Travel

Japan’s Winter Travel Guide | Tourist Destinations, Snow Festivals, and Activities

 
Japan's Winter Travel Guide | Tourist Destinations, Snow Festivals, and Activities

Japan’s winter shows different faces across regions, offering various charms to travelers. In northern areas, you can enjoy snowy landscapes and hot springs, while urban areas sparkle with illuminations under crisp, clear air. You can also choose warm regions like Okinawa to avoid the cold.

Winter-exclusive festivals, local cuisine, and snow-covered landmarks provide precious opportunities to experience the depth of Japanese culture. By dressing appropriately for the cold, you can comfortably enjoy sightseeing and experiences.

This article introduces the optimal time to visit in winter, recommended tourist destinations, seasonal festivals, and activities you should experience. Use this as a reference to systematically enjoy Japan’s winter.

Contents

1.　When is the best time to enjoy Japan’s winter?

Japan’s winter generally arrives from December to February, but climate and temperatures vary greatly by region.

Northern Japan is wrapped in severe cold, with Hokkaido and the Tohoku region often dropping below -10°C. In Eastern Japan, winter in Tokyo and the Kanto region is relatively mild with daytime temperatures around 2-10°C, but high-altitude areas like Nagano and Gunma can drop below freezing. Western Japan sees somewhat milder cold with temperatures around 2-8°C in Kyoto and Osaka, but Japan Sea-side areas like Fukui and Ishikawa can experience heavy snowfall. Southern Japan’s Okinawa and Amami have a subtropical climate, staying warm at 15-20°C even in winter, suitable for travelers wanting to avoid the cold.

If you want the most winter-like experience, January to February is the ideal travel period. During this time, snowy landscapes are most beautiful, and winter festivals and illuminations are held throughout the country. Those who dislike cold weather should choose early December or late February for more comfortable conditions.

In cold regions, down jackets, winter boots, gloves, and scarves are essential. In urban areas of Kanto and Kansai, thick coats and layered clothing are sufficient, but hats and ear warmers are helpful on windy days. By preparing layered clothing to adapt to temperature changes, you can comfortably enjoy Japan’s winter.

2.　5 must-visit winter destinations in Japan

Here we introduce 5 carefully selected representative spots that are easy to navigate for first-time visitors and offer winter-exclusive experiences. All are best viewed from late December to February, particularly beautiful during early morning or after sunset hours.

2-1.　Yamagata Prefecture | Ginzan Onsen

Ginzan Onsen, lined with Taisho Romantic wooden ryokan, is photogenic with snow and gas lamps softly illuminating the streetscape. The hot spring town is easy to walk around, with foot baths and public baths readily accessible. The most atmospheric time is after sunset, when the continuous lights of ryokan viewed from bridges along the river create an impressive scene.

Road surfaces freeze frequently, so prepare shoes with non-slip soles and warm clothing. Local flavors like Yamagata beef and soba are popular for meals, and staying overnight allows you to fully experience the tranquility of snow country.

2-2.　Nagano Prefecture | Jigokudani Yaen Koen

Known for Japanese macaques (snow monkeys) bathing in natural hot springs, this park allows observation of wild animals’ natural behavior in snowy landscapes.

Access is by bus from Nagano Station or Yudanaka Station, then a 30-40 minute walk through snowy paths from the entrance. Morning hours have relatively fewer crowds, allowing for peaceful photography.

Staying at nearby Shibu Onsen or Yudanaka Onsen makes it easier to combine with hot spring hopping and reduces transportation risks during snowfall.

2-3.　Ishikawa Prefecture | Kanazawa Kenrokuen

One of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, Kenrokuen is iconic for its winter snow-hanging (yukitsuri). This traditional technique of supporting branches with ropes and bamboo elegantly displays snow-covered pines. The best viewing time is immediately after snowfall, especially in the morning when ponds and streams are bordered in white.

Easily accessible by local bus from Kanazawa Station, it’s convenient to combine with visits to the castle site park, Omicho Market, and tea districts. Night illuminations are sometimes held, offering a solemn expression different from daytime.

2-4.　Gifu Prefecture | Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go, where gassho-zukuri villages are enveloped in snow, presents a magnificent contrast between steep thatched roofs and winter scenery. Heavy snowfall typically occurs from January to February, and weekend illumination days may require advance reservations and traffic restrictions. To avoid crowds, choose weekdays or morning hours for peaceful walking.

