Easter in Japan: A Comprehensive Guide

In the West, Easter typically involves a long weekend off work or school, egg hunts, Easter baskets and perhaps a church service. Even those who aren’t Christian still enjoy the pastel colors and spring treats of the season.

Unlike other Western holidays, such as Christmas and Valentine’s Day, however, Easter in Japan hasn’t fully taken off. But that doesn’t mean there are no celebrations to be had!

Here’s everything you need to know about Easter in Japan.

As an increasingly secular nation, Japan has a habit of adopting Western or Christian holidays and giving it a special Japanese twist. Easter is certainly one of these occasions, but it’s far from the only one…

Take Christmas, which is thought of as a holiday to spend with family in the West and with a romantic partner in Japan. Instead of gathering around the Christmas tree to open up presents, Japanese people will pick up a strawberry cake and Kentucky Fried Chicken to enjoy at home. Throughout the winter months, illuminations remind one of the Christmas lights back home. 

Valentine’s Day is another occasion. While still a romantic holiday, Valentine’s Day is split into two phases, with the first phase on February 14 being the “girl’s turn.” The giver will pick up boxed chocolate for romantic partners, coworkers and sometimes friends, varying in price and quality according to the level of closeness. 

A month later on White Day, the recipients have the opportunity to return the favor. Interestingly, this practice is known as sanbai kaeshi, stipulating that the gift must be three times the value of the original chocolate. 

While it’s a lot of pressure, the transactional nature and rules are uniquely Japanese. 

Halloween is arguably the most recent Western holiday to become popularized within Japan. You may have heard a little something about the Halloween festivities in Shibuya, where alcohol has been notoriously banned year-round as a result of rowdy celebrations in the past. 

Outside of parties, however, Halloween makes an appearance in the form of Halloween decorations, Halloween candy in supermarkets, and wearing costumes — particularly within the cosplay and otaku communities. 

Anyway, we digress — how does Japan celebrate Easter?

While Easter bunnies are rare to see in Japan, a few theme parks are creating Easter themes. You could also host an Easter egg hunt on the expansive grounds of Shinjuku Gyoen, Yoyogi Park, Ryoan-ji Temple, Nagai Park, Nikko National Park and Akan National Park, taking in Japan’s beauty in the top nature spots.

The spring season boasts many special occasions, too, from cherry blossoms and tri-colored dango mochi to a large number of festivals across the country. 

Trust us, you won’t miss the Peeps!

The arrival of Easter in Japan naturally coincided with the arrival of Christian missionaries to Kagoshima in 1549, led by Francis Xavier. Initially, there was some success in Kyushu, with famous warlords Sumitada Omura, Yoshisada Arima and Sorin Otomo being converted, along with their subjects.

Nobunaga’s regency looked kindly on the Jesuits, in particular, but that all changed when his successor, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, invoked the Bateren Edict, which banned missionary activities. 

This was due to the belief that Christians were forcing Japanese people into slavery overseas, destroying Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples, and generally forcing conversion on the Japanese population. During this time, foreign missionaries were often killed or crucified in brutal ways. 

The complete suppression of Christianity occurred under the rule of Tokugawa Ieyasu. Following the deadly Shimabara Rebellion in 1638 — after years of high taxation, famine, persecution and murder — the few remaining Christians continued practicing their faith in secret while denouncing it in public. Today, they are known as the “secret Christians.”

Since the Meiji Period when freedom of religion was enacted, Christianity has become more widely accepted within Japan. Although less than one percent of the Japanese population declares Christianity as their religion; as of 2023, there were as many as 2,383 parishes within the country.

While the Easter holiday is not explicitly celebrated outside members of the Christian faith, it’s worth noting that Christian-style weddings are ever-present in Japan. With the rise in secular celebrations of traditionally Christian or Western holidays, however, one wonders whether Easter will see a similar increase in popularity in the coming years.

With Easter falling on April 20 this year, it comes at the ideal time to enjoy warm weather and late-blooming cherry blossoms in northern Japan. To get exact dates for the cherry blossom season, check out our 2025 Cherry Blossom Forecast. 

Although the cherry blossom season will be over before Easter in Kyushu and southern Honshu, you can still view the sakura flowers in Nagano, Kanazawa, Sendai and the Tohoku region until mid-April, and until early May in Hokkaido. 

There are also a number of festivals held during the spring season that shouldn’t be missed. Decide which ones to add to your itinerary from our guide to spring in Japan!

