Traveling to Japan in winter offers a magical experience, as the country transforms into a serene wonderland blanketed in snow. This season is perfect for exploring Japan’s unique blend of traditional culture and modern wonders, set against a stunning backdrop of snowy landscapes and festive illuminations.
Winter Weather in Japan
How cold is winter in Japan? It’s pretty chilly in most areas. But if you like feeling cozy, you’ll enjoy the Japanese winter.
Winter Months in Japan
Winter here usually goes from early December to mid-March. How cold and long it is depends on where you are in Japan.
- Central Japan (like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka): Expect temperatures from 25 to 45 °F (-4 to 7 °C).
- Mountainous and Northern Japan (like Tohoku, Hokkaido, Japan Alps): It’s colder here with lots of snow and a longer winter.
- Southern and Western Japan (like Kyushu, Shikoku, Okinawa): It’s still cold, but less so than other parts.
December in Japan
Early December in Hokkaido feels like winter, but Tokyo and Kyoto might still seem like autumn. You can enjoy clear skies and might see Mount Fuji from tall buildings in Tokyo.
By late December, it’s winter all over Japan, though Kyushu and Okinawa are milder.
January in Japan
After New Year’s, when the crowds are gone, it gets really cold. Skiing is great in January in places like the Alps, Tohoku, and Hokkaido. There aren’t many tourists in January, except at ski resorts. So, you could have popular spots like Kyoto almost to yourself.
February in Japan
In February, people in Japan look forward to spring, which starts showing up by mid-March. This month can be cold and gray, but it’s still a great time for tourists if you don’t mind the cold.
The Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido is in February. It’s an amazing event with ice sculptures and lots of winter fun. But remember, holidays bring crowds, and Chinese New Year (often in February) can be especially busy.
March in Japan
Winter technically continues into March, but by mid-March, the cherry blossoms start blooming, signaling the start of spring.
Top 10 Japan Destinations In Winter
Japan isn’t just about cherry blossoms in spring or autumn leaves. Winter here is also special. When it gets cold, the country turns into a magical place with some of its best views.
Whether you like skiing at big resorts, relaxing in a hot spring town covered in snow, or enjoying an ice festival, there’s a lot to do in winter. And don’t worry about the cold – you can always get warm by soaking in a hot spring or eating a big bowl of ramen. If you’re considering visiting somewhere new this winter, consider these beautiful spots in Japan.
Zao Snow Monsters, Yamagata
The Zao Hot Springs Ski Resort is known for its breathtaking ice monsters, also called juhyo. These are evergreen trees covered in thick snow, creating a stunning winter landscape. To see these ice monsters, certain weather conditions must be just right, so they can only be found in a few places and at specific times, making them a rare and special sight.
Shirakawa-go, Gifu
Shirakawa-go, a beautifully preserved village in Japan, becomes even more enchanting in winter. Recognized as a Unesco World Heritage Site, this village is famous for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses with thatched roofs. These unique houses, now turned into hotels, restaurants, and museums, are built to handle heavy snow. When covered in fresh snow, they create a magical, fairy-tale-like scene.
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Toyama
This amazing journey through the Japanese Alps goes from Toyama to Nagano and shows off stunning views. The most eye-catching part is the huge snow corridor, where snow piles up to 20 meters high. For safety, this snow corridor only opens in spring, but pictures from here can easily make it look like it’s still winter.
Kamakura Snow Hut Village, Nagano
In Nagano, there’s a special igloo village that’s actually a restaurant, open every winter. Called Restaurant Kamakura Village, it consists of 20 temporary igloos in the snowy Japanese Alps, located in the small town of Iiyama. Each igloo can host up to four guests, who get to enjoy noroshi nabe, a delicious local stew made with miso, pork, and fresh vegetables. This unique snowy dining experience will be available from January 20 to February 26, 2023.
