Shibuya in February 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals
February in Tokyo continues to experience the harsh cold following January, with temperatures ranging from 2-4°C (lows) to 9-11°C (highs). As the traditional New Year events conclude, the month brings celebrations like Setsubun and Valentine's Day.
Shibuya is renowned as a hub of youth culture in Tokyo. While famous for its trendy fashion boutiques and nightlife spots where cutting-edge culture and art flourish, it also features the verdant Yoyogi Park and historic shrines and temples deeply rooted in the community.
In February 2025, Shibuya will host various events, from the traditional Setsubun festival to art exhibitions and gourmet food fairs in Yoyogi Park.
This article introduces the diverse events taking place in Shibuya during February, including highlights, essential information, dates, and access details. We'll also explain Setsubun, a traditional Japanese winter celebration.
Let this guide help you make the most of your winter experience in Tokyo!
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Traditional Events in Shibuya - February 2025
Setsubun
February 3rd marks Setsubun, a traditional Japanese cultural celebration. In the traditional Japanese calendar, this day marks the division between winter and spring. Setsubun features long-standing customs aimed at driving away bad luck and welcoming health and happiness.
During Setsubun, people perform "mame-maki" (bean throwing) using roasted soybeans. Demons (oni) represent bad luck and negative energy, and people throw beans to drive these demons out of their homes. Sometimes, someone plays the role of the demon while others throw beans at them. Beans are also thrown inside the house to invite good fortune.
People shout "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" (Demons out, fortune in) while throwing beans. This festive activity is particularly enjoyable for children, and at home, parents often play the role of demons. Many shrines and temples also host community celebrations.
Setsubun Festival (Onden Shrine)
Source: Official website
The Setsubun Festival at Onden Shrine (Onden-jinja) in Harajuku, Shibuya, is a traditional event held annually on February 3rd.
Beyond general good fortune, the bean-throwing ceremony also prayers for family prosperity. Located in the bustling Harajuku area, Onden Shrine attracts many families and children during Setsubun. This cherished event continues to pray for the healthy growth of children gathering in Harajuku.
The highlight is the appearance of red and blue demons (aka-oni and ao-oni) within the shrine grounds. These traditional Japanese demons, colored entirely in red and blue, become the targets as children energetically throw beans to ward off evil spirits. Visitors can witness these heartwarming scenes up close.
Community members also throw lucky beans and candies from the stage. Catching these items is believed to bring good health and happiness for the year ahead. We encourage you to participate and experience this traditional cultural celebration firsthand.
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- Date: February 3, 2025
- Access: From JR and other lines' Shibuya Station, exit B1 → Walk 7 minutes along Meiji Street toward Harajuku → Located right beside Cat Street
- Admission: Free
- Website: https://onden.jp/r5-setsubunsai
Setsubun Festival (Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine)
Source: Official website
Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine, located in Yoyogi Park in Shibuya, is a sanctuary of greenery in the heart of Tokyo. The annual Setsubun Festival is celebrated on February 3rd.
As a famous shrine, Yoyogi Hachimangu attracts not only local residents but people from all over Tokyo for its Setsubun Festival. Visitors can experience bean throwing while shouting the traditional Setsubun phrase "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" (Demons out, fortune in) together with the crowd. This winter event has continued for many years as a way for Tokyo residents to feel connected.
A unique highlight is the "mochi" (rice cakes) that are thrown along with beans. Every year, local community members throw beans from a special stage to spectators. While traditionally, Setsubun involves throwing roasted soybeans, Yoyogi Hachimangu uniquely throws mochi as "lucky mochi" (fuku-mochi). A "Mochitsuki Festival" (rice cake pounding ceremony) is held a few days before Setsubun, and these freshly made mochi are used for throwing.
If you catch the thrown mochi, you can take it home to eat. The bean-throwing event occurs five times starting from 3 PM. For those who want to fully participate, it's recommended to arrive early and secure a spot near the stage.
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Date: February 3, 2025
Access: From Shibuya Station, take Ginza Line to Omotesando Station → Chiyoda Line to Yoyogi-koen Station → 5-minute walk
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.yoyogihachimangu.or.jp/event.html
Kinensai Festival (Onden Shrine)
Source: Official website
Kinensai at Onden Shrine in Harajuku is a ceremony held annually on February 17th to pray for national prosperity.
Originally, Kinensai began as a ritual to pray for abundant harvests, particularly rice crops, at the beginning of spring. It evolved into a ceremony for praying for people's health, happiness, and national prosperity. The festival also holds significance in praying for industrial development, making it particularly meaningful in the bustling commercial districts of Shibuya and Harajuku.
