Best Events Japan March 2026

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 2026.

Tokyo

In March 2026, Tokyo hosts seasonal spring dining and sakura-themed experiences at venues including Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills, Le Pristine Tokyo, and Grand Hyatt Tokyo, alongside special guest-chef events. Visitors can also explore contemporary art exhibitions, including Robert Nava’s show at Pace Gallery.

Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills Spring Promotions 2026 (Ongoing)

Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills welcomes spring 2026 with a heady celebration of cherry blossoms through a curated lineup of seasonal dining, drinks, sweets, and wellness experiences. Highlights include the Rooftop Bar’s Sakura Garden and Yozakura Premium View Plan, offering champagne, seasonal canapés, and illuminated cherry blossom views high above Tokyo, alongside limited-edition Tipsy Sakura Cocktails blending Japanese ingredients with global influences. The Tavern – Grill & Lounge features a Sakura Strawberry Afternoon Tea, seasonal highballs, and a Spring Apéritif with free-flow champagne and sakura-inspired canapés. Sweet offerings extend to the Pastry Shop’s Under Blossom collection, while BeBu revives its popular Sakura Ebi Katsu Burger with yuzu kosho accents. Completing the experience, AO Spa & Club introduces the Sakura Ritual, a restorative treatment using cherry blossom aromas and organic products to ease seasonal transition. Together, these offerings present a refined, sensory celebration of hanami in the heart of Tokyo. 

When	March/ April 2026
Where	Andaz Tokyo Toranomon Hills at Toranomon Hills Mori Tower
Admission Fee	Afternoon Tea starting from 7,800 yen
Official Website	https://restaurants.andaztokyo.jp/en/special/special-springpromotion2026

Italian Regions at Le Pristine (From March 1)

Michelin-starred chef Sergio Herman will launch Italian Regions, a year-long culinary series at Le Pristine Tokyo in Hotel Toranomon Hills beginning March 1, 2026. Designed as a gastronomic journey across Italy, the program explores regional traditions through menus inspired by Herman’s travels and collaborations with local producers. Each edition reinterprets classic Italian dishes using seasonal Japanese ingredients and the maritime influences of Zeeland, his Dutch homeland.

The inaugural focus on Lazio and Abruzzo highlights pastoral cheeses, cured meats, artichokes, lamb, and bold rustic flavors, presented through a contemporary six-course menu featuring dishes such as Carciofi alla Romana, a reimagined seafood-inflected carbonara, and braised lamb. Sommelier-curated wine pairings emphasize regional character. New regions will be introduced every two months, culminating in a nationwide culinary tour through early 2027. The series reflects Herman’s philosophy that storytelling and cultural exchange deepen the dining experience, positioning cuisine as an immersive exploration of place, season, and tradition.

When	March 1 to April 30
Where	Hotel Toranomon Hills 2-6-4, Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo 105-0001
Admission Fee	6-Course Menu 18,700 yen Wine Pairing 8,800 yen
Official Website	https://lepristinetokyo.com/en/news/Le-Pristine-Restaurant-Tokyo-Itarlian-region-march-EN

Grand Hyatt Tokyo Hosts Chef Jimmy Wei from Park Hyatt Hangzhou’s Michelin-selected Dining Room (March 11 to March 15)

Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s Chinese restaurant Chinaroom will host acclaimed Hangzhou chef Jimmy Wei for an exclusive guest residency from March 11–15, offering diners a rare taste of Zhejiang cuisine in Tokyo. Chef Wei, Chinese Chef at Park Hyatt Hangzhou’s Michelin-selected Dining Room, brings more than two decades of experience and numerous accolades, including recognition in Forbes China’s “30Chefs” list and consistent ratings in the prestigious Black Pearl Restaurant Guide. During the residency, Wei will present specially curated lunch and dinner courses highlighting regional specialties and his signature cold dishes, alongside standout creations such as the award-winning fish ball soup. The collaboration continues Chinaroom’s tradition of inviting prominent chefs to showcase China’s diverse culinary heritage. After Wei’s visit, select dishes will remain on the menu through April, extending the experience. The event underscores Grand Hyatt Tokyo’s commitment to delivering distinctive dining experiences rooted in authenticity and innovation.

