February is actually one of my favorite times to visit Japan – it’s typically much quieter than March and April but there is still so much to see and do – from snow festivals to early blossoms!
With the snow reaching its peak in northern areas, February in Japan understandably sees some of the best snow and ice festivals of the year, particularly in Hokkaido, while further south, vibrant pink plum blossom trees mark the arrival of spring and hint at warmer months ahead.
February is a good time of year to visit Japan as many tourist hotspots are quieter and slightly cheaper, and the weather is often sunny and dry. Further north, there are plenty of winter sports and festivals to experience.
In this article, we’ll take a look at 20 of the best things to do in February in Japan for 2025!
Planning a trip to Japan? Check out my most popular article – a 5-day Tokyo itinerary for beginners. Or, if you’re heading in winter, this Japan Winter Itinerary article will give you lots of ideas for seasonal experiences and events.
Average Temperatures in February across Japan
February is one of the coldest months of the year in Japan. Temperatures can get as low as 32F during the day and 19F at night in some of the northern prefectures such as Aomori and Hokkaido, and a more tolerable 50F during the day and 35F at night in Chiba and Saitama prefectures further south, close to Tokyo.
While it is safe to follow a general rule of thumb that the further south you travel in Japan the milder the temperatures get, it is still sensible to make sure you pack a good coat, gloves, a scarf, hat, and additional thermal clothing if you have it, wherever you travel during this time of year.
Japan In February – 20 Things to See and Do in 2025!
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Snow & Ice Festivals
1. Sapporo Snow Festival
February is the best month to visit Hokkaido with several famous festivals happening during this period, the highlights of which are included below.
Probably the most famous winter festival in Japan, the 75th annual Sapporo Snow Festival is expected to see more than one million visitors arrive in Sapporo to admire giant intricately carved statues and sculptures made from snow and ice, as well as other attractions including a large ice rink, and a snow sculpture competition.
- When: From Tuesday, February 4 to Tuesday, February 11, 2025
- WHERE: The festival will take place at 3 sites:
- Odori Park, Odori West, Chuo Ward, Sapporo
- Sapporo Community Dome, Sakaemachi, Higashi Ward, Sapporo
- Susukino, Sapporo Ekimae Dori Chuo Ward, Sapporo
- More Information: Snowfes.com
2. Otaru Snow Light Path Festival
Close to Sapporo, the charming port city of Otaru in Hokkaido holds an annual lantern festival that coincides with the festivities in Sapporo. Approaching its 27th year, each February Otaru turns into an enchanting setting during their annual Snow Light Path Festival.
The festival sees creative and colorful lanterns built into the snow, dotted along the snow-covered streets, and bobbing on and across the canal. The area’s old brick warehouses and gaslight streetlamps illuminated with candlelight create a magical atmosphere that feels like stepping back in time.
- When: February 10-12 & 15-17, 2025
- WHERE: The main areas include the Otaru Canal Walkway and former Temiya Railway Line, however, illuminations can also be found throughout many public areas of Otaru City including shopping streets, schools, and parks
- More Information: Yukiakarinomichi.org
3. Tōkamachi Snow Festival
This annual festival in the northern city of Tōkamachi in Niigata prefecture is a celebration organized by the residents of the heavy snowfall the city receives every year, with the attitude that it is more enjoyable to embrace the snow than to resist it.
The variety of festival activities varies slightly from year to year but often includes displays of large handmade snow sculptures, live music performances, snow art exhibitions for different ages, snow tubing, a children’s treasure hunt, a mochi-making workshop, and stalls selling locally made food and drink all around the city center.
- WHERE & When: Tokamachi City, Niigata prefecture. Saturday, February 15, and Sunday, February 16, 2025
- More Information: Snowfes.jp
4. Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
One of the major winter events in this mountainous snowy region, throughout February, the area around Yunishikawa Onsen in Nikko is illuminated by the glow of hundreds of snow huts called Kamakura. These huts, which vary in size from small mounds lit by tea lights to larger ones you can step inside, are spread across the snowy landscape to create a unique and stunning view.
As the sun sets, crowds gather to try the local dishes from nearby food stands or make use of the popular barbeques inside the larger Kamakura, which must be reserved in advance, and enjoy the wintery illumination event.