The highlight of Kinensai is the opportunity to witness authentic Shinto rituals that have thousands of years of tradition. Unlike the festive Setsubun celebration, Kinensai is a solemn ceremony conducted strictly by Shinto priests according to tradition. It offers visitors a chance to experience the beauty of traditional formal ceremonies.
This event is especially recommended for those interested in traditional Japanese shrine rituals. Don't miss this opportunity to witness an authentic ceremony.
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Date: February 17, 2025
Access: From Shibuya Station, take Exit B1 → 7-minute walk towards Harajuku along Meiji Street → Located right next to Cat Street
Admission: Free
Website: https://onden.jp/schedule/20240217/
Mochitsuki Tournament (Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine)
Source: Official website
The Mochitsuki Tournament at Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine is a traditional event held two days before the Setsubun Festival, annually on February 1st.
Until the 1950s, Yoyogi was a peaceful farming area. The mochitsuki event originated as a New Year's celebration among neighboring farming households. Today, it continues at Yoyogi Hachimangu Shrine as a community-wide event, preserving the area's historical heritage.
A unique aspect of this historic mochitsuki tournament is the "Mochitsuki Song" sung during the rice cake pounding. This song has been passed down in the region since the early 20th century, characterized by its nostalgic and gentle melody. Visitors can experience a rare glimpse of traditional Japanese rural culture firsthand.
The Mochitsuki Song is designated as a Tokyo Intangible Cultural Property, recognizing its importance in Japanese culture. While local community members primarily perform the mochitsuki, visitors may sometimes have the opportunity to participate. Interested visitors are encouraged to try their hand at mochi pounding.
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Date: February 1, 2025
Access: From Shibuya Station, take Ginza Line to Omotesando Station → Chiyoda Line to Yoyogi-koen Station → 1-minute walk
Admission: Free
Website: https://onden.jp/r5-setsubunsai
Seasonal Events in Shibuya for February
DIG SHIBUYA
Source: Official website
DIG SHIBUYA is an art and technology event held at Shibuya Station. In February 2025, it will be held around Shibuya Station for four days.
During the 2024 event, there was an art parade on Park Street and spatial art installations using objects in Yoyogi Park. Similar events are planned for 2025. Additionally, visitors can enjoy special art exhibitions utilizing the latest technologies such as web3, AI, and XR at multiple venues from Shibuya to Yoyogi.
The main highlight is the art exhibition using the street monitors at the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing. There are four large street monitors on nearby buildings around this iconic landmark, which will display video art from midnight.
I had the chance to see the video art in 2024. Watching digital art in Shibuya's late-night cityscape was an incredibly cool and novel sight, creating an unforgettable experience.
Talented creators participate not only from Japan but from around the world. If you're interested in Shibuya's latest culture and world-class contemporary art, please visit the various venues.
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Dates: February 8-11, 2025
Access: [Scramble Crossing]
1-minute walk from Shibuya Station (JR and other lines)
[Park Street]
4-minute walk from Shibuya Station along Park Street toward Inokashira Street (near Shibuya PARCO)
Other venues will be scattered throughout the area - details TBD
Admission: Free (some exhibition venues may charge fees)
Website: https://digshibuya.com/
Shibusan Sakura Festival Furusato Tokyo Support Festival ~Chicken & Selfie Fest~
Source: PR TIMES
The Shibusan Sakura Festival Furusato Tokyo Support Festival ~Chicken & Selfie Fest~ is a gourmet festival themed around delicious chicken dishes. In 2024, it was held for three days in Yoyogi Park, Shibuya Ward.
Food stalls serving delicious chicken dishes from all over Japan gather here. Visitors can enjoy roast chicken, Japanese-style chicken curry, chicken yakisoba, and karaage (fried chicken). A unique feature is the availability of chicken dishes that can only be found in Japan.
My personal favorite was the Hokkaido miso ramen with chicken. The chicken broth perfectly infused into the rich miso soup, creating an exquisite taste.
The selfie contest held during the event is also noteworthy. Visitors can participate in a photo contest by taking selfies with their food in the park. Feel free to join by taking pictures with your delicious meals.
Besides delicious chicken dishes, alcoholic beverages like shochu that pair well with the food are also available. Warm both your body and soul with excellent food and drinks. If you're around Shibuya/Yoyogi Park in February, please drop by.
