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Updated: February 20, 2024

Is March a good time to visit Tokyo?

As the winter cold eases in March, people fill Tokyo's parks and gardens to celebrate the arrival of spring and the cherry blossoms. There are plenty of events, including the traditional Hina Matsuri (Japanese Doll Festival) held on March 3.

What is the weather like in Tokyo in March?

March is chilly but comfortable. The temperature averages out at 9.4℃ (48.9℉), with highs of 14.2℃ (57.6℉) and lows of 5℃ (41℉). It's worth bringing a sweater or jacket, but you won't need any special clothing. While snow is not common, a few rainy days are likely. The average monthly precipitation is 116 mm (4.6 in).

Best events, festivals, and other things to do in March

Cherry Blossom Festivals

In late March, Tokyo marks the arrival of the cherry blossoms with countless events and celebrations. The Ueno Sakura Matsuri (Cherry Blossom Festival) at Ueno Park draws crowds with stage performances and picnic bentos for sale in addition to the flowers. At Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival you can walk along the riverbank, viewing blossoms with TOKYO SKYTREE in the background. The famous weeping cherry tree at Rikugien Gardens is a spectacular sight, especially in the evening when it's illuminated with dozens of lights.

 

Tokyo Marathon

The Tokyo Marathon, one of the city's biggest sporting events, takes place in early March each year. Its participants include both the general public, and elite runners. They start at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, then weave their way past sightseeing spots and through famous shopping districts, including Asakusa and Ginza. Traffic restrictions are in place for extended hours on the day of the run, so make sure to check the course map and schedule on the marathon's official website.

©TOKYO MARATHON FOUNDATION

 

Flower Festivals on Tokyo's Islands

Tokyo's islands celebrate their stunning flora at annual festivals. At the Freesia Festival on Hachijojima Island, you can enjoy an outdoor tea ceremony while gazing out at the colorful blossoms, and grab some local sweets at the Freesia Cafe. And at the Tsubaki (Camellia) Festival on the island of Izu Oshima, you can try dyeing with camellia petals.

 

Hina Matsuri (Japanese Doll Festival)

Hina Matsuri takes place on March 3. Elegant dolls displayed on tiered platforms embody a prayer for girls' health and happiness. You can see a spectacular display at Keio Plaza Hotel. At the Komorebi Village in Showa Kinen Park, which is made to resemble an old rural village, there is a Hina Matsuri display in a traditional house.

 

Flower Festival in Tokyo

Cherry blossoms are by no means the only floral highlights in March. Showa Kinen Park's annual Flower Festival starts in late March, then goes on to showcase all the flowers of spring, including tulips and nemophila in April, and poppies in May. Highlights include exhibitions, workshops, and guided tours. There are tours that show off the park's best spots, including a guided Segway tour (additional charge). Many events take place during the festival. In Hama-rikyu Gardens, you'll see a bright yellow carpet of rapeseed blossoms, which offer a striking contrast to the skyscrapers in the background.

 

Jindaiji Temple Daruma Doll Fair (Jindaiji Daruma-ichi)

Daruma are rounded, traditional Japanese dolls that are used to make wishes. One of Japan's three biggest markets for them is the Jindaiji Temple Daruma Doll Fair (Jindaiji Daruma-ichi), held on March 3 and 4. Around 300 stalls sell daruma in many different sizes and designs. Buy a doll, and you can even have a priest inscribe an eye in Sanskrit.

 

Mt. Takao Fire-Walking Festival (Hiwatari-sai)

Takao-san Yakuo-in, a Buddhist temple halfway up Mt. Takao, hosts an annual fire-walking festival on the second Sunday of March to pray for health and safety. During the festival, monks walk barefoot over embers of burning wood; a traditional ascetic custom. Afterwards, when the embers have died away, you can join in and even try walking on them yourself.

 

Kinryu-no-Mai (Golden Dragon Dance)

The Golden Dragon Dance, held annually on March 18, was established in 1958 to celebrate the reconstruction of the main hall at Asakusa's Sensoji Temple. It features an 18-meter-long, 88-kilogram golden dragon, dancing to festive music.

Event on This Month

 

Calendar

January January in Tokyo speaks of traditions. Start the New Year in good spirits and head to a temple or shrine for Hatsumode on January 1 and pray like the locals do for peace and good health. Some begin their sojourn the night before on New Year's Eve to hear temple bells chime 108 times as the new year dawns, but Hatsumode is drawn out and takes place over 2-3 days.
February Tokyo's festival and event card is varied in February. Visit Tokyo at this time of year and you'll be witness to festivals and events that honor ume (plum blossoms), banish devils, celebrate the efforts of runners and see an unusual take on Valentine's Day—only men are supposed to receive chocolate.
March Temperatures and moods begin to thaw in March, the month heralding the start of spring. While cherry blossoms or sakura appear at month's end and are eagerly awaited, the rest of March offers much to see and do.
April April in Tokyo is blooming marvelous. Many of spring's events have a floral focus, with the highly anticipated Sakura or cherry blossom season reigning supreme. Join in the hanami or flower viewing parties all over the city.
May May festivals and events begin with the latter half of cluster of Golden Week holidays. Greenery or Arbor Day (May 4) sees entry fees waived in many of the cities parks and gardens, while Children's Day (May 5) heralds the arrival of brightly colored carp or koi streamers festooned around the city.
June Visit Tokyo in June, and the weather begins to get steamy. Rainy season arrives, but not all days are marked by wet weather. Embrace the increasing humidity with the official opening of Tokyo's many beer gardens and imbibe in a glass of your favorite ale. From the lofty heights of the beer garden atop Mt. Takao to the elegant surrounds of Meiji Kinenkan, you'll find a beer garden for every occasion.
July From the booming sound of fireworks lighting up the night sky to the soothing sounds of fuurin wind chimes tinkling in the breeze, July in Tokyo is a sensory experience. Festivals and events ranging from spectacular fireworks shows and ancestral bon odori rites to the sonic wizardry of summer music festivals that attract the best of domestic and international artists.
August August sees Tokyo at it’s hottest, but a continuing cascade of fireworks, traditional obon dances, multicolored tanabata lantern events, and the height of official water park and beach season all provide welcome distractions.
September September means sayonara, or goodbye, to the soaring heat of summer. Nights begin to cool and temperatures become more bearable, but these changes also see the occasional typhoon. Many of the city’s beer gardens remain open, however, a reminder that there’s still fun to be had outdoors yet.
October October, the height of autumn, is one of the best times of year to visit Tokyo. From ongoing traditional festivals to art and cultural soirees to culinary-focused events celebrating the bounty of the season—the city's event card is full.
November Visit November in Tokyo and shade yourself in hues of yellow, orange, red and golden brown. With seasonal foliage at its finest, the month sees the arrival of Koyo, or changing autumn leaves. Bask in the rich-jeweled tones of the season at Rikugien Gardens—at night the grounds are illuminated—or delight in the vibrant yellows of the city's numerous ginko trees.
December Tokyo is dazzling in December–literally–when the city lights up with illuminations. The dark nights are an ideal canvas for intricate and elaborate light displays and the illuminations are a signature winter sight.

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