As only a small percentage of Japan’s population is Christian faith, it’s only natural that Easter is not widely celebrated in the country. However, there are still many ways to celebrate the holiday, from church services to hitting a theme park.
Church Services
There are a number of English-language or bilingual Sunday church services in Tokyo. Tokyo Union Church in Harajuku is having three different in-person services at 8:30am, 10:00am, and 11:30am this Sunday morning. At St. Paul International Lutheran Church located between Iidabashi and Kudanshita, members are leading worship for Easter from 9:30am. Starting at 10:00am, there are activities planned for children to take part in.
Shopping and Decorating Your Home for the Season
Japan is big on seasonal celebrations, and almost every month there is something to celebrate. While Easter in April is overshadowed by the big sakura season and the start of the fiscal year as well as the beginning of the school year, Japanese supermarkets and shops not only have sweets but also decorations in stock for you to decorate for the holiday. For traditional Easter egg kits and other treats, National Azabu in Minami-Azabu and Nissin World Delicatessen in Higashi-Azabu, as well as Seiji Ishii and Kaldi Coffee Farm stores throughout Japan can be great places to visit.
At Flying Tiger, besides wall decorations, they also have balloons as well as themed cutlery and ceramics for a complete Easter theme party. If you don’t have time to prepare desserts, Fiorentina Pastry Boutique at Grand Hyatt Tokyo has a lineup of Easter sweets including adorable bunny, chick, and egg-shaped macarons as well as colorful icing cookies and white chocolate lollipops. What better way to introduce your kids to Easter other than with cute and delicious animal-themed sweets?
Dropping in at a Theme Park
Universal Studios Japan is celebrating it big this Easter with a variety of activities. As well as a marching band featuring characters that welcome visitors to join the parade and dance, there are also season-limited street shows and opportunities to hang out with the Minions in their Easter-themed costumes. There’s also a promotional campaign in the form of a photo contest this Easter season where people can enter to win USJ merchandise. Both the Minion Park and Universal Wonderland are decorated with little bunnies and cracked eggs to help guests get into the holiday spirit. At their restaurants, they’ll be serving dishes such as Bunny Croissant Sandwiches and Carrot Garden Chocolate Cake. USJ is going all out to wow visitors with a variety of Easter features until July 2, 2023. And don’t forget to pick up some limited edition Easter bunny ear headbands to take home!
Visiting a Flower Park
Shiki no Kaori Rose Garden is running a month-long Happy Easter event with many holiday-themed activities to accompany the beauty of flowers blooming. On Sunday, April 9, they will hold a special market selling miscellaneous goods handmade by small businesses. They also hold events for people to paint and draw their own Easter eggs to put on an Easter tree, and an egg hunt stamp rally inside the garden. Their cafe is also serving a special Easter parfait. Although it’s known as a rose garden, their tulips will be in full bloom around now. How does a walk amidst a tulip garden and egg hunt sound for celebrating this Easter?
Feasting on Easter Fare
Sheraton Miyako Hotel Tokyo is serving both lunch and dinner buffets. The buffet includes egg dishes, Easter-themed cocktails, and a variety of desserts such as Chick Shortcakes, Animal Roll Cake, and Easter Waffles. The menu in Japanese can be found on their website so you can choose lunch or dinner based on what you’d like to eat. In Yokohama, Yokohama Royal Park Hotel is offering 20 servings a day of their cute Happy Easter Afternoon tea (online reservations available). Meanwhile, the Grand Hyatt Tokyo incorporates both Easter and sakura into a big Sakura & Strawberry Afternoon Tea that’s available until this Sunday.
Traveling and Staying Easter Style
Hoshino Resorts, a Japanese luxury ryokan and resort chain, is offering a stay with not only activities, but also decorations and meals for Easter enthusiasts. Choosing Hoshino Resorts BEB5 Okinawa Seragaki as the place to host this special themed-stay, they kept in mind the American influence in Okinawa for visitors to feel the ambience of an authentic Easter celebration. Within the Easter room, they have prepared colorful spring items such as eggs and rabbits as well as wall stickers, balloons, and egg-shaped cushions that are perfect for Easter photo shoots! Rabbit room wear is also available for an Easter costume party. They’re also having an egg hunt with hints given at check-in and successful hunters will be rewarded with an Easter bunny gelato. Lastly, taco rice parties with Easter-theme desserts can be arranged! Their campaign runs until the end of April.
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Van Anh Hoang
