February 1, 2025

Things to Do in February in Japan 2025: Festivals & Events You Shouldn’t Miss

February in Japan is a magical time filled with vibrant festivals, breathtaking winter landscapes, and unique cultural events. Whether you're looking for exciting winter festivals in Japan, traditional Setsubun celebrations, or immersive cultural experiences, there’s no shortage of incredible things to do in Japan in February 2025. From the famous Sapporo Snow Festival to the electrifying Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Festival, this guide covers the top events in Japan February 2025 that you won’t want to miss.

1. DIG SHIBUYA 2025

📍 Location: Shibuya, Tokyo
📅 Date: February 8 - February 11, 2025
Dive into the heart of Tokyo’s cultural innovation at DIG SHIBUYA 2025, a one-of-a-kind urban festival blending art, technology, and digital interactivity. Explore cutting-edge installations, including the ‘Pineapple Scramble’ by Ryuichi Ohira and a special Pac-Man 45th Anniversary Treasure Hunt, all set against the vibrant backdrop of Shibuya’s bustling streets.

2. SHIBUYA DRONE SHOW 2025

📍 Location: Shibuya, Tokyo
📅 Date: February 8, 2025
Experience one of Japan’s largest drone displays as hundreds of synchronized drones light up the night sky over Shibuya. Part of DIG SHIBUYA 2025, this breathtaking aerial spectacle, produced by RedCliff Inc., will take place on a surprise evening between February 8-11, creating an unforgettable visual experience.

3. YOSHINOYAMA ONI FEST 2025

📍 Location: Kinpusenji Temple, Nara
📅 Date: February 2, 2025
Step into the world of ancient Japanese folklore at the Yoshinoyama Oni Fest, a dramatic Setsubun celebration featuring traditional demon (oni) performances. Watch as costumed participants engage in sacred rituals and bean-throwing ceremonies, a symbolic act to drive away evil spirits and welcome good fortune.

4. YASAKA SHRINE SETSUBUN FESTIVAL 2025

📍 Location: Yasaka Shrine, Kyoto
📅 Date: February 1 - February 2, 2025
One of Kyoto’s most elegant festivals, the Yasaka Shrine Setsubun Festival features stunning performances by geisha and maiko, who offer traditional dance dedications. Visitors can participate in the Setsubun bean-throwing ritual to cleanse themselves of misfortune and bring in prosperity for the year ahead.

5. NAMAHAGE SEDO FESTIVAL 2025

📍 Location: Shinzan Shrine, Akita
📅 Date: February 7 - February 8, 2025
Witness a unique fusion of ancient Shinto traditions and the Namahage folklore of Akita. Costumed demons descend from the snow-covered mountains, performing sacred dances and rituals in a lively spectacle that blends fire, drumming, and interactive storytelling.

6. MOUNT OMURO YAMAYAKI 2025

📍 Location: Mt. Omuro, Shizuoka
📅 Date: February 9, 2025
A breathtaking natural spectacle, the Mount Omuro Yamayaki festival sees an entire volcanic mountain set ablaze in a carefully controlled burn. This centuries-old event symbolizes renewal as the mountain’s grassland is cleared, creating a surreal visual of flames cascading down its slopes.

7. KASEDORI FESTIVAL 2025

📍 Location: Kaminoyama Castle, Yamagata Prefecture
📅 Date: February 11, 2025
One of Japan’s most unusual winter festivals, the Kasedori Festival features participants dressed in straw bird costumes chanting “Kakkakaa!” while getting splashed with icy water. This 350-year-old tradition is believed to protect the town from fires and bring good fortune.

8. ASAHIKAWA WINTER FESTIVAL 2025

📍 Location: Asahikawa City, Hokkaido
📅 Date: February 6 - February 11, 2025
Hokkaido’s second-largest winter festival boasts massive snow sculptures, including past Guinness World Record holders. Visitors can enjoy snowmobile rides, illuminated ice displays, and spectacular projection mapping shows at the Asahibashi Riverside venue.

9. SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL 2025

📍 Location: Sapporo City, Hokkaido
📅 Date: February 4 - February 11, 2025
Japan’s most famous winter festival, the Sapporo Snow Festival, transforms the city into a frozen wonderland. Marvel at enormous snow sculptures at Odori Park, enjoy thrilling snow activities at the Tsudome Site, and admire intricate ice sculptures at Susukino’s nightlife district.

10. SAIDAI-JI EYO HADAKA FESTIVAL (NAKED MAN FESTIVAL) 2025

📍 Location: Saidaiji Temple, Okayama City
📅 Date: February 15, 2025
Prepare for an adrenaline-fueled spectacle as 10,000 men, clad in only loincloths, jostle to grab sacred wooden sticks (shingi) in the chaotic yet exhilarating Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Festival. This 500-year-old event is one of Japan’s most extreme spiritual competitions, believed to bring immense luck to the victor.

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February is one of the best months to visit Japan, offering an incredible mix of cultural festivals, winter illuminations, and unique traditions. Whether you're exploring the snowy landscapes of Hokkaido, experiencing vibrant urban events in Tokyo, or witnessing ancient fire rituals in Shizuoka, Japan in February 2025 promises unforgettable adventures.

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