Best Events Japan February 2026

Welcome to the latest installment of Voyapon’s series, where we share some of the best under-the-radar events happening throughout Japan. Every month, we give our readers the best events from Hokkaido to Okinawa and everywhere else in between. Find our list, below, of some amazing activities happening in February 2026.

Tokyo

This February, Tokyo has an array of exciting events for jazz enthusiasts, couples, and anime lovers.

Grand Hyatt Tokyo Maduro Bar and Jazz Lounge (Ongoing)

Regalo Night at Maduro, the chic bar and jazz lounge in Grand Hyatt Tokyo, offers a special tapas dinner paired with free-flowing drinks. For 8,800 yen, guests enjoy six tapas, salad, a main of beef and red sea bream, dessert, and 90 minutes of unlimited drinks, including cocktails and wine. It’s available year-round in evening slots, requires advance online booking, and excludes the music cover charge during the plan.

Additionally, Maduro’s Winter Cocktails are a seasonal collection served from January 1 to March 31 — ideal with live jazz evenings. The menu features creative drinks like the zero-waste Smoldered Banana Negroni, Spiced Persimmon Sidecar, and a Denki Bran Strawberry Milk Punch, plus others such as Strawberry Shiso Gimlet, Amaou Royale, and Kinkan Manhattan. Cocktails are priced individually and available nightly from 7pm to 12:30am. 

Maduro will also hold a special guest bartender from Korea who will be hosting an exclusive bar takeover. Minguk Yu was named Korea’s best bartender in the 2022 Diageo World Class bartending competition, and also works at Pine & Co, which was named on the Asia’s 50 Best Bars list this year. On February 10, he will be preparing three original cocktails inspired by Clase Azul’s artisanal range of tequilas.

When	Ongoing
Where	Grand Hyatt Tokyo
Admission Fee	Starting from 2,000 yen
Official Website	https://www.tokyo.grand.hyatt.co.jp/en/restaurants/recommended/maduro/winter-cocktails/

Hyatt Regency Tokyo’s Afternoon Tea and Valentine’s Promotions (Ongoing)

Hyatt Regency Tokyo will present the fifth edition of its signature afternoon tea collaboration with Pierre Hermé Paris from February 1 to March 31 at Nineteen Eighty Lounge & Bar. Titled Floral Infusion – A Springtime Blend of Delicate Flavors, the seasonal offering celebrates the arrival of spring through refined floral notes, delicate textures, and carefully balanced compositions. The sweets selection features seven Pierre Hermé Paris creations, including the iconic Ispahan, pistachio tart, Caraïbe chocolate tart, and desserts accented with rose, bergamot, violet, and citrus, evoking cherry blossom season. Savory items, crafted by the hotel’s culinary team, include lobster rolls, Iberico ham and truffle toasties, blue swimming crab salad, pumpkin velouté, and cauliflower mousse tartelets. Limited Valentine’s and White Day editions will also be available, alongside a lighter Café Gourmand option for guests seeking a dessert-focused experience.

Hyatt Regency Tokyo will also celebrate Valentine’s Day 2026 with a series of refined, limited-time dining and gifting experiences throughout February. Highlights include a three-day-only Valentine’s Dessert Buffet at Crossroads Kitchen (February 13–15), featuring elegant, seasonal sweets by pastry chef Yu Minjie. At Eau de Vie, guests can enjoy limited-edition Valentine’s cocktails alongside a whisky and award-winning chocolate pairing experience available throughout the month.

When	Until March 31
Where	Hyatt Regency Tokyo
	Afternoon Tea starting from 6,375 yen
Official Website	https://www.hyatt.com/hyatt-regency/en-US/tyoty-hyatt-regency-tokyo

Shinjuku: the City of Modern Art at The Sompo Museum of Art (Until February 15)

The Sompo Museum of Art in Shinjuku is presenting Shinjuku: the City of Modern Art from January 10 to February 15 as part of its 50th-anniversary celebrations. This exhibition explores Shinjuku’s crucial role in the development of modern Japanese art, highlighting how the area became a creative hub from the late Meiji period onward. It features works spanning roughly 50 years by artists closely associated with Shinjuku, including Nakamura Tsune, Saeki Yuzo, Matsumoto Shunsuke, and Miyawaki Aiko, among others. The show traces the evolving art scene and cultural energy of the neighborhood. 

