Shinjuku in March 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals
March in Tokyo marks the end of daytime chills as warmer weather sets in. Pink cherry blossoms blooming throughout the city create elegant spaces, offering a peaceful atmosphere.
Within Tokyo, Shinjuku is an area that features bustling entertainment districts, commercial facilities, and office buildings, while also offering lush green spaces just a short walk away. The nearest station, "Shinjuku Station," is known for its excellent accessibility, served by 11 railway lines making it easily reachable from any direction.
In March, Shinjuku hosts various events including traditional ceremonies praying for good harvests and world-famous marathon events, while local parks offer cherry blossom viewing opportunities.
In this article, we'll introduce the highlights, basic information, schedules, and access details for these events.
Table of Contents
・Traditional Events in Shinjuku for March 2025
・Special March-only experiences in Shinjuku
・Shinjuku MYLORD Shopping Mall Closing After 40 Years in March
Traditional Events in Shinjuku for March 2025
Hatsuuma Obisha Festival
Source: Official website
The Hatsuuma Obisha Festival, held at Mizuinari Shrine, is a festival celebrating agricultural abundance through archery. "Obisha" refers to shooting arrows while standing (not on horseback).
Historically, the Hatsuuma Obisha Festival has been performed to divine the year's harvest. It was believed that if an archer successfully hit the target, it would bring a bountiful harvest that year.
During the festival, archers shoot arrows at targets marked with the characters for "demon" and "fortune." A highlight is watching the archers shoot while shouting "Ei!" and "Oh!" with great force. While the atmosphere is solemn, successful hits are met with cheers from the crowd.
This event is highly recommended for those interested in experiencing traditional Japanese ceremonies up close.
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Date: TBD March 2025 (The first Day of the Horse in the lunar calendar falls on March 2, 2025)
Access: 20-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station (JR Yamanote Line, Seibu Shinjuku Line, Subway Tozai Line)
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.tokyo-jinjacho.or.jp/shinjuku/5445/
Shichigosan Visit at Hikawa Shrine in Shinjuku Ochiai
Source: Official website
Shichigosan Mode is a traditional Japanese ceremony where children visit shrines at specific ages to pray for their healthy growth. Both boys and girls visit at age 3, boys at age 5, and girls at age 7.
During Shichigosan visits, children wear kimono while families dress in kimono or special attire for shrine visits and photo sessions. While Shichigosan typically occurs from October to December, Hikawa Shrine welcomes visitors year-round, including during the upcoming Shinjuku Event in March 2025.
A delightful aspect of visiting in March is the opportunity to take beautiful photos with Kawazu cherry blossoms and plum flowers as your backdrop.
Studios near the shrine offer kimono rental, dressing assistance, and hair/makeup services. This experience is particularly recommended for families wanting to create special memories.
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Schedule: Year-round
Access: 7-minute walk from Takadanobaba Station (JR Yamanote Line, Seibu Shinjuku Line, Subway Tozai Line)
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.shinjyuku-hikawa.jp/
Tokyo Marathon
Source: ASICS
The Tokyo Marathon, Japan's largest citizen marathon, is held annually on a Sunday in February or March. The 2025 event, scheduled during the major Shinjuku Event season in March 2025, is expected to attract approximately 38,000 runners from around the world.
The course starts at Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tokyo Tocho), passes through tourist spots like Asakusa and Ginza, and finishes at Tokyo Station.
A highlight is the 20 cheering spots along the course. Various groups energize the event with dance, music, and traditional performances under the theme of "CHEER." The festival-like atmosphere shared with locals makes this event particularly appealing.
Consider touring the tourist spots while cheering along the marathon course.
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Date: March 2, 2025
Access: 10-minute walk from JR Shinjuku Station West Exit (Start point)
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.marathon.tokyo/
Special Seasonal Experiences in Shinjuku - March
Cherry Blossom Viewing
Hanami (cherry blossom viewing) is the enjoyment of cherry blossoms in parks and shrines. The blossoms last only about two weeks, during which many people enjoy picnics and photo sessions under the cherry trees.
During daytime, you can enjoy pink cherry blossoms against the blue sky, while illuminated locations offer magical nighttime views.
I personally enjoy having picnics under the cherry trees. For those wanting to experience this fleeting natural spectacle that's available for just two weeks during Japanese spring, Hanami is highly recommended.
I'll translate the articles about the Shinjuku March 2025 Events while maintaining all the important details and links.
Shinjuku Gyoen Special Spring Opening
Source: Official website
Shinjuku Gyoen opens daily for one month starting March 25th to allow visitors to enjoy cherry blossom viewing. The garden features approximately 70 varieties and 900 cherry trees, offering visitors the chance to appreciate different types of cherry blossoms from mid-February to late April.
Shinjuku Gyoen boasts a beautiful Japanese garden that was once a cherry blossom viewing spot for the Imperial family. A highlight is the opportunity to enjoy cherry blossoms in a serene atmosphere. One of my favorite aspects is that the cherry trees are scattered throughout the garden, allowing visitors to appreciate them without feeling crowded.
During the special opening period, five shops within the garden sell cherry blossom-themed sweets, which are definitely worth checking out. This location is highly recommended for those who want to see various cherry blossom varieties or enjoy them in a peaceful setting.
