March is when Tokyo decides whether spring has arrived, and changes its mind daily.
Weather#
| Early March | Late March | |
|---|---|---|
| Days | ~12°C / 54°F | ~17°C / 63°F |
| Nights | ~5°C / 41°F | ~8°C / 46°F |
| Rain | More than winter; some wet days | Same |
| Blossoms | Plum | Cherry, usually from the last week |
February and April either side.
The cherry blossom question#
Tokyo's sakura usually open in the last week of March and peak in the first days of April, full bloom lasting about a week before the petals fall. The date moves. Japan cherry blossom 2027 tracks the forecast and names the spots; the practical advice is to book the last days of March into early April, keep plans flexible, and have plum blossoms and early-blooming varieties as the fallback.
Crowds and prices#
Quiet and fair until about the 20th. Then graduation season, school spring break and the blossoms arrive together and the city is as full and expensive as it gets. Book that week months ahead. Where to stay, Tokyo on a budget.
What's on#
White Day, 14 March: men return February's chocolate. Hina Matsuri, 3 March: doll displays in homes and shops. The spring sumo tournament is in Osaka, not Tokyo. Late month: hanami picnics under the trees in Ueno, Yoyogi, along the Meguro River and Chidorigafuchi.
What to do#
Early: the city without queues, a day trip to Hakone or Nikko. Late: hanami, which is a picnic with strangers, and an evening of lit-up blossoms along the Meguro River. Things to do, the 5-day itinerary.
Pack#
Layers, a light coat, an umbrella. What to wear in Tokyo.
Hanami with a local#
A hanami picnic is a Japanese institution with rules and a shopping list, and it's best under a tree with people who've done it since childhood. Post your dates on Roavi Community and a Local Friend can organise one.
Tokyo for the blossoms? Have hanami with someone who lives there.
Meet a Local FriendFrequently Asked Questions
What is the weather like in Tokyo in March?
Cool and unpredictable, warming through the month: highs around 12°C (54°F) early, 17°C (63°F) late, lows around 5 to 8°C, more rain than winter, and real swings from day to day. Bring layers and an umbrella.When do cherry blossoms bloom in Tokyo?
Usually opening in the last week of March and peaking in the first days of April, with full bloom lasting about a week. The date varies a week or more each year with the weather; forecasts firm up only two or three weeks ahead.Is early or late March better for Tokyo?
Early for quiet, prices and plum blossoms; late for cherry blossoms, crowds and peak prices. If sakura is the point, aim for the last days of March into the first week of April and book flexibly.Is March busy in Tokyo?
The last ten days are among the busiest of the year: cherry blossoms, Japanese school spring break and graduation season. Before that, March is quiet.