When	Until February 15
Where	Sompo Museum of Art
Admission Fee	1,500 yen
Official Website	https://www.sompo-museum.org/en/exhibitions/2024/modern-art/

The TOKYO Anime Tourism 2026 Digital Rally (Until March 15)

The TOKYO Anime Tourism 2026 digital rally will run until March 15 and is organized by the TOKYO Anime Tourism Executive Committee with the Tokyo Metropolitan Government. The campaign celebrates Japanese anime culture through a citywide digital rally in collaboration with the globally popular series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Participants can visit 16 locations across Tokyo, including Tokyo Tower, Akihabara, Ueno Park, Haneda Airport, and Shibuya, where they can collect points via a dedicated web app. Each site offers AR photo experiences with Demon Slayer characters, as well as exclusive voice recordings of protagonist Tanjiro Kamado, performed by voice actor Natsuki Hanae. Earned points can be redeemed for original merchandise, such as acrylic stands, stickers, and clear files, at designated venues.

When	Until March 15
Where	Locations Across Tokyo
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://tokyo-animetourism.com/en/

As The Sun Rose at UltraSuperNew Kura (February 7 to February 27)

As The Sun Rose painting exhibition takes us through a first hand account of the devastating Eaton Canyon Fire, that took place on January 7, 2025. All the works were painted from inside the Fire Zone by Alejandro M Lopez a resident of Altadena who moves us through the Trauma, Melancholy and Ultimately Hope in the Re-Birth of Nature. The exhibition is intended to create a dialogue around how Climate Change impacts people revealing a unique vision that goes beyond words.

When	February 7 to February 27
Where	UltraSuperNew Kura
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://kura.ultrasupernew.com/pages/exhibition/as-the-sun-rose

Nagasaki

The city of Nagasaki is hosting one of the best festivals of the year.

Nagasaki Lantern Festival (February 6 to February 23)

The Nagasaki Lantern Festival is a major winter event in Nagasaki City, originally rooted in Chinese New Year celebrations and now the largest lantern festival in Japan. Around 15,000 lanterns and colorful art installations illuminate streets and parks throughout the city reaching from Chinatown and Minato Park to Chuo Park, Meganebashi, and Hama-machi Arcade — creating an enchanting atmosphere filled with light. Throughout the festival, there are lively performances like dragon dances, lion dances, mask-changer shows, and erhu music that enliven the streets and stages. The 2026 festival runs February 6 to 23, and visitors are encouraged to stay overnight because the evening illuminations are most magical and accommodations fill quickly. Lanterns are lit nightly (with special schedules for the opening, daily display times, and the final day), and some venues light lanterns from midday. Booking lodging early is recommended to fully enjoy the experience.

When	February 6 to February 23
Where	Nagasaki City
Admission Fee	Free
Official Website	https://en.at-nagasaki.jp/lantern-festival

Akita

The north of Japan, surrounded by snow, has one of the most unique winter festivals in the country.

Namahage Sedo Festival (February 13 to February 15)

The Namahage Sedo Festival 2026 is a dramatic winter tradition in Oga City, Akita Prefecture, held from February 13–15 at Shinzan (Mayama) Shrine each year on the second Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of February. It blends ancient Namahage folklore (ferocious demon-like figures who roam to admonish laziness) with the sacred Saitosai Shinto ritual, making it one of the Tohoku region’s most iconic snow festivals. 

During the festival, costumed Namahage descend from snowy mountains at dusk with torches, perform drums and dances, and participate in purification rites. A massive bonfire and kagura performances light up the shrine grounds, and lucky goma-mochi (rice-cakes) are shared, offering a powerful glimpse into Japan’s spiritual and folk heritage. 

When	February 13 to February 15
Admission Fee	Free
Where	Shinzan (Mayama) Shrine
Official Website	https://www.namahage-oga.akita.jp/english/sedo.html

Yamagata

In February, Yamagata Prefecture transforms into a land full of little snow monsters and enchants its visitors.

