Winter continues in February in Japan. Skiing conditions reach their best in northern Japan (Hokkaido). Central Japan (Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka) stays cold and quiet, while spring shows signs of coming in the warm south (Okiwana).
Along with the benefits of lower crowding, February is a great time to discover Japan for all travelers: thrilling winter activities, relaxing hot springs to bathe in, and stunning early cherry and plum blossom.
Find out about average temperatures, rain/snowfall, and tips on where to go and what to wear...
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Alisa Liu is a star to work makes Asia Highlights even better
Alisa Liu was my contact person for Asia Highlights. She was remarkably punctual, she was thoughtful, and she handle an emergency on my end, with grace and patience. She recommended great hotels in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka Japan that put us in the center of the action. The guides she choose were personable, punctual a knowledgeable about their cities. More
Brent Zadorozny,
Oct 2023
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Excellent service
Started using Asia Highlights to plan my trip to Japan. Sharon was very helpful, giving me all the information I would need for the tour. I would definitely use Asia Highlights again, when planning another trip to Asia. More
Rachel Nelson,
Oct 2023
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Japan tour
Our airport pick-up went very smoothly. Our guide, Vivian, on the second day was very nice, very accommodating, took into account our preferences. In Osaka, our trip to the castle was a very long walk with lots of steps to climb and quite honestly wasn’t very interesting. But Dotonburi is a must-see and we enjoyed that very much.Our trip to Hiroshima was very memorable. I highly recommend it. Our guide, Etsuko, was very knowledgeable and kind. The trip to Miyajima island, on the other hand, wasn’t too memorable. Our next city, Kyoto, is a truly wonderful place to visit. All the temples we went to were very interesting and very distinctive from each other (Kinkakuji temple, Nijo castle, Sanjusangendo temple,Kiyumizo temple, Fushimi Inari shrine, Kasuga Taisha shrine, Tojaidi temple). The sake tour was a downer and wouldn’t recommend it.Our guide, Ritsuko, was a darling. She was very knowledgeable too and kind and warm and easy to talk to. Our last tour in Tokyo was a rainy day and Sue, our guide, was able to change our tour to the next day. She was so efficient and so accommodating and so kind and very knowledgeable too. More
Mrs Cristina Hidalgo Loris,
Oct 2023
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Very good tour of Japan
Very good tour around Japan for 10 days, including Tokyo, Hakone and Kyoto. Excellent guides and experiences. Albee, the tour organiser, was always available to sort out changes to itinerary or extra requests. More
Guy Slimmon,
Oct 2023
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Everything is good
All of the hotels were wonderful and our guides were super friendly, knowledgeable and flexible. We had a 10 day trip that included multiple cities and lots of different sights, we squeezed in as much as we could, including a 2 day hiking trip to Mt. Fuji (our guide Sun Nan was awesome!). Our guide in Tokyo, Jennifer, was lovely and our guide for 2 days in Kyoto, Dennis, was also super great. We did a food tour in Osaka with Vivian which was nice Sallie Fujimoto-Swun More
Ideale Tran,
Oct 2023
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Thank you for the wonderful experience…
Thank you for the wonderful experience we all truely enjoyed. From the beginning (making first contact with Sharon from Asia Highlights) to the end (Saying good bye to our amazing guide Lilly) the experience was top notch. Great communication while preparing the trip and excellent local knowledge of our tour guide. I can highly recommend Asia Highlights and would not hesitate to use them again for our next trip. More
Dany Gruosso,
Oct 2023
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Vacations in Japan
The guides Jessie and Vivian were very kind and professionals and the drivers as well. In a future vacation we will get in touch with Asia Highlights without a doubt. More
Hilda Andrade,
Oct 2023
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Experience with Asia Highlights
This was my first time working with a travel agent to plan an international trip and because of the seamless experience I had, I have decided to always work with an agent when booking international trips. Asia Highlights did an amazing job in ensuring we found a trip that worked well for our budget and provided us with special experiences in Japan that exceeded our expectations. From travel logistics in Japan to lodging and activities, we felt taken care of. If I had known that travel agents were this helpful, I would have worked with them in my prior travels. I definitely plan to book my next trip to Asia with this agent. More
Adie Ballantyne,
Oct 2023
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Jason and Cathy from Asia Highlights…
Jason and Kathy from Asia Highlights did a great job for us. They were very responsive and professional. Hotel choices and attractions made for a wonderful first time trip to Japan. More
Norman and Mary Van Zante,
Sep 2023
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This was one of the best experiences in…
This was one of the best experiences in Travel that I have ever had... and I have traveled extensively. The reliability of the the driver and guide, the kindness each displayed (different people in different cities same result) and the flexibility to work with my family's requests was outstanding. I now wish for this experience where ever I may travel next! More
Donna Huck,
Sep 2023
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Prompt response!
