From several flower festivals in and around Tokyo, a tapas festival in the heart of the city, and an eco-friendly day in the park, this weekend has enough events to steal you away from last minute hanami picnics.
Our Planet, Our Duty
Earth Day Tokyo
Take your first step in saving the planet at Yoyogi Park this weekend. This two-day Earth Day event brings charities, NGOs and eco-friendly businesses together to bring awareness to environmental issues. Of course, you can also just go for the great live music and healthy organic food fair. Either way, it's worth it.
Date: SAT, APR. 16-SUN, APR. 17, 2022
Time: 10 A.M.-7 P.M. (UNTIL 6:30 P.M. ON SUNDAY)
Location: YOYOGI PARK, 2-1 YOYOGI KAMIZONOCHO, SHIBUYA-KU,TOKYO - Map
Fee: FREE
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, FRIENDS, COUPLES, ECO-CAUTIOUS FOLKS
Spanish Food Fiesta
Paella Tapas Festival 2022
Come with an empty stomach and get full on the best of the city's paella, tapas and sweets from sunny Spain at this massive Spanish food festival. You'll also get the chance to vote for your favorite paella, but consider yourself warned — there'll be plenty to choose from!
Date: FRri, Mar. 15-Sun, Apr. 17, 2022
Time: 11 a.m.-6 p.m. (Fri), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Sat, Sun)
Location: Yoyogi Park, 2-1 YOYOGIKAMIZONOCHO, SHIBUYA-KU, TOKYO - Map
Fee: Free admission
Info: Recommended for: Foodies (especially fans of Spanish cuisine)
Romantic Sakura
Tokyo Tower's City Light Fantasia
If you can't wait for the real cherry blossoms, take a tour to Tokyo Tower which has staged a special spring mapping projection of sakura in full bloom against the Tokyo night sky. A truly romantic experience, this is a place to go to impress your significant other (or your Instagram followers).
Date: Now through Sun, May 15, 2022
Time: 6:30 p.m.-10:50 p.m.
Location: Tokyo Tower, 4-2-8 Shibakoen, Minato City, Tokyo - Map
Fee: ¥1,200 (To access the Main Deck)
Info: Recommended for: Couples, Instagrammers
Blooming Entertainment
Sakura Aquarium By Naked
Produced by digital art masters Naked Inc, the team behind the ultra-popular show Flowers by Naked, this high-tech aquarium will be glowing in a variety of cherry blossom-inspired audiovisual programs and projection mapping played during the day and later in the evening. The entire aquarium will be celebrating the arrival of spring and there's really no other indoor event as Instagrammable as this one.
Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, APR. 17, 2022
Time: 10 A.M.-10 P.M.
Location: MAXELL AQUA PARK SHINAGAWA, 4-10-30 TAKANAWA, MINATO-KU, TOKYO (INSIDE SHINAGAWA PRINCE HOTEL) - Map
Fee: ¥2,300 (ADULTS)
Info: Recommended for: Couples, Instagrammers
The Next Best Thing To Sakura
Chichibu Shibazakura 2022
Head to Hitsujiyama Park in Chichibu for an alternative, yet equally mesmerizing hanami experience: shibazakura, or moss phlox. The annual Chichibu Shibazakura Festival features some 400,000 fully bloomed moss phlox arranged in various shapes and swirls that stretch over four acres of the Shibazakura Hill, creating a scene right out of a painting. The festival runs until May, but the sooner you go the better!
Date: FRI, APRIL 15-THU, MAY 5, 2022
Time: 8 A.M.-5 P.M.
Location: HITSUJIYAMA PARK, 6360 OMIYA, CHICHIBU, SAITAMA PREFECTURE - Map
Fee: ¥300 (GENERAL) FREE (UNDER 16)
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FAMILIES, COUPLES, FRIENDS, INSTAGRAMMERS
Champagne Over Sakura
Midtown Blossom
For a more upscale hanami experience head to Tokyo Midtown's spacious garden where champagne and special sakura-inspired meal plans prepared by chefs will be served throughout the day in a setting coming straight from a Manhattan movie scene.
Date: FRI, MAR. 18-SUN, APR. 17, 2022
Time: 9:30 a.m.-12 a.m.
Location: Tokyo Midtown Garden, area alongside Sakura Avenue - Map
Fee: VARIED
Info: Recommended for: Girls' Day Out, Friends, Couples
Walk The Garden
Flower Garden Yokohama
Witness Yokohama's Red Brick Warehouse turn into a massive (and gorgeous) wildflower garden under this year's event theme for this popular annual event. Launched since 2007 to commemorate the then-5th anniversary of the renewal of Yokohama's symbol, this annual garden of some 14,200 blooming flowers is the perfect venue for a pleasant stroll amid blooming flowers and greenery. There will be many events and food as well, including, of course, edible flowers and blossom-inspired gifts to take back home.
Date: NOW THROUGH Sun, Apr. 24, 2022
Time: ALL DAY. LIGHT UP: 5:30 P.M.-8 P.M.
Location: YOKOHAMA RED BRICK WAREHOUSE EVENT PLAZA, 1-1 SHINKO, NAKA-KU, YOKOHAMA, KANAGAWA PREFECTURE - Map
Fee: FREE!
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: INSTAGRAMMERS, FAMILIES, COUPLES, PHOTOGRAPHERS
A Floral Getaway
Bunkyo Azalea Festival (Tsutsuji Matsuri)
Witness the beauty of tsutsuji (azalea) at Nezu Shrine's annual Azalea Festival, another event celebrating the beauty of spring's most breathtaking flowers. Here you can also check out the plant fairs, tea houses, and various food vendors.
Date: NOW THROUGH SUN, MAY 1, 2022
Time: 9 A.M.- 6 P.M.
Location: NEZU SHRINE, 1-28-9 NEZU, BUNKYO-KU, TOKYO - Map
Fee: FREE!
Info: RECOMMENDED FOR: FRIENDS, COUPLES, FAMILIES, INSTAGRAMERS
What are your plans for the weekend? If you’re organizing a fun or interesting event, or you know someone who is,contact usto get it listed!
Attending any of these events? Send us photos throughFacebookorInstagram for a chance to be published on the site. #SavvyTokyo
