Japan HIROSAKI CASTLE SNOW LANTERN FESTIVAL (Aomori prefecture): Feb. 10-13, until 9 p.m.; one of five greatest snow festivals in northern Japan, featuring 150 Japanese garden-style lanterns, snow sculptures and 300 snow huts in which children play house; one-minute walk from a bus stop of Shiyakusho-mae Koen-mae after taking a bus at No. 6; 0172-37-5501; www.city.hirosaki.aomori.jp/kanko/matsuri/h23fuyu.html (Japanese only).

NATIONAL FOUNDATION DAY: Feb. 11; This national holiday is held to commemorate the founding of the Japanese nation, and is known as Kenkoku Kinen-no-hi, or National Foundation Day. It was originally called Kigen-setsu before World War II, and is said to be the day on which Japan’s first emperor ascended to the throne. The holiday was abolished after the WWII and reinstated under its present name in 1967.

JAPAN CAMPING CAR SHOW 2011 (Chiba): Feb. 11-13, 10 a.m.-6 p.m., until 5 p.m. Sun.; 84 companies, domestic and overseas, have booths to display 200 see camping cars, outdoor equipment, campsite and tourism information; Makuhari Messe Exhibition Halls 9-10; five-minute walk from Kaihim-Makuhari Station on JR Keiyo Line; 500 yen adults, 300 yen children ages 15 and younger; 03-3452-0732; http://camp-rv.com (Japanese only).

ASAKUSA ANTIQUE FAIR (Tokyo): Feb. 11-13; more than 100 licensed antique dealers handling Japanese, European and American antiques participate; Sangyo Boeki Center - Taito-Kan, three-minute walk from Asakusa Station; free; 03-5982-8810; www.kotto-ichi.com/asakusa.htm (Japanese only).

NIKULIN CIRCUS (Tokyo): Feb. 11-March 21; select artists from the Russian Nikulin Circus theater; JCB Hall of Tokyo Dome, six-minute walk from JR Suidobashi Station, nine-minute walk from Korakuen Station on Marunouchi-Line; 3,000-6,000-9,000 yen; 0570-06-9936; www.nikulin-circus.jp/ (Japanese only).

ANTIQUE FAIR (Tokyo): Feb. 13 & 27, 6 a.m.-5 p.m.; at Tomioka Hachiman Shrine in Monzennaka-cho, four-minute walk from Monzennakacho Station on Tozai Line and Oedo Line; 0276-38-3417; www.kotto-rakuichi.com/ (Japanese only).

NARCISSUS FESTIVAL AT KASAI RINKAI PARK (Tokyo): End Feb. 13, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 200,000 narcissus flowers in bloom along with live performances and concerts at the largest park in Tokyo; one-minute walk from Rinkai Koen Station on JR Keiyo-Line; 03-5696-1331; www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/park/detail_02.html.

SAPPORO INTERNATIONAL SKI MARATHON 2011 (Hakkaido): Feb. 13, 10 a.m.; starts and goals at Sapporo Dome; 50km and 25km for ski marathon, 10km, 5km, 3km for ski walk; 5,000 yen for 50km, 4,500 yen for 25km; 2,000 yen for 10km, 5km and 3km (500 yen ages 15 and younger); 10-minute walk from Fukuzumi Station on Touhou-Line; 0180-1888-9778; www.shsf.jp/ski/index-e.html.

OTARU YUKI-AKARI NO MICHI (SNOW CANDLE) (Hokkaido): Ends Feb. 13, 5-9 p.m.; features 400 floating candles on canals; 0134-32-4111; www.yukiakarinomichi.org/ (Japanese only).

COUNTRY FARM GERMAN VILLAGE WINTER ILLUMINATION (Chiba prefecture): Ends Feb. 13, 4-8 p.m.; one of the biggest illuminations in Japan with 2,000,000 LEDs; 1,000 yen for one vehicle, 500 yen for walk-ins; five-minute drive from Anesaki Sodegaura I.C. on Tateyama Express or an eight-minute drive from Kisarazu Higashi I.C. on Ken-oh Express; 0438-60-5511.

