What's on in Kyoto

Kyoto events in March 2027

160 events in March 2027: 67 festivals, 33 exhibitions, 25 performances, 13 gardens, 7 sports events, 5 markets, 5 illuminations, 3 food events and 2 anime and games events, from headline festivals to neighbourhood fairs. 37 of them are annual events whose 2027 dates are still to be confirmed, listed with their usual window.

Kitano Tenmangu's plums carry on into March. The cherry trees usually open in the last week (the Meteorological Agency's average for Kyoto is 26 March), so if you're coming in late March, you're betting on the forecast. More on the season in Cherry blossoms in Kyoto.

Map

Kyoto weather in March

Average high
14°C (57°F)
Average low
4°C (40°F)
Rain
106 mm
Rainy days
about 10

Bring a warm jacket and layers, since evenings drop to about 4°C (40°F). Pack a small umbrella too, as it rains on about 10 days.

Averages from the Japan Meteorological Agency normals for 1991 to 2020, Kyoto station (rain table). Rainy days have at least 1 mm of rain.

Don't miss in March 2027

Calendar

17+7 more+30 on for weeks21+1 more+29 on for weeks36Hiina Festival at Ichihime ShrineNagashibina Doll Floating at Shimogamo ShrineShuntoe Peach Festival at Sanjusangendo+3 more+29 on for weeks41+1 more+29 on for weeks5+29 on for weeks66Join us! Kyoto Music Outreach Joint ConcertMeirin Record Club No. 93: Gramophone SessionUmekoji Park Handmade Market+3 more+31 on for weeks1 gig78Kitayama Craft Garden (Mar)Kyokusui no En Poetry Banquet at Kitano TenmanguKyoto Symphony Ensemble Concert: Kyoto Sinfonietta+5 more+31 on for weeks1 gig83+3 more+29 on for weeks91Rain-Praying Festival at Kifune Shrine+29 on for weeks102Performing Arts Prayer Service at Horin-ji+1 more+29 on for weeks11+30 on for weeks123Sagagoryu Ikebana Offering and Exhibition at Kitano TenmanguEarly spring wild mountain plant show at Kyoto Botanical Gardens+1 more+30 on for weeks135Sagagoryu Ikebana Offering and Exhibition at Kitano TenmanguEarly spring wild mountain plant show at Kyoto Botanical Gardens+3 more+35 on for weeks1416Fushimi Sake FesIncense Ceremony by the Shino School at Kitano TenmanguNehan-e and Sanmon Opening at Tofuku-ji+13 more+36 on for weeks1512Rakugo Dedication by the Tsuyu no Gorobe Group at Kitano TenmanguSaga Otaimatsu Fire Festival at Seiryo-jiSeiryu-e Blue Dragon Procession at Kiyomizu-dera (March)+9 more+34 on for weeks166Noh Dedication by the Kongo School at Kitano TenmanguNehan-e and Sanmon Opening at Tofuku-jiNehan-e Giant Nirvana Painting at Sennyu-ji+3 more+34 on for weeks177Kokei Memorial Tea at Daisen-inShikibocho Ceremonial Knife Ritual at Kitano Tenmangu+5 more+34 on for weeks187Gensei Shonin Memorial Service at Zuiko-jiSpring Higan Services at Chion-in+5 more+34 on for weeks195Gion Kobu Geiko and Maiko Kyomai Dedication at Kitano TenmanguKyoto Symphony Orchestra 720th Subscription Concert: InkinenTwilight Planetarium, Starry Sky and Music (Mar)+2 more+35 on for weeks1 gig206Spring Higan Services at Chion-inKyoto Symphony Orchestra 720th Subscription Concert: InkinenTwilight Planetarium, Starry Sky and Music (Mar)+3 more+40 on for weeks2 gigs2111Izumi Shikibu Memorial Day at Seishin-inRenga Linked Verse Dedication at Kitano TenmanguSpring Higan Services at Chion-in+8 more+40 on for weeks225Kyogen Dedication by Shigeyama Chuzaburo Troupe at Kitano TenmanguKyohei Sorita and Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg Japan Tour: KyotoSpring Higan Services at Chion-in+2 more+38 on for weeks1 gig233Spring Higan Services at Chion-in+2 more+32 on for weeks242+2 more+32 on for weeks257Kyoto Imperial Palace Spring Special OpeningTenjin-ichi Market at Kitano TenmanguTenjin-san Market at Kitano Tenmangu+4 more+33 on for weeks263Kyoto Imperial Palace Spring Special Opening+2 more+34 on for weeks276Kyoto Symphony Ensemble Concert: Kyoto StringsYamashina x Sweets SWEETS EXPO '27Kyoto Imperial Palace Spring Special Opening+3 more+38 on for weeks2 gigs2816Hanezu Odori at Zuishin-inMusic Relay Concert for All MusiciansSpring Zen experience class at Daisen-in+13 more+39 on for weeks1 gig294Kyoto Imperial Palace Spring Special Opening+3 more+38 on for weeks301+1 more+38 on for weeks311+1 more+38 on for weeks

