Written by Alexandra Ziminski
Researched by Patrick Balfe
March marks the start of spring, and the quietest corners of Japan are waking from winter hibernation for cherry blossom festivals and fiery celebrations. Wherever you are in the country, there will be something exciting to see, but check out our top sakura spots for Kyoto and Osaka if you’re heading that way.
For events in Tokyo and the surrounding areas, visit our event listings on Tokyo Cheapo.
Kansai events
These are events in Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, Mie, and the surrounding areas.
Grand Sumo Tournament
March 8–22Osaka
Experience the excitement firsthand! Get tickets
The sumo roadshow stops in Osaka for its annual March tournament and offers the Kansai locals a chance to see the wrestlers in action. The first few days, weekends, and the final two days are the most crowded.
Omizutori Festival
March 1–14Nara
Participate in a 1,250-year-old tradition
An annual affair, the Omizutori Festival is one of the oldest Buddhist events and dates back 1250 years. Large numbers of torches are lit and hung from the balcony of Tōdaiji Temple, and people gather below to be cleansed of sins.
Kyoto Nippon Festival 2026
Until May 24Kyoto
Contemporary art, illuminations, and stage performances
Held at the historic Kitano Tenmangu Shrine in Kyoto, the 2026 festival brings together the award-winning photographer and filmmaker Mika Ninagawa, future-forward scientist and executive director Hiroaki Miyata, and the multidisciplinary creative team Eternity in a Moment (EiM).
Event highlights include large-scale outdoor installations in the shrine’s plum and maple gardens.
| Advance sales: ¥3,500 | ||
| Advance sales: ¥2,000 | ||
Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival
March 14–15Shiga
Feel the burn
In preparation for this fiery festival, the 13 neighborhoods that once surrounded the castle of the famed 16th-century warlord Oda Nobunaga construct complex floats. Once a winner has been crowned, the floats are all burned together, and men dance beside the flames.
Kitano Odori
March 20–April 2Kyoto
A rare public geiko performance
A chance to see a traditional geisha (known as geiko in Kyoto) performance in Kyoto, the annual Kitano Odori features geiko from the Kamishichen area.
| Advance sales: ¥6,000 | ||
Ninnaji Flower Festival
March 27–May 6Kyoto
Catch late-blooming local sakura
Kyoto’s Ninnaji Temple is famous for its cherry blossoms. Especially its very own variety, known as Omoro-zakura, which typically blooms a week or so later than the standard-bearer Somei-yoshino variety.
| At the door: ¥500 | ||
Kiyomizu-dera Spring Illuminations
March 27–April 5Kyoto
A special late-night temple viewing
To celebrate the changing of seasons, Kiyomizu-dera opens up in the evening three times a year (autumn, spring, and summer) and holds an illumination event to brighten up the foliage. The pagoda, temple, and Jojuin Garden will be lit up.
| At the door: ¥500 | ||
Maruyama Park Weeping Cherry Tree Illumination
Late March–early AprilKyoto
An annual Kyoto tradition
Maruyama Park is both Kyoto’s most popular hanami spot and a local favorite, so it’s more lively than peaceful. The weeping cherry tree grown from the seed of its 200-year-old predecessor will be illuminated in the evening over the cherry-blossom season.
Nijo Castle Sakura Festival
March 19–April 19Kyoto
See projection mapping over the castle gate
Kyoto’s Nijo Castle is already one of the city’s top cherry blossom (sakura) viewing spots, with roughly 500 trees. But the evening illuminations, which occur nightly, are truly something else.
Okazaki Canal Boat Rides
March 20–April 15Kyoto
Hanami on the move
There are countless ways to make the most of cherry blossom season in Kyoto — hanami (blossom viewing) picnics, strolls along the Kamogawa River, and boat rides down the Okazaki Canal.
| Advance sales: ¥2,000 | At the door: ¥2,000 | |
| Advance sales: ¥1,000 | At the door: ¥1,000 | |
Hikone Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
Late March–mid AprilShiga
Night time sakura illumination near Lake Biwa
Hikone Castle is famous for its more than 1,000 sakura trees, and each spring the trees by the castle moats are illuminated at sunset.
Osaka Castle Spring Festival
Mid March–Mid MayOsaka
One of Japan’s biggest sakura events
Most people spend their time walking around and taking in the beautiful views of the 300 cherry blossoms. You can find food trucks and space for picnics in Nishinomaru Garden, and the Gozabune Boat cruise — which operates year-round — is especially popular in spring. There’s also a variety of exciting events taking place on the grounds of the castle.
