February is short but packed with seasonal events, especially around Valentine’s Day.
Valentine’s Collab Cafes
Throughout February, Animate Cafes and pop-up venues host Valentine’s-themed collaborations with popular anime series. Expect:
- Themed food and drink menus
- Exclusive merchandise (coasters, acrylic stands, clear files)
- Photo spots with character cutouts
Check the Animate Cafe reservation system — these book up weeks in advance. Walk-in wait times can exceed 2 hours.
AnimeJapan Ticket Lottery
AnimeJapan (late March) opens its advance ticket lottery in February. The main draw: Saturday tickets (the enthusiast day) sell out. Enter the lottery through Lawson Ticket or the official website.
Setsubun Aftermath
Don’t worry if you missed February 3 — smaller shrines hold Setsubun events on the nearest weekend. Senso-ji’s main event is always on the 3rd, but neighborhood shrines have more lenient schedules.
Coming Up in March
- AnimeJapan — Tokyo’s biggest anime industry convention
- NicoNico Chokaigi — late April, but announcements start
- Hinamatsuri (March 3) — Doll Festival
Vocab: バレンタインデー Barentain Dē — Valentine’s Day. In Japan, it’s women who give chocolates. The return day (White Day) is March 14.