First and foremost, this review is based strictly on prompt response from Asia Highlights.I was browsing Asia Highlights website on the night of September 17th 2023 and really impressed of the positive reviews. So I decided to send an e-mail for an estimate of a private tour guide in Tokyo Japan for 6 days/7 nights including hotel accommodation for my 90-year-old father and I. I provided as much information as I can what areas of interest we would like to visit. I was really expecting a 72-hour delay response from Asia Highlights given time difference in California and Japan. The following day, I received an e-mail from Kate Long. Impressive! Kate provided a very detailed suggested itinerary with great consideration for my 90-year-old father. I truly appreciated her thoughtfulness! I will definitely reach out to Asia Highlights on our next trip! Thank you Kate! More
F K,
Sep 2023
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Perfectly planned and organized
Albee at Asia Highlights created a diverse, fun-filled itinerary for our trip. She listened carefully to our interests and made sure that we made the best use of our time in Japan. Our local guides, drivers and vehicles were excellent. Albee was always available to answer all my questions with a lightening fast response time. A very memorable experience and I would definitely book with Asia Highlights again. More
Carol Ann Paget Brown,
Sep 2023
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Sharon provided great service while…
Sharon provided great service while planning and booking our Japan trip! Unfortunately, we had to cancel due to family medical reasons. Sharon was very understanding of this and helped process the cancellation and refund in a very timely manner. When we are ready to book our trip again, I will certainly be reaching out to Sharon and Asia Highlights! More
Ali Tahir,
Sep 2023
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I just wanted to tell you how pleased…
I just wanted to tell you how pleased we were planning and coordinating our recent Japan trip with Alisa Liu. Alisa was responsive, answered questions in a timely manner despite our 15 hour time difference, and coordinated a trip for a 6 person multi-generational tour to everyone's satisfaction. (ages7-70!)We were particularly thankful for her help as 2 typhoons bore down on Japan during our stay. She helped us rearrange train and hotel reservations, and was able to get us a refund from a hotel that would not typically offer that. I have referred other friends to her with confidence. More
Berdine Bender,
Sep 2023
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Leah Stine
Not only Albee was great! Each of our guides and drivers were also a joy. Daniel was our first knowledgeable guide who spoke excellent English and was so much fun throughout the day. Jeremy was our guide for the next few days and he also was fun, flexible, and had so many interesting tidbits to share with us throughout the day. Kiko was our guide on the next leg of our journey. She had such a joyful sense of adventure and curiosity that was such a hoot. Vivian was also professional and very aware to what our needs were in the moment. Tian was incredibly flexible and when our plans literally changed when he picked us up, he showed great flexibility and took us to some really fun places at the last minute that were some of our best experiences. And finally Charlie was our last guide and he was so thoughtful and consistently anticipated our needs. By the time we realized we might need something, he would already have it taken care of. All of our guides were so thoughtful and conscious of either making sure we got time to ourselves or of being available right when we needed them. They were each fun and had their own personal flavor that they brought to the experience. We are so grateful for the consideration and flexibility that Asia Highlights showed us consistently and would highly recommend them for anyone interested in visiting Asia. Thank you so much! It was an amazing trip! More
Leah Stine,
Aug 2023
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Alisa is awesome!
