Event Guide · Tokyo & Around

Bunkyo Azalea Festival

AprilCentral Tokyo
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Overview

Overview

A spring festival in the azalea garden of about 6,600 m² within Nezu Shrine, where some 3,000 azaleas of around 100 varieties bloom one after another. Enjoy the colorful flowers against the backdrop of an Edo-period shrine whose main hall and six other buildings are designated Important Cultural Properties of Japan.

Highlights

Highlights

Early-, mid-, and late-blooming varieties flower in turn, so the season lasts a long time. The azalea garden covering the whole slope, paired with the vermilion shrine buildings and the tunnel of torii gates, is one of Tokyo's classic spring scenes.

Times

Times

Azalea garden opening hours9:00–17:30

2026 example (Bunkyo City official page). On the opening day, April 1, the garden opened at 11:00

Special viewing of the Thirty-Six Immortal Poets paintings12:00, 14:00

Example during the festival (as listed on GO TOKYO)

Times can change from year to year. Check the official website for the latest information.

Tips

Tips for travelers

  • ✓Entry to the azalea garden requires a donation fee (500–1,000 yen in 2026, varying with bloom status and date). Visiting the shrine grounds themselves is free
  • ✓Weekends during peak bloom (usually mid- to late April) are very crowded. Weekday mornings let you enjoy it at a more relaxed pace
  • ✓Bloom updates are posted on Nezu Shrine's official Instagram, X, and other channels, so check before you go
  • ✓During the festival, stalls line the shrine grounds, along with food trucks, a plant market, and an antiques market
  • ✓Combine it with a stroll through the old-town neighborhoods of Yanaka, Nezu, and Sendagi (Yanesen) for a fun half day
Access

Getting there

Nearest stations
  • Nezu Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)About 5 min on foot
  • Sendagi Station (Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line)About 5 min on foot
  • Todaimae Station (Tokyo Metro Namboku Line)About 5 min on foot
From major stations
  • Tokyo Station: Marunouchi Line to Otemachi Station, then transfer to the Chiyoda Line for Nezu Station (About 15–20 min)
  • Ueno Station: Walk (via Ueno Park and Shinobazu Pond), or take the Chiyoda Line one stop from Yushima Station to Nezu Station (About 20 min on foot)
Extra buses & shuttles
None
IC cards (Suica etc.)
IC cards such as Suica and PASMO can be used on Tokyo Metro
Getting back
  • There is no dedicated parking, so use public transport
  • Nezu Station gets crowded at busy times, so using Sendagi or Todaimae Station instead makes things smoother
  • Walking on toward Yanaka Ginza or Ueno before heading home is also recommended
Open in Google Maps ↗
Crowds

Crowds & best timing

Busiest times
Weekends and holidays during peak bloom (mid- to late April), especially around midday
Quieter times
Right after opening on weekdays (9:00–10:00)
Time needed
About 1 hour to see the azalea garden and shrine grounds
Weather

Weather & what to wear

Evening temperatures
The normal low in Tokyo in April is around 10°C (a reference value based on JMA normals). It gets chilly from the evening
What to wear
Spring clothing is fine during the day, but bring a light jacket for mornings and evenings. The azalea garden has paths on a slope, so wear comfortable shoes
Rain, snow & typhoons
The azalea garden is generally open even in the rain. Follow the organizer's announcements for cancellations or changes to events
Where to check for cancellations
Bunkyo City official page, Nezu Shrine (03-3822-0753, 9:00–17:00), and Nezu Shrine's official website and social media
Etiquette

Local rules & etiquette

  • !Stay on the paths in the azalea garden, and do not touch or break flowers or branches
  • !On the crowded garden paths, be considerate and don't stop to use tripods or selfie sticks
  • !Take your trash home or sort it into the bins on the shrine grounds
  • !Bow once before the torii gate, avoid walking down the center of the approach, purify your hands at the water basin, then pray (two bows, two claps, one bow)
  • !Smoking on the street is banned in some areas of Bunkyo City. Do not smoke outside designated areas
  • !Public trash bins are rare in Japan. Bring a small bag and take your trash with you.
Facilities

Facilities

Toilets
Toilets are available on the shrine grounds. They get crowded on peak-bloom weekends
Lockers & luggage
Assume the shrine has no coin lockers. It's best to leave large luggage in coin lockers at Ueno Station or elsewhere before you come
Paying at food stalls
The donation fee and stalls are often cash only, so bring small change
ATMs
Convenience store ATMs (Seven Bank, etc.) around Nezu and Sendagi stations
Seven Bank ATMs (inside 7-Eleven stores) usually accept cards issued overseas.
Wheelchairs & strollers
The azalea garden has narrow paths on a slope with steps, so some areas are hard to view from a wheelchair. Take care with strollers on the paths when crowded
Food

Food

Local favorites
Street food from stalls on the shrine groundsFood trucksSnacking along Yanaka Ginza (such as menchi-katsu, deep-fried minced meat cutlets)Japanese sweets in Nezu and Sendagi
Vegetarian & halal
Stalls rarely show vegetarian or halal labels, so if needed, look up nearby restaurants in advance
Tours & tickets for this eventPR
Where to Stay · Agoda

Places to Stay near Bunkyo Azalea FestivalPR

Prices and availability are shown on Agoda.

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Events

Events & festivals in Tokyo & Around

February–March

Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

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Usually early February to early March (about one month). Peak bloom is usually mid- to late February

February–December

Atami Fireworks Festival

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Usually held a dozen or more times a year in spring (April–May), summer (July–August), autumn (September–November), and winter (December–February). Each show runs around 20:20–20:40 (from 20:15 in July and August)

Next show: Oct 25, 2026 (Sun), followed by Nov 8, Nov 23, Dec 6, Dec 25, and Feb 21, 2027 (all 20:20–20:40)

March

Tokyo Marathon

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Usually a Sunday in early March

2027: Mar 7 (Sun)

April–May

Fuji Shibazakura Festival

Tokyo & Around ・ Fuji Five Lakes

Usually mid-April to late May (April 11 – May 24 in 2026; may vary with bloom conditions)

May

Sanja Matsuri

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Usually mid-May, on the Friday, Saturday, and Sunday around the third Saturday of May (May 15–17 in 2026, with the ceremony to install the deities in the mikoshi on the Thursday evening before)

August

Tokyo Koenji Awa-Odori

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Usually the last Saturday and Sunday of August (around 17:00–20:00)

November

Fujikawaguchiko Autumn Leaves Festival

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Usually early to late November (about 3–4 weeks). The leaves are usually at their best in early to mid-November

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Dates, times and access are based on official and other primary sources. Only dates confirmed by official sources are shown as “Confirmed dates”; otherwise the usual timing is given.

Last checked: 2026-09-30