Village paths are cleared of snow but surfaces freeze easily, making non-slip shoes and gloves essential. Many eateries serve Hida beef and local cuisine, perfect for cold-day meals.

2-5.　Yamanashi Prefecture | Fujiyoshida City

Winter’s clear air increases days when snow-capped Mount Fuji appears distinctly.In Fujiyoshida, the classic composition from Arakurayama Sengen Park’s Chureito Pagoda overlooking Mount Fuji is beautiful when morning light colors the mountainside. Steps can become slippery with snow and ice, so prepare shoes with grip and gloves.

Surrounding areas have Yoshida udon shops and bathing facilities for post-photography relaxation. Since weather affects visibility, plan with extra days to target clear weather for ideal Mount Fuji shots.

3.　Recommended festivals that color Japan’s winter

Japan’s winter features many festivals that shine brightest in severe cold.

Most representative is the “Sapporo Snow Festival,” held annually in February, where giant snow and ice sculptures line Sapporo’s Odori Park and Susukino, illuminated at night to create fantastical scenes. Akita’s “Yokote Kamakura Festival” is a traditional event continuing over 450 years, where snow huts called “kamakura” enshrine water deities, and candles illuminate the snowy landscape fantastically at night.

Aomori’s “Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival” features snow lanterns and projection mapping against the historic castle backdrop, creating a collaboration of light and snow. Additionally, Iwate’s “Iwate Snow Festival” is held at Koiwai Farm, popular with families for activities like giant snow sculptures, horse sledding, and snow slides.

These festivals provide excellent opportunities to experience snow country culture and winter artistry, forming a major attraction of Japan’s winter travel.

4.　Experience ideas to fully enjoy Japan’s winter

The key to enjoying winter Japan is combining “warming up and moving around.” Taste nabe hot pot and oden, warm your body in outdoor baths, and ski on powdery slopes. At night, stroll through illuminated streets and pray for the new year at temples and shrines. With layered clothing and comfortable walking shoes, you can spend the entire day comfortably.

4-1.　Taste winter cuisine

On cold nights, dishes like nabe hot pot, sukiyaki, and oden are classics. Steam and dashi aroma spread, allowing you to fully enjoy vegetables, meat, and tofu.Street vendor roasted sweet potatoes and tea house zenzai (sweet red bean soup) also warm the body.

Choosing local specialties (crab, regional hot pots, noodles) increases travel satisfaction.

4-2.　Warm body and soul in hot springs

Snow-viewing outdoor baths are winter travel highlights. Wash your body before entering, avoid long soaks, and drink water frequently to prevent dehydration. Rules about mixed bathing, tattoos, and photography vary by facility, so checking in advance ensures peace of mind.

Japan has famous hot springs scattered throughout, including Kusatsu, Noboribetsu, and Beppu, enjoyable for both day trips and overnight stays.

4-3.　Enjoy skiing and snowboarding

Beginners should utilize rentals and lessons to start with basics. Niseko, Hakuba, and Gala Yuzawa are recommended for abundant access options and course variety. After skiing, warm up at nearby hot springs or restaurants to reset travel fatigue.

4-4.　Experience winter illuminations

Illuminations typically run from November to February, with street trees and plazas colored by lights. To avoid crowds, target weekday opening times or just before closing. For extended outdoor stays, thoroughly protect against cold with gloves, hats, and thermal underwear.

Taking out warm drinks from nearby cafes allows comfortable touring.

4-5.　Visit temples and shrines for New Year

New Year visits (hatsumode) center on January 1-3. Bow at torii gates, purify at hand-washing basins, then proceed to main halls. Make offerings, perform two bows, two claps, and one bow for worship, and take time to consider yearly goals with temple stamps and fortune slips.

In central Tokyo, Meiji Shrine is standard, while Fushimi Inari is popular in Kansai, but crowds continue, so early morning or post-January 4th visits are alternatives for peaceful touring.

Conclusion

Japan’s winter offers particularly diverse enjoyments among the four seasons, including snowy landscapes, hot springs, festivals, and illuminations. Options range from trips experiencing northern regions’ magnificent nature and snow culture, to urban stays enjoying illuminations and gourmet food, to resort experiences in warm areas.

To comfortably enjoy winter, cold protection and travel planning are essential. Preparing layered clothing and non-slip shoes allows you to handle cold and road conditions, spending the entire day with confidence. Making cold your ally and incorporating diverse activities is the greatest secret to fully enjoying Japan’s winter.

*This article is based on information available as of September 2025.

Travel
RELATED POST