Day by day

Each event on its first day still ahead, regular markets on each of their days. Tap a day in the calendar for everything on that day and its gigs.

3 events

Hiina Festival at Ichihime ShrineKawaramachi · Ichihime Shrine · 3 Mar
Nagashibina Doll Floating at Shimogamo ShrineDemachiyanagi · Shimogamo Shrine · 3 MarFreeUsual dates
Shuntoe Peach Festival at SanjusangendoHigashiyama · Sanjusangendo · 3 MarFreeUsual dates

4 events · 1 gig

Join us! Kyoto Music Outreach Joint ConcertKitayama · Kyoto Concert Hall (Ensemble Hall Murata) · 6 Mar
Meirin Record Club No. 93: Gramophone SessionShijo-Karasuma · Kyoto Art Center, Auditorium (West Building 2F) · 6 Mar
Umekoji Park Handmade MarketKyoto Station · Umekoji ParkFreeRegular market
Umekoji Park Handmade MarketKyoto Station · Umekoji ParkFreeRegular market

4 events · 1 gig

Kitayama Craft Garden (Mar)Demachiyanagi · Kyoto Prefectural Garden of Fine Art (Tosei Meiga no Niwa) · 7 MarFree
Kyokusui no En Poetry Banquet at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 7 Mar
Kyoto Symphony Ensemble Concert: Kyoto SinfoniettaKitayama · Kyoto Concert Hall (Ensemble Hall Murata) · 7 Mar
Garakuta-ichi at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market

1 event

Rain-Praying Festival at Kifune ShrineKibune · Kifune Shrine · 9 Mar

1 event

Performing Arts Prayer Service at Horin-jiArashiyama · Horin-ji · 10 Mar

2 events

Sagagoryu Ikebana Offering and Exhibition at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 12 to 14 Mar
Early spring wild mountain plant show at Kyoto Botanical GardensKitayama · Kyoto Botanical Gardens · 12 to 15 Mar

4 events

Fushimi Sake FesFushimi · Gekkeikan Fushimi Showa-gura · 14 MarUsual dates
Incense Ceremony by the Shino School at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 14 Mar
Nehan-e and Sanmon Opening at Tofuku-jiFushimi · Tofuku-ji · 14 to 16 MarFreeUsual dates
Nehan-e Giant Nirvana Painting at Sennyu-jiSennyu-ji · 14 to 16 Mar

4 events

Rakugo Dedication by the Tsuyu no Gorobe Group at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 15 Mar
Saga Otaimatsu Fire Festival at Seiryo-jiArashiyama · Seiryo-ji (Saga Shakado) · 15 MarFreeUsual dates
Seiryu-e Blue Dragon Procession at Kiyomizu-dera (March)Higashiyama · Kiyomizu-dera · 15 MarFreeUsual dates
Hyakumanben Handmade Market at Chion-jiDemachiyanagi · Hyakumanben Chion-jiFreeRegular market

