Tokyo in March: Early Blossoms, Weather and a 4-Day Plan

Tokyo in March is the month the city shifts from winter to spring. Plum blossoms finish early in the month, the days get milder, and in most years the first cherry blossoms open in the last week or so. It is a popular time to visit, but the blossom dates move from year to year, and March also has a big marathon, a public holiday and school spring break. This guide explains what to expect week by week, how to plan around the blossom forecast and a flexible 4-day route.

Photo: Kirin7739 / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 4.0

Tokyo in March, week by week

Early March. Still cool, especially in the mornings and evenings. Plum blossoms are at the end of their season, and early-blooming cherry varieties such as kawazu-zakura can be seen in a few spots. Hotel prices are usually lower than later in the month.

Mid-March. Milder days, with more people outdoors. The cherry trees begin to show buds. Spring break for Japanese schools and universities begins, and domestic travel gets busier.

Late March. In an average year, this is when the cherry blossoms open. Based on the Japan Meteorological Agency's long-term averages, Tokyo's first blooms appear around 24 March and full bloom comes about a week later. In warm years it can be earlier, and in cool years it can slip into April.

Weather across the month is changeable. Pack layers, a light coat and a compact umbrella.

Planning around the blossom forecast

There is no official cherry blossom forecast for 2027 yet. Private forecasters such as the Japan Meteorological Corporation usually publish their first forecast in winter and update it regularly until the trees bloom.

Practical tips:

• If blossoms are your main goal, aim for the last few days of March or the first days of April, and keep your plans flexible.
• If you can only travel early in March, enjoy the plum blossoms and the quieter city, and treat any early cherry trees as a bonus.
• Book hotels early for late March. Prices rise and rooms near popular parks fill up.
• Watch the forecast from about January and adjust day plans when you arrive.

Our guide to cherry blossom 2027 in Japan covers the whole country, and our Tokyo cherry blossom park route gives a one-day walking plan.

Dates to know in March 2027

• Tokyo Marathon: Sunday 7 March 2027. Central roads close during the race, and hotels near the route are busy that weekend.
• Vernal Equinox Day: Sunday 21 March 2027, a public holiday. Because it falls on a Sunday, Monday 22 March is a substitute holiday, according to the National Astronomical Observatory of Japan. Expect a busy long weekend, with popular attractions and trains crowded.
• Spring break: most Japanese schools break from late March into early April, and families travel.
• End of the financial year: 31 March. Many companies hold farewell and welcome parties around this time, which adds to the crowds at blossom spots.

Where to see plum blossoms in early March

Plum blossoms (ume) bloom before cherry trees and are popular in February and early March.

• Yushima Tenjin: a shrine near Ueno with a plum festival and many trees.
• Koishikawa Korakuen: a classic garden with a plum grove.
• Imperial Palace East Gardens: free to enter, with a small plum grove and early cherry trees later in the month.
• Hanegi Park: a local park in Setagaya with many plum trees.

Photo: Big Ben in Japan / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 2.0

Where to see cherry blossoms in late March

• Chidorigafuchi: a moat near the Imperial Palace with rowing boats under the trees.
• Shinjuku Gyoen: a large garden with many varieties, so it has blossoms over a longer period. Entry is paid, and alcohol is not allowed.
• Ueno Park: the most famous and most crowded spot, with picnics under the trees.
• Meguro River: a canal lined with cherry trees, best in the evening when the trees are lit up.
• Sumida Park: cherry trees along the river with views of the Tokyo Skytree.

Go early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid the biggest crowds.

Other things to do in March

• Day trips to Kamakura or Nikko, both easy by train and pleasant in spring.
• Mount Fuji views are often clear in early spring mornings, from Hakone or Lake Kawaguchiko.
• Strawberry season: many farms near Tokyo offer strawberry picking until spring.
• Museums and gardens in Ueno for rainy days.

Health note: pollen season

March is the peak of the cedar pollen season in Tokyo. If you have hay fever, bring your usual medicine. Many people wear masks outdoors, and pharmacies sell allergy products.

A flexible 4-day plan

Day 1: central Tokyo and the palace

Walk around the Imperial Palace East Gardens, then Chidorigafuchi if the blossoms are out. Afternoon in Ginza or Tokyo Station area. Evening in Yurakucho for a casual dinner under the railway arches.

Day 2: Ueno and Asakusa

Morning in Ueno Park and a museum, then Yushima Tenjin for plums in early March. Afternoon at Senso-ji in Asakusa, then a walk along the Sumida River.

Day 3: Shinjuku and Shibuya

Shinjuku Gyoen in the morning, then Harajuku and Shibuya. In late March, see the lit-up trees on the Meguro River in the evening.

Day 4: a day trip

Take the train to Kamakura for temples and the Great Buddha, or to Hakone for views of Mount Fuji. Keep this as the flexible day if the weather or blossoms change your plans.

Our 5 days in Tokyo itinerary gives a longer version with one more day, and you can move parks around in RoamerPlanner as the blossom forecast changes.

Where to stay

• Shinjuku: large transport hub with many hotels, close to Shinjuku Gyoen. Busy but practical.
• Ueno and Asakusa: good value, close to Ueno Park and the Sumida River blossoms, and easy for Narita airport.
• Tokyo Station and Ginza: central, near the palace moats, and best for early Shinkansen departures.
• Shibuya and Ebisu: lively, near the Meguro River.

For late March, pick a base on a line that reaches several blossom spots, so you can change plans quickly.

Adding Kyoto and Osaka

Blossoms in Kyoto and Osaka often open around the same time as Tokyo, sometimes a few days later. If you have a week or more, spend the first part in Tokyo, then take the Shinkansen west. Our 4 days in Kyoto trip and 3 days in Osaka trip fit well after a Tokyo stay. Book Shinkansen seats ahead for the holiday weekend around 21 March.

Quick FAQ

Is Tokyo in March good for cherry blossoms? Often, in the last week of the month. Early March is usually too early, but plum blossoms are still out.

What is the weather like in Tokyo in March? Cool at the start and milder by the end, with some rain. Pack layers and a light coat.

When will the 2027 cherry blossom forecast be published? Private forecasters usually start in winter. Check the latest updates from about January.

Sources, checked 4 November 2026: Japan Meteorological Agency long-term average blossom dates for Tokyo; National Astronomical Observatory of Japan 2027 calendar (Vernal Equinox Day on 21 March, substitute holiday on 22 March); Tokyo Marathon Foundation (7 March 2027). The 2027 cherry blossom forecast had not been published at the time of writing.

Cover photo: Carbonium / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY 3.0