Kyushu offers a mild climate in Japan. By that you can enjoy sakura (cherry blossoms)
earlier than in other places of Japan. During spring in Kyusyu many events are held to celebrate the blooming of cherry blossoms. Besides exotic festivals and traditional Japanese events at shrines. We’ll show you seven events for April, in 2018.
Events for enjoy nature
１. Fukuoka castle Sakura Festival
March 29 – April 8.2018
source:FCVB
Sakura Festival is held at Fukuoka Castle in Maizuru Park. During this spring festival, from March to April the castle walls and cherry blossoms are beautiful illuminated.The sakura (cherry blossoms) in the park are about 1000 trees and 18 different types of blossoms.
Every year about 250 thousand people visit during this festival to enjoy sakura.
You also can enjoy dishes at the many food stalls or other events such as a mobile petting zoo.
Fukuoka castle is a castle which is related to a Shogun (General) Kanbei Kuroda. During this festival you can visit many spots usually closed at night. So let’s go! The illumination with color LED lamps is a must see!
Schedule
March 29 – April 8.2018
Information Desk：10:00am - 10:00pm
Illumination：6:00pm - 10:00pm
Food stalls：11:00am-10:00pm
Access & address
・Place
Fukuoka Castle
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
Subway Kūkō Line “ Akasaka Station “ or “Ohorikoen Station” 8-minute walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From “Hakata Station” about 20 minutes by train and walk
・Address
Jyonai Chūō-ku, Fukuoka-city, Fukuoka , 810-0043
・Map
Free of charge until 6:00pm
After 6:00pm, 300 yen per venue, combination ticket 600 yen per three venue
(High school students and younger / free of charge
No reservation required
Official website
http://saku-hana.jp/lang/en.html
2. Sakura (cherry blossoms) in Sengan-en
Early February － early April .2018
source:twitter
Sengan-en is a traditional Japanese garden and stately home in Kagoshima, Japan which was built in 1658. In 2015,Sengan-en was recognized as World Cultural Heritage Sites and popular sightseeing spot in Kagoshima. There are many historical buildings in this huge Sengan-en of 50,000 square meters. The garden boasts spectacular views of active volcano Sakurajima and bay view.
In spring, about 150 trees of sakura (cherry blossoms) are blooming in Sengan-en. Because of mild climate, you can enjoy sakura early February. Five different types of Sakura are in full bloom one after another. During the season of sakura, February 3rd to April 26, “Satsuma-no-hinamatsuri (SATSUMA DOLLS’ FESTIVAL) is held. During this festival you see “nagashi-bina (paper dolls floating downriver)”” Kyokusui –no –En (Composing poems in front of the stream).
Schedule
Early February － early April .2018
8:30am - 5:30pm
No related events
Access & address
・Place
Sengan-en
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
Bus stop ”Sengan-en Mae”nearby
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From JR Hakata Station, about 120 minutes by Shinkansen (limited express) Sakura and bus city view
・Address
9700-1 Yoshino-cho, Kagoshima City 892-0871
・Map
Admission & reservation
Adult / 1,000 yen
Child（7-15）/ 500yen
No reservation required
Official website
3. Huis Ten Bosch Tulip festival
February.10 – April.15.2018
source:blogs.yahoo
Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park in Nagasaki which models Dutch streets. During spring ,a tulip festival is held. It has the most varieties of tulips in Japan about 700 varieties of the around 1 million tulips which are blooming.
Huis Ten Bosch is 1.5 times wider than Tokyo Disney Land. There are wind mills, garden restaurants with live music and hotels in this park. During Tulip festival, you see beautiful tulips all over the park and you feel spring. Especially in 2018, you see 3m length of pyramid of tulip in the canal. Don’t miss it! You also can join the tulip guide tour or bouquet making experience.
Let’s check the events and join!
Schedule
February.10 – April.15.2018
Access & address
・Place
Huis Ten Bosch
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
“Huis Ten Bosch Station “5-minute walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
JR Hakata Station about 1 hour and 45 minutes by Limited express Huis Ten Bosch
・Address
1-1Huis Ten Bosch machi, Sasebo-city,Nagasaki, 859-3292
・Map
Admission & reservation
Admission＋Usage of about 50 attractions
Adult (Age 18+) 7,000 yen / Youth (Age 12-17) 6,000 yen
Child (Age4-11) 4,600 / Senior (Age 65+) 6,500yen、
Admission Only Ticket
Adult (Age 18+) 4500 yen / Youth (Age 12-17) 3500 yen
Child (Age4-11) 2200 / Senior (Age 65+) 4500yen、
No reservation required
Official website
http://www.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/tulip/
Contemporary art events
4.Nabegataki Falls Light-up Show
March.31 – April.5.2018
source:capd.jms
Nabegataki falls is getting popular sightseeing spot in Kumamoto because of a TV commercial. Waterfall with a fall of about 10 m and a width of about 20 m. It’s a well-known spiritual spot by means of rich nature and clear & beautiful water. During spring, an illumination event is held at the Nabegataki falls.
