Tokyo in February: Best Things to Do

Visiting Tokyo this February?? Don’t miss the latest events and the hottest tourist attractions available only in February! From the long running winter illumination events to strawberry pickings, check out what to do in Tokyo in February!

Tokyo in February

February, the end of winter period, is to early to see cherry blossoms in Tokyo, which are one of the most popular tourist attractions of the country. It sometimes snows in February in not only northern regions but urban areas like Tokyo. The average daily temperature in February in Tokyo ranges from 5°C (41°F) to 9°C (48.2°F). Illuminations and hot springs are still what you should enjoy in the season. Some people go to farms for picking strawberries and famous hotels offer seasonal strawberry buffets and afternoon teas in Tokyo.

Best Things to Do in Tokyo in February

1. Winter Illuminations

Tokyo’s winter illuminations lighten up the city magically and they are definitely the top tourist attractions in the city during winter! Illumination events are usually held until Christmas day, but nowadays many of them run through till February around the Valentine’s Day. You can enjoy various illuminations at each venue. Don’t miss the last chance to see the spectacular and romantic winter illuminations in Tokyo.

More info ▶ Tokyo Winter Illumination Guide

Even bigger scaled illumination events take places outside Tokyo, and they are the perfect destination for one day trip from Tokyo during winter. Check out the most spectacular illumination events near Tokyo this winter.

More info ▶ Best Winter Illuminations near Tokyo

2. Strawberry Picking

Japanese strawberries are really sweet and juicy, and considered as the best strawberries in the world. The obsession for delicious strawberries in Japan is pretty huge, and it’s definitely recommended to try them out. Winter and Spring are the best season for Japanese strawberries, and you’ll get a number of chance to taste them while travelling in Japan during the season. For example, strawberry picking is one of the top activities during season.

There are numbers of Strawberry fields located near Tokyo where you can taste fresh Japanese strawberries as much as you like. Here are the list of best strawberry picking spots near Tokyo!

▶ Best Strawberry Picking Farms near Tokyo

3. Strawberry Dessert Buffet

Another wonderful way to enjoy delicious Japanese strawberries is dessert buffets which are held at numbers of hotels in Tokyo from early January through April. Hotel’s dessert buffets are popular through the year which feature seasonal ingredients and themes such as Chocolate, Matcha, Christmas, Halloween and so on, but strawberries have been the most favoured dessert buffets among Japanese. Various kinds of delicious, creative and colourful strawberry desserts can be enjoyed with all-you-can-eat buffet style.

Here are top strawberry dessert buffets in Tokyo ▶ Strawberry Buffets in Tokyo

4. Starbucks Japan Cherry Blossom Collection

Starbucks Japan releases limited merchandise collections by season and their drinkware such as tumblers and mugs are super popular not only in Japan, but in the whole world. The most popular Starbucks Japan merchandise is the Cherry Blossom Collection which is usually released in February. The products feature the beautiful symbol of Japanese spring, Cherry Blossoms in cute pink colour. The merchandise goods are available while stocks last but tend to sell out real quick due to its popularity.

Check out the Cherry Blossom Collections by Starbucks Japan ▶ Starbucks Japan Sakura Tumblers and Mugs

5. Setsubun

Setsubun (節分) is the day before the beginning of spring in Japan (3 February). Setsubun literally means ‘seasonal division’, and the traditional way to celebrate the day is by throwing beans. Many Setsubun festivals are held across Japan on 3 February, mostly in temples and shrines featuring the bean-throwing ceremony in order to drive away any evil spirits to kick off the new season.

Several Setsubun festivals are held in Tokyo annually including in Sensoji Temple in Asakusa, Zojoji Temple, Kanda Myojin Shrine and Kawasaki Daishi Temple.

Related article ▶ Setsubun no Hi: Demon out, fortune inside

6. Bunkyo Plum Blossom Festival

Japanese Plum (Ume in Japanese) might have been overshadowed by cherry blossoms in recent years, however it’s one of the traditional and important flower in Japanese history, and it’s the first flower to bloom in spring, usually from early February to mid March. Plum Blossom Festivals are held across the country during the season.

Bunkyo Plum Blossom Festival or Bunkyo Ume Matsuri (文京梅まつり) is the biggest Plum Festival held in Tokyo. The event takes place at Yushima Tenjin Shrine in Bunkyo Ward from early February to early March. Visitors can enjoy approx 300 Plum trees flourishing at the shrine site as well as various special events. The light-up of the trees are displayed at night.

More info ▶ Bunkyo Plum Blossom Festival

7. Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day (14 February) is surprisingly big in Japan, and there is a unique tradition of how to spend the day. It’s the day women give men chocolates. During the season, you’ll see the huge promotion of chocolate at department stores, confectioneries, grocery stores and even convenience stores in Japan, offering various kinds of chocolate products. If you love chocolate generally, it’s the best time of the year.

More info: Valentine’s Day in Japan

Starbucks Japan also releases “Valentine Limited” merchandise collection and beverages during the season. The cute heart decorated drinkware is available only at Starbucks stores while stocks last, and chocolate inspired drinks are also sold including frappiccino and hot beverage.

More info: Starbucks Japan Valentine’s Day Merchandise

8. Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

The cherry blossom season may be arriving in Japan almost two month later, but early blooming cherry blossom, Kawazu Sakura can be enjoyed at Kawazu City in Shizuoka Prefecture this time of the year. Approx 8,000 cherry trees flourish at the riverbank of Kawazu River for about 4km. During the festival period, food vendors and night light-up are also available. It’s one of the best day-trip destination from Tokyo in February.

More info ▶ Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

There are more places where you can enjoy Kawazu cherry blossoms in Japan other than Kawazu Town. You can check out the best viewing spots for early blooming cherry blossoms in Japan from the link below!

9. Ice Skating

Numbers of ice skate rinks are open in Tokyo during winter, and it’s one of the best way to enjoy winter while being in the city. You can enjoy ice skating with the stunning view of the city at day and night. Check out the link below for more info about best ice skating rinks in Tokyo this winter!

10. Watch Icicles of Misotsuchi

The icicles of Misotsuchi is a spectacular winter phenomena which can be captured in Chichibu area, Saitama Prefecture only from January to February. The natural icicle measures 30m wide and 10 tall formed from spring water and by harsh winter weather. It’s one of the most popular day-trip destinations from Tokyo during winter, which takes around 2–3 hours to reach from central Tokyo. During the season (mid January to late February) a light-up is available after sunset with colourful lights illuminating the icicles magically.

The gigantic icicles are lighten up at night and turns into a great piece of art by mother nature!

More info ▶ The Icicles of Misotsuchi: Take a Winter Trip from Tokyo

▼Going to Tokyo in March??▼

Thanks for reading! Which events in February are you interested in most?? There are many more events that you can’t miss during winter in and outside of Tokyo! I’d recommend you to check out the below articles, too 🙂

▽Related Articles ▽

▼Editor’s Picks▼