March marks the beginning of spring in Japan, a season which brings along sunny days, pleasant weather, and blooming flowers. Of these flowers none is more iconic than the cherry blossom, which begins to bloom in the latter half of the month. And while Hiroshima, and Japan as a whole, does start getting quite busy as the "full bloom" date approaches, the rest of March is still fairly quiet and peaceful. Thus, we consider the early March a great time to visit Hiroshima Prefecture.
Below you can find all the information you might need to plan a visit to Hiroshima during this month. We've included helpful tips about what to wear, where to stay, and special events to look out for so you can have a successful and enjoyable trip!
Weather in March
March temperatures typically range from 5ºC to 14ºC (41ºF to 57ºF). The days are mostly sunny but can still be considered fairly cold and windy. Temperatures can also fluctuate a lot throughout the day, with afternoons feeling pleasantly warm and evenings requiring sweaters or jackets. The weather gradually changes throughout the month, getting progressively warmer as the vernal equinox approaches.
If you are planning to visit Hiroshima during March, make sure to focus on layers which can be easily removed or put on throughout the day. While heavy coats and winter attire are not necessary by this point, a light jacket and scarf are still recommended.
Festivals & Events in March
Miyajima Hinamatsuri
- March 15th - April 3rd
- Miyajima Island
Hinamatsuri, also known as "Girl's Day" in English, is a festival celebrated in Japan every year on the 3rd of March. The purpose of this festival is to pray for the health, happiness, and prosperity of young girls. In the weeks leading up to the festival you will be able to find beautiful doll displays on platforms covered with red carpet all throughout Japan. These dolls are known as hina-ningyō and represent nobles and members of the court during the Heian period (794-1185), they are also the traditional decoration of this festival.
Some displays are put up as early as mid-February, and many are taken down by the first week of March; however, on the island of Miyajima these dolls are displayed in various locations from the 15th of March till April 3rd. This is a unique sight that can only be observed around this time of the year so we you take the time to enjoy these elaborate displays when visiting Miyajima in March.
Seasonal Highlights in March
Cherry Blossoms
As mentioned previously, cherry blossoms begin to bloom in the latter half of March in most of Japan. Hiroshima is no exception and flowering is expected to start around the 22nd of said month, with the forecasted full bloom date being April 1st. As the prefecture becomes enveloped in the varying shades of pink, you will begin to see people enjoying picnics under cherry blossom trees as part of a tradition known as “hanami” (flower viewing). We encourage visitors to put aside some time to partake in this tradition as well and admire the blossoms in the "local" way.
To discover the best locations to enjoy cherry blossoms in Hiroshima, you can check out our "Cherry Blossoms in Hiroshima: When and Where to Enjoy the 2026 Season" article linked below.
Featured Tours in March
1-Day Miyajima Tour: One of Japan's Most Scenic Spots
Miyajima is one of the top places in Hiroshima to enjoy cherry blossoms, thus we highly recommend visiting the island in late March. As it is a very popular location, Miyajima can get a bit crowded when the trees are in full bloom, but the breathtaking sights of the cherry blossoms more than make up for this. Our 1-day tour, which combines visits to shrines and temples on the island with a ropeway ride towards the summit of Mount Misen, is the best way to thoroughly enjoy the history and scenic beauty of Miyajima.
Highlights:
- Visit the iconic Itsukushima Shrine, a UNESCO World Heritage Site
- Observe the "floating" torii gate at both low and high tide
- Ride the Miyajima Ropeway and take in the stunning sights from inside the cable car
- Marvel at the view of the Seto Inland Sea from the top of Mt. Misen
1-Day Tour: Onomichi Temples Exploration & Saijo Sake Tasting
Onomichi, a city located on the eastern part of Hiroshima Prefecture, is well-known for its scenic beauty and picturesque landscape. It is also a fantastic location to enjoy cherry blossoms in a less crowded environment.
