Hanami viewing can start as early as March in some parts of Japan, and by April, you should be able to see a fully blossomed sakura tree. Hanami is also usually accompanied by a picnic lunch and drinking, so prepare your mats and get your friends along!
2. Clam Digging
Also known as Shiohigari, clam-digging is a popular family activity in Japan. Clam-digging season is from March to July, when the weather is not too cold and not too hot. The shores of Tokyo Bay are a good place for clam digging and are known to produce an abundance of Asari (short-neck clams). Be sure to wear suitable clothes for long stretches on the beach, your hat, sunglasses, sunscreens, and you’re ready to go!
3. Spring Festivals
Japan during Spring is the time for Matsuri, which means ‘festival’ in Japan. Most of the festivals will feature food stalls, performances and other interesting Japanese cultural events. You may want to look out for the Sanja Matsuri, one of Japan’s popular festivals held in Asakusa. The three-day-long festival consists of carrying portable shrines, a parade and different kinds of traditional dance. The parade, especially, is worth the hype/crowd!
4. Strawberry Fruit Picking
Early spring marks the beginning of strawberry season. Considered as one of the most popular harvest periods, strawberry picking is an activity popular not just among tourists but also with the locals, especially those with families! Depending on the farms you go to and the fruits you pick, some charge according to the weight of the fruits picked, while some charge an entry fee for about 30-60 minutes. You may want to go for a strawberry hunt at S-Berry Farm located in Hari Cho, Nara Prefecture! Do take note that a reservation is required!
5. Camping in Japan during Spring
The most favourable weather of the year calls for some outdoor camping! Camping has always been popular among the younger ones and those young at heart. To date, there have been more than 3000 camping sites all around Japan. You may want to try camping around Mount Fuji and experience the wonder of ‘Diamond Fuji’ when the sun rises on top of a mountain. Head over to the resort nearby for a soak in their onsen or walk along the lakes and waterfalls there. There are many other campsites, but be sure to check if there are any rules and regulations to follow!
Eric Shinichi is the spa director of Ikeda Spa and enjoys writing about beauty, wellness, travel, and food in Japan. His love for Japan began when he was working in Tokyo, spending weekends relaxing in old onsen towns and enjoying seasonal kaiseki meals. Those experiences inspired him to open Singapore’s first authentic Japanese spa, bringing the same care and traditions he admired in Japan. Today, Eric shares his passion through stories about his travels, from staying in hidden ryokan to testing a centuries-old massage technique. When he’s not creating new spa experiences, he’s exploring new corners of Japan, trying new foods, or practicing his matcha whisking skills at home.
