Sculpture Posts

Snow, fire, and even plum blossoms mean there's plenty to see this month in Japan. The festivals are a pick-and-mix of purification rituals, seasonal celebrations, and playful family events. February is a month filled with winter wonderlands, and locals are celebrating snow and saying goodbye to fiery demons. If it's specifically the snow festivals you're after, see our article on the best winter festivals in Japan. For events in Tokyo and the surrounding areas, visit our event listings on Tokyo Cheapo. Kansai events These are events in Kyoto, Osaka, Hyōgo, Mie, and the surrounding areas. Yasaka Shrine Setsubun February 2–3 Kyoto "Demons out! Luck in!" An annual celebration of the arrival of spring, Setsubun is an age-old ceremony held across Japan to drive evil spirits from the house. It's common to see people dressed as demons being herded from homes and businesses by occupants throwing beans. A great chance to see the maiko and geiko (geisha of Kyoto) without forking out terrifying amounts, this Setsubun ceremony is pretty special. The first day features dancing and bean-throwing, while the second has a lion dance, too. Heian Jingu Setsubun February 3 Kyoto Setsubun feat demons, geiko, and fire This is one of the most well-known Setsubun celebrations in Kyoto and offers a cleansing ritual, an entertaining exorcism performance complete with evil oni (demons) and even maiko and geiko who throw beans into the crowd. The day ends with a fire ceremony, and while it will no doubt be busy, it's worth the crowds. Baikasai Plum Blossom Festival February 25 Kyoto Witness the start of spring A sign of the start of spring, the plum blossom transforms the already impressive Kitano Tenmangu Shrine into a seasonal treat. While the blossom will be around for a week or two, the festival day features a tea ceremony with apprentice geiko (Kyoto's geisha) called maiko, but tickets are limited, so be there on time! Dojima Yakushido Setsubun Omizukumi Festival February 3 Osaka Setsubun celebrations with a twist Instead of mame-maki (bean throwing), it's Goma-daki -- tossing joss sticks into a fire. There's also a water-drawing ritual, called omizukumi, and visitors can receive water blessed by a priest from the famous Nara temple, Yakushido. Hirosaki Castle Snow-Lantern Festival February 6–11 Hirosaki Snow festival feat. castle, lanterns, sculptures, and performances Decorating the already impressive castle with over 200 lanterns, this event is perfect for a relaxing evening stroll in the snow (if there is such a thing). There will be snow sculptures and performances during the day, as well as a kids-only snow slide (disappointing, we know). Shigisan Tiger Festival February 21–22 Nara Tigers, tigers, burning bright Traditionally known as the Month of the Tiger, it's no surprise that February has a whole festival centered around the striped beast. 50 tiger boys and girls parade with tiger shrines, accompanied by traditional taiko drumming and Japanese instruments. The children are all born in the Year of the Tiger, lending them their rightful roles. Kantō events These are events in Ibaraki, Tochigi, and other areas surrounding Tokyo. Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival January 30–March 1 Tochigi A festival dedicated to tiny snow domes A snowy wonderland appears each winter in this quiet hot-spring town, as hundreds of small snow-houses are built. Illuminated on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings for the one-month duration of the event, the kamakura (igloos) are a beautiful sight, and a barbecue inside one can even be arranged. Hokkaidō events These are events in Sapporo, Hakodate, and all the chilly areas on Japan's northernmost island. Sapporo Snow Festival February 4–11 Hokkaidō Japan’s biggest snow festival One of Japan's most famous festivals, the Sapporo Snow Festival, spans six days and is filled with food, snow, and sculptures. Huge creations are carefully crafted in Odori Park by international and Japanese sculptors, and you can find plenty of food trucks with warming food and drink to keep you going. Noboribetsu Onsen "Naked Man" Festival February 3–4 Hokkaidō (Semi) Naked men throw hot water, carry phallic mikoshi Officially called the Noboribetsu Onsen Hot Water Festival (Noboribetsu onsen yu matsuri), this unique festival takes place at the coldest time of year, when the last thing you want to be is naked (well, semi-naked) while running around at night and throwing water at each other. Otaru Snow Light Path Festival February 7–14 Hokkaidō A quiet alternative to Sapporo Snow Fest Timed to coincide with Sapporo's giant winter festival, Otaru's Snow Light Path (Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi -- the awkward name is a direct translation) is on a much more intimate scale. Abashiri Okhotsk Drift Ice Festival February 7–8 Hokkaidō Warm food and frosty illuminations Deep in the snowdrifts of northern Hokkaidō, this snow festival has towering sculptures that are illuminated at night. There are family games, a selection of food and drink stalls to choose from, and plenty of creations to pose with; just dress warm! Tōhoku events These are