February in Japan is a time to welcome the first early hints of spring! From setsubun bean-throwing rituals to romantic chocolate making and gifting, there’s a lot to enjoy in this cold month.
Whether you’re planning a winter trip or learning about Japanese culture from home, here are the highlights of February in Japan:
Festivals and events in Japan in February
Setsubun
Setsubun marks the last day of winter in the traditional Japanese calendar.
It is usually celebrated on February 3rd, but can fall on the 2nd or 4th, depending on the old lunar calendar. In 2026 setsubun will fall on February 3rd.
People take part in mamemaki, a bean-throwing ritual to drive away bad luck. One family member dresses up in an ogre mask, and the others throw roasted soy beans at them while shouting ‘Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!’ (鬼は外！福は内！/ おにはそと！ふくはうち！/ Out with the devil, in with happiness!)
Afterwards, it’s tradition to eat one soy bean for each year of your age.
Another setsubun tradition for good luck is to eat an uncut sushi roll called ehomaki. It should have 7 fillings to represent the 7 lucky gods. The exact ingredients are not important.
You eat your ehomaki roll while facing the year’s lucky direction, which is determined by the zodiac. The lucky direction for 2026 is south south-east.
Setsubun is not a public holiday in Japan, but it is widely celebrated in temples, shrines, homes, schools and so on, around the country.
Here’s a nice video to learn more about these traditions:
National Foundation Day (Kenkoku Kinen no Hi)
Held annually on 11 February, this national holiday celebrates the founding of Japan. It falls on the date of the accession of the first Emperor of Japan.
There are some parades on this day, with the most famous being around Meiji Shrine in Tokyo. Some communities hold small events, and there are often political lectures or rallies.
However, there aren’t really any traditional activities and most people just enjoy a quiet day off!
Emperor’s Birthday
Japan has two national holidays in February, with the second being Emperor Naruhito’s birthday on February 23rd!
There is a rare chance for the public to enter the grounds of the Imperial Palace on this day. The imperial family make appearances on the balcony to wave to well-wishers.
Other than that, there are not many traditional activities this day, but if you are visiting Japan, be aware that some businesses will be closed or operating on a reduced schedule.
Valentine’s Day
Japan has its own unique twist on Valentine’s Day.
In many countries, lovers give each other presents on Valentine’s Day. But in Japan, this is a day when only women give presents!
Women traditionally give chocolate to colleagues, friends and loved ones, with different types of chocolate having different meanings:
- Giri choko (義理チョコ / ぎりチョコ) is ‘obligation/duty chocolate’ – cheaper, shop-bought chocolate you give to your boss or co-workers, not as a romantic gesture but more as a sign of good will.
- Honmei choko (本命チョコ / ほんめいチョコ) is the real thing: fancy (or better, homemade) chocolates you give to the one you love!
- Tomo choko (友チョコ) is ‘friendship chocolate’ that girls give each other as an expression of friendship.
There are even lots of other kinds of Valentine’s chocolates in Japan, such as fami choko (ファミチョコ) – chocolates given to your family, jiko choko (自己チョコ) – chocolates you buy for yourself, and more.
And if you’re wondering why women have to do all the giving, don’t worry: the tables are turned on White Day on March 14th!
💕 Read more: How to Celebrate Valentine’s Day in Japan
Sapporo Snow Festival
One of Japan’s most famous winter events, the Sapporo Snow Festival features huge ice and snow sculptures illuminated at night. Even if you’re not in Hokkaido, it’s widely covered on TV and social media across Japan.
It’s held over a week in early February.
Plum blossom season
Ume (plum) blossoms begin to bloom in February, bringing soft pinks and whites to shrines, temples and parks.
Often mistaken for their more famous cousin sakura, plum blossoms are the first sign that spring is on its way.
Things to do in Japan in February
February is still deep winter in much of Japan, which makes it ideal for cosy trips and magical scenery.
- Visit a shrine or temple for setsubun events, where you can join the bean-throwing or pick up lucky charms.
- Enjoy peak skiing and snowboarding conditions in Hokkaido or Nagano.
- Try seasonal foods such as choco-pan (chocolate bread), nabe hot pots and warm amazake (a sweet fermented rice drink).
- Discover early plum blossoms in parks and gardens.
- Explore winter illuminations still running in some cities.
- Visit an onsen surrounded by snow for the ultimate winter experience.
If you’re visiting Japan in February, be aware that it is one of the coldest months of the year in Japan, but the weather varies a lot by region.
Tokyo and most of Honshu are chilly but manageable, with average temperatures around 5–10°C (41–50°F), while Hokkaido is much colder and often stays below 0°C (32°F). Western Japan can be milder, but still wintery, and many areas get occasional snow.
It’s a crisp, beautiful time to explore, especially if you enjoy winter scenery.
Japanese activities to try at home in February
If you’re learning about Japan from home, here are some Japanese February cultural traditions to enjoy:
- Do your own mini setsubun celebration by tossing roasted soybeans and saying the traditional phrases. Download a free printable ogre mask here! Very fun if you have children in the house.
- Roll your own ehomaki sushi and eat it facing south south-east!
- Make simple chocolate treats and gift to all your friends and loved ones for a Japan-style Valentine’s Day.
- Try a cosy Japanese winter dish like nabeyaki udon.
- Decorate with plum blossom-themed items or artwork to welcome early spring.
Useful Japanese vocabulary for February
- setsubun (節分 / せつぶん) – bean-throwing festival marking the start of spring
- mamemaki (豆まき / まめまき) – bean-throwing ritual
- oni (鬼 / おに) – demon or ogre
- Kenkoku Kinen no Hi (建国記念の日 / けんこくきねんのひ) – National Foundation Day
- ume (梅 / うめ) – plum blossom
- barentain dē (バレンタインデー) – Valentine’s Day
- giri choko (義理チョコ / ぎりチョコ) – obligation chocolate (for colleagues etc)
- honmei choko (本命チョコ / ほんめいチョコ) – chocolate for someone special
- yuki matsuri (雪祭り / ゆきまつり) – snow festival
- onsen (温泉 / おんせん) – hot spring
JapanesePod101 is our top recommendation to learn Japanese online. We love the fun, current audio lessons and interactive online tools. Sign up for your free lifetime account and see for yourself!
Rebecca is the founder of Team Japanese. She spent two years teaching English in Ehime, Japan. Now back in the UK, she spends her time blogging, self-studying Japanese and wrangling a very genki toddler.