If you’re planning to go sightseeing, including seasonal activities unique to that time of year in your itinerary is ideal. In this issue, we introduce essential travel information for March in Hiroshima, including weather, appropriate fashion, key events, and recommended spots, catering to those interested in experiencing the uniqueness of the season.
To learn more about Hiroshima in spring, check here!
Hiroshima in March
Weather
In March, the cold winter weather eases off and temperatures in Hiroshima gradually warm up. The average maximum temperature is about 15 degrees Celsius, and the average minimum temperature is about 8 degrees Celsius. This is the season when you can feel the arrival of spring, but be aware that it can still get cold in the mornings and evenings.
Events
In March, you can enjoy viewing plum and cherry blossoms in Hiroshima. Hanami events are held in gardens and parks throughout the city to enjoy the flowers that bloom in spring, and are highly recommended.
Travel
March is a comfortable time for sightseeing as the weather becomes warmer, and a trip to visit famous plum and cherry blossom viewing spots is recommended. Visiting sightseeing spots in Hiroshima City and Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima is a popular choice, as is a cruise around the islands of the Seto Inland Sea. You may also want to visit restaurants and markets where you can enjoy the tastes of spring.
March Fashion
March in Hiroshima is the time of year when people begin to change into spring attire. It is best to wear light jackets, coats, and cardigans in layers. Lightweight sweaters and long-sleeved shirts are also useful. Bring a scarf or stole to protect against the morning and evening chill.
3 spots where you can see beautiful plum blossoms
In Hiroshima, ume (plum blossoms) bloom from around mid-February to March, heralding the arrival of spring a little earlier. They bloom a little earlier than cherry blossoms, so be sure to enjoy viewing ume blossoms in March. *The best time to view ume blossoms is subject to change depending on the weather conditions of the year.
Shukkeien Garden (縮景園)
This is one of the most popular plum blossom viewing spots in Hiroshima. There are more than 110 plum trees planted in the park, including nearly 20 varieties of red and white plum trees. The plum blossoms are more gorgeous, and one can strongly feel the arrival of spring.
Sankeien Garden (三景園)
This Japanese garden is located near Hiroshima Airport. In addition to ume (Japanese apricot) trees, there are many other attractions in the vast garden, such as beautiful bonsai trees and ponds, but you can enjoy the garden even more in March, when the ume trees are in full bloom. The early blooming weeping cherry blossoms and plum blossoms can be viewed at the same time, which is another attraction. Let’s enjoy spring in Sankeien to the fullest.
Manchou Bairin (満汐梅林)
This famous spot is located in Mihara City, a 10-minute drive west of Onomichi. The largest plum grove in Hiroshima has approximately 1,000 plum trees in full bloom, making it a perfect place for flower viewing. A flower viewing festival is held every year around March. The festival attracts a large number of visitors, who come to enjoy the ume blossoms and snacks for sale. Please enjoy a walk while fully appreciating the ume blossoms.
2 Recommended Events in March
Here are two events held in Hiroshima Prefecture in March! Please join them as the cold winter weather passes and the weather gradually warms up, and feel the arrival of spring.
Hiroshima Minato Festa (広島みなとフェスタ)
Hiroshima Minato Festa is a popular hands-on festival held in March each year in the area around Hiroshima Minato Park, located about 30-45 minutes from downtown Hiroshima. The festival offers a full day of fun, including celebrity talk shows on stage, concerts by bands and singers, gourmet food from some of Hiroshima’s best restaurants that have gathered to set up booths, and a wide variety of hands-on booths for children and parents to enjoy.
Takehara Machinami Hina Doll Tour (たけはら町並み雛めぐり)
In Japan, March 3 is the day of Hinamatsuri every year. Hinamatsuri is a traditional Japanese event to pray for the growth and happiness of girls in particular. At this time of the year, Japanese households with girls display traditional doll sets called hina-ningyo, or dolls for Girls’ Day. Hina ningyo are made to imitate the prestige of the Japanese imperial court, representing the marriage ceremonies and rituals of the royal family, and are displayed by the parents to wish happiness to their daughters.
Not only inside homes, but also in public places such as shrines and hotels, hina dolls are displayed on a large scale in March, and events related to the Hina-matsuri are sometimes held.
Takehara Machinami Hina Doll Tour is also an event associated with Hinamatsuri, and is held every year from February to March in the Takehara Machinami Preservation District, where the streets of the Edo period still remain. About 200 sets of hina dolls from the Edo period to the early Showa period are displayed in historic buildings, providing a tasteful scene. The faces, decorations, and sizes of the dolls differ according to the period in which they were made, so it is recommended that visitors compare and contrast the different types of dolls. During the festival, various events and food menus are available mainly on weekends, so you can enjoy them as well.
Editor’s Comment
EditorMarch is the month when the cold of winter eases and we can enjoy the beginning of spring. Please take the time to appreciate the spring flowers and, if your schedule allows, participate in some of the events!
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