Japan Local Festivals | February Annually

Each country has its own cultural events and local festivals, including Japan. You will be surprised that so many local festivals in Japan are not widely-documented by the global news. Throughout Japan, here are some of the best Japanese local festivals in February that mostly are held annually.

#1 Tokyo Book Swap

Date: February 2

Time: 6.00pm – 9.00am

Fee: Free

This bi-monthly book swap event could be the start of your new chapter. Bring new or old books (in a reasonable condition) in any language or genre. While participation is free, you’re required to buy one drink at the venue.

RSVP here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSfT-iv_OLVQqpyEy4CbIbIZ3XAaOhnuR23PLBCaRuth7d-DHg/viewform 

https://www.instagram.com/tokyo.bookswap/ 

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/tokyo-book-swap/ 

#2 Lantern Festival/the Lunar New Year/Spring Festival

Date: January 22 - February 5

Time: 5.30pm – 7.00pm

Fee: Free

Held on the 15th and final day of the Chinese Spring Festival, taking place in Yokohama’s Chukagai Chinatown. It marks the end of the Spring Festival. The Lantern Festival has a variety of origin myths and a variety of customs depending on where it is held. In Hong Kong, it has been commercialized like Valentine's day.

RSVP here: https://tokyocheapo.com/events/lantern-festival/ 

#3 Winter Wonder Festival

Date: February 12

Time: 10.00am – 5.00pm

Fee: around 1,500 - 3,000 JPY

Known as the world’s biggest festival for figures or “garage kits”.At this event, figure manufacturers unveil the latest and upcoming additions to their product lines, to the excitement of collectors. Cosplayers are also welcome to join the event.

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/winter-wonder-festival/

https://wonfes.jp/ 

#4 Matsuda Wintersweet Festival

Time: 9.00am – 4.00pm

Fee: around 500 JPY (adults) at the door

In Matsuda’s Yadoriki area, a huge field of over 1,000 wintersweet shrubs can be found. During this period countless yellow flowers will bloom, providing a unique sight, and a distinct lovely fragrance. In past years, over 20,000 people attended with a small souvenir area and cafe. Check in advance because it might be close during snow.

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/matsuda-wintersweet-festival/ 

https://town.matsuda.kanagawa.jp/site/kankou-sub/roubai1.html

#5 Tokunoshima Tourism & Products Fair

Date: Mid of February

Time: 10.00am – 4.00pm

Fee: Free

Tokunoshima—an island found in the Amami archipelago of Kagoshima Prefecture—can seem a long way from Tokyo. So if you’d like to give some of their food and cultural attractions a trial before you make the trip, then this event gives you a chance to do just that.

https://tokufes.com/

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/tokunoshima/ 

#6 Doll Floating Ceremony

Date: February 26

Time: starts at 11.30am

Fee: Free

Hina Matsuri (“Doll Festival”) is an annual event in Japan to celebrate the good health of girls. It’s typically celebrated by arranging dolls on a red carpet. However the source of this celebration is actually a ceremony in which people floated dolls on boats down rivers to carry bad luck away. It’s on the Asakusa side of the river near Azumabashi bridge. Will be canceled if it rains.

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/doll-floating-ceremony/ 

http://hina-ko.jp/sumida/index.html 

#7 Some no Komichi (Fabric Dyeing Festival)

Time: 10.00am - 5.00pm

Fee: Free

“Some no Komichi” is a festival highlighting the art of dyeing and screen printing in the Nakai/Ochiai area of Shinjuku ward. On clear days, colorful kimono fabrics were hung out to dry outside the factories. As an artistic tribute to this heritage, long pieces of kimono cloth will be draped on wires above the river as a “River Gallery.” The shopping area will also be decorated with 95 specially produced noren, the dyed curtain-like fabric.

http://www.somenokomichi.com/ 

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/some-no-komichi-fabric-dyeing-festival/

#8 Flea Markets and Product Fairs

Here is the list of available Tokyo flea markets and product fairs in February. Please screenshot if you want to catch the info:

• February 1 - Machida Tenmangu Antique Fairs (7.00am-4.00 pm) at Machida Tenmangu Shrine
• February 5 - Kite Market (10.00am-6.00pm) at Oji Inari Shrine
• Every Sunday - Hanazono Shrine Antique Market (6.30am-3.00pm) at Hanazono Shrine
• February 5 and 19 - The Oedo Antique Market (9.00am-2.30pm) at Yurakucho
• Every weekend - Ohi Racecourse Flea Market (9.00am-2.30pm) at Oimachi and Omori
• February 12 - The Best Flea Market (10.00am-4.00pm) at Yurakucho
• February 26 - Akasaka Antique Market in Ark Hills (11.00am-5.00pm) at Akasaka

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/february/ 

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/february/page/2/ 

#9 February Winter Illumination

Here is the list of available Tokyo illuminations in February. All is free. Please screenshot if you want to catch the info:

• Until February 14 - Hibiya Magic Time Illumination  (5.00pm-11.00pm)
• Until February 14 - Shinjuku Southern Terrace Illumination  (5.00pm-11.00pm)
• Until Mid February - Caretta Shiodome Winter Illumination  (5.00pm-11.00pm)
• Until February 19 - Marunouchi Illumination  (3.00pm-11.00pm)
• Until February 28 - Kioi Winter Illumination (4.30pm-11.00pm)
• Until February 28 - Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination (5.00pm-11.59pm)
• February 26 - Akasaka Antique Market in Ark Hills (11.00am-5.00pm) at Akasaka

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/february/ 

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/february/page/2/ 

#10 Plum and Cherry Blossom Festivals

Here is the list of available Plum and Cherry Blossoms in February. Please screenshot if you want to catch the info:

• Feb 11 - Mar 5 - Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival  (10.00am-4.00pm) - Free
• Feb 8 - Mar 8 - Yushima Tenjin Plum Blossom Festival  (8.00am-7.30pm) - Free
• Feb 11 - Mar 12 - Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival  (9.00am-4.00pm) - about 300 JPY (at the door)

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/february/ 

https://tokyocheapo.com/events/february/page/2/