Yanaka Events February 2026: Setsubun Festivals, Plum Blossoms & Ueno Museum Exhibitions
Since moving to a neighborhood Shibuya in 2024, I've been visiting many cities in Tokyo including Yanaka Ginza everyday to explore its appeal and discovered spots I can recommend to tourists.
I updated this article in January 2026 to incorporate my findings from this research, along with the latest information for 2026.
Another reason for updating the article is the growing interest in tours that allow visitors to enjoy sightseeing spots and Japanese traditional culture. As these tours gain popularity, Magical Trip's tour, which ranked #1 among all tours on Tripadvisor, has been receiving numerous applications.
If you want to experience the retro atmosphere and authentic Japanese charm of Yanaka Ginza, join the "Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town." A local guide will show you the most recommended spots in the Yanaka area, where historical sites are scattered throughout.
For those who love retro neighborhoods, we also recommend these two tours. Both can be enjoyed in the towns adjacent to Yanaka, and you can fully experience their charm simply by following guides who know these streets inside and out.
・Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour
・All-You-Can-Drink Bar Hopping Tour in Ueno
We hope you'll have a wonderful time experiencing everything retro towns have to offer by joining a Magical Trip tour!
Introduction
Yanaka in Taito Ward, Tokyo, is a district that preserves its historical charm. Just a 5-minute walk from JR Nippori Station lies the Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street, established in the 1950s. With about 60 shops including retro candy stores, stylish cafes, and affordable local eateries, it has become increasingly popular among international tourists.
At the entrance of the shopping street, there's a staircase called "Yuyake Dandan" (Sunset Steps), famous as a spot for viewing spectacular sunsets.
In February 2026, various events, including traditional Japanese festivities, will be held around Yanaka. Here's detailed information about these events to help plan your visit!
2026 Year-round Event Schedule in Yanaka↓
・Yanaka: List of Events & Festivals for 2026
sena kanda
February's Highlight: Traditional Japanese "Setsubun" Festivals
Various "Setsubun" events are held in February. Setsubun is a traditional Japanese custom marking seasonal transitions, where people ward off bad luck and pray for health throughout the year. While originally marking four seasonal changes, it now primarily refers to the winter-to-spring transition in February.
During Setsubun, people traditionally perform "Mamemaki" (bean throwing) towards evil demons. Beans have long been believed to ward off misfortune and bring happiness. In some regions, people also eat "Eho-maki" (fortune direction rolls), special sushi rolls eaten while facing the year's lucky direction.
Various Setsubun events are held at shrines and temples around Yanaka.
When Visiting Yanaka in February, Join the Setsubun Festival at Suwa Shrine, the Guardian Shrine of Yanaka-Nippori!
Source:Yahoo! News
Suwa Jinja Shrine is the guardian shrine of Yanaka and Nippori areas. Locally known as "Osuwa-sama," it bustles with community members during New Year's and Shichi-Go-San (children's growth celebration) ceremonies.
The annual Setsubun Festival is one of the shrine's long-standing traditions. During the customary bean throwing, the spacious shrine grounds become packed with excited visitors.
From the Kagura-den (ritual stage), packed beans, candies, and colorful balls are thrown for people below to catch – the classic bean-throwing style.
For those wanting to catch beans and treats, secure a spot near the front. To enjoy the overall atmosphere, watching from the back or a slight distance is recommended.
Join this energetic local festival to drive away bad luck!
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Date: February 3, 2026
Access: 3-minute walk from JR Yamanote Line/Keihin-Tohoku Line/Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line "Nishi-Nippori Station"
Website: https://suwajinja.r-cms.jp/
3 Popular Setsubun Festivals Around Yanaka, Tokyo - February 2026 Guide
Setsubun Festival & Fortune Dance (Sensoji Temple)
Source:Go Tokyo
Sensoji Temple, Tokyo's oldest temple and a major tourist attraction, hosts one of the city's first established Setsubun celebrations.
The festival features bean-throwing by "Toshi Otoko" (men whose ages are multiples of 12). Cultural figures, including athletes and rakugo performers connected to Asakusa, participate in the "Cultural Performers' Setsubun Ceremony."
A highlight is the "Shichi fuku jin Dance" performed by the Seven Lucky Gods in elaborate costumes, bringing good fortune and festive energy.
