Weather in Japan in March

What the weather is like in March

Late March: bloom starts in Kyushu and reaches Tokyo by month-end. Mild temperatures, some spring rain, and the most photogenic month of the year.

Against February, March runs 3°C warmer with 59mm more rain.

These March averages are station normals for Tokyo (Kitanomaru Park) (Japan Meteorological Agency, via Wikipedia, 1991-2020); other parts of Japan vary. Full sources below.

Japan in March, on the ground

March is the turn from winter to spring. The first half is still cool, plum blossom is finishing, and by the last week cherry blossom is opening in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Hokkaido and the high mountains are still under snow.

Crowds and prices in March

The first half of the month is quieter and better value. From the last week, cherry-blossom demand pushes up hotel rates in Tokyo and Kyoto, and the end of the Japanese school year in late March adds domestic travellers.

What to do in March

• Catch the first cherry blossom in Tokyo’s Ueno Park or along the Meguro River in the last week of the month.
• See the late plum blossom at Kitano Tenmangu shrine in Kyoto in early March.
• Ski in Hokkaido or Nagano, where the season runs into March.

Before you book: Bloom dates move by a week or two each year; if the blossom is the reason for the trip, book refundable rooms and check the bloom forecasts before you go.

What to pack for Japan in March

• Warm layers and a proper coat
• A scarf for chilly mornings
• A packable rain jacket or compact umbrella

What's on in March

• Cherry Blossom Season (Sakura) (Nationwide (south to north over 4-6 weeks)) — The defining travel event in Japan. Bloom starts in Kyushu in late March and progresses north to Hokkaido by early May. Peak in Tokyo and Kyoto is usually April 1-7.

Is March the right month?

Japan's best month, April, is one month after March; the toughest, August, is five months after. See the full month-by-month breakdown for Japan, or where else to go in March.