Cherry blossom season in Japan ends between early and mid-April. Though in Hokkaido, the season still remains, featuring a lot of beautiful spring flowers, including sakura, ume, magnolia, and tulips.
With pleasant weather around, May brings late-spring time, allowing visitors to spend their time doing fun outdoor activities in Japan. The month is mild and comfortable, but sometimes you may encounter some rainfall.
If you are planning to visit Japan in May, this article will guide you on what to do and see while travelling around the country. In fact, some of the places look incredibly awesome in May and you can’t deny exploring their absolute seasonal highlights.
The Golden Week is a collection of Japan’s National Holidays, starting from the end of April through the first week of May. That means early-May is a very busy time in Japan with numerous festivals and events.
Now, let’s find out some things you should not miss experiencing when you are in Japan in May:
1. Cherry blossoms in Hokkaido, Road Trip & More
In recent years, cherry blossoms have begun to bloom earlier than usual in Japan. This year’s sakura season has arrived earlier too.
Hokkaido, the northernmost prefecture of Japan is a place of scenic beauty, where cherry blossoms start blooming from late April, and full bloom can be enjoyed from the end of April to early May.
If you have missed viewing sakura in Tokyo or other parts of Japan, be sure to head towards Hokkaido in early May. Yes, you still have a chance to see Japan’s hanami tradition.
This is the ideal place to view cherry blossoms in May and you will be pleased to see many different varieties of sakura trees, including plum blossoms and wild sakura.
Please note you are always advised to check the annual cherry blossom forecast before planning a trip to Hokkaido in the first week of May.
In fact, many spring flowers bloom in May as the weather gets warmer day by day. Spotting tulips while walking around is a common phenomenon. Hokkaido’s most popular tulip viewing spot is Kamiyubetsu Tulip Park, offering visitors about 1,200,000 tulips of 120 different kinds to see.
Some of these popular cherry blossom viewing spots in Hokkaido will blow your mind, no doubt about that!
May is also considered the perfect time to see shibazakura here. You can explore two of Japan’s most popular shibzakura spots located in Hokkaido, they are as follows: Higashimokoto Shibazakura Park and Takinoue Park.
If you are a foodie traveler, Hokkaido’s authentic cuisine should be at the top of your bucket list. Whether it is Hokkaido Ramen, Soup curry or Jingiskhan, you’ll be just as excited by the new dishes you’ll get to try.
In addition, you can visit the Blue Pond in Biei of central Hokkaido. The pond is said to be at its best in May as it gets more transparent. Another popular attraction in Biei is Shirahige Waterfall. It’s a great site to discover too.
Stay a night at Ryounkaku, a ryokan hotel in the Kamifurano area featuring outdoor and indoor hot spring baths. The surrounding views that you will see while taking outdoor hot spring baths are absolutely mind-boggling.
Finally, any traveller planning a Japan road trip simply must include Hokkaido. The area boasts wonderful landscape and historical landmarks to make your journey unforgettable.
From spring to autumn is a perfect time to experience this exciting outdoor activity. Rent a car and start your journey. It is going to be a great adventure!
2. Fuji Shibazakura Festival at Fuji Motosuko Resort
One of the iconic places to visit in Japan in May is arguably the Fuji Shibazakura Festival, held every year from mid-April to late-May at Fuji Motosuko Resort.
When travelling around the Kanto region of Japan, take the opportunity to visit most of its highlights in May, which includes this amazing flower festival. It is a great sight to behold, from where you can also expect to view the majestic Mt. Fuji.
Visit the park on clear days, so you don’t miss the view of Mt. Fuji. Therefore our advice to you is check the weather conditions before you head out.
We recommend you to stay at least two nights in the area of Lake Kawaguchi. So you can visit interesting places found on the north shore of Lake Kawaguchi to enjoy the scenery of Mount Fuji. This property located next to Oishi Park made our stay perfect.
It offers breathtaking views of vast fields of shibazakura, with Mount Fuji in the distance. This kind of scenery can be possible to observe only in May.
