Japan in March: Festivals, Celebrations & More

March is a magical time in Japan when the remnants of winter slowly make way for the highly anticipated springtime, marked by the pink hues that cascade from the array of cherry blossom trees across the horizon. Despite the unpredictable weather, there’s no shortage of things to do in Japan throughout March, from picking luscious strawberries in Tochigi to participating in flower festivals and catching the last bits of snow in Hokkaido.

What to Wear in Japan in March

Image Credit: Kyoto City Official Travel Guide

Throughout March, we can see varying weather conditions. Falling between winter and spring, Japan’s weather is generally still quite cold in early March before gradually getting warmer in the second half of the month, once cherry blossoms start to bloom. The average temperature ranges from 9 to 15 degrees, but it gets as low as 1 degree in early March.

In early March, the weather is similar to winter in late February, so we strongly recommend bringing multiple layers, including sweaters, tights, scarves, thermals, and a warm coat. The weather is typically still in the single digits, with frequent rainfall that can make the temperature feel colder than it really is. A waterproof coat with a hood is necessary to comfortably go around, especially if you’ll be doing a lot of outdoor activities. Consider bringing a raincoat in case of heavier rain showers.

In mid to late March, the temperature rises to a generally mild cold, so it’s possible to ditch the thermals and opt for springtime clothing, such as medium-warmth sweaters or T-shirts paired with a light jacket. The rain showers tend to dwindle during this period, but it’s still a good idea to bring a light, waterproof puffer for protection. Expect cooler mornings and evenings and pleasant weather throughout the day.

Do note that the weather in cities in central Japan will vary greatly from the northern regions, which are still in winter sports season. If you’ll be visiting ski resorts and places that regularly experience snowfall, bring full winter gear for protection.

3rd March – Hinamatsuri

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Hinamatsuri (Hina Matsuri), also known as Girl’s Day or the Japanese Doll Festival, is one of the country’s five “sekku” (seasonal) festivals, which occur throughout the year to celebrate children, girls, boys, and love. The doll’s festival marks the beginning of early March, alongside the blooming of peach and plum blossoms, hence why it was once called the Peach Festival.

Hinamatsuri is celebrated to honor the daughters of the family. A set of hina dolls standing on a platform, usually passed on for generations, are displayed in the home to ward off bad luck and harm, encouraging girls to take care of their health, happiness, and development. These traditionally take the form of an emperor and empress dressed in attire typical of the royal court during the Heian period, and even dolls with more modern designs rarely divert from this imagery.

Families would usually display the dolls a week prior to Hinamatsuri, which happens between Setsubun and the middle of March, and take them off shortly after due to the belief that keeping them up for too long would result in delayed marriage for young girls. The celebrations on this day are quite relaxed, typically through family gatherings and tea ceremonies. Popular dishes include “chirashizushi” (scattered sushi) and colorful rice cakes.

Early to Mid-March – Tsunan Snow Festival

Image Credit: Enjoy Niigata

The Tsunan Snow Festival is an annual celebration hosted by the Niigata Prefecture. It’s held in the heart of one of the snowiest cities in Japan, which consistently sees up to three meters of snowfall every year. Being a popular spot for winter sports, you can expect the Tsunan Snow Festival to offer visitors a plethora of things to do in the snow, from high-intensity snowboarding competitions to more family-friendly activities, such as snow tubing, biking, and rafting. During the festival, the streets are lined with stalls selling seasonal delicacies and popular local cuisine, and you can also admire the masterfully crafted snow sculptures that line the horizon.

The festival also showcases unique facets of Japanese culture, including the infamous Akazawa Kagura (Kagura Dance), which inspired one of the rarest breathing styles in Demon Slayer. At night, many stay to watch the release of the Sky Lanterns, which illuminate the night sky in glittering waves of light. The Tsunan Snow Festival is a magical experience that’s certainly worth tuning into if you happen to be in Niigata in early to mid-March.

