Many people planning a trip to Japan during the Easter holiday may wonder, “Does Japan celebrate Easter?” or “What attractions are there during this time?” While Easter is not a national holiday in Japan, late March through April marks the height of spring, with cherry blossoms, seasonal events, and festivals offering abundant attractions.
This article clarifies the meaning and significance of Easter in Japan and introduces the weather during this season, tourist highlights, and representative spring festivals to enjoy.
1. Does Japan Celebrate Easter?
In Japan, Easter is not a public holiday, nor is it commonly celebrated as a religious observance. While Easter is originally a Christian celebration of Jesus Christ’s resurrection, in Japan—where Christians do not make up the majority—it is recognized as one of several seasonal events of Western origin. Therefore, special ceremonies in homes or communities are rarely observed.
However, in recent years, Easter events have been adopted by commercial facilities and theme parks as a motif signaling the arrival of spring. Easter symbols such as Easter eggs and rabbits, pastel-colored decorations, and limited-time foods and sweets are displayed, creating a bright atmosphere throughout these spaces. This follows the same pattern as Japan’s unique interpretation of Christmas, Valentine’s Day, and Halloween.
Against this background, Easter in Japan is more like a seasonal celebration focused on enjoying a festive atmosphere. Since cherry blossoms and spring events occur throughout the country during this period, travelers visiting during Easter vacation can plan a more fulfilling stay by combining these uniquely Japanese spring experiences.
2. The History of Easter in Japan
The reason Easter never took root in Japan is deeply connected to the history of Christianity’s reception and suppression. Easter itself was introduced to Japan around the 16th century along with Christianity but never became established in society.
Around 1549, Christian missionaries including Francis Xavier arrived in Kagoshima and began evangelizing mainly in Kyushu. During this period, feudal lords such as Omura Sumitada, Arima Yoshisada, and Otomo Sorin converted, and Christianity gained some traction. However, missionary activities were restricted following Toyotomi Hideyoshi’s expulsion order, and during Tokugawa Ieyasu’s era, Christianity was thoroughly suppressed.
Later, freedom of religion was recognized during the Meiji era, and Christianity was once again accepted in Japan. However, even today, Christians comprise less than 1% of the population. For this reason, Easter has never been widely celebrated as a religious observance and has remained historically limited in presence.
3. Is Easter a Good Time to Visit Japan?
While Easter itself is not a major holiday in Japan, late March through April marks the height of spring, with pleasant weather and seasonal events beginning throughout the country. With cherry blossoms blooming and outdoor events occurring simultaneously, this is an excellent time for families to enjoy both tourism and nature.
3-1. Weather
April in Japan, corresponding to the Easter season, is a season conducive to tourism but requires preparation for temperature variations. Average daytime temperatures are around 10°C in Sapporo, while eastern and western Japan including Tokyo reach around 20°C. While some days allow for light clothing during the day, nighttime temperatures can drop below 5°C in Sapporo and to around 10°C in Tokyo.
Additionally, April is a period when high and low-pressure systems alternately pass through in short cycles, making the weather changeable. While some days are sunny and warm, cold rain may fall due to low-pressure systems accompanied by cold air. Since the temperature difference between day and night is significant, it’s advisable to prepare adjustable clothing such as long-sleeved shirts along with light cardigans or jackets.
3-2. Highlights
April in Japan is a time when attractions offering both nature and culture are concentrated. The greatest appeal is the cherry blossom viewing scenery enjoyed throughout the country. While the cherry blossom season ends earlier in Kyushu and southern Honshu, blossoms can be viewed until mid-April in Nagano, Kanazawa, Sendai, and the Tohoku region, and until early May in Hokkaido.
Japanese hanami is not just about viewing cherry blossoms but a cultural experience celebrating the arrival of spring while enjoying food and conversation. At famous cherry blossom spots, food stalls line up, allowing visitors to stroll and picnic while tasting local foods. For those traveling across regions, following the cherry blossom front from south to north allows for a longer period to fully enjoy Japan’s spring scenery.
4. Japanese Festivals to Enjoy During the Easter Season
During April, corresponding to the Easter season, festivals where you can experience the season are held throughout Japan. While these events differ from religious Easter observances, they offer a lively atmosphere celebrating the arrival of spring. Here we introduce representative spring festivals from around Japan that are easy to visit during Easter vacation.
4-1. Takayama Festival
The Takayama Festival is one of Japan’s representative traditional spring festivals, with the major appeal of simultaneously experiencing the townscape of Hida Takayama and its craftsmanship culture. Formally called the Sanno Festival, it is held as the annual festival of Hida Sanno-gu Hie Shrine.
The main highlight is the magnificent floats that embody the skills of Hida craftsmen. Floats decorated with intricate carvings and lacquerwork line the town, and some feature performances of mechanical puppet offerings. Additionally, processions in traditional costumes parade through the town, with gagaku court music and lion dances enhancing the festival atmosphere. At night, lanterns are lit, creating a fantastical landscape different from the daytime, and the festival is highly regarded for allowing deep appreciation of Japanese history and aesthetics.
4-2. Bunkyo Azalea Festival
The Bunkyo Azalea Festival is an event where you can easily enjoy Japan’s spring flower scenery while in the city center. At Nezu Shrine’s azalea garden, the festival venue, approximately 3,000 azalea plants of 100 varieties bloom in profusion, creating a colorful and vibrant landscape. Since different varieties bloom at different times, the appeal is enjoying different expressions depending on when you visit.
During the festival period, traditional performing arts offerings, processions, and community-based events are held within the shrine grounds, providing opportunities to experience Japanese culture alongside flower viewing. Food stalls also line up, allowing visitors to enjoy light meals between strolls. With excellent access and satisfying even for short visits, this festival is suitable for travelers wanting to incorporate a spring-like experience during their Tokyo stay.
4-3. Fuji Shibazakura Festival
The Fuji Shibazakura Festival is a popular spring event where you can simultaneously enjoy the nature and flower scenery at the foot of Mount Fuji. At Fuji Motosuko Resort, the venue, approximately 500,000 moss phlox plants—the largest scale in the metropolitan area—spread across the ground, beautifully coloring the surface in red, pink, white, and purple.
The moss phlox blooms covering the ground, with the highlight being the contrast with Mount Fuji’s majestic form. Visitors can enjoy the scenery while strolling through the grounds, and food trucks and takeout food options are abundant. The ability to experience nature, flowers, and food all at once is a major attraction for visitors to Japan during this season.
4-4. Inuyama Festival
The Inuyama Festival is a historic festival continuing since the Edo period, with the appeal of experiencing both the castle town atmosphere and Japanese traditional culture at once. This festival held in Inuyama City, Aichi Prefecture, has been passed down as a festival of Haritsuna Shrine.
The main highlight is the 13 festival floats carrying elaborate mechanical puppets. During the day, gorgeous decorations harmonize with the cherry blossom scenery, while at night lanterns are lit and processions take place in a fantastical atmosphere. The powerful movements of dramatically turning the heavy floats and the festival music of flutes and drums add to the lively excitement of the entire festival. It is highly regarded as an event symbolizing Japanese festival culture.
Summary
While Easter is not widely celebrated as a religious observance in Japan, April is an excellent travel season to fully enjoy spring nature and culture. You can view cherry blossoms in pleasant weather and experience spring festivals held throughout the country, enjoying Japan’s unique sense of the season.
When visiting Japan during Easter vacation, rather than focusing on Western celebrations, incorporating Japan’s unique spring landscapes and events into your itinerary will allow you to plan a more memorable stay.
*This article is based on information as of January 2026.
