Nara in March: weather, what to wear and events

Nara weather in March

Averages for 1991–2020 at the JMA's Nara station (102 m above sea level).

High: 13.9°C (57°F)
Low: 3.6°C (38°F)
Precipitation: 105.1 mm
Wet days: 9.9 days
Sunshine: 158 hours

Highs rise 4.0°C from February and climb another 5.9°C into April.

That is 7.0°C below Nara's yearly average high of 20.9°C.

Of our 14 places with temperature records, Nara is the 7th coldest in March: 0.2°C cooler than Kyoto and 2.3°C warmer than Kanazawa.

March is Nara's 6th driest month (105.1 mm).

Of our 15 places, Nara has the 5th lowest precipitation in March: 1.1 mm less than Kyoto and 1.4 mm more than Fukuoka.

Rain of 1 mm or more falls on 9.9 days, and 10 mm or more on 3.8 days.

Rain of 30 mm or more in one day falls on 0.7 days.

The temperature drops below 0°C on 4.0 nights.

Snow or sleet falls on 4.7 days.

The sun is out for 40% or more of the possible hours on 16.8 days, and 4.6 days have under 0.1 hours of sunshine.

On 15 March 2027 the sun rises at 6:08 and sets at 18:04 in Nara, giving 11 hours 56 minutes of daylight (NAOJ).

Average temperature: 8.5°C (47°F)
Humidity: 63%

Early, mid and late March

Nara in March by ten-day period: averages for 1991–2020 (JMA)
Days	High	Low	Precipitation
1–10 March	12.3°C	2.8°C	34.0 mm
11–20 March	13.9°C	3.2°C	32.1 mm
21–31 March	15.3°C	4.7°C	39.1 mm

By the last ten days of March the average high in Nara is 3.0°C higher than in the first ten.

By ten-day totals, 21–31 March is the wettest (39.1 mm) and 11–20 March the driest (32.1 mm).

What to wear in Nara in March

Chilly: highs around 13.9°C

A warm jacket or light coat over a sweater.
Gloves and a hat for mornings and nights: the temperature drops below 0°C on 4.0 nights.
Layers you can take off: afternoons are 10.3°C warmer than early mornings on average.
A folding umbrella: rain falls on 9.9 days.

Shoes

Shoes with good grip: snow or sleet falls on 4.7 days.

Pack

Folding umbrella
Gloves and a warm hat

Our clothing rules

Flowers and autumn colour in Nara in March

Cherry blossom

The JMA's sample cherry tree in Nara opens around 28 March and is in full bloom around 4 April in an average year (1991–2020). In 2026 it opened on 24 March and was in full bloom on 31 March.

Dates are for one sample tree at or near the JMA observatory, not for every park in the city.

March records in Nara

The extremes the JMA has measured in March at its Nara station.

Hottest March day: 26.4°C (80°F) on 22 March 2023 (records since 1954)
Coldest March night: −5.0°C (23°F) on 6 March 1977 (records since 1954)
Wettest March day: 70.2 mm on 16 March 1965 (records since 1954)
Deepest March snow: 19 cm on 13 March 1963 (records since 1954)
Most snow in one March day: 19 cm on 13 March 1963 (records since 1954)

Holidays and crowds in March

National holidays in March 2027:

Sun 21 March — Vernal Equinox Day
Mon 22 March — Substitute holiday

Sat 20 March to Mon 22 March: 3 days off in a row

In March 2025, hotels and inns across Nara Prefecture were 53.2% full on average (5th busiest of 12 months). Foreign guests spent 45,620 nights there that month (Japan Tourism Agency). That compares with 42.5% in February and 58.2% in April.

What's on in Nara in March

Events in Nara in March: dates from each organizer's official page
Event	When	Where and what
Shuni-e (Omizutori) at Todai-ji東大寺修二会（お水取り）	1 to 14 March (2026 schedule). The Omizutori water-drawing rite takes place around 1:30 a.m. after the 12th.	Nigatsu-do Hall, Todai-ji, Nara. A Buddhist rite held at Nigatsu-do Hall. Large torches (otaimatsu) are carried each evening: 19:00 on 1 to 11 and 13 March (10 torches, about 20 minutes), 19:30 on 12 March (11 torches, about 45 minutes) and 18:30 on 14 March (10 torches, about 10 minutes). On 12 March, traffic restrictions apply around Nara Park and entry to the area near Nigatsu-do is restricted; the temple expects very heavy crowds and says some visitors may not be able to see the torches. Weekends are also crowded. The temple states that Shuni-e is a religious service, not an event. Official page

Nara before and after March

Nara: February, March and April (JMA, 1991–2020)
Month	High	Low	Precipitation	Wet days
February	9.9°C (−4.0°C)	1.0°C (−2.6°C)	63.1 mm (−42.0 mm)	6.9 days (−3.0 days)
March	13.9°C	3.6°C	105.1 mm	9.9 days
April	19.8°C (+5.9°C)	8.7°C (+5.1°C)	98.9 mm (−6.2 mm)	9.6 days (−0.3 days)

Other places in March

March: Nara against five other places (JMA, 1991–2020)
Place	High	Against Nara	Wet days	Against Nara
Tokyo	14.2°C	+0.3°C	9.2 days	−0.7 days
Kyoto	14.1°C	+0.2°C	9.5 days	−0.4 days
Osaka	14.2°C	+0.3°C	9.1 days	−0.8 days
Sapporo	4.5°C	−9.4°C	13.9 days	+4.0 days
OkinawaNaha	21.9°C	+8.0°C	10.9 days	+1.0 days

All 15 places in March

Frequently asked questions

What is the weather like in Nara in March?

The average high is 13.9°C (57°F) and the average low 3.6°C (38°F). 105.1 mm of rain falls on about 9.9 days (JMA, 1991–2020).

What should I wear in Nara in March?

A warm jacket or light coat over a sweater. Gloves and a hat for mornings and nights: the temperature drops below 0°C on 4.0 nights. Layers you can take off: afternoons are 10.3°C warmer than early mornings on average. A folding umbrella: rain falls on 9.9 days.

Does it snow in Nara in March?

Sometimes. Snow or sleet falls on 4.7 days in an average March, but snow rarely stays on the ground (JMA, 1991–2020).

Is Nara busy in March?

In March 2025, hotels and inns across Nara Prefecture were 53.2% full on average (5th busiest of 12 months). Foreign guests spent 45,620 nights there that month (Japan Tourism Agency).

What are the record temperatures for March in Nara?

The highest temperature the JMA has recorded in Nara in March is 26.4°C (80°F), on 22 March 2023. The lowest is −5.0°C (23°F), on 6 March 1977.

What events are on in Nara in March?

Shuni-e (Omizutori) at Todai-ji: 1 to 14 March (2026 schedule). The Omizutori water-drawing rite takes place around 1:30 a.m. after the 12th.

When do the cherry blossoms open in Nara?