We have been looking to go to Japan for a long time. The food, the culture, and the rich history have always intrigued us. We tried many times to set up pieces of the trip on our own, but couldn’t put together a sensible vacation. Then we found Asia Highlights and Alisa! She helped us tailor a remarkable adventure to Japan! She answered our many questions and shifted our itinerary to maximize our time in each city. I highly recommend Alisa to help you put together the trip of a lifetime. We are looking forward to our journey! More
Mark Linn,
Aug 2023
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Sharon has been very helpful since the…
Sharon has been very helpful since the beginning coordinating our itinerary in order to accommodate everything we want to see, it been great working with her More
May,
Jul 2023
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When I first book I was scared of what…
When I first book I was scared of what to expect, but oh my God! What an amazing experience this has been, from Sharon to all the guides Shawn and Mr. Ho, such amazing people! Their work is excellent More
Saul Velez,
Jul 2023
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Albee was very helpful and responsive…
Albee was very helpful and responsive in helping me make plans for their 10 day Japanese tour. More
Bhavini Patel,
Jul 2023
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Alisa was a perfect tour consultant
Alisa responded to my numerous questions with efficiency and accuracy. She was constantly suggesting options to make the trip more enjoyable More
Matha Goram,
Jul 2023
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Japan Weather in February: Overview

- Average Temperature range: 2°C (36°F) – 10°C (50°F)
- Average Rainfall: 73 mm (3 inches)
- Average Rainy days: 8
- Average Sunny days: 20
Weather of Japan's Major Cities in February
Japan City | Min. Temp | Max. Temp | Rainfall/Snowfall |
---|---|---|---|
Sapporo | -6°C (20°F) | 0°C (32°F) | 116 mm (46 in) |
Tokyo | 2°C (34°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 56 mm (2 in) |
Kyoto | 2°C (34°F) | 10°C (50°F) | 65 mm (3 in) |
Osaka | 3°C (38°F) | 11°C (51°F) | 60 mm (2 in) |
Hakone | 2°C (36°F) | 8°C (47°F) | 68 mm (3 in) |
Nara | -1°C (30°F) | 10°C (49°F) | 63 mm (3 in) |
Hiroshima | 2°C (36°F) | 11°C (52°F) | 64 mm (3 in) |
Okinawa | 14°C (58°F) | 19°C (67°F) | 58 mm (2 in) |
Tokyo and Central Japan: Quieter Attractions
Most of central Japan remains cold and dry. The Japanese Alps are still covered by snow.
If you're travelling to Tokyo and Kyoto, your trip is unlikely to be disrupted by the weather. Thanks to the cold weather, you'll have quieter attractions, or even times to yourself, and save a bit on your budget.
Okinawa and Southern Japan: Warmer Winter Escapes
Unlike the north and central Japan, the (extreme) south has mild/warm and pleasant days. The earliest cherry blossom is already fully blooming in February.
Sapporo and Northern Japan: Winter Sports
You can expect heavy snow in February on Hokkaido, Japan's northern island. The snowy landscape and winter sports appeal to travelers, especially skiing lovers, while the festive atmosphere lights up the city of Sapporo.
Being in Sapporo's peak season, crowds and higher prices are inevitable in February. So, early booking and avoiding weekends are helpful. Read more about How to Plan a Japan Winter Trip >>>
5 Best Places to Visit in Japan in February

1. Hakone: Indulge in a Hot Spring
Just 1½ hours' drive from Tokyo, Hakone is a perfect winter getaway, known for Japan's best hot springs.
For some authentic cultural experiences, stay overnight in a traditional Japanese inn (a ryokan) with hot springs. If possible, try the outdoor baths. What could be better than bathing in a steaming hot spring as the snow falls around you?