When	March 11 to March 15
Where	Grand Hyatt Tokyo 6-10-3, Roppongi, Minato, 106-0032 Tokyo
Admission Fee	Lunch Course 8,800 yen Signature Dinner Course 17,600 yen Dinner Course 12,100 yen
Official Website	https://www.tokyo.grand.hyatt.co.jp/en/restaurants/recommended/chinaroom/park-hyatt-hangzhou/

Robert Nava: Supercharger at Pace Gallery (Until April 1)

Pace Gallery will present Robert Nava: Supercharger, the artist’s first solo exhibition in Japan, at its Tokyo space from February 19 to April 1. The show features paintings and works on paper produced between 2023 and 2026, filled with fantastical creatures, angels, and hybrid beings that evoke both playful imagination and darker existential themes. Nava’s energetic use of color and gestural mark-making blurs boundaries between figuration and abstraction, creating compositions that are inviting yet unsettling. Alongside large canvases, the exhibition highlights his drawing practice, revealing how sketching informs, but does not dictate, his painting process. Drawing on art history, mythology, popular culture, and sources ranging from classical painting to Pokémon, Nava explores tensions between humor and tragedy, innocence and experience. Born in 1985, the American artist has exhibited internationally and is held in major museum collections worldwide. The exhibition underscores Pace’s ongoing commitment to presenting influential contemporary voices within its global program.

When	Until April 1
Where	Azabudai Hills Garden Plaza-A 5-8-1 Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo 105-0001
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://www.pacegallery.com/exhibitions/robert-nava-supercharger/

INJURY and REAL PARENT present SYNTHETIC ANCESTRY at UltraSuperNew Kura (March 14 to March 27)

Marking their Tokyo debut, INJURY and REAL PARENT present a sweeping survey of their evolving practice, moving between ultra-high-definition virtual worlds and solid, 3D-printed metal and chrome resin sculptures.  At the heart of the exhibition is INTERHUMANA, a series that uses the symbol of the heart to explore the tension between human instinct and artificial intelligence: a transparent brain-heart for wisdom, a black heart for synthetic consciousness, and a red heart for raw emotion. The new animation Silver Souls extends this inquiry into the unseen energies powering digital life, while DIGITAL HEARTBURN features aluminum hearts reflecting privacy loss and cashless economies. Blurring art and fashion through heart-shaped bags and sculptural objects, the exhibition questions value, identity, and what remains when physical currency disappears, leaving only data and reflection. 

When	March 14 to March 27
Where	UltraSuperNew Kura
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://kura.ultrasupernew.com/pages/exhibitions

Niigata

In March, visitors to Tsubame in Niigata can enjoy early spring with cherry-blossom viewing, festive illuminations, and traditional parades celebrating the start of sakura season in the nothern parts of Japan.

Tsubame Sakura Festival (March 20 to April 19)

The Tsubame Sakura Festival celebrates the arrival of spring in Niigata with vibrant cherry blossoms and traditional cultural experiences. Held from March 20 to April 19, the festival centers on the beautiful cherry trees planted as part of the Okozu Diversion waterworks project, where about 1,500 sakura trees line the scenic path and create a spectacular spring atmosphere.

A highlight of the festival is the Bunsui Oiran Procession, where three elaborately dressed oiran (courtesans) and their attendants walk through the sakura-lined area in ornate costumes, offering a glimpse into historical pageantry.

Visitors can enjoy nighttime cherry blossom illumination at key locations, including the Okozu Diversion Sakura Path and JR Bunsui Station area, creating a magical evening ambiance.

Special train services such as the Night Sakura ShuKura and Bunsui Oiran Train run on select dates, enhancing the festival experience with seasonal views.

Admission is free, and the festival takes place across various spots in Tsubame City, Niigata.

When	March 20 to April 19
Where	Tsubame City
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://niigata-kankou.or.jp/event/12319

Kyoto

Visitors to Kyoto can experience the lively Fushimi Sake Festival in the historic Fushimi brewing district, with regional sake tastings and local food celebrating spring traditions in March at venues such as Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum.

Fushimi Sake Festival (March 14)

The Fushimi Sake Festival is a lively spring event in Fushimi, Kyoto, one of Japan’s most famous sake-brewing regions, held each March to celebrate and share the rich traditions of local sake. In 2026 it will take place on Saturday, March 14, at the historic Gekkeikan Showa Kura, where visitors can sample sake from 18 breweries. Attendees receive vouchers for four sake tastings (additional refills available) and can enjoy tasty food from local stalls curated to pair well with the drinks. The festival runs in multiple sessions throughout the day, limiting crowd sizes for a comfortable experience. Beyond tasting, the festival often links with other local happenings, including brewery tours, shopping district stamp rallies, and food events, making it a great way to explore Fushimi’s sake culture and community each spring.

