# Tokyo in February

February is the tail end of Tokyo's winter: still cold, often bright and quieter than almost any other month. It brings Setsubun bean throwing, the first plum blossoms and department stores full of chocolate, plus two national holidays that turn into long weekends in some years. The list below is updated daily with the month's most notable events.

## What February feels like

February is still winter. Japan Meteorological Agency normals give daytime highs of around 10 to 11°C and night lows of around 2°C, and it is about as dry as January, with plenty of sunshine. Snow is most likely in January and February, and every few years a heavier fall stops buses and slows trains for a day or two. Toward the end of the month the first mild days appear, but cold snaps keep coming back until March.

Pack the same as for January: a warm coat, scarf and gloves for time outdoors, with light layers underneath for heated trains and shops. Plum gardens and shrine grounds are mostly gravel and earth, so wear shoes that can cope with a muddy path after rain or melting snow.

- On days with a snow warning, set off early and allow extra time. Station stairs and pavements get slippery.
- Disposable heat packs (kairo) from convenience stores help a lot at open-air ceremonies and in gardens.

- → [Winter in Tokyo: January and February](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/winter.md)
- → [Weather and events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/weather.md)

## Setsubun: beans for the start of spring

Setsubun is the day before the first day of spring in the old calendar: February 3 in most years, February 2 in some. It is not a public holiday. Families throw roasted beans out of the door to chase out demons and bring in luck, and many people eat one bean for each year of their age. In the evening people eat ehomaki, a thick uncut sushi roll eaten in silence while facing the year's lucky direction, and every convenience store and supermarket sells them.

Big temples and shrines hold mamemaki ceremonies where guests throw beans and small lucky packets into the crowd from a stage. [Sensoji](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%89%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8F%B0%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E6%B5%85%E8%8D%892-3-1) in Asakusa, [Zojoji](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%A2%97%E4%B8%8A%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B8%AF%E5%8C%BA%E8%8A%9D%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%924-7-35) in Shiba Park, [Ikegami Honmonji](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B1%A0%E4%B8%8A%E6%9C%AC%E9%96%80%E5%AF%BA%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%A4%A7%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E6%B1%A0%E4%B8%8A1-1-1) in Ota ward and [Kanda Myojin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B0%E6%98%8E%E7%A5%9E%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E5%8D%83%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B0%E5%8C%BA%E5%A4%96%E7%A5%9E%E7%94%B02-16-2) are among the best known, and sumo wrestlers or TV personalities often take part. Neighbourhood shrines hold smaller, friendlier versions, with local children in the front row and a better chance of catching something.

- Arrive about 30 minutes early for a big ceremony, and hold a tote bag open to catch the packets.

- → [Setsubun in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/setsubun.md)
- → [Shrine and temple etiquette for festivals and New Year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/shrine-etiquette.md)
- → [Events in Taito](https://eventstokyo.com/en/taito.md)
- → [Events in Minato](https://eventstokyo.com/en/minato.md)
- → [Events in Ota](https://eventstokyo.com/en/ota.md)

## Plum blossoms: the first flowers of the year

Plum blossoms (ume) open while it is still cold, from late January in warm years, and most gardens look their best from mid-February into early March. They are smaller and more fragrant than cherry blossoms, the crowds are lighter, and there is no rush for picnic spots, which makes plum viewing one of the calmest outings of the year.

[Yushima Tenjin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B6%E5%A4%A9%E6%BA%80%E5%AE%AE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E6%B9%AF%E5%B3%B63-30-1) near Ueno, the shrine where students pray before exams, holds a plum festival from early February to early March with stalls and weekend performances. February is entrance exam season, so its racks are also hung with wooden ema plaques full of exam wishes. [Hanegi Park](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E7%BE%BD%E6%A0%B9%E6%9C%A8%E5%85%AC%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E4%B8%96%E7%94%B0%E8%B0%B7%E5%8C%BA%E4%BB%A3%E7%94%B04-38-52) in Setagaya has hundreds of trees on a hillside, [Koishikawa Korakuen](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B0%8F%E7%9F%B3%E5%B7%9D%E5%BE%8C%E6%A5%BD%E5%9C%92%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%96%87%E4%BA%AC%E5%8C%BA%E5%BE%8C%E6%A5%BD1-6-6) is an Edo-period garden with a plum grove, and [Kameido Tenjin](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E4%BA%80%E6%88%B8%E5%A4%A9%E7%A5%9E%E7%A4%BE%20%E6%9D%B1%E4%BA%AC%E9%83%BD%E6%B1%9F%E6%9D%B1%E5%8C%BA%E4%BA%80%E6%88%B83-6-1) in Koto ward frames its trees with Tokyo Skytree in the background.

