01Weather
Kyoto weather in March
Afternoons in March average 15.8 °C (60 °F) and nights cool to 5.7 °C (42 °F). The month brings about 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain spread over roughly 9 days. Compared with February it is 5.1 °C warmer; April is 5.1 °C warmer again.
What the averages hide
| In a typical March | Value | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Warm afternoons (90th percentile) | 22 °C / 72 °F | one day in ten is at least this warm |
| Cool afternoons (10th percentile) | 10 °C / 50 °F | one day in ten stays below this |
| Cold nights (10th percentile) | 2 °C / 35 °F | one night in ten is colder than this |
| Days above 30 °C (86 °F) | 0.0 | per month, average 2016–2025 |
| Nights at or below 0 °C (32 °F) | 0.3 | frost mornings per month |
| Chance of rain on any given day | 30 % | at least 1 mm |
| Hottest / coldest March day 2016–2025 | 25.5 °C / -1.1 °C | extremes in the ten-year record |
02Daylight
Sunrise, sunset and the length of the day
| Date | Sunrise | Sunset | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 March | 06:26 | 17:52 | 11.4 h |
| 15 March | 06:07 | 18:04 | 11.9 h |
| 31 March | 05:44 | 18:17 | 12.5 h |
Daylight grows by about 66 minutes over the month. Times are local (Asia/Tokyo), including the clock change on the last Sunday of March.
03Crowds
How busy Kyoto is in March
busy The main sights are busy in March. What drives it:
- Higashiyama Hanatouro lanterns
- cherry blossom from late March
- spring school break
04Public holidays
Public holidays in March 2027
| Date | Holiday |
|---|---|
| 21 Mar 2027 | Vernal Equinox Day |
On public holidays many shops close and museums run on Sunday hours; check opening times for the day before and after as well.
05Events
What's on in Kyoto in March
Every year in March
| Event | When | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Higashiyama Hanatouro | early to mid-March, lantern-lit paths | seasonal |
07Packing
What to pack for Kyoto in March
- a warm jacket or coat
- scarf for windy evenings
- closed, water-resistant shoes
- a compact umbrella or hooded rain jacket, rain falls on roughly one day in three
08Editor's notes
What the numbers don't tell you
March starts cool and quiet, with afternoons around 14 °C, lantern-lit Higashiyama paths in the first half for the Hanatouro event, then changes completely as cherry blossoms open in the final week and crowds surge. The spring school break from around 20 March adds domestic travellers. Book April-adjacent dates as early as possible. Rain falls on about ten days. Vernal Equinox Day is a holiday.
The Miyako Odori rehearsals begin, and the Kyoto Marathon runs in late February or March. The plum blossom at Jonangu peaks in early March. Daylight passes twelve hours at the equinox. For the sakura peak, the Miyako Odori and the start of Golden Week, see April.
09Compare
Kyoto month by month
| Month | High | Low | Rain days | Sun h | Crowds | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 10 °C | 2 °C | 6 | – | quiet | Good |
| February | 11 °C | 2 °C | 8 | – | quiet | Good |
| March | 16 °C | 6 °C | 9 | – | busy | Mixed |
| April | 21 °C | 10 °C | 9 | – | very busy | Good |
| May | 25 °C | 15 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| June | 29 °C | 20 °C | 11 | – | moderate | Excellent |
| July | 33 °C | 25 °C | 13 | – | busy | Mixed |
| August | 34 °C | 26 °C | 8 | – | busy | Good |
| September | 30 °C | 23 °C | 10 | – | moderate | Good |
| October | 24 °C | 16 °C | 8 | – | busy | Excellent |
| November | 18 °C | 10 °C | 7 | – | very busy | Good |
| December | 12 °C | 4 °C | 7 | – | moderate | Good |
Not sure about March? See the best time to visit Kyoto.
10Elsewhere
March in nearby cities
| City | High | Rain days |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo in March | 16 °C | 9 |
| Seoul in March | 13 °C | – |
| Shanghai in March | 17 °C | 12 |
| Beijing in March | 16 °C | 4 |
| Bangkok in March | 35 °C | – |
| Singapore in March | 32 °C | 9 |
11FAQ
Kyoto in March: your questions
Is March a good time to visit Kyoto?
March is a reasonable month with trade-offs to visit Kyoto. Daytime highs average 16 °C (60 °F), rain falls on about 9 days, and hotel arrivals run above the yearly average, so the main sights are busy.
What is the weather like in Kyoto in March?
Expect cool days around 16 °C (60 °F) and nights near 6 °C (42 °F). One March in ten brings afternoons above 22 °C, and one in ten stays below 10 °C.
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in March?
March brings about 106 mm (4.2 in) of rain over roughly 9 days, which is showery by Kyoto standards. On any given day the chance of at least 1 mm of rain is 30 percent.
What should I wear in Kyoto in March?
Pack a warm jacket or coat, scarf for windy evenings, closed, water-resistant shoes.
Is Kyoto crowded in March?
The main sights are busy in March. Main drivers: Higashiyama Hanatouro lanterns; cherry blossom from late March; spring school break.
What time does it get dark in Kyoto in March?
Around the middle of March the sun sets at about 18:04 and rises at 06:07, giving 11.9 hours of daylight.