Universal Studios Japan presents Detective Conan World, an immersive event where fans can step into the world of the popular mystery series. Solve cases alongside Conan and his friends with three unique attractions.

Detective Conan The Escape: Prologue of the Afterimage
A walk-through escape game where you explore a mansion to solve clues and escape a locked room using your wits and tools.
・Dates: January 31 – June 30, 2025
・Location: Stage 18

Detective Conan x Story Ride: The Thrill Coaster
Experience the thrill of racing through the park on a high-speed coaster while overcoming a crisis with Conan and Heiji.
・Dates: January 31 – June 30, 2025 (Closed for maintenance February 5–24, 2025)
・Location: Hollywood Dream – The Ride

Detective Conan Mystery Restaurant
Solve mysteries while enjoying a meal at Lombard's Landing. This interactive dining experience adds excitement to your meal.
・Dates: January 31 – June 1, 2025 (Dates may change)
・Location: Lombard's Landing
・Tickets: General sale ongoing (pre-sales and lottery sales have ended; see the official site for details)

Notes and Copyrights
© Gosho Aoyama/Shogakukan, Weekly Shonen Sunday
© 2025 Gosho Aoyama/Detective Conan Committee
© SCRAP
HARRY POTTER and related elements © & ™ Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc. Publishing Rights © J.K. Rowling.
Minions and all related elements TM & © 2024 Universal Studios. All rights reserved.
© Nintendo
TM & © Universal Studios & Amblin Entertainment
TM & © Universal Studios. All rights reserved.

From February 8 to April 6, 2025, Shima Spain Village will host the Spring Fiesta, featuring exciting new attractions, performances, and seasonal food.

Highlights include the new indoor attraction, Alice in Darkland, inspired by Alice in Wonderland. Armed with a heart-shaped magic wand, visitors of all ages can explore a dark yet whimsical world full of mystery. Exclusive character goods and treats themed around the attraction are also available.

Don’t miss the dazzling musical Don Quixote’s Grand Gala de Opera, themed around a Spanish opera, or the flamenco show Candela, which brings the spirit of Spain to Japan. Seasonal specialties like Ise madai and Hiohgi shellfish paella, spring-inspired pizzas, and vibrant strawberry desserts await at the festival.

New Character Musical: "Don Quixote’s Grand Gala de Opera"
・Performance Dates: February 8 – December 14, 2025
・Location: Colosseum
・Duration: Approx. 25 minutes (2 shows daily)

New Flamenco Show: "Candela"
・Performance Dates: February 8 – December 14, 2025
・Location: Carmen Hall
・Duration: Approx. 25 minutes (2–3 shows daily)
・Ticket Price: 700 yen (reservation required, free for children 2 and under)

The Crayon Shin-chan Adventure Park at Nijigen no Mori, located in Hyogo Prefectural Awajishima Park, features the thrilling attraction Appare! Sengoku Grand Adventure. This winter, enjoy the excitement of the event Appare! Sengoku Grand Adventure: Winter Battle Challenge with Bubble General, where you can tackle adventurous winter-themed athletic challenges!

At the goal of the Samurai Commander Course, bubbles resembling snow are released from an 8-meter-high tower, creating a magical snowfall-like experience as you navigate the enhanced athletic course. This year, intermediate and advanced courses feature riddle panels. Solve the puzzles, and you'll receive an exclusive Nijigen no Mori original certificate.

ⓒ Usui Yoshito / Futabasha, Shin-Ei, TV Asahi, ADK
ⓒ Usui Yoshito / Futabasha, Shin-Ei, TV Asahi, ADK 1993–2024

The iconic Abeno Harukas is hosting its annual winter illumination event, Sky Illumination 2024, from November 1, 2024, to February 28, 2025.

This year’s event features redesigned light displays on the 2nd-floor outdoor deck and 16th-floor lobby, with various spots throughout the landmark glowing beautifully. The inclusion of sun catchers ensures that the decorations are Instagram-worthy during both day and night.

On the 2nd-floor deck, a 120-meter-long ceiling display recreates the winter night sky with golden lights, pearl white and silver ornaments, and snowflake-inspired accents. The 16th-floor lobby boasts a 4-meter-tall tiered tower monument with synchronized light shows.

The 16th-floor outdoor garden is adorned with LED lights and sun catchers decorating the plants, along with installations like the “Light Arch” and “Light Dome,” transforming the entire garden into a sparkling wonderland. Additionally, limited-time light decorations can be found in various locations, including Harukas 300 (observatory) and around the building.

Sumiyoshi Taisha, one of Osaka’s most popular shrines, hosts various events throughout the year, including the Setsubun Festival. This ritual marks the seasonal transition from winter to spring, warding off misfortune and inviting good fortune.

Following the Setsubun Festival, the Tsuina Hosha Ceremony is performed by the Ogasawara Kyujutsu Reihou school. This ritual includes the Hosha no Gi, where archery is performed to drive away symbolic demons, representing the elimination of calamities. Visitors can witness the skilled archers' elegant techniques up close while participating in this annual purification tradition.