1 event

Noh Dedication by the Kongo School at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 16 Mar

2 events

Kokei Memorial Tea at Daisen-inKita · Daisen-in · 17 Mar
Shikibocho Ceremonial Knife Ritual at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 17 Mar

2 events

Gensei Shonin Memorial Service at Zuiko-jiFushimi · Zuiko-ji · 18 Mar
Spring Higan Services at Chion-inHigashiyama · Chion-in · 18 to 23 Mar

3 events · 1 gig

Gion Kobu Geiko and Maiko Kyomai Dedication at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 19 Mar
Kyoto Symphony Orchestra 720th Subscription Concert: InkinenDemachiyanagi · Kyoto Concert Hall · 19 to 20 Mar
Twilight Planetarium, Starry Sky and Music (Mar)Fushimi · Kyoto City Youth Science Center planetarium · 19 to 20 Mar

4 events

Izumi Shikibu Memorial Day at Seishin-inKawaramachi · Seishin-in · 21 Mar
Renga Linked Verse Dedication at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 21 Mar
Kobo-ichi Market at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market
Kobo-san Market at To-jiKyoto Station · To-jiFreeRegular market

2 events · 1 gig

Kyogen Dedication by Shigeyama Chuzaburo Troupe at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 22 Mar
Kyohei Sorita and Mozarteum Orchestra Salzburg Japan Tour: KyotoKitayama · Kyoto Concert Hall (Main Hall) · 22 Mar

3 events

Kyoto Imperial Palace Spring Special OpeningImperial Palace · Kyoto Imperial Palace · 25 to 29 MarFreeUsual dates
Tenjin-ichi Market at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano TenmanguFreeRegular market
Tenjin-san Market at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano TenmanguFreeRegular market

2 events · 2 gigs

Kyoto Symphony Ensemble Concert: Kyoto StringsKitayama · Kyoto Concert Hall (Ensemble Hall Murata) · 27 Mar
Yamashina x Sweets SWEETS EXPO '27Yamashina · Honganji Yamashina Betsuin (Nishi-gobo) · 27 to 28 Mar

5 events · 1 gig

Hanezu Odori at Zuishin-inYamashina · Zuishin-in · 28 MarUsual dates
Music Relay Concert for All MusiciansKitayama · Kyoto Concert Hall (Ensemble Hall Murata) · 28 MarFree
Spring Zen experience class at Daisen-inKita · Daisen-in, Daitoku-ji · 28 Mar
1000market at Kiyomizu-deraHigashiyama · Kiyomizu-deraFreeRegular market
Kamigamo Handmade MarketDemachiyanagi · Kamigamo ShrineFreeRegular market

Also on dates the organisers post: Heian Antique Market (Heian Nomi-no-ichi) (About once a month on dates the organiser posts, 9:00 to 16:00), Heian Rakuichi Handmade Market (About once a month on dates the organiser posts, 10:00 to 16:00), Kyoto Antique Fair (Three times a year (spring, early summer and autumn) over a Friday to Sunday, 10:00 to 17:00, last day to 16:00).

On for weeks

52 long runs, such as exhibitions and illuminations: on for more than a week, so shown once instead of every day.

