# Tokyo in March

March is when Tokyo shakes off winter. It starts cold and ends with the first cherry blossoms, and in between come the Tokyo Marathon, the Girls' Festival and a wave of graduations and farewell parties as the Japanese school and business year draws to a close. The list below is updated daily with the month's most notable events.

## What March feels like

March is the month the weather turns, and it rarely does so in a straight line. Japan Meteorological Agency normals put average daytime highs at around 14°C and night lows at around 5°C, but the first week can feel like January while the last one brings properly mild afternoons. It rains about twice as much as in February, and windy days are common. Right in the middle of the blossom season a cold spell often comes back, and Japanese has a word for it: hanabie, the blossom chill.

Layers are the answer: a coat or warm jacket you can take off, a sweater underneath and a scarf for the evening. If you plan an evening under the cherry trees, bring more than you think you need, because sitting still on the ground after sunset gets cold quickly. A folding umbrella is worth keeping in your bag all month.

- Check the evening forecast before a night hanami. Nights are still close to winter levels for much of the month.
- A small picnic sheet and a cushion or folded jacket keep the cold of the ground away.

- → [Weather and events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/weather.md)
- → [What to do in Tokyo when it rains](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/rainy-day.md)

## Pollen season (kafunsho)

For many people in Tokyo, March means kafunsho, hay fever from Japanese cedar (sugi) pollen. Cedar pollen starts flying around February and is usually heaviest in March, and cypress (hinoki) pollen follows into April. On high-pollen days a large share of commuters wear masks, and weather apps and TV forecasts give a daily pollen level.

It can catch visitors too, including people who have never had hay fever at home. Drugstores sell allergy tablets, eye drops and masks, and the pharmacist can help you choose; for anything more serious, see a doctor. Counts tend to be higher on warm, dry and windy days and lower while it rains.

- Look for 花粉情報 (pollen information) in a weather app each morning. On very high days, plan more indoor time.
- Brush off your coat before you go indoors and keep hotel windows closed on high-pollen days.

## Early March: dolls, daruma and the marathon

March 3 is Hinamatsuri, the Girls' Festival. Families with daughters set out tiered displays of hina dolls, and department stores, hotels and historic houses show doll sets from late February into early March. On March 3 and 4, [Jindaiji](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B7%B1%E5%A4%A7%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E8%AA%BF%E5%B8%83%E5%B8%82%E6%B7%B1%E5%A4%A7%E5%AF%BA%E5%85%83%E7%94%BA5-15-1) temple in Chofu holds its daruma market, counted among the three biggest in Japan, with hundreds of stalls selling round red daruma and monks painting in an eye on the one you buy. It is a bus ride from [Tsutsujigaoka Station](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BA%AC%E7%8E%8B%E7%B7%9A%20%E3%81%A4%E3%81%A4%E3%81%98%E3%83%B6%E4%B8%98%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E8%AA%BF%E5%B8%83%E5%B8%82%E8%A5%BF%E3%81%A4%E3%81%A4%E3%81%98%E3%82%B1%E4%B8%983-35-1) on the Keio Line or from [Kichijoji](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=JR%20%E5%90%89%E7%A5%A5%E5%AF%BA%E9%A7%85%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%AD%A6%E8%94%B5%E9%87%8E%E5%B8%82%E5%90%89%E7%A5%A5%E5%AF%BA%E5%8D%97%E7%94%BA1-1-24).

In recent years the [Tokyo Marathon](https://www.marathon.tokyo/en/) has been run on the first Sunday of March. The course starts at the [Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%BA%81%E7%AC%AC%E4%B8%80%E6%9C%AC%E5%BA%81%E8%88%8E%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%BF%E5%8C%BA%E8%A5%BF%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%BF2-8-1) in Shinjuku and passes Asakusa and Ginza on the way to a finish near Tokyo Station, and watching is free. Roads along the route close for hours, so allow extra time if you need to cross the city that morning. Sumo fans should know that the March tournament is held in Osaka, not Tokyo.

- → [Running in Tokyo: marathons, races and the palace loop](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/running.md)
- → [Traditional culture experiences in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/culture-experiences.md)
- → [Events in Shinjuku](https://eventstokyo.com/en/shinjuku.md)
- → [Events in Chuo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/chuo.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)

## Cherry blossoms: forecasts and timing

The cherry blossom season usually opens in the second half of March. The Japan Meteorological Agency declares the start (kaika) when its sample tree at Yasukuni Shrine has five or six open flowers. The long-term average date is around March 24, and in recent years it has often come a few days earlier. Full bloom follows about a week later, so the best days tend to fall at the end of March or in the first days of April.

