In the blink of an eye, the first month of the year is over. We hope that 2024 has been good to you so far, and if you made a New Year’s resolution to go out and explore the city, here’s your handy guide to Tokyo’s events in February.
Keep an eye out for the plum blossoms — they start blooming now. Don’t forget that you can also catch the last of the Tokyo winter illuminations.
For the top events in Tokyo throughout the year, check out our complete guide — organized by month.
1. Setsubun
Drive out bad luck and evil spirits in your life and welcome good fortune with Setsubun, a festival during which people throw soybeans while chanting “Out with demons; in with good fortune!” This bean-throwing ceremony is held in most temples and shrines around Tokyo — even small ones — but if you want to go big, the following are known to have large-scale Setsubun celebrations:
- Sensōji Temple
- Zojo-ji
- Kanda Myojin
- Visit the Shimokitazawa Tengu Festival for a parade and plenty of bean-throwing.
These temples and shrines often have celebrities helping to throw beans, as well as other activities lined up, including ritual dances, performances, and free food and goodies.
2. Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year celebrations take place every year in Yokohama’s Chinatown and include several fantastic events. Highlights include the Chinatown Celebration Parade, which will feature traditional costumes, lion dances, and dragon dances; the Lantern Festival, on which people’s hopes and dreams for the year are written; and traditional performances.
3. Early-blooming (kawazu) cherry blossom festivals
Kawazu, an early-blooming cherry blossom, is the most common sakura tree in coastal Kanagawa Prefecture and is usually in full bloom by mid to late February.
You can also find the trees in Izu and in Tokyo (see Kyūnaka River and Yoyogi Park).
These are the most popular early-blooming cherry blossom festivals around Tokyo:
- Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival: Feb. 1–Feb. 29
- Miura-kaigan Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival: Feb. 5–Mar. 3
- Matsuda Cherry Blossom Festival: Feb. 3–Mar. 3
4. Plum blossom festivals
All monthAll over Tokyo and beyond
We have a whole list of the best places to see plum blossoms in Tokyo for 2024, but we’ll highlight a few of our favorite plum blossom festivals here:
- Yushima Tenjin Plum Blossom Festival (Feb. 8– Mar. 8)
- Setagaya Plum Blossom Festival (Feb. 10–Mar. 3)
- Koubai Red Plum Blossom Festival (Feb. 1–25)
5. Some no Komichi Fabric Dyeing Festival
The lesser-known neighborhoods of Nakai and Ochiai have a colorful past. In the early 20th century, these areas were filled with dyeing factories, which led to this area’s unique heritage and reputation as a hub for traditional dyeing.
Having inherited the craft, descendants of the first dyeing artisans have found ways to keep traditional fabric dyeing alive — and Some no Komichi is one way to spread the word.
During this town-wide event, you’ll see beautiful cloth strewn over the river, creating a “river gallery”. Shops will also proudly showcase their noren (Japanese-style curtains), dyed the old-school way.
While we do our best to ensure it’s correct, information is subject to change. Post first published in January 2017. Last updated on January 25, 2024.
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