March symbolizes the beginning of Spring and the end of a Japanese year. While Kyoto saw heavy snow in the past week, the start of March marks some of the most exciting yet chill activities to do in Kyoto. Let’s dive into the best things to do this March and make your end of the year relaxing yet fun-filled!
Official Ninagawa Mika Exhibition Poster – Photo Credit: Ninagawa Mika Exhibition Official Website
Ninagawa Mika 3D Exhibition
Until March 30, 2025, the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art is hosting the exhibition “NINAGAWA Mika with EiM: Lights of the beyond, Shadows of this world.” This large-scale solo exhibition by photographer and film director Mika Ninagawa, in collaboration with the creative team EiM, features installations combining original videos and three-dimensional displays. Inspired by the city of Kyoto, the exhibition presents ten narrative experiences that invite visitors to reflect on their own existence and the surrounding world. Reservations are highly recommended.
Dates: Until March 30, 2025
Location: 124 Okazaki Enshojicho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 606-8343
Official Website: https://ninagawa-eim2025kyoto.jp/
Official Kyoto Japanese Culture Festa Poster – Photo Credit: Kyoto Traditional Culture Festa Official Instagram
Kyoto Traditional Culture Festa
Head to Kamigamo Shrine for the Kyoto Traditional Culture Festa, where you can immerse yourself in Japanese tradition at a UNESCO world heritage site. Enjoy performances like kimono fashion shows, maiko dances, and calligraphy displays, or join workshops to make traditional Kyoto crafts like Japanese umbrellas and wagashi (traditional Japanese sweets).
Foodies can also enjoy a variety of treats from the vendors at the festival, from the traditional mitarashi dango to even Italian and American street food. For kids, there are police cars, horse rides, games, and street performances to keep them entertained. Don’t forget to visit the tea ceremony and the free kimono photo experience booth for a complete cultural experience!
Date: March 16, 2025 (Sunday) from 11:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: 339 Kamigamo Motoyama, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8047
Shrine Website: https://www.kamigamojinja.jp/
Official Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kyotojcf/
Participating cafe, Kounosuke Cohi – Photo Credit: Coffeeholic Fes Official X
Coffeeholic Fes
Until March 9, 2025, you can join a coffee walk across 12 participating cafés in Kyoto to enjoy the same specially brewed coffee at each shop. Unlike typical coffee tastings, where different beans are compared, this event features 12 local coffee shops all using the same green coffee beans from Kerinchi Mountain, Sumatra, Indonesia. The magic lies in how each shop’s unique roasting and brewing techniques transform the same beans into completely different flavors. It’s a rare opportunity to experience the art of coffee-making and taste how roasting curves, extraction methods, and brewing tools can create a whole new coffee experience. Coffee lovers, don’t miss this chance to dive deep into the world of coffee and discover how much craft and creativity goes into every cup.
Date: Until March 9, 2025, varies with each cafe’s opening hours
Location: At 12 participating cafes
Official Website and Details for Locations: https://coffeeholic.jp/
Praying to the God of Water at Kifune Shrine – Photo Credit: Kifune Shrine Official Website
Rain Praying Festival
Experience one of Kyoto’s most ancient rituals at the Rain Praying Festival at Kifune Shrine. This annual sacred ceremony prays for rainfall and harvests for the year ahead. Kifune Shrine, dedicated to the god of rain and water, has been revered for centuries as the guardian of Kyoto’s water supply. Since the Meiji era, the ritual has been conducted at the shrine’s main hall, where a ceremonial burning of votive wooden plaques (ema) takes place. Visitors are welcome to observe this traditional Shinto ritual and soak in the serene atmosphere of Kifune’s sacred grounds.
Date: March 9, 2025 (Sunday) from 10:00 AM
Location: 180 Kuramakibunecho, Sakyo Ward, Kyoto, 601-1112
Shrine Website: https://kifunejinja.jp/en/event/#3
Official Banner – Photo Credit: Toei Kyoto Studio Park Spring Festival
Red and Gold Spring Festival
Until March 2, 2025, Toei Kyoto Studio Park celebrates the Spring Festival with vibrant red and gold decorations in the New Year of the Snake! Visitors can enjoy live performances, interact with staff in festive attire, and explore illuminated streets adorned with red lanterns. Special-themed foods such as New Year Churros, spring rolls, and dumplings are available. You can also play the traditional Edo games and special photo spots added to the Park for the special celebration!
