Sakura cherry blossom time is not over yet. Some petals have started falling and a few green leaves have appeared on the sakura trees, but white and pink flowers still dominate the city. The Sumida Koen Sakura Matsuri in Sumida Park and the Ueno Sakura Matsuri in nearby Ueno Park continue until April 8. And the Sakurabashi Hana Matsuri is taking place this weekend. Read more about Sakura spots in Ueno and Asakusa here http://authentic-tokyo.com/news/detail?news_id=519

April 2018 in Asakusa - colorful parades, archery, and “crying” sumo

Events are scheduled for every weekend this month. And Senso-ji Temple’s Japanese Garden is open for the spring. More about it here http://authentic-tokyo.com/news/detail?news_id=518

April 8, 2018 Hana Matsuri - Flower Festival

This day is the celebration of Buddha's birthday, often called Flower Festival. You can join the celebrations at Senso-ji Temple.

April 8, 2018 Shirasagi-no-mai - White Heron Dance

This dance is a ceremonial parade. The dancers are dressed in traditional costumes, looking like they stepped out of a historic picture scroll. The highlight are the dancers wearing the white heron costumes. Like a graceful group of birds they spread their wings during their dance on the Senso-ji Temple grounds.

April 14, 2018 Asakusa Kannon-ura Ichiyo Sakura Matsuri

The highlight of this cherry blossom related event is the Edo Yoshiwara Oiran-dochu procession of oiran geisha in elaborate traditional outfits. Other participants in the parade wear colorful outfits that might remind you of figures from old Japanese ukiyo-e prints. The street where the parade takes place is lined with a late-blooming type of cherry.

April 21, 2018 Asakusa Yabusame - Horseback Archery

Yabusame is shooting arrows from horseback at full speed. Equestrian archery is a traditional event in Asakusa and takes place near Sumida River. It is a very popular event and for the best seats you need to buy advance tickets. You can sit very close to the lane that the horses and their riders come through.

April 22, 2018 The Regatta Waseda vs Keio

This is a rowing competition on Sumida River between two famous universities from Tokyo, Waseda University and Keio University. The Regatta was first held in 1905 and will take place for the 86th time this year. The goal is at Sakurabashi Bridge near Asakusa. Races start between 9:00 and 15:30.

April 28, 2018 Naki-zumo - Baby Crying Contest

On the temple grounds of Senso-ji Temple a sumo ring is put up where small babies compete in naki-zumo, meaning “crying” sumo. They are supported by sumo wrestlers who hold the babies in their arms. This is nothing like a regular sumo fight, the babies compete by crying. This is a traditional event that wishes for children to grow up healthy and strong.

Have fun this spring in Tokyo!