Welcome to a fantastic weekend in Chiba! April 4th and 5th are packed with cherry blossom viewing, traditional crafts, and fun activities for all ages, from toddler art workshops to exploring historic parks.
See our top picks
Sakura Tulip Festa
Sakura Furusato Square
Huge fields of tulips and a Dutch windmill for free viewing.
Shiki Theatre: The Lion King
Tokyo theatre (accessible from Chiba)
World-class, spectacular indoor musical entertainment for Saturday.
Painting Art Workshop (First Art)
Ichikawa City
Safe, messy art specifically for babies and toddlers on Saturday.
· April 4
6: Enjoy the main cherry blossom festival near Chiba Castle, featuring live cultural shows and beautiful illumination in the evening. Make sure to check out the food stalls for local treats.This is the peak weekend for the castle illumination and cultural events associated with the long-running sakura festival.
FREE : See fields of tulips set against a classic Dutch windmill backdrop! You can even rent Dutch Maid costumes for fun photos or take a scenic pleasure boat ride.The festival is running through early April, offering a bright, large-scale outdoor flower viewing option away from the crowds of the main city sakura spots.
PAINTING ART WORKSHOP (FIRST ART) : Let your little ones get creative with a special painting workshop using paint that is safe for babies who can sit up. It’s a great way to make a colourful keepsake.This workshop specifically caters to babies and young elementary kids, offering a rare hands-on, messy art opportunity.
FESTIVAL OF PLAYFREE : A free workshop where older kids can build their own cardboard chairs! This requires pre-registration, so check the details quickly.It's a focused, free activity for elementary-aged kids on Saturday morning, perfect for using up some energy.
FREE : Visit Kashiwa City to see a stunning display of about 160,000 tulips! This massive bloom should be perfect on Saturday morning.Massive, beautiful flower displays are excellent for family photography and weekend trips, and the bloom window fits this weekend.
14TH JFE SAKURA FESTIVAL : This festival is being held at the JFE Steel Works in Chiba. While details are sparse, industrial tours or local fairs often accompany these events—worth checking out if you are nearby on Saturday.It is a distinct, one-day event scheduled specifically for Saturday, April 4th.
· April 5
7: A dedicated space for kids to enjoy classic Japanese play equipment like kendama and menko while parents enjoy the park atmosphere. Great for younger kids.This is the final day for this dedicated children's area, making it a perfect Sunday outing.
: Grab a snack or souvenir featuring local specialties like 'Chiba San-ga,' local beer, and unique pickles. Perfect for picking up lunch or goodies while enjoying the blossoms.This is a specific activity listed for both days of the weekend, offering food and shopping opportunities.
KASORI JOMON ACADEMIA EXPERIENCE : Dive into ancient Japanese history with a hands-on experience at the Kasori Shell Mound Museum. Learn about the Jomon period right where the history happened.This offers an excellent educational history deep-dive happening specifically on Sunday.
CHIBA RIVER FESTIVAL HANAMIGAWA : A river festival taking place along the Hanamigawa Green Space, perfect for a Sunday walk among nature. Check local listings for specific kid activities.It is a dedicated Sunday event celebrating Chiba’s rivers and green spaces.
FREE : If you missed the peak bloom elsewhere, Shimizu Park has 2,000 cherry trees of 50 different varieties to explore. A great free option for Sunday.This offers a different, very large park environment for enjoying the last of the spring blooms.
FREE : This festival runs until the 5th, offering a last chance to visit the cherry trees around Kemigawa Shrine grounds. It's a relaxed way to end the weekend.It's listed as running until this exact date, making it one of the final cherry blossom events for the weekend.
SHIKI THEATRE: FROZEN : See the spectacular Frozen musical happening this weekend in Tokyo. If your kids love the movie, this is a must-see performance.Frozen is highly popular with younger elementary kids and is running all weekend.
Also On· anytime this weekend
2: Catch the epic Lion King musical running in Tokyo this Saturday. If the weather turns, this is a fantastic, high-quality indoor diversion for older kids.It is running on Saturday and offers a major, indoor cultural experience accessible from Chiba.
: Another world-class Shiki option, Aladdin is playing in Tokyo this Sunday. This is a safe bet if you need guaranteed indoor entertainment.This major musical is running on Sunday, providing an excellent alternative to potential rain or a need for seated entertainment.
Frequently Asked Questions
What free kids events are on in Chiba this weekend?
This weekend (Apr 04-05) you can enjoy the free entry at the Sakura Tulip Festa and the Kemigawa Cherry Blossom Festival, as well as Shimizu Park Flower Fantasia. Entry to the main Chiba Castle Festival is usually free, but activity areas have fees.
Where is the best place to see cherry blossoms this weekend?
The 25th Chiba Castle Cherry Blossom Festival runs until Sunday, featuring evening illuminations, while the Sakura Tulip Festa offers a massive alternative bloom spectacle in Sakura City.
Are there any dedicated activities for toddlers?
Yes, the Cherry Blossom Viewing Kids Park at Inohana Park (Sunday until 5 PM) has traditional games for kids, and the First Art workshop in Ichikawa on Saturday is geared toward babies who can sit up.