You can take the promenade about a 5-minute walk till the falls. Though the road is maintained, you have to walk on the rocky place. So we recommend you to wear easy to walk shoes or clothes. You can go to the back of the waterfall because of the lower part of the waterfall is being eroded. So that you can enjoy nature between falling water curtain.
Schedule
March.31 – April.5.2018 5:00pm - 9:00pm
Access & address
・Place
Nabegataki Falls
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From Bus stop ”You Station “by taxi about 15 minutes
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city「
From Hakata Station Bus terminal, about 2 hours and 30 minutes by Hita bus & taxi
・Address
Kurobuchi, Oguni,-machi Aso ,Kumamoto 869-2502
・Map
Admission & reservation
200yen
No reservation required
Official website
http://kumanago.jp/event/?mode=detail&id=430000004285&isEvent=1
5.Nagasaki Hansen Matsuri (Tall Ships Festival)
April.19.2018 - April .23.2018
source:blog.goo
Nagasaki Hansen Matsuri (Tall Ships Festival).Tall ships from both home and abroad gather in the port city of Nagasaki for Japan’s greatest tall ships event. This festival began in 2000, commemorating the 400th anniversary of exchanges between Japan and the Netherlands. During the festival, you can watch the “Port Entry Parade “watch the raising of pure white sails during the “sailing drill performances”, “Tall Ships Open to Public” board the ships and look around for free of charge. Beautifully illuminated tall ships add grace to Nagasaki Port’s nightscape which is one of the three major night view.
There are also “Tall Ship Cruise Experience” “Experience climbing the mast” These events are not admission free. There are also events for kids. This festival is for all ages. You also can buy local goods. So let’s check your souvenir in the exotic city Nagasaki.
Schedule
April.19.2018 – April. 23.2018
Access & address
・Place
Nagasaki Port / around Dejima Wharf
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From JR Nagasaki Station , about five minutes by tram “Dejima Station” nearby
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
JR Hakata Station about 2 hours by Limited Express Kamome and tram
・Address
1-1-109 Dejima-machi, Nagasaki-city, Nagasaki 850-0862（Dejima Wharf）
・Map
Admission & reservation
Free of charge,
Some experience event are charged
No reservation required
Official website
https://travel.at-nagasaki.jp/en/what-to-see/63/
Event for traditional cultural experience and learn history
6.Imari ceramic market in spring
April.1st .2018 - April. 5th 2018
source:its-mo
Okawauchiyama is a “Village of the Secret Kilns” which being built well defended and isolated in order to keep the technology secret of producing ceramics since around 1600.They have been produced Karatsu wares and about 30 Kamamoto (potteries)are still actively producing. Designation of the Japanese historic site and recently it is also selected as a Saga prefectural heritage. Many tourists visit this village.
At this Okawauchiyama village, a ceramic market is held every year in spring. You can buy new ceramics related to spring or you can buy them cheaper. You also can buy second grade ones. Beside “The international amateur ceramics contest 2018 in Imari” is held. You can see many products from all over the world. You can both enjoy sakura (cherry blossoms) and traditional works!
Schedule
April.1st .2018 - April. 5th 2018 8:30am - 5:00pm
Access & address
・Place
Okawauchiyama
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
From Imari Station about15 minutes by taxi沢岻0で約15分
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From JR Hakata Station, about 2hours by Sasebo Line and taxi
・Address
1848 Okawauchicho Otsu, Imari, Saga
・Map
Admission & reservation
Free of charge
No reservation required
Official website
http://www.imari-ookawachiyama.com/2018_haru/
7. Miyazaki-jingū shrine / Yabusame (horseback archery)
April, 3rd, 2018
source:PhotoMiyazaki
“Jinmu-tennō matsuri (Emperor Jimmu festival) “is held every year at Miyazaki -jingū Shrine in April to memory of the day the first Japanese emperor Jinmu died. One of the main events of this festival is Yabusame (horseback archery). The archers with samurai costumes aim to hit targets from top a galloping horse. At Miyazaki -jingū Shrine, although Yabusame was done
as the largest ritual from ancient times, it has been temporarily stopped, then In 1940 it saw a revived.
At the Yabusame of Miyazaki -jingū Shrine, you see three of 60 cm square targets, every 80 m at about 235m of riding ground. An archer on a running horse shoots three special arrows at these three wooden targets. Yabusame with full blooming sakura. Wonderful scenery just like a painting!
Schedule
April, 3rd, 2018 10:00am - 5:00pm
Yabusame (horseback archery) 2:00pm start
Access & address
・place
Miyazaki-jingū shrine
・Nearest station and travel time from the station
JR Miyazaki-jingū Station 10-minute walk
・Travel time from the terminal station of the city
From JR Hakata Station about 2 hours by air plane and train
・Address
2-4-1Jingū, Miyazaki-city, Miyazaki 880-0053
・Map
Admission & reservation
Visit free
No reservation required