February marks the final month of winter in Japan and sees some of the coldest weather of the year, making it a great time to enjoy the powder snow at world-class resorts across the country. There are typically countless winter festivals on during this month, as well as events heralding the coming of spring, featuring plum blossoms and even sakura.
Setsubun is an important festival which celebrates the transition from winter to spring, and thus the new year, according to the lunar calendar. It is celebrated around 3 February each year, often at home, but also at shrines and temple events across the country. The events typically feature rituals such as mamemaki (bean throwing) to ward of evil spirits and welcome good fortune, and may also include food stalls and other activities.
We've highlighted a few festivals and events below that may be of interest for future trips to Japan. They are mainly selected from a list compiled by JNTO's Tourist Information Center which is available to download at the end of the article. The full list also includes access information.
NOTE: Some websites only have information in Japanese so you may need to use an online translation service such as Google Translate 
or DeepL Translator . Alternatively, the Chrome browser allows you to translate many webpages from Japanese into English.
This information is correct at time of publishing. Dates, times and functions are subject to change without notice and can vary slightly each year. In particular, the schedule of outdoor events may change due to the weather. Be sure to check the latest information in advance.
Illuminated Winter ‘Cherry Blossoms’
Location: Hirosaki Park, Aomori Prefecture
Dates: December 2021 to February 2022
Summary: A spectacular night scene of snow-covered sakura trees illuminated with soft pink lights, giving the appearance of cherry blossoms in full bloom.
More information: JNTO | Illuminated Winter “Cherry Blossoms”
Zao Juhyo Light-up
Location: Zao Onsen Ski Resort, Yamagata Prefecture
Dates: 25 December 2021 – 28 February 2022
Summary: Snow covered fir trees called Juhyo, snow monsters, are lit up at night in an array of colours.
More information: Stay Yamagata | Zao Juhyo Festival
Tsubaki Matsuri
Where: Izu Oshima Island, Tokyo Prefecture
When: 1 January – 27 March 2022
Summary: A tsubaki (camellia) festival on the island of Izu-Oshima which includes a range of events, activities and local folk performances.
More information:
・Go Tokyo | Izu Oshima Tsubaki Matsuri (Camellia) Festival
・Oshima Tourism Association | Camellia Festival (Japanese only)
Atami Baien Ume Matsuri
Location: Atami Baien Garden, Shizuoka Prefecture
Dates: 8 January – 6 March 2022
Summary: A plum blossom festival in a garden with over 60 varieties of plum trees, and some 470 plum trees in total. A range of events and activities are held during the during the festival period.
More information: Atami News | 78th Atami Baien Ume Matsuri (Japanese only)
Chitose-Shikotsuko Hyoto Matsuri
Location: Lake Shikotsu, Hokkaido Prefecture
Dates: 29 January – 23 February 2022
Summary: Ice festival featuring hyoto, ice pillars, and activities such as ice slides, taiko performances and fireworks.
More information: Kirari Ishikari | Chitose, Lake Shikotsu Hyoto Festival
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Snow House Festival
Location: Yunishigawa Onsen, Tochigi Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Usually held on Friday to Monday from 29 January to 28 February)
Summary: Hundreds of mini kamakura, snow huts similar to igloos, are lit up with candles. There are also larger kamakura you can rent to enjoy a barbeque meal inside.
More information: JNTO | Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival
Chizu-Shuku Yuki Matsuri
Location: Chizu Town, Tottori Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Usually held in early February each year)
Summary: A snow festival where hundreds of lanterns made from snow line the streets and are lit up at night, creating a magical atmosphere in this charming post town. There are also stalls selling food and local products, and various events held throughout the day.
More information: Chizu-Chuo | Chizu’s wonderful festivals
Setagaya Ume (Plum Blossom) Festival
Location: Hanegi Park, Tokyo Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Originally scheduled to be held for around a month from early February)
Summary: A plum blossom festival featuring a wide range of cultural events such as taiko performances, tea ceremonies and mochi (rice cake) pounding.
More information: Go Tokyo | Setagaya Ume (Plum Blossom) Festival
Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Location: Nagasaki City, Nagasaki Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Originally scheduled for 1 – 15 February)
Summary: A lantern festival where the city comes alive with an energetic burst of lanterns, parades and performances.
More information: JNTO | Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Kawazu-zakura Cherry Blossom Festival
Location: Along the Kawazu River, Shizuoka Prefecture
Dates: 1 – 28 February 2022
Summary: A festival celebrating the cherry blossoms in Kawazu, which are known for their large pink petals and for being some of the earliest blooming sakura in eastern Japan.
