Introduction: Embrace the Magic of Winter: 10 Unforgettable Things to Do in Japan
Winter in Japan is an unforgettable experience. While the chill in the air might send you reaching for your warmest coat, Japan’s winter season offers a whole range of unique, exciting, and cozy activities. From picturesque snow-covered landscapes to dazzling light displays, winter in Japan has a magical charm that makes it an ideal season to explore the country.
Whether you are a seasoned traveler or a first-time visitor, here are 10 things you absolutely must do during winter in Japan to make the most of the season.
1. Visit a Snow Festival
Japan’s snow festivals are one of the most exciting parts of the winter season. The most famous of them all is the Sapporo Snow Festival held in Hokkaido every February. The festival features breathtakingly detailed ice sculptures and snow art that seem almost too perfect to be real. Some sculptures are so large they take up entire city blocks! Whether you’re walking through massive tunnels made of snow or marveling at life-sized ice castles, the Sapporo Snow Festival is a must-see for anyone visiting Japan in winter.
Other winter festivals to explore include the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, which is held in Hokkaido and features thousands of candles lighting up snow-filled streets, creating a romantic, peaceful atmosphere. If you’re in the Niigata area, the Yokote Kamakura Festival is also a beautiful sight, with small igloos (kamakura) filled with candles scattered around the town, providing a magical, glowing scene.
2. Relax in an Onsen (Hot Spring)
After a day out in the cold, there’s nothing better than soaking in a steaming hot onsen (hot spring). Onsen towns, such as Hakone, Kusatsu, Beppu, and Gero, are famous for their therapeutic mineral waters that are known to help relax muscles, refresh the skin, and soothe the mind. In winter, the experience of bathing in natural hot spring water while surrounded by snowy landscapes or under the night sky is nothing short of magical.
For an authentic experience, many onsens feature rotenburo (outdoor baths) where you can enjoy the outdoors while soaking in warm waters. There’s something incredibly relaxing about sitting in a hot spring while the crisp, cool air nips at your skin.
3. Try Traditional Winter Foods
Winter in Japan brings with it an array of delicious and hearty foods that are perfect for warming up. You’ll find many of these dishes at specialty restaurants, markets, and even convenience stores.
- Nabe (Hot Pot): This is a warming, comforting dish where vegetables, meat, tofu, and noodles are cooked in a rich broth. Variations of nabe include sukiyaki (sweet soy sauce-based) and shabu-shabu (thinly sliced beef cooked in hot broth), and they’re perfect for sharing with family and friends.
- Oden: A popular winter dish, oden is a stew that combines various ingredients like daikon radish, boiled eggs, tofu, fish cakes, and konjac, all simmered in a flavorful soy-based broth. Oden is often sold at street vendors, supermarkets, and convenience stores, and it’s a great comfort food for chilly nights.
- Yaki Imo: Roasted sweet potatoes (yaki imo) are a quintessential winter snack in Japan. Vendors drive around with trucks that play jingles announcing their arrival, and the sweet smell of roasting potatoes fills the air. The soft, sweet potatoes are perfect for nibbling on while walking around in the cold or sitting by a fire.
- Kiritanpo: In the Tohoku region, kiritanpo (grilled rice sticks) is a traditional winter food. Rice is pounded into a sticky paste, formed around a stick, and then grilled over an open flame. It’s often served in a hot pot or enjoyed as a snack, especially during winter festivals.
4. Go Skiing or Snowboarding
Japan’s snow-covered mountains are famous for their excellent ski resorts, which attract tourists from all over the world. Whether you’re an avid skier or a beginner, Japan’s ski resorts offer some of the best powder snow you’ll find anywhere.
- Niseko in Hokkaido is a world-renowned ski resort, famous for its dry, powdery snow. Skiers and snowboarders flock here to experience the perfect conditions and enjoy breathtaking views of Mount Yotei, known as the “Mount Fuji of Hokkaido.”
- Hakuba Valley in Nagano Prefecture was one of the main venues for the 1998 Winter Olympics and is another top destination for skiing and snowboarding. The valley has numerous resorts catering to different skill levels.
- Nozawa Onsen and Zao Onsen are also great choices for winter sports, offering not only amazing ski slopes but also the added bonus of hot spring baths to relax in after a day on the slopes.