- Plum festivals often hold their stalls and stage shows on weekends only. A weekday visit is quieter, with less going on.

- → [Flower festivals in Tokyo through the year](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/flowers.md)
- → [Tokyo in March](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-in-march.md)
- → [Events in Bunkyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/bunkyo.md)
- → [Events in Setagaya](https://eventstokyo.com/en/setagaya.md)
- → [Events in Koto](https://eventstokyo.com/en/koto.md)

## Chocolate, Lunar New Year and indoor shows

From mid-January, department stores turn whole floors into Valentine's chocolate fairs with chocolatiers from Japan and abroad, and the opening days draw long queues. In Japan, February 14 is traditionally the day women give chocolate, to partners and, in some workplaces, to colleagues as a polite gesture, while men return the favour on White Day, March 14. More and more people simply buy the good chocolate for themselves.

[Yokohama Chinatown](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E6%A8%AA%E6%B5%9C%E4%B8%AD%E8%8F%AF%E8%A1%97%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E6%A8%AA%E6%B5%9C%E5%B8%82%E4%B8%AD%E5%8C%BA%E5%B1%B1%E4%B8%8B%E7%94%BA) celebrates the Lunar New Year with around two weeks of lion dances, a parade in imperial costume and lion dancers visiting shops one by one. The date follows the lunar calendar, so it falls between late January and February. The nearest station is [Motomachi-Chukagai](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E3%81%BF%E3%81%AA%E3%81%A8%E3%81%BF%E3%82%89%E3%81%84%E7%B7%9A%20%E5%85%83%E7%94%BA%E3%83%BB%E4%B8%AD%E8%8F%AF%E8%A1%97%E9%A7%85%20%E7%A5%9E%E5%A5%88%E5%B7%9D%E7%9C%8C%E6%A8%AA%E6%B5%9C%E5%B8%82%E4%B8%AD%E5%8C%BA%E5%B1%B1%E4%B8%8B%E7%94%BA65) on the Minatomirai Line, under an hour from central Tokyo. Indoors, Wonder Festival, the big figure and garage kit fair, usually holds its winter edition at [Makuhari Messe](https://www.google.com/maps/search/?api=1&query=%E5%B9%95%E5%BC%B5%E3%83%A1%E3%83%83%E3%82%BB%20%E5%8D%83%E8%91%89%E7%9C%8C%E5%8D%83%E8%91%89%E5%B8%82%E7%BE%8E%E6%B5%9C%E5%8C%BA%E4%B8%AD%E7%80%AC2-1) in Chiba in February, and a number of winter illuminations stay on into the month.

- → [Yokohama as a day trip: concerts, Chinatown, harbour](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/yokohama.md)
- → [Anime, manga and game events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/anime.md)
- → [Winter illuminations in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/winter-illuminations.md)
- → [Food & Drink events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/food-drink.md)
- → [Pop Culture & Conventions events in Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/pop-culture.md)

## Holidays, crowds and prices

February has two national holidays: National Foundation Day on February 11 and the Emperor's Birthday on February 23. On the Emperor's Birthday the palace holds a [public greeting](https://www.kunaicho.go.jp/en/visit/greeting/sanga02.html), when the Emperor appears on a balcony a few times in the morning. Entry is free and has not needed a ticket in recent years, but the queue starts early. When a holiday falls on a Sunday, the following Monday is a day off, and long weekends make day-trip spots busier.

Otherwise February is one of the quietest months for visitors, and hotel prices are often lower than in spring or autumn. The exception is the Lunar New Year period, which brings many travellers from elsewhere in Asia. The Tokyo Marathon is often thought of as a February race, but in recent years it has been held on the first Sunday of March.

- If a holiday makes a long weekend, book day trips such as Hakone or Kamakura early.
- Check opening days for museums: many close on Mondays, but open on a Monday holiday and close the next day instead.