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Dates: 2025 dates TBD
Access: 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station along Park Street toward Inokashira → Yoyogi Park Keyaki Tree-lined Street entrance → Yoyogi Park Event Plaza
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.furusatotokyofes.com/
Shibuya Gourmet Events in February 2025
Sakana Japan Fest
Source: Shibuya Keizai Shimbun
Sakana Japan Fest is a gourmet event where visitors can enjoy fresh seafood dishes from seas and ports across Japan. It has been held annually at Yoyogi Park since 2016.
The festival brings together carefully selected seafood dishes from all over Japan. This four-day big event attracts over 1.6 million visitors. Visitors can enjoy luxurious dishes and food stall offerings such as tuna bowls topped with fatty tuna, rare "ikura" (salmon roe) from Hokkaido, and premium items like clams and turban shells.
A notable aspect of Sakana Japan Fest is that it's also a charity event. There will be special areas featuring seafood from Fukushima, which suffered from a major earthquake several years ago, and the Noto Peninsula, which is also struggling with earthquake damage. The Noto Peninsula is particularly known for its oysters and shellfish. Don't miss the chance to enjoy the large, fresh oysters that are hard to find elsewhere.
This popular event attracts many people looking to enjoy fresh seafood dishes at reasonable prices. If you want to taste delicious seafood during your Tokyo trip, make sure to stop by.
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Dates: February 21-24, 2025
Access: 10-minute walk from Shibuya Station along Park Street toward Inokashira → Yoyogi Park Keyaki Tree-lined Street entrance → Yoyogi Park Event Plaza
Admission: Free
Website:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sakanajapanproject/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakanajapanproject/
Fukushima Sweets Festival
Source: Okumacho Official website
The Fukushima Sweets Festival is a special event featuring sweets made with specialty products from Fukushima, located in northeastern Japan. The event will be held at Yoyogi Park in Shibuya.
The unique feature of the Fukushima Sweets Festival is that visitors can purchase sweets created by high school student patissiers from Fukushima. In Fukushima, known for its delicious fruits, a competition is held for high school students aspiring to become patissiers. The original sweets created by the winning teams from this competition will be sold at this event in Tokyo's Yoyogi Park.
The highlights are the culinary skills of the high school students and Fukushima's delicious fruits and vegetables. The sweets incorporate ingredients such as passion fruit, kiwi, and sweet potatoes, all specialty products from various towns in the naturally rich Fukushima region. Please come and enjoy these unique original sweets that have won local competitions.
While the exact dates are yet to be determined, there's a possibility it will be held simultaneously with the previously mentioned Fish Japan Festival. If you're visiting Shibuya in February, please check social media for updates and come join us.
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Date: February 2025 (Exact dates TBD, was held simultaneously with Fish Japan Fest in 2024)
Access: About 10 minutes walk from Shibuya Station (JR and other lines) along Koen-dori toward Inokashira → Yoyogi Park Zelkova Tree Avenue entrance → Yoyogi Park Event Plaza
Admission: Free
Website: https://37sakana.jp/sakanajapanfes/sweet.html
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sakanajapanproject/
"Toku no Shima" Tourism and Products Fair in Tokyo
Source: Official Facebook
The "Toku no Shima" Tourism and Products Fair in Tokyo is a food fair where you can purchase food items and shochu from Tokunoshima, part of the Amami Islands in southern Japan. This regular event will be held at Yoyogi Park on February 16, 2025.
Tokunoshima is an island located near Kyushu in southwestern Japan. The island group including Tokunoshima is called the Amami Islands, known for their beautiful sea, nature, and unique culture. This special event allows you to enjoy the specialty foods and alcohol from Amami-Tokunoshima in Tokyo.
The highlight is the unique cuisine produced by the tropical nature of Tokunoshima. Particularly recommended is the brown sugar shochu, a famous specialty of Tokunoshima. Brown sugar shochu is characterized by its gentle taste with a hint of sweetness. Additionally, pickled papaya and steamed potatoes are popular items.
Amami is also known for "Shima Uta," its beautiful folk songs. The event will feature live stage performances of these island songs. If your schedule allows, please stop by Yoyogi Park to experience the unique charm of Amami-Tokunoshima culture.
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Date: February 16, 2025
Access: About 10 minutes walk from Shibuya Station (JR and other lines) along Koen-dori toward Inokashira → Yoyogi Park Zelkova Tree Avenue entrance → Yoyogi Park Event Plaza
Admission: Free
Website: https://tokufes.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tokufes/
