Mar12027
Todai-ji Omizutori (Shunie)
Two weeks of repentance rites at Todai-ji's Nigatsu-do, famous for giant torches swung from the hall's balcony each night.
20 events start this month
What's on in Japan in March 2027.
Festivals, fireworks, illuminations and seasonal events starting in March 2027, checked against official sources.
Mar12027
Todaiji Shuni-e (Omizutori / Otaimatsu torch ceremonies)
The 1,270-year-old Shuni-e penance rite whose nightly otaimatsu, giant pine torches swung from the Nigatsudo balcony, shower sparks over the crowd.
Mar72027
Kagoshima Marathon 2027
Kagoshima's bayside marathon with Sakurajima smoking across the water, 10,000 runners plus a fun run; the 2027 edition is branded for the Saigo Takamori anniversaries.
Mar72027
Tokyo Marathon
Marathon through central Tokyo from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building to Tokyo Station.
Mar112027
Art Fair Tokyo 2027 (21st edition)
Japan's largest art fair holds its 21st edition at Tokyo International Forum, 11 to 14 March 2027.
Mar132027
Niigata Sake no Jin
Japan's largest single-prefecture sake fair: all 80-odd Niigata breweries pour unlimited tastings of around 500 sakes over two days. Launched 2004 by the Niigata Sake Brewers Association.
Mar132027
Omihachiman Sagicho Matsuri
Nationally designated folk festival from Oda Nobunaga's Azuchi: huge sagicho torches decorated with sculptures made of dried foods are paraded, crashed together in 'kenka' bouts and burned at 20:00 on the second day.
Mar132027
Tsunan Snow Festival
A one-day snow festival in Tsunan, one of the snowiest towns in Japan, ending with the release of around 2,000 sky lanterns over the snow.
Mar142027
Haru Grand Sumo Tournament 2027
The March grand sumo tournament: 15 days at EDION Arena Osaka.
Mar142027
Nagoya Women's Marathon 2027
The world's largest women-only marathon, with about 22,000 runners starting and finishing at Vantelin Dome Nagoya.
Mar142027
Tottori Marathon 2027
A JAAF-certified point-to-point marathon starting at the Tottori Sand Dunes and running along the San'in coast and the Inaba Manyo countryside to Tottori city.
Mar192027
99th National High School Baseball Invitational Tournament (Spring Koshien / Senbatsu)
The spring invitational of 32 top high school teams at the sacred Koshien ground, opening the Japanese baseball year with brass bands and cheering squads.
Mar192027
Dogo Onsen Festival
Spring festival at Dogo Onsen in Matsuyama heralding the arrival of spring and giving thanks for the hot spring.
Mar242027
DIVA (National Art Center Tokyo x V&A)
The V&A's blockbuster DIVA exhibition comes to Tokyo, tracing 100 singers and performers from opera to pop, co-organised with Sony Music Entertainment in NACT's 20th-anniversary year.
Mar252027
Chidorigafuchi Cherry Blossom Illumination (Chiyoda Sakura Festival)
About 230 cherry trees over the Imperial Palace moat, lit at night, with rowing boats under the blossom.
Mar262027
Mount Yoshino Cherry Blossom Season
Some 30,000 cherry trees climb Mount Yoshino in four waves, Japan's most famous blossom mountain.
Mar272027
AnimeJapan
One of the world's largest anime events, held at Tokyo Big Sight with two public days.
Mar272027
Kashima Sakagura Tourism and Hizen Hamashuku Flower & Sake Festival
A spring weekend when Saga's Kashima breweries, including Fukuchiyo (maker of cult sake Nabeshima), open their kura along the Edo-era Hizen Hamashuku street, with 100,000 visitors tasting and buying.
Mar272027
Naka-Meguro Cherry Blossom Festival (Meguro River)
A weekend festival under about 800 cherry trees arching over the Meguro River canal in Nakameguro.
Mar272027
Tsuyama Cherry Blossom Festival
About 1,000 cherry trees over the tiered stone walls of Tsuyama Castle, western Japan's leading blossom site.