As the 2026 cherry blossom season approaches its peak across central Japan, two major cultural hubs have officially announced the start of their spring festivities this week.
In Kanagawa, the Shonan Enoshima Spring Festival begins tomorrow, March 14. The two-day event on Enoshima Island will feature samurai parades, traditional performances, and shrine ceremonies celebrating the arrival of spring along the Shonan coast.
Meanwhile in Nagoya, officials confirmed that the Nagoya Castle Spring Festival will run from March 20 through May 6, with the cherry blossom viewing period typically lasting until early April. Visitors can expect the grounds of Nagoya Castle — home to around 900 sakura trees — to remain open into the evening for illuminated yozakura (night viewing), with extended hours until about 8:00 PM during the peak bloom period.
Wanderaime Insight: If you are planning to visit Nagoya Castle, arriving around 4:30 PM offers a chance to catch the sunset glow on the castle’s iconic golden shachihoko before the nighttime illumination begins. Opening weekends of major sakura festivals can draw large crowds, so consider reserving your Shinkansen seats early.
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