TABLEWARE FESTIVAL 2011 (Tokyo): Ends Feb.13, 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; Tokyo Dome, JR Suidobashi Station/Korakuen Station; 2,000 yen; 03-3817-6239; www.tokyo-dome.co.jp (Japanese only).

62nd SAPPORO SNOW FESTIVAL (Hokkaido): Ends Feb.13; snow and ice sculptures and a snow sculpture contest; Sapporo, Hokkaido; 011-211-2376; www.snowfes.com/english/index.html.

NAGASAKI HUIS TEN BOSCH CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL (Nagasaki prefecture): Ends Feb. 14; select five favorites from 18 varieties of chocolates during the festival at this Dutch-style theme park; 2,500 yen adults, senior and junior high school students, 800 yen ages 4-12; 0956-27-0001; http://english.huistenbosch.co.jp/.

TOKYO DOME CITY WINTER ILLUMINATION (Tokyo): Ends Feb. 14, 5 p.m.-1 a.m.; Tokyo Dome City is lit with 1,500,000 LED lights; Sobu Line Suidobashi Station; 03-5800- 9999.

SHINJUKU TERRACE CITY ILLUMINATION (Tokyo): Ends Feb. 14, 5 p.m.-midnight; decorated with blue & white lights; Shinjuku Terrace City Event Park, one-minute walk from JR Shinjuku South exit; www.odakyu.jp/terrace-city/english/.

NAGASAKI LANTERN FESTIVAL (Nagasaki prefecture): Ends Feb.17; Nagasaki was the only port in Japan opened to foreign trade in Japan during the Edo Period for more than 200 years. The island of Dejima, constructed in Nagasaki Bay was the only port given to Westerners to stay and trade while Chinese people were also confined in a limited land called “Tojin Yashiki” and it developed into ah Chinatown in Nagasaki after the Meiji Restoration. Chinese New Year celebrations in Nagasaki take place at seven locations in the city including Shinchimachi, Nagasaki’s Chinatown, Minato Koen (main stage) and it features glowing lanterns, lion and dragon dances; 095-829-1314; www.nagasaki-lantern.com/ (Japanese only).

YOKOHAMA CHINATOWN (Kanagawa prefecture): Ends Feb.17; Chinese New Year special performance of traditional music instrument Koto, Chinese acrobatics and Chinese dragon dance at Yamashita Park special stage; one-minute walk from Motomachi Station on Minato-mirai Line or a seven-minute walk from Kan-nai Station on JR Keihin Tohoku Line; 045-662-1252; www.chinatown.or.jp/agenda/event/2011shunsetsu (Japanese only).

OEDO ANTIQUE FAIR (Tokyo): Feb. 20, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.; more than 250 licensed antique dealers participate in the largest open-air antique fair in Japan; courtyard of Tokyo International Forum, 3-5-1 Marunouchi, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; one-minute walk from Yurakucho Station, JR Yamanote Line; 03-5805-1093; www.t-i-forum.co.jp/english/index.html (Japanese only).

MARUNOUCHI BUILDING BRIGHT CHRISTMAS (Tokyo): Until Feb. 20, 9 a.m.-11 p.m.; 220 trees with 850,000 champagne gold LED lights; one-minute walk from JR Tokyo Station; 03-5218-5100.

45th OME MARATHON: Feb. 20; about 20,000 runners participate every year; 10K race 9:30 a.m., 30K race 11:30 a.m.; Nihon Tobacco Ome building, starting line near JR Kabe Station, Ome Line; 0428-22-1111; www.ohme-marathon.jp/ (Japanese only).

YOYOGI PARK EARTH DAY MARKET (Tokyo): Feb. 20, 10 a.m.-4 p.m.; 55 market on organic products and miscellaneous goods; 10-minute walk from JR Harajuku Station; Earth Day Money Association 03-6806-9281; www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/park/detail_03.html#yoyogi.