Forecasts from weather companies appear early in the year and are updated every week, so plan a few flexible days rather than one fixed date. [Ueno Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E6%81%A9%E8%B3%9C%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E9%87%8E%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%927-47), [Chidorigafuchi](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%8D%83%E9%B3%A5%E3%83%B6%E6%B7%B5%E7%B7%91%E9%81%93%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%89%E7%95%AA%E7%94%BA2) by the palace moat, the [Meguro River](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%9B%AE%E9%BB%92%E5%B7%9D%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E7%9B%AE%E9%BB%92%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%8A%E7%9B%AE%E9%BB%921%E4%B8%81%E7%9B%AE) and [Sumida Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E9%9A%85%E7%94%B0%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A2%A8%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%90%91%E5%B3%B61-3-45) are the classic spots, and all of them get very crowded on full-bloom weekends. Many areas also hold sakura festivals with lanterns and food stalls, which usually take cash only.

- Weekday mornings are the calmest time to see the blossoms anywhere.
- Festival notices that say 雨天中止 mean the event is cancelled if it rains.

- → [Cherry blossom season in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/sakura.md)
- → [Flower festivals in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flowers.md)
- → [Tokyo in April: late blossoms, azaleas and wisteria](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-in-april.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)
- → [Events in Chiyoda](https://eventstokyo.com/en/chiyoda.md)
- → [Events in Meguro](https://eventstokyo.com/en/meguro.md)

## Late March: White Day, the equinox and farewells

March 14 is White Day, when men return the Valentine's gift, and shops fill with sweets and white packaging in the days before. On March 18 [Sensoji](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%892-3-1) holds one of its two yearly performances of the Kinryu no Mai, a golden dragon dance carried through the temple grounds. Vernal Equinox Day, a national holiday around March 20 or 21, sits in the middle of the spring higan week, when families visit graves and eat ohagi rice cakes. [AnimeJapan](https://anime-japan.jp/en/), one of the biggest anime industry shows in the world, filled [Tokyo Big Sight](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E3%83%93%E3%83%83%E3%82%B0%E3%82%B5%E3%82%A4%E3%83%88%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B1%9F%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%9C%89%E6%98%8E3-11-1) on a weekend in late March for years, but it moves to Intex Osaka for 2027 and 2028, so check its site before you plan a March trip around it.

March is also the end of the Japanese school and business year, which closes on March 31. University graduations bring women in hakama to campuses and photo spots, izakaya fill with farewell parties (sobetsukai), and it is moving season before new jobs and new schools start in April. Schools break for spring holidays from late March, so with the blossoms on top, the last week of the month is one of the busiest of the year. Book hotels early and expect higher prices.

- Vernal Equinox Day is the only national holiday in March. When it makes a long weekend, parks and trains are busier.
- Hotels for the expected full-bloom dates fill early. A flexible booking helps if the forecast shifts.