Anko Photo Exhibition at Kyoto City ZooOkazaki · Kyoto City Zoo, Serval Exhibition Room · 15 Sept to 11 Apr
Oribe Ten Masters: Furuta Oribe and Ten PottersKitayama · Furuta Oribe Museum · 17 Sept to 7 Mar
Maruyama Okyo and Ito JakuchuImperial Palace · Shokoku-ji Jotenkaku Museum · 17 Oct to 20 Jun
Heian court dress and maiko dress-up experience at Nishijin Textile CenterNijo · Nishijin Textile Center · 1 Nov to 31 Mar
Moto Hagio Exhibition: Longing for Europe (manga original art)Oyamazaki · Asahi Group Oyamazaki Villa Museum of Art · 19 Dec to 11 Apr
Layered Histories: Renowned Tea Utensils and Their BoxesHigashiyama · Kyoto National Museum · 22 Dec to 22 Mar
Pioneers of Wazuka Valley: The Person Buried in Harayama KofunHigashiyama · Kyoto National Museum · 2 Jan to 22 Mar
Fujino YumikoOkazaki · Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art (The Triangle) · 15 Jan to 18 AprFree
KYOCERA Museum Collection Room Winter: Painting Time, Modern Kyoto LacquerOkazaki · Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Main Building South Corridor 1F · 15 Jan to 14 Mar
Timeless Code: Contemporary and EdoArashiyama · Fukuda Art Museum · 30 Jan to 6 Jun
Ninja Show NARUTO at MinamizaGion · Minamiza · 1 Feb to 30 Jun
Plum Garden at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 1 Feb to 31 MarUsual dates
Thinking Sculptors: Raphaël Zarka and Horiuchi MasakazuOkazaki · Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art, Higashiyama Cube · 6 Feb to 5 May
Weeping Plum Garden at Mimuroto-jiUji · Mimuroto-ji · 13 Feb to 28 Mar
Celebrating the Japanese Doll FestivalHigashiyama · Kyoto National Museum · 13 Feb to 22 Mar
Hina doll exhibition at the Sagano Doll House MuseumArashiyama · Sagano Doll House Museum · 14 Feb to 31 Mar
Plum Festival at Umekoji ParkKyoto Station · Umekoji Park · 14 Feb to 1 MarUsual dates
Exhibition: Scenes from the Tale in Genji-eUji · Uji City Genji Monogatari Museum · 17 Feb to 18 Apr
Weeping Plum and Camellia Festival at JonanguFushimi · Jonangu · 18 Feb to 22 Mar
Hina Doll Display at the Sugimoto HouseShijo-Karasuma · Sugimoto House · 19 Feb to 21 Mar
Arai Kinya and KyotoShijo-Karasuma · Museum of Kyoto · 20 Feb to 18 Apr
Kyoto Prefecture and Kyoto City Designated Cultural Properties Selection 2027Shijo-Karasuma · Museum of Kyoto · 20 Feb to 18 Apr
Medalist ExhibitionShijo-Karasuma · Museum of Kyoto · 20 Feb to 11 Apr
Hinamatsuri Dolls at Hirano no Ie Waza EieitoKitano · Hirano no Ie Waza Eieito · 26 Feb to 22 Mar
Ume Viewing Banquet at Shozan Resort KyotoKita · Shozan Resort Kyoto · 27 Feb to 7 MarUsual dates
Tenryu-ji Hatto Cloud Dragon Painting Spring OpeningArashiyama · Tenryu-ji · 1 Mar to 31 MayUsual dates
Nirvana painting display at Shinnyo-doSakyo · Shinnyo-do (Shinsho Gokuraku-ji) · 1 Mar to 4 Apr
Spring Doll Exhibition at Hokyo-jiKitano · Hokyo-ji · 1 Mar to 3 AprUsual dates
Tenryu-ji Old Cloud Dragon Painting and Embroidered Nirvana PictureArashiyama · Tenryu-ji · 1 to 22 MarUsual dates
Omizutori (Shuni-e) at Todai-jiNara · Nigatsu-do, Todai-ji · 1 to 14 MarUsual dates
Silk Beauty, Weaving Skill: Yamaguchi Itaro and the Tale of Genji Brocade Handscroll (working title)Okazaki · Hosomi Museum of Art · 6 Mar to 9 May
Plum Garden at Zuishin-inYamashina · Zuishin-in (Ono Plum Garden) · 6 to 21 Mar
Hanmantosai, the 1,125th Memorial Festival at Kitano TenmanguKitano · Kitano Tenmangu · 11 Mar to 4 Apr
Spring Special Opening at Kogen-jiArashiyama · Kogen-ji (Tenryu-ji sub-temple) · 13 Mar to 16 May
Spring Jusan-mairi Rite at Horin-jiArashiyama · Horin-ji · 13 Mar to 13 May
Flower Ceiling Spring Opening at Hiraoka HachimanguKinkakuji · Hiraoka Hachimangu · 13 Mar to 6 May
Spring Night Viewing at Kodai-jiGion · Kodai-ji · 13 Mar to 6 MayUsual dates
Camellia Viewing at Hiraoka HachimanguKinkakuji · Hiraoka Hachimangu · 13 Mar to 12 AprFree
Cherry Blossom Light-up at To-jiKyoto Station · To-ji · 14 Mar to 12 AprUsual dates
Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom FestivalNijo · Nijo Castle · 19 Mar to 19 AprUsual dates
To-ji Treasure Hall Spring OpeningKyoto Station · To-ji · 20 Mar to 25 MayUsual dates
Daigo-ji Reihokan Spring ExhibitionDaigo · Daigo-ji Reihokan · 20 Mar to 6 MayUsual dates
Ginkaku-ji Spring Special Viewing of the TogudoGinkakuji · Ginkaku-ji · 20 Mar to 6 MayUsual dates
Okazaki Sakura Kairo Jikkokubune cherry blossom boatsOkazaki · Nanzenji Funatamari boarding point · 20 Mar to 15 Apr
Kitano OdoriKitano · Kamishichiken Kaburenjo · 20 Mar to 2 AprUsual dates
Shokoku-ji Spring Special OpeningImperial Palace · Shokoku-ji · 25 Mar to 2 JunUsual dates
Gion Shirakawa Cherry Blossom Light-upGion · Gion Shinbashi and Shirakawa Minami-dori · 26 Mar to 4 AprFreeUsual dates
Omuro Flower Festival at Ninna-jiKinkakuji · Ninna-ji · 27 Mar to 6 MayUsual dates
Cherry Blossom Light-up at Hirano ShrineKinkakuji · Hirano Shrine · 27 Mar to 11 Apr
Cherry Blossom Tea Gathering at Heian JinguOkazaki · Heian Jingu Shinen Garden · 27 Mar to 7 Apr
Kiyomizu-dera Spring Night ViewingHigashiyama · Kiyomizu-dera · 27 Mar to 5 AprUsual dates
Cherry Festival at the Old Kyoto Prefectural OfficeImperial Palace · Kyoto Prefectural Government Old Main Building · 28 Mar to 12 AprUsual dates