Do note that the Tsunan Snow Festival isn’t held on the same day every year due to varying weather conditions. Visit the official site for information on the exact dates to partake in this event. In 2025, the Tsunan Snow Festival will be held on March 8. Due to heavy snowfall in the northern regions of Japan, make sure to arrive in full winter gear, even in March.

1st to 14th March – Omizutori Festival

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Omizutori (Shuni-e) is one of the oldest Buddhist rites still performed today, with a history stretching back some 1,250 years. The Todaiji Temple in Nara hosts a festival every year from March 1st to March 14th (the second month of the traditional lunar calendar). The festival combines fire and water elements to perform purification and cleaning rituals, welcoming the start of early Spring with clarity.

The purification ceremony is called Omizutori, which is performed across the entirety of the 14 days. From March 1 to 13 (except for March 12) at 7 PM, the torch lighting ceremony will commence for about 20 minutes, and visitors are offered a view of the event. Many come on March 12, when worshippers are welcome in the actual ceremony. The torches are typically lit from 7:30 PM to 8:15 PM, allowing the fire to reach its apex, and offering a dazzling view of the sacred light. On the last day, you can experience a shorter version of the torch-lighting ceremony.

Additionally, a mysterious ceremony takes place at the dawn of March 13, when priests go to a well that, according to legends, only flows once a year. It’s believed that the water has restorative properties that can allegedly heal any ailment, so it’s offered to the Buddhist deity, Kannon, and then offered to visitors to drink.

As the Omizutori Fire Festival only starts in the evening of each day, consider paying a visit to other Buddhist Temples while in Nara. The prefecture is home to the “Nanto Shichi Daiji,” or the Seven Great Temples, which refer to some of the most influential Buddhist temples in the region. Five out of seven, including Todaiji Temple, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites:

• Yokushiji Temple
• Todaiji Temple
• Kokufuji Temple
• Horyuji Temple
• Saidaiji Temple
• Gangoji Temple
• Daianji Temple

Second Sunday of March – Hiwatari-sai

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The Hiwatari-sai is a traditional Buddhist ceremony that takes place on the second Sunday of March. While it is held across many parts of Japan in March, the most popular variation is held in the Yakuoin Temple in Mount Takao, which sees the most number of visitors. Near Takaosanguchi Station, 3,000 to 4,000 people show up every year to witness the procession of monks toward the arena, where they perform various rituals, such as cleansing evil spirits with weapons. Throughout the day, the bonfire at the center of the clearing gradually grows larger. At its peak, the monks would bravely march across the hot coals barefoot while chanting prayers for peace, long life, and the well-being of all living beings.

After the monks had completed their brave display of walking across the embers, they would douse the flames and prepare two strips to allow visitors to mimic the barefoot ritual. At this stage, the fire has been put out and would typically sit at a comfortable, warm temperature, so there is no risk of burning.

The event would typically begin at 1 PM when the monks would begin their procession toward the main arena, held in a car park just off the main road. However, the festivities are in full swing for most of the day, with traditional food stalls and festival activities to keep visitors busy throughout the day. The event is easily accessible by riding the Keio Takao Line toward Takaosanguchi Station from Shinjuku. It officially wraps up at 3:30 PM, so plan to be in the area early to make the most of it.

18th March – Golden Dragon Dance

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The Golden Dragon Dance (Kinryu no Mai) is a performance held annually on March 18 at Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Tokyo. Its history dates back to 1958 when the Dragon Dance was used to celebrate the reconstruction of the temple’s main hall. As Sensoji Temple’s official name is Kinryuzan Sensoji, to represent the form that the Buddhist deity, Kannon, took while descending from the heavens, a large golden dragon that spans 18 meters and weighs approximately 88 kilograms was used to represent it.

During the performance, eight men hold up the giant golden dragon and manipulate it to perform a dance commemorating the founding of Sensoji Temple, which is believed to bring prosperity and abundant harvest to visitors. The number eight is particularly important in this event as it is a symbol of good luck.

The event is held in Asakusa Temple, easily accessible from any part of Tokyo. It’s performed three times throughout the day at 11:30 AM, 2 PM, and 3 PM, and will parade downward to Nakamise Shopping Street in a well-loved procession. Due to the popularity of the event, plan to come early to get a good viewing spot. Visit the Sensoji Temple’s official website for more details.

