List of Seasonal Events in Japan in March
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March is the month when Winter is over and Spring begins. Outdoor events will start to increase, especially due to the many types of flowers that will be in blooming season. Needless to say, Many visitors from around the world will visit Japan in March to get to see the Cherry blossoms.
Besides the Cherry blossoms, there are the Plum blossoms that occur a few weeks before the cherry blossoms. March is the month when you get to see both of these blossoms, and you will see many events related to this all across the country. From Hanami events to Sakura-related merchandise and restaurant menus. It is a month when you will see a lot of the color pink.
Also, in Japan, March is the month of “goodbyes and new encounters”. This is said because the school year ends in March; in other words, it is graduation season. It is sad to say goodbye, but it is also a season of hope and new challenges.
When it comes to events, Hinamatsuri (ひな祭り) which is “Girl’s Day” takes place on the 3rd, and Shunbun no Hi (春分の日) which is the “Vernal Equinox Day” in Japan takes place on the 21st.
In this article, I will share with you our picks for the 10 best events in Japan in March 2024. I’m including events from different genres as well as locations.
*Please note that this article contains affiliate links.
1. Osaka Grand Sumo Tournament (Osaka)
One of the six major Sumo wrestling tournaments held in EDION Arena Osaka (Osaka Prefecture Gymnasium). Don’t miss this completely unique experience if you have a chance.
If you’re uncertain about how to buy sumo tickets and want to experience the matches, a guided tour with included tickets is a great option. Consider checking out this March sumo tour in Osaka.
Genre: Sumo Wrestling
Location: Edion Arena Osaka (Osaka)
Dates: March 10 to 24, 2024
Website: https://www.sumo.or.jp/En/
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3 minutes walk from Namba Station. |
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Here’s more information about watching Sumo in Japan.
2. Anime Japan 2024 (Tokyo)
An anime exhibition and one of the world’s largest anime festivals in Japan featuring Japan’s official anime characters and other illustrations of well-known anime characters.
Genre: Exhibition
Location: Tokyo Big Sight
Dates: March 23 and 24, 2024
Website: https://www.anime-japan.jp/en/
3. Universal Cool Japan/ Easter Celebration 2024 (Osaka)
The latest attraction to enjoy starting from March this year. lots of entertainment, activities, shows, and beautiful decorations related to the event.
Genre: Attraction
Location: Universal Studio Japan (Osaka)
Dates: March 1 to June 30, 2024
Website: https://www.usj.co.jp/web/en/us
<<Book Universal Studio Tickets Online HERE!!>>
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5 minutes walk from Universal-City Station. |
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4. Osaka Expo Park Plum blossoms Festival (Osaka)
In the Natural and Cultural Garden, there are over 600 trees of 120 different species, and in the Japanese garden, there are over 80 trees of 40 different species.
Genre: Plum Blossoms
Location: Osaka Expo Park (Osaka)
Dates: February 10 to March 10, 2024
Website: https://www.expo70-park.jp/event/62465/
For more information about plum blossom viewing events, check out the following article!
▶Plum Blossoms in Japan: Best Places to See 2024
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6 minute walk from Bampakukinenkoen Station (Osaka Monorail) |
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5. Naked Sakura Festival 2024: World Heritage Site Nijo-jo Castle
An interactive art exhibition with a floral motif is held at Nijo Castle annually. This is one of the most famous cherry blossom viewing spots in Kyoto.
Genre: Cherry blossoms, illumination
Location: Nijo Castle (Kyoto)
Dates: March 8 to April 7, 2024
Website: https://naked.co.jp/en/works/21220/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Light-Up by NAKED 2024
6. Huis Ten Bosch “1 Million Tulip Festival” (Nagasaki)
Enjoy the spectacular view of over 1,000,000 tulip flowers blooming across Japan’s most spacious theme park, Huis Ten Bosch.
Genre: Tulip Blooming
Location: Huis Ten Bosch (Nagasaki)
Dates: February 9 to April 7, 2024
Website: https://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/event/tulip/
<<Book Huis Ten Bosch Tickets Online HERE!!>>
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18 minute walk from Huis Ten Bosch Station (Omura Line) |
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7. Omizutori (Nara)
A Japanese traditional annual event at Todaiji Temple in Nara Prefecture. It’s the oldest event in Japan which has been held since 752 for over 1250 years.
Genre: Temple Festival
Location: Todaiji Temple (Nara)
Dates: February 10, 2024 to March 17, 2024
Website: https://www.todaiji.or.jp/en/annual/event/shunie/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Omizutori: the Oldest Festival in Japan
8. Gion Shirakawa Illuminated Cherry Blossoms (Kyoto)
An annual light-up event at one of Kyoto’s most attractive district, Gion is available from late March to early April. Kyoto Gion Shirakawa Illuminated Cherry Blossoms features a romantic and mesmerizing light-up across the charming streets of Gion district at night.
Genre: Illumination
Location: Higashiyama City (Kyoto)
Dates: late March to early April, 2024
9. Inabe Plum Festival (Mie)
Inabe Plum Grove (いなべ梅林) is located within the Agriculture Park in Inabe City, Mie prefecture. The park is well known as one of the best spots to view plum blossoms in Japan.
Genre: Plum Blossoms
Location: Inabe Plum Grove (Mie)
Dates: February 23 to March 20, 2024
Website: http://www.inabe-nougyoukouen.com/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
10. Tsunan Snow Festival (Niigata)
Tsunan Snow Festival is a traditional winter festival held annually in Niigata Prefecture. The event features snow lanterns, snow domes called Kamakura, a snowboard straight jump competition, fireworks, and more!
Genre: Snow Festival
Location: Tsunan city (Niigata)
Dates: March 9, 2024
Website: https://snowfes.info/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Tsunan Snow Festival in Niigata
In addition to those seasonal events, there are more things to do in Japan in March. Check more details in these articles below.
▶What to Wear in Japan in Spring: March, April and May
▶Top 10 Things to Do in Japan in March
▶Best Places to Visit in Japan in Spring 2024
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Written by
Born and raised in Costa Rica, I started living in Tokyo from college. I love traveling within Japan & around the world. Since I wasn’t born in Japan, I know the cultural impact that you can get when visiting Japan for the first time and what you might be worried about before your trip. And I’ve lived long enough to somewhat understand the nuances of the Japanese culture that make this country such an attractive place to visit. Hopefully I can provide to you both the information you’re looking for and the information you didn’t know you needed to know.
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