February is the month when you can enjoy Setsubun bean-throwing and early-blooming cherry blossoms. In Japan, there are plenty of things to see, such as relaxing in hot springs while admiring the snowy scenery and enjoying events unique to winter.

So, this time we will introduce a carefully selected list of recommended events and tourist spots to visit in Japan in February.

[Hokkaido] Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival, held every February, is one of the three major snow festivals in Japan. It began as a display of snow sculptures by local students in 1950 and has now become a seasonal winter event that attracts over 2 million people from all over the world.

At the Odori site, snow sculptures over 10 meters tall and elaborate carvings are lined up, and at night the lights and projection mapping create a fantastical effect. There are also plenty of food stalls where you can enjoy snow slides and Hokkaido gourmet food, so each of the three sites is packed with things to see.

[Iwate Prefecture] Hanamaki Wankosoba All Japan Tournament

Every year on February 11th, which is the "Wankosoba Memorial Day," the "Wankosoba All Japan Tournament" is held in Hanamaki, Iwate Prefecture. This tournament began in 1957, and participants compete to see how many bowls of wankosoba they can eat in the time limit of 3 to 5 minutes. One bowl of wankosoba is about 10g, and 15 to 20 bowls is equivalent to one bowl of kakesoba.

The tournament is modeled on sumo, with players called "shokushi" and the player with the most shokushi is called "yokozuna." The heated battles between players from all over the country are well worth watching.

[Niigata Prefecture] Tokamachi Snow Festival

The Tokamachi Snow Festival began in 1950 with the idea of local residents "making snow our friend and enjoying it," and is one of Japan's three major snow festivals. The "snow artworks" painstakingly created by the locals are highly artistic and powerful, something you can only find in a town of kimonos. You can experience their beauty by touring the artworks scattered around the city.

At the "Festival Square," you can enjoy snow country experiences, playing in the snow, local cuisine, and many other things to see. Also, don't miss the "Rainbow Snow Fireworks" that light up the clear winter night sky.

[Tochigi Prefecture] Kamakura Festival

The Kamakura Festival, held every year in Yunishigawa Onsen, is a representative winter event in Tochigi Prefecture. The Sawaguchi Riverbed Mini Kamakura Venue, certified as one of the "Japan Night View Heritage," "Kanto's Three Great Night Lights," and "Tochigi Seven Lights," is a must-see. On Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays, hundreds of mini kamakura are enveloped in candlelight, creating a fantastical scene.

At the "Heike no Sato Venue" you can enjoy thatched roof houses and large snow igloos, and at the "Mizu no Sato Snow Park" you can enjoy snow slides and snow-viewing baths. There are plenty of activities that can be enjoyed by children and adults, and you can experience something out of the ordinary with the winter scenery of Yunishigawa Onsen.

[Yamagata Prefecture] Zao's Ice Festival

The "Frost-covered Trees Festival" is a special event where you can see some of the world's best frost-covered trees. Nicknamed "snow monsters" for their fluffy appearance, the frost-covered trees begin to grow in late December and are at their best in February. If you head to the summit on the Zao Ropeway, you'll be greeted by a spectacular view of the silvery white mountains and the frost-covered fields. At night, the area is lit up, creating a fantastical landscape.

The festival features a variety of events, including a "torchlight run" with 1,000 skiers, winter fireworks, and a "winter good luck parade." This is a festival that can be enjoyed even by those who don't ski.

[Gifu Prefecture] Shirakawa-go Illumination

Shirakawa-go Gassho-style Village is the largest Gassho-style village in Japan, located in one of Japan's heaviest snowfall areas. It was registered as a World Heritage Site in 1995, and over 100 houses with hundreds of years of history have been handed down to the present day as a "living village."

You can tour the interiors of large houses such as the Wada House and the Nagase House. You can see the roof structure of the five-story building up close, and get a sense of the wisdom and ingenuity of life at the time. In winter, the area is covered in snow, creating a fantastical landscape, and the light-up event from mid-January to early February is especially popular.

[Nagasaki Prefecture] Nagasaki Lantern Festival

The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is an expansion of the popular Chinese New Year's Festival. The city center is decorated with about 15,000 lanterns and large objects, creating a fantastic world of light. Another attraction is that you can enjoy the different colors and designs of the lanterns at each venue. Each area has its own unique scenery, such as the yellow around Meganebashi Bridge and the pink of Chinatown.

The highlight is the "Emperor Parade" where participants dress in gorgeous Chinese costumes. This is a winter tradition in Nagasaki where you can enjoy authentic Chinese flavors such as kakuni manju and Chinese sweets.

[Kanagawa Prefecture] Yugawara Plum Grove Plum Banquet

The "Plum Banquet" at the Yugawara Plum Grove has been a seasonal feature of spring since 1996. With Makuyama in the background, about 4,000 red and white plum trees bloom in full glory, creating a red and white carpet-like scene. The garden is filled with the faint fragrance of plums, and the beauty will take your breath away.

Highlights include the rare plum blossoms, where red and white plums bloom from the same tree, and cherry blossom viewing along the hiking trails. At night, the plum grove is lit up, creating a fantastical landscape that is different from the daytime. At the stalls at the foot of the mountain, you can also enjoy gourmet foods unique to Yugawara, such as plum soft serve ice cream and sweet sake.

[Shizuoka Prefecture] Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival, held every year in Kawazu Town, Shizuoka Prefecture, is an event where you can feel the arrival of spring early. The early-blooming Kawazu cherry blossoms, which begin to bloom in early February, are characterized by a deeper pink color than the Somei-Yoshino cherry blossoms. When in full bloom, more than 850 trees bloom along the Kawazu River for about 3 km, creating a vibrant sight.

During the period, there are many stalls and events, and at night the rows of cherry blossom trees are lit up, creating a romantic atmosphere. The flowering season lasts for about a month, and even when the flowers are only half in bloom, it still creates a beautiful sight.

[Kyoto Prefecture] Setsubun Festival

The Setsubun Festival, which colors Kyoto's winter season, is a traditional Japanese event that drives away evil spirits and brings good fortune. Its origins date back to the Nara period, and it is said to have spread to the general public during the Muromachi period. On Setsubun day, various Setsubun events are held at Kyoto's most famous shrines and temples, including Yasaka Shrine, Shimogamo Shrine, and Heian Shrine.

There are plenty of things to see, such as bean-throwing, ceremonies to ward off evil spirits, and events to bring good fortune. The unique events and special amulets held at each shrine and temple are also worth checking out. Enjoy the experience of praying for happiness in the new year while experiencing traditional Japanese culture.

summary

In February in Japan, you can enjoy the spectacular combination of winter snow and early spring plum and cherry blossoms, as well as historic cultural events. Unique events such as snow festivals, Setsubun festivals, and early-blooming cherry blossom festivals are held all over the country, captivating visitors.

Enjoy a special moment that can only be experienced in Japan through this seasonal experience.