What February is like
February is cold everywhere and snowy in Hokkaido, Tohoku and along the Japan Sea. It is the season for snow festivals in the north. In the cities it is dry and clear, and by late February the first plum blossoms open in Kyoto and Tokyo.
Outside the snow festivals, February is one of the quietest months for tourism, so hotels are easier to find and prices are lower.
Highlights
- Sapporo Snow Festival, Hokkaido. For about a week in early February, giant snow and ice sculptures line Ōdōri Park in the city centre.
- Yokote Kamakura, Akita. On the second Friday and Saturday of February, hundreds of candle-lit snow huts glow in the dark, and children invite visitors in.
- Saidaiji Eyō, Okayama. On the third Saturday of February, thousands of men in loincloths scramble in the dark for a pair of lucky sacred sticks. After a fatal accident in 2026, the organizers plan to hold the 2027 festival without the scramble, so check the festival page before you go.
Tips for February
- Wear boots with a good grip in the snow country. Paths are icy, especially at night.
- On Setsubun (February 3 in 2027), join a bean-throwing at a shrine or temple. Our Setsubun guide explains the customs and where to go.
- Book northern hotels early for the snow festivals, which are very popular. Our winter festivals guide compares them.
- Kitano Tenmangū’s plum festival on February 25 is an easy, gentle way to see early spring in Kyoto.