These resorts offer a variety of activities, from snowboarding and skiing to snowshoeing and snowmobiling, and you can enjoy great après-ski in nearby villages with hot springs and cozy restaurants. Here are the top 5 skiiing spots in Japan.
5. See Winter Illuminations
When the sun sets early during the winter months, many Japanese cities are transformed by dazzling winter illuminations. These light displays, often set up in parks, shopping districts, and public spaces, create a fairy-tale atmosphere.
Tokyo’s Roppongi Hills, Shibuya, and Tokyo Midtown light up with stunning illuminations, while Kobe’s Luminarie festival, held in honor of the Great Hanshin Earthquake of 1995, draws massive crowds. In Osaka, the Midosuji Street illuminations are a spectacle to behold, turning the streets into a shimmering tunnel of light.
These illuminations are perfect for an evening stroll, where you can enjoy the lights, take photos, and embrace the holiday cheer.
6. Go for a Winter Hike in the Mountains
Japan’s mountains are just as stunning in winter as they are during other seasons. While some hiking trails may be closed due to snow, others are open for winter hiking, allowing you to experience the beauty of snow-covered forests, frozen lakes, and peaceful mountain views.
- Nikko and the Japanese Alps are great places to enjoy winter hiking, and you’ll be treated to views of snow-covered peaks and peaceful, quiet landscapes. You can hike along the Kamikochi area in the Japanese Alps, where the beauty of the snow-clad mountains is complemented by frozen rivers and snow-covered trails.
Make sure to dress warmly, wear appropriate gear, and check trail conditions before setting off.
7. Celebrate New Year’s Traditions
New Year’s (Shogatsu) is one of the most important holidays in Japan, and it’s filled with deep traditions. If you’re in Japan during the New Year period, you can experience customs that have been passed down for generations.
- Hatsumode: The first shrine visit of the year, called hatsumode, is a tradition for many Japanese people. They visit shrines like Meiji Shrine in Tokyo or Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto to pray for good health, happiness, and prosperity in the new year.
- Osechi Ryori: Osechi is a special set of foods eaten during New Year’s. The dishes are often served in beautifully stacked boxes and include symbolic foods like black beans (for good health), herring roe (for fertility), and sweet simmered root vegetables (for a prosperous harvest).
- Toshikoshi Soba: On New Year’s Eve, it’s customary to eat toshikoshi soba (buckwheat noodles) to symbolize cutting off the past year’s misfortunes and ensuring long life in the year ahead.
8. Enjoy a Japanese Tea Ceremony
Winter is a wonderful time to experience Japan’s traditional tea ceremony, a meditative and elegant ritual that involves the preparation and drinking of matcha (powdered green tea). Many tea houses across Japan offer tea ceremonies where you can learn about the history and art of tea-making while enjoying the calming atmosphere of a traditional tatami room.
This peaceful experience is perfect for the winter months when the weather is cold, and it provides a moment of reflection in the middle of all the hustle and bustle of the holiday season.
9. Take a Winter Day Trip to a Snowy Village
Japan’s rural villages look particularly picturesque when blanketed in snow. Visiting Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage Site in Gifu Prefecture, is like stepping into a winter postcard. The gassho-zukuri houses, with their Steep, grass-covered roofs, are designed to withstand heavy snowfall, and during winter, the village is covered in a serene blanket of snow, creating a peaceful and photogenic atmosphere.
Other charming snowy villages in Japan include Kanazawa, Takayama, and Furano, all of which look stunning under a layer of fresh snow.
10. Go Ice Skating
If you’re looking for a fun, family-friendly winter activity, ice skating is a great option. Many cities in Japan set up outdoor ice skating rinks during the winter months, such as Tokyo Midtown Ice Rink and Sapporo Odori Park Ice Skating Rink. Skating under the lights with snow falling around you is a magical experience, and it’s a wonderful way to enjoy the winter atmosphere.
Conclusion: Enjoy the Best of Winter in Japan
Winter in Japan is truly special, with so many unique experiences to offer. Whether you’re exploring ice festivals, relaxing in an onsen, or enjoying delicious seasonal food, Japan’s winter season is full of charm. The country’s beautiful snowy landscapes, bright light displays, and warm, welcoming atmosphere make it a perfect place to visit during the colder months.
So, if you’re planning a winter trip to Japan, be sure to take advantage of everything the season has to offer. With so many fun and memorable activities, you’re sure to create unforgettable experiences and discover the magic of winter in Japan.
