March in Kyoto averages highs of 14 °C (57 °F) and lows of 3 °C (37 °F), with about 9 rainy days and 11 h 52 min of daylight.
March weather in Kyoto at a glance
average high to low each dot ≈ 3 rainy days
Is March a good time to visit Kyoto?
Tough month: cold and some rain. March is usually high season in Kyoto: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
Our rule: a month scores 2 points for comfortable average highs of 18–28 °C (1 point for 14–18 or 28–32 °C) and 2 points for 5 or fewer rainy days (1 point for 6–10). Average highs above 35 °C or below 8 °C make it a tough month whatever the rain. A rainy day here means 2 mm of rain or more. 4 points = great, 3 = good, 2 = mixed, 0–1 = tough.
Holidays and events in March 2026
- Fri 20 Mar: Vernal Equinox Day (春分の日) public holiday
- Cherry blossom season usually starts in late March event
Banks and many shops close on public holidays, and museums may change their hours, so check before you go.
Things to do in Kyoto in March
March's weather suits a mix of outdoor sights and museums, so the open-air ones come first.
- Fushimi Inari shrine — climb past the first gates to lose the crowds outdoors
- Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama — early morning outdoors
- Arashiyama bamboo grove — before 8am outdoors
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) outdoors
- Gion at dusk — teahouse streets outdoors
- Nishiki Market — lunch on the go indoors
Where to stay: Near Kyoto Station for transport; Gion or Higashiyama for old streets; Nakagyo for food.
What to pack for Kyoto in March
- A warm jacket and layers; evenings drop to around 3 °C (37 °F).
- An umbrella or a light waterproof: about 9 days this month see real rain.
- Comfortable walking shoes.
What a day in Kyoto costs
| Budget traveller | Mid-range | |
|---|---|---|
| Typical total per person, per day | €60–130 | €160–330 |
Excluding flights. March is usually high season in Kyoto: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest.
March in nearby cities
| City | High / low | Rainy days | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 14° / 5° | 10 | Mixed weather |
| Bangkok | 33° / 26° | 6 | Tough month |
| Singapore | 30° / 24° | 20 | Tough month |
Plan your Kyoto trip
Want the whole trip planned? Join the Journey waitlist: tell it where, when and your budget, and it plans every day hour by hour.
FAQ
Is March a good time to visit Kyoto?
By the numbers, March is a tough month: cold and some rain, with average highs of 14 °C (57 °F) and about 9 rainy days. March is usually high season in Kyoto: book rooms early, as prices are typically at their highest. The best months for weather are April, May, October.
How warm is Kyoto in March?
Average highs are 14 °C (57 °F) and lows 3 °C (37 °F) (2015–2024 averages).
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in March?
Expect about 9 days with 2 mm of rain or more, about 123 mm in total. It is the 5th driest month of the year in Kyoto.
Sources: climate averages from Open-Meteo historical weather (ERA5 reanalysis, 2015–2024); sea temperatures from the Open-Meteo marine API (2023–2024); public holidays from Nager.Date. Daylight is calculated for the 15th of the month. Averages are a guide, not a forecast. Costs are typical ranges per person per day, excluding flights.