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Japan in March : cherry blossom season begins
March is the transition month in Japan. Winter fades, temperatures rise, plum blossoms end, and cherry blossom season begins in southern and central regions.Crowds slowly increase toward the end of the month as sakura season approaches.
Here’s what March looks like across Japan 👇
Where to Go in March ?
TOKYO
Ueno Park
One of Tokyo’s main cherry blossom spots. Peak usually late March.
Meguro River
Famous cherry blossom-lined canal. Best from late March.
Shinjuku Gyoen
Long blooming period with early and late varieties.
Chidorigafuchi (Imperial Palace area)
Cherry blossoms around the moat with boat rentals.
Rikugien Garden
Famous illuminated weeping cherry tree.
Showa Kinen Park
Large flower festival starts late March. Early tulips and spring blooms.
Obviously the most popular places. You’ll have many more on the guide with the “cherry blossoom” tag ! :)
KYOTO
Maruyama Park
Kyoto’s most popular cherry blossom gathering spot.
Philosopher’s Path
Cherry blossom trees along the canal.
Kiyomizu-dera
Seasonal light-up events during peak bloom.
Arashiyama
Cherry blossoms along the river and near Togetsukyo Bridge.
Nanzen-ji
Quieter temple option during peak season
OSAKA
Osaka Castle Park
Large cherry blossom area around the castle grounds.
Kema Sakuranomiya Park
Riverside cherry blossom walk along the Okawa River.
HOKKAIDŌ
Still winter conditions in most areas.
Best for skiing in Niseko or winter landscapes.
Cherry blossoms bloom much later here, usually late April.
SNOW STILL AVAILABLE
Niseko
Spring skiing conditions continue.
Shiga Kogen
Resorts remain open into early May.
KYŪSHŪ
Fukuoka Maizuru Park
One of the first major cherry blossom spots to bloom.
Kumamoto Castle
Cherry blossoms around the castle grounds.
Of course, this is just a small selection. There are thousands of sakura spots across Japan, from major parks to quiet local neighborhoods. There are also different types of cherry blossoms, and they don’t all bloom at the same time.Some bloom earlier, some later, and some last longer than others. Before planning, always check which variety blooms in the cities you’re visiting and what timing you’re aiming for. The experience can vary a lot depending on the sakura type and the region.
🌸 Early Cherry Blossom Spots (End of February - Beginning of March)
These areas often bloom earlier than others:
Kawazu (Shizuoka)
Early-blooming Kawazu-zakura variety, often mid March.
Kawazu Sakura can be found in other region too.
Atami (Shizuoka)
Mild coastal climate with earlier blooms.
Kochi (Shikoku)
Among the first official sakura bloom announcements.
🎎 Main festivals & events
March 3 Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day
March 1–14 Omizutori Fire Ceremony at Todai-ji, Nara
Fire rituals with giant torches, peak on March 12
March 3–4 : Jindaiji Daruma Doll Fair, Tokyo
Second Sunday of March : Mount Takao Fire Walking Festival
Mid March : Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro
Lantern route from Shoren-in to Kiyomizu-dera
Late March
Ueno Sakura Matsuri, Tokyo
Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival
Start of hanami picnics in southern and central Japan
Mid March (Osaka)
Grand Sumo Tournament at EDION Arena Osaka
Throughout March
Spring illumination events and temple seasonal openings
🍵 What to eat this month
Sakura mochi : Pink rice cake filled with red bean paste, wrapped in a salted cherry leaf.
Sakura dango : Three-colored rice dumplings (pink, white, green) sold during hanami season.
Sakura daifuku : Soft mochi filled with red bean paste and flavored with cherry blossom.
Sakura anpan : Sweet bread filled with cherry-flavored red bean paste.
Sakura cheesecake / roll cake: Limited seasonal desserts sold in department stores and cafés.
Sakura KitKat : Seasonal flavor released around spring.
Sakura ice cream : My favorite !
Sakura latte
Cherry blossom flavored milk drink, often sold at cafés and convenience stores.
Sakura milk tea
Seasonal tea blends with cherry aroma.
Sakura sparkling drinks
Non-alcoholic cherry blossom sodas sold in supermarkets.
💡 Travel tips
Cherry blossom timing depends on temperature each year
Bloom starts in Kyushu and moves north
Late March becomes busy in Tokyo and Kyoto
Book accommodations early for sakura season
Weather is mild but evenings remain cool
Layered clothing is recommended
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Marie creator behind @Tabimawari
Hi, I’m Marie, the creator behind @tabimawari.
I lived in Kyoto, learned Japanese, and keep returning to explore Japan beyond the obvious.
Planning a trip to Japan usually breaks at the same point: you save a lot of places, but don’t know how to turn them into a realistic route. Cities are large, distances are not intuitive, and it’s hard to know what actually fits in one day.
This guide was created to solve that. It helps you understand how places connect, how many days make sense per area, and how to build an itinerary that flows.
With the interactive map, you can explore curated spots across Japan, follow ready-made itineraries and day trips, mix my routes with your own, and adapt everything to your pace.
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Marie creator behind @Tabimawari
Hi, I’m Marie.
French islander from Reunion island, Japan lover, and travel planner behind Tabimawari.
I spent a year living in Kyoto, learning Japanese and falling in love with the culture. Since then, I’ve kept going back, exploring every corner from Tokyo to the tiniest hidden towns.
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