Throughout March – Osaka Grand Sumo Tournament

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The March Sumo Spring tournament is the second of six Grand Sumo Tournaments (Nihon Sumo Kyokai) held across each odd month of the year in Japan. It’s held across 15 days in March, but dates vary every year. This event is particularly important for Sumo wrestlers and fans alike, as it determines the Sumo rankings, or the rank that wrestlers will be assigned to based on their merits.

Sumo is a sport with powerful significance in Japan, with roots tied to Shinto. It’s said to have been derived from a match between two gods to rule over the Japanese islands. Earlier renditions of Sumo were purely combative in nature, without the rules that maintain its peaceful nature today, so death was a common occurrence in heated matches. It was also used to train samurai during the Kamakura period. Over time, Sumo has turned into a competitive sport, where wrestlers dedicate much of their lives to training and maintaining their form.

Three of the Grand Sumo Tournaments are hosted in the famous Ryogoky Kokugikan in Sumida, Tokyo, while the rest are spread across Osaka, Aichi, and Fukuoka. In matches, heavyset men enter a small ring and throw their bodies at one another, with the objective of evicting or knocking the opponent out of the ring. The March tournament held in Osaka is traditionally held at the Osaka Prefectural Gymnasium in Namba, with daily matches held from 8:30 AM to 6 PM. Each match is typically short and can last as quickly as a few seconds after the rituals, and the highest-ranking Sumo wrestlers typically take the 4 PM time slot.

Do note that tickets are required to watch the event, and they can be purchased from the official website. The event is also televised on NKH (Japan’s BBC), but nothing can compare to the deafening tension of sitting in silence among 10,000 supporters in the arena as the sumo wrestlers pose behind the white battle lines, waiting for the right time to lunge.

20th March – Shunbun no Hi

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Shunbun no Hi is a Japanese national holiday held on March 20 or 21 to commemorate the beginning of the spring equinox, when the day and night are at exactly the same length, and the sun rises at a precise eastern point and sets at a precise western point. It was formerly known as Sunki Koreisai, a Shinto celebration that dominated once upon a time when the religion had a stronger political presence in the country. The festival was tied to the imperial family due to their considerable display of power throughout the Meiji period.

Nowadays, the Shunbun no Hi isn’t tied to any religion or political belief and is instead celebrated as a non-secular occasion to signify the love for nature and living beings. It’s a family-centric holiday that usually evokes reunions, and families would traditionally visit graves of ancestors to clean tombs and leave flowers, incense, and food. While no massive celebrations are held on this day, some temples and shrines host ceremonies open to the public. In particular, Buddhist shrines would typically offer services related to the Higan period, which encompasses Shunbun no Hi.

Last Week of March – Cherry Blossom Viewing

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Japanese springtime marks the start of the cherry blossom season, a highly anticipated time of the year when iconic pink trees bloom across Japan. The exact blooming dates vary depending on the weather conditions and region. The earliest blooms start toward the end of February alongside plum blossoms but are typically quite sparse—the majority of the cherry blossoms start appearing in the last week of March.

Cherry blossoms start blooming at approximately the following dates in 2025:

Cherry blossom viewing, also called Hanami, can be done across various locations throughout the country. In fact, you’ll often find beautiful cherry blossom trees lining the streets as you go about your day. However, dedicated cherry blossom viewing spots are designed to highlight the beauty of the colorful blossoms, usually with spots for picnics, strolling, and enjoying the wonderful view.

• Yoyogi Park (Tokyo)
• Meguro River (Tokyo)
• Mount Yoshino (Nara)
• Himeji Castle (Hyogo)
• Chureito Pagoda (Yamanashi; Mount Fuji)
• Maruyama Park (Kyoto)
• Miharu Takizakura (Fukushima)
• Hirosaki Park (Aomori)

Apart from having the best views, popular cherry blossom spots also typically hold festivals and events throughout the viewing season.

