If you are going to go sightseeing, you may want to incorporate into your itinerary things that can only be seen or experienced during that time of the year. In this issue, we will introduce the conditions, events, and recommended spots in March in Tokyo for those who are interested in such things.
*The events introduced here are subject to cancellation, so please check the official website before heading out.
To learn more about Tokyo in winter, check here!
About Tokyo in April
In Tokyo in March, the cold winter weather eases and signs of spring can be felt. Late in the month, it is the cherry blossom season. There are many cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo, and they are crowded with people as the cherry blossoms bloom.
Below is some general information about the characteristics and weather in Tokyo in March.
Weather
- Early March can still be cold, but temperatures gradually begin to rise, and daytime temperatures are relatively mild.
- Daytime temperatures start around 10 degrees Celsius and can reach 15 degrees Celsius or higher by the end of the day. Nights can still be chilly, so cold weather preparation is necessary.
- The change of seasons from winter to spring is a time of great temperature differences, with some days being extremely cold and other days being warm and sunny.
Cherry Blossom blooming
- Cherry blossoms begin to bloom in late March and early April. As the cherry blossom viewing season approaches, cherry blossoms gradually begin to bloom in parks and throughout the city, creating a beautiful hanami scene.
- There are many hanami spots in Tokyo, but they are crowded with many people.
Events
- Since March is a milestone month for Japanese schools, graduation and entrance ceremonies are held from March to April, and from late March onward, school vacations are a time when more people go sightseeing.
- The most typical event in March is the Hinamatsuri (March 3). Hinamatsuri is a traditional Japanese festival to pray for the growth and happiness of girls.
Travel
- March is the beginning of the tourist season in Japan, and tourist spots are often crowded. Especially during the cherry blossom season, many tourists visit, and there are more events and food stalls to enjoy cherry blossom viewing.
Spring Fashion
- In March, temperatures can vary greatly from cold to warm within a single day. A jacket or stole to adjust your clothing will be helpful.
Hinamatsuri (Girls’ Festival) Spots for Adults to Enjoy
Hinamatsuri is a traditional Japanese festival held every year on March 3 to pray for the growth and happiness of girls in particular. This day is also called “Momo-no-Sekku” (Doll’s Festival).
In Japanese homes with girls, a traditional doll set called hina ningyo is displayed at the time of Hinamatsuri. Hina ningyo are made to imitate the prestige of the Japanese imperial court and represent the wedding ceremonies and rituals of the royal family, and are displayed by parents to wish their daughters happiness.
Not only in houses, but also in shrines and hotels, large doll stands are decorated and interesting events are held.If you are planning to visit Tokyo around the 3rd of March, be sure to check out the Hinamatsuri events.
“Hyakudan Hinamatsuri(100-step Girls’ Festival）”at Hotel Gajoen Tokyo
Hotel Gajoen’s Hyakudan Staircase, registered as a Tangible Cultural Property of Tokyo, hosts the Hyakudan Hina Festival with a different theme each year. A staircase of 99 steps connects seven rooms of different styles, and a variety of hina dolls, from the basic to the unfamiliar, are on display.
Mitsui Memorial Museum, “Hina Dolls of the Mitsui Family”.
The Mitsui Memorial Museum, located in the Nihonbashi area, exhibits hina dolls and hina utensils that have been passed down from generation to generation in the Mitsui family, the founding family of the Mitsui Group, a leading Japanese business group. From the Edo period to the 20th century, visitors can sense the changing trends of hina dolls over time. Visitors can appreciate the extravagance and gorgeousness of the dolls.
Sakura Matsuri（Cherry blossom festival）
Sakura Matsuri is a festival that celebrates the beautiful season of cherry blossoms. It is usually held in March or April in various locations when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. This is an event designed to maximize the enjoyment of the beautiful blooming period of cherry blossoms, with food stalls and light-up events taking place. These events are held at various locations around Japan, mainly at famous cherry blossom viewing spots.
Meguro River
The Meguro River is a well-known cherry blossom viewing spot in Tokyo. When the rows of cherry trees along the river are in full bloom, the area is crowded with visitors. Many people enjoy shopping and lunch at the nearby stores along with cherry blossom viewing. Also, be sure to take note of the beautiful lighting up of the trees at night.
Yasukuni Jinja(Yasukuni Shrine)
Yasukuni Jinja is home to Tokyo’s specimen tree used to declare the blooming of cherry blossoms. About 500 cherry trees are in full bloom in the Jinja, making it one of the most popular Hanami spots in Tokyo. The Sakura Matsuri(Cherry Blossom Festival) at Yasukuni Jinja is characterized by the fact that it also features events where visitors can enjoy traditional Japanese performing arts. Visitors can appreciate Japanese culture such as Noh (an art form that combines song, dance, and drama) and Sumo (a traditional Japanese competition).
Chidorigafuchi Greenway
Chidorigafuchi Greenway, a promenade along the moat (a defensive ditch or bathing pond circled by water) of the Imperial Palace (the Emperor’s Palace), is one of the best cherry blossom viewing spots in Tokyo. During the Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossom Festival, the cherry blossoms are lit up at night for a romantic nighttime cherry blossom viewing experience. The ” Chidorigafuchi Boat Park” will also be open at night, so you can enjoy the fantastic view from the water.
Rape Blossom Spot
Rape blossoms are beautiful yellow flowers that bloom from winter to spring in Japan. They can be seen in fields, along roadsides, and in parks, and their bright colors herald the arrival of spring. In Tokyo, there are several Rape fields with large areas covered with rape blossoms, and many people gather to enjoy the scenery when the rape blossoms are in bloom.
Showa Kinen Park
If you want to enjoy the rape blossoms at the Showa Kinen Park, head to the area called “Minna no Harappa”. In the area, beautiful rape blossoms will be in full bloom in the “Harafield East Flower Field. The sight of approximately 200,000 Rape blossoms blooming all at once is a sight to behold. From the “Minna no Harappa”, you can also see the “Cherry Blossom Garden”, so you can capture the collaboration of rape blossoms and cherry blossoms in your photos.
Shinagawa Hanakaido
The “Shinagawa Hanakaido” is a greening project started in 2004 to create a flower garden on the seawall of the Katsushima Canal. The 1.5km long seawall is covered with rape blossoms from mid-February to mid-March every year. It is recommended to take a stroll.
Hamarikyu Gardens (浜離宮恩賜庭園)
Hamarikyu Gardens are located in central Tokyo, close to Tsukiji and Ginza. The garden is surrounded by skyscrapers, so you can see a set of rape blossom fields and skyscrapers. The rape blossoms in Hamarikyu Gardens bloom in the “flower garden” marked on the map of the garden. Depending on the angle, you may be able to see Tokyo Tower and the field of rape blossoms at the same time.
For those who want to know more about Tokyo