More information: JNTO | Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
Setsubun-e and Mamemaki
Location: Senso-ji, Tokyo Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Usually held each year on 3 February)
Summary: A setsubun celebration where the mamemaki (bean throwing) ceremony is held by Buddhist monks and local celebrities.
More information: Go Tokyo | Setsubun-e Celebration
Setsubun Mantoro
Location: Kasuga Taisha Shrine, Nara Prefecture
Dates: 3 February 2022
Summary: The shrine is illuminated by thousands of lanterns housing flickering candles. Many of the lanterns have been donated, including from famous people and samurai, with some dating back to the Heian Period (794-1185).
More information: JNTO | Setsubun Mantoro
Setsubun-sai
Location: Hakone Shrine and Lake Ashi, Kanagawa Prefecture
Dates: 3 February 2022
Summary: A setsubun festival with food stalls as well as a mamemaki (bean-throwing) event featuring a priest on water skis. There is also a fireworks show held the night before the festivities.
More information:
・Hakone Japan | Official site
・Hakone Shrine | Setsubun-sai (Japanese only)
Setsubun Yoroi Toshikoshi (See the old year off by Samurai Armor Procession)
Location: Ashikaga, Tochigi Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Usually held on 3 February each year)
Summary: A sestubun festival featuring a procession of around 200 people wearing samurai armour, followed by a bean throwing ceremony at Bannaji Temple.
More information: Ashikaga City Tourist Association site | Setsubun Yoroi Toshikoshi
Tsuinae Ceremony
Location: Kohfuku-ji Temple, Nara Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Originally scheduled for 3 February)
Summary: A Buddhist ceremony is held to drive away evil spirits and welcome good fortune in the year ahead, followed by a ritual of chasing demons and throwing beans.
・Visit Nara | Tsuinae Ceremony
・Kohfukuji Temple Official website (Japanese only)
Asahikawa Fuyu Matsuri
Location: Asahikawa, Hokkaido Prefecture
Dates: 4 – 6 February 2022
Summary: The Asahikawa Winter Festival is Hokkaido's second largest snow festival, featuring impressive snow and ice sculptures, illuminations, fireworks, food stalls, performances and kid’s activities.
More information: JNTO | Asahikawa Winter Festival
72nd Sapporo Yuki Matsuri
Location: Online (Usually in Sapporo, Hokkaido Prefecture)
Dates: 5 – 27 February 2022
Summary: A wintertime extravaganza and Hokkaido’s largest snow festival, the event features grand snow and ice sculptures, illuminations, food stalls, performances and a range of snow activities.
More information: JNTO | Sapporo Snow Festival
Iwate Snow Festival
Location: Koiwai Farm, Iwate Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Originally scheduled for 5 – 13 February)
Summary: A winter wonderland famous for its intricate snow sculptures, elaborate fireworks displays and hearty traditional cuisine. There are also live performances and a range of activities including sledding down a massive snow slide, tubing while being pulled by a snowmobile and more.
More information: JNTO | Iwate Snow Festival
Odawara Ume Matsuri
Location: Odawara Castle Park and Soga Bairin, Kanagawa Prefecture
Dates: 5 – 27 February 2022
Summary: A plum blossom festival held at two different locations. The Soga Bairin (plum grove) location features around 35 000 plum trees, with Mount Fuji and the mountains of Hakone as their backdrop. Food and drinks will be available but on a smaller scale, and events and performances have been cancelled this year.
More information:
・Kanagawa Travel Info | Odawara Plum Blossom Festival and Mounted Archery
・Soga no Sato | Official site (Japanese only)
Yushima Tenjin Ume Matsuri (Plum Festival)
Location: Yushima Tenmangu Shrine (also known as Yushima Tenjin), Tokyo Prefecture
Dates: 8 February – 3 March 2022
Summary: A plum blossom festival held at Yushima Tenmangu Shrine, home to some 300 plum trees, and a popular plum blossom viewing for hundreds of years.
More information: Go Tokyo | Bunkyo Ume Matsuri (Plum Festival)
Hirosaki-jo Yukidoro Matsuri (Hirosaki Snow Lantern Festival)
Location: Hirosaki Park, Aomori Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Originally scheduled for 10 – 13 February)
Summary: Some 150 snow lanterns, 300 mini kamakura (igloo-like snow houses) and snow sculptures surround Hirosaki Castle during the festival period. There are also fireworks, activities and entertainment, alongside food stalls serving local specialties.
More information: JNTO | Hirosaki Snow Lantern Festival
NHK Fukushi O-Zumo
Location: Ryogoku Kokugikan, Tokyo Prefecture
Dates: 11 February 2022
Summary: A sumo charity event featuring sumo matches as well as demonstrations of wrestling styles and some comical sumo bouts for entertainment.