KOGANEI PARK PLUM FESTIVAL (Tokyo): Ends Feb. 27; includes an open-air tea service, 11 a.m.-3:30 p.m. for 300 yen and Koto concert at 1, 2 & 3 p.m. Feb. 19 & 20; 10-minute bus ride from JR Musahi Koganei Station and get off at Koganei Koen Nishiguchi; free; 042-385-5611; www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/park/detail_02.html#koganei.

KOISHIKAWA KORAKUEN PLUM BLOSSOMS FESTIVAL (Tokyo): Ends Feb. 27, 9 a.m.-5 p.m.; 120 plum trees in 11 varieties blossom in early Feb., plus live performances at 1 & 3 p.m. Feb. 13 & 20; two-minute walk from Iidabashi Station on Oedo-Line or an eight-minute walk from Iidabashi Station on Sobu-Line; 300 yen; 03-3811-3015; www.tokyo-park.or.jp/english/park/detail_05.html#koishikawa.

TOWADAKO LAKE WINTER FESTIVAL 2011 (Aomori prefecture): Ends Feb. 27; Towadako Lake celebrates Snow and Light Fantavista with a snow-covered lakeside and illuminated ships on the lake plus food booths, live music and 10-minute fireworks display daily after 8 p.m.; Aomori prefecture; 0176-75-2425; www.towadakofuyumonogatari.com/main.html (Japanese only).

ODAWARA PLUM BLOSSOMS FESTIVAL (Kanagawa prefecture): Ends Feb. 28; plum blossoms here begin blooming in late January and a celebration of the blossoms will be at the Odawara Castle Park in Odawara city; 10-minute walk from JR Shimosoga Station on Tokaido-Line; 0465-22-5002.

YUSHIMA TENJIN PLUM BLOSSOMS FESTIVAL (Tokyo): Ends March 8; among the most popular spots in central Tokyo to appreciate the plum blossoms, with 300 trees with white and red blossoms and is dedicated to Sugawara Michizane, a great scholar of the ninth century; Yushima station on Chiyoda-Line; free; 03-3836-0753; www.yushimatenjin.or.jp/pc/ume/ (Japanese only).

OSHIMA TSUBAKI (CAMELLIA) FESTIVAL (Tokyo): Ends March 21; Oshima Island is famous for camellia flowers and camellia oil products and this annual festival is held when camellias are in bloom; ferry available from Kurihama (Yokosuka) Port to the island; Oshima Tourism Association: 04992-2-2177, Tokai Kisen (ferry); 03-5472-9999; www.izu-oshima.or.jp/info/others/links/links.html.

YOKOHAMA AKARENGA WAREHOUSE ART & ICE SKATING (Kanagawa prefecture): ends Feb. 28, 1-10 p.m. weekdays, 11 a.m-10 p.m. weekends; art of lights with the theme of Ice Painting Dreams designed by XLR Project illuminates the warehouse and neighboring ice skating rink; 500 yen adults, 400 yen children; 500 yen shoe rental; 045-211-1515; www.yokohama-akarenga.jp (Japanese only).

CIRQUE DU SOLEIL “ZED” (Chiba prefecture): show is a dramatic mix of circus arts and street entertainment and through March 6, neighboring Tokyo Disneyland is offering tourists and non-Japanese living in Japan a 25 percent discount from regular prices: 7,500-9,500-12,500-15,000 yen to discounted prices: 5,620-7,120-9,370-11,250 yen; get tickets by visiting www.zed.co.jp then, choose the page in English, Chinese or Korean and go to www.Cirque.com; 0473-55-9621.

FUJIKYU HIGHLAND ICE SKATING (Yamanashi prefecture): Ends March 21, closed Feb. 8; three ice skating rinks; Fujikyu Higland Ice Skating, 5-6-1, Nishihara, Fuji-Yoshida city, Yamanashi prefecture, in front of Lake Kawaguchi I.C. on Chuo Express, 90-minute drive from Tokyo or a three-minute drive from Fuji-Yoshida I.C. on Higashi-Fuji Highway; 1,200 yen adults, 600 yen children; 1,000 yen shoe rental; 0555-23-2111; www.fujiq.jp/en/.

