Kyoto in March 2025: Early Spring Highlights, Events & Festivals

Since its publication in August, this article has served as a guide for many international visitors planning their trips to Kyoto. Travelers considering a January visit have been using this article to incorporate events into their itineraries and explore tour options through Magical Trip.

I updated this article because a lot of new information has been released in preparation for the March event. This article summarizes the latest information as of January 2025. I've also included highlights of various locations and events in Kyoto based on my extensive exploration of Kyoto's tourist attractions from August to October, when I thoroughly investigated the city.

Kyoto is a city where complex layers of culture and history intertwine, making it challenging for tourists to fully appreciate its historical sites and culture on their own.

At the end of the article, I'll also share my experiences with two tours I took during my visit to Kyoto between August and October: the "Kyoto Night Foodie Tour" (Ranked #6 among all tours on TripAdvisor in 2024) and the "4.5-hour Kyoto Historical Highlights Bike Tour with UNESCO Zen Temples," including their highlights and key features!

After enjoying Event in Osaka during the day, enjoy excellent Osaka cuisine and bar hopping in Dotonbori at night.

You can enjoy sightseeing in Osaka more comfortably by using the following guides as well as tours.

Introduction

March in Kyoto marks the turning point of the seasons, heralding the arrival of spring. In March 2025, Kyoto will host various traditional festivals and events.

While it's often a bit early for full cherry blossom blooms, there's a chance to enjoy early-blooming varieties and specific spots.

In this article, I'll introduce you to the diverse charms of early spring in Kyoto, from traditional events like the spring doll exhibition at Hokyoji Temple, the Nagashibina ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine, and the rain prayer festival at Kifune Shrine, to viewing early-blooming cherry blossoms at Kodaiji Temple and Maruyama Park.

I'll share how to enjoy this precious time when you can experience Kyoto's unique spring traditions while anticipating the arrival of the cherry blossom front.

At the time of writing this article, many events have not yet been announced, so I plan to update this article regularly. If you're planning to visit Kyoto in March 2025, I encourage you to bookmark this page.

If you are interested in Spring in Kyoto, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Spring in Kyoto as much as possible.

Table of Contents
・Traditional Events in Kyoto in March 2025
・Natural Highlights in Kyoto in March 2025

Traditional Events in Kyoto in March 2025

March in Kyoto is a time when traditional events and festivals that have been passed down for generations are held, centered around the "Hinamatsuri" (Doll Festival).

Spring Doll Exhibition at Hokyoji Temple (Early March to Early April 2025)

Source: Soda Kyoto Ikou

Hokyoji Temple, known as the "Doll Temple," is a historic temple that hosts a spring doll exhibition annually from March to April.

This exhibition showcases elaborate dolls related to the traditional event "Hinamatsuri." Hinamatsuri is a festival held on March 3rd to pray for the healthy growth of girls, and during this time, many households display Hina dolls.

On the opening day, there's an opening event where traditional Japanese musical instruments are played as an offering, allowing you to enjoy the beauty of Kyoto's traditional music.

The doll exhibition at Hokyoji Temple is a precious opportunity to experience the magnificence of Kyoto's traditional crafts. I encourage you to take a close look at the meticulously crafted facial expressions of the dolls and each piece of their splendid attire. The admission fee is 600 yen.

<Information>
Date: Early March to Early April 2025
Access: About 5 minutes walk from "Horikawa Teranochi" bus stop on Kyoto City Bus, or about 15 minutes walk from "Imadegawa Station" on the Karasuma Subway Line
Admission Fee: 600 yen
Website

Nagashibina Ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine (March 3, 2025)

Source: Soda Kyoto Ikou

The "Nagashibina" ceremony held at Shimogamo Shrine is one of the harbingers of spring in Kyoto. This traditional event involves floating paper dolls down a river to ward off misfortune.

This ritual, which takes place every year on March 3rd, is one of the most impressive events in Kyoto's traditional culture.