On this tour, guests can explore some of Onomichi's famous Buddhist temples while admiring the stunning views of this coastal city. Additionally, on the way to Onomichi there is a stop by the town of Saijo, one of Japan's sake capitals, where guests will be able to learn about the process of sake brewing and do some sake tasting.
Highlights:
- Admire the picturesque landscape of Onomichi, the “miniature garden” city
- Experience the Mt. Senkoji Ropeway and take in the stunning sights from inside the cable cart
- Tour the Japanese Buddhist temples Senkoji and Saikokuji
- Enjoy sake tasting in Saijo, one of Japan's sake capitals
- Gain a thorough understanding of the sake making process
1-Day Iwakuni Tour: Kintaikyo Bridge, Castle Town & Seal Engraving Experience
For those who are spending multiple days in Hiroshima and are looking for unique experiences within and around the prefecture, we recommend our 1-Day Iwakuni tour. Starting from Hiroshima Station, visitors who join this tour will be able to travel to the city of Iwakuni which is located within the neighboring Yamaguchi Prefecture. There, you can admire the iconic Kintaikyo Bridge, on e of the three most famous bridges in Japan, and one of the most famous wooden ones in the world.
On this tour you will also be able to enjoy a ropeway ride to Iwakuni Castle and partake in the unique experience of creating a personal stamp in a seal engraving workshop. We recommend booking in March due to the vast amount of cherry blossoms which surround Kintaikyo Bridge and make a visit to Iwakuni even more outstanding and unforgettable.
- Admire and cross the Kintaikyo Bridge, one of the most famous bridges in the world
- Marvel at the view of the city from the Iwakuni Ropeway
- Explore Iwakuni Castle and its surroundings at the top of Mount Shiroyama
- Create your own original stamp in a seal engraving experience
Tips for Visiting & Travel in March
- Cherry Blossom Season Crowds – Places are particularly crowded in the last week of March due to cherry blossom season. Avoid visiting popular locations such as Miyajima during weekends as they will be overrun by both locals and foreigners.
- Hiroshima Castle Permanent Closure – Hiroshima Castle will close permanently after March 22nd, 2026. While viewing the castle from the outside will still be possible after closure, those wishing to enter the museum inside will have until the 22nd to do so.
- What to Wear – Long-sleeved tops, light sweaters or jackets, and long length bottoms. Layering is important as temperatures fluctuate throughout the day with sunny afternoons being somewhat warm and nights fairly chilly.
Where to Stay in March
Hiroshima offers a good variety of accommodations, with a decent range of prices and different types of lodging such as hostels, hotels, and ryokans. Below are some suggestions of good areas to stay at within and outside of the city.
- Near Peace Memorial Park – Booking a hotel near Peace Memorial Park will not only place guests close to the city's most highlighted location, but also right in the city center. If you stay here near the end of March you will be able to enjoy the vast amount of cherry blossom trees around the park.
- Miyajima Ryokan & Inns – Many of the traditional hotels on the island have onsen facilities which pair perfectly with March's chilly weather. Beware that accommodation prices might start to get more expensive for the last week of the month.
- Around Hiroshima Station – Most visitors will arrive to and leave from Hiroshima Prefecture via Hiroshima Station. Many tours, including ours, also have the station as their meeting point. Thus, this is an extremely convenient location with a great variety of hotels to choose from.
For more guidance and thorough details, see our 30 Things to Do Around Hiroshima & Where to Stay page.
Plan Your March Visit
As Japan starts getting busier and entering peak tourist season in March, Hiroshima can be an escape from all of the crowds and noise of the bigger cities. Things are seldom sold out and it is possible to get great accommodations for reasonable prices. If you are thinking of joining any tours during this time we do suggest booking at least a month in advance, but this is not completely necessary. Taking these things into account along with the fairly pleasant weather, March is probably one of the best months to plan a visit to Hiroshima.
Ready to discover Hiroshima in March? Take a look through our other tours offered in Hiroshima and its surrounding area to discover the wide range of locations and experiences you can enjoy when visiting Hiroshima.