Zao Snow Monster Festival (Until February 23)

The 2026 Zao Snow Monster Festival transforms Zao Onsen Ski Resort in Yamagata Prefecture into a winter wonderland (until February 23) when the region’s famous “snow monsters” reach peak spectacle across the slopes. Visitors can admire the eerie, otherworldly snow formations by ropeway and cable car, ski or snowboard through the frozen forest, or enjoy snowshoe treks and illuminated nights that cast the monsters in glowing hues. Special events include torchlight descents, fireworks (February 7), winter vehicle showcases, a kids’ snow park, and LED light-ups in the nearby hot spring town, making it one of Japan’s most magical winter festivals.

When	Until February 23
Where	Zao Onsen Ski Resort
Admission Fee	Free *You must pay for the Zao Ropeway to reach the summit, which costs approximately 4,400 yen (round trip) for adults and 2,200 yen for children.
Official Website	https://www.visityamagata.jp/event-zao-snowmonster/

Hokkaido

The ultimate winter experience awaits visitors to Hokkaido in February.

Chitose and Lake Shikosu Ice Festival (January 31 to February 23)

The Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2026 runs from January 31 to February 23, 2026 at Lake Shikotsu Onsen in Shikotsu-Toya National Park, about 40 minutes from Sapporo by car. This winter spectacle showcases stunning ice sculptures formed by spraying the lake’s ultra-clear water and letting it freeze, creating towers, tunnels, and shapes that glow with daylight’s “Shikotsu Blue” and evening illumination after 4:30pm. Families enjoy ice slides, skating areas, and photo zones, while nearby hot springs offer a cozy place to warm up, eat, and shop after exploring the icy displays.

When	January 31 to February 23)
Where	Chitose
Admission Fee	Junior high school students and above: 1,000 yen Elementary school students and below: free
Official Website	https://hyoutou-special.asia/

Shizuoka

Are you tired of winter and already looking forward to spring? Then a particularly colorful experience awaits you in Shizuoka Prefecture.

Kawazu Sakura Cherry Blossom Festival in Shizuoka (February 7 to March 8)

The 2026 Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival will run from February 7 to March 8 in Kawazu Town on the Izu Peninsula, Shizuoka Prefecture, celebrating one of Japan’s earliest and most photogenic sakura blooms. Kawazu-zakura trees burst into vivid pink blossoms along roughly 4 km of the Kawazu River, often alongside bright yellow rapeseed flowers, creating a stunning early-spring landscape. Festival paths are lined with food stalls, local crafts, and seasonal treats, while evening illuminations (6pm–9pm) enhance the blossoms after dark. This free-entry event draws hundreds of thousands of visitors each year and is easily reached by train via Kawazu Station, making it a favorite early-hanami destination near Tokyo.

When	February 7 to March 8
Admission Fee	Free
Where	Kawazu Town
Official Website	https://www.kawazu-onsen.com/eng/

Ibaraki

And in Ibaraki Prefecture, another spring flower greets its visitors with a lovely fragrance.

The Mito Plum Festival 2026 (February 11 to March 22)

The Mito Plum Festival 2026 in Mito, Ibaraki Prefecture celebrates the arrival of spring amid thousands of blooming plum trees at two historic sites: Kairakuen Garden and Kodokan. Running from February 11 to March 22, this is the festival’s 130th anniversary, drawing over a million visitors each year. Kairakuen, one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, features around 3,000 plum trees of about 100 varieties, filling the park with white, pink, and red blossoms. Festivities include night illuminations (UME The Lights), traditional tea ceremonies, music performances, and cultural events. The Japan Umeshu Festival nearby offers tastings of plum liqueur. It’s an unforgettable blend of floral beauty, history, and seasonal culture just northeast of Tokyo.

When	February 11 to March 22
Admission Fee	Kairakuen Garden entrance is 320 yen (adults), 130 yen (children) UME the Lights event: 800 yen (anticipated ticket), 1,000 yen (onsite ticket)
Where	Kairakuen Garden and Kodokan
Official Website	https://visit.ibarakiguide.jp/en/sightseeing/41221/

From snow-covered festivals in the north to the first blossoms of early spring, February 2026 offers an incredible variety of events across Japan. Whether you are drawn to vibrant city exhibitions, centuries-old winter traditions, dazzling light festivals, or tranquil floral celebrations, this month is full of opportunities to experience the country’s seasonal beauty and cultural depth. Wherever your travels take you, February is the perfect time to explore Japan beyond the usual highlights.