Yunishigawa Onsen, Tochigi
The Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival in Tochigi prefecture turns into a magical winter wonderland every year. Happening from late January to early March, the festival lights up hundreds of small snow huts, called kamakura. Visitors can walk among these huts, beautifully set up around the Sawaguchi riverbed near Yunishigawa Onsen. This year, the festival is planned from Friday, January 27 to Sunday, February 26.
Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano
Visit this park in Joshinetsu Kogen National Park, Nagano, to see the famous Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys. They love to relax in the warm hot spring waters. While the monkeys use the onsen all year, the best time to see them in a snowy setting is from January to February.
Nabana no Sato Illuminations, Mie
The Nabana no Sato light-up, though not about snow, is one of Japan’s most stunning winter illuminations. Located in a botanical garden on Nagashima Island in Mie prefecture, it transforms into a dazzling display with millions of LED lights. These lights create sparkling scenes like rivers and waterfalls. The illumination lasts until May, giving you lots of time to visit and enjoy the spectacle.
Sapporo Snow Festival, Hokkaido
Every February, the city of Sapporo transforms into a magical winter wonderland for its annual Snow Festival. This tradition began in 1950 with students making snow statues in Odori Park. It has grown into a week-long event featuring amazing ice sculptures in Odori Park, Tsudome community dome, and the Susukino district.
The 2021 sculpture contest was canceled due to the coronavirus, but there’s hope that the festival will return even more spectacular in 2022.
Otaru, Hokkaido
Every February, Otaru, a port city in Hokkaido, puts on its annual snow festival, the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival. It’s quite a sight, with the city’s streets lit up by hundreds of lights and decorated with snow statues. A highlight is the floating lights on Otaru’s main canal, close to the fashionable Warehouse District. Interested in seeing it? This season’s festival is set for February 11 to 18, 2023.
8 Unforgettable Winter Experiences Unique to Japan
Exploring Japan in winter offers a unique and magical experience, often overlooked in favor of cherry blossom season or autumn. Here’s why you should consider a winter trip to Japan:
- Savor Fresh Sushi and Seafood: Winter is a culinary delight in Japan, especially for seafood lovers. Cities like Tokyo, Kanazawa, and Hokkaido boast top-notch sushi with seasonal specialties. Oysters, a winter treat, are best enjoyed in Hiroshima and Tohoku with a side of local sake.
- Indulge in Wintertime Comfort Foods: Japanese comfort foods are a highlight in winter. In Sapporo, don’t miss soup curry and miso ramen. Nationwide, enjoy oden, a hearty broth with ingredients like daikon and tofu, and nabe, a shared hotpot perfect for cold evenings.
- Relax in Cozy Bars and Cafes: Winter is a great time to experience an izakaya, a Japanese-style tavern serving tapas-like dishes and sake. These local spots offer a warm refuge and a chance to mingle with locals.
- Experience Luxury Ryokans and Onsen: Onsen, or hot springs, are a must in winter. Staying in a ryokan (traditional inn) with onsen is a quintessential experience, combining nature, culture, and exquisite meals.
- Enjoy Japan’s Legendary Skiing and Snowboarding: Winter sports enthusiasts will love Japan’s abundant snowfall. Hokkaido is famous for its powder, offering destinations like Niseko, while the Japan Alps and Tohoku also offer excellent skiing and snowboarding.
- Meet Japan’s Snow Monkeys: In Nagano’s Snow Monkey Park, Japanese macaques enjoy onsen just like humans. This unique sight is particularly charming in the snowy winter landscape.
- Celebrate New Year’s Japanese Style: New Year’s is a significant time in Japan. While cities like Tokyo and Osaka host lively parties, the traditional side shines in historic cities with temple bells and shrine visits.
- Enjoy the Serenity of Fewer Crowds: Winter, apart from ski resorts and holidays, is a quieter time to explore Japan. It’s perfect for those who prefer a less crowded experience and don’t mind a little cold.
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Bottom Line
Traveling to Japan in winter offers a unique blend of serene snowscapes and vibrant cultural experiences. It’s an ideal time to explore the country’s quiet beauty and cozy traditions.
