February in Japan is a month brimming with excitement and cultural richness. From vibrant festivals to enchanting illuminations, this period is filled with unique celebrations and events that you surely wouldn’t want to miss. In this guide, we’ll explore the top 10 events that make February a special time to experience the diverse and lively spirit of Japan!
Setsubun (節分)
Photo: https://japan-magazine.jnto.go.jp/
Setsubun (節分) is held every year on February 3rd, and is most commonly associated with the tradition of mamemaki (豆まき), which involves a person dressing up as an oni (demon/ogre) and people throwing soybeans at him. These roasted soybeans are called “fortune beans” (fukumame, 福豆). Then, one bean is eaten for each year of life, and in many regions in Japan, one extra bean is consumed for good health in the next year. Many people attend a shrine or temple’s setsubun festival where this is done publicly. At some bigger shrines, famous celebrities and sumo wrestlers are invited to attend, and the events are aired on national television. One of the biggest public Setsubun celebrations is at Sensō-ji in the Asakusa neighborhood of Tokyo, where nearly 100,000 people attend every year.
WHERE: Nationwide
WHEN: Feb 3
WEBSITE: http://learnjapanese123.com/setsubun-japan-bean-throwing-festival/
Sapporo Snow Festival (さっぽろ雪まつり)
The Sapporo Snow Festival, held annually for seven days in February in Sapporo, Japan, is one of the country’s largest and most unique winter events. Attracting around 2 million visitors each year, the festival features over 400 snow and ice sculptures of various sizes at main venues like Ōdōri Park, Susukino, and Tsudome. Some sculptures are life-sized, while others are as large as buildings. Since 1974, Ōdōri Park has hosted an International Snow Sculpture Contest, drawing teams from around the globe.
WHERE: Ōdōri Park, Tsudome, Susukino in Sapporo City, Hokkaido
WHEN: Feb 4 – 11 (in 2024)
WEBSITE: https://www.snowfes.com/en/
Namahage Sedo Matsuri (なまはげ柴灯祭り）
The Namahage Sedo Festival, held in Akita, Japan, is a captivating winter event that combines ancient Shinto rituals with folk traditions. Taking place at the Mansan Shrine in Oga City, this festival has been celebrated for over 900 years.
During the festival, young men dressed as Namahage, fearsome ogre-like figures, visit homes, admonishing laziness and bringing blessings for good health, bountiful harvests, and prosperity. The festival culminates in a dramatic procession, where torch-bearing Namahage descend from snowy mountains to interact with spectators.
WHERE: Mansan Shrine in Oga City, Akita
WHEN: The 2nd Friday, Saturday and Sunday of February. 9 -11 Feb (in 2024)
WEBSITE: https://oganavi.com/sedo/en/
Nagasaki Lantern Festival (長崎ランタンフェスティバル)
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival, Japan’s largest lantern festival, celebrates the Chinese New Year for 15 days with over 15,000 vibrant lanterns and lights. Starting on the Chinese New Year’s Day as per the Lunar calendar, the festivities are centered in Shinchi Chinatown and extend to nearby areas like parks and shopping arcades. Highlights include an Emperor’s Parade, Chinese Lion Dance, and acrobatics, complemented by numerous stalls selling traditional Chinese food and goods.
WHERE: Shinchi China Town, Nagasaki City
WHEN: Feb 9 – 25 (in 2024)
WEBSITE: https://www.discover-nagasaki.com/en/sightseeing/51795
Saidaiji Eyō Hadaka Matsuri (西大寺会陽 はだか祭り)
Photo: DeepJapan
This festival is held every year on the 3rd Saturday in February. Also called a “Hadaka (Naked) Festival”, this festival is nationally famous as being one of the three biggest naked festivals in Japan. About 10,000 naked men gather on a cold winter night to compete in a fierce battle over the two treasure wood (Shinki) that are dropped from the main temple of Saidaiji Temple at midnight. Those who get the treasure are called “Fuku Otoko”, and it is said that they will recieve good luck.
WHERE: Saidaiji Temple, Okayama City, Okayama Prefecture
WHEN: Feb 17 (in 2024)
WEBSITE: https://www.saidaiji.jp/eyou/
Mito Plum Festival (水戸の梅まつり)
Photo: mitokoumon.com
The Mito no Ume Matsuri (Mito Plum Festival) has a history of over 120 years. It is held is one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan called “Kairaku-en,” (偕楽園), a 32-acre park known for its plum varieties, bamboo forest & monuments. During the festival period, around 100 varieties of plums fill the park with an endless sea of pink and white blossoms. People who visit the park during this time can also enjoy a Nodate tea party, taiko drums and mai dance performances, all amongst the charm of this early Springtime scene.
