival (Mar. 16 to Apr. 7)
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