From winter delicacies like shabu-shabu (hot pot) to serene hot springs, must-experience winter festivals, and the famous snowcapped Mount Fuji, there really is no question about Japan being a consistent top winter destination to visit, so we get why you’re here in this very page right now! 😉
Apart from the chilly air and blanket of pure white snow, Japan’s winter comes with the excitement of the coming New Year. If you visit during December, you’ll get to experience fun New Year Japanese traditions like Osechi, an assortment of traditional Japanese food to ring in the coming year, and Fukubukuro, or “good luck bags”, heavily discounted bags filled with all sorts of assorted goodies.
Now, let’s help you gear up for your Japan winter trip – from what to wear, what to expect, what to do, and how to get around!
Don't miss these winter activities for your Japan itinerary! 🗻
Activities
✨ Hokkaido
✨ Gifu
Shirakawago Light-up Event only happens 6 days in a year, so be sure to book early!
✨ Mt. Fuji
🚌 Ski Resort Transfers⛷️
Japan winter wear and when to expect snow
Photo credit: Denny Ryanto on Unsplash
Snowfall in Japan
Snowy conditions typically start mid-December and continue until early April, with the northern regions, like Hokkaido and Tohoku, getting the first hints of snow. If you really want to experience Japan’s famous blankets of snow though, you’d want to visit during its peak in January and February.
Klook Tip: Don’t fret if you can’t make it during winter, you can still reach snow in the spring with the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route in Toyama Prefecture! The best time to visit is in April, where you’ll get to experience passing through a gigantic corridor made up of snow, reaching 20 meters high!
What to wear
When it comes to preparing for winter in Japan, it’s best to protect yourselves by layering up like a pro. You’ll want to equip yourselves with thermal undergarments for a solid warm base, then add on more layers like your coziest wool sweaters, and lastly, finish off with a trusty parka or puffer jacket. You’ll also want to invest in a good pair of winter boots to trudge through the snow.
Apart from Japan winter wear, you should also consider heat packs. They’re tiny packs you can find at convenience stores that heat up instantly, so you can hold onto them to keep warm.
Klook Tip: If you aren’t used to the winter cold, note that it can be very harsh on your skin, so stock up on your trusted moisturizer, and yes – still use sunscreen!
Now that you’re equipped with the basics, let’s get into all the enchanting winter activities you can experience for an epic winter in Japan holiday!
Catch the Shirakawa-go Winter Light-Up and more winter festivals in Japan
Shirakawa-go Winter Light-Up
While Shirakawa-go is wonderful during any season, it’s in the wintertime when you get to see the famous roofs blanketed with thick snow, even made more magical with the warm glow bouncing off the lights throughout Ogimachi village during the Winter Light-Up event.
The roof’s prayer-hands-like style, called gassho-zukuri, was intentionally built this way not for its looks but mainly to withstand the heavy snowfall that comes with winter.
Major #KlookTip: Book your Shirakawago Winter Light-Up 2024 slots ASAP before they run out! To avoid overcrowding in the village, only visitors with reservations are allowed in. Here are some of the tours you can book right away:
🗓️ Shirakawa-go Light Up Event Dates:
- 14, 21, 28 January 2024
- 4, 12, 18 February 2024
If you’re planning to catch the Winter Light-Up event, it’s best to book ahead to secure your slot as there are strict measures to avoid overcrowding.
📌 Here are ways you can get in the Shirakawa-go light-up event
- By tour: There are Shirakawago tours available from various origins like Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka. Check them out here
- By car: For those with cars, you can reserve a parking space via the Shirakawa-go Tourist Association website.
- By staying overnight: It’s also possible to book an overnight stay at one of the farmhouses in the village, also via their tourist association website. Because of the limited rooms, a lottery-based system may take place.
More Japan winter festivals to watch out for
Photo credit: JNTO
The country’s also known for its winter festivals – from down south in Okinawa to all the way up north in Hokkaido! Here are some festivals you should watch out for during the winter season:
Ryukyu Kaiensai Fireworks Festival in Okinawa
Japan is known for many amazing things, but if you didn’t know yet, they’re also known for their stunning firework shows! If you’ll be around Okinawa come 24 December 2023, you should add the Ryukyu Kaiensai Fireworks Festival to your itinerary. Apart from the fireworks, you get to enjoy Okinawan food, and musical performances, among many other things! You could also book your tickets in advance for easy entry.