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Dates: March 25 - April 24, 2025
Access: 5-minute walk from Exit 2 of Shinjuku-gyoenmae Station on Tokyo Metro Marunouchi Line, or 10-minute walk from JR/Keio/Odakyu Shinjuku Station South Exit
Admission: Adults ¥500, Seniors (65+) ¥250, High School Students and above ¥250, Junior High School Students and below Free
Website: https://www.env.go.jp/garden/shinjukugyoen/
Meiji Jingu Gaien
Source: WEATHER NEWS
Meiji Jingu Gaien is an area where visitors can enjoy an avenue of approximately 340 cherry trees. The main street is often called the "Cherry Blossom Tunnel" as both sides of the road are completely lined with cherry trees. With no high-rise buildings nearby, visitors can enjoy the beautiful scenery of cherry blossoms against the sky.
My recommendation is to photograph the cherry blossoms with the Meiji Memorial Picture Gallery (Shotoku Kinen Kaigakan) in the background. The contrast between the historical beige building and the pink cherry blossoms creates perfect photo opportunities.
The area becomes very crowded between 10 AM and 4 PM during the cherry blossom season, so early morning visits before 10 AM are recommended for those who want to enjoy a quieter experience. Meiji Jingu Gaien is perfect for those who want to see cherry blossom-lined streets or enjoy photography.
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Dates: Late March - Early April 2025
Access: 4-minute walk from Kokuritsu-Kyogijo Station on Toei Oedo Line, or 8-minute walk from Shinanomachi Station on JR Chuo-Sobu Line
Admission: Free
Website: http://www.meijijingugaien.jp/
Yoyogi Park
Source: Google Maps
Yoyogi Park is a spacious park in central Tokyo featuring approximately 700 cherry trees. Just a short distance from the vibrant Shinjuku area, where various events are scheduled for March 2025, the park offers a peaceful retreat.
The cherry blossoms are typically in full bloom from late March to early April, with over five different varieties to admire. One of the highlights is the area around the fountain in the central plaza, where cherry trees encircle the water feature, creating an elegant atmosphere for viewers.
Among various cherry blossom viewing spots, Yoyogi Park is particularly famous as a picnic destination. From my personal experience, having a picnic here not only allows you to view the cherry blossoms up close but also offers an escape from the urban bustle.
Yoyogi Park provides regular updates about the cherry blossom conditions on their official X (formerly Twitter) account, so be sure to check before visiting. It's highly recommended for those who want to have a picnic or enjoy cherry blossom viewing in a natural setting.
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Schedule: Mid-February to early April 2025
Access: 3-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station (Yamanote Line) or Tokyo Metro Yoyogi-koen Station (Chiyoda Line)
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.tokyo-park.or.jp/park/yoyogi/index.html
Sotobori Park
Source: Google Maps
Sotobori Park features a cherry blossom-lined path stretching approximately 2 kilometers between JR Iidabashi Station and Yotsuya Station.
The park is home to two varieties of cherry trees, with about 200 trees in total. A notable feature is the walking path that allows visitors to enjoy cherry blossom viewing while strolling. The path is set apart from the road, creating a peaceful viewing environment.
The highlight of Sotobori Park's cherry blossoms is their nighttime illumination. The sight of the pale pink-lit blossoms reflecting on the water surface creates a magical atmosphere. During my visit, the quiet surroundings enhanced the romantic ambiance.
This park is perfect for those who want to enjoy cherry blossoms while taking a walk or experience the illuminated night viewing.
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Schedule: Late March to early April 2025
Access: 3-minute walk from Yotsuya Station's Yotsuya Exit, or immediately accessible from JR Iidabashi Station's West Exit
Admission: Free
Website: https://visit-chiyoda.tokyo/app/spot/detail/274
Shinjuku Central Park Spring Festival
Source: Official website
The Shinjuku Central Park Spring Festival, held in Shinjuku Central Park (often called an urban oasis), is a festival where visitors can enjoy interacting with animals and playing games.
At the event, you can interact with animals such as rabbits, sheep, and guinea pigs in a mini petting zoo. Other highlights include family-friendly activities like yarn knitting experiences and archery games.
During the event, visitors can also enjoy cherry blossom viewing in Shinjuku Central Park. While you can see the commonly found light pink cherry blossoms in Japan, what makes this location special is the presence of deep pink cherry blossoms. We encourage you to enjoy both the festival and cherry blossom viewing.
This event is highly recommended for families looking for enjoyable activities.
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Date: March 16, 2024 (2024 event information)
Access: About 10 minutes walk from JR, Odakyu Line, or Keio Line Shinjuku Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://shinjukuchuo-park.jp/events/event/2024/03/14/%E6%96%B0%E5%AE%BF%E4%B8%AD%E5%A4%AE%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%E3%80%80%E6%98%A5%E3%81%BE%E3%81%A4%E3%82%8A-2/ (2024 event information)
Shinjuku MYLORD Shopping Mall Closing After 40 Years in March
Source: Odakyu SC
Shinjuku MYLORD, a shopping mall directly connected to Shinjuku Station that celebrated its 40th anniversary in 2024, will close in March 2025. To mark this occasion, MYLORD will host a big sale in March.
MYLORD is a mall featuring 100 stores, including fashion boutiques, accessories shops, and restaurants targeting women in their 20s.
During the "BUY BUY SALE!" running from January through March 9, each store will offer special items at discounted prices that are not typically available.
Additionally, at "GENICBOOTH," a self-photo spot on the 7th floor, visitors can take pictures with MYLORD-exclusive wallpapers. This is perfect for those wanting to capture memories of their Japan trip.
If you're interested in fashion and accessories, we recommend visiting MYLORD before its closure.
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Closing Date: March 16, 2025
Access: Immediately accessible from JR Shinjuku Station South Exit
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.odakyu-sc.com/shinjuku-mylord/