- → [Running in Tokyo: marathons, races and the palace loop](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/running.md)
- → [Festival day trips from Tokyo](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/day-trips.md)
- → [Tokyo in January](https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-in-january.md)

## All events, soonest first

- **[Wonder Festival 2027 [Winter]](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/wonder-festival-2027-winter-7939)** — Sat, Feb 13, 2027 – Sun, Feb 14, 2027 (JST) · Makuhari Messe (美浜区) · price on the official site
- **[VALENTINE ROSE FES 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/valentine-rose-fes-2027)** — Sun, Feb 21, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Big Sight (Koto) · price on the official site
- **[Kis-My-Ft2 Dome Tour 2026-2027: fan IS······](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/kis-my-ft2-dome-tour-2026-2027-fan-is)** — Sun, Feb 21, 2027 17:00 – Tue, Feb 23, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Dome (Bunkyo) · ¥11,000
- **[Setsubun Bean-Throwing 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/setsubun-bean-throwing-2027-7924)** — Wed, Feb 3, 2027 (JST) · Sensoji Temple (Taito) · Free entry
- **[Yushima Tenjin Plum Festival 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/yushima-tenjin-plum-festival-2027-7926)** — Mon, Feb 8, 2027 – Mon, Mar 8, 2027 (JST) · Kanda Myojin Shrine (Bunkyo) · Free entry
- **[Bukurock! Festival 2027 Makuhari](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/bukurock-festival-2027-makuhari)** — Thu, Feb 11, 2027 11:00 (JST) · Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Halls 1–3 (Chiba) · ¥9,500–¥11,000
- **[Saitama Marathon 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/saitama-marathon-2027-7715)** — Sun, Feb 14, 2027 09:00 (JST) · GMO Arena Saitama (Saitama Super Arena) Area (Chuo, Saitama) · ¥1,650–¥15,000
- **[CP+ 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/cp-2027-7936)** — Thu, Feb 25, 2027 – Sun, Feb 28, 2027 (JST) · PACIFICO Yokohama (Yokohama) · Free entry
- **[40th Annual 5,000-Person Beethoven’s Ninth Concert at Ryogoku Sumo Hall](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/40th-annual-5000-person-beethovens-ninth-concert-at-ryogoku)** — Sun, Feb 28, 2027 (JST) · Ryogoku Kokugikan (Sumida) · price on the official site
- **[Gustavo Dudamel (Music and Artistic Director) & Simón Bolívar Symphony Orchestra](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/gustavo-dudamel-music-and-artistic-director-simon-bolivar-symphony)** — Sat, Feb 6, 2027 14:00 – Sun, Feb 7, 2027 (JST) · Suntory Hall, Main Hall (Minato) · ¥19,000–¥38,000
- **[XG World Tour: The Core Final "7"](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/xg-world-tour-the-core-final-7)** — Thu, Feb 11, 2027 17:00 (JST) · Tokyo Dome (Bunkyo) · ¥16,000〜
- **[Nippon Broadcasting Momoiro Clover Z Momoclo Club xoxo ~Valentine DE NIGHT Da~Z! 2027 'Behind the Scenes' and 'Main Event'](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/z-xoxo-de-night-z2027)** — Sat, Feb 13, 2027 16:00 – Sun, Feb 14, 2027 (JST) · Yokohama Arena (神奈川県) · ¥9,700〜
- **[2026/27 Meiji Yasuda J1 League 'MUFG THE National Stadium Day' Round 21: Tokyo Verdy vs Urawa Reds](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mufg-theday21-vs)** — Sun, Feb 14, 2027 (JST) · MUFG Stadium (Japan National Stadium) (Shinjuku) · price on the official site
- **[King Gnu 10th Anniversary Opening Concert “KICKOFF”](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/king-gnu-10th-anniversary-opening-live-kickoff)** — Wed, Feb 17, 2027 18:30 – Thu, Feb 18, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Dome (Bunkyo) · ¥14,000–¥16,000
- **[Oedo Antique Market](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/oedo-antique-market-9)** — Sun, Feb 21, 2027 09:00 (JST) · Tokyo International Forum Ground Plaza (Chiyoda) · Free entry
- **[MEGADETH Farewell Japan Tour 2027](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/megadeth-farewell-japan-tour-2027)** — Wed, Feb 24, 2027 19:00 – Thu, Feb 25, 2027 (JST) · Nippon Budokan (Tokyo) · ¥17,000〜
