Japan has a lot to offer during the month of March. From cherry blossoms reaching their peak to various festivals and outdoor activities, spring is the ideal time to visit Japan. The country offers a number of activities and events that are perfect for families or groups. If you're looking for some inspiration, here are some ideas for things to do in Japan in March.
We'll start off with some of the most popular places you might want to visit while in Japan during this month.
1. Experience the Magic of Cherry Blossom Season in Kyoto with a Kimono Rental
Renting a kimono and taking a stroll around Kyoto during cherry blossom season is a must-do experience. Many shops in the city offer kimono rentals, where you can choose from a variety of traditional Japanese garments and accessories. Walking around popular areas such as the Philosopher's Path, temples, and shrines while dressed in a kimono is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and feel like a true local. Guided tours can also provide more information about the history and significance of the cherry blossoms in Kyoto and Japan. Dressing up in a kimono and strolling around Kyoto during cherry blossom season is an unforgettable experience.
Go cherry blossom viewing wearing a kimono in Kyoto (Hair accessories set included)
Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Dress up in a wonderful kimono with your partner and go sightseeing in Kyoto
Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Walk around Fushimi Inari Taisha wearing a kimono and taking in the views of sakura trees
Fukakusa Inari Nakanomachi, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto
Wear a kimono or a yukata and stroll around Kyoto with your friends or family
Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
2. Indulge in Traditional Sweets Making Experience in Kyoto
Kyoto's cherry blossom season offers a unique opportunity to learn about traditional Japanese sweets known as wagashi. Many shops and tea houses offer wagashi-making experiences, where you can learn how to make these delicate treats while enjoying the beautiful cherry blossoms. These experiences are a great way to learn about the cultural significance of wagashi and the art of making them. It is a fun and delicious way to experience the culture and season of cherry blossoms in Kyoto. Book in advance to ensure a spot during the peak cherry blossom season.
Traditional sweets making experience at Kanshundo East Store
Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Japanese sweets making experience while dressed up in a Kimono
Higashiyama Ward, Kyoto
Learn how to make cherry blossom inspired Japanese sweets and enjoy matcha tea
Kameoka, Kyoto
3. Paddle Through Tokyo's River Surrounded by Cherry Blossoms
Canoeing or kayaking are both a great way to view the cherry blossoms in Tokyo. During sakura season, you can take a guided tour on the water surrounded by a sea of pink and white blossoms. Many tour companies offer guided canoe and kayak tours, which allow visitors to enjoy the cherry blossoms up close while getting some exercise. It's recommended to check availability and book in advance, especially during peak season.
Tokyo Sky Tree Kayak Tour
Edogawa City, Tokyo
Tokyo Sky Tree Kayak Night View Tour - Beginner and Family-Friendly
Edogawa City, Tokyo
Sky Tree Canoeing Tour While Enjoying the Cherry Blossoms Views
Edogawa City, Tokyo
4. Dine on a Boat Under the Cherry Blossoms: Yakatabune Cruising in Tokyo
Houseboat cruising restaurant or Yakatabune during sakura season in Tokyo is an exceptional way to experience the cherry blossoms. These traditional Japanese boats offer a dining experience while cruising along the city's waterways, allowing you to take in the cherry blossoms in full bloom. Many Yakatabune boats are decorated with cherry blossom motifs, adding to the festive atmosphere, and typically depart in the evening, allowing you to enjoy the cherry blossoms lit up by the soft light of lanterns. These cruises are quite popular during sakura season; make sure to book in advance.
House boat tour around Tokyo (Sumidagawa River cruise with Nishiki lunch set and cherry blossoms views)
Sumida City, Tokyo
House boat tour around Tokyo (Sumidagawa River cruise with lunch set and cherry blossoms views)
Sumida City, Tokyo
5. Step into the World of Naruto and Boruto at the Nijigen no Mori Theme Park
Naruto x Boruto Park Nijigen no Mori is a theme park located on Awaji Island, Hyogo Prefecture, Japan. It is dedicated to the popular anime and manga series Naruto and its spin-off Boruto: Naruto Next Generations. The park offers a wide range of activities for visitors to fully immerse themselves in the world of the series, including interactive live shows and a three-dimensional maze where you can experience training using scrolls, a mission rally, and puzzle solving.
NARUTO & BORUTO theme park admission ticket
Kusumoto, Awaji City, Hyogo Prefecture
6. Cherry Blossom Boat Cruising Tours in Osaka
Enjoying cherry blossom views from a helicopter sightseeing flight is an unforgettable and unique way to enjoy the season's beauty. Many tour operators in Kyoto offer helicopter rides that take you over the city and its surrounding areas, providing a bird's eye view of the cherry blossoms. The view of the cherry blossoms from above is truly spectacular, with the pink and white blossoms covering the landscape like a blanket. During a helicopter sightseeing flight, you'll be able to see many of Kyoto's famous landmarks and tourist spots such as the Golden Pavilion, Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace, all set against the backdrop of the cherry blossoms. The flight also gives you a chance to see the beautiful cityscape and the surrounding countryside.
