Japan Nara Weather in February — Climate Guide
February in Nara is good
Nara Weather in February — Quick Answer
As of 2026- Avg temp
- 10° / 2°
- Rainfall
- 65mm · 6 days
- Crowds
- Quiet
As of 2026, Nara in February averages a high of 10°C and low of 2°C with 65mm of rain over about 6 days. Similar to January — full winter kit. By late February afternoons climb to 12-13°C on clear days, so a removable layer (trench + knit) is handy. Plum-blossom season at Tsukigase Plum Grove (45 min by bus from Kintetsu Nara) starts pulling photographers outdoors.
February is good for Nara.
February is the year's most atmospheric Kasuga Taisha month — the Setsubun Mantoro lantern festival on February 3rd lights all 3,000 stone + bronze lanterns simultaneously, creating one of Japan's most iconic night scenes. Average 10°C / 2°C, almost identical to January but with slightly more daylight (sunset creeping to 17:35). The Tsukigase Plum Grove (45 min east by bus) opens with 10,000 plum trees in white and pink across one of Japan's three great plum gardens.
The Setsubun Mantoro is the canonical reason to visit Nara in February. 18:00-21:00, the lantern path from Kasuga Taisha bus stop to the main hall (1.2 km through the protected primeval forest) is lit only by bronze hanging lanterns + stone path-side lanterns. Free public access (the $4 inner sanctuary entry is optional). The walk through the lit lantern forest is essentially unchanged from how worshippers experienced Kasuga Taisha 1,250 years ago — a singular Japanese night atmosphere.
Travel score
Kasuga Taisha Setsubun Mantoro + plum blossoms — Nara's most atmospheric winter
February Weather at a Glance
February averages 50°F / 10°C highs and 36°F / 2°C lows — almost identical to January. Basin position keeps morning chill sharp but afternoons brighten. Late month brings 13°C+ days as plum blossoms open. Rainfall stays light at 65mm. Sunrise 6:50 AM, sunset 5:35 PM.
February Travel Advice
Setsubun Mantoro on February 3 is the year's single most atmospheric Kasuga Taisha night — book Nara hotels 6-8 weeks ahead if your dates align. The 1.2 km lantern walk takes 30-45 min one way; allow 90 min round trip. Tsukigase Plum Grove (45 min east by Nara Kotsu bus from Kintetsu Nara, $9 round trip) is a half-day add-on for plum + tea-cafe + village walk.
Flying In from Overseas
Lunar New Year overlaps with Korean Seollal (dates shift yearly) and drives a brief regional surge — flights from Seoul/Hong Kong/Taipei spike for the holiday week. Outside that, winter low-season pricing holds. Flights from Seoul (2.5h) $300-550, Singapore $400-650, Sydney $600-900, London $700-1,200.
February Pricing Trends
Business hotels $50-80/night, 4-star $95-140/night. Setsubun weekend +30-50%. Tsukigase Plum Grove free entry; round-trip bus $9. USD 1 ≈ JPY 148.
Nara February Weather Stats
Avg High
10°C
Avg Low
2°C
Rainy Days
6
65mm total
Sunshine
6h
Daily avg
Humidity
58%
dry
UV Index
3
Moderate
Wind
9 km/h
Gusts 18
Sea Temp
13°C
too cold for swimming
Snow Days
1
Monthly avg
Crowds
Quiet
At attractions
February Sunrise & Sunset
Expect about 1 snow days this month. Bring slip-resistant shoes and warm gear.
Air Quality
PM2.5
18 μg/m³
PM10
28 μg/m³
Status
moderate
Feels-Like Temperature & Wind
Feels like
Daytime
7°C
Nighttime
-1°C
Humidity and wind affect how the actual temperature feels.
Wind
9 km/h
Max gust 18 km/h
Activities Recommended for February
February Travel Pros & Cons
Pros
- Setsubun Mantoro (February 3) — 3,000 Kasuga Taisha lanterns lit
- Tsukigase Plum Grove + 10,000 plum trees mid-February peak
- Off-season pricing holds outside Setsubun weekend
Cons
- Still cold for extended outdoor temple walks
- Setsubun weekend sees 30-50% hotel surge
- Sunset around 17:35 — early dark limits afternoon temple visits
February Events & Festivals
- Kasuga Taisha Setsubun Mantoro (February 3) — all 3,000 lanterns lit
- Tsukigase Plum Blossom Festival (mid-February to mid-March, 10,000 plum trees)
- Todai-ji Shuni-e preparation begins (the buildup to March's Omizutori water-drawing ceremony)
Nara in February — Full Picture
February is the year's most atmospheric Kasuga Taisha month — the Setsubun Mantoro lantern festival on February 3rd lights all 3,000 stone + bronze lanterns simultaneously, creating one of Japan's most iconic night scenes. Average 10°C / 2°C, almost identical to January but with slightly more daylight (sunset creeping to 17:35). The Tsukigase Plum Grove (45 min east by bus) opens with 10,000 plum trees in white and pink across one of Japan's three great plum gardens.
