February 2026: Japan’s Must-See Winter Events

February 2026 brings some of Japan’s most magical winter celebrations, from massive snow sculptures to fiery demon dances and bean-throwing rituals. These events mix ancient traditions with stunning natural displays, drawing crowds to snowy Hokkaido and historic shrines across the country.

Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival transforms Japan’s northern city into a sparkling wonderland every early February. Running from February 4 to 11, 2026, this world-famous event fills Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome with towering snow and ice sculptures created by artists from Japan and abroad. Odori Park hosts the main attractions: enormous sculptures of anime characters, landmarks like Tokyo Tower, and winners from the International Snow Sculpture Contest, all glowing under nighttime illuminations until 10 pm.

Susukino dazzles with intricate ice carvings and frozen bars where you sip drinks from ice glasses amid neon lights. You can also head to Tsudome for kid-friendly snow slides, sledding, and indoor play areas. Food stalls serve hot Hokkaido specialties like miso ramen, grilled seafood, and sweet treats. This year, they expect over two million visitors, so arrive early for photos. Free entry makes it accessible, though some activities charge small fees. The festival ends with bulldozers melting the art, a bittersweet sight symbolizing winter’s close.

Demon Festival on Mount Yoshino in Nara

Deep in Nara’s Mount Yoshino, the Demon Festival (Oni Matsuri) brings dramatic fire rituals to ancient cedar forests around February 11. Locals don terrifying demon masks and red loincloths, parading through Tsubosakaduchi Shrine to pray for a bountiful harvest and ward off evil spirits. The highlight unfolds at night: participants light massive torches from sacred flames, waving them in hypnotic dances that illuminate the snowy slopes.

This Shugendo Buddhist event traces back centuries, blending mountain asceticism with folk beliefs. Spectators huddle around bonfires, warming hands on roasted chestnuts while chants echo. The demons aren’t scary villains but protective guardians, stomping snow to purify the land. Dress warmly, the mountain chills to near-freezing, and book nearby ryokans for onsen soaks after. It’s a raw, spiritual contrast to urban festivals, perfect for cultural immersion and for something new than a traditional trip to Japan. 

Heian-jingu Shrine Setsubun

Kyoto’s Heian Shrine hosts a grand Setsubun festival on February 3, 2026, kicking off spring with bean-throwing to expel demons. Thousands gather in the shrine’s vast courtyard as priests in traditional robes toss roasted soybeans while shouting “Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi!” (Demons out, fortune in!). Costumed demons parade menacingly, only to flee from the beans hurled by laughing crowds.

This lively ritual honors the shift in the lunar calendar, with extra flair at Heian-jingu thanks to its replicas of ancient Heian capital buildings. Catch blessings from shrine maidens, grab lucky soybeans (don’t eat raw ones!), and enjoy nearby Gion’s lantern-lit streets. Evening mame-maki sessions draw families, while food stalls offer sardine-headed good-luck charms and amazake. Free access makes it welcoming, though peak crowds tend to form around noon. Setsubun embodies renewal, chasing winter woes with playful chaos.

Mihara Daruma Festival

In Hiroshima’s Mihara City, the Daruma Festival ignites from February 2-4, 2026, around Ebara Shrine, where giant Daruma dolls roll down temple steps in fiery spectacles. These roly-poly figures symbolize perseverance, red, round, and weighted to bounce back when toppled. Locals craft massive versions up to three meters tall, stuffing them with firecrackers before tumbling them amid cheers.

The event honors the monk Bodhidharma, Daruma’s origin, with parades carrying dolls on mikoshi floats. At midnight on the final night, flames consume the largest Daruma in a bonfire climax, as prayers for good fortune rise in sparks. Stalls sell small Daruma to color in goals (eyes painted upon success), alongside takoyaki and grilled mochi. It’s family-friendly yet thrilling, with safe viewing areas. Nearby Setoda offers quieter island vibes after the festival. This quirky rite celebrates resilience, turning winter’s end into triumphant rebirth.

Why should I go to these February events in Japan?

February 2026 events showcase Japan’s winter diversity through unforgettable festivals and traditions, from Sapporo’s icy grandeur and world-famous snow sculptures to Yoshino’s mystic flames, Kyoto’s spirited bean-throwing rituals, and Mihara’s playful bouncing luck charms. These celebrations offer a rare chance to experience Japan at its most atmospheric, when winter transforms cities and towns into magical cultural stages. If you’re hoping to attend, it’s best to plan your travel early, especially flights to Hokkaido, which tend to sell out quickly during festival season. 

Be sure to pack plenty of warm layers, as February temperatures can be chilly, especially in northern regions and mountain areas. More than just spectacles, these events connect seasonal change with community spirit, tradition, and joy, proving that Japan’s festivals have a unique ability to warm the soul even in the heart of winter. Have you been to any of these events before, or are you planning to attend one this year? Let us know in the comments below, we’d love to hear about your winter festival plans!