Kyoto City→
Station: KyotoKyoto, Arashiyama, Gion, Fushimi Inari
High
14.1℃
Low
4.3℃
- Precip.
- 106.2mm
- Sunshine
- 155h
- Sunset
- 18:04
Cherry blossoms open late in the month. Famous blossom spots get crowded from month's end
Kansai Weather Guide
Kansai Weather in March: What to Wear & Expect
March in Kansai is the season of transition from winter to spring. Kyoto's high is 14.1°C and mornings are around 4°C, with warm days and cold days taking turns. Spring is said to arrive once Omizutori at Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall in Nara ends, and cherry blossoms open in Kyoto and Osaka late in the month, starting to peak by month's end. With spring break, tourist spots start to get busy.
- Kyoto high
- 14.1℃
- Kyoto low
- 4.3℃
- Kyoto rainfall
- 106.2mm
- Kyoto sunset
- 18:04
Overview
Kansai in March: Key Points
- ✓Kyoto's high is 14.1°C, with mornings around 4°C. Big temperature swings
- ✓Omizutori at Todaiji in Nara runs from early to mid-March
- ✓Cherry blossoms usually open in late March and start peaking at month's end
- ✓Peak cedar pollen season. If you have hay fever, come prepared
By Area
March Weather by Area
Temperature, precipitation, snow and sunshine are climate normals (1991-2020). Sunset is for March 15.
Osaka→
Station: OsakaOsaka, Namba, Umeda, Osaka Castle
High
14.2℃
Low
6.0℃
- Precip.
- 103.1mm
- Sunshine
- 172h
- Sunset
- 18:05
Highs around 14°C. Cherry blossoms start to bloom in Osaka Castle Park late in the month
Nara→
Station: NaraNara, Nara Park, Todaiji, Mt. Yoshino
High
13.9℃
Low
3.6℃
- Precip.
- 105.1mm
- Sunshine
- 158h
- Sunset
- 18:04
Omizutori at Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall, March 1–14
Kobe & Arima Onsen→
Station: KobeKobe, Arima Onsen, Kitano Ijinkan, Mt. Rokko
High
13.5℃
Low
6.3℃
- Precip.
- 94.2mm
- Sunshine
- 176h
- Sunset
- 18:06
Mornings around 6°C. Good for spring strolls around the port city
Himeji→
Station: HimejiHimeji, Himeji Castle, Mt. Shosha
High
13.8℃
Low
3.2℃
- Precip.
- 92mm
- Sunshine
- 174h
- Sunset
- 18:08
Cherry blossoms at Himeji Castle start to bloom late in the month
Lake Biwa→
Station: HikoneOtsu, Hikone, Omihachiman, Nagahama
High
11.6℃
Low
3.5℃
- Precip.
- 114.9mm
- Sunshine
- 163h
- Sunset
- 18:03
Highs around 12°C and still chilly. Snow may linger in the northern lake area
Shirahama & Nanki→
Station: Nanki-ShirahamaShirahama, Kumano Kodo, Nachikatsuura, Kushimoto
High
15.1℃
Low
6.6℃
- Precip.
- 138mm
- Sunshine
- —
- Sunset
- 18:06
Highs around 15°C. The first place in Kansai to feel like spring
Koyasan→
Station: KoyasanKoyasan, Okunoin, Danjo Garan
High
9.2℃
Low
−1.0℃
- Precip.
- 141.7mm
- Sunshine
- 139h
- Sunset
- 18:05
Mornings around -1°C, still wintry cold
Amanohashidate & Ine→
Station: MaizuruMiyazu, Amanohashidate, Ine
High
12.7℃
Low
2.8℃
- Precip.
- 140.5mm
- Sunshine
- 123h
- Sunset
- 18:06
The snow is melting, but mornings and evenings are cold
Ise & Shima→
Station: ObataIse, Ise Jingu, Toba, Shima
High
13.8℃
Low
3.3℃
- Precip.
- 121.3mm
- Sunshine
- 182h
- Sunset
- 18:00
Highs around 14°C. Good for a spring visit to Ise Jingu
What to Wear
What to Wear in Kansai in March
Base layer
Light thermal underwear is handy for cold days
Tops
Long-sleeved shirt with a sweater or cardigan
Outerwear
Winter coat in early March; trench coat or light down jacket late in the month
Bottoms
Long pants
Shoes
Comfortable walking shoes like sneakers
Accessories
A mask or glasses against pollen; a stole or wrap for night blossom viewing
The otaimatsu (giant torches) of Omizutori are watched outdoors at night, so dress for midwinter. Koyasan is also still wintry cold.
Good to Know
Good to Know
Big temperature swings
Some days reach nearly 20°C, while others don't even hit 10°C. Wear layers that are easy to take on and off.
Accommodation is hard to book in cherry blossom season
Kyoto during cherry blossom season is one of the busiest times of the year. Book accommodation early.
Peak pollen season
Cedar pollen peaks in March. Japanese drugstores sell hay fever medication and masks.
Blooming dates vary by year
Kyoto's cherry blossoms usually open in late March, but the date can shift by about a week either way. Check the blossom forecast just before your trip.
Events
March Events & Highlights
A ritual that has continued for over 1,200 years. At night, huge torches are carried along the balcony of Nigatsudo Hall, showering sparks down on the crowd.
Read the guide：Shuni-e (Omizutori) at Todai-ji Nigatsu-do →Tours & tickets for this eventPR
- PRKlookNara Todai-ji Omizutori Half-Day Cultural TourAn evening tour walking with a guide from Kintetsu Nara Station to watch the Otaimatsu at Nigatsu-doView on Klook
- PRKlookNara Kimono Rental & Photo Experience | Kimono Rental Misaki3 minutes' walk from Kintetsu Nara Station. Stroll Nara Park and Todai-ji in a kimonoView on Klook
Cherry Blossoms Open in Kyoto & Osaka
Kyoto, OsakaUsually late MarchFull bloom typically comes about a week after the blossoms open.
Himeji Castle Cherry Blossoms
HimejiUsually late March to early AprilThe combination of the white castle keep and about 1,000 cherry trees is a popular sight.
Dates change every year. Please check the official websites before you go.
FAQ
FAQ
Q. What's the temperature in Kyoto in March?＋
On average, the high is 14.1°C and the low is 4.3°C. There's a big difference between warm and cold days, so wear layers that are easy to adjust.
Q. When do cherry blossoms bloom in Kyoto?＋
They usually open in late March and peak from the end of March to early April.
Q. When is Omizutori?＋
Shuni-e at Todaiji's Nigatsudo Hall in Nara is held every year from March 1 to 14. The nightly otaimatsu torch ceremony draws big crowds.
Plan Your Trip
Plan Your Kansai TripPR
Other Months
Kansai Weather in Other Months
Source: Japan Meteorological Agency (climate normals 1991-2020). Compiled by tripuuu.log. Temperatures are from a representative station in each area; actual weather varies from year to year.
