Hakodate in March

In March, Hakodate averages 6°C (43°F) during the day and -1°C (31°F) at night, with around 12 days of rain (83 mm total).

Shoulder

Conditions are cold — pack winter layers. Plan for unsettled weather and bring rain gear.

March in Hakodate is outside the typical sweet spot for sightseeing weather. It can still be a great time to visit if you have specific reasons (festivals, off-season pricing, etc.).

6°C
Avg high
-1°C
Avg low
12
Rain days
83 mm
Rainfall

How March compares to the rest of the year in Hakodate

9th
warmest month of the 12
4th
wettest month of the 12
7%
of yearly rainfall falls in March
11 h 52 min
daylight on the 15th

March is in the middle of the year for warmth in Hakodate (9th of 12) and moderately rainy compared to the rest of the year (4th of 12). Daytime temperature runs 6°C below the annual average (12°C). March runs 6°C warmer than February (1°C) and warms a further 5°C into April (11°C).

March sunrise & sunset in Hakodate

🌅
Sunrise (15th)
5:50 AM
🌇
Sunset (15th)
5:42 PM
Day length
11 h 52 min

Times shown for Hakodate local time (Asia/Tokyo), calculated for the 15th of March. They shift by a few minutes day to day across the month.

Photography light in Hakodate — March

Golden-hour and blue-hour windows for the 15th of March, in Hakodate's local time. Use these for soft warm light (golden) or cool architectural twilight (blue).

🌅 Blue hour (AM)
4:50 AM – 5:30 AM
🌄 Golden hour (AM)
5:30 AM – 6:30 AM
🌇 Golden hour (PM)
5:02 PM – 6:02 PM
🌆 Blue hour (PM)
6:02 PM – 6:42 PM
Milky Way galactic core
Fair
Core only briefly above the horizon — a marginal month even from dark sites near Hakodate.

📅 When to book — Hakodate in March

Travel writers usually only tell you when to go. Here's when to book flights and lodging for the best mix of price and availability, based on March's tier (Shoulder) and Hakodate's popularity.

✈ Flights — lead time
6-10 weeks
Sweet spot for value. Major fare-sales (US: Black Friday, EU: post-Easter) hit hardest in shoulder months for shoulder travel.
🏨 Lodging — lead time
4-8 weeks
Lots of selection. Look for shoulder-season packages — many hotels add value (free breakfast, spa credit) to fill rooms.
⚠ Cherry blossom season (late March to early April) is Japan's tightest hotel window — book 4-5 months ahead.

Crowds & pricing — March in Hakodate

Shoulder

Hakodate is in a shoulder season month — fewer crowds, slightly lower prices, and a calmer atmosphere than peak weeks. Most major sights stay open with normal hours, though a handful of seasonal restaurants or boat trips may run reduced schedules. Many regulars consider these months the best time to visit because you trade a small amount of weather reliability for a much more pleasant on-the-ground experience.

Sun & mosquito risk — March in Hakodate

☀️ UV Index (noon, 15th)
8.5
Very high
Limit sun exposure between 11 AM and 3 PM; SPF 30-50, reapply every 90 minutes outdoors.
🦟 Mosquito risk
●○○○○
Minimal
Occasional mosquitoes possible near standing water. Repellent rarely needed.

UV is a clear-sky sea-level estimate — clouds, altitude, and reflective surfaces (snow, water) shift it ±30%. Mosquito risk is climate-derived only; for current disease advisories (dengue, malaria, zika) check the CDC or WHO travel pages before your trip.

🌬 Frosty nights — Hakodate in March

Snow days (typical)
0
days/month
Avg low
-1°C
31°F
Avg day high
6°C
43°F

Gear: Cold nights, milder days. Light insulated jacket fine for daytime, real coat for after dark.

Hakodate in other months

MonthAvg highAvg lowRainfallRain daysSnow days
January 0°C / 32°F -6°C / 21°F 55 mm 11
February 1°C / 33°F -6°C / 21°F 57 mm 9
March 6°C / 43°F -1°C / 31°F 83 mm 12
April 11°C / 51°F 4°C / 38°F 83 mm 11
May 16°C / 60°F 9°C / 48°F 91 mm 12
June 19°C / 66°F 13°C / 56°F 113 mm 13
July 23°C / 73°F 18°C / 65°F 110 mm 13
August 25°C / 76°F 20°C / 68°F 194 mm 14
September 22°C / 71°F 16°C / 61°F 135 mm 12
October 16°C / 60°F 10°C / 49°F 114 mm 12
November 9°C / 49°F 3°C / 38°F 95 mm 12
December 2°C / 36°F -3°C / 26°F 73 mm 12

Other cities with similar March weather

🌍 See the full ranked list of climate twins for Hakodate in March →

Frequently asked questions

How hot is Hakodate in March?

In March, Hakodate averages a high of 6°C (43°F) and a low of -1°C (31°F) — generally cold.

Does it rain a lot in Hakodate in March?

March can be fairly wet in Hakodate, with about 12 rainy days on average.

Is March a good time to visit Hakodate?

March is cold. It suits travelers who are comfortable with cold weather; check the month-by-month ranking to compare it against the rest of the year.

What should I pack for Hakodate in March?

Pack heavy winter layers, a coat, hat and gloves, plus a compact umbrella or rain jacket. See the full March packing list for Hakodate for a complete, climate-based checklist.

Open Hakodate on the interactive map

Check the live 10-day forecast and sunrise/sunset.