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This translation was generated by AI and may contain wording that differs from the facts. Please check the Japanese original or official sources for anything important. Japanese original
Key points
- Sapporo Snow Festival: giant snow sculptures line Odori Park in one of Japan's biggest winter events; Otaru's candle-lit Snow Light Path is on at the same time.
- Plum and Kawazu cherry blossoms: plum gardens such as Kairakuen in Mito and the early-blooming Kawazu cherries in Izu peak from mid February to early March.
- Setsubun (around 3 February): bean-throwing ceremonies at temples and shrines, and the custom of eating ehomaki sushi rolls.
🌤 Weather and temperature
Tokyo and Osaka average 6–7 °C. Hokkaido is at peak snow, with Sapporo averaging below freezing. The Pacific side stays dry and sunny.
| City | Average temperature | Rainfall |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | -2.7 °C | 92 mm |
| Tokyo | 6.1 °C | 57 mm |
| Osaka | 6.6 °C | 61 mm |
| Fukuoka | 7.8 °C | 70 mm |
| Naha | 17.5 °C | 115 mm |
Monthly averages based on Japan Meteorological Agency normals (1991–2020).
🚄 Crowds, holidays and prices
Sapporo hotels fill early and prices rise during the Snow Festival in early February. Elsewhere it is fairly quiet, though Lunar New Year holidays in China, Taiwan, Korea and elsewhere (late January to mid February) can bring crowds to popular sights.
🏮 Festivals and events
- Sapporo Snow Festival (Hokkaido · Early February)
Giant snow sculptures line Odori Park. Over 2 million visitors make it Japan's biggest winter festival - Asahikawa Winter Festival (Hokkaido · Early February)
Colossal snow sculptures on the banks of the Ishikari River. Runs alongside the Sapporo festival, a staple of any winter Hokkaido tour - Yokote Snow Festival (Kamakura) (Akita · February 15–16)
Around 100 snow huts enshrining the water god. Inside, children serve sweet sake and rice cakes in a 450-year-old tradition - Saidaiji Eyo (Naked Festival) (Okayama · Third Saturday of February)
Around 10,000 men in loincloths scramble for sacred wooden talismans (shingi). 500 years of history - Nagasaki Lantern Festival (Nagasaki · Lunar New Year (late January to February))
Rooted in Chinese New Year. 15,000 lanterns light up Shinchi Chinatown - Takachiho Yokagura (Miyazaki · Mid-November to early February)
Each village performs all 33 sacred dances through the night. The land of the Amano-Iwato myth - Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival (Shizuoka · Early February to early March)
850 early-blooming Kawazu cherry trees flower along the Kawazu River. The earliest cherry blossom festival on Honshu
Dates change from year to year; always check the official announcement.
🌸 Flowers and autumn colours
- Kawazu cherry blossoms (Shizuoka · Early February to early March)
Early-blooming, large and deep pink. The flowers last about a month - Nabana no Sato Illumination (Mie · Late October to May (illumination); tulips in spring)
One of Japan's largest winter illuminations, plus tulip and begonia gardens in spring
🍣 Seasonal food and traditions
- Seafood in season: Pufferfish, pond smelt, Spanish mackerel (winter)
- Produce in season: Broccoli, komatsuna, iyokan, dekopon
- Traditions and daily life: Setsubun (bean throwing, ehomaki rolls), Risshun (first day of spring), Valentine's Day, snow festivals, plum blossoms
📍 Where to go this month
Sapporo Snow Festival
Every February, giant snow sculptures up to 15 m tall draw two million visitors. Some are built by the Self-Defense Forces.
Otaru Canal
Stone warehouses line a canal completed in 1923. Gas lamps at dusk, glass crafts and a street of sushi restaurants; in February the Snow Light Path festival.
Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
Wild Japanese macaques soaking in a hot spring in the snow — the only monkeys in the world known to bathe in onsen.
Beppu Onsen
Japan's largest hot-spring city by sources and flow. Steam rises all over town; the 'Hells' tour shows seven differently coloured pools.
Niseko Powder Snow
Fifteen metres of snow a year and the lightest powder on Earth — 'Japow'. A world-class ski resort from December to April.
Ginzan Onsen
Wooden inns from the 1910s–20s line a river; the snowy, gaslit evenings look straight out of an anime.
🧳 What to pack
Winter (Dec–Feb)
- A coat is enough in Tokyo and Osaka; Hokkaido needs a down jacket and non-slip shoes
- Lip balm and moisturiser for the dry air, plus disposable heat packs
- Ryokan provide towels; bring or buy one for day-trip hot springs
- Many places close from 29 Dec to 3 Jan and transport is crowded
💡 Travel tip
If you want the Snow Festival, book Sapporo accommodation as early as possible — ideally around six months ahead.
🗓 Other months
January · February · March · April · May · June · July · August · September · October · November · December
Frequently asked questions
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival?
It runs for about a week in early February each year. Dates vary, so check the official website.
Can I see cherry blossoms in February?
Yes — Kawazu cherries in Izu and Okinawa's kanhizakura bloom in February. The classic Somei-yoshino cherries in Tokyo and Kyoto bloom in late March to early April.