Even though shibzakura start blooming in mid April, the best time to see them is early to mid May.
3. Wisteria of Ashikaga Flower Park
Wondering where to see wisteria in Japan? There are many places to find them and some of those spots are widely well-known only for their beautiful wisteria flowers.
This article reveals the best wisteria viewing spots in Japan.
One such attraction is Ashikaga Flower Park, located in Tochigi prefecture of Japan. There is one huge wisteria tree in the park, said to be approximately 100 years old. It is one of the main highlights you will see there.
Wisteria trees there reach in full bloom in the beginning of May, attracting thousands of visitors every day. Want to avoid the crowds? If your answer is yes, then avoid visiting the park on the weekend.
Upon the arrival of spring, many other flowers also bloom in the park alongside wisteria (Fuji in Japanese). For flower lovers this is a must-see place in Tochigi.
You can visit the park from Tokyo. It makes a great day trip from the capital city of Japan by train and bus. From Tokyo, first take a train to Oyama Station and then use the JR Ryomo Line to get to Ashikaga Flower Park Station.
The fastest journey would be if you take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Oyama.
4. Kyoto – Is it worth a visit in May?
It is true that Kyoto attracts millions of visitors in spring and autumn every year. We believe you can hardly miss seeing its green season, which comes before the rainy season.
The parks, temples and shrines including their beautiful gardens all look fabulous in May (end of spring) with pleasant weather and green leaves around. Chishakuin temple in east Kyoto is famous for its gardens. Go there and marvel at those beautiful preserved Japanese gardens.
You don’t see sakura in Kyoto in May, but when you take a stroll in a garden you will feel very relaxed. Fewer crowds make a garden stroll quite appealing, giving you a lot of opportunity to take nature photos.
New green maple leaves that you see in Kyoto are pretty, and not less attractive than when they turn red in autumn.
Many spring flowers, such as wisteria, azaleas and irises bloom in Kyoto and they can be spotted in May. For example, you can visit Byodo-in temple in early-May to see impressive wisteria trellises.
About 20,000 thousand azaleas fill the garden of Mimurotoji (a Buddhist temple in Uji) around early May. To be honest, this temple is a year-round attraction in Kyoto, and it will always make your visit special.
Every year on May 15, people in Kyoto celebrate Aoi Matsuri. It is considered one of Kyoto’s three most famous festivals (along with the Gion Matsuri and Jidai Matsuri.
The main highlight of this spring festival is the large parade, starting from the Imperial Palace to the Kamo Shrines. You must experience this festival if you have the time!
Kamogama Odori, the last of Kyoto’s spring geisha dances that takes place in May at Pontocho Kaburenjo Theatre. The performances are amazing and so are the stage interior designs! This is obviously a great place to see and meet professional geisha and maiko in Kyoto.
5. Experience Tokyo’s Spring Festivals & More
Tokyo is one of Japan’s most popular travel destinations for tourists. Whether it is for the country’s incredible natural beauty, unique culture, day trips, delicious food, or nightlife – Tokyo has it all.
Tokyo’s early springtime brings hanami with plenty of cherry blossoms to see in the parks and gardens. On the other hand, the late-spring season is packed with traditional festivals, such as Kanda matsuri, Sanja matsuri, and Kurayami matsuri.
Among these three festivals, Kanda Matsuri is the most popular, and one of Tokyo’s three most famous festivals, held in mid-May at Kanda Myojin Shrine. This old Japanese festival started during the Edo period (1603-1867).
The main highlights of this festival are a day-long procession on Saturday around various old neighbourhoods of Tokyo, and parades of over 100 portable shrines (mikoshi) on Sunday. These two days bring a lot of exciting moments for participants.
Please note this festival is held only on odd-numbered years. That’s interesting!
Sanja matsuri, the festival of Asakusa Shrine is celebrated to honor the three men, the founders of Sensoji Temple, who are enshrined in Asakusa Shrine. This is another lively festival in Tokyo, held annually over the third weekend in May.
