Best time to cruise · Best time to go
Japan cruises in March
The first half is cool and pre-blossom, but cherry trees usually open in Kyushu, Tokyo and Kyoto in the last week or so, and the earliest blossom cruises depart. Spring break and the end of Japan’s fiscal year bring domestic crowds. Expect highs around 55–60°F (13–16°C) and strong demand for late-month sailings.
- Best time to go
- Avg high 57°F
- 12 hrs daylight
Photo: Alpsdake, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Japan in March: Best time to go
The first half is cool and pre-blossom, but cherry trees usually open in Kyushu, Tokyo and Kyoto in the last week or so, and the earliest blossom cruises depart. Spring break and the end of Japan’s fiscal year bring domestic crowds. Expect highs around 55–60°F (13–16°C) and strong demand for late-month sailings.
Across Japan cruise ports, March brings average highs around 57°F (14°C) and lows near 45°F, with about 4.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight.
- Verdict
- Best time to go
- Season
- Late March to May and September to November are peak; limited sailings in summer and winter
- Average high / low
- 57°F / 45°F
- Rainfall (month)
- 4.7 in
- Daylight
- About 12 hours
- Typical cruise length
- 7 to 14 nights, usually round trip from Tokyo (Yokohama), Kobe or Osaka
What to pack: layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket.
How March compares with the rest of the year
- Jan: Shoulder season
- Feb: Shoulder season
- Mar: Best time to go
- Apr: Best time to go
- May: Best time to go
- Jun: Shoulder season
- Jul: Good time to go
- Aug: Good time to go
- Sep: Good time to go
- Oct: Best time to go
- Nov: Best time to go
- Dec: Shoulder season
- No regular sailings
- Shoulder season
- Good time to go
- Best time to go
Japan weather in March
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °F (°C) | 499 | 5010 | 5714 | 6518 | 7323 | 7825 | 8429 | 8630 | 8127 | 7222 | 6317 | 5312 |
| Low °F (°C) | 394 | 394 | 457 | 5211 | 6015 | 6719 | 7424 | 7725 | 7122 | 6116 | 5211 | 436 |
| Rain in (mm) | 3.486 | 3.280 | 4.7119 | 5.6143 | 6.6167 | 10.3261 | 9.9252 | 9.0228 | 8.6219 | 5.8147 | 4.2106 | 3.793 |
| Daylight (hrs) | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 14 | 14 | 12 | 11 | 10 | 10 |
March weather port by port
| Port | Avg high | Avg low | Rain | Daylight |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo (Yokohama) | 59°F | 40°F | 5.4 in | 12 h |
| Kobe | 57°F | 45°F | 4.3 in | 12 h |
| Osaka | 59°F | 40°F | 5.3 in | 12 h |
| Hiroshima | 59°F | 39°F | 4.5 in | 12 h |
| Nagasaki | 60°F | 51°F | 5.6 in | 12 h |
| Shimizu (for Mount Fuji) | 59°F | 48°F | 6.8 in | 12 h |
| Kagoshima | 63°F | 51°F | 7.1 in | 12 h |
| Hakodate | 42°F | 33°F | 3.0 in | 12 h |
| Otaru | 38°F | 25°F | 3.0 in | 12 h |
| Kanazawa | 54°F | 39°F | 5.0 in | 12 h |
| Aomori | 45°F | 34°F | 3.7 in | 12 h |
| Naha, Okinawa | 71°F | 67°F | 2.8 in | 12 h |
| Fukuoka (Hakata) | 61°F | 42°F | 5.0 in | 12 h |
| Busan | 56°F | 50°F | 3.2 in | 12 h |
Average daily highs and lows, 2015–2024, from NASA POWER, adjusted to sea level. Rain is the average monthly total.
Other great cruise destinations in March
Japan in March: FAQs
Is March a good time to cruise Japan?
Yes, it's one of the best months. The first half is cool and pre-blossom, but cherry trees usually open in Kyushu, Tokyo and Kyoto in the last week or so, and the earliest blossom cruises depart. Spring break and the end of Japan’s fiscal year bring domestic crowds. Expect highs around 55–60°F (13–16°C) and strong demand for late-month sailings.
What is the weather like on a Japan cruise in March?
Across Japan cruise ports, March brings average highs around 57°F (14°C) and lows near 45°F, with about 4.7 inches of rain over the month and roughly 12 hours of daylight. Conditions vary from port to port and day to day.
What should I pack for a Japan cruise in March?
Pack layers you can add and remove: long pants, a warm fleece or sweater, a waterproof jacket and closed walking shoes. It's one of the wetter months, so bring a compact umbrella or rain jacket. Check your cruise line's dress code for evenings.
When is the best time to cruise Japan?
Late March to May and September to November are peak; limited sailings in summer and winter. The best months are usually March, April, May, October, November.
Where else can I cruise in March?
March is also a top month for Caribbean, Eastern Caribbean, Western Caribbean, Southern Caribbean, Bahamas.
Updated November 2026 by the BookMyDreamCruise editorial team. How we research and fact-check.
Sources: NASA POWER climate data.