Osaka Miyoshi Nagayoshi Warrior Procession
March 7Osaka
A large-scale samurai spectacle in Osaka
For one day only, Daitō transforms into a battlefield, as armored warriors, swordsmen, and banner-waving retainers march through town in honor of Miyoshi Nagayoshi, a 16th-century warlord.
Osaka Expo ’70 Commemorative Park Plum Blossom Festival
Until March 8Osaka
Plum blossoms, food stalls, and quirky contests
Stroll through a sea of 600 plum trees in full bloom across Bampaku-Kinen-Kōen’s Natural and Cultural Garden and Japanese Garden. On weekends, there are tea ceremonies and a variety of stalls selling plum-related goods.
Kiyomizu Temple Seiryu-e Dragon Festival (March)
March 15Kyoto
Celebrate a guardian deity of the city’s east
Held at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, this festival features a procession of the “Blue Dragon”. A massive dragon puppet is carried through the temple grounds at 2 p.m., accompanied by monks, traditional attendants, and taiko drummers. The dragon is believed to drink from the Otowa Waterfall, located beneath the temple’s main hall.
F1 Lenovo Japanese Grand Prix
March 27–29Mie
Japan’s premier motor racing event
The F1 Japanese Grand Prix is one of the most iconic races in the Formula 1 calendar, held at Suzuka Circuit in Japan. Known for its figure-eight layout, Suzuka is a technically demanding track featuring high-speed corners, elevation changes, and challenging turns.
| Advance sales: ¥21,600 | ||
Kantō events
These are events in Ibaraki, Tochigi, and other areas surrounding Tokyo.
Misato Plum Festival
March 1–31Gunma
Wander through a sea of white and pink plum blossoms
Gunma’s largest plum-blossom festival, the Misato Plum Festival transforms Takasaki’s Misato Plum Grove into a sea of white and pink blossoms every year from late February to late March.
Chūbu events
These are events in Nagano, Aichi, Fukui, and surrounding areas.
Souriike Plum Blossom Festival
Until March 15Aichi
A local favorite with special events and experiences
The Souriike pond is next to a park filled with over 5000 plum trees. There are 25 varieties, and you’ll find the blossoms a long walk or short bus ride from Teramoto Station.
Nagoya Women’s Marathon
March 8–9Aichi
The world’s largest women-only marathon
The Nagoya Women’s Marathon is the world’s largest women’s marathon. The race starts and finishes at Vantelin Dome Nagoya, but it also hits the main sights of Nagoya, such as Nagoya Castle.
Nagoya Castle Cherry Blossom Festival
March 20–April 5Aichi
Nagoya’s biggest spring festival
See approximately 900 cherry blossoms in full bloom, both during the day and illuminated at night. There will also be live performances taking place in the Nishinomaru area, including dance performances and traditional koto music.
| At the door: ¥500 | ||
Tagata Shrine Hōnensai “Penis Festival”
March 15Aichi
An annual favorite fertility festival
Just like the famous Kanamara “Penis Festival” that takes place near Tokyo every year, this annual celebration at Tagata Shrine in Aichi also promotes a certain phallic object. It is known as the Hōnensai, or Harvest Festival, in Japanese.
Hodare “Penis Festival”
March 8–9Niigata
Another favorite Chūbu region fertility festival
On the second Sunday of March, Hodare — a 2.2-meter-tall phallic statue that weighs approximately 600kg — is paraded around this small village, Shimoraiden, in Niigata.
This festival celebrates fertility, be it fruitful agriculture or a fruitful womb, but the fun doesn’t stop at the parade: sake, udon, and other Japanese festival staples are on offer, as well as a mix of both “naughty” and serious souvenirs.
Shikoku events
Here’s what’s happening around Ehime, Kagawa, Kōchi, and Tokushima.
Koinobori at Ōboke Gorge
Late March–late MayTokushima
100 carp streamers suspended in the air
The view of koinobori (koi carp streamers) hanging above the Yoshino River at Ōboke Gorge is worth the visit for Children’s Day.
Kyūshū & Okinawa events
March events around Kyūshū and Okinawa.
Huis Ten Bosch Tulip Festival
Until April 6Nagasaki
A taste of the Netherlands in Nagasaki
In spring, Huis Ten Bosch transforms itself into a tulip paradise. There will be several sections in the theme park that celebrate the flower. Jump on the swing for two at Flower Road, grab some ice cream in Flower Square, feel like royalty at the palace, and enjoy the illuminated tulips at night.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in March 2018. Last updated on February 18, 2026, by Patrick Balfe.
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