- WHERE & When: Yunishikawa Onsen, Nikko, Tochigi Prefecture. From late January to early March, 2025
- More Information: Yunishigawa.co.jp
5. Zaō Snow Monsters
These striking snow-covered figures, located on the summit of Mount Zaō, are formed by a natural phenomenon known as juhyo, where the cold wind blowing in from the northwest becomes trapped by the surrounding mountains and sticks to the thick leaves of the fir trees and freezes. The result is a formidable and eerie-looking army of misshapen snowy sentinels known locally as ‘snow monsters’.
Views of these impressive natural sculptures can be enjoyed from the nearby Sanrokusen ropeway which can be reached from Zao Sanroku Station. The snow monsters start to form each year around December time but are most popular in February when they reach their maximum size. If you’re interested in seeing the snow monsters as part of a guided tour, try this 2-day guided tour, that includes a stop at Ginzan onsen, a Taisho-era hot spring town reminiscent of the Studio Ghibli movie Spirited Away.
- WHERE & When: Views from Zao Ropeway, Zao onsen, Yamagata City, Yamagata Prefecture. Peak time throughout February 2025
- More Information: Zaoropeway.co.jp
6. Tomamu Ice Village
Every year the Hoshino Resort Tomamu creates an incredible ice village featuring an ice bar, open until 10 PM, a skating rink, an ice café, a post office, an ice boutique store, an ice restaurant, and a fully-functioning ice chapel, carved from a single piece of ice, with a fireworks display to celebrate new brides and grooms!
The village also has its own ice hotel where you can snuggle into sleeping bags specially designed for cold climates. Staying at the ice hotel is costly but the village is also open to the public for day visits for a small admission fee, tickets can be purchased here.
- WHERE & When: Hoshino Resort Tomamu, Naka-Tomamu, Shimukappu, Yufutsu District, Hokkaido. Open from late January until the end of February 2025
- More Information: Snowtomamu.jp
7. Chitose – Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Between late January and mid-February, the Lake Shikotsu area is transformed into a winter wonderland as dozens of huge ice sculptures, created by spraying water pumped from the nearby lake, decorate the area. The impressive display also features food stalls, fireworks displays, an ice rink, an ice slide, and an illumination event covering the entire area after the sun sets.
Lake Shikotsu is also known for the skin-beautifying waters of many hot springs in the area, and visitors can choose to stay overnight in one of the nearby onsens, the perfect way to finish off a day playing in the snow! Tours of the festival, which includes the ice sculptures, lunch at a seafood market, and a visit to Tomamu Ice Village, are available here.
- WHERE & When: Lake Shikotsu Onsen, Chitose, Hokkaido. Saturday, February 1 to Monday, February 24, 2025. 10 AM to 8 PM, illuminations between 4:30 and 8 PM
- More Information: Hyoutou-special.asia
Plum & Cherry Blossoms
Before the arrival of cherry blossoms in late March, plum blossoms start appearing from around mid-February each year. Similar in appearance to the cherry blossom but distinguishable by the shape of their petals, some of the best places to see plum blossoms in Japan include:
8. Odawara Plum Blossom Festival
One of Japan’s biggest plum blossom festivals and home to approximately 35,000 ume (plum) trees, this annual event features Mount Fuji as its backdrop. Visitors can enjoy more than 200 species of plum blossoms spread throughout Odawara Castle Ruins Park, as well as the preserved ruins of Odawara Castle Tower, copper gate, and large wooden bridge. The event features many cultural activities such as calligraphy and Japanese archery on horseback, and a large selection of plum-themed products will be sold in the nearby cafeteria. Odawara can be reached in around 90 minutes from Tokyo by train.
- WHERE & When: Odawara Flower Garden, 3798-5 Kuno, Odawara, Kanagawa 250-0055, Japan. Throughout February 2025
- More Information: Kanagawa.jp
9. Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival
In Tokyo, one of the biggest clusters of plum blossoms can be found in Hanegi Park in Setagaya at the 46th annual Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival and commemorative tree planting. The park has around 650 plum trees and space for festivities every weekend of February throughout the festival.
You’ll find live koto performances, a haiku workshop, and free matcha tea tasting, as well as events for children including a children’s plum guided tour, rice cake-making workshops, and an outdoor play area. Street food vendors offer a variety of plum jams, tea, snacks, unique sweet sake, and other tasty treats.