Dates: Until March 2, 2025, from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Location: Toei Kyoto Studio Park, 10 Uzumasa Higashihachiokacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8586
Official Website: https://www.toei-eigamura.com/shunsetsu/
Participating Artists – Photo Credit: Tag Kyoto Exhibition Official Instagram
Arts, Stationery, and Handcraft Festival: Tag Kyoto Exhibition
If you’re a stationery lover or just love discovering handcrafts, the Arts, Stationery, and Handcraft Festival is a must-visit this month! Known for their beautifully designed stationery and high-quality paper goods, Tag Sta. brings you an exhibition as a perfect place to experience a wide range of artistic works, stationery, and handcrafted goods. This event brings together local creators from various fields to showcase their talents in illustrations, paintings, and photography to three-dimensional crafts, handmade items, and stylish stationery. It’s a great chance to meet local artists, discover one-of-a-kind pieces, and maybe even pick up a few treasures to take home. Whether you’re an art enthusiast or just curious to explore, this event promises a vibrant and inspiring experience.
Date: February 28 and March 1, 2025
Official Website: https://tagstationery.kyoto/exhibition/
Floating dolls and praying at the Nagashi-bina ceremony – Photo Credit: Shimogamo Shrine Official Website
Nagashi-bina Ceremony
Experience a centuries-old Japanese tradition at the Nagashi-bina ceremony held at Shimogamo Shrine. This ritual involves transferring one’s misfortunes onto paper dolls and releasing them into the river to pray for health and well-being. Participants dressed in Heian-period attire place these dolls on small straw boats and set them afloat, creating a serene and picturesque scene. After the main ceremony, attendees can also participate by purchasing a straw boat and performing the ritual themselves. The event begins with a demonstration of traditional dressing, followed by the main ceremony around 11:00 AM.
Date: March 3, 2025 (Monday)
Time: From 10:30 AM
Location: Shimogamo Shrine, Sakyo Ward, Shimogamo Izumikawacho, 59, Kyoto
Official Website: https://www.shimogamo-jinja.or.jp/
Old appliances used by people in the past in Japan – Photo Credit: Yamashiro Regional Museum Official Website
Tools of Daily Life: Past and Present Exhibition
Until March 20, 2025, the Kyoto Prefectural Yamashiro Regional Museum is hosting the exhibition “Tools of Daily Life: Past and Present.” This exhibition showcases a variety of household tools and appliances, illustrating the evolution of daily life from times before the widespread use of electricity, gas, and running water to the modern era in Kyoto. Visitors can explore how everyday items have transformed over the past century, reflecting changes in technology and lifestyle. See what it is like living in the past in Kyoto!
Dates: Until March 20, 2025
Admission: General for ¥200
Official Website: https://www.kyoto-be.ne.jp/yamasiro-m/cms/
Official poster by Kyoto Aquarium and special salmon menu – Photo Credit: Kyoto Aquarium Official Website
Nurture! Little Salmon Roe 2025 at Kyoto Aquarium
Until March 15, 2025, the Kyoto Aquarium is hosting the “Nurture! Little Salmon Roe 2025” event. This event educates visitors about the lifecycle of salmon, from eggs to fry, and highlights the environmental challenges affecting their populations. Visitors can view previously recorded footage of salmon growth and learn about the species’ ecology and the effects of climate change on their habitats. The exhibit also showcases four salmon species commonly found in Japanese cuisine, complete with descriptions of dishes and food samples. Additionally, the aquarium’s cafes will offer limited-time salmon-themed dishes, including a Salmon Fry Sandwich and a playful dessert called “Little Salmon Roe Bowl” made with strawberry-flavored syrup spheres.