- → [Anime, manga and game events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/anime.md)
- → [A year of events in Tokyo, month by month](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-year.md)
- → [Tokyo in February](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-in-february.md)
- → [Events in Koto](https://eventstokyo.com/en/koto.md)
- → [Pop Culture & Conventions events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/pop-culture.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Tokyo Marathon 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tokyo-marathon-2027-7717)** — Sun, Mar 7, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Start) to Tokyo Station Gyoko-dori Avenue (Finish) (Shinjuku) · ¥19,800
- **[HARU COMIC CITY Tokyo 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/haru-comic-city-2027)** — Sun, Mar 21, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Big Sight (Koto) · price on the official site
- **[Rakuten Fashion Week Tokyo 2027 A/W](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/rakuten-fashion-week-tokyo-2027-a-w-7943)** — Mon, Mar 15, 2027 – Sun, Mar 21, 2027 (JST) · Shibuya Hikarie (Shibuya) · price on the official site
- **[Oedo Antique Market](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/oedo-antique-market-11)** — Sun, Mar 28, 2027 09:00 (JST) · Tokyo International Forum Ground Plaza (Chiyoda) · Free entry
- **[2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League: 'MUFG THE National Stadium Day' Round 24 - Tokyo Verdy vs Yokohama F. Marinos](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mufg-theday24-vs-f)** — Sat, Mar 6, 2027 (JST) · MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium) (Shinjuku) · price on the official site
- **[BE:FIRST 5th Anniversary Dome Tour 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/befirst-5th-anniversary-dome-tour-2027)** — Sat, Mar 6, 2027 – Sun, Mar 7, 2027 (JST) · Belluna Dome · ¥15,500〜
- **[Nao Toyama 10th Anniversary Final Live 'OVER THE RAINBOW' at Nippon Budokan](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/10th-anniv-final-live-over-the-rainbow-at)** — Thu, Mar 11, 2027 18:00 (JST) · Nippon Budokan (Tokyo) · ¥9,900〜¥15,000
- **[2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League 'MUFG THE National Stadium Day' Round 26: JEF United Chiba vs Urawa Reds](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mufg-theday26-vs)** — Sun, Mar 14, 2027 (JST) · MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium) (Shinjuku) · price on the official site
- **[2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League 'MUFG THE National Stadium Day' Round 27: Shimizu S-Pulse vs Kashima Antlers](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mufg-theday27-vs)** — Sun, Mar 21, 2027 (JST) · MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium) (Shinjuku) · price on the official site
- **[Oedo Antique Market](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/oedo-antique-market-10)** — Sun, Mar 21, 2027 09:00 (JST) · Tokyo International Forum Ground Plaza (Chiyoda) · Free entry
- **[Special Spring Kabuki Performance 2027 featuring Kankuro Nakamura and Shichinosuke Nakamura](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/special-spring-kabuki-performance-2027-featuring-kankuro-nakamura-2)** — Mon, Mar 22, 2027 12:00 (JST) · Tokyo Electron Hall Miyagi (Sendai) · ¥3,800–¥8,800
- **[TOTO 50th Anniversary Tour](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/toto-50th-anniversary-tour)** — Tue, Mar 23, 2027 19:00 (JST) · Ariake Arena (Koto) · ¥21,000〜
- **[Castlevania 40th Anniversary Orchestral Concert](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/castlevania-40th-anniversary-an-orchestral-concert)** — Sat, Mar 13, 2027 18:00 (JST) · Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall (Shinjuku) · ¥11,000–¥13,000
- **[Mrs. GREEN APPLE on "Harmony2"](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mrs-green-apple-on-harmony2-5)** — Wed, Mar 10, 2027 19:00 – Thu, Mar 11, 2027 (JST) · K Arena Yokohama (Nishi, Yokohama) · ¥15,000〜
- **[Disney on CLASSIC Premium "Tangled" in Concert](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/disney-on-classic-premium-tangled-in-concert)** — Sat, Mar 13, 2027 – Sun, Mar 14, 2027 (JST) · Yokohama Arena (神奈川県) · ¥9,000〜
- **[Aile The Shota Oneman Live 2027 in Nippon Budokan](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/aile-the-shota-oneman-live-2027-in-nippon-budokan)** — Sat, Mar 13, 2027 18:00 (JST) · Nippon Budokan (Tokyo) · ¥8,800〜
- **[Uta no Prince-sama ALL STAR STAGE -BEGINNING-](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/uta-no-prince-sama-all-star-stage-beginning)** — Thu, Mar 18, 2027 15:00 – Mon, Mar 22, 2027 (JST) · Makuhari Messe (美浜区) · price on the official site
- **[Mrs. GREEN APPLE Live on 'Harmony2'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mrs-green-apple-on-harmony2-3)** — Sat, Mar 6, 2027 18:00 – Thu, Mar 11, 2027 (JST) · K Arena Yokohama (Nishi, Yokohama) · ¥15,000–¥23,000
- **[ReoNa Solo Concert 2027 'Hello, Unhappy' at Pia Arena MM – Let's Escape and Meet There](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/reona-one-man-concert-2027-at-mm)** — Sat, Mar 6, 2027 18:00 (JST) · PIA Arena MM (西区) · ¥9,900
- **[CHEMISTRY 25th Anniversary Finale 'ONE'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/chemistry-25th-anniversary-finale-one)** — Sun, Mar 7, 2027 18:00 (JST) · Tokyo Garden Theater (Koto) · ¥10,000–¥25,000
- **[AIMYON TOUR 2027 – cosmic % –](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/aimyon-tour-2027-cosmic)** — Sat, Mar 13, 2027 18:00 – Sun, Mar 14, 2027 (JST) · K Arena Yokohama (Nishi, Yokohama) · ¥10,000
- **[Kyary Pamyu Pamyu](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/kyary-pamyu-pamyu)** — Fri, Mar 19, 2027 18:00 (JST) · Atsugi City Cultural Center, Main Hall · ¥7,500
- **[Mrs. GREEN APPLE on 'Harmony2'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mrs-green-apple-on-harmony2-4)** — Tue, Mar 16, 2027 19:00 – Wed, Mar 17, 2027 (JST) · K Arena Yokohama (Nishi, Yokohama) · ¥15,000–¥23,000
- **[Montreal Symphony Orchestra](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/montreal-symphony-orchestra)** — Tue, Mar 2, 2027 19:00 (JST) · Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall (Shinjuku) · ¥9,000〜
- **[Yushima Tenjin Plum Festival 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/yushima-tenjin-plum-festival-2027-7926)** — Mon, Feb 8, 2027 – Mon, Mar 8, 2027 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Shrine (Bunkyo) · Free entry

## Questions people ask

**When do cherry blossoms bloom in Tokyo?**
They usually open in the second half of March and reach full bloom about a week later, around the end of March or the start of April. The timing shifts a little every year, so follow the forecast.

**Is March a good time to visit Tokyo?**
Yes, especially the second half, when the blossoms arrive. Book early, because the blossom season and spring school holidays push up hotel prices.

**What should I wear in Tokyo in March?**
Layers. A warm coat for early March and the evenings, a lighter jacket for mild afternoons later in the month, and a folding umbrella.

**When is the Tokyo Marathon?**
In recent years it has been held on the first Sunday of March. Watching along the course is free, and roads on the route close for several hours.

**Is pollen bad in Tokyo in March?**
For many people, yes. Cedar pollen is usually at its peak in March. Drugstores sell masks and allergy medicine, and pharmacists can help you choose.

**What public holidays are there in March?**
Only Vernal Equinox Day, around March 20 or 21. Spring school holidays also start in late March, so tourist spots get busier.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-in-march