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Home / Festivals / March

Festivals in March

18 festivals in this month

March brings Japan's most anticipated season — cherry blossom time begins in southern regions. Hina Matsuri (Girls' Day) fills homes and temples with ornate doll displays. The Omizutori fire ceremony at Nara's Todai-ji temple is a must-see, while spring equinox festivals honor ancestors across the country.

Nabana no Sato Illumination - Illumination
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Nabana no Sato Illumination

Illumination

One of Japan's largest illumination events with millions of LED lights.

ChubuOct 17, 2026 – May 31, 2027Extremely crowded
Sagamiko Illumination - Illumination
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Sagamiko Illumination

Illumination

Massive illumination at Sagamiko Resort with over 6 million lights.

KantoNov 14, 2026 – May 9, 2027Crowded
Sapporo White Illumination - Illumination
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Sapporo White Illumination

Illumination

Sapporo's winter illumination at Odori Park, Japan's oldest illumination event.

HokkaidoNov 20, 2026 – Mar 14, 2027Crowded
Free
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival - Nature Festival
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Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival

Nature Festival

Popular cherry blossom viewing at Ueno Park with over 1,000 trees.

KantoEndedExtremely crowded
Free
No image available

Dogo Onsen Festival

Matsuri

Rituals and dances welcome spring and give thanks for the hot springs of Dogo.

ShikokuEnded
No image available

Tagata Shrine Honen Festival

Matsuri

A procession carries a carved fertility symbol to Tagata Shrine in prayers for harvests and prosperity.

ChubuEnded
No image available

Kagoshima Jingu Hatsuuma Festival

Religious

A spring observance at Kagoshima Jingu prays for family well-being and a good harvest.

KyushuEnded
Hina Matsuri - Seasonal
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Hina Matsuri

Seasonal

Girls' Day festival with ornate doll displays celebrating daughters' health.

KantoEndedLow crowd
Free
No image available

Katsuyama Hina Festival

Matsuri

Hina dolls displayed in homes and shops welcome spring along Katsuyama's historic streets.

ChugokuEnded
Nagasaki Lantern Festival - Lantern Festival
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Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Lantern Festival

Spectacular Chinese lantern festival with 15,000 lanterns illuminating Nagasaki.

KyushuEndedExtremely crowded
Free
Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival - Nature Festival
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Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

Nature Festival

Early-blooming cherry blossom festival along the Kawazu River.

ChubuEndedCrowded
Free
No image available

Makabe Hina Doll Festival

Matsuri

Hina dolls are displayed in shops and homes throughout Makabe's historic streets.

KantoEnded
Mito Natto Festival - Food Festival
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Mito Natto Festival

Food Festival

Festival celebrating Mito's famous natto (fermented soybeans).

KantoUsually in MarchModerate crowd
Free
No image available

Obama Omizuokuri

Religious

A torchlit procession accompanies a water-offering ritual linking Obama with Nara's Todaiji Temple.

ChubuDate unconfirmed
No image available

Omihachiman Sagicho Festival

Matsuri

Decorated Sagicho floats parade through Omihachiman before a ceremonial burning.

KansaiDate unconfirmed
Shuni-e (Omizutori) - Religious
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Shuni-e (Omizutori)

Religious

Ancient Buddhist water-drawing ceremony at Todaiji Temple with spectacular torch procession.

KansaiUsually in MarchCrowded
Free
No image available

Tosa Okyaku Festival

Food Festival

Food, drink, music and dancing celebrate Kochi's communal banquet culture.

ShikokuDate unconfirmed
No image available

Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival

Seasonal

Cherry blossoms frame Tsuyama Castle's stone walls during this spring festival.

ChugokuDate unconfirmed