April 2023; Upcoming Kansai Events

Dr October 14, 2023

April 2023; Upcoming Kansai Event

Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots

Late March through April is when the cherry trees will be blooming in Kansai. The following sites are some recommended locations, many of which have links to photo journals to give you an idea of what the areas have look like in past seasons:

10/28-4/12. Nijo Matsuri. Night lightups at Nijo Castle in Kyoto. 1300 to 1800 yen.

3/4-5/14. 10:00-15:30. Dinosaur Dreams exhibit at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art. 2000 yen for adults, free for kids.

11/3-4/9. Night Light illumination event at Hirakata Park. 

3/15-5/14. Display of woodblock prints at the Uji City Genji Museum.

3/18-5/28. Poison exhibit at Osaka Natural History Museum. Nagai Park, near Nagai station.

4/1 (first evening of every month). Ice lanterns at Himuro Shrine near Kintetsu Nara station.

4/1. ChanChan Festival in Tenri city, Nara prefecture. At Ooyamato Shrine.

4/1. 10:00-. Naka-Oe Park will have a cherry blossom festival with a Noh performance (there are several Noh theeaters located near the park). Near Tanimachi-4Chome station. Free.

3/18-5/28. Awaji Flower Festival.

3/18-6/4. Van Gogh Alive exhibit at the Hyogo Prefectural Museum of Art. 3600 yen.

4/1. Mogami Odori dance ritual at Omori Shrine. Near Nagatanino station. 

4/2. 10:00-15:30. Naniwa Doll Fes.

4/2. 11:00-. Itakiso Shrine. Tree festival with chainsaw carving demonstrations. Near Idakiso station, six stops away from Wakayama station.

4/3. 10:00-. Jimmusai at Kashihara Jingu.

4/6. 09:30-16:30. Cosplay event at Maishima Seaside Park with Nemophilia flowers in the background.

4/7-5/7. 09:00-17:00. Nemophilia Matsuri at Maishima Seaside Park. 1300 yen.

4/8-9. 10:40, 2:30. Rakugo performances at Jonangu Shrine to coincide with cherry blossoms in the scenic shrine garden.

4/8-10 (every year). Omiwa Shrine Spring Festival.  4/9 13:00 there will be a Wakamiya Shrine Shinkosai, mikoshi parade. Near JR Miwa station.

https://kansaiculture.blogspot.com/2018/04/omiwa-spring-festival-parade.html


4/8-9. 12:00-. Washu Fes at Osaka Bay Tower. Sake Festival near Bentencho station.

4/7-9. 10:00-18:00. Furniture Fair at Pulse Plaza in Kyoto.

4/9. Acosta cosplay event at Moinoh Q's Mall.
https://acosta.jp/event/qsmall-minoh/

4/9 (2nd Sunday of April every year). Gishisai Festival. Parade of 47 Ronin in Ako-Banshu.


4/10. 10:00-17:00. Oukasai; Hirano Shrine Cherry Blossom Festival. Near Enmachi station.
https://kansaiculture.blogspot.com/2018/04/oukasai-hirano-shrine-cherry-blossom.html



4/13-16. Nagahama Hikiyama Festival. Children perform plays on rolling theater stages.

4/14 (every year). Taimadera parade of golden-masked bodhisattvas.

4/15. Stone lifting ceremony at Sumiyoshi Shrine. If the stone feels lighter after you make your prayer, it is said that your wish will come true.


4/15 (3rd Saturday of every month). The Minatogawa Tunnel will be open for visitors.


4/15-16. 10:00-16:00.Fukuchiyama Castle Festival. Near Fukuchiyama station.

4/16. 09:00-18:00. Parade at 10:00-. Ikuta Shrine Festival and Owaritari ceremony with mikoshi. Near Sannomiya station.

4/18. Izumo Taisha Shrine. Near Kameoka station in Kyoto. Dancers in floral hats dance with drums.

4/19-20. 10:00-15:00. Barrier Free expo at INTEX. Free.
http://www.tvoe.co.jp/bmk/

4/20. 10:00-. Omi Jingu procession. Near Otsukyo station.

4/21-24. La Festa Primevera road rally race with a goal event in Kyoto.

La Festa Primevera finish at Kyoto City Hall. Photo from 2017.


4/22 (every year). 12:30-. Prince Shotoku memorial services and traditional dance performances.

4/22-23. American Food Fes at the Kyoto International Center. Near Keage station.

4/22-23. CosJoy cosplay event at Harvest no Oka.

