
February Events and Festivals in Japan
Japan’s February calendar is filled with vibrant festivals and events celebrating winter’s peak and the approaching spring. From snow festivals to plum blossom viewings, these events showcase the very best of Japan’s natural beauty and its people’s energy. Below are the biggest and most popular events happening throughout February.
1. Nagasaki Lantern Festival

Dates: January 29–February 12, 2025
The Nagasaki Lantern Festival transforms Japan’s oldest Chinatown into a mesmerizing display of over 15,000 colorful lanterns. This celebration of Chinese New Year reflects Nagasaki’s unique historical role as a gateway of Chinese culture in Japan. The festival spans several districts, with the heart of the celebration centered in Nagasaki Shinchi Chinatown and surrounding areas.
Visitors can experience traditional Chinese performances, including dynamic dragon dance parades while sampling authentic Chinese cuisine from street vendors and restaurants. The evening hours are particularly spectacular when the lanterns create a warm glow throughout the city’s historic streets, and special street shows and events draw crowds. The festival perfectly illustrates the harmonious blend of Japanese and Chinese cultures that have characterized Nagasaki for centuries.
2. Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival

Dates: February 1–24, 2025
Set against the backdrop of Hokkaido’s deepest lake, Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival presents a unique spectacle where water from the lake is frozen into crystalline art installations. The festival takes advantage of Lake Shikotsu’s unfrozen waters (due to its depth) and the region’s frigid temperatures to create stunning ice formations by repeatedly spraying water that freezes layer by layer.
During the day, the ice sculptures shimmer with natural light, while evening illuminations transform them into a colorful fantasy world. Visitors can warm up in various hot springs scattered around the area.
3. Sapporo Snow Festival

Dates: February 4–11, 2025
One of Japan’s most internationally renowned winter celebrations, the Sapporo Snow Festival brings Hokkaido’s capital city to life with street food and snow sculptures. The festival spans three main sites: Odori Park,Susukino, and Tsudome, each offering a distinct experience. At Odori Park, massive snow and ice sculptures tower several stories high, featuring intricate replicas of famous architecture, beloved characters, and historical scenes. International teams compete to create these frozen masterpieces, illuminated at night, to create a magical atmosphere.
The Susukino site adds a unique twist with its ice sculpture competition, while the Tsudome area focuses on family-friendly activities featuring snow slides and snow rafting. Visitors can warm up with Hokkaido’s famous ramen and local specialties while enjoying live performances and projection mapping shows that bring the sculptures to life. The festival attracts millions of visitors annually, making it one of the largest winter events in Japan.
4. Otaru Snow Light Path Festival

Dates: February 8–15, 2025
In the historic port city of Otaru, the Snow Light Path Festival creates one of winter's most romantic scenes. The festival centers around three main areas: the iconic Otaru Canal, along the tracks of the abolished Temiya Line, and Mount Tenguyama. Thousands of small snow-crafted lanterns along the canal and former railway tracks, flames flickering against the snow, and historic warehouse buildings that once served as the city’s bustling trade centers.
The festival’s charm lies in its simplicity and natural beauty. Unlike its grander cousin in Sapporo, Otaru’s festival focuses on creating intimate, magical moments. In the evenings, visitors can stroll along the canal paths illuminated by candles and small snow statues. Local restaurants and cafes offer warm drinks and regional specialties perfect for cold winter nights. For an even more unique experience, visitors can hop on the ropeway to reach Mount Tenguyama, which offers a dazzling view of the city illuminated by candlelight.
5. Plum Blossom Festivals

Dates: Mid-February to early March
While cherry blossoms might be Japan’s most famous flowering event, the plum blossoms that arrive in February hold a special place in Japanese culture as the first harbinger of spring. Kairakuen Garden in Mito, home to over 3,000 plum trees of 100 different varieties, hosts one of the country's most celebrated plum festivals. The garden comes alive with delicate white and pink blossoms as their sweet fragrance fills the air for all to enjoy.
In Kyoto, the historic Kitano Tenmangu Shrine showcases nearly 2,000 plum trees. In late February, the shrine’s annual Plum Blossom Festival features a special outdoor tea ceremony among the blossoming trees, where apprentice geiko and maiko serve tea to visitors. In Tokyo, Koishikawa Korakuen Gardens offer an intimate plum viewing experience, with beautiful pink and white plum trees blooming in the traditional garden.