Yokote Kamakura Festival in Akita
Photo credit: JNTO
Up north in Akita prefecture is where you’ll find the city of Yokote and The Kamakura Festival. The festival is held every February 15 and 16 and is popular for its kamakura or snow houses similar to igloos. Locals make an offering to the water deity this time and visitors can also expect delicacies like amazake (sweet rice wine) and rice cakes.
📌 How to get to Yokote: From Tokyo, you can book a single-journey ticket to reach Omagari Station in Akita by Shinkansen then catch a local train to Yokote. Otherwise, if you have either the JR East Tohoku Area Pass, JR East South Hokkaido Pass, or the JR Pass for the Whole Japan, you may use those as well.
Obihiro Ice Festival & Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido
Both the Obihiro Ice Festival and Sapporo Snow Festival are in the Hokkaido region, so you can expect tons of snow. In Obihiro, you can see massive ice sculptures, a whole bunch of food stalls, and even get to play on slides made out of ice! In Sapporo, you’ll get to see huge snow sculptures with intricate details, snow slides, and live concerts too!
📌 How to get to Obihiro: You can book a limited express train ticket that travels from Sapporo directly to Obihiro. Check out the table below for more details on other express trains in Hokkaido!
How to get around Hokkaido
Apart from car rentals, there are also limited express trains you can take throughout Hokkaido. You can check out the table below to help you with booking your train tickets.
Departure Station | Arrival Station | Train Line | Book Here |
|---|---|---|---|
Sapporo | Obihiro | ||
Kushiro | |||
Abashiri | |||
Wakkanai | |||
Asahikawa | |||
Hakodate | |||
Noboribetsu |
Klook Tip: Make sure to add extra buffer time to your itinerary, even Japan's efficient trains can get delayed especially during the winter.
Go on a ski adventure
No Japan winter itinerary is complete without hitting the slopes! The country has the best conditions for going skiing and snowboarding, with popular ski resort destinations like Niseko and Rusutsu in Hokkaido, Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen in Nagano, among others.
⛷️ Ski Lessons
Embrace the thrill of Japan winter by finally taking that step to learn how to ski. You can easily find private ski lessons, so you’ll be gliding through the snow in no time!
🚌 Ski Resort Transfers
Looking for a stress-free way to enjoy the slopes? There are shuttle buses available to get you from New Chitose Airport to major ski resorts in Niseko, Kiroro, and more.
Embrace the cold with more winter-perfect activities
Winter adds an extra layer of enchantment to Mt. Fuji, making it an absolute must-visit. The season is also the time when the skies are the clearest, making the famous snowcapped Mt. Fuji clear as ever.
You can see views of the famous mountain from many different vantage points, like the Hakone Ropeway, a boat ride on Lake Ashi or Lake Kawaguchiko, and did you know, you could even see Mt. Fuji from Tokyo Skytree?
Apart from sightseeing and skiing, other must-try winter activities range from seasonal fruit-picking like strawberries, snow tubing, and even riding through the snow on an ATV!
Warm up and relax in an onsen
Onsen towns are a must in Japan during the winter because they give you the warmth and comfort you need after a full day of activities or even just a break from the icy cold.
Some of the most beautiful onsen towns you have to visit include Arima Onsen, Ginzan Onsen, Kinugawa, and Kusatsu. Considered one of the oldest hot spring towns in the country, Arima Onsen can be found in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, and is about a 22-minute car ride from the city center and a 30-minute one from Osaka, making it perfect for a day trip or a weekend getaway if you’re coming from either of those destinations.
Another onsen you have to visit, especially when the snow hits, is Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata – the southern part of the Tohoku region. Not only will you see the enchanting glow of the onsen town reminiscent of the bathhouse in Spirited Away, but also the “snow monsters” of the Zao mountains, trees heavily covered with snow that’s truly a sight to see with your very own eyes.
🧖🏻♀️ Other places to consider for a relaxing onsen experience
- Kinugawa and Yumoto Onsen in Nikko, Tochigi ~ you can get there from the Tobu Asakusa Station using the digital Nikko Pass
- Kusatsu in Gunma Prefecture (near Tokyo) ~ you can get there via Shinkansen from Tokyo to Karuizawa, then bus to Kusatsu Onsen
From snow-covered landscapes to exciting activities and cozy hot springs, we hope this guide helps you have a magical and fuss-free winter in Japan experience 💜
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