May in Japan is the last season of spring and the beginning of early summer, but it is not as humid as in the mid-summer months. It has warm and sunny weather with some rainfall. May in Japan is also the last chance to see the cherry blossom in some areas of Japan. Some late-blooming cherry blossoms bloom from the end of April to early May.
May is also one of the perfect months to visit Japan apart from its pleasant weather, there are also a variety of cultural events taking place. May is one of the busiest months in Japan because of Golden Week which is Japan’s longest holiday. Golden Week is held between the end of April and the beginning of May where there are four national holidays held in one week. This is one reason why Golden Week is called Japan’s longest holiday.
Because of the nice warm weather in May, many outdoor activities are held in different areas throughout the month across Japan. However, Japan’s rainy season also starts between the end of May and July depending on the area. This rainy season is called Tsuyu (梅雨) which literally means “Plum Rain” because it is also the ripening season of Plums.
In this article, I would like to share with you the events held in different places in Japan in May. This is a unique opportunity for visitors to enjoy and have a memorable experience of Japanese culture, from traditional customs to contemporary trends.
1. Golden Week
Golden Week is the longest holiday in Japan containing four national holidays within seven days between the end of April and the beginning of May.
Showa Day – This is the first holiday of the Golden Week which is held every 29th of April to honor the birthday of Emperor Showa.
Constitution Memorial Day – Another national holiday on Golden Week held on the 3rd of May in celebration of the ratification of the 1947 Constitution of Japan.
Greenery Day – This is a national holiday on Golden Week held on the 4th of May to celebrate nature and give thanks by visiting parks, gardens, and other greenery places.
Children’s Day – is one of the national holidays in Japan and the last holiday of the Golden Week held every 5th of May. A special day for children to celebrate their happiness and spent time together with their parents.
For more information about Golden Week, check out the following article!
Golden Week in Japan : How to TravelWhen is Golden Week in Japan andjw-webmagazine.com
10 Best Things to Do in Golden Week in JapanGolden Week Guide: What to Do in Golden Week in Japan This Yearjw-webmagazine.com
2. Carp Streamer Festivals
Children’s Day is one of the national holidays in Golden Week. One of the things that represent this day is the Koinobori or Japanese carp streamer with different colors of fish patterns. These cloths hang outside of houses and have specific meanings such as wishing the children to grow up strong and healthy. Many events and festivals are held in different areas of Japan to celebrate this day.
Genre: Koinobori Festa 1,000 (Carp Streamer Festival)
Location: Akutagawa Sakurazutumi Park (Osaka)
Dates: April 24 to May 6, 2023
Website: https://koinoborifesta1000.jimdofree.com/
Genre: Tsuetate Onsen Koinobori
Location: Tsuetate Onsen (Kumamoto)
Dates: April 1 to May 6
Website: https://tsuetate-onsen.com/english
Genre: 333 Children’s Day Koinobori Carp Streamers
Location: Tokyo Tower (Tokyo)
Dates: March 24 to May 7, 2023
Website: https://www.tokyotower.co.jp/en/event/attraction-event/we-belong-2023/
3. Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament (Introduce Sumo Tournament Tour)
Sumo (相撲) was originated in Japan; it’s a Japanese style of wrestling and considered Japan’s National Sport. Japan is the only country where it is practiced professionally and even at the present time, the Sumo sport has ritual elements included such as the use of salt purification from Shinto.
This May, there will be a Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament held in Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena from May 14 to 28, 2023.
Genre: Sumo Tournament
Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan National Sumo Arena (Tokyo)
Dates: May 14 to 28, 2023
Website: https://www.sumo.or.jp//En/
4. Late Blooming Cherry Blossoms
There are late-blooming cherry blossoms in Japan especially in cold areas like Hokkaido. here you can usually see the cherry blossoms from the end of April to early May.
Genre: Cherry blossom
Location: Fort Goryokaku (Hokkaido)
Dates: late April to early May
Website: http://www.goryokaku-tower.co.jp/en/
Genre: Hirosaki Castle Park Cherry Blossom Festival 2023
Location: Hirosaki Park (Aomori)
Dates: April 21 to May 5, 2023
Website: https://www.hirosakipark.jp/sakura/
Best Spots to See Late Blooming Cherry Blossoms in JapanWhere to see cherry blossoms in Japan from mid-April if you miss out the peak timejw-webmagazine.com
5. Wisteria
Wisteria (Fuji in Japanese) is one of the popular spring flowers in Japan that represent love and longevity in Japanese culture. It has a characteristic of a highly floriferous woody vine and comes in colors ranging from pink to purple to white.
Genre: The Great Wisteria Festival 2023
Location: Ashikaga Flower Park (Tochigi)
Dates: April 15 to May 21, 2023
Website:
https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/
Genre: Kameido Tenjin Shrine Wisteria Festival 2023
Location: Kameido Tenjin Shrine (Tokyo)
Dates: April 15 to May 5, 2023
Website: http://kameidotenjin.or.jp/events/
Genre: Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden
Location: Kitakyushu City (Fukuoka)
Dates: Late April to Early May
Website: https://kawachi-fujien.com/