Enjoy super exciting winter in Japan!
Japan is a winter paradise! Starting from culinary delights such as shabu-shabu which warms your stomach to various snow play spots which can provide an unforgettable holiday experience, you can enjoy everything in the snow season in Japan.
Not only about playing in the snow, winter in Japan also talks about the excitement of welcoming the new year. If you visit in December, you can enjoy a very fun Japanese-style New Year festival; starting from Osechi which is synonymous with various kinds of traditional Japanese food, to Fukubukuro which has become a kind of symbol to bring good luck in the new year.
So, so that you don’t get confused; let’s discuss all the essentials about vacationing in Japan in winter.
When does it snow in Japan?
Snow in Japan usually occurs from mid-December to late April. However, if you want to enjoy Japan that is really covered in thick snow, you should visit in January or February.
Recommended clothing for winter in Japan
Cozy up for winter with warm Despicable Me-themed clothes. Don’t forget to prepare the best warm clothes if you are planning a winter holiday in Japan. Make sure you wear several layers of clothing to keep you warm, especially if you are on holiday when the temperature is below 10 degrees Celsius!
First layer: Use a thermal shirt and pants to be the first layer outside the underwear. Some brands may offer thermal clothing with different levels of warmth, you can check the weather predictions before leaving to find out what the temperature will be when you visit Japan.
Second layer: You can use a rather thick t-shirt for the top, and thick cotton trousers or jeans for the bottom.
Third layer: Use a wool sweater to layer over your t-shirt, to keep you warmer!
Fourth layer: If it’s going to snow when you’re walking, you can use a waterproof parka or puffer jacket as the outermost layer. But if it’s not snowing and the air temperature is not too cold, you can wear a long and thick coat which will make you more stylish!
Other things you need to know:
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It is recommended to wear waterproof winter boots, especially if you are going to do outdoor activities and walk in the snow! Don’t forget to wear thick wool socks which will keep your feet warm.
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Don’t forget to wear wool gloves to keep your hands warm. If you are going to play in the snow, you need to have snow gloves that are made of waterproof and thicker material.
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If you are going to play in the snow, you also need to wear winter pants or winter pants made of waterproof material
Winter activities in Japan
From enchanting snow festivals to cozy street scenes, Asahikawa offers a delightful Japanese winter experience.
After equipping yourself with the best warm clothes and all your winter holiday essentials, it’s time to have fun in Japan! There are a number of options that you can try while spending the end and beginning of the year in Japan; starting from enjoying winter festivals, playing and learning to ski, enjoying views of Mount Fuji, to relaxing in traditional hot springs.
Shirakawa-go Winter Light Up Festival
An attraction that you definitely shouldn’t miss during winter in Japan is Shirakawa-go Winter Light Up. Shirakawa-go is a historic village located in Gifu prefecture, Honshu. Well, this village is included in the UNESCO World Heritage Site because of its traditional gassho style houses.
The meaning of gassho is hands looking up to pray. You can see the meaning of gassho applied to the roof of every house in Shirakawa-go. Apart from being full of meaning, the roof design of this house is also functional. The roof of the house is made sloping so that it doesn’t get buried in snow in winter.
In fact, Shirakawa-go is a place worth visiting all year round. However, in winter you can enjoy extra beauty thanks to the combination of snow and the play of lights at night.
How to enjoy Shirakawa-go Winter Light Up:
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Taking a tour: There are several tour options to enjoy Shirakawa-go Winter Light Up. You can depart from Tokyo, Nagoya or Osaka. Check the package here.
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Traveling by private car: You can book a car rental – either with a driver or not – through Klook. No need to worry because you can find parking in the Shirakawa-go area.
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Stay: Staying at one of Shirakawa-go’s traditional inns may be an option. However, make sure to order well in advance because quantities are very limited so a draw system is required.
Ryukyu Kaiensai Fireworks Festival
Satisfied with playing in the snow, now is the time to enjoy a Japanese winter-style fireworks festival. To get this experience, you can visit Okinawa during the Ryukyu Kaiensai Fireworks Festival on Christmas Eve, aka December 24.
Don’t forget to try various typical Okinawan snacks during this festival. Want to have fun listening to music? It’s really possible because the Ryukyu Kaiensai Fireworks Festival is also a music festival.
Yokote Kamakura Festival in Akita
Can you imagine what it would be like to be a snowman and live in an igloo? So, if you are curious, you can visit the Yokote Kamakura Festival in Akita which is held every 15 to 16 February. If translated literally, kamakura means snow house. This festival is actually carried out by local residents as a celebration to honor the water god. At this time, they also make special offerings to the gods.
During this festival, you are welcome to enjoy Yokote Kamakura Festival specialties, rice cakes and sweet rice wine (amazake) while admiring the beauty of the lit lanterns. This festival will definitely provide an extraordinarily enjoyable experience for you because it is held in mid-February, aka the period when Japan is covered in snow. Don’t forget to prepare extra thick winter clothes, okay?
Photo credit: JNTO
How to visit the Yokote Kamakura Festival in Akita:
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Depart from Tokyo with a single-journey-ticket to Omagari Shinkansen Station Akita, then take a local train to Yokote. Click this link to book train tickets to Omagari Station .