- WHERE & When: Hanegi Park, Setagaya City, Tokyo. Early February to Early March 2025
- More Information: Setagaya-umematsuri.com
10. Kitano Tenmangu Shrine
This 10th-century Shinto shrine northwest of Kyoto is home to more than 1,500 plum trees representing 50 different species. The garden is open to the public between early February and late March to enjoy the early blooming plum blossoms known locally as ‘Tenjin-san’s Plums’. In late February, visitors can also join the Plum Blossom Festival Outdoor Tea Ceremony which commemorates the death of the famous poet Sugawara no Michizane, known for his connection to plum trees. During the ceremony, Geiko and Maiko serve guests cups of matcha in the garden.
- WHERE & When: Kitano Tenmango Shrine Umezono, Bakurocho, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto. Early February to late March 2025. The Plum Blossom Festival Outdoor Tea Ceremony takes place on February 25, 2025
- More Information: Kitanotenmangu.or.jp
11. Bunkyo Plum Blossom Festival
Another of Tokyo’s more notable spots for viewing plum blossoms this time of year is around the Yushima Tenjin shrine. Dedicated to the famous poet and politician, Sugawara no Michizane, and home to approximately 300 plum trees, this month-long festival is one of the five major flower festivals of the Bunkyo Ward in Tokyo throughout the year.
The festival occurs shortly before the cherry blossom starts between early February and early March, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. Festivities include cultural performances, such as Taiko drummers, dancers, and an indoor tea ceremony, as well as stalls selling locally made food and drink, and of course plenty of great photo opportunities.
- WHERE & When: Yushima Tenmangu Shrine, Yushima, Bunkyo City, Tokyo. First week of February to the first week of March, 8:00 AM to 7:30 PM, with many of the events taking place during the weekends
- More Information: Honyaku.com
12. Domyoji Tenmangu
Selected by the Osaka prefectural government as one of the 100 best gardens in Osaka, from mid-February onwards, this Osaka shrine sees approximately 800 plum trees come into full bloom from around mid-February.
Local vendors set up stalls selling food and plum wine, while live music and martial arts performances entertain visitors. There is also a plum garden behind the shrine’s main hall that is free to visit. Every year on February 25th, there is also a celebration at the Shrine to honor the life and death of the famous Japanese poet Sugawara no Michizane.
- WHERE & When: Domyoji Tenmangu Shrine, Domyoji, Fujidera, Osaka. Mid-to-late February 2025
- More Information: Domyojitenmangu.com
13. Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
The distinctive early-flowering pale pink cherry tree that line the banks of the Kawazu River, is native to the area and was discovered by accident almost seventy years ago by locals. Since then it has become a popular viewing spot each February for anyone hoping to catch their first glimpse of the season of the famous pink petals. The event kicks off with an opening ceremony that takes place on February 1, with mochi distribution between 10 and 10:30 AM in front of the Kawazu Sakura Tourism Center. In the evenings an illumination takes place along the banks of the river with some of the best views from Tatebashi Bridge in front of Kawazu Station. If you’re interested in exploring the early season cherry blossoms of the Shizuoka region, this 1-day tour offers sakura, strawberries, and views of Mount Fuji.
- WHERE & When: Kawazu town, Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture. Saturday, February 1 to Friday 28, 2025
- More Information: Kawazuzakura.jp
Illuminations
14. Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Throughout the first fifteen days of the Chinese New Year, Chinatown in central Nagasaki City comes to life with a winter celebration of the city’s ties to traditional Chinese culture that includes music, masked dance performances, food, drink, and of course a radiant lantern display along the streets, and the waterfront.
Other festival highlights include the Jaodori, the dance of a giant colorful dragon that is carried along the streets by local performers, and the Emperor’s parade, a colorful and lively parade in traditional Chinese costumes. What started as a modest celebration of Chinese New Year has grown into a huge winter festival that draws visitors from beyond the city.
- WHERE & When: Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown and other locations in Nagasaki City Center, such as Hamamachi and Kanko-dori Arcade. Wednesday, January 29th to Wednesday, February 12th, 2025
- More Information: Nagasaki.jp
15. Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival
Hirosaki castle and surrounding park area is a popular beauty spot in the spring during cherry blossom season, and in the winter when everything is covered in crisp white snow. In early February, hundreds of small snow lanterns, miniature igloos, and snow sculptures illuminate the park around the 400-year-old castle at night with a warm glow. Visitors can freely stroll around the illuminated footpaths and enjoy the views of the carefully constructed sculptures and lanterns.
Also worth a visit is the large open-air gallery complete with illuminated works of art that was built in 2011 to mark the 400th anniversary of the castle. It remains popular with visitors and locals and has returned every year since.
