Japan Weather in March 2026: Top Places, Clothing, Travel Tips

March is a great time to visit Japan. As winter chill fades away, the country welcomes the warmth of spring.

In March, you could enjoy Japan's spring charm or hit the slopes for late winter skiing. For example, early cherry blossoms or plum flowers are across Japan, while some ski resorts in Hokkaido are still open.

Crowds and costs in March have not peaked yet. Since the peak cherry blossoms are coming in late March, you could enjoy smaller crowds and average costs for most of the month.

Find out all the information you need to know to travel to Japan in March in this article. It covers the weather, what to wear, recommended destinations, crowd, and costs.

Weather and Climate in Japan in March

Even though March is the beginning of spring, the weather in Japan is still cold. The average temperature ranges from 5 - 13°C (41 - 55°F).

March weather in Japan can be very unpredictable. You might encounter both freezing cold and surprisingly hot days. For example, Tokyo had heavy snow on March 19, 2025, but just a week later on March 26, it became warm enough to wear short sleeves.

In March, Japan usually has relatively dry weather with an average rainfall of around 108mm (4 in). There's a 30-40% chance of rain, which slightly increases towards late March as it gets warmer. The rain is mostly light to moderate showers that would not affect your trip.

Tokyo and Central Japan Weather: Frequent Changes

Cities in Central Japan like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka stay cold in March, with temperatures around 5-13°C (41-55°F). However, the weather starts to warm up in late March, with daily highs occasionally reaching 25°C (77°F).

With the warmer temperatures in late March, most cherry blossoms begin to bloom. If you want to see them in full bloom, we suggest visiting Japan between March 30th and April 10th. From our firsthand experience, this timeframe ensures you'll witness the full bloom of cherry blossoms in central Japan.

Showers are more common during March. The rain is usually light to moderate and may last 1-3 days, but it won't disrupt your journey. However, gray skies might make it harder to take good photos, especially in late March when cherry blossoms are blooming.

The weather in central Japan during March is changeable, with both snowfall and unseasonably warm temperatures possible. Occasional snow may fall in early March, while short-sleeve weather can appear in late March.

Hokkaido and Northern Japan: Cold for Winter Activities

Hokkaido in northern Japan remains as cold as winter in March, with average temperatures around 1°C (34°F). Nighttime temperatures often dip below 0°C (32°F).

In March, you could still enjoy skiing and snowboarding in Hokkaido. The region gets several heavy snow this month, providing ski resorts here have a longer ski season. You could also enjoy quieter slopes and lower costs compared to January and February.

Okinawa and Southern Japan: Off Season

Okinawa and southern Japan have the warmest weather in March, usually around 17-21°C (63-70°F). Although the sea temperature remains cool, water activities tend to increase this month.

5 Best Places to Visit in Japan in March

We've handpicked the top 5 places to visit in Japan in March. Each offers unique seasonal experiences that you shouldn't miss.

1) Izu: Early Blooming Cherry Blossoms

Izu is a coastal city located about a two-hour train ride from Tokyo. It's famous for its beaches, picturesque coastline, hot springs, and view of Mount Fuji in the distance.

You could enjoy full bloom cherry blossoms in Izu during early March. Thanks to its differ cherry tree types and warmer climate, Izu's cherry blossoms typically reach their peak in early March, about a month earlier than those in Tokyo.

We suggest Shimogamo in Izu for cherry blossom viewing. With fewer crowds than other spots and beautiful scenery, it is easier to capture memorable photos here.

The seaside fireworks display is another highlight in Izu in March. Although the dates for 2026 haven't been announced yet, we will update you once they are confirmed.

2) Hokkaido: Skiing Still Available

Hokkaido, the northernmost part of Japan, is renowned for its winter activities. In March, many ski resorts in Hokkaido remain open as the region sees several heavy snowfalls during this month.

We recommend skiing in the first half of March, as snow conditions are still stable for a better experience. In the second half, rising temperatures can turn snow into sleet, creating icy or slushy slopes that are less ideal. Additionally, most Hokkaido ski resorts start closing from mid to late March.

For a better ski experience with consistent snow conditions in March, you could choose ski resorts like Niseko, Furano Ski Resort, or Kiroro.