Event Details:
- Date: February 3, 2026
- Access: 5-min walk from Asakusa Station (Tokyo Skytree Line/Tokyo Metro Ginza Line/Toei Asakusa Line)
- Website: https://www.senso-ji.jp/english/
Ukera Ritual (Gojoten Jinja Shrine)
Source:GO TOKYO
Gojoten Jinja Shrine, dedicated to the deity of medicine, is a power spot known for blessings of health and recovery from illness.
The shrine hosts a unique Setsubun festival called "Ukera Ritual." Ukera, a medicinal herb from the chrysanthemum family, has been valued in traditional medicine. The ritual involves burning ukera to ward off evil spirits, following Heian period traditions:
1. Hishime ceremony (shooting arrows toward the demon's gate)
2. Dialogue with demons
3. Bean throwing
A highlight is the dramatic performance featuring intimidating demons and their expulsion. Visitors can receive "ukeramochi" from the shrine office - eating this brings good health throughout the year.
This Yanaka Event February 2026 is perfect for audiences seeking a unique festival experience.
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Date: February 3, 2026
Access: 5-min walk from Ueno Station (Keisei Line) / 10-min walk from JR Ueno Station Park Exit
Website: https://www.gojoutenjinsha.com/
Setsubun Festival (Torikoe Jinja Shrine)
Source: Omatsuri Japan
Torikoe Jinja Shrine is famous for housing Tokyo's largest portable shrine, weighing 4 tons.
Over 350 men and women born in the corresponding zodiac year participate in enthusiastic bean throwing. Special fortune bags thrown from the stage contain amulets of Ebisu and Daikoku (two of the Seven Lucky Gods) and blessed golden tokens. Below, eager audience members position boxes and bags to catch these lucky items.
Children receive special candy gifts after the bean throwing, ensuring everyone leaves happy.
Bring containers to join this family-friendly event!
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Date: February 3, 2026
Access: 5-min walk from Kuramae Station (Toei Asakusa Line) / 8-min walk from JR Asakusabashi Station West Exit
Official X: https://x.com/torikoejinjya
Black Soybean Fortune-Throwing (Ueno Toshogu Shrine)
Source:LIVEEN TIMES
Ueno Toshogu Shrine, a National Important Cultural Property, hosts a unique Setsubun festival. While traditional Setsubun celebrations use roasted soybeans, this festival features black soybeans.
Black soybeans, historically presented to Tokugawa shoguns, are rich in protein, calcium, and dietary fiber. They've long been valued as a nutritious food. Ueno Toshogu Shrine's "Black Soybean Fortune-Throwing" aims to preserve both the health benefits of black soybeans and Japanese food culture.
The event includes entertaining activities like the "Black Soybean Chopstick Game." Visitors can also sample premium Tamba black soybeans, known for their large size and chewy texture.
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Date: February 3, 2026
Access: 10-minute walk from JR Ueno Station Park Exit or Tokyo Metro Ginza/Hibiya Line Ueno Station
Website: https://www.uenotoshogu.com/en/
February in Yanaka can be quite cold, so efficiently planning your sightseeing is crucial. Without careful planning of your itinerary and rest stops, what should be an enjoyable trip can turn into an exhausting experience.
That's why taking a tour with a local guide who knows Yanaka and Japanese culture inside and out is incredibly convenient. With Magical Trip tours, you can visit tourist spots while making well-timed stops at lunch spots and cafes, allowing you to enjoy sightseeing without stress.
In Yanaka, you can also try making your own cat dolls while taking breaks at cafes, so be sure to enjoy this experience with your guide!
・Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town
Famous Tokyo Events to Enjoy Alongside Yanaka Sightseeing
Bunkyo Plum Blossom Festival
Bunkyo Plum Blossom Festival is one of Tokyo's premier plum blossom events, held at Yushima Tenjin Shrine in February.
The shrine grounds feature approximately 300 plum trees, predominantly white plum blossoms, enveloping visitors in soft colors and gentle fragrance.
In Japan, plum blossoms have long been cherished as "the flower that heralds the arrival of spring," perfectly complementing the tranquil atmosphere of the shrine.
When I visited last year, there was a live performance of Shakuhachi flute and Koto harp, and the traditional Japanese melodies layered over the plum blossom scenery created an elegantly refined experience.
The best viewing period is typically mid to late February.
I especially recommend visiting on a sunny morning when the light is soft, making for beautiful photographs, and when the plum fragrance is most noticeable.
