Japan in March: Weather, Crowds and What to Do
· 1 min read Practical
Japan in March: Weather, Crowds and What to Do
Japan’s climate varies considerably from Okinawa in the south (subtropical) to Hokkaido in the north (cold temperate). This guide covers March conditions across the main tourist regions.
Weather in March
Japan has four distinct seasons. March fits into the following seasonal context depending on your region:
- Tokyo / Honshu: March conditions as described in the weather overview above.
- Kyoto / Osaka / Kansai: Similar to Tokyo, slightly warmer in summer, slightly colder in winter.
- Hokkaido: 5–8°C cooler than Tokyo year-round. Outstanding for winter snow sports and summer nature.
- Okinawa: Subtropical — warm year-round (18–30°C), with a wet season in May–June.
What to Do in Japan in March
Cherry blossom season beginning in Kyushu and western Japan, Tokyo and Kyoto blossoms arriving in late March, Osaka’s Maruyama Park sakura, and the Japan Rail Pass making regional movement easy.
Practical Notes for March
- Japan Rail Pass: If visiting multiple cities, a JR Pass (7, 14, or 21 days) can save significant money on Shinkansen (bullet train) fares. Purchase before arriving in Japan.
- Accommodation: Japan has excellent accommodation at all price points — from budget capsule hotels (¥2,500–4,000) to traditional ryokan with kaiseki meals (¥20,000–80,000+ per night). Book popular ryokan well ahead.
- Cash: Japan remains heavily cash-based outside of Tokyo tourist areas. Carry yen; 7-Eleven ATMs reliably accept international cards.
- Etiquette: Remove shoes at traditional accommodation and some restaurants. Avoid eating or drinking while walking. Chopstick protocol (don’t stick them upright in rice) matters in formal settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
- When do cherry blossoms bloom in Japan in March?
- The cherry blossom front moves northward through Japan. In March, blossoms typically appear first in Kyushu (Fukuoka, Nagasaki) in mid-March, then reach Hiroshima and Osaka by late March, and arrive in Tokyo and Kyoto around the final week of March or early April depending on the year.
- Is March busy in Japan for cherry blossoms?
- Late March is the beginning of Japan's most popular tourist season — yes, it gets busy, particularly at Maruyama Park in Kyoto and Shinjuku Gyoen in Tokyo. Book accommodation months ahead for late March and early April.
- Is the weather good in Japan in March?
- March is cool and improving — Tokyo reaches 8–15°C by month's end. Early March is still quite cold (4–10°C). Pack layers. The weather is unpredictable — cherry blossom viewing requires flexible planning around rain and late/early blooms depending on the year.