Japan by month
Japan in February
Still winter: the Sapporo Snow Festival in early February, the deepest snow of the year in the north, and the first plum blossoms around Tokyo from mid-month.
What February is like
February is nearly as cold as January. Sapporo averages 0.4°C by day, and snow on the ground is at its deepest of the year across Hokkaido, Tohoku and the Sea of Japan coast. Tokyo warms slightly to about 11°C, with dry, sunny days.
Okinawa is mild at around 20°C, and late-blooming hikanzakura cherry blossoms are still out early in the month.
Where to go in February
The Sapporo Snow Festival turns Odori Park into an outdoor gallery of snow and ice sculptures. Nearby Otaru lights its canal with candles for the Snow Light Path. In Akita, Yokote builds dozens of kamakura snow huts in mid-February.
Plum blossoms are the first flowers of spring on the mainland. Kairakuen in Mito, Ibaraki, is one of Japan's three great gardens and holds its plum festival from mid-February.
Planning tips for February
Sapporo hotels fill up months ahead for Snow Festival week, and Chinese New Year (late January or February) also brings big crowds to Hokkaido and Tokyo. Book early or stay in Otaru.
February is also the cheapest month for many ryokan outside festival areas, a good time for a snowy onsen stay.
Festivals and events
Sapporo Snow Festivalさっぽろ雪まつり
4–11 February 2027 · Hokkaido
Snow and ice sculptures at Odori, Susukino and Tsudome.
Official website (opens in a new tab)Yokote Kamakura Festival横手の雪まつり かまくら
Mid-February · Akita
Children invite visitors into candle-lit snow huts for rice cakes and amazake.
Mito Plum Festival水戸の梅まつり
Mid-February to March · Ibaraki
About 3,000 plum trees at Kairakuen, plus about 800 more at nearby Kodokan.
Typical weather in February
Average daily high and low and total rainfall for the month (1991–2020). Tap a city for its 7-day forecast.
| City | High | Low | Rain (mm) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sapporo | 0°C | -6°C | 92 |
| Asahikawa | -2°C | -12°C | 55 |
| Kushiro | 0°C | -9°C | 25 |
| Aomori | 3°C | -3°C | 99 |
| Akita | 4°C | -2°C | 99 |
| Sendai | 7°C | -1°C | 34 |
| Niigata | 6°C | 0°C | 116 |
| Kanazawa | 8°C | 1°C | 163 |
| Tokyo | 11°C | 2°C | 57 |
| Utsunomiya | 10°C | -1°C | 39 |
| Nagano | 5°C | -4°C | 49 |
| Nagoya | 11°C | 1°C | 65 |
| Osaka | 11°C | 3°C | 61 |
| Takamatsu | 11°C | 2°C | 46 |
| Matsue | 9°C | 1°C | 118 |
| Hiroshima | 11°C | 2°C | 64 |
| Kochi | 13°C | 3°C | 108 |
| Fukuoka | 12°C | 4°C | 70 |
| Kagoshima | 15°C | 6°C | 113 |
| Amami | 18°C | 12°C | 162 |
| Naha | 20°C | 15°C | 115 |
| Ishigaki | 22°C | 17°C | 124 |
Tips
- Snow Festival evenings drop well below freezing. Wear thermal layers, gloves and a hat, and take breaks in the underground mall.
- Hokkaido roads are icy. If you are not used to snow driving, use trains and tour buses instead of a rental car.
- Plum blossoms peak at different times each year; check the garden's bloom report before you go.
Questions travellers ask
When is the Sapporo Snow Festival 2027?
From 4 to 11 February 2027, at Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome.
Is February too cold for a Japan trip?
It's cold, especially in the north, but Tokyo and Osaka have dry, sunny days around 10–11°C. With layers it is comfortable.
Can I see flowers in Japan in February?
Yes: plum blossoms from mid-February around Tokyo and Mito, and early cherry blossoms in Okinawa.
Sources
We checked the facts on this page against these sources.
- Japan Meteorological Agency気象庁JMA climate normals 1991–2020 (Japanese)(in Japanese) (opens in a new tab)
- Sapporo Snow Festival official siteさっぽろ雪まつりSapporo Snow Festival, official site (opens in a new tab)
- Ibaraki Prefecture tourism guide茨城県観光物産協会Kairakuen plum blossoms, Ibaraki tourism (opens in a new tab)
All 12 months7-day forecasts for 22 cities
Facts checked 23 October 2026