Kyoto and Tokyo festivals/late March early April?
 

I'm having trouble finding out about festivals taking place in Kyoto the last week of March and Tokyo the first week of April - any tips?
Thanks!

What exact dates in Kyoto? Can you get there by March 21- the illumination festival is going on in the evenings til then, and that weeeknd there are w/processions of geisha in rickshaws, dance and music performances outside in evening and lanterns lighting up temples and a 4 mile path along the river.

Bonjour Rachel,

For Kyoto, look here:
http://raku.city.kyoto.jp/sight_e.phtml
http://www.kyotoguide.com/index/index.html

And here's for Tokyo:
http://www.tcvb.or.jp/en/index_en.htm

rachelbw: Good sites from Florence. I have some others that might have more unusual or less known ones (for instance, I found a festival taking place in Tokyo that wasn't on the "major" lists) that I can give you. I am starting 10 days of traveling this morning, so if you are interested please send your message to the top by replying to it on Feb. 28 when I return and I will post them for you then when I return; gotta run to the airport now.

We'll be in Kyoto March 25-April 1, then in Tokyo April 4-10. Any suggestions much appreciated.

I don't know if these festivals have names or are at set times, but when we were in Japan in 2002 at about the same time as you will be there was quite a festival in Kyoto around the enormous cherry tree (you have never seen a cherry tree like this) in bloom, at night with booths of crafts and food (fish on a stick!) and music. Also in Tokyo on what must have been the first Monday morning in April it was the kindergarten welcoming ceremony in Asakusa, down the street in front of the temple, so cute with the kids all dressed up with flowers and floats. I'm sure if you ask there you can get more specific information. Enjoy planning your trip!

I just got in this morning from traveling- will get out my website info today and also I will give you the email address to the Tokyo Govt. tourist assn. in Shinjuku that I contacted. They were invaluable and not only emailed me about little known a festival in Tokyo but also sent me packages.

Try this one:
http://japanvisitor.com/jc/may_fest.html
You can access March and April when you get there, there is a bar at the top of the page to do that.
Here is the email for the Tokyo TIC. They will help you by email w/Tokyo festivals, etc.
[email protected]
Their website: http://www.tourism.metro.tokyo.jp/english/index.html
I also used the kyotoguide site that Florence gave you for Kyoto festival info.

Thanks everyone for the great suggestions!