events in Fukushima, Sendai, and the surrounding areas. Zaō Snow Monster Festival December 27–February 23 Yamagata Catch a spooky winter phenomenon This is a chance to see the most unusual natural snow creations of the season. The "monsters" of Miyagi are illuminated every day, and there is also a parade of professionals and familiar characters skiing with LED lights. Lake Towada Winter Story of Light January 30–February 23 Aomori Wintry fireworks and light-ups A winter wonderland appears beside the shores of Lake Towada for around three weeks every February. There is a short fireworks display (about 10 minutes) each night from 8 p.m., as well as illuminations to enjoy. Tadami Snow Festival February 13–15 Fukushima Ice sculptures, traditional drums, and fireworks A small town with a reputation for its annual snow festival, Tadami certainly knows how to make the most of the seasonal weather. A great local alternative to the Sapporo Snow Festival, this one has sculptures, carvings, and taiko performances, as well as fireworks. Kamihinokinai Paper Balloon Festival February 10 Akita Send your wishes into the sky via candlelight An annual event with a long but unclear history, this festival sees dozens of large (up to 12 meters high) paper balloons released into the sky, decorated with colorful traditional designs and symbolic wishes. Smaller ones are offered to locals and visitors to write their wishes and sent into the sky as night falls. Kasedori Festival February 11 Yamagata Bird men get cold, wet, and drunk Another of the more unusual Japanese winter festivals, this one involves local men dressed in straw coats, pretending to be birds -- giving the event its name. The tradition originated in the 17th century. It begins in front of the Kaminoyama Castle: the dancing straw men are doused in cold water, and are gradually herded into the city for some warming sake. Namahage Sedo Festival February 13–15 Akita Demons spook babies The Namahage Sedo Festival involves demons, bonfires, and a whole load of screaming children. The festival is terrifying, to say the least. If you're in town, be sure to visit the Namahagekan Museum to see a variety of the demon costumes on display. Yokote Kamakura Snow Festival February 13–14 Akita Sip sake in a kamakura snow igloo Held for over 400 years, this festival has perfected the art of kamakura igloos, and each has a small altar with rice and wine offerings to the gods. Uesugi Snow Lantern Festival February 13–15 Yamagata A relatively new annual snow festival 200 snow lanterns and around 1000 snow caves are lit up in Matsugasaki Park. The light display differs from your usual yellow lanterns, featuring varied shapes and bright colors. There will be plenty of food stalls and stage performances, including musical acts and mascots. Hiroshima events These are events in Hiroshima, Okayama, Tottori, Yamaguchi, and the surrounding areas. Saidai-ji Eyo Hadaka Festival February 21 Okayama One of the “top three eccentric festivals in Japan” Another of Japan's famed naked festivals, this event has a history dating back 500 years, so you can be sure the nudity is cultural. Watch over 9,000 participants compete to catch the two lucky sticks called shingi, as well as bundled willow strips, thrown to the crowds by priests. Chūbu events These are events in Nagano, Aichi, Fukui, and surrounding areas. Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival February 7–March 8 Shizuoka Catch some early sakura near the beach Kawazu cherry blossoms (also known as Kawazu-zakura) are early-blooming sakura that make their appearance around a month earlier than the more common Somei Yoshino cherry blossom variety. Katsuyama Sagicho Matsuri February 21–22 Fukui A centuries-old fire and performance festival Centered around the traditional Dondo-yaki ceremony held in the New Year, this festival takes place on the banks of the Kuzuryu River. New Year's ornaments are burned while local artists perform on elevated wooden stages that are carried around the city. The traditional fire festival has been held for the last 300 years, and always draws large crowds. Souriike Plum Blossom Festival February 14–March 15 Aichi Pond-side blossoms, food, and festival vibes Souriike is a large pond in Chita City. On the edge of the pond is Souri-midoritohana-no-fureai Park, home to almost 6,000 individual plum trees of 25 different varieties. The best time to see them is from mid-February until mid-March. Kyūshū & Okinawa events Here's whats happening in Kyūshū this month: Nagasaki Lantern Festival February 6–23 Kyūshū Celebrate Lunar New Year with fireworks, lion dances, and lots of lanterns Featuring more than 15,000 lanterns, the festival originally started as a simple Chinese New Year celebration. Along with a display of lanterns, the festival includes fireworks, Chinese acrobatics, lion dances, dragon dances, Chinese theatre, kokyu performances, an Emperor's parade, a Mazu (goddess) procession, and more. While we do our best to ensure it's correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in January 2018. Last updated by Patrick Balfe in January 2026.

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