Early spring · Weather & things to do
Kyoto in March
Kyoto warms up: highs climb to 54°F (12°C), from 47°F in February, with lows of 37°F (3°C) and about 4.5 in (114 mm) of rain.
It scores 60/100 for comfort, 5th of 12, which makes it a solid shoulder-season month.
- Avg high
- 54°F (12°C)
- Avg low
- 37°F (3°C)
- Rain
- 4.5 in (114 mm)
- Humidity
- 81%
- Cloud cover
- 73%
- Daylight
- ~11 h 44 min
- Comfort score
- 60/100 · Good
What March feels like
Afternoons only reach about 54°F (12°C), so plan on a warm jacket.
Nights cool to an average low of 37°F (3°C).
Some rain is likely, about 4.5 in (114 mm) in the month, so pack for a shower or two.
Plan around March
March is shoulder season: good weather, a step below the best months (April & May and October & November).
- Comfort improves from 48/100 in February to 60/100.
- March sits inside the Mar – May window our Japan Golden Route recommends.
What to pack for March
- Insulated jackethighs only 54°F
- Packable rain jacket or umbrellaabout 4.5 in of rain
- Comfortable walking shoesmost places below are best reached on foot or with short walks
What to do in Kyoto in March
March is good outdoor weather here, so these picks lean toward the open air.
Hanamikoji Street
Gion's main lane of wooden teahouses where geiko and maiko are sometimes seen at dusk.
Why now March scores 60/100 for comfort, good conditions for being outside.
Fushimi Inari Taisha
Thousands of vermilion torii gates climbing Mount Inari behind the main shrine.
Why now Highs near 54°F and 4.5 in of monthly rain make this an easy outdoor pick.
Pontocho Alley
Narrow lantern-lit lane of restaurants and bars along the Kamo River.
Why now One to do outside while the weather is on your side.
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Path through towering bamboo stalks in western Kyoto's Sagano district.
Philosopher's Path
Canal-side walk lined with cherry trees between Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji.
Nearby in March
- Osaka in March~27 mi · highs 56°F, 4.6 in rain · 1°C (2°F) warmer by day, about as wet
- Tokyo in March~224 mi · highs 57°F, 4.5 in rain · 1°C (3°F) warmer by day, about as wet
NASA POWER 2001–2025 monthly averages on a ~50 km grid, temperatures adjusted from the grid cell's ~251 m to Kyoto's ~51 m elevation (standard lapse rate). Comfort scores weigh temperature, rain, humidity and cloud: see how we score each month. Check a forecast before you go.
Kyoto in March: quick answers
Is March a good time to visit Kyoto?
It's a good shoulder-season choice, scoring 60/100 against a best of 78 in April & May and October & November. Expect highs of 54°F (12°C) and 4.5 in (114 mm) of rain. March is inside the Mar – May window our Japan Golden Route recommends.
How cold is Kyoto in March?
Average highs are 54°F (12°C) and average lows 37°F (3°C), making it the 4th-coldest month by daytime highs.
Does it rain a lot in Kyoto in March?
Some: about 4.5 in (114 mm) of rain falls across March on average, the 5th-driest month of the year. The annual total is about 65.2 in (1657 mm).
What should I pack for Kyoto in March?
Bring insulated jacket (highs only 54°F), packable rain jacket or umbrella (about 4.5 in of rain) and comfortable walking shoes (most places below are best reached on foot or with short walks).
Routes in season in March
- Japan Golden Route Mar – May
Planning Kyoto in March?
Plan it together in TripsCircle: one itinerary, one shared packing list and costs split as you go.