Several writers wrote quotes about the spring. Robin Williams told “Spring is nature’s way of saying, 'let’s Party!’”. Jen Selinsky quoted “The promise of spring’s arrival is enough to get anyone through the bitter winter”. In Japan, the season symbolizes hope amidst the barren landscape of winter. As the tiny bud of life springs from the barren soil, the pinkish blooms signals comfort and hope.
The Japanese philosophy - Mono no Aware or empathy towards things reminds that ephemeral objects should be appreciated. It’s no wonder that the Japanese make parties under cherry, plums, peaches and nectarine trees.
Skis during spring
Photo by changhohyun from Pixabay
Some ski resorts are still open even during the late spring. You can visit these places for last-minute ski activities:
|
Ski resort |
Location |
|
Asahidake ski resort |
Hokkaido, Kamaikawa District, Higashikawa |
|
Hakkoda ski resort |
Kansuizawa-1-34 Arakawa, Aomori, 030-0111, Japan |
|
Hakuba ski resort |
Hokujo, Hakuba, Kitaazumi District, Nagano 399-9301, Japan |
|
Mt. Tanigawadake Tenjindaira ski resort |
Japan, 〒379-1728 Gunma, Tone District, Minakami, 湯檜曽湯吹山国有林 |
Festivals
Photo by Onihide and licensed under creative commons
Notes:
1.) At the time of this writing (March 2020), due to ongoing coronavirus outbreak, some of these festival schedules may be postponed.
2.) This is not an exhaustive list of spring festivals.
Japan is a land of festivals and so various festivities (matsuri in Japanese) occur among cities and towns. These events represent bountiful harvest, health, nature viewing, commemoration, sports and religious observance. Spring matsuris run through March, April and May.
|
Festivals |
What is it about |
Month |
|
Osaka Castle Illuminage |
Celebration of colourful lights, samurai shows
|
Early March 2020 |
|
Yushinagawa Onsen Kamakura |
Illuminated snow huts or Kamakura and activities such as snowshoeing and snow slides.
|
Early March 2020 |
|
Omihachiman Sagicho |
Burned floats, dancing and vibrant legendary warlords.
|
Mid-March, 2020 |
|
Souriike Plum Blossom |
Sightseeing of plum blossoms
|
Mid -March 2020 |
|
Shizuoka Matsuri |
The largest event in Shizouka city. It features outdoor food villages, Nebuta floats and cherry blossom sightseeing.
|
April 3-5, 2020 |
|
Kitano Odori |
Geisha performances such as dances and serenades.
|
Early-April, 2020 |
|
Tightrope Lion Dance |
Dancers performing acrobatics on tightropes.
|
April 9, 2020 |
|
Kawanishi Genji Festival |
Parades of ladies in Kimono and samurais riding horses.
|
April 12, 2020 |
|
Yuasa Andon Paper and Lamp Stand Exhibition |
Yuasa town preserved in Samurai-era style and lit by 500 lanterns.
|
May 3, 2020 |
|
Hakata Dontaku |
A festival named after the Zontag (a Dutch name for Sunday). Features processions of floral cars and dancers.
|
May 3-4, 2020 |
|
Shinkawa market |
Participants wear faces with fox paintings and ride a rickshaw.
|
May 3-5, 2020 |
|
Heijokyo Tempyo Sai |
Reenactments of noble banquet and imperial guards from the time when Nara used to be the imperial capital. There is a traditional street presentation, children’s workshops and parades. |
May 3-5, 2020 |
Green tea plantations at Mt.Fuji
Photo by くろふね and licensed under creative commons
Matcha or green tea is one of the Japanese traditional symbols. If you like green tea, you can visit plantations near the iconic mountain. Such plantations include the Imamiya and Obuchi Sasaba where you can take photos of the vast tea greens and the snow-capped Mt. Fuji in the background. The lands are privately owned and so it’s better to ask for permission from locals before entering the place.
Imamiya
Fuji, Shizuoka 417-0802
Obuchi Sasaba
1445 Obuchi, Fuji, Shizuoka 417-0801, Japan
City.fuji.shizuoka.jp
Sakura themed-foods
Photo by crayonmonkey and licensed under creative commons
During Hanami or Cherry blossom viewing, restaurants, cafes and picnics make cherry blossom flavoured food and drinks. The cherry fruit is a small and fleshy drupe or stone fruit with an average size of 1 inch or 2 cm in diameter. The taste is tart, bitter and almond-like. Careful, though, that the fruit’s pit (the seed’s outer layer) contains the toxic cyanide.
|
Food |
Description |
|
Sakura mochi |
A ball of rice flavoured with cherry blossom, filled with sweet red bean paste and wrapped in cherry leaves.
|
|
A star-shaped doughnut topped with cherry sauce.
|
|
|
A banana-shaped and custard-cream filled sponge cake.
|
|
|
Teas flavoured with cherry blossom extract
|
|
|
Sakura Anpan |
A cherry blossom-shaped and flavoured bread
|
|
Hanami Dango |
Skewered rice balls that are flavoured with cherry blossom
|
|
Raindrop jellies |
A crystal clear jelly with a pinkish tinge
|
|
Alcohol marinated cherry flowers and tree leaves with a rich aroma and sweetness
|
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route
Photo by elminium and licensed under creative commons
If you’re familiar with Petra’s orange corridor in Jordan, then Japan has it - except, instead of orange-brown rocks, thick snow covers the Tateyama corridor. Visitors admire the place for its spectacular snow mountains, peaks and passageways. You can either ride a train or bus. The place is open to tourists starting mid-April until mid-June.
Details:
Tateyama, Nakaniikawa District, Toyama 930-1406, Japan
Alpen-route.com
+81 76-432-2819
How to get there?
Train
1.) Shinkansen Kagayaki ------- > Toyama
2.) Dentetsutoyama ------ > Tateyama
3.) Tateyama ------ > Bijoidara station
Bus
4.) Bijoidara station -------- > Midagahara
Walk
5.) Walk for 3 minutes in a distance of 281 meters to Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route
Earth Day in Tokyo
Photo by Kentaro Ohno and licensed under creative commons
Celebrated since April 22, 1970, Earth day aims to raise awareness of protecting the environment. So, expect some participants such as environmental organizations and charities. This coming April, organizers will hold the event in Yoyogi Park every April - Saturday and Sunday. Similar occasions will start in Chiba, Ishikawa, Toyama, Hokkaido, Nagano and Okinawa.
Details:
Yoyogi park and events square
2-3 Jinnan, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
Website: earthday-tokyo.org
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