Welcome to the latest installment of Voyapon’s series where we share some of the best under-the-radar events happening throughout Japan. Every month we give our readers the best events from Hokkaido to Okinawa and everywhere else in between. Find our list, below, of some amazing activities happening in March 2025.
Tokyo
March in Tokyo is a vibrant time filled with exciting events that welcome the arrival of spring. As cherry blossoms begin to bloom at the end of this month, the city comes alive with festivals, cultural celebrations, and seasonal attractions.
Paper City (February 28 – March 13)
Globally acclaimed documentary Paper City returns to Eigakan Stranger for the 80th anniversary of the 1945 Tokyo firebombing. This beautiful and intensely powerful film follows three survivors determined to preserve their memories before it’s too late. Directed by Tokyo-based Australian filmmaker Adrian Francis, Paper City examines what societies choose to remember — and what they forget. The re-release runs for two weeks with English subtitles. Stay updated on screening times, and secure your tickets, available three days before each screening. Watch the trailer here.
| When | February 28 – March 13 |
| Where | Eigakan Strange: 1F 3-7-1 Kikukawa, Sumida-ku, Tokyo |
| Admission Fee | 900 yen – 1,800 yen Buy the tickets here |
| Official Website | IG / FB / X: @papercitytokyo |
Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills Spring Promotions (March 1 – April 30)
Celebrate spring at Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills with superb seasonal offerings. Dine in the Sakura Garden, a rooftop retreat adorned with cherry blossoms. Savor a cherry blossom and strawberry-themed afternoon tea, indulge in sakura-inspired sweets, and unwind with a fragrant spa experience. Enjoy Perrier-Jouët Champagne at the Rooftop Bar or sip limited-time Sakura Mixology Cocktails. From highball happy hours to sakura-infused pastries, each experience captures the essence of spring, making it the perfect way to welcome the season in Tokyo.
| When | March 1 – April 30 |
| Where | Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills |
| Admission Fee | Sweets & Bubble – Sakura 1,850 yen |
| Official Website | https://restaurants.andaztokyo.jp/en/news/sweets_bubble_sakura |
Grand Hyatt Tokyo: Mimosa Dinner (March 1 – May 31)
One of the Japanese capital’s leading luxury hotels, Grand Hyatt Tokyo, is celebrating International Women’s Day at The French Kitchen with a special mimosa dinner course featuring vibrant yellow dishes like roast beef fillet and lemon tart. A selection of mimosa-themed dishes will also be available at the lunch buffet from March 1 to 8.
Starting March 20, The Oak Door Bar presents Sakurao gin cocktails, crafted with floral accents to welcome spring. Each cocktail highlights a unique Sakurao gin, including two limited-edition varieties, offering a refreshing and seasonal drinking experience.
| When | Mimosa Dinner: March 1 – May 31 Exclusive Mimosa Yellow Dishes: March 1 – March 8 |
| Where | Grand Hyatt Tokyo |
| Admission Fee | Mimosa Dinner: 9,900 yen per person |
| Official Website | https://www.tokyo.grand.hyatt.co.jp/en/restaurants/recommended/french-kitchen-mimosa-dinner/ |
AnimeJapan 2025 (March 22 – 25)
AnimeJapan 2025, the premier annual event for the Japanese animation industry, will be held at Tokyo Big Sight from March 22 to 25. The first two days are open to the public, while the latter two are reserved for industry professionals and media. Spanning eight large halls, the convention offers something for everyone — from exclusive merchandise and cosplay to live music performances. The Family AnimeFesta area ensures that even young fans can enjoy the festivities. Attendees can look forward to meeting voice actors, attending industry conferences, and exploring various facets of anime production and promotion.
| When | March 22 – 23 |
| Where | Tokyo Big Sight |
| Admission Fee | From 3,900 yen to 55,000 yen |
| Official Website | https://www.anime-japan.jp/en |
Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time (Until March 30)
The Museum of Contemporary Art Tokyo plays host to Ryuichi Sakamoto | seeing sound, hearing time, an exhibition honoring the groundbreaking composer and artist. Renowned for his innovative work, Sakamoto (1952–2023) explored sound and space, creating immersive installations in collaboration with various artists. This exhibition, Japan’s first large-scale showcase of his installation works, highlights both his iconic past creations and newly envisioned pieces. Experience the dynamic fusion of music and art, as his visionary concepts transform the museum into a space of sound and time.
| When | December 21 – March 30 |
| Where | Museum of Contemporary Art in Tokyo |
| Admission Fee | Adults: 2,400 yen University & College Students, Over 65: 1,700 yen High school & Junior High School Students: 960 yen Elementary School Students & Younger: free |
| Official Website | https://www.mot-art-museum.jp/en/exhibitions/RS |
Kanagawa
March in Kanagawa is a lively month filled with cultural events celebrating international influences.
