Japan Prep Guide
Japan in February 2027: Weather, Snow Festivals, Plum Blossoms and What to Book
Some links on this page earn us a small commission at no extra cost to you. How that works.
February is Japan's last full month of winter and the busiest one for snow events. Hokkaido holds its big snow festivals, drift ice reaches the Okhotsk coast, and by the second half of the month the first plum and early cherry blossoms appear near Tokyo. Cities are still cold, but often dry and sunny.
If you're in a hurry: go to Hokkaido in the first half of February for the Sapporo Snow Festival (February 4–11, 2027, confirmed) and Asahikawa Winter Festival (February 6–11, 2027), or Tokyo and Izu in the second half for plum blossoms and early Kawazu cherry blossoms. Expect daytime highs of about 10–11°C in Tokyo and Osaka and about 0°C in Sapporo. Book Sapporo hotels for festival week now. They sell out first.
Opens Klook in a new tab. Affiliate link: we may earn a commission; your price is the same.
Japan weather in February: Tokyo, Osaka, Sapporo and Okinawa
February is a little milder than January but still winter almost everywhere except Okinawa. The figures below are Japan Meteorological Agency normals for 1991–2020. Any single year can run warmer or colder.
| City | Monthly average | Average high / low | What it feels like |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 6.1°C | 10.9°C / 2.1°C | Crisp, mostly sunny; occasional snow that rarely lasts |
| Osaka | 6.6°C | 10.5°C / 3.2°C | Similar to Tokyo; Kyoto mornings feel colder |
| Sapporo | −2.7°C | 0.4°C / −6.2°C | Deep snow and icy sidewalks |
| Naha (Okinawa) | 17.5°C | 20.2°C / 15.1°C | Mild; a light jacket in the evening |
For Tokyo and Kyoto, a warm coat, layers and gloves are enough. For Hokkaido you need a proper winter jacket, a hat and shoes with grip (or slip-on ice cleats). See our Japan winter packing list for a full checklist.
February 2027 events and festivals
| Event | Where | 2027 dates | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| Setsubun bean-throwing | Temples and shrines nationwide | February 3 (Wed) | Fixed by the calendar |
| Sapporo Snow Festival | Sapporo | February 4–11 | Confirmed |
| Asahikawa Winter Festival | Asahikawa | February 6–11 | Announced by the organizers |
| Otaru Snow Light Path | Otaru | Not announced yet (2026: February 7–14) | Check official site |
| Nagasaki Lantern Festival | Nagasaki | Listed as February 5–21 | Confirm with Nagasaki tourism |
| Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival | Kawazu, Izu | Not announced yet (2026: February 7–March 8) | Check official site |
| Mito Plum Festival | Kairakuen, Mito | Not announced yet (2026: February 11–March 22) | Check official site |
Two national holidays fall in February 2027: National Foundation Day on Thursday February 11 and the Emperor's Birthday on Tuesday February 23. Lunar New Year falls on February 6, 2027, right in the middle of festival week, so expect extra visitors from across Asia, especially in Hokkaido.
Setsubun (February 3)
Setsubun marks the day before the traditional start of spring. Families throw roasted soybeans to drive out bad luck, and big temples such as Senso-ji in Tokyo hold public bean-throwing ceremonies. Many people also eat a long uncut sushi roll (ehomaki); you'll see them stacked up in every convenience store.
Hokkaido in February: snow festivals and drift ice
The first half of February is Hokkaido's high season. The Sapporo Snow Festival fills Odori Park with huge snow sculptures, Susukino with ice sculptures, and Tsudome with snow slides for families. Our Sapporo Snow Festival 2027 guide covers the venues, opening hours and getting there from New Chitose Airport.
- Asahikawa Winter Festival (February 6–11, 2027): about 90 minutes from Sapporo by limited express, known for very large snow sculptures and a long snow slide. Its dates sit inside Sapporo's, so you can do both on one trip.