SAYAMA SKI & SNOWBOARD: ends April 3; indoor ski and snowboarding slope; 2167 Kami-yamaguchi, Tokorozawa city, Saitama prefecture, Seibu Kyujo-mae Station, Seibu Line; one-day pass on weekdays: 3,500 yen adults, 2,500 yen junior and senior high school students and 2,000 yen elementary school students, 2,500 yen seniors, weekends: 4,000 yen, 2,800 yen, 2,200 yen and 2,800 yen each, three-hour pass: 2,500 yen, 2,000 yen, 1,500 yen and 2,000 yen each; 04-2922-1384; www.sayama-ski.jp/ (Japanese only).

MEIJI JINGU ICE SKATING (TOKYO): year-round, 12-6 p.m. (Mon.-Fri.); 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (weekends); adults1,300 yen per day, children 900 yen per day and after 3 p.m., adults 1,000 yen and children 700 yen and 500 yen for shoe rental; Kasumigaoka, Shinjuku-ku, one-minute walk from Kokuritsu Kyogijyo on subway Oedo Line or five-minute walk from JR Shinanomachi Station on JR Sobu Line; 03-3403-3458; www.meijijingugaien.jp/english/ice-skating.html.

Okinawa 18th TAKETOMI-CHO YAMANEKO (WILDCAT) MARATHON: Feb. 12; starts and ends at Taketomi-cho Uehara Elementary School playground; 23km half-marathon at 12:40 p.m., followed by 10km at 12:50 and 3 km at 1 p.m.; 40-minute ferry ride from Ishigaki Port or five-minute ride from Uehara Port; 098-82-6191; www.yamanekomarathon.jp/ (Japanese only).

SHURI CASTLE PARK FLOWER FESTIVAL: Ends Feb. 13; featuries flowers, and the illumination of Shuri Castle 6-8 p.m.; 1-2 Shuri Kinjo-cho, Naha city, Okinawa prefecture; 800 yen adults, 600 yen ages 16-18, 300 yen children; 098-886-2020; www.shurijo.com/english/index.html.

OKINAWA INTERNATIONAL ORCHID SHOW 2011: Ends Feb. 13, 8:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m.; more than 10,000 orchids on display; Ocean Expo Park’s Tropical Dream Center at Motobu Town; 670 yen adults, 340 yen children; 0980-48-3624; www.oki-park.jp/tropical/orchidshow/jp_oios/index.htm (Japanese only).

19th OKINAWA MARATHON: Feb. 20, 9 a.m.-3:15 p.m.; marathon starting at Okinawa Prefecture Comprehensive Athletic Park (Awase) at 9 a.m. followed by 10K at 9:30 a.m.; 2,700 yen adults, 1,200 yen for senior high school students for 10K, 4,500 yen adults, 3,500 yen for senior high school students and ages 60 and older) for marathon; 098-930-0088; www.okinawa-marathon.com/eng/.

ZAMAMI VILLAGE WHALE WATCHING FESTIVAL 2011: Ends early April; ships sail 10:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. from Zamami Port; 5,250 yen adults, 2,625 yen children; 50-minute express boat from Naha Port; 098-896-4141; www.vill.zamami.okinawa.jp/village.aspx?RL=R&LK=134.

OKINAWA FLOWER CARNIVAL 2011: Ends May 5; showcasing flowers; Shuri Castle Park, Okinawa Commemorative Government Park, Okinawa Kenritsu Budokan, Nakijin Castle Park and Yaedake Cherry Park; Okinawa Sightseeing Convention Bureau 098-859-6129.

Korea MUSICAL, “GREASE” (Seoul): open-ended run, 8 p.m., Mon., Wed.-Fri., 3 & 7 p.m., Sat., 2 & 6 p.m., Sun. and holidays, Dongsoong Art Center; 40,000-60,000 won; 1588-5212.

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