St. Patrick’s Day Parade Yokohama Motomachi 2025 (March 15)
St. Patrick’s Day is the annual excuse to swill as many pints of creamy Guinness as possible all in the name of Ireland’s patron saint. This year, Yokohama Motomachi will host a vibrant festival celebrating the arrival of spring in the Emerald Isle. Enjoy lively Irish music and dance performances, as well as unique parades showcasing the charm of each participating group. Step into the spirit of Ireland and escape the ordinary for a day of festive fun!
| When | March 15 |
| Where | Yokohama Motomachi |
| Admission Fee | Free admission |
| Official Website | https://www.welcome.city.yokohama.jp/eventinfo/ev_detail.php?bid=yw5338 |
Kyoto
March in Kyoto is a vibrant celebration of cherry blossoms and Japanese culture. Temples and gardens host stunning illuminations, tea ceremonies, and hanami gatherings, as well as exhibitions.
Lights of the Beyond, Shadows of this World by Mika Ninagawa (Until March 30)
Renowned photographer and filmmaker Mika Ninagawa, alongside her creative team EiM, presents NINAGAWA Mika with EiM: Lights of the beyond, Shadows of this world at the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art until March 30. This immersive exhibition, her largest ever in the Kansai region, blends original video installations and three-dimensional displays. Inspired by Kyoto, Ninagawa and EiM craft ten Japanese scroll painting experiences. Amid global uncertainty, this exhibition encourages visitors to reflect on their inner selves, offering a deeply personal and transformative artistic journey.
| When | January 11 – March 30 |
| Where | Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art |
| Admission Fee | Advanced tickets: Adults: 2,100 yen University & College Students: 1,400 yen High school: 900 yen Elementary and Junior School Students: 600 |
| Official Website | https://ninagawa-eim2025kyoto.jp/en |
Shiga
Kyoto’s neighbor Shiga Prefecture offers one of the country’s most visually stunning events in March.
Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival (March 15 – 16)
The Omihachiman Sagicho Fire Festival, held near Kyoto in March, is a vibrant celebration featuring massive red floats, vivid with motifs representing the lunar calendar. The festival’s origins are debated, linked either to Oda Nobunaga or his castle’s destruction. Communities surrounding Nobunaga’s former castle spend months building intricate Sagicho floats. During the event, participants, dressed as women, engage in float battles, culminating in a fiery finale where the floats are burned, and revelers dance in the glowing embers.
| When | March 15 – March 16 |
| Where | Omihachiman Town |
| Admission Fee | Free admission |
| Official Website | https://www.omi8.com/welcome-e/sagicho-festival/ |
Niigata
March in Niigata may still have a fair amount of snow, but the wait for cherry blossoms is filled with beautiful seasonal events.
Tsunan Snow Festival (March 8)
The Tsunan Snow Festival, held every March since 1974, celebrates the town’s heavy snowfall with winter activities like snow biking, snow banana boating, and a unique fire-wielding tengu performance. The event’s highlight is the release of thousands of sky lanterns into the night sky. The festival also features snowboard competitions, local bands, and food stalls serving regional delicacies. To attend, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Iiyama Station, then transfer to Tsunan Station. Plan your return carefully, as trains stop before the event ends.
| When | March 8 |
| Where | Tsunan, Niigata |
| Admission Fee | Free admission, but advance tickets are necessary for parking. |
| Official Website | https://enjoyniigata.com/en/event/2094 |
Osaka
While waiting for the cherry blossoms, visitors in Osaka can enjoy various events.
The Osaka Bungu Joshi Haku Stationery Festival (March 6 – 9)
The Osaka Stationery Expo 2025, Japan’s largest stationery festival, will be held, this year, at the Osaka ATC Hall. With over 600,000 attendees and 50,000 items on display, including pens, notebooks, and diaries, it promises an unforgettable experience for stationery lovers. The event offers a chance to explore, purchase, and enjoy stationery items, while also learning from business representatives. Located near Osaka Port, visitors can also explore the scenic surroundings after the event.
| When | March 6 – March 9 |
| Where | Osaka ATC Hall |
| Admission Fee | 950 – 1,050 yen Buy your ticket here |
| Official Website | https://bungujoshi.com/ |
Nara
For our last recommendation this month we travel to the beautiful and traditional prefecture of Nara, where they welcome spring with an ancient festival.
Omizutori Festival (March 1 – 14)
The Omizutori Festival is a centuries-old ritual held annually in Nara marking the beginning of spring. This sacred event takes place at Todai-ji Temple in March, where monks perform purification ceremonies to ensure the safety and prosperity of the community. The highlight is the “Oni-Yarai” ceremony, where large torches are carried through the temple grounds, creating a stunning display of fire and light. Omizutori is deeply rooted in Japanese Buddhist tradition and attracts visitors worldwide.
| When | March 1 – March 14 |
| Where | Todaiji Temple |
| Admission Fee | Free admission |
| Official Website | https://www.todaiji.or.jp/en/annual/event/shunie/ |
Make sure to visit one of these lesser-known festivals, events, films, and exhibitions during your trip to Japan in March to make your trip in 2025 a very special experience.