Ever heard of a festival so beautiful it’s held twice a year? Such is the case with the Takayama Festival, held as the Sanno Festival in the spring and the Hachiman Festival in the fall. The main appeal is the twelve intricate floats adorned with gold and mechanical puppets (controlled by nine puppeteers through the use of 36 silk cords!), which are paraded to Hie Shrine.

Stick around for the Goshinko procession, where you can see the Tokeiraku performers play gagaku music as they parade the gods from the shrine through the streets. 

In 2025, the festival will take place during the second week of June.

Don’t want to deal with the crowds or inflated prices during cherry blossom season? How about joining a festival dedicated to azaleas instead? 

The Bunkyo Azalea Festival is held in Tokyo’s Nezu Shrine, where 3,000 azalea plants bloom in pink, purple and green hues. Don’t forget to bring your camera to snap photos of the gorgeous flowers, pond and tunnel of torii gates. 

Come in the second half of April for the best blooms.

For a lighthearted festival that’s sure to bring on the smiles, you can’t do better than the Kanamara Matsuri, or “Penis Festival,” as it’s more commonly known. 

The phallic floats are hoisted through the streets of Kawasaki not for laughs, but to symbolize the hope for children and gender equality. Popular among the LGBTQ+ community, this queer-friendly event takes place on the first Sunday of April.

Those visiting Japan’s biggest and best theme parks will be delighted to find that most have celebrations themed around Easter and the spring season. From egg hunts to limited-edition menus to characters dressing up in bunny costumes, there’s no shortage of fun to be had for visitors of all ages!

Planning to hit up Tokyo Disneyland this spring? Be sure to get there for the Quacky Celebration of Donald Duck, one of the most iconic Disney characters. From April 8 to June 30, there will be a daily Donald Duck parade, limited-edition merchandise and menu items, and Donald Duck decorations throughout the park. 

Celebrate the colorful happiness of Duffy and friends from March 19 at Tokyo DisneySea. Embark on an adventure with the gang across the seven waterways of the resort as Duffy finds the answer to her question: can bubbles float? 

Check out the pastel decorations throughout the park, pick up some special merchandise and enjoy the seasonal spring menu with your loved ones. For the adult foodies, there’s also the Tokyo DisneySea Food & Wine Festival running from April 8 to June 30.

While tasting the international offerings, keep an eye (and ear) out for spontaneous performances from the custodial cast members and The Groovy Jammin’ Chefs — a band of chefs who are just as passionate about music as they are about food!

The Universal Easter Celebration, held at Universal Studio Japan from March 7 to June 29 each year, is the definition of kawaii. Grab a photo with the Easter costume-wearing Minions in Minion Park, jam with your favorite characters to rock music in the Universal Wonderland Park, sample the adorable Easter and character-themed food, purchase original USJ Easter merchandise and participate in the Easter parade.

Don’t forget to keep a lookout for all the eggs stashed around the park! 

Being named after a famous rakugo play, Ginza Shibahama has all the same flair and passion of its literary namesake. Run by Chef Nakashita, who trained at the 3-Michelin-starred Hyotei in Kyoto, and his sake sommelier wife Tomomi, their sushi kappo menu is truly special and elevated by a love for cuisine (and each other). 

Our recommendation? The ByFood original omakase “Bi” wagyu and sushi kaiseki course with sake pairing. 

For a fresh take on the traditional Easter dinner, look no further than the Ginza steakhouse Blue Lily. 

Enjoy delicacies from across Japan and China, including Peking duck, shark fin soup, a wide variety of dim sum offerings and, the star of the show, kuroge wagyu steak made with premium beef from the Kobe and Matsusaka areas. 

At Bel Sogno, Chef Nakamoto invites you on a culinary journey to the Piedmont region in Northwestern Italy. Hailing from the coastal Miyazaki Prefecture, the meals served in this Nishi Azabu joint symbolize a marriage between the two cuisines Chef Nakamoto loves most. 

Whether you opt for the Japanese-Italian fusion omakase course or the Italian creation course, trust that each bite will leave you feeling transported.

What better way to celebrate a special occasion than a meal in a private room at a luxe Italian restaurant? Sit down for an Italian concerto of amuse, crab salad, raw sea urchin potato cream, seasonal pasta, granita, a choice of fresh fish or Echigo pork and, for the crescendo, a seasonal dessert. 

Run by the Shizuoka native Chef Watanabe, who completed culinary training in Piedmont, you’re sure to feel the elegance of Ginza and the tastes of Italy at IL PINOZO Ginza.

Toast to the spring season with a selection from the extensive wine menu, most of which is imported from Italy itself. 

Interested in more holiday-related content? Check out cherry blossom season in Japan, a guide to Christmas in Japan and date ideas for Valentine’s Day in Tokyo.