2020 February Best Events in Japan

Setsubun and Ehomaki

The day before spring arrives is marked throughout Japan by Setsubun, which translates as “seasonal division”.
This festival originated as a time to cleanse from the previous year and drive away evil spirits for the year ahead.

A highlight of the festival is a ritual known as mamemaki or “bean scattering” when roasted soybeans are thrown out the door of a house or temple while saying “Oni wa soto! Fuku wa uchi!” ("Demons out! Luck in!”)
If you want to participate in this purification practice, head to Sensoji (Asakusa), Zojoji (Tokyo) or Naritasan Shinshoji (Chiba).

Setsubun is also marked by the eating of Ehomaki sushi rolls, which are sold at convenience and department stores across the country.
These long sushi rolls are filled with seven different ingredients to represent the seven gods of happiness (Shichifukujin) and should be eaten facing the year’s lucky direction.

Zojoji Temple

Ehomaki

Zojoji Temple

4.0

2163 Reviews

Tokyo Minato-ku Shibakouen 4-7-35

0334321431

[Opening hours for worship] …

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Sapporo Snow Festival

Held every year in February, the Sapporo Snow Festival is the largest of its kind in Japan and attracts more than two million visitors.
The heart of all the action is Odori Park, which extends through the heart of Sapporo, with live music and gi-gantic ice sculptures that are beautifully illuminated at night.

If you want to see the stunning ice and snow sculptures that have been entered into the festival’s official contest, head to the Susukino area, or enjoy the family-friendly snow slides and attractions set up in Tsudome.

In 2020, the Sapporo Snow Festival will take place from February 4-11.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Sapporo Snow Festival

Odori Park

4.0

3798 Reviews

Hokkaido Sapporoshi Chuou-ku Odorinishi 1 from 12-chome

0112510438

Open 24 hours

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Yokote Kamakura Festival

Famed for its igloo-like snow houses (known as “kamakura”), the Kamakura Festival dates back more than 400 years and in 2020 will be held in two locations.
The Yokote Kamakura Festival (横手かまくら祭り) will be held in the southeast of Akita Prefecture while the Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival (湯西川温泉かまくら祭り) will ignite this charming onsen town in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture.

Countless small and large kamakura will be set up and illuminated by candles at night, transforming both locations into a magical winter wonderland.
Aside from the kamakura, the event features a range of other activities, including snow rafting, kamakura making experiences and delicious local foods.

The Yokote Kamakura Festival 2020 will take place on February 15 and 16 in the city of Yokote while the Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival 2020 will take place from 31 January to 1 March 2020.

Yokote Kamakura Festival

Yunishikawa Kamakura Festival

Yokote Fureai Center Kamakura Hall

4.0

54 Reviews

Akita Pref. Yokoteshi Chuoumachi 8-12

0182337111

9:00-17:00

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Yunishigawaonsen

Tochigi Pref

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Kyota Takahashi 「Gift for Frozen Village2018」Photo by Osamu Nakamura

As the heavy snows descend in Niigata prefecture during winter, the Echigo-Tsumari region celebrates with their Snow Art festival.
The main event is the Snow Fireworks / Gift for Frozen Village, which will illuminate the skies on February 29.
Don’t miss a visit to the Echigo-Tsumari Satoyama Museum of Contemporary Art where a collection of snow-themed works will be displayed.
The opportunity to try the unique festival meal of yukimigozen in village.

Image of Snow Art

Image of EXPO's Snow Play

Want to experience life in the snow country of Akiyamago?
Visit Katakuri House where you can dine in a kamakura space that’s been created by shadow pictures and enjoy a guided walk along the ishigakida (stone-terraced rice fields).
A range of Satoyama snow activities are also planned, as well as an exhibition highlighting the diversity of plants in Japan’s snow country.

In 2020, the Echigo-Tsumari Art Field 2020 Winter SNOW ART will take place from 15 February to 1 March.

Kinare Akashi no Yu

4.0

12 Reviews

Nigata Pref. Tokamachishi Honchou 6-1-71-2

0257520117

10:00-22:00(Last entry21:30)

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Mito Plum Blossom Festival

As Japan’s plum trees break out in blossoms, gardens across the country celebrate this explosion of color.
But the most famous celebration is the Mito Plum Blossom Festival (水戸の梅まつり) of Kairaku-en in the city of Ibaraki Prefecture, Mito.

Considered one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan, Kairaku-en was created during the Edo period and features around 100 different varieties of plum blossoms.
During the festival, you can see around 3,000 trees in various hues of light pink while enjoying the fragrant perfumes. Aside from enjoying the plum blossoms and drinking powdered green tea, the festival will hold outdoor koto performances, guided nighttime walks and fireworks shows.

The Mito Plum Blossom Festival 2020 will take place from late February to March 31.

Read more:
Mito Plum Blossom Festival 2020

Mito Plum Blossom Festival

Mito Nomematuri

Ibaraki Pref. Mitoshi Tokiwachou 1-chome 3

0292240441

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Rape Flower Blossoms Season

February is also marked by the blossoming of bright yellow rape flowers, which occur in various locations across Japan.
One of the most famous spots is along the Isumi Railway in Chiba, forested landscapes and fields of rape flowers.

Soak up the rural landscapes of the Boso Peninsula on a 26-kilometer-long journey between Ohara Station and Kazusa-Nakano, passing historic stations that date back to 1912.
The scenery is a stark contrast to the high-tech streets and bustle of Tokyo and made only more beautiful by the yellow blanket of the season’s rape flower blossoms.

Rape Flower Blossoms Season

Isumi Railway

4.0

68 Reviews

Chiba Pref. Isumigunotakimachi Otaki 264

0470822161

open everyday

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