Ueno in February 2025: Highlights, Events & Festivals

February in Tokyo is characterized by harsh cold, with many sunny days but an average temperature of about 8°C, not reaching 10°C. When going out, down or wool coats are essential, and gloves and scarves are recommended for comfort.

One of the popular areas for tourists in Tokyo is Ueno. Ueno is packed with attractions that stimulate intellectual curiosity, including shopping at Ameyoko, a shopping district with about 400 densely packed stores, the National Museum of Western Art filled with masterpieces, and Ueno Park, perfect for a green-filled break.

The popular Ueno area hosts a series of events in February, centered around "Setsubun," a traditional Japanese event that brings good fortune. These include traditional events, special experiences only available in February, and gourmet events. This article will introduce the highlights, basic information, dates, and access to these event venues.

Table of Contents

Traditional Events in Ueno in February 2025
Special Experiences Only in February in Ueno
Festivals and Events in February in "Taito Ward" around Ueno

Traditional Events in Ueno in February 2025

Setsubun

Setsubun is a traditional Japanese event held on February 3rd with the wish "May we spend the year in good health."

It's said that throwing roasted soybeans while chanting "Oni wa soto, fuku wa uchi" (demons out, fortune in) and eating the number of beans equal to your age will make you healthy and less likely to get sick.

There's also a tradition that if you eat ehomaki (sushi roll) while facing the year's lucky direction and making a wish, your wish will come true.

Gojoten Shrine Setsubun

Source: TAITO odekake Navi

The Setsubun at Gojoten Shrine begins with the Setsubun festival, followed by the Hikime ceremony (where the chief priest shoots arrows to drive away demons and illness), a Q&A with the demon of illness (by parish representatives), and bean throwing. Also called the Ukera ceremony, it's characterized by the continuous burning of ukera (an edible chrysanthemum family herb) to ward off evil spirits during the event.

The highlight is the series of rituals set up as a story. Although there's no specific dialogue, it expresses everything from the demon's appearance to its defeat through body movements. I've participated before, and the demons' performances were so powerful that I was captivated until the end. I recommend it even for foreign visitors who don't understand Japanese.

On that day, you can purchase ukera mochi. Ukera mochi is a set of mochi and ukera, and it's said that if you grill and eat the mochi on Risshun (the first day of spring in the calendar) the next day, you'll stay healthy throughout the year.

<Information>
Date: February 3, 2025
Access: 3 minutes walk from Ueno Station on JR and Keisei lines, 5 minutes walk from Ueno Station on Tokyo Metro
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.gojoutenjinsha.com/

Setsubun Festival at Shitaya Shrine

Source: Official website

The Setsubun Festival at Shitaya Shrine is characterized by many local participants as it's held during the day. Shitaya Shrine, built in the Nara period, is the oldest Inari shrine (deity believed to bring good harvests and business prosperity) in Tokyo, with a long history and increasing numbers of foreign worshippers in recent years.

The highlight is the candy-filled bean throwing from a high platform. Shitaya Shrine's bean throwing is famous for throwing not just beans but a wide variety of candies, which is very popular with children. Some people even bring large cardboard boxes or containers to catch the treats. I also received many dagashi (inexpensive candies for children). They throw plenty, so try your best to catch them!

Candies tend to fall nearby, so if you want lots of candies, I recommend arriving early to secure a spot near the front.

<Information>
Date: February 3, 2025
Access: 6 minutes walk from Ueno Station on JR lines, 2 minutes walk from Inaricho Station on Ginza Line, 5 minutes walk from Shin-Okachimachi Station on Oedo Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://shitayajinja.or.jp/

Black Soybean Throwing at Ueno Toshogu Shrine

Source: LIVEEN TIMES

The Setsubun Festival at Ueno Toshogu Shrine is characterized by bean throwing using black soybeans. It started with the hope of reconsidering Japanese food culture by using black soybeans, which represent Japanese food culture, for bean throwing.

The highlight is the bean-grabbing game that visitors can participate in. The bean-grabbing contest involves competing to see how many black soybeans you can place on a bowl using chopsticks in one minute. It looks easy but is surprisingly difficult, and it's an exciting event that keeps even spectators on the edge of their seats.

When I visited, "Treat Sets" containing Tanba black soybeans and black soybean charms were distributed to all participants, over 100 people. Why not participate in the event and rediscover the charm of black soybeans, which are rich in nutrients such as protein, dietary fiber, and calcium?

<Information>
Date: February 3, 2025
Access: 10 minutes walk from Ueno Station on JR and Metro lines, 12 minutes walk from Keisei Ueno Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.uenotoshogu.com/

Winter Peonies at Ueno Toshogu Shrine

Source: Official website

The Winter Peonies at Ueno Toshogu Shrine are characterized by the ability to appreciate winter peonies along with tourist attractions like the shrine buildings and five-story pagoda.

Winter peonies are flowers that are supposed to bloom in spring but are made to bloom in winter through temperature control and other measures. As flowers are difficult to bloom in the cold winter, they are valued as auspicious flowers.