When I participated last year, I was deeply moved by the sight of selected men and women performing the ceremony. The participants, dressed in traditional costumes, floating the dolls down the river in a solemn atmosphere, seemed to symbolize the beauty and depth of Kyoto's traditional culture.

By observing the Nagashibina ceremony, I believe you can tangibly feel Kyoto's sense of harmony with nature and the sensibility that cherishes the changing of seasons.

Admission is free, and anyone can easily watch the ceremony.

<Information>
Date: March 3, 2025
Access: About 10 minutes walk from "Demachiyanagi Station" on the Keihan Main Line
Admission Fee: Free
Website

Rain Prayer Festival (Amagoi Sai) at Kifune Shrine (March 9, 2025)

The Rain Prayer Festival at Kifune Shrine is a traditional event to pray for favorable weather, blessings of water, and a bountiful harvest for the year. This festival, held around 10:00 AM on March 9th every year, offers a rare opportunity to experience unique rituals deeply connected to agricultural culture.

When I participated last year, what impressed me the most was the ritual of sprinkling water towards the sky while chanting unique calls.

The charm of the Rain Prayer Festival lies not only in its mystical atmosphere but also in the beautiful natural environment surrounding Kifune Shrine. The landscape created by the surrounding mountains and clear streams is the very essence of Kyoto's original scenery.

Admission and viewing are free. If you're in Kyoto in March, I highly recommend experiencing this sacred event at the shrine.

<Information>
Date: March 9, 2025
Access: Take the Keihan Electric Railway to the last stop "Demachiyanagi Station," then transfer to the Eizan Electric Railway Kurama Line and ride for about 30 minutes to "Kibuneguchi Station"
Admission Fee: Free
Website

If you are interested in Kibune Area, check the article below! I summarized Hike in Kibune Area I recommend and how I felt.

Natural Highlights in Kyoto in March 2025

March in Kyoto is when the winter cold begins to ease. During this time in Kyoto, you can see early-blooming cherry blossoms in some places, giving you a sense of the approaching spring.

Can You See Cherry Blossoms in March?

Most cherry blossoms in Kyoto typically reach their peak from early to mid-April. However, this can vary greatly depending on the climate of the year, and sometimes they may reach full bloom in late March. Especially weeping cherry trees tend to bloom earlier than other cherry varieties.

In my experience, when I visited Kyoto in late March, I was able to enjoy early-blooming cherry blossoms at several locations. Particularly if you visit weeping cherry blossom spots, there's a good chance you'll be able to enjoy the blossoms.

However, as the cherry blossom blooming time varies from year to year, I recommend checking the latest blooming information before your visit.

The joy of finding early-blooming cherry blossoms is exceptional and offers a precious experience of feeling the earliest arrival of spring.

Kodaiji Temple Spring Special Exhibition (Mid-March to Early May 2025)

Kodaiji Temple, located in the Higashiyama area of Kyoto, is a historic temple known especially for its weeping cherry trees. The spring special exhibition held annually from mid-March to early May is one of the best events to enjoy the cherry blossom season.

When I visited last year, the cherry blossom illumination I saw during the special evening viewing was breathtaking. The pale pink weeping cherry blossoms, illuminated by soft light, created a fantastical atmosphere. I remember being captivated by the beauty of the night cherry blossoms, which was completely different from their daytime appearance.

The illumination usually starts around 5:00 PM. I recommend visiting from dusk to enjoy the change in the cherry blossoms' appearance from day to night. The admission fee is 600 yen.

<Information>
Date: Mid-March to Early May 2025
Access: 15-20 minutes walk from "Gion-Shijo Station" on the Keihan Electric Railway or "Kawaramachi Station" on the Hankyu Railway. It's on the way to Kiyomizu Temple, so I recommend visiting both together
Admission Fee: 600 yen
Website

Weeping Cherry Blossom at Maruyama Park (Late March to Early April 2025)

Maruyama Park, located next to Yasaka Shrine, is one of Kyoto's representative parks. It's particularly famous for its approximately 90-year-old weeping cherry tree. This cherry tree, known as the "Gion Weeping Cherry," has become a symbol of spring in Kyoto.