4/23. CosJoy cosplay event at the Kobe Winery.

4/24-5/6. 1000 Koinobori Carp Streamer event near Takatsuki Station. Main event on 4/29, 10:00-15:30.

4/26-?. 11:00-21:00. Kirby Cafe in Tennoji Mio.
https://kirbycafe.jp/petit/

4/29-5/5. 13:00-17:30. Mibudera temple in Kyoto will have Kyogen stage performances. 1000 yen.
https://www.mibudera.com/kyogen.html

4/30. Acosta cosplay event at Kishiwada CanCan Bayside Mall.
https://acosta.jp/event/k-cancan/

4/30. 11:30-16:30. UDO Street Dance World Championship Japan. Miyakko Messe - B1F, Exhibition Hall 1.
https://www.miyakomesse.jp/event/2023/04/004325.html

5/3-5. Infiorata Kobe 2022. Flower petal art will decorate the street in Kobe. Near Motomachi station.

https://kansaiculture.blogspot.com/2018/05/infiorata-kobe.html
5/5-7. 11:00-20:00. Osaka ComiCom 2023. 3,900 yen. At INTEX near Nakafuto station.
5/7. 10:30-. Bay Area Festival at ATC.
5/28. 10:30-15:00. Comic City Osaka at INTEX near Nakafuto station.

Azaleas: Mid April to Mid May
  • Nagaoka Tenjin Shrine
  • Takatsuka Park
  • Akashi Castle Park
  • Oogawa riverside; from Temmabashi station
  • Shinsenen Temple in Kyoto. http://www.shinsenen.org/
  • Mt Katsuragi (much later than other azaleas because of the high altitude)

Nemophilia Flowers
  • Nagai Park
  • Maishima Seaside Park
  • Bankpaku

Wisteria
  • Kasuga Shrine in Nara
Tulips
  • Izumi Environmental Recycle Park


April 2022; Past Kansai Events

3/19-4/10. 09:30-17:00. Sakura Matsuri at Banpaku.

4/2-17. 09:30-17:00. Tulip Festival at Banpaku.

4/2-5/8. 09:30-17:00. Poppy Fair at Banpaku.

4/3. Iaido demonstration at Himuro Shrine near Kintetsu Nara station.


4/29. 14:00. Heian-style garden ceremony at Jonangu Shrine. Cancelled for 2022 because of COVID.


Cherry Blossom Viewing Spots

Late March through April is when the cherry trees will be blooming in Kansai. The following sites are some recommended locations, many of which have links to photo journals to give you an idea of what the areas have look like in past seasons:
5/14-15. 10:00-17:00. Tsuru-Cos. Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park Cosplay Day. This group holds a weekend event every month in the park. 1,000 yen changing room fee for cosplayers, and first time cosplayers must sit through a 10-minute cosplay manners/orientation class and get a certificate of completion before participating.


April 2021; Past Kansai Events

4/5. Prince Shotoku memorial service at Horyu-ji Temple.

4/6-7. 11:00-19:00. Kyoto Sakura Yosakoi. Cancelled due to COVID.

4/10. 9:00-17:00. Cosplay event at the Yagyu Middle School.


4/14. Hachiman Festival. Large fire festival at a shrine near Omi Hachiman station.

4/14. Hachiman Mantou Lantern Festival at a shrine near Omi Hachiman station.

4/22. Taga Matsuri. At Taga Shrine near Hikone station.
4/29. Showa Matsuri at Omiwa Shrine.

4/27-5/2. 10:00-17:00. Kyoto Art Exhibition at Miyakko Messe in Kyoto.

5/2-4. Sword Fair at Miyakko Messe in Kyoto.




Past Events 4月 2019

3/31. Tatsuno Castle cherry blossom festival. Parade of people in samurai costumes.
https://kansaiculture.blogspot.com/2017/03/tatsuno-castle-cherry-blossom-festival.html


3/16-6/2. Awaji Flower Festival at the Awaji National Akashi Kaiykyo Garden. Bus from Maiko station - 510 yen.

3/10-5/6. 08:30-16:10. Free opening of the treasure house at Shitennoji Temple. Near Shitennoji Mae station.

3/20-4/14. 09:30-18:30 (last admission). Banpaku Sakura Matsuri. Lightup from 18:00-21:00.

3/21-4/14. Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival

3/24-4/7. Rokko Island Tulip Festival.

2/26-5/6.  "Noh" exhibit of noh masks at Kosetsu Museum of Art. Near JR Sumiyoshi station (near Kobe). 800 yen.