This festival features a large procession of priest, geisha, and officials wearing Edo-period costumes on Friday, parade with carrying over of 100 of mikoshi (portable shrines) around the Asakusa neighborhoods on Saturday, and the final day on Sunday highlights the parade of three large-sized mikoshi.
May is still a good time to see flowers in Tokyo. If you visit Showa Kinen Koen (Showa Memorial Park) in May you will see many flowers there, including poppies and nemophila.
Another bucket list-worthy destination in Tokyo in May is Jindai Botanical Garden. It has the biggest rose garden in Tokyo. The rose festival here attracts a lot of crowds, which takes place from early to late May. It boasts approximately 5,200 rose bushes and 400 varieties of colorful roses!
The May Grand Sumo Tournament takes place in Tokyo, which is the 3rd of Japan’s six annual Sumo tournaments. If you want to experience this traditional sport in Tokyo, you must go to Ryogoku Kokugikan, and watch some exciting live sumo matches.
If you have a few extra days around the Tokyo area, consider taking a day trip out of the city and getting back to nature, for example, you can hit the hiking trails leading up to Mount Takao or explore Hitachi Seaside Park’s nemophila (baby blue eyes).
May is indeed a good time to explore the capital of Japan. You will experience some amazing festivals that can’t be seen during cherry blossom season.
6. Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route – Northern Alps Adventure
Want to see snow in Japan in May? Your desire to see snow will come true if you visit the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. It is a sightseeing route, commonly called the “Roof of Japan“, runs 37 kilometers between the town of Tateyama and the city of Omachi – offers incredible views of mountain peaks.
Visitors can embark on a trip to this spectacular sightseeing route either from Nagano or Toyama prefecture.
Tourist’s main attraction while traveling along the route is the Snow Walls (Yuki no Otani) near Murodo. The walls are about 18 meters high, and they are still over 10 meters high even in June. How cool is that!
When you take a walk through walls of snow, you can then imagine why the area is considered one of the most heavy snowfall areas in Japan.
This incredible attraction offers many outdoor activities and interesting landmarks. For example, you can ride the Tateyama Cable Car to enjoy impressive views of the Tateyama mountain range, and explore the Kurodbe Dam, the largest dam in Japan.
Stay at Hotel Tateyama, and have some good time witnessing picturesque Northern Alps Mountains.
We recommend you should check the official website, www.alpen-route.com, before making the trip. The website is packed with a lot of useful information for tourists including weather updates and public transport.
7. Kurobe Gorge Railway – A Scenic Train Ride
A train journey along Kurobe Gorge is one of the best outdoor activities you will experience in Japan. Many tourists come to enjoy a train ride here in autumn leaves season, but I assure you that if you do it in May (late spring) you won’t be disappointed.
Located in the mountains of the Northern Japan Alps, Kurobe Gorge is a hidden scenic spot in Japan, where nature lovers enjoy breathtaking scenic views of the gorge.
Kurobe gorge railway operates seasonally from the middle of April to November. The train departs from Unazuki Station and makes two more stops before reaching the final station – Keyakidaira station. The entire route is about 20 kilometers and trains pass through many tunnels and bridges.
While on the train you can see some of the best panoramic views of the gorge. Along the way, visitors can explore onsen (hot springs), bridges, rivers, dams, footbaths, beautiful forested mountains, observation platforms, and designated hiking trails.
Don’t miss a walk across Okukane Bridge, a beautiful red bridge over Kurobe River and admire the beauty of the valley.
Another activity we would like to recommend is – take a leisurely walk on the Yamabiko Bridge (a foot bridge) and have a nice view of the gorge. In fact, many visitors take photos from here while the torokko trains cross the new bridge.
For timetable of the trains and ticket fares, please visit this website: www.kurotetu.co.jp
8. Kawachi Fujien Wisteria Garden in Kitakyushu, Fukuoka
Kokura Castle is the symbol of Kitakyushu city, but for many it is the 100 meter long wisteria tunnels of Kawachi Fujien Wisteria garden.