- WHERE & When: Hirosaki Park, Hirosaki, Aomori Prefecture. February 9 to 12, 2025, 10 AM to 9 PM
- More Information: Hirosaki-kanko.or.jp
16. Kobe Luminarie
This annual illumination event that takes over much of downtown Kobe is held to commemorate the Great Hanshin Earthquake in 1995 where more than 5,000 people lost their lives. The event features more than 200,000 hand-painted lights which were donated to the city by the Italian government.
If you’re in Kobe during December, then make sure you also check out the lantern festival in Chinatown where hundreds of red lanterns light up the streets creating an enchanting atmosphere. Also in Kobe is the annual Kobe Illuminage event, which runs at the Kobe Fruit Flower Park until February 16. Millions of colorful LEDs transform the Park into a ‘Star Light Dream’ for the winter season. Tickets for the event can be purchased here.
- WHERE & When: Meriken Park, Hatobacho, Chuo Ward, Kobe. January 24 to February 2, 2025
- More Information: Feel-kobe.jp
Other Festivals & Events
17. Setsubun
Setsubun is the day before the beginning of spring when kids throw beans at a demon (usually a poor dad in a mask) to cast out evil spirits. You can find bean-throwing ceremonies at temples and shrines throughout Japan, but if you are in Tokyo, one of the biggest events is at nearby Mount Takao where crowds gather several times during the day and scramble to catch lucky drive beans that are thrown by the staff from the main hall at the Yakuoin Temple, which, when eaten, are said to keep visitors free from illness and misfortune.
- WHERE & When: Mount Takao, Hachiōji, Tokyo. February 3, 2025
- More Information: Takaosan.or.jp
18. Kami-Hinokinai Paper Balloon Festival
Each year as the sun sets on February 10, a dazzling display of huge paper balloons decorated with local drawings of local heroes, characters, and other works of art can be seen in the skies above Kami-Hinokinai, a small town North-west of Lake Tazawa in Akita prefecture. For more than a hundred years, locals have gathered on this night each year to light fires under these huge paper balloons as a prayer for a good harvest for the year ahead.
Today the event is one of the most popular winter festivals in the prefecture, and locals prepare their balloons months in advance as a prayer for health, prosperity, and good fortune, among other things. Visitors who arrive before 5 PM may get a chance to write their own message on some of the balloons before they are released into the night sky.
- WHERE & When: Kami-Hinokinai, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture. February 10, 2025
- More Information: City.semboku.akita.jp
19. Yokote Kamakura Festival
Every year, on February 15 and 16, in the city of Yokote in Akita prefecture, hundreds of unique cantle-lit igloos, called kamakura, are constructed throughout the city. Inside the larger igloos, a shrine is carved into the wall where people can pray to the local water god for a good harvest and prosperity for the year ahead. Afterward, locals will serve sweet sake, called amazake, and mochi.
A nighttime stroll from the train station will offer dazzling views of the cantle-lit snow huts on the sides of roads, in public spaces, and alongside people’s homes. Larger open areas will also have clusters of smaller ones where you can try making one yourself.
- WHERE & When: Yokote City Hall, Yokote Park, Futabacho. 6 PM to 9 PM, February 15 & 16, 2025
- More Information: Yokotekamakura.com
20. Yanagawa Sagemon Festival
The Yanagawa Hinamatsuri is part of a wider Girl’s Day celebration in Japan, called Hinamatsuri in March. In February each year, Yanagawa City comes to life with vibrant displays of hina dolls and Sagemon, colorful hanging decorations, handmade by relatives, and made up of lucky cloth babies, rabbits, cranes, and koi. These decorations are often displayed hanging above the hina dolls as a prayer for the good health and happiness of the girl.
Displays of these unique decorations can be found throughout the city, including Okinohata Sagemon Park, which is also illuminated by night, and the Yanagawa main shopping street, which also features impressive light displays and huge sagemon decorations.
- WHERE & When: Yanagawa City, February 11 to early April 3, 2025
- More Information: Welcomekyushu.com
Dates to Avoid Traveling Around Japan in February
National Holiday – National Foundation Day – A one-day public holiday shouldn’t have much impact on travel plans, public transport may be busier, and accommodation may cost more on this day.
- When: Tuesday, February 11, 2025
National Holiday – Emperor’s Birthday – February 23rd is Emperor Naruhito’s birthday and is a national holiday where most offices are closed for the day, making travel and tourist attractions more crowded.
- When: Sunday February 23, 2025
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