Month guide · Kyoto · Japan
Kyoto in March
What March is really like in Kyoto: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: DXR, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
March is one of the best months to visit Kyoto. Expect average highs of 14°C (57°F), lows of 4°C (39°F), about 11 rainy days and roughly 11.9 hours of daylight. Warming, with plum blossom and, in the last days, the first cherry blossom; hotels fill quickly towards the end of the month.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 14°C (57°F) / 4°C (39°F)
- Rainy days
- About 11
- Daylight
- About 11.9 hours
- Crowds
- Busy
- Hotel prices
- High
Weather in March
March is the 9th-warmest month in Kyoto: days average 14°C (57°F) against a yearly average high of 21°C (70°F), and nights fall to about 4°C (39°F). Rain falls on roughly 11 of its 31 days. Compared with February (10°C (50°F)), March is warmer; by April highs climb to around 20°C (68°F).
- Sunrise (15 March)
- About 06:08
- Sunset (15 March)
- About 18:05
- Daylight
- About 11.9 hours
Spring (March–May). Plum blossom in March, cherry blossom in early April and fresh green maples in May; Golden Week and blossom season bring heavy crowds.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, March rates 4 for crowds (the peak is April at 5) and 4 for hotel prices (highest in April). Book accommodation early: March is one of the pricier months.
Events in March
- Early cherry blossom at the Imperial Palace's weeping cherries (late March)
Dates move from year to year. Check the organiser’s site before booking travel around an event.
What to do in March
With frequent rain, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
Street · Northern Higashiyama
Philosopher's Path and Ginkaku-ji
Walk north to south, from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji, and detour to the moss-covered gate of Honen-in.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Couples
- Outdoors
- Photo spot
- History
Castle · Nakagyo
Nijo Castle
Built for the first Tokugawa shogun in 1603, Nijo Castle's Ninomaru Palace has painted sliding doors and 'nightingale floors' that squeak to warn of intruders.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Kids
Garden · Kita
Ryoan-ji
Visit early or late in the day when the veranda is quieter and you can sit for a while.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- History
- Architecture
- Couples
Palace · Kamigyo
Kyoto Imperial Palace and Gyoen
The emperor's residence until 1869 stands inside Kyoto Gyoen, a large park of gravel avenues and lawns.
- Time needed
- 1–1.5 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Outdoors
- Kids
What to pack
For highs near 14°C, lows near 4°C and 11 wet days: layers, a warm sweater and a jacket for cool evenings; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is March a good time to visit Kyoto?
One of the best months to visit Kyoto, with a notable event on the calendar. The other best months are April–May and October–November. Compare every month.
Kyoto in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is March a good time to visit Kyoto?
It is one of the best months to visit Kyoto. Warming, with plum blossom and, in the last days, the first cherry blossom; hotels fill quickly towards the end of the month.
+How warm is Kyoto in March?
Average highs are around 14°C (57°F) and lows around 4°C (39°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in March?
Expect rain on about 11 days of the month.