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Date: February 8 – March 8, 2026
Access: 2-minute walk from Exit 3 of Yushima Station on the Tokyo Metro Chiyoda Line
Admission: Free
Website: https://www.city.bunkyo.lg.jp/b014/p003950.html
"KAKUUCHI" (Liquor Store Stand) Festival
Source:Official website
"KAKUUCHI" (Liquor Store Stand) Festival is an event held at Ueno Park where you can enjoy Japanese sake culture.
KAKUUCHI refers to a uniquely Japanese standing-drink style where you casually enjoy alcohol at the storefront or a corner of a liquor store.
Liquor stores from across Japan, centered on Tokyo, gather here, and visitors can savor a selection of fine Japanese sake, shochu, wine, beer, and more.
The venue also features gourmet booths with food that pairs perfectly with alcohol, stage events, and a kikizake (Japanese sake tasting) corner, making it perfect for exploring with friends or travel companions.
If you want to experience Japan's unique sake culture and discover your "favorite glass," be sure to visit this venue.
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Date: February 6, 7, 8, 2026
Access: 2-minute walk from Ueno Station on the JR Yamanote Line, JR Keihin-Tohoku Line, JR Takasaki Line, and JR Utsunomiya Line
Admission: 500 yen
Website: https://kakufes.com/
Uenode Panda Chinese New Year Festival 2026
Source:PR TIMES
Uenode Panda Chinese New Year Festival 2026 is a cultural event to enjoy Chinese New Year in Ueno.
Ueno Park Fountain Plaza comes alive with red lanterns and panda decorations, bustling with Chinese New Year food, street stalls, and stage performances including lion dances.
What excites me most every year is how the venue becomes filled with pandas everywhere—panda decorations, photo spots, and limited-edition designs.
Among them, the steamed buns with panda faces drawn on them are almost too adorable to eat.
One of its charms is that you can easily stop by while strolling through Ueno Park. You can see, photograph, and taste your way through the festival.
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Date: February 13–15, 2026
Access: 3-minute walk from the Ueno Park Exit of JR Ueno Station / 8-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station
Admission: Free
Website: https://panda-expo.com/
Special Exhibitions in February 2026 at "Ueno," the Art District Adjacent to Yanaka
Impressionism from the Collection of the Musée d'Orsay
Source:Official website
This exhibition at the National Museum of Western Art is a special exhibition showcasing the Impressionist collection from the Musée d'Orsay in Paris.
Masterpieces by Claude Monet, Édouard Manet, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and others that utilize light and color come together in one place, allowing you to experience the charm of Impressionism up close.
What particularly captivates me is Pierre-Auguste Renoir's "Young Girls at the Piano." The soft brushwork and beautiful layering of colors are so stunning that I visited twice just to see this painting.
After the exhibition ends, there are no plans for a domestic tour, making this a rare opportunity to view these works in Japan.
This is an unmissable exhibition for art lovers.
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Date: October 25, 2025 – February 15, 2026
Access: 1-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station / 7-minute walk from Keisei Ueno Station on Keisei Electric Railway
Admission: 2,300 yen
Website: https://www.orsay2025.jp/
Special Exhibition: Crocodiles
Source:Official website
Special Exhibition: Crocodiles, held at the National Museum of Nature and Science, is a multifaceted exhibition exploring crocodiles—creatures that have lived by the water's edge since ancient times—through specimens and video footage.
Crocodile specimens are displayed even in elevated positions, allowing visitors to experience their power from a looking-up perspective. Furthermore, some taxidermied specimens can be touched through vinyl, letting you feel the hardness and texture of their scales firsthand.
The specimens featured in the exhibition vary in habitat, appearance, and size, and I was surprised by the diversity that cannot simply be summed up by the word "crocodile."
It's enjoyable even with zero prior knowledge, and if you're a crocodile enthusiast, you'll be even more moved. By the time you leave, you'll surely have become a crocodile fan yourself.
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Date: November 26, 2025 – March 1, 2026
Access: 5-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station / 10-minute walk from the Park Exit of Ueno Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line
Admission: General and University Students 630 yen
Website: https://www.kahaku.go.jp/event/nid00001559.html
Special Exhibition: Mass Extinctions—BIG FIVE
Source:Official website
Special Exhibition: Mass Extinctions—BIG FIVE is an exhibition tracing "the five moments when Earth was nearly reset."
