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Imagine this: after skiing on some of the world’s best ski slopes, or visiting Japan’s many temples and shrines, and with snow still drifting in the air, you sink into a warm, open-air rotenburo (outdoor hot spring, or onsen). Surrounded by dense forest, you watch as the snow melts on the water’s surface, and you listen to the gentle trickle of a nearby stream.
Relaxed to your core, you retire to your traditional Japanese inn (ryokan) and enjoy a hearty bowl of hotpot (nabe) or ramen. This is the pristine feeling of winter in Japan.
There is truly nothing quite like winter in Japan. Each of the four Japanese seasons is distinctly pronounced and special it is own way, but Japan is my favorite East Asian destination in winter. Snowfall in Japan normally starts in mid to late December, with Hokkaido and northern Honshu (Tohoku) often blanketed deep in snow for until March.
What’s more, in 2024, the Japanese yen is much cheaper than in previous years, so most international travelers will feel their foreign currencies can go further than before.
With these handpicked destinations for winter in Japan, we’ll work our way down through the archipelago from north to south. Get ready to start out on the bitterly cold island of Hokkaido, and eventually end up in the milder climes of Kyushu.
Hokkaidō
The winter snow falls very heavily up in Hokkaido. With regular sub-zero temperatures, the cold here is not to be taken lightly. However, those who venture up here will be rewarded with some of the most characterful winter markets, unique travel experiences, and the warmth of the Japanese locals.
1. True winter experience: Abashiri
Northern Hokkaido has an end-of-the-world feel about it. Abashiri is a port city looking out onto the Sea of Okhotsk. In fact, the next stops from here are the Kuril Islands and Far Eastern Russia.
Here, the seawater is regularly frozen over in winter. In my opinion, one of the highlights of a trip to Abashiri is a one-hour excursion on the Ice-breaker Aurora. Once you finish exploring this small city and the prison museum which makes Abashiri famous, visit the night market.
Locals come out to the yatai (street food stands) for ramen, curry udon, barbecue skewers, oysters and atsukan (hot sake). You can even enjoy a local Abashiri beer seated at a bar made of ice.
It is a good idea to combine Abashiri into a trip to the Shiretoko Peninsula. Here, you can experience its beautiful winter mountain landscape and the onsen town of Utoro.
2. Best city for winter culture: Sapporo Snow Festival
As Hokkaido’s largest city, Sapporo is also its cultural heart, and it is one of the best destinations for winter in Japan. In the first week of February every year (in 2025, from Tuesday, February 4 to Tuesday, February 11), the city will hold the Sapporo Snow Festival, which is reason enough to make the journey up to Hokkaido.
The festival welcomes over two million visitors each year, who are drawn by snow sculptures by both local and international artists. I recommend visiting the Snow Festival twice – first in the daylight to admire the sculptures, and then again at night, when many of the artworks are beautifully lit up.
Elsewhere in Sapporo, be sure to visit the Nijo Market in the morning and enjoy a fresh seafood breakfast in true Japanese style. If you enjoy a drink, I’d recommend visiting the Sapporo Beer Museum or joining a bar-hopping tour. Better yet, head into the surrounding hills for a soak at Hōheikyō Hot Spring, or venture further for a stay in Noboribetsu Onsen.
If you’re into skiing, you’ll have probably heard of Niseko – one of Japan’s premier ski resorts. Only two hours away from Sapporo by bus, this is easily combined into a trip to Sapporo.
Tōhoku
Foreign tourists often overlook Northern Honshu. While crowds flock to Tokyo, Mt Fuji and Kyoto, stunning natural beauty and cultural experiences await those who head north from the capital and visit Tōhoku. Regularly blanketed in deep snow, Tohoku’s appeal really comes into its own during winter.
3. Best skiing region in Japan: Aomori
As Honshu’s northernmost major city, Aomori has quite a lot going for it. This port city is famous for its sparkling apple wine and sake, with the latter served warm in the winter season. Aomori is also famous for the large colorful floats you’ll see during the famous Nebuta Festival. While this festival takes place in the summer, you can still see some of then floats in the Nebuta House Wa Rasse during your winter visit.
More specifically to the season, however, the beautiful natural landscapes surrounding the city glisten white in the winter snow. The Hakkoda mountains are a collection of peaks which collectively form one of Japan’s best ski areas. Take the Hakkoda Ropeway to Tamoyachi Peak, and choose from one of the five ski pistes.
