Kyoto in March 2027 — Festivals & Events

3 events in Kyoto during March. Rooms near the biggest festivals go first, so book your stay as soon as your dates are set.

🎪 Matsuri Festivals

Kiyomizu-dera Spring Night Special Viewing

Late March to early April (2026 edition: March 27 to April 5; 2027 dates not yet announced)

Kiyomizu-dera holds a spring night special viewing (haru no yakan tokubetsu haikan) during the cherry blossom season. In 2026 it ran from March 27 to April 5, with the gate closing at 21:30 and last entry at 21:00. The temple's event page gives the cherry blossom peak as the second half of March to early April, varying by year.

Access: About 10 minutes on foot from the Gojozaka bus stop (city bus 206 or 100 from Kyoto Station).

See details →

🏨 Hotels nearby🎟 Tours & tickets

Nagashi-bina (Doll Floating) at Shimogamo Shrine

March 3

Shimogamo Shrine marks the Hinamatsuri doll festival on March 3 with Nagashi-bina, in which small dolls are set afloat on the Mitarashi River in the Tadasu no Mori woods. Kyoto's tourism site explains that the dolls are placed on boats made of straw and floated downstream to pray for the health of children.

Access: Demachiyanagi Station (Keihan Line), about 12 minutes on foot

See details →

🏨 Hotels nearby🎟 Tours & tickets

Nijo-jo Castle Sakura Festival and Night Illumination

Mid-to-late March to mid-April (2027 dates not yet announced)

Kyoto City holds the Nijo-jo Castle Sakura Festival each spring, with a night program of cherry blossom illumination and projection mapping. The 2025 festival ran from mid-March to mid-April, and the 2026 night event, SAKURA NIGHTS, ran from March 19 to April 19. The castle's website refers to a 2027 night program, but the 2027 dates have not been announced.

Access: Nijojo-mae Station (Tozai Line); about 17 minutes on foot from JR Nijo Station

See details →

🏨 Hotels nearby🎟 Tours & tickets