There is so much more to discover in Japan, and this wisteria garden in Kitakyushu is obviously a place of scenic beauty, which is worth a visit in early-May.
Fukuoka is a popular place to view cherry blossoms in late March. You can even see plenty of sakura on the grounds of Kokura Castle. Don’t be sad if you miss hanami in Fukuoka! During late spring, you can visit this wisteria garden and make your trip quite memorable.
The tunnels made of beautiful wisteria flowers in various types and colors will overwhelm you for sure. For a breathtaking stroll here, you must walk down the wisteria flower tunnels and imagine how peaceful the garden can be.
In addition, you will find other wisteria trees as well, they all look pretty beautiful. There is a viewpoint that allows you to see the sea of wisteria from above.
The best time to see wisteria is between late April and early May.
When you go to see wisteria at Kawachi Wisteria Garden, it is certain you will come from Fukuoka city by train. Take either JR Sanyo Shinkansen or a limited express train from JR Hakata Station to Kokura Station in Kitakyushu.
There is no direct public transport service to the garden. Considering this fact, it is best if you go there by car. Rental car outlets can be found around Kokura station.
Do you know there is a traditional dance festival held on May 3 and 4 every year in Fukuoka city?
It is called Hakata Dontaku, where people get dressed in traditional costumes, and dance through the streets of Fukuoka. Be sure to experience this spring festival if you want.
9. Obuchi Sasaba and Imamiya in Fuji City, Shizuoka
Every traveller wants to see the iconic Mt. Fuji when they are in Japan. There are many beautiful places to see the mountain peak from. Fuji city in Shizuoka prefecture boasts a number of Mt. Fuji viewing spots.
Note that Shizuoka is famous for cultivating Japanese green tea. About 40% of all of Japan’s Green Tea is grown in Shizuoka.
For a unique view of Mt. Fuji, you can go to Obuchi Sasaba and Imamiya tea plantations (they are located very close to each other) in Fuji city, and admire the stunning views of Mt. Fuji in the background.
The view of snow-capped Mt Fuji with rows of green tea bushes is the kind of scenery you will never forget. You must visit these two tea plantations in May, which means before the tea leaves picking begins.
Be sure not to enter the plantations as they are private properties and owned by locals.
10. Nikko Toshogu Shrine Annual Grand Spring Festival
Without question, Toshogu Shrine is the main attraction of Nikko. This is where the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate is enshrined, named Ieyasu Tokugawa.
Three incredible things of this shrine will attract you the most, they are – the five-storied pagoda, the Yomeimon gate, and the main shrine building. These structures are richly decorated with stunning cravings that will definitely blow your mind.
If you are thinking about taking a day trip out of Tokyo city, consider Nikko. We know there are many day trip ideas you have, which may include Hakone, Kamakura, Odawara and so on.
Nikko is known for its autumn foliage in October. Perhaps autumn is the best time to visit Nikko, but you can’t miss the Nikko Toshogu Shrine Annual grand Spring Festival, which is held every year on May 17-18.
Without question, Toshogu Shrine is the main attraction of Nikko. This is where the founder of the Tokugawa Shogunate is enshrined, named Ieyasu Tokugawa.
Three incredible things of this shrine will attract you the most, they are – the five-storied pagoda, the Yomeimon gate, and the main shrine building. These structures are richly decorated with stunning cravings that will definitely blow your mind.
If you are thinking about taking a day trip out of Tokyo city, consider Nikko. We know there are many day trip ideas you have, which may include Hakone, Kamakura, Odawara and so on.
Nikko is known for its autumn foliage in October. Perhaps autumn is the best time to visit Nikko, but you can’t miss the Nikko Toshogu Shrine Annual grand Spring Festival, which is held every year on May 17-18.
Conclusion
May is a wonderful time to visit Japan. If you are looking forward to visiting Japan in May, we hope this article explains where to go, stay, and what to do and experience.
Visitors to Japan can choose from a range of unique experiences in late spring. Once you arrive in Japan, it is time to explore many picturesque landscapes, historic attractions, and traditional events.
Thank you for reading this article.