- **[BUMP OF CHICKEN Tour 2026-2027 Ratio Clavis](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/bump-of-chicken-tour-2026-2027-ratio-clavis)** — Sat, Feb 6, 2027 18:00 – Sun, Feb 7, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Dome (Bunkyo) · ¥8,800–¥16,500
- **[Hiroyuki Sawano × THE SOUND OF GUNDAM – Mobile Suit Gundam UC, NT, and Hathaway Concert –](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/the-sound-of-gundam-ucnthathaway-concert)** — Sat, Feb 27, 2027 18:30 (JST) · Tokyo Garden Theater (Koto) · ¥13,000–¥16,500
- **[XG WORLD TOUR: THE CORE FINAL](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/xg-xg-world-tour-the-core-final)** — Wed, Feb 10, 2027 18:30 (JST) · Tokyo Dome (Bunkyo) · ¥16,000
- **[MIX TOKYO DJ PARTY "NEO"](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mix-tokyo-dj-party-neo)** — Sat, Feb 27, 2027 23:00 – Sun, Feb 28, 2027 (JST) · ZEROTOKYO (Shinjuku) · ¥8,000–¥240,000
- **[Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra Budokan concert](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/tokyo-ska-paradise-orchestra-budokan-concert)** — Thu, Feb 11, 2027 18:00 – Fri, Feb 12, 2027 (JST) · Nippon Budokan (Tokyo) · ¥9,900〜
- **[aiko Live Tour "Love Like Pop vol.26" (additional shows)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/aiko-live-tour-love-like-pop-vol26-additional-shows)** — Wed, Feb 17, 2027 18:30 – Thu, Feb 18, 2027 (JST) · Nippon Budokan (Tokyo) · ¥10,200〜
- **[Aimyon Tour 2027 - cosmic % -](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/aimyon-tour-2027-cosmic-2)** — Sat, Feb 6, 2027 18:00 – Sun, Feb 7, 2027 (JST) · PIA Arena MM (西区) · ¥10,000
- **[Weezer](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/weezer)** — Fri, Feb 12, 2027 19:00 – Sat, Feb 13, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Garden Theater (Koto) · ¥16,000–¥18,000
- **[GLAY ARENA TOUR 2026-2027 “EXOFIRE”](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/glay-arena-tour-2026-2027-exofire-2)** — Sat, Feb 20, 2027 17:00 – Sun, Feb 21, 2027 (JST) · Yokohama Arena (神奈川県) · ¥9,000〜
- **[Sakanaction](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/sakanaction)** — Sat, Feb 20, 2027 18:00 – Sun, Feb 28, 2027 (JST) · Lala Arena Tokyo Bay · ¥6,000–¥16,500
- **[MEGADETH (Additional Show)](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/megadeth)** — Thu, Feb 25, 2027 19:00 (JST) · Nippon Budokan (Tokyo) · price on the official site
- **[Tamasaburo Bando Concert with NHK Symphony Orchestra Members](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/with-n)** — Sat, Feb 6, 2027 15:00 – Sun, Feb 7, 2027 (JST) · Nippon Steel Kioi Hall (Chiyoda) · ¥8,000〜
- **[NDR Elbphilharmonie Orchestra Conducted by Alan Gilbert with Pianist Hayato Sumino](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/ndr)** — Sun, Feb 21, 2027 14:00 – Mon, Feb 22, 2027 (JST) · Tokyo Metropolitan Theatre Concert Hall (Toshima) · ¥19,000–¥32,000
- **[Mrs. GREEN APPLE on “Harmony2”](https://eventstokyo.com/en/events/mrs-green-apple-on-harmony2)** — Sat, Feb 20, 2027 18:00 – Sun, Feb 21, 2027 (JST) · K Arena Yokohama (Nishi, Yokohama) · ¥15,000–¥23,000

## Questions people ask

**Is February a good time to visit Tokyo?**
Yes, if you don't mind the cold. It is quiet, often sunny and cheaper than spring, and you get Setsubun, plum blossoms and the chocolate fairs.

**Does it snow in Tokyo in February?**
On a few days in most winters, usually in January or February. It rarely stays long, but even light snow delays trains.

**When is Setsubun?**
On the day before the first day of spring in the old calendar, which is February 3 in most years and February 2 in some. It is not a public holiday.

**When do plum blossoms bloom in Tokyo?**
The first trees open from late January in warm years, and most gardens are at their best from mid-February into early March.

**Is the Tokyo Marathon in February?**
Not in recent years. It has been held on the first Sunday of March, and watching along the course is free.

**What are the public holidays in February?**
National Foundation Day on February 11 and the Emperor's Birthday on February 23. If either falls on a Sunday, the next Monday is a holiday.

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Tokyo Events: https://eventstokyo.com/en/guides/tokyo-in-february