Snow & ice
Thu, Feb 4 – Thu, Feb 11
Sapporo Snow Festival 2027
Odori Park, Susukino and Tsudome, Sapporo · Hokkaido
Free
Japan's biggest snow festival, with giant snow sculptures in Odori Park and ice sculptures in Susukino.
Snow & ice
Sat, Feb 6 – Thu, Feb 11
68th Asahikawa Winter Festival
Asahibashi riverside and Tokiwa Park, Asahikawa · Hokkaido
Free
Hokkaido's second-largest winter festival, known for a giant snow sculpture used as a stage.
IlluminationsOn now
Until Sun, Feb 1416:00–23:00 (until midnight in December)
Marunouchi Illumination 2026
Marunouchi Naka-dori, Tokyo · Kanto
FreeAfter dark
Trees along Marunouchi Naka-dori near Tokyo Station are lit in champagne gold.
IlluminationsOn now
Until Sat, Feb 2016:00–23:00
Yokohama Chinatown Lunar New Year Illumination
Yokohama Chinatown · Kanto
FreeAfter dark
Lanterns and lights decorate the streets of Yokohama Chinatown ahead of Lunar New Year.
Illuminations
Fri, Feb 5 – Sun, Feb 21
Nagasaki Lantern Festival 2027
Shinchi Chinatown and central Nagasaki · Kyushu
Partly paidAfter dark
About 15,000 lanterns light up central Nagasaki for Lunar New Year.
Snow & ice
Sat, Jan 30 – Tue, Feb 2310:00–20:00 (lit from 16:30)
Chitose–Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival 2027
Lake Shikotsu Onsen, Chitose (reserved bus from New Chitose Airport) · Hokkaido
Paid
Ice sculptures made by spraying lake water, blue by day and lit in color at night.
Paid entry.
Autumn leaves & flowers
Sat, Jan 9 – Sun, Mar 7
83rd Atami Baien Plum Festival
Atami Baien Plum Garden, Shizuoka · Chubu & Hokuriku
Paid
A plum garden known for very early blossoms, with about 60 varieties blooming in turn.
Paid entry during the festival.
IlluminationsOn now
Until Mon, May 31
Nabana no Sato Illumination
Nabana no Sato, Kuwana, Mie (train and bus from Nagoya) · Chubu & Hokuriku
PaidAfter dark
One of Japan's largest illumination events, held in a flower park with light tunnels and a large themed display.
Paid entry. Closed 6–7 January. Dated tickets are required on 23–25 December.