After mass extinctions where most living things disappeared in short periods, the world was remade into something different. The venue is divided into five extinction events, allowing visitors to quickly understand the flow of how ecosystems changed as if going dark.
The highlight is the world-premiere display of a full-body fossil of Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), approximately 6 meters in length. I was overwhelmed by the fact that such a creature actually existed in a world long before my time.
There is also an extensive collection of dinosaur and ammonite fossils. If you love archaeology or feel a sense of romance in paleontology, this exhibition is a must-see.
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Date: November 1, 2025 – February 23, 2026
Access: 5-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station / 10-minute walk from the Park Exit of Ueno Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line
Admission: General and University Students 2,300 yen
Website: https://daizetsumetsu.jp/
Swedish Paintings: Nordic Light, The Radiance of Everyday Life
Source:Official website
In recent years, Swedish painting has attracted worldwide attention, with large-scale exhibitions being held in France and the United States.
This exhibition displays approximately 80 masterpieces painted during the golden age of Swedish painting (around the 1880s to 1915).
A notable feature is the many works depicting Swedish nature and daily life, such as snowy landscapes, light streaming into interiors, and family moments.
Since I haven't seen much Swedish painting yet, I'm looking forward to comparing how Nordic light is depicted.
Encountering unexpected art during your travels is one of the joys of visiting museums in Japan. Discover the new charm of Nordic art in Ueno.
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Date: January 27 – April 12, 2026
Access: 7-minute walk from the Park Exit of JR Ueno Station / 10-minute walk from Exit 7 of Ueno Station on the Tokyo Metro Ginza Line and Hibiya Line
Admission: General 2,300 yen
Website: https://www.swedishpainting2026.jp/
The Gardens of the National Museum's Main Building Transform into Winter Attire
Source:Official website
North of Tokyo National Museum lies a Japanese garden featuring seasonal flowers and historical cultural properties. The garden, centered around a serene pond, includes five traditional tea houses, a five-story pagoda, and stone lanterns, exuding an authentic Japanese atmosphere. Following its 2021 complete renovation, the garden paths and benches were improved for better accessibility.
The winter garden offers a unique charm distinct from spring blossoms or autumn foliage, enveloped in crisp air and solemn ambiance. While visiting the museum, extend your trip to explore the garden.
For those interested in exploring Tokyo's retro districts, consider joining the special Yanaka walking tour in February 2026! Local guides offer comprehensive tours of this historic area, revealing hidden spots beyond guidebook recommendations. The charm of Yanaka lies in its retro atmosphere, cultural heritage, and authentic interactions with locals.
Two recommended local guide tours are available to help you fully experience Yanaka's genuine appeal beyond typical tourist spots.
2 recommendations for sightseeing while enjoying the history and traditions of the retro Yanaka neighborhood
Yanaka Historical Walking Tour in Tokyo's Old Town
This tour explores the historic Yanaka area with a local guide, preserving its traditional atmosphere.
Tour Highlights:
- Guided exploration of Nezu Jinja Shrine with clear explanations of history and culture
- Create your own "Maneki-neko" (lucky beckoning cat) believed to bring good fortune
- Food tasting experience at Yanaka Ginza Shopping Street
- Experience local lifestyle while walking through residential areas
The Maneki-neko making workshop at a traditional house café is a tour highlight, creating a unique souvenir. Walking with the guide through local shopping streets helps discover hidden shops.
Recommended for those wanting to experience authentic Japanese lifestyle and culture.
Meeting point: Nezu station
Tour area: Nezu Jinja Shrine/Hebimichi (Snake road)/Local Gallery/Local cafe-Yanaka Ginza
Start time: 13:30
Asakusa Cultural Walk & Matcha Making Tour
Perfect for experiencing Asakusa's charm in a short time, this 3-hour guided tour offers an enriching experience.
Tour Highlights:
- Guided tour of Sensoji Temple with clear explanations of religious culture and traditions
- Matcha experience in a tranquil tea house
- Enjoy Tokyo's famous Monjayaki for lunch
The tour covers popular tourist spots like Sensoji Temple, matcha experience, and Tokyo cuisine while providing deeper insights with a local guide. The guide will teach you how to properly enjoy Monjayaki, which can be challenging for first-timers.
After the 14:00 tour ends, you can continue exploring Asakusa or move to other locations.
Click here for more details
Meeting point: Kaminarimon Police box
Tour area: Nakamise shopping street/Senso-ji/Hoppy street/Local restaurant
Start time: 11:00
