February is the last full month of winter in Japan, and one of the most underrated times to visit. In the north, it is the peak of snow season, with ice sculptures, snow lanterns and powder snow. In Tokyo and Kyoto, skies are often clear and dry, and by the end of the month the first plum blossoms are out. Outside a few busy dates, February is also one of the quieter months for city sightseeing.
This guide covers the weather, the events and festivals of February 2027, the holidays and what to pack.
1. February Weather by City
These are the Japan Meteorological Agency's average daily highs and lows for February (1991–2020 normals):
| City | Average high | Average low | What to expect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 0.4°C | -6.2°C | Deep snow, peak winter |
| Nagano | 5.3°C | -3.7°C | Cold, snowy mountains nearby |
| Tokyo | 10.9°C | 2.1°C | Dry and sunny, cold mornings |
| Kyoto | 10.0°C | 1.6°C | Chilly, occasional light snow |
| Osaka | 10.5°C | 3.2°C | Cool and mostly dry |
| Fukuoka | 11.6°C | 4.4°C | Mild for winter |
| Naha (Okinawa) | 20.2°C | 15.1°C | Spring-like |
February is slightly warmer than January in most cities, but it still feels like winter, especially in the morning and evening. Tokyo can get an occasional snowfall, which sometimes disrupts trains.
2. Public Holidays in February 2027
National Foundation Day (建国記念の日)
The Emperor's Birthday (天皇誕生日)
Neither creates a three-day weekend in 2027, but sights near big cities are busier on the day itself. See our full list of Japan public holidays in 2027.
3. Setsubun: February 3, 2027
Setsubun (節分) marks the day before the start of spring in the traditional calendar. In 2027 it falls on Wednesday, February 3. Families throw roasted soybeans while shouting "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!" ("Demons out, good luck in!"), and many people eat the number of beans matching their age.
Large temples and shrines hold public bean-throwing ceremonies, sometimes with celebrities and sumo wrestlers. Senso-ji in Tokyo and Yasaka Shrine in Kyoto are among the best known. You will also see ehōmaki (恵方巻), thick sushi rolls eaten in silence while facing that year's lucky direction, sold in every convenience store. See our Asakusa guide.
4. Snow Festivals
| Festival | Where | 2027 dates |
|---|---|---|
| Chitose-Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival | Lake Shikotsu, Hokkaido | January 30 – February 23 |
| Sapporo Snow Festival | Sapporo, Hokkaido | February 4 – 11 |
| Otaru Snow Light Path | Otaru, Hokkaido | February 6 – 13 |
| Yokote Kamakura Festival | Yokote, Akita | Expected February 12 – 13 (see below) |
The Sapporo Snow Festival is the big one, with giant snow and ice sculptures in Odori Park. Read our Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 guide. Nearby, the Otaru Snow Light Path fills the canal and old streets with candles in snow lanterns. See our Otaru day trip guide.
5. Plum Blossoms and Early Cherry Blossoms
Before the famous cherry blossoms, Japan celebrates ume (梅), plum blossoms. They begin to bloom in Tokyo and western Japan from around February, and peak between mid-February and early March depending on the year and the variety.
- Kairakuen, Mito (Ibaraki): One of Japan's most famous plum gardens. Its plum festival usually runs from mid-February to March; in 2026 it was held from February 11 to March 22.
- Yushima Tenmangu (Tokyo) and Kitano Tenmangu (Kyoto): Shrines dedicated to Sugawara no Michizane, a scholar who loved plum trees.
- Okinawa: Okinawa's deep pink, early-blooming cherry trees flower from late January into February.
For the main cherry blossom season, see our hanami guide.
6. Other Things to Know
In Japan, women traditionally give chocolate to men on February 14, and men return the favour on White Day, March 14. Department stores hold huge chocolate fairs in late January and early February.
Lunar New Year is on February 6, 2027. Chinatowns in Yokohama, Kobe and Nagasaki hold celebrations. Nagasaki's Lantern Festival is listed by tour operators for February 5 to 21, 2027; confirm on Nagasaki's official tourism site.
February is peak powder season in Hokkaido and Nagano. See our ski season guide and the snow monkeys.
7. Three Ways to Spend a Week in February
Snow lover's Hokkaido
Fly into New Chitose Airport for the Sapporo Snow Festival, add an evening at the Otaru Snow Light Path, and spend two or three days skiing or soaking in a hot spring. Dates overlap neatly between February 6 and 11, 2027, but book accommodation early.
Classic cities with plum blossoms
Tokyo and Kyoto are pleasant in February: crowds are thinner than in spring, and clear winter skies often give good views of Mount Fuji from the train or from Tokyo's observation decks. Time your visit for late February to catch the plum blossoms at shrines, and combine it with Setsubun if you arrive early in the month.
Tohoku snow country
Take the Shinkansen north to Akita for the Yokote Kamakura Festival, then explore snowy hot spring villages in the region. Trains can be delayed by heavy snow, so leave some flexibility in your schedule. Our January guide has more snow destinations that are just as good in February.
8. Crowds, Prices and What to Pack
Outside the Sapporo Snow Festival week, Lunar New Year and the two holidays, February is a relatively calm month in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka. Hotels in Sapporo and Otaru, however, fill up early for the festival period, and ski resorts are in high season.
- Cities: A warm coat, layers, gloves and comfortable shoes.
- Hokkaido and Tohoku: Snow boots with grip, thermal underwear, a hat and anti-slip spikes.
- Dry air: Lip balm and moisturiser. Indoor heating is strong.
See our winter clothing guide and Japan packing list.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, especially for snow festivals, skiing and quiet city sightseeing. It is cold, but skies in Tokyo and Kyoto are often clear.
Occasionally. Tokyo gets a few light snowfalls in some winters, but most February days are dry and sunny.
Not on the mainland, except a few early varieties. Plum blossoms bloom in February, and Okinawa's early cherry trees flower from late January.
From February 4 to 11, 2027.
Conclusion
February offers a little of everything: snow sculptures and lantern-lit canals in Hokkaido, snow huts in Akita, bean-throwing on February 3, plum blossoms by the end of the month and quieter streets in the big cities. Book Hokkaido hotels early if you are going for the festivals, and pack for real cold. Planning the month before? Read Japan in January 2027.
Sources
- Japan Meteorological Agency — Climate normals 1991–2020: https://www.data.jma.go.jp/obd/stats/etrn/
- Cabinet Office, Government of Japan — National holidays (Japanese): https://www8.cao.go.jp/chosei/shukujitsu/gaiyou.html
- Sapporo Travel (Sapporo Tourism Association) — Event list (Japanese): https://www.sapporo.travel/event/event-list/
- Akita Sakigake Shimpo — Yokote Kamakura moved to Friday and Saturday from 2026 (Japanese): https://www.sakigake.jp/news/article/20250717AK0026/
- japan-guide.com — Japan event calendar, February 2027: https://www.japan-guide.com/event/?aMONTH=2&aYEAR=2027
- Rurubu — Mito Plum Festival (Japanese): https://rurubu.jp/andmore/spot/20001003