Festivals and Events for February 2014 in Japan
1,2,9,15 February 2014
Event: Shirakawa-go Winter Illumination
Location: Shirakawa-go Village, Gifu Prefecture
Time: 17:30 – 19:30
Price of Admission: FREE
Shirakawa-go in Gifu Prefecture, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famous for its gassho zukkuri farmhouses. This place has been famous for years due to its thatched roof farmhouses, but the beauty is raised to an even higher level when the houses are lit up in the snow. Spotlights illuminate the snow covered thatched roofs which makes this place look like a magical winter wonderland. It is truly spectacular. This year it will run from the end of January to February.
3 February 2014
Event: Setsubun
Location: All over Japan
Setsubun is a festival held on February 3 or 4 to celebrate the end of winter and the start of spring. It is also celebrated in ways to drive away evil spirits and bad luck and bring in good luck. It is custom on Setsubun for people of all ages to throw beans and shout ‘Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi’ which means ‘out with the demons, in with good luck’
Read more about Setsubun
5-11 February 2014
Event: Sapporo Snow Festival
Location: Sapporo, Hokkaido
Sapporo’s famous snow festival is one of Japan’s top festivals. It features teams from around the world, competing to create the most impressive ice and snow sculptures. The amazing ice and snow sculptures are lit at night creating a winter wonderland.
11 February 2014
Event: National Foundation Day
National Holiday
National Foundation Day or Kenkoku Kinen no Hi in Japanese, is a National Holiday celebrated annually on February 11. It celebrates the foundation of Japan and the accession of its first Emperor Jimmu. Customs on this day include raising the Japanese flag and reflecting on the meaning of Japanese citizenship.
14 February 2014
Event: Valentine’s Day
Location: All over Japan
The tradition in Japan is for the girls to give chocolates to the boys. The favour is returned to the girls on a special day called White Day, which is celebrated a month later on March 14th.
15 February
Event: Hadaka Matsuri
Location: Saidaiji Temple, Okayama Prefecture
Time: Times vary according to the event (Main Event from 22:00)
Price of Admission: FREE
The most famous Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival) in Japan is the Saidaiji Eyo Hadaka Matsuri in Okayama. Every year thousands of men participate in the festival in hope of gaining good luck and being blessed with a year of happiness.
John Asano is a blogger, travel writer and travel advisor living in Gifu, Japan. Originally from Melbourne, Australia, he has lived in Japan now for over 15 years. John loves nothing better than picking up his camera and exploring all the amazing sights and attractions that Japan has to offer. He writes about the must see sights and attractions in Japan at Japan Travel Advice, as well as about Japanese culture and modern life on his blog Japan Australia. You can read more of his work at http://japan-australia.blogspot.com/
