A dream destination for Pokémon fans is here! PokéPark KANTO, the world’s first permanent outdoor Pokémon park, opens on February 5 inside Tokyo’s beloved Yomiuriland.

Set amid the green Tama Hills, this large-scale attraction recreates the magic of the Kanto region, inviting visitors to explore forests, towns, and more than 600 Pokémon brought to life in a natural outdoor setting.

PokéPark KANTO is the first-ever permanent outdoor Pokémon facility. Here, Trainers can begin their journey surrounded by nature, with plenty of places to explore and Pokémon to encounter.

At the PokéPark Entrance Plaza, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle are waiting to greet guests. Visitors start their adventure from the Pokémon Research Lab, where they can prepare for their journey, then head into the world of PokéPark KANTO. Before setting off, don’t forget to stop by the Pokémon Daisuki Shop for exclusive merchandise.

Yomiuriland’s popular Jewellumination returns for its 15th year. Directed by lighting designer Matoko Ishii, the illumination bonanza lights up the Yomiuriland theme park in 6.5 million LED lights. And that doesn’t include the lasers!

The theme for the 2025–2026 period is “Light is Love,” with the sub-theme of “Light Hop ⤴,” to reflect the next stage in the park’s 60th anniversary, celebrated in 2024. Visitors will be treated to illuminations including carpets of lights, a light show reflected in the theme park waters and lasers and dazzling trees, all powered by green energy.

In February, Moominvalley Park welcomes an early hint of spring with around 1,000 pots and 3,000 ice tulip bulbs blooming across the park. These specially cultivated tulips bloom in midwinter, creating a vivid contrast against the seasonal scenery.

The Inlet Terrace transforms into the storybook-inspired “Tulippa’s Terrace,” decorated with ice tulips and the character Tulippa from The Moomins and the Great Flood (the earliest Moomin novel). Nearby, the flowerbeds in front of the Moomin House are also filled with ice tulips alongside pansies and violas, blending winter flowers with the world of the Moomins.

Visitors can enjoy a colorful palette centered on reds and pinks, featuring varieties such as Purple Prince, Île de l’Amour, and Red Impression. It is a gentle, photogenic way to experience the feeling of spring arriving ahead of schedule.

From February 7 to April 5, the park’s evening illuminations and the weekend and holiday lakeside fireworks are also tinted in soft cherry-blossom pink, adding to the seasonal atmosphere.

From January 14 to March 2, 2026, Tokyo Disneyland hosts the fifth Disney Pal-Palooza event, Minnie’s Funderland. The park transforms into a pop and cute world inspired by Minnie Mouse, filled with hearts, ribbons, and playful colors.

A nighttime feature, Fundernight, debuts this year. After dark, Cinderella Castle and surrounding areas glow pink, with projection effects set to music from past Minnie-themed events. Each session lasts about 20 minutes, with short projection scenes appearing every few minutes, up to three times per evening.

Special goods are now on sale, including postcards, stickers, pin badges, and plush badge charms featuring Minnie in her Minnie’s Funderland costume. Group-friendly items such as heart-shaped rings that rattle in rhythm and glowing pink accessories are perfect for photos and nighttime fun.

Special menus are also now being served. Highlights include a heart-shaped strawberry choux pastry, a Minnie-inspired pink bun sandwich with mustard chicken and sweet potato, and a warm berry drink topped with dried strawberries.

Held over three lively days around Setsubun, the 94th Shimokitazawa Tengu Festival is a local winter tradition centered on good fortune, community spirit, and the powerful presence of tengu from Japanese folklore.

The highlight is the Tenkaichi Tengu Dochu parade, where Daitengu and Crow Tengu, joined by yamabushi ascetics and lucky men and women, march through the shopping streets tossing auspicious beans. A towering tengu mask float, about 3 meters tall, brings up the rear and adds to the spectacle.

Unlike most Setsubun events, bean throwing here never includes “Oni wa soto.” Instead, participants chant “Fuku wa uchi” three times, reflecting the belief that evil fades away naturally when happiness fills the space. Tengu are also believed to grant wishes related to family safety, business success, and exam luck.

Events begin with a nighttime pre-festival procession through local bars and restaurants, followed by the main parade, and wrap up with a playful finale where visitors scoop lucky beans and try to match the day’s “lucky weight” to win prizes.

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 3, 2026, 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 2026.

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.

Cheer on one of Japan’s most successful J.League clubs, Yokohama F. Marinos, at Nissan Stadium, one of the largest stadiums in the country. The venue has hosted major international events, including matches during the 2002 FIFA World Cup and events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games.

Attending a J.League match is an easy way for visitors to experience Japanese sports culture up close, from coordinated chants and flags to high-energy play on the pitch. February brings several home fixtures against popular rivals, making it a great addition to a winter Tokyo or Yokohama trip.

From January 10 to March 15, 2026, NAKED, INC. presents an official exhibition marking 100 years since the death of Antoni Gaudí. Timed with the completion of the Sagrada Família’s Jesus Tower, this immersive show combines rare archival materials with NAKED’s signature digital and spatial effects, allowing visitors to experience Gaudí’s architecture, art, and philosophy through all five senses.

The experience extends beyond the exhibition hall into the wider Tennozu area through special collaborations with Terada Warehouse venues and along nearby transit lines. Highlights include architecture-focused displays, themed food and drinks, and even accommodation plans that bundle exhibition tickets with a stay, turning a museum visit into a full-day or overnight cultural outing.

A key tie-up takes place at WHAT MUSEUM, where the Architecture Warehouse will host a special model of the viaduct inside Gaudí’s Park Güell. Visitors who show their NAKED meets Gaudí ticket receive a 500-yen discount on admission. Nearby, WHAT CAFE serves Gaudí-inspired menu items, while the floating art hotel PETALS TOKYO offers accommodation plans that include exhibition tickets.

Held once every three years, Roppongi Crossing is a landmark exhibition that captures a snapshot of Japan’s contemporary art scene. For its eighth edition, Mori Art Museum teams up with two internationally active Asian guest curators to explore the theme of time through the work of 21 artists and artist groups.

The exhibition brings together more than 100 works spanning painting, sculpture, video, immersive installations, ceramics, embroidery, zines, and community-based projects. Highlights include boundary-pushing installations by A.A. Murakami, bold large-scale ceramics by Kuwata Takuro, a new sound work by Hosoi Miyu, and intricately stitched, painting-like embroidery by Oki Junko.

Located atop Roppongi Hills Mori Tower, the museum offers a comfortable, weather-proof cultural stop, making this exhibition ideal for rainy, hot, or cold days in Tokyo.

The 56th 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. A mochi event will be held on February 21 at 9:30 AM (600 servings at the temporary info booth in Sasahara Park).

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.