On clear days, taking the Hakone Ropeway or a Hakone Lake cruise is a great way to get views of Mount Fuji...
2. Hokkaido: Go for Winter Activities
In February, Hokkaido becomes a snowy world. With the best powder snow, Sapporo is on the top of adventure lovers' bucket lists.
Look for something thrilling? Go for a drift ice walking tour! Take an icebreaker, try drift ice bathing, spot wild animals (like eagles and seals), and enjoy the sunset over drift ice.
Even if you're not big on winter sports, you may find a journey to the north worth it for the impressive snow scenery and atmospheric festivals. The beauty of Sapporo Snow Festival (Feb. 4–11, 2024) and Otaru Snow Light Path (Feb. 10–17, 2024) will never disappoint.
3. Kyoto: Encounter Plum Blossom in an Ancient City

The temperature gets up to around 10°C (50°F) in February in Kyoto. It might snow occasionally. The ancient city of Kyoto doesn't lose its charm in the cold weather.
Watch Setsubun rituals (celebrating spring's coming), encounter geisha in the old streets, and have photo opportunities with fully-blooming plum trees...
If the cold weather is not too much of a challenge for you, you can enjoy having the attractions to yourself and paying lower prices.
Get more information about Plan a Trip to Kyoto>>>
4. Tokyo: Take in the Winter Illuminations
Tokyo in February remains dry and sunny with a temperature high averaging 11°C (52°F).
Winter illuminations make Tokyo a romantic city, especially for celebrating Valentine's Day.
As home to anime and manga, the warm anime-themed museums and shops are great escapes from the cold weather. A sushi cooking class is a friendly way to have closer contact with locals.
Check more details about Plan Your First Trip to Tokyo>>>
5. Okinawa: Catch the Earliest Cherry Blossoms
Okinawa is one of Japan's warmest places in February, averaging highs of 19°C (67°F). With warmer weather, Okinawa welcomes spring earlier than other cities.
Appreciate stunning cherry flowers, walk on beautiful beaches, and explore historic castles...
Although February is not the peak time for water activities, it is ideal for spotting whales.
Costs and Crowding in February
Being one of the best times for skiing, February sees most Japan travelers in Hokkaido. If you're going for winter sports, you can expect higher prices and more crowds than usual. Early booking is advisable for a better chance of availability and choices.
For other popular destinations (Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto…), you would have a more tranquil experience at the attractions. You could also take advantage of lower prices and more hotel choices.
What to Pack in February
Since the average daily temperature only gets up to around 10°C (50°F), you're suggested to take winter clothing, such as winter jackets, down coats, hats, gloves, thick socks, long-sleeved shirts...
If you're visiting even-colder northern Japan (Hokkaido), heavier clothes (or specialist clothes for winter sports) are helpful.
Monthly Weather and Travel Information for Japan
Learn about the weather in Japan for 12 months and find out the best places to visit each month.
Japan in January | Japan in February | Japan in March |
Japan in April | Japan in May | Japan in June |
Japan in July | Japan in August | Japan in September |
Japan in October | Japan in November | Japan in December |
Touring Japan with Asia Highlights
Planning a February getaway to Japan? If so, contact us to create a customized itinerary based on your interest and time. At Asia Highlights, we created over 10,000+ big trips for insightful travelers, especially for families and couples.
Get inspiration from the below sample itineraries:
Why Travel with Asia Highlights (98.8% positive customer reviews among 10,000+)
- Unique experiences tailored to your interests: Enjoy a premium trip that goes beyond the typical tourist attractions.
- Hassle-free travel and peace of mind: Every aspect of your trip will be carefully planned and organized by your 1:1 travel consultant.
- Experienced and knowledgeable guides: Your guides will be local and love to work for travelers' smiles.
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Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries
At Asia Highlights, we create your kind of journey — your dates, your destinations, at your pace. You can have any trip tailor made for your travel.