March in Kyoto is a secret the city keeps from summer tourists. While the world waits for peak cherry blossom season in late March and April, the first two weeks of the month offer something arguably more magical: ancient ceremonies marking the end of winter, temple grounds bathed in ethereal light, the scent of fresh sake, and the first tentative blossoms appearing on early-blooming plum and cherry trees. The crowds are thinner, the air is crisp, and Kyoto feels like it belongs to you.
Spring Temple Illuminations: Kodaiji & Beyond
Every year, Kyoto's most iconic temples throw open their gates after dark for special spring illuminations. Kodaiji Temple, perched on the slopes of Higashiyama, is one of the finest. Starting March 13, its Spring Special Visit & Night Visit transforms the temple gardens into a dreamscape of light and shadow. The bamboo grove glows green, the reflecting pond mirrors illuminated cherry trees, and projection art plays across the garden's raked gravel.
Nearby, Kodai-ji Temple's Special Nighttime Opening also begins March 13 and runs through Golden Week. The two temples are close enough to visit in one evening — start at one, stroll through the lantern-lit streets of Higashiyama, and finish at the other.
📍 Kodaiji Temple on the map | 📍 Kodai-ji Temple on the map
Tip: Arrive around 5:30 PM for sunset views before the lights switch on at 6 PM. Weekday evenings are significantly less crowded than weekends.
Toji Temple: Cherry Blossoms Under the Five-Story Pagoda
Toji Temple's Nighttime Cherry Blossom Illumination begins March 14 and is one of Kyoto's most photographed spring scenes. The massive weeping cherry tree — over 13 meters tall — is lit from below, creating a cascade of pink against the silhouette of Japan's tallest wooden pagoda. The special nighttime viewing of the Kondo and Kodo Halls adds a rare chance to see National Treasure Buddhist sculptures by candlelight.
Access: 5 minutes on foot from Toji Station (Kintetsu Line). The monthly Kobo-san flea market on the 21st is also worth timing your visit around.
The Nirvana Ceremony (Nehan-e) at Tofukuji
On March 14–16, Tofukuji Temple holds its annual Nirvana Ceremony (涅槃会), commemorating the passing of the historical Buddha. The temple displays its massive Nehan-zu — a painting of the reclining Buddha surrounded by grieving disciples and animals — that stretches across the main hall. It is one of the largest Nirvana paintings in Japan and is only shown to the public during this brief window.
This is the kind of event that makes March special: deeply traditional, rarely seen, and free of the tour-bus crowds that descend on Kyoto later in spring.
Seiryu-e: The Blue Dragon of Kiyomizudera
On March 15, Kiyomizudera hosts the Seiryu-e (青龍会), a ceremony in which a 18-meter blue dragon is paraded through the temple grounds by monks. According to temple legend, a blue dragon descends nightly to drink from the Otowa waterfall. The procession, accompanied by chanting and incense, winds through the temple complex with the dragon held aloft on poles. It is theatrical, spiritual, and utterly unique.
Tip: The ceremony starts at 2 PM. Get there by 1 PM for a good viewing spot near the main hall.
Fushimi Sake Festival
On March 14, the Fushimi Sake Festival 2026 celebrates Kyoto's famous sake brewing district. Fushimi is home to over 20 sake breweries, including Gekkeikan and Kizakura, and the festival offers tastings from many of them. The district itself — with its willow-lined canals, historic warehouses, and the Teradaya inn where Sakamoto Ryoma was attacked — makes for a wonderful half-day excursion.
📍 Gekkeikan Showagura on the map
Access: Chushojima Station (Keihan Line) or Momoyama-goryo-mae Station (Kintetsu Line).
Ikenobo Spring Ikebana Exhibition
From March 13–16, the 2026 Ikenobo Spring Exhibition at the Ikenobo Headquarters showcases Japan's oldest school of flower arrangement. Founded over 550 years ago, Ikenobo is the original ikebana tradition, and the spring exhibition fills the headquarters on Rokkaku Street with works ranging from traditional rikka compositions to modern free-form arrangements using seasonal spring flowers.
📍 Ikenobo Headquarters on the map
Kitano Odori: Geiko & Maiko Dance
Starting March 20, the Kitano Odori brings geiko and maiko from the Kamishichiken district to the stage for their annual spring dance performance. Kamishichiken is Kyoto's oldest geisha district and the most intimate — performances here feel closer and more personal than the larger Miyako Odori in Gion. Tea is served before the show, and you may catch maiko in full regalia walking to the theater.
📍 Kamishichiken Kaburenjo Theater on the map
Tickets: Around ¥5,500 with tea ceremony; book in advance as performances sell out.
Okazaki Cherry Blossom Corridor Cruise
From March 20, the Okazaki Cherry Blossom Corridor Jikkokubune Cruise offers a unique perspective on early cherry blossoms from a flat-bottomed boat gliding along the Lake Biwa Canal. The 3-kilometer stretch between Nanzenji and Heian Shrine is lined with over 400 cherry trees, and viewing them from water level as petals drift onto the surface is one of Kyoto's most photogenic spring experiences.
📍 Okazaki Boarding Point on the map
Tip: Early-season rides (late March) offer blossoms without the April crowds.
Planning Your Trip
When to go: The sweet spot is March 13–20, when most events overlap.
Getting around: A one-day Kyoto bus pass (¥700) covers most temple areas. For the Fushimi district, use the Keihan Line. Evening illuminations are best reached by bus or taxi.
Where to stay: Higashiyama puts you within walking distance of Kodaiji, Kiyomizudera, and Yasaka Shrine. For a quieter experience, consider staying near Tofukuji — close to the station and less touristy.
What to pack: March temperatures range from 5–15°C. Layers are essential. Evenings at temple illuminations can be cold — bring a warm coat.
Dining: Try yudofu (simmered tofu) near Nanzenji, matcha sweets in Uji (a short train ride south), or sake-paired kaiseki in Fushimi.
Image: Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