- Otaru Snow Light Path: candles and snow lanterns along the Otaru canal in the evening. The 2027 dates were not announced at the time of writing; in 2026 it ran February 7–14, overlapping Sapporo.
- Drift ice (Abashiri and Shiretoko): sea ice from the Sea of Okhotsk usually reaches the coast between late January and March, and February is generally the most reliable month. Sightseeing icebreakers sail from Abashiri, but the ice arrives at a different time every year, and 2027 schedules weren't out at the time of writing.
- Skiing: February powder is still excellent in Niseko, Furano and Rusutsu. Compare Hokkaido ski passes and lessons (opens in a new tab).
Blossoms in February: plum, Kawazu cherry and Okinawa
The main cherry blossom season is late March to April. February has its own flowers, though.
- Plum blossoms (ume): plum gardens around Tokyo and Kyoto usually start blooming in February. One of the best-known plum festivals is at Kairakuen in Mito, about 70–80 minutes from Tokyo by limited express. In Kyoto, Kitano Tenmangu shrine is the classic plum spot.
- Kawazu cherry blossoms: an early, deep-pink variety that lines the river in Kawazu on the Izu Peninsula, usually peaking from mid to late February. It's a long day trip from Tokyo by train, so many visitors join a coach tour.
- Okinawa: the early Kanhizakura season that starts in January often continues into early February.
Planning a spring trip instead? Our cherry blossom 2027 guide covers forecast timing from Okinawa to Hokkaido.
Snow monkeys and other winter day trips
The wild macaques of Jigokudani in Nagano are still in the snow in February, and the hot-spring bathing is a winter highlight. It's a long day from Tokyo by Shinkansen and local bus, which is where a guided trip earns its price. Compare snow monkey day tours from Tokyo (opens in a new tab).
What to book now for February 2027
| What | When to book | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Sapporo hotels for February 4–11 | Now | Festival week is Sapporo's busiest of the year |
| Flights to New Chitose for festival week | Now | Prices rise as the dates approach |
| Ski hotels and lessons | Now | Peak season continues through February |
| Drift ice tours | Once 2027 schedules are published | Small boats, popular weekends |
| Kawazu or plum day tours | 2–4 weeks ahead | Peak dates depend on the bloom |
| City hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka | A few weeks ahead | February is still low season in most cities |
Maps, train times and tour vouchers all need data. A Japan eSIM such as Saily's Japan plans (opens in a new tab) can be installed before you fly; free Wi-Fi in stations and hotels is fine if you only need occasional access.
Is February a good time to visit Japan?
Good for: snow festivals, skiing, onsen, clear winter views of Mt. Fuji, plum blossoms, and lower city hotel prices than spring.
Not ideal for: travelers who dislike cold, budget trips to Sapporo during festival week, and anyone hoping for the main cherry blossom season. Days are getting longer, but sunset in Tokyo is still around 17:00–17:30. For the whole season, see our Japan in winter guide.
February trip questions
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2027?
February 4–11, 2027, confirmed by the organizers. Odori Park and Susukino are free to walk around and best after dark; check the official site for each venue's 2027 opening hours, which are usually published in December.
Can you see cherry blossoms in Japan in February?
Only early varieties: Kawazu cherry blossoms on the Izu Peninsula, usually from mid-February, and Okinawa's Kanhizakura. Plum blossoms are far more common in February.
Does it snow in Tokyo in February?
Sometimes, but it rarely settles for long. February is mostly dry and sunny in Tokyo. For reliable snow, head to Hokkaido, Tohoku or the Japan Alps.
Is February a cheap time to visit Japan?
For Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, yes: it's low season before the spring rush. Sapporo during the Snow Festival and ski resorts are the expensive exceptions.
Early or late February?
Pick your half of the month. Early February is for Hokkaido's snow festivals; late February is for plum and early cherry blossoms near Tokyo. Book Sapporo festival-week hotels (opens in a new tab) first, then check the official sites for the 2027 dates that aren't announced yet.
Related guides
Save this guide for later
