Written by Patrick Balfe
Tokyo events for Monday, February 2, to Sunday, February 8, 2026.
This week, ward off bad luck at Setsubun festivals in some of the city’s most picturesque temples, catch the latest creations from popular figure makers, and trace the history of Capcom games — plus flower and booze fests, traditional music, and flea markets.
Bean Throwing and Dance of the 7 Lucky Gods
Combine bean-throwing at Setsubun with a dance to honor the Seven Lucky Gods. This event is the ultimate in warding off ill fortune for the year and takes place at Asakusa’s Sensōji Temple, the oldest in Tokyo.
Setsubun Mamemaki (Bean Throwing) Festival
Zōjōji Temple will have a bean-flinging ceremony with men and women born in the same year as the current year of the Chinese zodiac kitted out in samurai garb.
Mt. Takao Setsubun
Held at the Yakuo-in Temple, beans are thrown into the crowd by men and women born under the same calendrical cycle as this one. Prominent singers, sumo wrestlers, and actors also join in. Watch as thousands of daruma go up in flames. This is one of the most dramatic daruma-burning rituals in all of Tokyo. During the ceremony, people bring their old daruma to the temple, where monks chant sutras as the dolls are burned on a large outdoor pyre. Komusō are Zen monks in Japan who practice meditation by playing the bamboo flute. Monks Ryusui, Ryuzen, and Kyozen return to perform a solo piece on the jinashi shakuhachi, a traditional bamboo flute built to the same design used by Edo-period komusō monks. Figure manufacturers unveil the latest and upcoming additions to their product lines, to the excitement of collectors. The event also features stage events, such as talk shows about upcoming or recently concluded anime. This exhibition is all about Capcom, the Japanese gaming juggernaut. Held at Creative Museum Tokyo, Capcom Creation – Moving Hearts Across the Globe traces the studio’s journey from its founding in 1983 to its status as a global game powerhouse today. This collaboration between Naked and Tokyo Tower will see projection mapping take over the north side of the second floor of Tokyo Tower’s main deck for a light show entitled Light Fantasia Winter 2025. The ice-skating rink takes over the grass square behind Tokyo Midtown every winter. It is a popular event because of the Midtown Winter Lights right next door — so expect a line. This 20-minute Nagatoro cruise takes you through the rock formations of the Arakawa River, giving you a view of the gorgeous landscape. Since it’s winter, the boat also has a kotatsu (Japanese heated table) to keep warm. Orchids are an important symbol to many Japanese gardeners and flower fans. Held over a week, the Japan International Orchid and Flower Show is a mix of exhibitions, contests, and markets. This plum festival celebrates kōbai , a variety of deep red plum blossoms. There will be a special ceremony on February 8 with a taiko performance and plum branch gifts for those that get in early. This flea market is held right outside Sasazuka Station, about five minutes by train from Shinjuku. With around 30 stalls, it’s a lot less overwhelming than the big park markets. This long-running weekend farmers market brings together growers and makers from across Japan — not just to sell their produce, but to share the stories and traditions behind it. The Japan Brewers’ Cup is one of the major events on Japan’s craft beer calendar. It’s both a festival and, as the name suggests, a contest between the brewers. Test your hand and tastebuds at the Kakuuchi Liquor Festival in Ueno. Try everything from shochu to beer, with snacks to match. Tokyo events for Monday, July 13, to Sunday, July 19, 2026. Our favorite "Star Festival" celebrations in and around the city. Head to Yoyogi Square for flamenco, super yosakoi dance shows, beach fests, Brazilian food, and more. Get your yukata on and get out there — the best is yet to come. Updated with a raft of new names — including Post Malone and Belle and Sebastian. The city doesn't sleep, so why should you?
Nishiarai Daishi Daruma-Burning Ceremony
Komusō Shakuhachi Zen Night
At the door: ¥1,500 Winter Wonder Festival
Capcom Creation – Moving Hearts Across the Globe
Advance sales: ¥2,700 At the door: ¥2,900 Advance sales: ¥800 At the door: ¥1,000 Advance sales: ¥1,800 At the door: ¥2,000 NAKED x Tokyo Tower Light Fantasia Winter
Midtown Ice Rink
Kotatsu Boat in Nagatoro
At the door: ¥1,099 At the door: ¥698 Japan International Orchid and Flower Show
Kōbai Red Plum Blossom Festival
Sasazuka Flea Market
UNU Farmers Market
Japan Brewers’ Cup
Kakuuchi Liquor Festival
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