10 Best Events in Japan in February 2023
List of Seasonal Events in Japan in February
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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 there are many other traditional events that 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 2023. 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 menus and merch.
Genre: Food and merchandise
Dates: Until valentine’s day.
For more information about these events, check out the following articles!
2. Japanese Landscapes Discovered: Views from and for the Outside World
The Meiji era (late 19th century to early 20th century) was a period of large and sudden cultural changes in Japan. A collection of over 200 paintings from both Japanese and foreign artists of that period are gathered in this exhibition to illustrate how things were during that era.
Genre: Art Exhibition
Location: Nagano Prefectural Art Museum (Nagano)
Dates: February 11 to April 9, 2023
Website: https://nagano.art.museum/exhibition/japanese_landscapes_discovered
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From JR Nagano Station, 15 minutes by bus |
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3. Sapporo Snow Festival
The 73rd 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, 2023
Website: https://www.snowfes.com/en/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
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 2023.
Genre: Cherry Blossom
Location: Kamo district (Shizuoka)
Dates: February 1 to 28, 2023
Website: http://www.kawazuzakura.net/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
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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: January 22 to February 5, 2023
Website: https://www.at-nagasaki.jp/lantern-festival
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
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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, 2023
Website: https://www.yokotekamakura.com/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
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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, 2023
Website: https://www.snowtomamu.jp/special/icevillage/
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
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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 15
For more information about this event, check out the following article!
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!
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, 2022, to February 26, 2023
Website: https://illuminagegroup.com/osaka2022/
Information
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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.
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