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You can also use the JR East Tohoku Area Pass , JR East Hokkaido Area Pass , and JR Pass Whole Japan . The latter ticket can be used throughout Japan. Super practical, right?
Obihiro Ice Festival & Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido
Visiting Hokkaido in winter, don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Obihiro Ice Festival and the Sapporo Snow Festival. These two festivals are held in Hokkaido, but at different times and places. The Obihiro Ice Festival takes place at Obihiro Green Park, Obihiro City, on the first weekend of February. During the festival, you can have fun playing in the snow; including making a snowman with your family or friends.
Meanwhile, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held for 7 days in February at Odori Park which is located in the center of Sapporo. In 2024, the festival takes place February 4-11. Different from the Obihiro Ice Festival, the Sapporo Snow Festival offers the experience of enjoying the work of snow sculptors from all over the world.
Source: Sapporo’s Snow Festival
Here you will see their spectacular sculptural works, and sculptors can even take part in the Snow Sculpture Contest. Don’t forget to sample a variety of Hokkaido culinary delights during these two festivals. Your Japanese winter holiday is sure to be even more memorable!
How to visit the Obihiro Ice Festival and Sapporo Snow Festival in Hokkaido:
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Apart from renting a private car, you can visit Hokkaido using the express train, tickets for which you can order via Klook. You can check information about departures in this table
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Departure Station |
Arrival Station |
Train Lines |
Book Here |
|---|---|---|---|
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Sapporo |
Obihiro |
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Kushiro |
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Abashiri |
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Wakkanai |
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Asahikawa |
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Hakodate |
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Noboribetsu |
Ski!
An alternative Japanese winter holiday that you should consider is going on an adventure while skiing! Never before or can’t ski? Don’t worry because a number of ski resorts provide learn-to-ski packages too. Some popular ski resorts are Niseko and Rusutsu in Hokkaido, and Shiga Kogen and Nozawa Onsen in Nagoya.Enjoy the view of Mount Fuji
Enjoying the spectacular view of Mount Fuji in winter? Why not? The sky is actually very clear during the snow season, which actually adds to the beauty of this mountain.
Admire the splendor of Mount Fuji from several popular spots, such as the Hakone Ropeway or by riding a boat on Lake Ashi and Lake Kawaguchiko. Don’t want to go far from Tokyo, but still want to see Mount Fuji? All you have to do is visit Tokyo Skytree!
Relax in the onsen
A holiday wouldn’t be complete without relaxation. Soaking in an onsen or traditional Japanese bath is really something you can add to your itinerary. To get a different experience, you should take the time to visit special onsen towns or villages such as Arima Onsen , Ginzan Onsen , Kinugawa, and Kusatsu.
Arima Onsen, located in Kobe, Hyogo Prefecture, is even known as the oldest bathing town in Japan. The location is also easy to reach, only about 22 minutes from the center of Kobe City or 30 minutes from Osaka. This destination is really suitable for you to visit after enjoying playing in the snow and adventuring in other destinations.
Do you really like the anime Spirited Away? Well, there’s no harm in visiting Ginzan Onsen which is located in Yamagata. Remember the hot spring scene in this anime. Very similar to Ginzan Onsen!
Japanese winter culinary specialties
Add a bit of thrill to your dining experience by trying the unique fugu or pufferfish.
Of course, a holiday wouldn’t be complete without culinary delights. While it’s winter; There’s no harm in trying Japanese seasonal culinary specialties that will definitely make your stomach warm and full!
There are many Japanese foods that are suitable for winter. Here, Visaxtra gives you the list:
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Oden: Cooked in soy sauce broth, this delicious hot pot dish consists of various ingredients such as tofu, fish cakes, konbu, shirataki, boiled eggs, squid balls, daikon radish, and konnyaku jelly.
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Fugu: Aka puffer fish! This dish is usually prepared and served by highly trained and licensed fugu chefs. The most common fugu is fugu sashimi. To prepare it, a chef will carefully slice the fugu flash into very thin slices and serve with yuzu, daikon, sudachi orange, edible flowers, and ponzu (a citrus-based sauce).
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Ramen: Very famous Japanese noodles! If you travel to Hokkaido, don’t forget to eat Sapporo ramen which is said to be the most delicious ramen. After playing in the snow, it’s time to pamper yourself with delicious food!
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Ozoni: A traditional Japanese New Year’s special soup, filled with mochi and various different ingredients; It depends on which area you eat ozoni.
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Nikuman: Chinese style hot steamed buns with pork as the main filling.
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Nabemono: Served in a clay hotpot, this dish contains fresh vegetables, noodles, meat (sliced pork or beef), seafood, tofu, and eggs cooked together in a miso or soy sauce-based broth.
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Nikujaga: Sliced beef and potato soup with various vegetables boiled in sweet soy sauce and served with super fluffy white rice.
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Yudofu: A typical Kyoto dish served in a hotpot, but only contains tofu with kombu-flavored broth plus ponzo sauce. This food is known as one of the most crucial dishes in Zen cooking, you know! Stomach full, heart calm.
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Oshiruko or Zenzai: A dessert made from anko or azuki bean paste. Usually eaten with mochi.
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Yakiimo: Japanese roasted sweet potato which is a favorite fall and winter snack.