More information: Japan Sumo Association | The 53rd NHK Welfare Grand Sumo Tournament (Japanese only)
Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival
Location: Abashiri Commercial Port Wharf Site
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Originally scheduled for 11 – 13 February)
Summary: A winter festival featuring ice sculptures that are lit up at night, food stalls, performances as well as various other activities.
More information: Abashiri Tourism Association | Events
Mito no Ume Matsuri
Location: Kairakuen and Kodokan, Ibaraki Prefecture
Dates: 11 February* – 31 March 2022 (*Start date has been postponed, new date yet to be announced)
Summary: Plum blossom festival at two different locations: Kairakuen, which is considered one of the three great gardens in Japan, and Kodokan, a former clan school Mito clan. Various events and traditional performances are typically held during the festival period.
More information:
・JNTO | Mito Plum Blossom Festival
・Mito City Official Site | Mito Ume Festival
Namahage Sedo Festival
Location: Where: Shinzan Shrine, Akita Prefecture
Dates: 11 – 13 February 2022
Summary: Festival featuring traditional dancing, drumming and Namahage, men wearing oni (ogre) masks.
More information: Namahage Sedo Festival | Official site
Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival
Location: Matsugasaki Park, Yamagata Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Held on the second Saturday and Sunday of February each year)
Summary: Hundreds of large snow lanterns and some 1000 mini snow lanterns are lit up at with candles at Matsugasaki Park. There are also food stalls selling local specialties, and performances and activities during the event period.
More information: Stay Yamagata | Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival
Ouchi-juku Snow Festival
Location: Ouchi-juku, Fukushima Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Originally scheduled for 12 – 13 February)
Summary: Candlelit snow lanterns line the streets of the preserved former post town, bathing the town in a warm glow. Events such as fireworks are also held during the festival period.
More information: Fukushima Travel | Ouchi-juku Snow Festival
Tenryo Hita Ohina Matsuri
Location: Hita City, Oita Prefecture
Dates: 15 February – 31 March 2022
Summary: The Hita area prospered under the reign of the Tokugawa Shogunate during the Edo Period, and many hina ningyo (traditional Japanese dolls) which were bought during this time of prosperity have been handed down for generations. During the festival, these well-preserved dolls are displayed at numerous museums and traditional houses, and various other events are also held.
More information:
・Oita Heritage | Girls' Festival of Hita
・Tenryo Hita Ohina Festival | Official website (Japanese only)
Hachinohe Emburi
Location: Hachinohe, Aomori Prefecture
Dates: 17 – 20 February 2022
Summary: An 800-year-old folk festival held in anticipation of the arrival of spring and for a successful harvest. It features traditional dancing called emburi, and is a National Important Intangible Folk Property.
More information: Aomori Sightseeing Guide | Hachinohe Emburi
Saidaiji Eyo (Hadaka Matsuri) Shingi-Sodatsusen
Location: Saidaiji, Okayama Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Usually held on the third Saturday night of February each year)
Summary: A unique festival that has been designated as an Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset. Thousands of men don traditional loincloths and vie with each other to get a pair of shingi (amulets).
More information:
・Explore Okayama | Saidai-ji Temple Eyo (Naked Man Festival)
・Saidaij | Eyo – Naked Festival (Some details in Japanese only)
Tenno Tanjyobi Kokyo Ippan Sanga (Visit of the General Public to the Palace for His Majesty's Birthday)
Location: Imperial Palace, Tokyo Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Originally scheduled for 23 February)
Summary: An annual event where the general public can enter the grounds of the Imperial Palace to view appearances by members of the Imperial Family. A greeting book is also available to well-wishers to write a message.
More information: The Imperial Household Agency | Visit of the General Public to the Palace for His Majesty's Birthday
Baika-sai (Plum Blossom Festival)
Location: Kitano Tenmangu Shrine, Kyoto Prefecture
Dates: 25 February 2022
Summary: An annual plum blossom festival with an open-air tea ceremony held on the same day. The plum orchard (baien) is open to the public from the beginning of February to around mid-March (exact dates vary each year). It is home to 1500 plum trees, with some 50 different varieties.
More information: Kitano Tenmangu | Annual events (Japanese only)
Edo Nagashibina
Location: Azumabashi Waterside Terrace and Sumida Park, Tokyo Prefecture
Dates: Cancelled in 2022 (Originally scheduled for 27 February)
Summary: The practice of Edo Nagashibina, floating paper dolls down the river, is believed to date back over 1000 years. It is held to pray for the safety and wellbeing of children.
More information: Go Tokyo | Edo Nagashibina
