Spring Festivals in Shimane 2017
Matsue Castle Spring Festival
Matsue Castle Festival 2017
Where: Matsue Castle [map]
When: March 25th – April 14th 2017 (7:00 a.m. – 9:00 p.m.)
*(6:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.) sakura illumination
About: The Matsue Castle grounds are known as a popular sakura viewing spot and has been selected as one of the 100 top sakura viewing spots in Japan. In combination with the food stalls that fill the lower entrance, visitors and locals alike are welcomed to come to Matsue Castle and partake in “hanami” (sakura viewing picnic).
Matsue Musha Gyoretsu Warrior Parade
“Musha Gyoretsu” Warrior Parade 2017
Where: Central Matsue, Matsue Castle [map]
When: April 1st 2017(sat) (12:30 a.m.~)
About: A parade to celebrate the founder of Matsue, Lord Horie Yoshiharu, which includes hundreds of citizens dressed up as samurai warriors and princesses as they walk through central Matsue to the castle. [read more]
Cherry Blossom Festival in Unnan City
Sakura Festival in Unnan City 2017
Where: JR Kisuki Station [map]
When: April 1st 2017(sat) (10:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.) Stage Performances
April 2nd 2017(sun) (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Stage Performances
Where: Hii River Bank [map]
When: April 1st 2017(sat) (8:00 p.m. – 8:20 p.m.) Fireworks
April 2nd 2017(sun) (10:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.) Paddle Board/ Kayak Rentals
About: During the sakura season the banks of the Hii river are painted pink with the blossoming of sakura from 50 thousand trees. During the day there are stage performances right in front of JR Kisuki station and when it gets dark a fireworks festival lights up the night sky. In the latter half of April the blossoming of “gyoiko”, which is a rare species of sakura that is green instead of pink, marks the end of the sakura season. [read more]
Peach Blossom Festival in Ohnan Town
Peach Blossom Festival in Ohnan 2017
Where: Kaizumi Village [map]
When: April 8th – 9th 2017(sat-sun) (9:00 a.m. – 5 p.m.)
About: Locals have put a lot of hours into creating a beautiful forest of peach blossom trees for everyone to enjoy. It started 10 years ago with only 60 trees, and now there are 2,000! Come enjoy flowers in full bloom while browsing food stalls, spring-themed udon, bento boxes (pre-order only) and much more! We’ll be waiting for you!
Tulip Festival in Hakuta-cho
Tulip Festival in Hakuta-cho 2017
Where: Yasugi City Hakuta Government Office [map]
When: April 9th 2017(sun) (10:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.)
About: About 600,000 colorful tulips bloom in mid-April. There are stage performances throughout the day along with food/ drink stalls, tulips for sale, and much more.
Washibara Hachimangu Shrine Spring Festival
Washibara Hachimangu Shrine Festival 2017
Where: Washibara-Hachimangu Shrine [map]
When: April 9th 2017(sun) (11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m., 2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.)
About: On the second Sunday of April each year, a traditional ceremony involving horseback archery is conducted on the shrine’s grounds. A 270meter-long horseback archery course is specifically built for this event. [read more]
Daikonshima Peony Festival
Daikonshima Peony Festival 2017
Where: Yuushien Garden [map]
When: April 8th – April 28th 2017 (9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.)
April 29th – May 7th 2017 (8:00 a.m. – 6:00 p.m.)
About: Yuushien Garden is particularly known for having peonies that bloom all year long, but during the last week of this event, (4/29 – 5/7), they will float 30,000 peonies on the waters of their lake. The last day of the event, May 7th, will be marked with Yuushien decorated with all yellow peonies. [read more]