Osaka Hanami Sakura Cruise Charter
Osaka
Tombori River Cruise (20-minutes tour)
Osaka
7. Meet Dinosaurs at Dino Park Yanbaru Subtropical Forest
Dino Park Yanbaru Subtropical Forest is a dinosaur-themed park located in the Yanbaru region of Japan. The park features a wide variety of animatronic dinosaurs that are spread out over a large, lush subtropical forest. Visitors can explore the park on foot, taking in the sights and sounds of the dinosaurs as they roam through the forest. In addition to the animatronic dinosaurs, the park also offers a variety of other attractions, including a dinosaur museum, a dinosaur excavation site, and a dinosaur fossil exhibit. Overall, Dino Park Yanbaru Subtropical Forest is a unique and exciting destination that offers visitors the chance to experience the world of dinosaurs in a truly immersive way.
Dino Park Yanbaru Subtropical Forest Ticket in Okinawa
Nakayama, Nago City, Okinawa
8. Stroll Through Kanazawa in Traditional Kimono
Step back in time and immerse yourself in the charm of Kanazawa with this traditional kimono renting plan. Experience the elegance of Japan's rich cultural heritage as you stroll through the city's streets in style.
Spend a wonderful time walking around Kanazawa and dressed in a traditional kimono (recommended for couples)
Kanazawa, Ishikawa
9. Explore the Unique Limestone Formations of Hida Great Cave in Gifu
Hida Great Limestone Cave, also known as Hida-Takayama Limestone Cave, is a limestone cave located in the city of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is known for its unique limestone formations and underground lake. The cave is approximately 800 meters long and is open to the public for guided tours. The temperature inside the cave is a constant 12 degrees Celsius all year round. It is a popular tourist attraction known for its natural beauty and geological significance. Visitors can explore the cave on guided tours, which take about an hour and a half and include a boat ride on the underground lake.
Hida Great Limestone Cave & Ohashi Collection Museum-Entrance Ticket
Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
9. Explore the Unique Limestone Formations of Hida Great Cave in Gifu
Hida Great Limestone Cave, also known as Hida-Takayama Limestone Cave, is a limestone cave located in the city of Takayama in Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is known for its unique limestone formations and underground lake. The cave is approximately 800 meters long and is open to the public for guided tours. The temperature inside the cave is a constant 12 degrees Celsius all year round. It is a popular tourist attraction known for its natural beauty and geological significance. Visitors can explore the cave on guided tours, which take about an hour and a half and include a boat ride on the underground lake.
Hida Great Limestone Cave & Ohashi Collection Museum-Entrance Ticket
Takayama City, Gifu Prefecture
10. Join a Guided Cycling Tour & Explore Tokyo's Cherry Blossoms by Bike
Cycling tours offer a fun way to explore Tokyo and view cherry blossoms during sakura season. Many tour companies offer guided tours to popular spots, led by a guide who provides information about the history, culture, and the best places to view cherry blossoms. It's an eco-friendly way to cover more ground, stop and take in the views at your own pace and get some exercise.
Guided Cycling Tour around Imperial Palace-Hibiya (Afternoon Course)
Chiyoda City, Tokyo
Guided cycling tour around Akihabara, Asakusa and Ryogoku (Morning Course)
Chiyoda City, Tokyo
Frequently asked questions
QCan you see cherry blossoms in Japan in March?
AYes, there are cherry blossoms in Japan in March. In fact, if you head north from Tokyo to Kansai--the region encompassing Osaka, Kyoto, and Nara--you'll see them opening as March turns to April. The blossoms tend to begin blooming for Tokyo and Yokohama by the last few days of that month and reach full bloom during the first week of April.
QWhat to do in Japan in March?
AThere are many things to do in Japan in March, here are some ideas: Try kimono renting in Kyoto, make wagashi sweets, go canoeing around Tokyo Bay, or dine at a restaurant on a houseboat.
QIs March a good month to visit Japan?
AMarch can be a good time to visit Japan, depending on what you are looking for in your travel experience. Here are some factors to consider:
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Weather: March is the end of winter in Japan, and the weather can still be quite chilly, especially in the northern parts of the country. However, in the southern parts of Japan, such as Okinawa, the weather can already start to feel like spring.
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Crowds: March is not a peak travel season in Japan, so you can generally expect smaller crowds and shorter lines at popular tourist attractions.
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Cherry Blossoms: March is the beginning of cherry blossom season in Japan, so you can enjoy the breathtaking views of these flowers in full bloom.
