List of Seasonal Events in Japan in February
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It is nice to explore Japan with the one we love, February is the month of love many events are held all over Japan related to Valentine’s Day. Apart from romantic dinners, there are also many annual events and festivals held in February throughout Japan. In this article, I will share some of the best events in Japan in February 2024.
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February is the month of love and friendship. It is a month where you can enjoy both winter events as well as Valentine’s Day-related events. In the case of Japan, this is also true, but many other traditional events take place in February.
Seasonally speaking, February is the month when winter ends and spring begins. Since Japan is such a long country from north to south, the temperature is felt pretty differently in Hokkaido compared to Okinawa. In Hokkaido, the popular snow festival is held this month. On the other hand, in Nagasaki, the Lantern Festival is held in this same month. Either way, winter illumination is something that you will still see in many places.
February is also full of Valentine’s Day events across the country. Most shops, restaurants, and cafes will have original chocolates or other kinds of merch available until mid-February.
Then, there are also strawberry-related events. In Japan, strawberry season is between November and May. Many hotels will offer strawberry-themed buffets between January and March. For those who love sweets, this is a good opportunity to enjoy a wide variety of strawberry desserts at fancy hotels.
Other than the above, February also has important national holidays such as ”National Foundation Day” and the Emperor’s birthday.
In this article, I will share with you our picks for the 10 best events in Japan in February 2024. I’m including events from different genres as well as locations.
1. Valentine’s Day special foods and merch
As I mentioned in the intro, February is the month for love and friendship. Many shops and restaurants will be offering original Valentine’s Day related menus and merch.
Genre: Food and merchandise
Dates: Until Valentine’s Day.
2. The 21st Nagano Lantern Festival
A well-known annual winter festival of Nagano, the Nagano Lantern Festival was first held in 2004 to continue the Olympic legacy of bringing hope and peace to the world.
Genre: Festival
Location: Zenkoji Temple and Shiroyama Park (Nagano)
Dates: February 9 to 12, 2024
Website: https://nagano-tomyo.com/
3. Sapporo Snow Festival
The 74th edition of Japan’s largest and most popular snow festival will be held from February 4 to 11.
Genre: Snow Festival
Location: Several areas within Sapporo City (Hokkaido)
Dates: February 4 to 11, 2024
Website: https://www.snowfes.com/en/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Guide to Sapporo Snow Festival 2024
4. Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival
Cherry blossoms in Kawazu City, Izu Peninsula will be in full bloom in February. Don’t miss the first chance of the year to see the frist cherry blossoms of 2024.
Genre: Cherry Blossom
Location: Kamo district (Shizuoka)
Dates: February 1 to 29, 2024
Website: http://www.kawazuzakura.net/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival 2024
 Access |
8 minute walk form Kawazu Station (JR Lines) |
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5. Nagasaki Lantern Festival
Nagasaki Lantern Festival is the biggest lantern festival in Japan, celebrating Chinese New Year with over 15,000 lanterns!
Genre: Lantern Festival
Location: Nagasaki China Town (Nagasaki)
Dates: February 9 to 25, 2024
Website: https://www.at-nagasaki.jp/lantern-festival
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2024
| Access |
2 minute walk from Shinchi Chinatown Station (Tram) |
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6. Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival
Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival is a traditional winter festival held annually in Akita Prefecture. The event features hundreds of large and small snow domes called Kamakura which are placed at several locations in the city.
Genre: Snow Festival
Location: Yokote city (Akita)
Dates: February 15 and 16, 2024
Website: https://www.yokotekamakura.com/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival 2024
| Access |
10 mins walk from Yokote station (JR Kitakami line/JR Ou line) |
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7. Tomamu Ice Village
Enjoy unique and cold ice activities and stay at an ice hotel in Hokkaido’s ice village! This can be experienced only during wintertime, so be sure to check it out if you happen to be around during this season.
Genre: Winter resort
Location: Ice Village Hoshino Resorts TOMAMU (Hokkaido)
Dates: December 10, 2022, to March 14, 2024
Website: https://www.snowtomamu.jp/special/icevillage/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Tomamu Ice Village: Dreamy Winter Wonderland in Hokkaido 2023-2024
| Access |
From Tomamu Station, 5 minutes by bus |
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8. Starbucks Japan Cherry Blossom Collection
Starbucks Japan announced its Sakura collection for this year. Get mugs and tumblers with cherry blossom designs.
Genre: Starbucks merchendise
Location: Starbucks shops across Japan
Dates: From February 6, 2024
For more information about this and more, be sure to check out the following articles!
▶Starbucks Japan Cherry Blossom Beverages 2024
▶Starbucks Japan Sakura 2024 2nd Collection
▶Starbucks Japan Sakura Tumblers and Mugs 2024
9. Strawberry Buffets and Afternoon Teas
Strawberry season in Japan is between November and May. Many Hotels, restaurants, and cafes have special strawberry-themed events such as buffets and afternoon teas. These events are held usually between January and March.
Genre: Seasonal food
Location: Hotels, restaurants, and cafes across Japan
Dates: Usually between January and March (depending on the place)
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
▶︎Best Strawberry Buffets in Tokyo 2024
10. Osaka Castle Illuminage
An illumination event brought to you by the Illuminage Group, showing the Osaka Castle and the Tokugawa Family in unique ways. Ultraman-related exhibitions can be found as well.
Genre: Winter Illumination
Location: Osaka Castle (Osaka)
Dates: November 22, 2023, to February 25, 2024
Website: https://illuminagegroup.com/osaka2022/
| Access |
12 minute walk from Temmabashi Station (Keihan Main Line, Nakanoshima Line, and Tanimachi Line) |
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In addition to those seasonal events, there are more things to do in Japan in February. Check more details in these articles below.
▶Top 10 Things to Do in Japan in February
▶Best Snow Festivals in Japan 2024
▶Winter in Japan: 10 Best Things to Do in 2023-2024
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Written by
Born and raised in Costa Rica, I started living in Tokyo from college. I love traveling within Japan & around the world. Since I wasn’t born in Japan, I know the cultural impact that you can get when visiting Japan for the first time and what you might be worried about before your trip. And I’ve lived long enough to somewhat understand the nuances of the Japanese culture that make this country such an attractive place to visit. Hopefully I can provide to you both the information you’re looking for and the information you didn’t know you needed to know.
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