Images of Japan: April 2023

A selection of images of life in Japan during April 2023. All of the photos were taken by the City-Cost editorial team. 

[Above] Tokyo Skytree looms large over the streets around Kinshicho station in Tokyo’s eastern Sumida Ward. 

The top of the tower could be seen through the blossoming cherry trees of Kinshi Park, near Kinshicho station, where on this day (Sunday April 2) the grass was packed with families enjoying the last of the season’s cherry blossoms. 

[Above] Ahead of the opening of the huge entertainment facility Tokyu Kabukicho Tower in Tokyo’s Shinjuku district in mid-April, Kabukicho’s iconic Ichibangai arch was lit up in blue (instead of its typical red) from April 6 as part of the Kabukicho Blue Festival, marking the run up to the opening of the tower. 

[Above] Day and night at Spaceship-Aqua, the iconic rooftop of the Oasis 21 facility in the city of Nagoya. The upper surface of the glass-roof structure holds a water feature with a volume of water weighing around 150 tons. 

Transport hub, shopping, and recreational facility, Oasis 21 was detailed as one of the reasons why Nagoya station was voted one of the most popular train stations in Japan among foreigners in a recent television program from TV Asahi. 

[Above] Flowers of the azalea garden at Nezu Shrine in Tokyo’s Bunkyo Ward came into bloom for the Bunkyo Azalea Festival in April. The garden is home to some 3,000 azalea plants covering around 100 species.  

Even on a gorgeous spring Sunday afternoon the walking trail which navigates the garden was easy going with other visitors quietly taking turns to take their photos of the beautiful garden. 

[Above] Watch out for cats on the streets of Yanaka and the area’s many quiet shrines and temples - a wonderful area of Tokyo for a stroll on a day of fine weather. 

[Above] The Kameido Tenjin Wisteria Festival which takes place at the shrine of the same name in Tokyo’s Koto Ward is often featured on rankings of the best places or opportunities to see wisteria in the Japanese capital.  

The event’s reputation precedes itself - during our visit on a Thursday morning in mid-to-late April the wisteria looked beautiful with the shrine’s main hall and bridges as a backdrop, and Tokyo Skytree watching over the grounds. The crowds were out in force, too.

[Above] Stores lining the Japan Promenade shopping area of Haneda Airport Garden, a new shopping and dining facility in the Haneda Airport area, offer a taste of Japan's traditions and crafts.

Haneda Airport Garden has a direct connection with the Tokyo airport’s international terminal. The facility opened earlier this year after a near three-year postponement due to the pandemic. 

[Above] Mt. Fuji, seen and snapped from across the Tama River at the Hotel Villa Fontaine Premier Haneda Airport, part of the Haneda Airport Garden facility which opened in January. 

More images from life in Japan:

March

February