From January 15 to March 16, 2025, Tokyo Disneyland® is hosting Vanellope's Sweet Pop World as part of the third installment of the special "Disney Pal-Palooza" series. This event brings to life the candy-themed world imagined by Vanellope from Disney’s Wreck-It Ralph.

The highlight of the event is the parade It’s a Sweetful Time! (held once daily), featuring characters dressed in candy-inspired costumes singing and dancing. Mickey Mouse makes a special appearance in a strawberry-tart-themed outfit, riding a float designed like a fruit tart live stage.

Visitors can also shop for adorable themed merchandise, including candy-inspired headbands, shoulder bags, and the Sweet Poppin’ Stick, designed to resemble Mickey-shaped candy.

The event features exclusive menu items that capture the essence of Vanellope's Sweet Pop World, such as the Special Donut (Choco Mint) coated in mint-flavored chocolate and the Cake Drink, which creatively represents a slice of cake.

If you spot cast members carrying special buckets around World Bazaar or the Castle Forecourt area, try shouting “Happy! Pal-Palooza!”—you might receive an original candy treat!

Tokyo DisneySea® is hosting the special event Duffy & Friends' Wonderful Kitchen. The restaurant Miguel’s El Dorado Cantina in the Lost River Delta is transformed with whimsical decorations inspired by CookieAnn's imaginative dessert creations, making it a feast for the eyes.

Guests can also enjoy themed dishes like the Duffy Special Set (Beef) and other delightful menu items featuring Duffy motifs.

Colorful Duffy & Friends plush costumes inspired by ingredients like cherries and oranges are available, along with charming special merchandise. Highlights include a shoulder bag shaped like a pancake topped with a fried egg and a fluffy scarf featuring Gelatoni holding an orange.

Practical cooking items are also available, including a pancake pan that lets you make pancakes shaped like Duffy’s face and aprons decorated with Duffy & Friends. These are perfect for adding a touch of magic to your kitchen!

Don’t miss the food souvenirs, such as the Vanilla Mousse & Lemon Jelly with Souvenir Cup (1,300 yen) and the Strawberry & Whipped Cream Sandwich with Souvenir Plate (1,300 yen).

The TOKYO SKYTREE TOWN® ICE SKATING PARK 2025 will open for a limited time at the 4th-floor Sky Arena of Tokyo Skytree Town®, featuring a real-ice rink for a classic winter experience.

On weekends and holidays at 12 PM, the official Tokyo Skytree® mascot, Sorakara-chan, makes an appearance for a special greeting event, exclusive to rink participants. Skate rental is included in the admission fee, so just bring gloves (available on-site for 300 yen if needed).

Discounted combo tickets, including entry to the Tokyo Skytree observation deck, and other special offers are also available.

The 93rd Shimokitazawa Tengu Festival celebrates Setsubun, marking the day before the start of spring, which falls on February 2, 2025. Setsubun traditions include throwing beans while chanting “Out with demons, in with good fortune” to ward off evil spirits and eating ehomaki (thick sushi rolls) to bring prosperity.

Held over three days in the Shimokitazawa area, the festival's highlight is the Tenka Ichi Tengu Parade on February 1, 2025, starting at 2 PM. Giant tengu (goblin) masks, karasu tengu (crow goblins), yamabushi (mountain priests), and lucky men and women march through the shopping district, tossing beans. The massive tengu mask float, measuring 3 meters tall and 2 meters wide, is an unforgettable sight.

On February 2, visitors can join the Tengu Lucky Beans Weight Challenge, where participants guess the weight of scooped beans. Unlike traditional Setsubun events, the chant here is “In with good fortune” repeated three times, symbolizing that gathering good fortune will naturally drive away evil spirits.

The Setsubun Festival at Senso-ji is one of the most iconic in Tokyo, said to be the first large-scale Setsubun event in the city. On February 2, 2025, the festivities kick off at 10 AM with a bean-throwing event by children from the Senso-ji Kindergarten in front of the main hall. This is followed by two bean-throwing sessions at 12 PM and 2 PM on a special stage to the right of the main hall, performed by “Toshiotoko,” men born in the same zodiac year as 2025.

Before the bean-throwing, participants carrying lanterns with their names and dressed in Edo-era ceremonial attire (kamishimo) parade through the temple grounds. Arrive early to secure a good spot near the stage. Beans are thrown in small bags, and catching one is considered lucky. For those who miss out, you can purchase blessed “lucky beans” at the temple.

After the bean-throwing, enjoy a performance of the Fukuju-no-Mai (Dance of the Seven Lucky Gods), one of the temple's three great ceremonial dances. At Senso-ji, the tradition deviates slightly—rather than chanting “Out with demons,” participants shout, “Thousand years of prosperity and good fortune!” to reflect the temple's belief that no demons reside in front of Kannon-sama.