The highlight is the appearance of winter peonies wearing "warabocchi" (straw hats woven like hats) to protect from the cold. Their appearance, blooming while enduring the cold, also gives a sense of dignified strength. When I actually viewed them, the contrast between the brown warabocchi and the red and pink flowers impressively made the winter peonies look even more beautiful.

This is the only place in Tokyo where you can see 160 plants of 40 varieties of winter peonies. Please come and enjoy this atmospheric winter feature.

<Information>
Date: January 1 - February TBD, 2025
Access: 5 minutes walk from Ueno Station, 10 minutes walk from Nezu Station
Admission: Adults 800 yen, Free for elementary school students and younger
Website: https://uenobotanen.com/schedule/winter/

Special Experiences Only in February in Ueno

Ueno Hanatouro Ukiyo-e Lanterns

Source: 4 Travel

Ueno Hanatouro Ukiyo-e Lanterns is an event that started in 2007 where about 200 ukiyo-e (genre paintings from the Edo period) lanterns are set up in Ueno Park. As evening falls and it gets dark, the lanterns light up, creating a fantastic atmosphere.

The ukiyo-e lanterns feature "One Hundred Famous Views of Edo" (works depicting the townscapes and scenery of Edo) by Utagawa Hiroshige, a famous artist who continued to paint Japanese landscapes from 1856 to 1858.

When I viewed it with my family, I was soothed by the warmth of the gentle light from the lanterns. Unlike the bright illuminations seen in the city, you can feel a calm night scenery.

<Information>
Date: Mid-October 2024 to late February 2025
Access: 4 minutes walk from Ueno Station on Yamanote Line, Keihin-Tohoku Line, Takasaki Line, Utsunomiya Line, Ginza Line, and Hibiya Line; 7 minutes walk from Keisei Ueno Station
Admission: Free

Festivals and Events in February in "Taito Ward" around Ueno

Sensoji Temple Setsubun Festival "Fukuju no Mai, Seven Lucky Gods Dance"

Source: TAITO City Official website

The Setsubun Festival at Sensoji Temple is an event with a long history, said to be the first Setsubun event in Edo. In addition to bean throwing by the toshiotoko (men of the zodiac year), there's the "Fukuju no Mai" (also known as the Seven Lucky Gods Dance), one of the three major temple dances of Asakusa.

Sensoji Temple's bean throwing is unique in that they don't shout "Oni wa soto" (demons out), which is synonymous with Setsubun, because it's believed that "there are no demons before Kannon." Instead, they chant "Senshu banzei fuku wa uchi" (thousand autumns, ten thousand years, fortune in) to invite good fortune.

The highlight, Fukuju no Mai, is a traditional dance performed by people dressed as the Seven Lucky Gods, praising the virtues and fortunes of Kannon.

When I participated, it was crowded with tourists not only from Japan but also from overseas. Fukumame (lucky beans) are also sold at the stalls, so why not get some as a souvenir?

<Information>
Date: February 3, 2025
Access: 5 minutes walk from Asakusa Station on Tobu Skytree Line, Ginza Line, Tsukuba Express, and Asakusa Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/annual_event/05.html

Setsubun at Torikoe Shrine with over 350 Participants

Source: Omatsuri Japan

At Torikoe Shrine's Setsubun event, bean-throwing is performed by the shrine's head priest (guuji) and individuals celebrating their "toshitoku" (like "toshionna": women who are celebrating their zodiac year). The bean-throwing begins after the "Tsuinashiki" (a ceremony to expel evil spirits).

A highlight of the event is the large-scale bean-throwing, involving over 350 participants. I’ve joined before, and the sheer number of people makes it far more intense than at other shrines. In addition to the "fukumame" (lucky beans), they also throw charms of the two lucky gods (Ebisu and Daikoku from the Seven Lucky Gods) and "kaiunkoban" (lucky gold coins based on currency from the Edo period).

After the event, children are given snacks, which adds a nice touch. Families with children should definitely check it out!

Information
- Date: February 3, 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from Kuramae Station (Asakusa Line), 8-minute walk from Asakusabashi Station (Sobu Line), 10-minute walk from Shin-Okachimachi Station (Oedo Line)
- Admission: Free
- Website:https://x.com/torikoejinjya

Hari Kuyo (Needle Memorial Service) at Sensoji Temple

Source: Official Website

The Hari Kuyo event at Sensoji Temple is a ceremony to honor broken or rusty needles. During the event, needles are gently placed into soft tofu or konnyaku (a type of jelly) to show gratitude for their service and to pray for improved needlework skills in the future. The event is held at shrines dedicated to Awashima, the deity enshrined at various locations across Japan.

When I first saw the sight of numerous needles inserted into a large block of tofu, I was surprised by the unusual scene. However, after learning about the tradition, I couldn’t help but feel a sense of respect for the needles, which had fulfilled their role with dignity.

Around this time of year, plum blossoms start to bloom, adding splashes of red and pink to the event. Why not enjoy the blossoms as well?

Information
- Date: February 8, 2025
- Access: 5-minute walk from Asakusa Station (Tobu Skytree Line, Ginza Line, Tsukuba Express, Asakusa Line)
- Admission: Free
- Website:https://www.senso-ji.jp/annual_event/05.html