When	March 14
Where	Gekkeikan Showa Kura 00-1 Kataharacho, Fushimi, Kyoto 612-8361
Admission Fee	1,800 yen
Official Website	https://www.fushimi.or.jp/sakefes/

Fukushima

Throughout March, Fukushima Prefecture hosts the Song of the Earth 311 gatherings, bringing people together at sites such as J-Village for candlelight tributes, cultural performances, and community events honoring remembrance and recovery.

The Song of the Earth 311 – FUKUSHIMA 2026 Festival (March 10 to March 11)

The Song of the Earth 311 – FUKUSHIMA 2026 festival is an annual event in Fukushima Prefecture held on and around March 11, 2026, to honor the memory of the Great East Japan Earthquake and to celebrate ongoing recovery and community strength. The festival takes place mainly at J-ヴィレッジ (J-Village) in Naraha Town, with activities extending to areas like Futaba Station East Plaza.

Organized by the support group LOVE FOR NIPPON, this year’s program includes the SONG OF THE EARTH 311 Festival, CANDLE 11th candle-lighting, a giant 夢の大凧あげ (dream kite flying), sports events like SOTE CUP FC11 and basketball, and community gatherings that blend reflection with joy and hope.

On March 10, a SOTE Symposium and candle night at Futaba’s station plaza take place, while March 11 centers on remembrance, performances, food, and cultural exchange that bring people of all ages together.

When	March 10 to March 11
Where	National Training Center J Village 8 Yamadaokamishima, Naraha-machi, Futaba-gun, Fukushima Prefecture
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://songoftheearth.info/

Fukuoka

In Fukuoka Prefecture, the Fukutsu Kofun Festival invites exploration of Japan’s ancient past around the Shinbaru-Nuyama Kofun Group, with guided tours, cultural activities, and spring scenery bringing the historic tombs to life throughout March.

Fukutsu Kofun Festival (March 1 to March 22)

The Fukutsu Kofun Festival 2026 is a spring heritage celebration taking place from March 1 to March 22, 2026, at the historic Shinbaru-Nuyama Kofun Group in Fukutsu City, Fukuoka Prefecture.

Set among a cluster of ancient burial mounds (kofun) surrounded by blooming rapeseed flowers, the festival invites visitors to explore Japan’s early history with hands-on experiences and cultural activities. On March 8, special events at the kofun site include guided mini-tours, explanations of archaeological finds, and family-friendly activities such as archery, target practice, and traditional Asuka-style soup tasting.

Throughout the festival period, there’s also a flea market to mark the 10th anniversary, seasonal food offerings at the Camellia Stage, quiz rallies, and historic exhibits that bring the ancient tombs and local traditions to life amidst springtime scenery — all free to attend.

When	March 1 to March 22
Where	Shinbaru-Nuyama Kofun Group 1382 Nuyama, Fukutsu, Fukuoka 811-3522
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://www.crossroadfukuoka.jp/event/12170

Best Sakura Spots (Ongoing)

Across Japan, the arrival of spring in March gradually turns the landscape pink as cherry blossoms begin blooming in a wide range of unforgettable settings. Early flowers can already be admired in Matsuda, where hillside parks fill with vivid Kawazu-zakura weeks before the main season, while the historic temples and gardens of Nara pair soft blossoms with the city’s famous freely roaming deer. In the south of the country, the warmer climate of Kyushu brings expansive waves of pink across castles, parks, and countryside, showcasing just how diverse Japan’s sakura season can be for spring travelers.

Some top recommendations:

• Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival
• Sakura in Osaka
• Sakura in Nara
• Sakura in Oita Prefecture
• Sakura in Tohoku

March 2026 is an ideal time to visit Japan, with seasonal festivals, regional food events, and the start of cherry blossom season drawing travelers across the country. From urban experiences and spring happenings in Tokyo and cultural traditions in Kyoto to community events in Fukushima Prefecture and heritage celebrations in Fukuoka Prefecture, the month offers diverse travel inspiration for every itinerary. Early sakura viewing in Matsuda, blossom-filled scenery with deer in Nara, and the expanding pink landscapes of Kyushu make March one of the best periods for spring travel in Japan, combining culture, nature, and unforgettable seasonal highlights.

Features image: Yvonne Tanaka