Planning a trip in March

National holidays in March 2027:

  • Sunday 21 March Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日)
  • Monday 22 March Substitute holiday (休日)

Holidays from the Cabinet Office's list of national holidays.

The calendar above lists 160 events in March 2027, and it's updated every week. Where to stay in Kyoto compares the main areas.

Beyond the dated events, here's what the season brings and which guides cover March.

Kyoto Cherry Blossom Map

All 25 spots

At their best in March

  • Reikan-jiGinkakuji, late March to mid April
  • HatakakuImperial Palace, 15 November to about 20 March
  • JonanguFushimi, late February to mid March

Also worth a look

What is on in Kyoto in March 2027?

There are 160 events listed for March 2027 (67 festivals, 33 exhibitions, 25 performances, 13 gardens, 7 sports events, 5 markets, 5 illuminations, 3 food events and 2 anime and games events). The big dates are Kokei Memorial Tea at Daisen-in (17 Mar), Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival (19 Mar to 19 Apr, dates to be confirmed), Okazaki Sakura Kairo Jikkokubune cherry blossom boats (20 Mar to 15 Apr), Gion Shirakawa Cherry Blossom Light-up (26 Mar to 4 Apr, dates to be confirmed), Cherry Blossom Tea Gathering at Heian Jingu (27 Mar to 7 Apr) and Cherry Blossom Light-up at Hirano Shrine (27 Mar to 11 Apr). 123 have confirmed dates and 37 are annual events whose exact 2027 dates are still to be announced, shown with the usual window. Every listing links to the interactive map.