Dates: Until March 15, 2025
Location: Kyoto Aquarium, 35-1 Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8835
Official Website: https://www.kyoto-aquarium.com/news/details/6651.html
Exhibition art for Hyakunin Isshu Exhibition – Photo Credit: Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts and Culture
I Love Hyakunin Isshu Poem Exhibition
The Saga Arashiyama Museum of Arts and Culture is hosting the exhibition “I Love Hyakunin Isshu.” This exhibition celebrates the traditional Japanese anthology “Hyakunin Isshu,” a famous collection of 100 poems by 100 poets, compiled by Fujiwara no Teika. The display features Japanese paintings from the early modern to modern periods, depicting landscapes and emotions expressed in these classic poems. Visitors can explore the enduring charm of “Hyakunin Isshu” through these artworks.
Dates: Until April 13, 2025
Location: 11 Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8385
Official Website: https://www.samac.jp/exhibition/detail.php?id=59
Inside of Kurosuke’s Ohara-no Genki Batake – Photo Credit: Kurosuke’s Ohara Genki Batake Official Website
Strawberry Picking Festival
Now is the best season for tasting strawberries! Kurosuke’s Ohara-no Genki Batake in Kyoto offers a delightful strawberry-picking experience in a traditional rural setting. The farm cultivates a variety of strawberries, affectionately named “Mike Ichigo,” under the watchful eye of their calico cat, Mikechin. Visitors can enjoy all-you-can-eat strawberry picking for 60 minutes, with two daily sessions: 10:00–11:15 AM and 1:30–2:45 PM. Guests are welcome to bring their own condiments like condensed milk or snacks to enhance their experience. Reservations are recommended! Make sure to try them before winter ends!
Dates: Reservations open throughout March
Location: 1734 Oharano Minamikasugacho, Nishikyo Ward, Kyoto, 610-1153
Official Website: https://www.kurosukenohatake.com/
Official poster by Kyoto Aquarium for Hot-sei – Photo Credit: Hot-sei at Kyoto Aquarium
“Hot-sei” at Kyoto Aquarium
Until March 21, 2025, the Kyoto Aquarium is hosting a special event titled “Hot-sei”. This event allows visitors to observe the unique behaviors and personalities of the resident South American fur seals in a cozy setting. Special Kotatsu-style viewing areas are set up to provide warmth and comfort during the colder months. Additionally, the aquarium offers limited-time menu items inspired by the fur seals, such as the Swimming Donut “Fur Seal” and the Floating Fur Seal Matcha Latte.
Dates: Until March 21, 2025
Location: Kyoto Aquarium, 35-1 Kankijicho, Shimogyo Ward, Kyoto, 600-8835
Official Website: https://www.kyoto-aquarium.com/hotsei/
Hinamatsuri performances – Photo Credit: Central Japan Railway Company Kyoto Navigation
Hinamatsuri Festival
The Hinamatsuri Festival at Ichihime Shrine is a cherished event celebrating good fortune and protection from misfortune. A highlight is the “Hito-bina” procession with performers in traditional Heian-era attire. Attendees can enjoy performances such as the “Kanjo no Mai” dance and participate in traditional games like tosenkyo (fan tossing) and kai-awase (shell matching). The event also offers hichigiri sweets to participants. The festival takes place near the Hito & Machi Exchange Center in Kyoto, where visitors can also view traditional doll displays.
Date: March 3, 2025 (Monday), from 1:00 PM to 4:00 PM
Location: Ichihime Shrine, 600-8119 Kyoto, Shimogyo Ward, Motoshiogamacho
Official Website: https://www.ichihime.net/
This month is all about relaxing, arts, and tradition in Kyoto. The month of March offers an incredible lineup of events that make the end of a Japanese year fruitful. From cultural festivals and seasonal exhibitions to hands-on experiences with nature and local cuisine, there’s something for everyone. Make the most of your time in Kyoto and dive into these unique events that highlight the city’s rich culture and evolving art scene. Don’t forget your camera, Kyoto is always ready to surprise you with something unforgettable!
Feature photo credit: Sanga Park on Canva