3) Osaka: Grand Sumo Tournament

Osaka is Japan's food paradise, where you can join a food tour and enjoy a variety of Japanese snacks.

Every March, Osaka hosts a two-week grand sumo tournament, a traditional Japanese sporting event. It's recommended to arrive around 3 pm to watch top athletes compete between 3:30-6 pm, when the matches become more intense and have great visual appeal.

However, getting tickets for the sumo tournament is hard. If you can't secure them, we could arrange a special sumo experience instead. You'll get to watch retired sumo wrestlers perform, savor the famous chanko nabe (one-pot dish), and even have a friendly challenge with a wrestler.

4) Kyoto: Girl's Day Ceremony

As the ancient capital of Japan, you could immerse yourself in a culturally rich atmosphere in Kyoto.

March 3 is Japan's Girls' Day (Hinamatsuri). At Kyoto's Shimogamo Shrine, you could watch performances showcasing thousand-year rituals and feel the special March festival atmosphere. Enjoy traditional ceremonies, geisha dances, and see locals floating dolls in small boats to pray for children's health.

The ceremony is usually held from 10 am to 12 noon. Arrive early to secure a good spot for photos and viewing, as it's one of Japan's five major festivals and draws large crowds of locals.

5) Tokyo: Admire Plum and Cherry Blossoms

In March, Tokyo offers two floral highlights not to be missed: plum blossoms in early March and cherry blossoms in late March.

Tokyo's plum blossoms usually bloom from late February to early March. For a great plum viewing experience, you're suggested to visit Yushima Tenjin Shrine. This shrine boasts a variety of blossoms, and offers a longer blooming period until mid-March.

Cherry blossoms in Tokyo typically bloom after March 20, reaching their peak between March 30 and April 5. Based on our firsthand experience, Shinjuku Gyoen is the top place to enjoy cherry blossoms in Tokyo. It boasts a variety of cherry blooms, traditional Japanese garden scenery, and great photo opportunities.

What to Wear in Japan in March

As the weather in Japan can be cold and unpredictable in March, it's best to dress in layers. You'd better check the temperature again two days before your trip to pack accordingly.

It's suggested to bring both warm clothing and comfortable layered shirts, such as a down jacket, a thick coat, sweaters, hoodies, shirts, and long-sleeves.

Crowds and Costs in Japan in March

Generally, March is less crowded, with average prices for most of the month. However, in late March when the cherry blossom season peaks, it becomes more crowded and costs rise.

Before late March, there are fewer crowds, so you could explore popular attractions and dine at restaurants without long lines. It's also easier to book popular experiences that are usually hard to reserve, such as the Ghibli Museum and geisha tea ceremonies.

Moreover, prices in late March during the cherry blossom season will increase, especially for hotels, which could rise by around 50%. For example, a 4-star hotel that usually costs about US$200 per night could rise to US$300-350 per night in late March.

If you're planning to travel to Japan in late March, it's strongly recommended to book hotels and flights 3-6 months in advance to get better prices. Booking your Japan trip early also ensures you can reserve professional English-speaking guides, as they get booked up quickly during the peak season.

Should I Visit Japan in March or April?

If you are looking for fewer crowds, average costs, and don't mind whether you can see cherry blossoms or not, March would be a better choice.

If seeing cherry blossoms is a must for you and you prefer warmer weather, visit Japan in April. Check out our Plan a Cherry Blossom Trip to Japan for more of our firsthand tips for your trip.

Let's Customize Your Japan Trip!

Our experienced Japan travel advisors are here to help you customize your trip to Japan based on your preferences, answer any questions, and quickly solve any problems you encounter during your journey. Contact us now!

Here are our two popular Japan tours. You could use them directly or customize the attractions to fit your preferences.

• 11-Day Traditional Japan Tour with Historical Hiroshima
• 13-Day Japan Family Vacation with Theme Parks

Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Japan

Learn about the weather in Japan for 12 months and find out the best places to visit each month.

• Japan in January
• Japan in February
• Japan in March
• Japan in April
• Japan in May
• Japan in June
• Japan in July
• Japan in August
• Japan in September
• Japan in October
• Japan in November
• Japan in December