When I visited last year, I was breathless at the overwhelming beauty of this weeping cherry tree. The cherry blossoms blooming from the elegantly drooping branches gave me an indescribable sense of awe.

Besides this weeping cherry tree, Maruyama Park has several other types of cherry trees planted, allowing you to enjoy various cherry blossom expressions by visiting at slightly different times.

Typically, illumination is held from around 6:00 PM from late March to mid-April. While the daytime cherry blossoms are wonderful, the illuminated cherry blossoms at night create a fantastical atmosphere, allowing you to experience a completely different charm.

<Information>
Date: Late March to Early April 2025
Access: About 5-10 minutes walk from "Gion-Shijo Station" on the Keihan Electric Railway. About 10-15 minutes walk from "Kawaramachi Station" on the Hankyu Railway
Admission Fee: Free
Website

If you are interested in Cherry Blossom Spots, check the article below! I summarized how and where you can enjoy Cherry Blossom as much as possible.

Two Recommended Tours to Fully Experience Kyoto

Discover two enchanting tours by MagicalTrip to explore Kyoto, a city where tradition and culture thrive - one through its nighttime culinary scene and another through its daytime historical landmarks.

Kyoto Night Foodie Tour

This three-hour gourmet tour through Pontocho and Gion districts ranked 6th in TripAdvisor's 2024 overall tour rankings. Priced at $136.80, you'll visit three carefully selected establishments to immerse yourself in Kyoto's food culture.

Enjoy a full-course dining experience from traditional dishes featuring Kyoto vegetables and yuba (tofu skin) to desserts. Each venue offers a sake tasting experience with three local varieties (non-alcoholic options available for under 20s). While strolling through the historic tea house districts with their traditional machiya architecture, you might encounter maiko (apprentice geisha).

Vegetarian options are available (dashi stock contains seafood), but vegan and gluten-free options are not accommodated.

Please notify of any dietary restrictions one day in advance. An English-speaking guide provides detailed explanations about the dishes and sake. Tour photos will be emailed later, and free cancellation is available up to 24 hours before the tour.

Details here: Kyoto Night Foodie Tour

4.5-hour Kyoto Historical Highlights Bike Tour with UNESCO Zen Temples

This 4.5-hour bicycle tour is available for $82.08. It's a small-group tour with an English-speaking guide, including rental bikes, helmets, and insurance. Anyone over 150cm tall can participate, even cycling beginners.

Experience the rock gardens and Zen atmosphere at the UNESCO World Heritage site Kennin-ji Temple, and visit other major temples like Nanzen-ji. Lunch is provided at a traditional Japanese house, with vegetarian options available (advance notice required, fish-based dashi used).

The 12.6km course includes local favorites like cycling along the Kamo River. Reach places inaccessible to tourist buses efficiently. Tour photos will be emailed afterward, and full refunds are available for cancellations made 24 hours in advance.

Details here: 4.5-hour Kyoto Historical Highlights Bike Tour with UNESCO Zen Temples

These two tours offer comprehensive programs showcasing Kyoto's day and night attractions. Join experienced English-speaking guides for an unforgettable Kyoto adventure.

March 2025 in Kyoto is a wonderful time when traditional events and natural beauty merge. Traditional events such as the doll exhibition at Hokyoji Temple, the Nagashibina ceremony at Shimogamo Shrine, and the rain prayer festival at Kifune Shrine offer precious opportunities to experience the depth of Kyoto's culture and history.

On the other hand, early-blooming cherry blossoms at Kodaiji Temple and Maruyama Park provide excellent opportunities to enjoy the natural beauty heralding the arrival of spring.

I highly encourage you to fully savor the charm of Kyoto woven by tradition and nature in early spring Kyoto, and create memorable experiences that will stay in your heart!