3/21-5/6. Exhibit called "Dreams of Priest Myoe and Kosan-ji Temple" will display several national treasure wall scrolls. The Koestsu Museum near Nakanoshima station in Osaka. 1100 yen for adults. http://www.kosetsu-museum.or.jp/nakanoshima/exhibition/2019_3-21/

3/1-6/9. 8a-11:30p. Green Station decorations at Osaka Station City, Sky Plaza.

3/16-5/31. Lightscape in Rokko. Display of light art on Mt. Rokko at night.


4/1-7. 10:00-16:00. Sakura Matsuri at Akashi Castle Park.

4/1-20. Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Festival. There is a night time light up of the cherry blossoms and there is a pleasure boat touring the castle moat during the day.

4/1-27. 12:30-, 14:30-, 16:30-. Minamiza Theater re-opening commemorative dance. Above Gion Sanjo station.

The first week in April, every year. 13:00-17:00. Kouzu Sakura Matsuri.

3/22-4/4. Kids Plaza ninja event.

4/5-7. Himeji Castle and Otemae Park will have the Himeji Gurumerando (Gourmet Land event).
4/6-8. 10:00-17:00. Himeji Castle gourmet event.

4/5. 10:00-. Mizuya Shrine chinkasai, shrine dance performance.

4/5-7. 10:00-17:00. Himeji Castle gourmet event.

4/6. 10:00-. Himeji Castle Cherry Blossom Viewing Festival.

4/6. Noh Chanting Workshop. ???

4/6-7. 11:00-19:00. Kyoto Sakura Yosakoi.

4/6-7. 10:00-18:00. Sword market at Miyako Messe in Kyoto. Free entry.


3/24-4/7. Koriyama castle festival. Parades on the first and last days.

4/7, 20, 5/13, 25. 10:00-12:00. Zazen Meditation sessions for free (offerings/donation recommended) at Shitennoji Temple for foreigners. The instructor will speak a mix of Japanese and English.




4/7. Kamikosu. Kobe Harborland cosplay event.

4/7. 10:30-. Fujio Kai. A free kabuki performance at the Takatsuki Municipal Culture Center.

4/7. 10:00-15:30. Naniwa Doll Festival. Near Shitennoji station.

4/8. Rokakkudo Flower Festival. Near Karasuma station in Kyoto.

4/8-10. Omiwa Shrine Spring Festival.  4/9 13:00 there will be a Wakamiya Shrine Shinkosai, mikoshi parade. Near JR Miwa station.

https://kansaiculture.blogspot.com/2018/04/omiwa-spring-festival-parade.html

4/9. 13:00. Tightrope Lion Dance. At Isenomori Shrine. Maiko Station then a bus and taxi ride.

4/10.10:00-17:00. Oukasai; Hirano Shrine Cherry Blossom Festival. Near Enmachi station.
https://kansaiculture.blogspot.com/2018/04/oukasai-hirano-shrine-cherry-blossom.html

4/9-15. Osaka Mint cherry blossom viewing. The mint area will be lit up at night and there will be many food and festival vendors along the river.
https://kansaiculture.blogspot.com/2018/04/osaka-mint-cherry-blossom-tunnel-day.html

4/11-12. Taishi Mairi, a procession at ?fuku temple near Tennoji station.

4/12-5/12. Narita Naoko photograph exhibit at Kyoto station. Photos shot Japanese tourist spots reflected off of the eyes of visitors.


4/12-15 (every year). Hiyoshi Shrine Sanousai. Near Sakamoto station. Parade of people in samurai armor carrying torches. Then there is a procession of men in loincloths with torches to a mountaintop shrine where there carry a portable shrine down a mountain path.
4/12 18:30-21:20 - mountain procession.
4/13 13:00. Daytime flower procession. Young boys in samurai armor.
4/13 16:30-21. Ceremonies with the portable shrines.
4/14 14:30. The portable shrines and men dressed in samuari armor are loaded onto  a boat that cruises Lake Biwa.


4/13-15 (mid April each year). 18:00-21:00. Rokkakudo Illumination. Near Karasuma station. Free entry.



4/12-15. Nagahama Float Festival at Hachimangu Shrine. Near Nagahama station.



4/14-16. Hachiman Festival. Large fire festival at a shrine near Omi Hachiman station.

Parade on 4/15.


4/13-21.00 Weeping Cherry Tree Walk at the Uji City Botanical Garden near Uji station.