The Setsubun Tsuinasiki event at Zojo-ji Temple begins with a ceremonial procession (Oneri) against the backdrop of the historic Sangedatsumon Gate. Leading the procession are toshiotoko and toshionna (men and women born in the zodiac year), followed by children and dogs from a local pet club. Around 12 PM, bean-throwing starts on a special stage, featuring toshiotoko, toshionna, sumo wrestlers, athletes, celebrities, and other notable figures.

Lucky beans (Fukumame) are available for purchase: Fukumame for 1,000 yen and Fukumasu (including beans, an amulet, and cookies) for 2,000 yen. Visitors can also enjoy mochi pounding and the "Oni Question and Answer" performance, where children throw beans at oni (demons) on stage.

General participants can also join the event as toshiotoko or toshionna (requires prior registration and a fee; see application details in the website). Participants will wear traditional attire (kamishimo), take part in the procession, receive blessings in front of the Kurohonzon Buddha, and throw beans from the stage.

The 55th Odawara Plum Festival takes place at two stunning locations: Soga Plum Grove, one of the Kanto region’s three great plum groves, and Odawara Castle Park.

At Soga Plum Grove, over 35,000 white plum trees bloom with Mount Fuji as a backdrop. Visitors can enjoy local specialties like plum-based products at on-site shops and food stalls. Walking trails offer breathtaking views of Sagami Bay and Mount Fuji.

Odawara Castle Park features about 250 red and white plum trees blooming around the castle’s iconic structures, such as the main keep, Copper Gate, and Tokiwagi Bridge. Events include the Risshun Haiku Gathering, local cultural performances like the Kotobuki Lion Dance, and festival music. Each venue also offers warm treats like amazake, oden, and plum delicacies like umeboshi and plum jam.

Other nearby attractions include Odawara Flower Garden, where 200 varieties and 480 red and white plum trees bloom at different times, and Tsujimura Botanical Park, showcasing 570 late-blooming white plum trees.

The Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival celebrates the early-blooming Kawazu-zakura, a unique type of cherry blossom known for its large, pink flowers and long blooming period from early February to early March. Unlike the fleeting Somei Yoshino blossoms in Ueno Park, Kawazu-zakura trees take about a month to fully bloom, creating a vibrant display. Along the Kawazu River, approximately 850 trees bloom, with around 8,000 trees blossoming throughout the town. During the festival, street vendors sell souvenirs and local snacks, and various events are held.

The Night Cherry Blossom Light-Up takes place from 6 PM to 9 PM at two locations: under the Kanebashi Bridge and along the Sakura Tunnel in Mine Onsen. For panoramic views of the blossoms, visit the observation platform at Nehando or Kawazu Castle Ruins Park. On February 1, 2025, the opening ceremony will include a mochi giveaway at 10:30 AM (200 servings near the Kawazu Sakura Tourism Exchange Hall). Another mochi event will be held on February 22 at 9:30 AM (500 servings at the temporary info booth in Sasahara Park).

From December 21, 2024, to March 31, 2025, the Moving Ukiyo-e Exhibition TOKYO will take place at Tennoz’s Terrada Warehouse. This immersive digital art museum brings the world of ukiyo-e to life like never before.

Highlights include the powerful "Indigo" space, showcasing the iconic "Japan Blue," and the vibrant "Grace" area, illustrating seasonal transitions in breathtaking detail.

From January 9 to March 7, 2025, the Otemachi, Marunouchi, and Yurakucho areas, including Tokyo Station, will host Edo ni Hikari Daimaruyu, a light event blending the charm of Edo-period aesthetics with modern design.

During the Edo period (1603–1868), this area thrived as a hub for feudal lords' estates. Now, the event illuminates the area's rich history with installations like traditional wagasa (Japanese umbrella) lighting along Gyoko-dori, the road connecting Tokyo Station to the Imperial Palace. Highlights include the "Manten no Edo Kokei" experience, featuring wagasa crafting workshops, Japanese dance, and live wagakki (traditional instrument) performances, and "Edo Hantei Nakadori," where banners with feudal crests and andon lanterns line Marunouchi Naka-dori Street.

Although February marks the start of spring on the calendar, the weather remains chilly. If you plan to attend nighttime illumination events or outdoor activities, don’t forget to bring warm clothing! Setsubun events are also a great way for international visitors to join the fun by purchasing beans or catching those thrown during the festivities.

(Note: The information in this article is accurate as of January 2025. Please check official websites for the latest updates.)