Visiting Japan During March: All The Fun Things to Do

Visiting Japan During March

Visiting Japan in March is probably one of those bucket list experiences that will change your life forever and be a story you tell for the rest of your life. Yeah, that is how good it is. I’m setting the bar very, very high. From amazing seasonal food to iconic sakura blooming on every street corner, March is an exciting time in Japan for tourists and locals alike.

Is March a good time to visit Japan?

March is one of the most popular times for tourists to visit Japan due to the cherry blossom season. Cherry blossom season usually starts around the end of March and carries on through April but this can change due to weather. It is probably the most magical time you can visit Japan because it is a time of celebration for everyone who made it through the bitter winter, and locals and tourists are out picnicking and enjoying the warmer days. 

What you will find here

I am very lucky to have lived in Japan for seven years and I have also had the honour of visiting Japan during March as a tourist! Here you’ll find all my favourite things to do in March – and spoiler – there is more to March than waiting for the sakura to bloom! (But if sakura is what you’re really into, I also have a list of the best places to see sakura in Tokyo, Kyoto, and also some crowd free options in Tokyo too).

What to do in Japan in March

March sakura themed food to try in Japan

Sakura themed sweets and cakes in Japan

March is when all the sakura themed sweets and cakes start to make their appearance. If you are visiting Japan during March you will notice that 90% of places will jump on the spring-themed wagon and have at least one option! Sakura themed cakes usually taste like rose or plum flavoured. Some examples of stores that always have a sakura themed sweets are:

Please note for my vegan and dietary restricted readers that these options are rarely dairy or egg free. Please check the ingredients of each item if they’re not clearly labeled vegan. Chain stores sometimes have alternative milk options but they are sometimes not vegan so please ask the staff if you are unsure.

Ginza Cozy Corner: a popular cake chain store located all over Japan that always releases a sakura themed cake.

Mister Donut: the one and only US style donut chain store located all over Japan always has a sakura themed donut released in March.

Andaz Pastry Shop: located in Tokyo has sakura themed cakes and pastries available from March. 

Yokumoku: a popular Japanese cafe located throughout the country specialising in sweets and biscuits. They usually have a limited edition sakura tin of biscuits.

Mabre Vegan: is a vegan cake shop just outside Shinjuku Gyoen. Everything here is vegan and some items are gluten-free, too. They have a couple of different sakura themed cakes and drinks!

Sakura themed high tea in Tokyo

High tea is a popular event around Spring as friends and family start planning more get-togethers now the weather is getting warmer. If you are visiting Japan during March you will see that most of the big hotels will offer some sort of sakura high tea:

The Tavern Grill & Lounge: at Andaz, Tokyo has a sakura themed afternoon tea. This is a must in my opinion as the views from Andaz are sensational! They were able to do a vegan version for me when I went previous years but please check in advance!

The Lobby Lounge: at Shangri-la has a sakura themed afternoon tea, too. I’ve been to this one too so I can recommend it.

Sakura themed drinks in Japan

Most of the chain store cafes will also offer a sakura themed drink. This usually starts a bit earlier than the cakes and the high-teas and you will usually start seeing them pop up around mid-February. Starbucks is the most iconic version and every year they have a different takeaway coffee cup, however if you don’t want to support Starbucks there are a whole range of other chain coffee shops that also have offerings:

Tullys: is a Japanese chain store coffee shop located throughout the country. They always have a sakura themed coffee and tea option. 

Pronto: is a Japanese chain store coffee shop scattered up and down the country. Again, they do this every year. 

Rooftop Bar: at Andaz Tokyo also does sakura themed alcoholic drinks.

Visit the March festivals in Japan

Konosu Cherry Blossom Festival

Saitama Prefecture

There are many cherry blossom festivals in Japan but most of them fall in the first week of April. The Konosu Cherry Blossom Festival is one that falls on the last weekend of March. This is a great option to visit as it is right by a river and because it is outside of Tokyo it draws more of a local crowd. If you don’t like crowds but are still planning on visiting Japan during March, then this is a great option for you.

The 2025 Konosu Cherry Blossom Festival will be held between 10am to 4pm on Saturday the 29th and Sunday the 30th of March at Kamatsuka Event Park (by Motoara River) in Konosu City, Saitama.

Tsunan Snow Festival

Niigata Prefecture

This is one of the last snow festivals of the year. If you are visiting Japan during March and hoping to still enjoy some of the cold rather than get into the Spring festivities, this might be for you! The Tsunan Snow Festival is famous for the light up lanterns that are released into the night sky around 7pm. There are also cultural events, food stalls, snow activities, and ice huts to see during the day.

The 2025 Tsunan Snow Festival will be held between 11am and 8pm on Saturday, March 8th, at Tsunan Town in Nakauonuma, Niigata.

Fire Festivals

Nara Prefecture

Fire festivals in Japan are popular traditional festivals and there are a couple held in March so no matter where you are in Japan, you should be able to see one! The ones I know are the Omizutori Fire Festival in Nara, the Mt Takao Fire Walking in Tokyo, and the Kanoukaen Fire Festival (which is also a cherry blossom festival!). Most are just for watching the procession but some you may be able to take part in but you will need to check the websites for more information. If you are visiting Japan during March and wanting to see a traditional Japanese festival – make sure you check out a fire festival.

The 2025 Omizutori Fire Festival is held on March 1st to 14th at Tōdaiji Temple in Nara.

The 2025 Mt Takao Fire Walking is held between 1pm and 3.30pm on Sunday, March 9th, at Mt Takao in Hachioji in Tokyo.

The 2025 Kanoukaen Fire Festival is held after 6pm on Saturday, March 29 at Tachibana Shrine to Tachibana Park in Nagasaki.

Tokyo Tower 333 koinobori

TOKYO PREFECTURE

In celebration of Children’s Day on May 5th, Tokyo Tower decorates itself with 333 koinobori carp streamers. This starts on the 20th of March so you’ll be able to enjoy this if you are visiting Japan in March! You can view this from the bottom of Tokyo Tower, so you don’t need to buy a ticket.

The Tokyo Tower 333 Koinobori will be held from March 20th until May 5th at Tokyo Tower in Shiba, Tokyo.

Welcome Japan’s spring season

Cherry blossoms in Japan

Japan-wide

Cherry blossoms usually start to flower in Japan around the last couple of weeks of March and reach full bloom around the end of March. The northernmost parts of Japan will see sakura bloom later, up to the end of April. 

There are so many places in Japan to see cherry blossoms. It is so common that you will see them as you stroll down any random street. Most parks will have cherry blossom trees however, because of the changeable weather it is a good idea to keep an eye on cherry blossom updates. Japan Guide has a great page where they update the blooms at major locations every day during March and Kishou has a flowering metre for every city and ward, so I highly recommend checking them!

I’ve also written a bunch of helpful guides on cherry blossoms across Japan:

• What to Wear in Japan for Cherry Blossom Photos
• The Best Crowd Free Sakura Spots in Tokyo, Japan
• The Best Spots To Enjoy Sakura Cherry Blossoms In Tokyo

Where to stay in Japan

You can use the interactive map below to find all the available accomodation in Tokyo and beyond.