Ueno in March 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals
Since moving to a neighborhood adjacent to Shinjuku in 2024, I've been visiting many cities in Tokyo including Ueno almost daily to explore its appeal and discover spots I can recommend to tourists. I updated this article in January 2025 to incorporate my findings from this research, along with the latest information for 2025.
Another reason for updating the article is the growing interest in tours that allow visitors to safely and deeply experience Ueno's nightlife. With countless izakaya (Japanese pubs) packed into Ueno, tourists visiting for the first time find it extremely difficult to discover the truly excellent spots beloved by locals.
This is why food tours led by knowledgeable local guides who know Ueno inside and out have been gaining popularity, as they take visitors through Ueno's maze of izakaya establishments.
In fact, Magical Trip's tour, which ranked #1 among all tours on Tripadvisor, has been receiving numerous applications.
If you want to experience truly local-favorite izakayas in Ueno, one of Tokyo's premier drinking districts, join the "All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno." Not only will you discover hidden gems that tourists rarely find, but you'll also experience the Japanese culture of "shime" (end-of-night ritual).
For those who love retro neighborhoods, we also recommend the "Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town," which takes you through Yanaka, Ueno's neighboring district, with a local guide. It's an efficient and immersive way to enjoy this deeply traditional and historic area of Yanaka.
We hope you'll have a wonderful time experiencing everything Ueno has to offer by joining a Magical Trip tour!
Introduction
Ueno, located in Taito Ward, Tokyo, is known as the "Northern Gateway to Tokyo" due to its excellent access to popular tourist areas.
While time flows leisurely in the lush parks and historic temples, the vibrant shopping streets offer a taste of the unique downtown atmosphere, which is another attractive point.
The average temperature in Tokyo in March is around 15°C, and it becomes relatively warm on sunny days. As it remains chilly in the early morning and after sunset, having a light outer layer is recommended for sightseeing.
Various events are held around Ueno in March. There are many cherry blossom and flower events, and you can feel the arrival of spring everywhere. In this article, we'll introduce the highlights and details of these events, so please consider including them in your travel plans!
2025 Year-round Event calendar in Ueno↓
・Ueno: List of Events & Festivals for 2025
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Table of Contents
Traditional Ueno Events in March 2025
Special Experiences Only in Ueno in March
Festivals and Events in March in "Taito Ward" Around Ueno
Traditional Ueno Events in March 2025
Shitaya Shrine Inari Festival (Ryuei Inari Shrine Annual Festival)
Source: Official website
Shitaya Shrine, located about a 6-minute walk from Ueno Station, is the oldest shrine in Tokyo dedicated to "Oinari-sama." Oinari-sama is the deity of abundant harvests and has long been revered by Japanese people as a familiar god.
Do you know why there are several fox statues in the shrine grounds?
In the past, foxes were believed to appear before humans in spring and return to the mountains after the harvest season. Because of this, foxes were considered messengers of the "mountain god" and "field god" associated with agriculture.
The "Inari Festival" held every year on March 9th is a festival to express gratitude to Oinari-sama. While most Inari shrine festivals in Japan are held in February, Shitaya Shrine holds it in March.
<Information>
- Date: March 9, 2025
- Access: 6-minute walk from JR Ueno Station / 2-minute walk from Inaricho Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://shitayajinja.or.jp/
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shitayajinja/
Special Experiences Only in Ueno in March
Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival
Source: Taito City Official website
The "Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival" is held in Ueno Onshi Park in March. There are about 1,200 cherry trees in the park, many of which are said to have been transplanted from Mt. Yoshino in Nara Prefecture to Edo (present-day Tokyo) about 400 years ago by a monk named Tenkai.
One of the attractive points is that you can enjoy various types of cherry blossoms in the park, including the common Japanese cherry blossom variety "Somei Yoshino." You'll be able to take many wonderful photos that will become memorable souvenirs of your trip to Japan.
Many people visit the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival every year, enjoying food from stalls and various events. We also recommend getting takeout from restaurants around the park.
Enjoy the Japanese spring while listening to the sounds of traditional Japanese drums and flutes!
Ueno Sakura Festa
During the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival, the "Ueno Sakura Festa" is held at the fountain plaza in the park. At the product exhibition with over 50 stores from around Ueno, you can taste specialty gourmet foods unique to Tokyo. You can also find unique souvenirs that are only available here.
There are also idol stages and live music performances, making it an event full of attractions. There are events that the general public can participate in, so it's enjoyable for both children and adults. Be sure to stop by!
Festival Music and Kotobuki Lion Dance
One of the highlights of the Ueno Cherry Blossom Festival is the festival music (Matsuri bayashi) and the Edo Kotobuki Lion Dance.
Festival music refers to performances using flutes and drums to liven up the festival. There are various regional characteristics in drum rhythms and melodies.
The Edo Kotobuki Lion Dance is a type of "lion dance" where performers wear large lion masks and dance to the festival music. It's characterized by the brisk movements typical of the downtown "Edokko" (people of Edo), with one actor playing multiple roles to the accompaniment of flutes, drums, and gongs.
In Japan, it's believed that having your head "bitten" by the lion dance wards off evil. If you have the chance, try offering your head to the lion dance!
