Japan
Nikko in February
❄️ WinterCold and mostly dry.
🎒 Pack: winter coat, gloves & hat
Why February scores 8.5What goes into the score
How it works- Weather comfort7.1
- !Cold (7.1°C highs / -3.5°C lows)
- ✓Comfortable humidity (dew point -2.5°C)
- ✓Mostly dry (~37 mm rain)
- Air quality10.0
- ✓Good (within WHO guideline) (PM2.5 ~5 µg/m³)
- Seasonal hazards10.0
- ·No notable seasonal hazards
- Safety baseline9.0
- ·Normal precautions
| Feb | May | |
|---|---|---|
| Score | 8.5 Excellent | 9.0 Excellent |
| Season | ❄️ Winter | 🌿 Late spring |
| High / low | 7° / -3° | 22° / 10° |
| Rain | 37 mm | 135 mm |
| Humidity | dew pt -2° | dew pt 11° |
| PM2.5 | 5 µg/m³ | 10 µg/m³ |
Typical-month data: NASA POWER (MERRA-2 reanalysis) 2015–2024 (modelled, not a forecast).
Holidays & crowdsFebruary 2027
No long holidaysNo long public-holiday weekends this month. School holidays aren't counted, so check those if you want to avoid family crowds.
Other public holidays: Foundation Day (11 Feb) · Emperor's Birthday (23 Feb)
National holidays only; regional holidays and school breaks aren't included. Source: holidays (open-source public-holiday calendar).
Nature calendarBlossoms, leaves & seasons in Nikko
- 2026 forecast: Irohazaka2026 forecastPeak from ~23 Oct 2026
Last year the peak began 23 Oct. JWA expects most of Japan to be on time or a little later than usual this year.
Source: Japan Weather Association (tenki.jp), forecast 14 Oct 2026
- Autumn leaves: Irohazaka & Kegon FallsTypical datesUsually early-Oct to late-Oct
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
- Autumn leaves: Kinugawa OnsenTypical datesUsually late-Oct to mid-Nov
Usual peak viewing window for this spot.
Explore NikkoEvents, sights, food & souvenirs
Check event dates locallyA mountain town north of Tokyo known for the UNESCO-listed shrines and temples of Nikkō, waterfalls, Lake Chūzenji and autumn foliage.
Chinese New YearAcross Japan
Lunar celebrations in Yokohama Chinatown and Nagasaki.
Coming up later
Tōshō-gū Spring Grand FestivalEvery year17–18 May every year
Includes horseback archery and the procession of a thousand samurai on the 18th.
Why go: The highlight of the shrine year; crowds are heavy.
Where: Nikkō Tōshō-gū
Tōshō-gū Autumn Grand FestivalEvery year16–17 October every year
A smaller version of the spring festival with the samurai procession.
Why go: Coincides with the start of autumn colour.
Where: Nikkō Tōshō-gū
Autumn foliageDate variesUsually early October in the highlands to early November in town
Maple and other leaves turn red and gold, starting at higher elevations.
Why go: The busiest season; expect traffic jams on weekends.
Where: Lake Chūzenji, Irohazaka and the shrine area
Nikkō Tōshō-gū
The richly decorated mausoleum shrine of Tokugawa Ieyasu, with the famous three wise monkeys carving.
Shinkyō Bridge
A vermilion lacquered bridge over the Daiya River at the entrance to the shrine area.
Rinnō-ji and Futarasan Shrine
A major temple and an ancient shrine within the World Heritage site.
Kegon Falls
A 97-metre waterfall dropping from Lake Chūzenji, viewed from an observation deck.
Lake Chūzenji
A mountain lake below Mount Nantai, reached by the winding Irohazaka road.
💡 The road gets heavy traffic at autumn-foliage peak; go early.
Kanmangafuchi Abyss
A riverside path lined with rows of stone Jizō statues.
Yuba
Tofu skin, a Nikkō speciality served fresh, rolled or in soups.
Mizu yōkan
A soft sweet bean jelly, made locally in many shops.
Tochigi strawberries
Tochigi Prefecture is Japan's top strawberry producer.
💡 In season from winter to spring
Utsunomiya gyoza
Pan-fried dumplings from the nearby prefectural capital, famous across Japan.
💡 Utsunomiya, on the way to Nikkō
Nikkō-bori
Traditional wood carving with floral designs, used for trays and boxes.
Yuba
Dried yuba packs that travel well.
Nikkō geta
Traditional wooden sandals with woven straw tops.