Famous for its endless rows of vermilion torii gates, Fushimi Inari Taisha is the head shrine of the approximately 30,000 Inari shrines across Japan. Beloved by visitors of all ages, it holds a prominent place in Japanese culture.

During the Setsubun Festival, a ritual is held in the main hall, followed by bean-throwing ceremonies at the outer worship hall in front of the main shrine. These ceremonies, performed by shrine priests, lucky men, women, and maidens, take place three times: after the ritual concludes, at 11:30 AM, and at 1 PM. Visitors can also receive lucky beans handed out near the police guard station.

Osaka Castle, a landmark of Kansai, boasts many attractions within its vast grounds, including the Plum Grove—one of the region's most famous spots for plum blossoms from January to March.

The grove features 105 varieties and approximately 1,245 trees, ranging from early to late bloomers. Highlights include the elegant white Shirataki Shidare and the deep crimson Kagoshima Red. Rare varieties like the vibrant Yang Guifei and Hatsukari, each represented by a single tree, make this an unmissable seasonal experience.

Enjoy the breathtaking view of plum blossoms set against the iconic Osaka Castle keep. Bloom updates are available on the official website here.

The Expo Park Plum Festival takes place at two plum groves within the park: the Natural and Cultural Gardens and the Japanese Garden. During the bloom season, the Natural and Cultural Gardens showcase approximately 120 varieties and 600 trees, while the Japanese Garden features 40 varieties and 80 trees, making it one of the most diverse collections in the Kyoto-Osaka-Kobe area. Highlights include the Kasugano, which produces red and white blossoms on a single branch, and the graceful weeping plum Kureha Shidare.

The festival also offers activities to fully enjoy the charm of plums, such as tastings of plum wine and sweets, a pickled plum comparison, tea ceremonies, and the Bonbai (potted plum) exhibition. Unique events like the Umeboshi Seed Spitting Championship and the Umeboshi Sour Face Contest add a fun twist.

Additionally, the Camellia Festival at the Tsubaki Forest in the Natural and Cultural Gardens showcases about 100 varieties and 260 camellias, including rare types like Izumo Anju and Momoware. Don’t miss this rare chance to enjoy both plum blossoms and camellias!

Known affectionately as Tenjin-san by locals, Osaka Tenmangu, located near Osaka Station, hosts the annual Tenma Tenjin Plum Festival from February to March.

The festival showcases 1,500 plum trees within the shrine grounds, alongside a stunning display of bonbai—plum bonsai trees. In the shrine’s traditional shoin-zukuri (study-style) hall, visitors can admire over 200-year-old ancient trees and other remarkable specimens.

Additionally, treasures from the shrine, including Tenjin portraits and historically significant swords, are displayed, offering visitors a chance to experience both the elegance of wabi-sabi and Japanese history alongside the beauty of the plum blossoms.

The Shiawase Corridor Nara Rurie is a breathtaking illumination event held annually around Nara Park, famous for its wild deer. Inspired by the blue gemstone "ruri," the event features mesmerizing blue LED lights, creating an enchanting atmosphere.

The event connects three iconic Nara temples—Kasuga Taisha, Todai-ji, and Kofuku-ji—with a "Corridor of Light" illumination. Special night visits to the temples, food stalls, and the sale of unique offerings like the "Shiawase Cocoa" drink are also part of the festivities.

Held at Hankyu Umeda Main Store near Osaka and Umeda Stations, this is Kansai’s most renowned Valentine’s event. Featuring around 300 brands and 3,000 types of chocolate from Japan and abroad, the expo brings together famous chocolatiers, patisseries, and innovative new shops.

This year’s theme, Dreamin’ CHOCOLATEPIA, transforms the 9th floor into five unique areas, offering a dreamy chocolate experience.

The Festival Plaza offers a delightful selection of chocolate ice cream, including 50 varieties from 19 brands, photogenic soft-serve with cute toppings, and takeout chocolate cup ice cream for an indulgent experience. In the Event Hall, dubbed the "Secret Chocolate Factory," visitors can watch patissiers at work, savor freshly made chocolates, and enjoy baked chocolate treats. Meanwhile, the Hankyu Umeda Gallery showcases unique tablet chocolates, cacao-based sweets, and drinks, providing an educational dive into the world of cacao.

Even without a specific shop or chocolate in mind, simply strolling through the floors is an experience in itself!

A private car charter is the perfect way to experience the best of Kansai, offering convenience, flexibility, and comfort. Whether you're visiting Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Awaji Island, Amanohashidate, or Lake Biwa, a chartered tour ensures a stress-free journey.

Meanwhile, with a rental car, you can explore Kansai's highlights at your own pace, skip the hassle of public transport, and enjoy door-to-door service, making your trip more relaxed and enjoyable!

February in Japan marks a transition from the cold to milder weather, creating a perfect setting to enjoy a range of events. This time of year is rich with various cultural experiences, from relatively modern celebrations like Valentine's Day and Setsubun to age-old Japanese traditions and festivities. It's a great opportunity to immerse yourself in the diverse aspects of Japanese culture.

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