Cherry Blossom Illumination
It's also recommended to visit during the evening hours of the cherry blossom festival to enjoy the beautiful illumination. In the central part of the park, "Cherry Blossom Street" is lit up with rows of paper lanterns, creating a fantastic atmosphere.
The paths around Shinobazu Pond are also illuminated, and the cherry blossoms beautifully reflect in the water illuminated by the lights. The beautiful nighttime cherry blossom scenery is a special experience that can only be enjoyed during this season. Take a leisurely walk while enjoying the street food.
It's also beautiful to view the entire nighttime cherry blossom scene from a slightly distant location.
<Information>
- Location: Ueno Onshi Park
- Date: Mid-March to early April 2025
- Access: 3-minute walk from JR Ueno Station / 3-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station
- Admission: Free
- Website (2024): https://ueno.or.jp/sakurafes2024/
Festivals and Events in March in "Taito Ward" Around Ueno
Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival
Source: Taito City Official website
Sumida Park is a popular cherry blossom viewing spot, selected as one of the "100 Best Cherry Blossom Spots." About 1,000 cherry trees are planted in the grounds, and you can enjoy various types of cherry blossoms. The spot where you can see Tokyo Skytree between the cherry blossoms is perfect for photography. You can take wonderful Japanese-style photos here.
At the "Sumida Park Cherry Blossom Festival," there are many food trucks, and many people enjoy cherry blossom viewing while sitting on picnic sheets. I bought seasonal limited dango (sweet dumplings) from a nearby long-established Japanese confectionery shop and enjoyed them while appreciating the cherry blossoms.
One of the highlights of the festival is the traditional event called "Yabusame," where archers on running horses shoot arrows at targets.
We also recommend viewing the cherry blossoms from a yakatabune (traditional Japanese boat) or water bus operating on the Sumida River.
<Information>
- Location: Sumida Park
- Date: March 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line, and Tobu Skytree Line
- Admission: Free
Edo Nagashibina
Source: Tokyo Shimbun
The "Edo Nagashibina," held to wish for children's bright futures, is a spring tradition of the Sumida River that has continued since 1985.
In Japan, there is a custom of displaying "Hina dolls" at home as a kind of guardian deity for children and celebrating children's growth on "Hinamatsuri" on March 3rd.
"Nagashibina" is a traditional Japanese event where "Hina dolls" made of paper or leaves are floated on the sea or river. In the "Edo Nagashibina," dolls that have been purified at a shrine in advance are inscribed with children's names and wishes and floated on the Sumida River.
The sight of colorful and gorgeous Hina dolls floating gently down the river is beautiful and heralds the arrival of spring in Tokyo. If there are enough dolls available on the day, you can actually experience it, so please give it a try!
<Information>
- Location: Sumida Park
- Date: The Sunday closest to Hinamatsuri in March 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line, and Tokyo Skytree Line
- Admission: Free
In March, Ueno increasingly feels like spring, bringing new energy to the entire district. As temperatures rise from winter to spring in Japan, more people venture out into the streets, filling the neighborhood with a bright and cheerful atmosphere.
If you're visiting Ueno in March, try going on a bar hopping tour to discover the truly beloved spots in this vibrant district. Join a local guide for some izakaya around the area, and you'll understand why I love here.
・All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno
Honzon Jigene "Golden Dragon Dance" Performance
Source: e-asakusa.jp
The "Honzon Jigene 'Golden Dragon Dance' Performance" is held at Sensoji Temple on March 18th and October 18th every year. It's a spectacular event where a large golden dragon puppet parades through the Sensoji Temple grounds and Nakamise Street, attracting many spectators each time.
The golden dragon, which is said to protect the Kannon Buddha, is 18 meters long, weighs about 88 kg, and is operated by 8 people. This is based on the number "8," which is associated with the Kannon Buddha enshrined at Sensoji Temple.
The "Golden Dragon Dance Performance" began as a commemorative event to be passed down to the future when the main hall was rebuilt in 1958. The highlight is the dynamic movement of the golden dragon to the sound of flutes and gongs.
Please come and see the brave figure that looks as if it's alive in person!
<Information>
- Location: Sensoji Temple
- Date: March 18, 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line, and Tokyo Skytree Line
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp
Sakurabashi Flower Festival
Source: PR TIMES
The "Sakurabashi Flower Festival," held in late March, began as an event to revitalize the local community. Local shops and neighborhood associations set up stalls, offering a warm and friendly atmosphere closely tied to the region.
At the flea market, you can find homely Japanese souvenirs that are not available in tourist areas. Stage performances by children from local kindergartens and elementary schools are heartwarming and guaranteed to bring smiles.
Highlights include performances of traditional Tokyo art, *Kappore*, and *Awa Odori*, a famous Japanese dance. The unique choreography and lively music of *Kappore* will double your enjoyment if you join in the dancing!
Laying out a sheet on the grassy field and leisurely enjoying the festival is also highly recommended.
<Information>
- Location: Sumida Park
- Date: Late March 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza Line, Toei Asakusa Line, Tokyo Skytree Line)
- Admission: Free
- Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakurabashihanamatsuri/