WHERE: Kairakuen, Mito City, Ibaraki Prefecture
WHEN: Feb 10 – Mar 17 (in 2024)
WEBSITE: https://www.ibarakiguide.jp/special/mito_ume.html
Otaru Snow Light Path (小樽雪あかりの路)
The Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, beginning in 1999 in Otaru City, Hokkaido, has become a key winter event. This festival, offering a tranquil and intimate atmosphere, coincides with the larger Sapporo Snow Festival. Otaru’s streets and canals glow with hundreds of candle-lit snow lanterns, creating a serene winter wonderland. Additionally, with Otaru just a 50-minute train ride from Sapporo, visitors can easily extend their experience from the Sapporo Snow Festival to include Otaru’s enchanting displays.
WHERE: Otaru City, Hokkaido (venue map in Japanese)
WHEN: Feb 10 – 17 (in 2024)
WEBSITE: http://yukiakarinomichi.org/?page_id=10
Suzuka Forest Garden Plum Blossom Festival (鈴鹿の森庭園の梅まつり)
Photo: T.Kiya on Flickr
This festival is held every year in Suzuka Forest Garden (Suzuka no Mori Teienaka, 鈴鹿の森庭園) in Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture. The famous Suzuka racing circuit is located in this city, but Suzuka is also famous for the beautiful weeping plum trees that attract visitors from all over Japan. Suzuka Forest Garden is one of the largest sites for plum blossoms in Japan, as it is home to about 200 weeping plum trees. A light-up is also held at night during the peak blooming season.
WHERE: Suzuka Forest Garden, Suzuka City, Mie Prefecture
WHEN: Feb 17 – end of March (in 2024)
WEBSITE: https://www.akatsuka.gr.jp/group/suzuka/en/index.html
Katsuyama Sagicho Matsuri (勝山左義長まつり)
Photo: Oh Matsuri
This 300-year old traditional fire festival draws great crowds. It is held every year on the last Saturday and Sunday in February to pray for a good harvest in the new year. Local artists are carried around Katsuyama City on 12 high wooden stages, where they perform traditional skills along with drumming and music. Then, onlookers gather as New Years decorations are burned in a Dondo-yaki ceremony on the banks of the Kuzuryu River. There are various activities throughout the day, but the final fire-lighting begins around 8:30-9pm.
WHERE: Katsuyama City, Fukui Prefecture
WHEN: Feb 24 – 25 (in 2024)
WEBSITE: https://www.fuku-e.com/event/detail_5046.html
Katsuura Big Hina Doll Festival (かつうらビッグひな祭り)
Photo: jp.zekkeijapan.com
Close to 30,000 Hina dolls from around the country, including around 7,000 received from Katsuura Town in Tokushima Prefecture, are decorated then displayed in various places around the city. Approximately 1,800 dolls are decorated on the 60 stone steps of the Tomisaki shrine in Hamakatsuura City, which will be lit up after dark.
WHERE: Tomisaki Shrine (遠見岬神社)
WHEN: Feb 23 – March 3 (in 2024)
WEBSITE: https://www.city.katsuura.lg.jp/Info/1405
Extra 🙂
Kobe’s Nankin-machi Chinese New Year (南京町春節祭)
Kobe’s Nankin-machi, one of Japan’s few Chinatowns and the largest in the Kansai region, has been celebrating the Chinese New Year since 1987. The festivities occur on the official day and the following weekend, featuring a dragon parade, lion dance, and martial arts demonstrations. Additionally, visitors can enjoy numerous stalls selling Chinese cuisine and traditional goods.
WHERE: Nankin-machi, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture
WHEN: Feb 10 – 12 (in 2024)
WEBSITE: https://www.nankinmachi.or.jp/event/shunsetsu/
In this issue, we have featured 10 famous festivals held in February and an additional festival in Nankinmachi, Kobe. Please check out these festivals when you visit Japan! It’s a great way to get a taste of Japanese festival culture.
If you like, you can also check out Japan’s 5 Most Unique Festivals here, including one that takes place in February!
I hope you enjoy this blog. Please share it with your Japan-loving friends if you like!
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