The Setsubun Mantoro is the canonical reason to visit Nara in February. 18:00-21:00, the lantern path from Kasuga Taisha bus stop to the main hall (1.2 km through the protected primeval forest) is lit only by bronze hanging lanterns + stone path-side lanterns. Free public access (the $4 inner sanctuary entry is optional). The walk through the lit lantern forest is essentially unchanged from how worshippers experienced Kasuga Taisha 1,250 years ago — a singular Japanese night atmosphere.
Pricing stays at off-season levels except the February 3 Setsubun weekend. Business hotels $50-80/night; 4-star $95-140/night. Combine with Wakakusa-yama Fire Festival photographs from January if your dates span both — same hotel base works.
What to Wear & What to Pack
Similar to January — full winter kit. By late February afternoons climb to 12-13°C on clear days, so a removable layer (trench + knit) is handy. Plum-blossom season at Tsukigase Plum Grove (45 min by bus from Kintetsu Nara) starts pulling photographers outdoors.
Packing Checklist
Seasonal Weather Overview
Spring (Mar·Apr·May)
18.3°C
9°C
10/mo
Summer (Jun·Jul·Aug)
29.3°C
21.7°C
11/mo
Autumn (Sep·Oct·Nov)
22°C
13.7°C
9/mo
Winter (Dec·Jan·Feb)
Current10°C
2°C
5.3/mo
Nara Monthly Weather Comparison
| Month | High | Low | Rain | Sun | Humid | UV | Crowd | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9° | 1° | 5d·50mm | 5h | 60% | 2 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 10° | 2° | 6d·65mm | 6h | 58% | 3 | Quiet | Low season | |
| March (Best) | 13° | 4° | 10d·110mm | 6h | 60% | 5 | Very busy | Peak |
| April (Best) | 19° | 9° | 10d·110mm | 6h | 64% | 6 | Very busy | Peak |
| May (Best) | 23° | 14° | 10d·145mm | 7h | 67% | 7 | Busy | Shoulder |
| 26° | 18° | 13d·200mm | 4h | 75% | 8 | Quiet | Low season | |
| 30° | 23° | 12d·165mm | 5h | 78% | 10 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 32° | 24° | 8d·130mm | 6h | 75% | 10 | Very busy | Peak | |
| 28° | 20° | 11d·200mm | 5h | 76% | 7 | Moderate | Shoulder | |
| 22° | 13° | 9d·145mm | 6h | 70% | 5 | Busy | Peak | |
| November (Best) | 16° | 8° | 7d·80mm | 5h | 65% | 3 | Very busy | Peak |
| 11° | 3° | 5d·60mm | 5h | 58% | 2 | Moderate | Shoulder |
View Other Months
Nara February Hotel Picks
Frequently Asked Questions
Is February a good time to visit Nara?
Nara in February is good. Tourist crowds are quiet and flight/hotel prices are low season.
What's the average temperature in Nara in February?
Nara February averages a high of 10°C and a low of 2°C.
Does it rain much in Nara in February?
Nara February averages 65mm of rainfall over about 6 rainy days.
What should I wear in Nara in February?
Similar to January — full winter kit. By late February afternoons climb to 12-13°C on clear days, so a removable layer (trench + knit) is handy. Plum-blossom season at Tsukigase Plum Grove (45 min by bus from Kintetsu Nara) starts pulling photographers outdoors.
What time are sunrise and sunset in Nara in February?
Nara February sunrise is 06:50 and sunset is 17:35, with 10h 45min of daylight.
What's the air quality like in Nara in February?
Nara February air quality (AQI) averages 40, rated Good. PM2.5 averages 18μg/m³.
What activities are recommended in Nara in February?
In February, Nara is great for Setsubun Mantoro lantern festival, Tsukigase plum blossoms, Todai-ji Great Buddha + winter light.
Is February peak season in Nara?
Nara February crowds are quiet and prices are low season. You can travel relatively comfortably without long queues.
Best Months to Visit Nara
View Other Months
Planning a February trip to Nara?
You've checked the weather — next come the budget and the route.
Why you can trust weather guide
Based in Chiang Mai for 8+ years, with 30+ countries visited across Southeast Asia, Japan, and Europe. Every detail in this guide is primary-source verified as of April 2026, with prices auto-refreshed via live exchange rate APIs. This isn't AI-generated boilerplate — it's written from the perspective of someone who has actually been there.