Early March – Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Image Credit: Kawazu Tourist Association

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom festival is a yearly event that celebrates the blooming of the Kawazuzakura, a cherry blossom cultivar that blooms earlier than others. While it can be found in various spots around Tokyo and other parts of Japan, it’s especially abundant in Shizuoka Prefecture, where a yearly festival is held to celebrate its blooming.

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival is held along the Kawazu River, which runs from the west side of Kawazu Station across the whole town. The river is lined with vivid pink trees, which are illuminated at night to create the most spectacular views. The festival also features traditional food stalls and souvenir shops that sell a variety of local favorites and limited sakura-themed goods. Events are dotted throughout the festival period, allowing you to experience different facets of the Kawazuzakura’s blooming celebrations.

While typically held throughout February, the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival is sometimes extended to early March, depending on the weather conditions. Visit the official website for more details on the yearly schedule.

Entire March – Strawberry Picking in Tochigi

Image Credit: The Strawberry Kingdom Tochigi

Tochigi Prefecture is well-known for being Japan’s largest producer of strawberries due to its unique climate and topographical structure, making it an ideal place to grow various kinds of strawberries. From January to April, farms throughout Tochigi Prefecture offer strawberry-picking activities to visitors, where you can pick (or eat!) as many strawberries as you can within a time limit, and the loot is yours to take home. March is the best time to go, as the strawberries are most abundant and reach peak sweetness.

Popular strawberry-picking spots that welcome visitors include the following:

• Yoshimura Strawberry Park (barrier-free; wheelchair-accessible)
• Mashiko Strawberry Farm

While the above are some of the most popular options among tourists, you can also check out other farms in the Tochigi Prefecture strawberry picking website. Schedules differ per farm, but some offer activities you can do when visiting Japan in early April to as late as June.

Additionally, if you’re looking for new activities to do in Kamakura, a destination filled with popular attractions just south of Tokyo, consider heading to the Kamakura Kanko Strawberry Farm for a family-friendly experience off the beaten path.

Entire March – Winter Sports in Hokkaido

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Winter continues to glamor in parts of northern Japan, where ski resorts continue to stay open until the end of March to as late as the end of May. It’s one of the last opportunities to head to Hokkaido to participate in snow sports before the warm weather melts away the accumulated snowfall. While the snow isn’t as thick during this period, the conditions are usually still wonderful enough for all sorts of winter activities, from skiing to snowboarding, skating, or even riding snowmobiles with children. While in the area, make sure to try out Hokkaido’s array of fresh seafood and bathe in traditional onsen to fend off the cold.

Niseko is one of the most popular destinations for winter sports in Japan. The opening schedule for 2025 is as follows:

• Niseko Annupuri International Ski Area – November 30, 2024, to May 6, 2025
• Niseko Village Ski Resort – November 30, 2024, to April 6, 2025
• Niseko Tokyu Grand HIRAFU: – November 30, 2024, to March 31, 2025
• Niseko Hanazono Resort – November 30, 2024, to April 6, 2025

Visit the official Niseko UNITED website for more details.

March to April – Sakura Fes Nihonbashi

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The Sakura Fes Nihonbashi is a recurring spring festival that occurs over a few weeks from mid-March to April to celebrate the arrival of spring and the start of the cherry blossom season. In 2025, it will be held from March 19 to April 6 and will take place in the bustling Nihonbashi in Chuo, Tokyo. During the event period, the district surrounding the famous “Japan Bridge” will be brimming with cherry blossom-themed festivities. Unlike local festivals, which charm visitors with a traditional flair, the Sakura Fes offers a slightly more upscale festival experience, highlighting the beauty of the cherry blossom trees.

Sakura Fes offers a plethora of experiences, including the Nihonbashi Parfait Festival and beautiful Sakura illuminations. Hotels would also traditionally set up stalls to offer cherry blossom-themed food, including wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets), and various breweries would offer tasting sessions for sakura-infused alcohol. Family-friendly activities, such as eating events and music performances, will also run throughout the festival period. For the exact event schedules, visit the official website for more details.