Which temple light-ups are on in Kyoto in March 2027?

5 light-ups are listed for March 2027: Spring Night Viewing at Kodai-ji (13 Mar to 6 May, dates to be confirmed), Cherry Blossom Light-up at To-ji (14 Mar to 12 Apr, dates to be confirmed), Gion Shirakawa Cherry Blossom Light-up (26 Mar to 4 Apr, dates to be confirmed), Cherry Blossom Light-up at Hirano Shrine (27 Mar to 11 Apr) and Kiyomizu-dera Spring Night Viewing (27 Mar to 5 Apr, dates to be confirmed).

Where are the cherry blossom festivals and light-ups in Kyoto in March 2027?

7 cherry blossom events are listed for March 2027, among them Nijo Castle Cherry Blossom Festival (19 Mar to 19 Apr, dates to be confirmed), Okazaki Sakura Kairo Jikkokubune cherry blossom boats (20 Mar to 15 Apr), Gion Shirakawa Cherry Blossom Light-up (26 Mar to 4 Apr, dates to be confirmed), Cherry Blossom Light-up at Hirano Shrine (27 Mar to 11 Apr) and Cherry Blossom Tea Gathering at Heian Jingu (27 Mar to 7 Apr). Bloom moves with the weather, so the cherry blossom page has the spots.

Where can you see plum blossoms in Kyoto in March 2027?

5 plum garden openings are listed for March 2027: Plum Garden at Kitano Tenmangu (1 Feb to 31 Mar, dates to be confirmed), Weeping Plum Garden at Mimuroto-ji (13 Feb to 28 Mar), Plum Festival at Umekoji Park (14 Feb to 1 Mar, dates to be confirmed), Weeping Plum and Camellia Festival at Jonangu (18 Feb to 22 Mar) and Plum Garden at Zuishin-in (6 to 21 Mar).

What's the weather like in Kyoto in March?

In March Kyoto averages a high of 14°C (57°F) and a low of 4°C (40°F), with 106 mm of rain on about 10 days. Those are the Japan Meteorological Agency's averages for 1991 to 2020 at its Kyoto station, counting days with at least 1 mm of rain.

What festivals are on in Kyoto in March 2027?

19 festivals are listed for March 2027, among them Hiina Festival at Ichihime Shrine (3 Mar), Rain-Praying Festival at Kifune Shrine (9 Mar), Kokei Memorial Tea at Daisen-in (17 Mar), Okazaki Sakura Kairo Jikkokubune cherry blossom boats (20 Mar to 15 Apr) and Spring Zen experience class at Daisen-in (28 Mar). Smaller local festivals are under Around the neighbourhoods, further down the page.

Are there free events in Kyoto in March 2027?

Yes. 19 of the 160 events listed for March 2027 are free to attend, including Fujino Yumiko (15 Jan to 18 Apr), Camellia Viewing at Hiraoka Hachimangu (13 Mar to 12 Apr) and Gion Shirakawa Cherry Blossom Light-up (26 Mar to 4 Apr, dates to be confirmed).

Is March a good time to visit Kyoto?

Kitano Tenmangu's plums carry on into March. The cherry trees usually open in the last week (the Meteorological Agency's average for Kyoto is 26 March), so if you're coming in late March, you're betting on the forecast.

How current is this list?

Dated events are checked against the organiser's own page, and finished events drop off the page on their own. Annual events further out carry their usual dates until the official ones are published.

Running an event? Add your event and it's checked for the next weekly update.