4/13-14. 10:00-17:00. Concorso d'Eleganza Kyoto. A display of classical cars at Nijo Castle.
Award ceremony at 15:00-16:30 on the last day.







4/19-20. Minakuchi Shrine parade. In Koka City. There will be mikoshi (portable shrines) as well as the unusual hikiyama floats, which are like tall danjiri towers.

4/20. 14:00-. Onikusube ceremony at Takuraji temple near Yamazaki station.

4/20. 14:00-. Ancient archery ceremony at Kasuga Shrine. Near Kintetsu Nara station.

4/20 (late April every year). 14:00-. There will be an archery ceremony at Kasuga Shrine in Nara.




4/20-21. 10:00-15:00. Takenoko (bamboo shoot) Festa. 8 minute bus ride from Nagaokakyo station to Nagaoka Tenmangu.

4/20-21. Goma stick burning ceremony at Bentenshu Temple near JR Gojo station in Nara.
Bentenshu goma stick ceremony.

4/20-21. Miguchi Okayama Castle  event. Fireworks on the 20th at 19:30. There will be a shuriken throwing contest.

4/20-5/6. 09:00-16:30. Garden event at Sorakuen Park near Motomachi station in Kobe.

4/20-21. Omi Festival at OmiJingu Shrine.

4/20-21. 10:00-16:00. Jinmusai. Festival celebrating the first emperor of Japan at the shrine near his burial mound. Near Kashiharu jingu mae station. There will be various events including a parade, motor show, stage events...

4/21. Cosplay at the Osaka Prefectural Garden of Floral Culture.

4/22. La Festa Primevera passes through Kyoto. They usually gather in front of the Kyoto City Hall.


4/22 (every year). Shoryoe, a memorial service for Prince Shotoku. The service features traditional court music and costumed dances.

4/22. Taga Matsuri. At Taga Shrine near Hikone station.

4/25. Kisshoin Tenmangu Spring Festival. Near Nishioji station in Kyoto.

4/25. Performing arts demonstrations at Osaka Tenmangu shrine, including martial arts. Special events are often held at Tenjin Shrines of the 25th of each month.

4/27. Mizogi loincloth ceremony at Sumiyoshi Shrine.

4/27. 10:00-16:00. Flower Festa Kobe 2019. Near Sannomiya station.

4/28. 10:00-16:00. Kusatsu Festival. Near Kusatsu station.

4/29. Takatsuki Koinobori Festival. The carp streamers will be on display from 4/22-5/5.

4/29. Doppori Festival. Showa Era Day on Showa Day in the Showacho shopping arcade near Showacho subway station.
https://showacho.jp/

4/29. Jonangu garden poetry event in Heian-era costumes.

4/29. 11:00. Tanzan Kemari Festival. Kickball game performed at a mountain shrine with a unique pagoda. Entry is 600 yen. Tanzan Shrine is quite far from JR Unebe station, so you will need to take a bus or taxi from the station.


4/28-29 2019. Biwako Jazz Fest. In Higashi Omi.


4/29. 10:00-17:00. Crying baby sumo ceremony. 7000¥ for your baby to participate. At Nomi Shrine in Takatsuki







References
  1. http://www.intex-osaka.com
  2. http://www.kansaimatsuri.com/en/
  3. https://kansaifinder.com/
  4. http://www.kyotoguide.com/
  5. http://nishinavi.jp/
  6. http://www.hyogo-tourism.jp/
  7. https://ohmatsuri.com/en/
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  9. http://www.nankinmachi.or.jp/eventlist
  10. http://www.nihon-kankou.or.jp/
  11. http://osakabayarea.com/
  12. http://www.imamiyajinja.org/event/
  13. http://www.dydo-matsuri.com/english/
  14. https://www.miyakomesse.jp/event/
  15. http://www.hyogo-park.or.jp/akashi/contents/news/index.php?mode=view&cd=7895
  16. http://kifunejinja.jp/event.html
  17. http://www.pulseplaza.jp/
  18. https://www.instagram.com/amano.jun/
  19. http://igakanko.net/?p=113
  20. http://oomiwa.or.jp/omatsuri/
  21. http://www.arashiyamahoshokai.com/gyouji.html
  22. https://www.insidekyoto.com
  23. https://www.leafkyoto.net/special/illumination/
  24. http://www.atc-co.com/index.php
  25. http://www.mus-his.city.osaka.jp
  26. http://www.kasugataisha.or.jp/calendar/s
  27. https://acosta.jp/
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