Comparison
Where to travel in March — dry-season cities, warm islands, camellias and the first cherry blossoms
Eight March picks — dry-season cities, warm islands, camellias and cherry blossoms — from climate normals and our guides, plus Nyepi, smoke and heat.
Published
How to choose a March trip
March is when spring begins in Korea. You can go to a city still in its dry season, head for a warm southern island, or travel for camellias and cherry blossoms.
This article uses the 'best time to go' in each city guide and the March normals (average high, average low and rainfall) stored in our guides. Normals are averages over many years, so they don't tell you this year's weather, and the source agency and period differ by city. Manila uses 1971–2000 and Bangkok and Bali use 1961–1990, older periods, so treat them as rough figures. Check the forecast before you go.
Temperatures are in °C and rainfall in mm. The sources are listed below. Bloom dates change every year, so check the official bloom forecast.
- Korea Meteorological Administration, 1991–2020: Yeosu and Tongyeong stations
- Japan Meteorological Agency, 1991–2020: Tokyo and Fukuoka stations, Okinawa (Naha station), Ishigaki (Ishigakijima station)
- WMO World Weather Information Service, 1991–2020: Da Nang and Hanoi (Viet Nam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration)
- WMO World Weather Information Service, 1971–2000: Manila (Metro Manila; Philippine Atmospheric, Geophysical and Astronomical Services Administration, PAGASA)
- WMO World Weather Information Service, 1961–1990: Bangkok (Thai Meteorological Department, TMD), Bali (Denpasar; Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics, BMKG)
Fairly dry and good for walking — Da Nang and Hanoi
Da Nang's February-May dry season is its most comfortable time. The March normals are a high of 28.4°C, a low of 22.1°C and 36 mm of rain (WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020). The sun is strong, so bring sunscreen and a hat.
Hanoi is mild and pleasant in October-November and March-April. March has a high of 23.5°C, a low of 18.7°C and 55 mm of rain (WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020). With the cool December-February winter over, it's a good time for walking.
Warm southern islands — Okinawa and Ishigaki
Okinawa is warm but comfortable in March-May and October-November. The March normals are a high of 21.9°C, a low of 16.7°C and 142.8 mm of rain (JMA, 1991–2020, Naha). It isn't a dry month, so pack an umbrella.
Ishigaki opens its beaches in March, the earliest in Japan. March has a high of 23.7°C, a low of 18.6°C and 134.4 mm of rain (JMA, 1991–2020). From stays on 1 February 2027, an accommodation tax applies at all lodgings in Okinawa Prefecture, so check the total when you book.
Camellias and the spring sea — Yeosu and Tongyeong
Odongdo's camellias in Yeosu start blooming in February and peak in March (per Yeosu City). About 3,000 camellia trees grow on the island, and a forest-tunnel trail of about 2.5 km circles it. The March normals are a high of 12.4°C, a low of 4.8°C and 83.9 mm of rain (Korea Meteorological Administration, 1991–2020).
The Tongyeong International Music Festival is held every year from late March to early April. Dates change each year, so check the city tourism site (utour.go.kr). Look out for dodari ssukguk (flounder and mugwort soup), served for only about two months in early spring. March has a high of 13.3°C, a low of 4.5°C and 92.4 mm of rain (Korea Meteorological Administration, 1991–2020).
The first cherry blossoms — Tokyo and Fukuoka
In Tokyo, the late March to early April cherry blossom season is one of the best times to visit. Ueno Park is a top cherry blossom spot. The March normals are a high of 14.2°C, a low of 5°C and 116 mm of rain (JMA, 1991–2020).
Fukuoka's late March to early April cherry blossom season is also ideal. The Fukuoka Castle ruins park next to Ohori Park is a top cherry blossom spot, and both are free. March has a high of 15°C, a low of 7.2°C and 103.7 mm of rain (JMA, 1991–2020).
Bloom dates change every year. Check the official bloom forecast before you fix your dates.
Think twice in March — Nyepi, smoke and heat
Nyepi, the Balinese New Year, usually falls in March (some years in April). On that day the whole island shuts down and Ngurah Rai Airport stops operating for 24 hours, so check the official date. Bali's wet season lasts through March, and its March rainfall normal is 234 mm (WMO/BMKG, 1961–1990, Denpasar).
Around February to April, smoke from forest fires can make the air very poor in Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai, so check the air quality index. Bangkok is very hot in March-May, with a March average high of 33.7°C (WMO/TMD, 1961–1990). Manila is also very hot in March-May, with a March average high of 32.1°C (WMO/PAGASA, 1971–2000).
Kyoto is extremely crowded with higher hotel prices in the late March to early April cherry blossom season. In Sapporo, sidewalks are icy and very slippery from December to March, so bring shoes with good grip.
At a glance — March by city
A quick March summary. Figures are 'high/low temperature and rainfall'; sources and periods differ, so the comparison is rough.
- Fairly dry, good for walking: Da Nang 28.4/22.1°C, 36 mm; Hanoi 23.5/18.7°C, 55 mm (both WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020)
- Warm islands: Okinawa 21.9/16.7°C, 142.8 mm; Ishigaki 23.7/18.6°C, 134.4 mm (both JMA, 1991–2020)
- Camellias and the spring sea: Yeosu 12.4/4.8°C (camellias peak in March), Tongyeong 13.3/4.5°C (music festival late March to early April) (both Korea Meteorological Administration, 1991–2020)
- First cherry blossoms: Tokyo 14.2/5°C, Fukuoka 15/7.2°C (both JMA, 1991–2020; check the official bloom forecast)
- Watch out: Bali (Nyepi, wet season 234 mm), Chiang Mai and Chiang Rai (forest-fire smoke), Bangkok and Manila (heat), Kyoto (cherry blossom crowds)
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FAQ
Can I see cherry blossoms in March?
According to our guides, Tokyo and Fukuoka's cherry blossom season is late March to early April. Bloom dates change every year, so check the official bloom forecast before you fix your dates.
Where is warm and fairly dry in March?
Da Nang is in its February-May dry season, with a March rainfall normal of 36 mm (WMO/Viet Nam MHA, 1991–2020). The average high is 28.4°C.
Is Bali OK in March?
The wet season lasts through March, and the March rainfall normal is 234 mm (WMO/BMKG, 1961–1990, Denpasar). On Nyepi (usually March, some years April) the airport closes for 24 hours, so check the official date.
When should I go to see Yeosu's camellias?
According to Yeosu City, Odongdo's camellias start blooming in February and peak in March. Odongdo is free and open 24 hours.
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