The otherworldly experience of skiing between frozen trees is one of those unforgettable memories from winter in Japan.
Some of the best hot springs experiences are at either Sukayu Onsen Ryokan, in the foothills of the Hakkoda mountains, or Tsuta Onsen Ryokan. From there you can also explore more natural wonders in the Towada-Hachimantai National Park, such as Lake Towada and the Ishigedo Rapids.
4. Snowy hot spring town: Ginzan Onsen
Japan is blessed with onsen resorts up and down the country, but the inviting warmth of Ginzan Onsen in the mountains of Yamagata is pretty much unrivaled.
This impossibly picturesque town feels like something out of a fairytale. As the Ginzan River flows from the steep mountains surrounding the town, warm gas lamps illuminate the wooden ryokan inns on the river banks, just like something from previous centuries.
If there is anywhere in Japan to splurge on a luxurious ryokan experience, Ginzan Onsen would be the place. Ryokan Nagasawa Heihachi is an absolutely excellent choice for the quintessential Japanese inn experience, in the quintessential onsen town.
Kantō and Chūbu
Nearer to the Japanese capital, Tokyo, it is still possible to escape the metropolis and find some really beautiful spots to enjoy winter in Japan. In the so-called Japanese Alps, snow-capped mountain scenery, skiing spots and onsen towns await you.
5. Winter sports hub (and bathing monkeys): Nagano
Having hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics, Nagano competes with Niseko as Japan’s most renowned winter destination. Accessible by high-speed Shinkansen train in under two hours, reaching Nagano from Tokyo couldn’t be easier.
In Nagano itself, take in the Zenkōji Temple, dating back to the the 7th century and set among a beautiful grove with a restaurant street nearby. The city also serves as a great launchpad to access nearby ski resorts such as Hakuba, Shiga Kogen and Shakunage. If you choose to ski at the latter, make sure to visit the spellbinding Togakushi Shrine across the valley.
For many people, the real reason to visit Nagano is to admire the spectacle of monkeys bathing in the natural thermal waters at Jigokudani. The Japanese macaque is native to northern Japan, and large numbers of them congregate this warm open-air pool.
If you’re keen to see the monkeys, I highly recommend tours like this one, which include a trip to Jigokudani alongside the main sights of the Nagano region.
6. Rural Japanese experience: Takayama
The thick thatched roofs of the houses in Takayama and its surrounding villages (like Shirakawa) speak of the time-honored techniques employed by local inhabitants to cope with abundant snow.
Onsen-hopping around Takayama is one of my favourite memories from my many visits to Japan. From the super rustic, pipe-out-of-the-ground public rotenburo (look out for the character 湯, pronouned yu, and meaning ‘hot water’) to the high-end ryokan experience, Takayama has it all. I recommend Tenryo-no-Yu for an authentic Japanese bath experience, or Ryokan Tanabe for an impeccable stay at a traditional inn.
Folk traditions are very much alive in this region of Japan.
Visit the Hida Folk Village to see what these traditional mountain villages used to look like. Takayama is particularly charming in the winter season, when the surrounding forest and rooftops are shining with deep snow.
Kansai
Kansai is one of the Japanese regions most favored by tourists, primarily due to the historical drawcards of Kyoto and Nara, as well as Japan’s second city, Osaka.
7. Historical hot spring town: Kinosaki Onsen
If visiting the Kansai region in winter, be sure not to miss Kinosaki Onsen. On the north coast, facing out onto the Sea of Japan, Kinosaki is one of the most historical hot spring resorts in all of Japan. It is said that people have been coming here since the 8th century to enjoy its natural thermal waters.
With all this history, you can expect to enjoy an onsen experience as traditional as anywhere else in the country. The famous Ichi-no-yu bathhouse is justifiably popular with tourists, while Gosho-no-Yu maintains a more quaint and somewhat understated charm. Make sure to also take the Kinosaki Ropeway to the top of Mount Daishi for stunning views over the town and the sea beyond. If you feel like some skiing, head further west to UP Kannabe Ski Resort.
All of the public onsens here – as well as the ryokan inns with their own bathing pools – are in great shape, despite centuries of heritage. Don your yukata and hop between a few onsen during your trip. You’ll come out feeling completely rejuvenated and full of admiration for winter in Japan.
Kyushu
The southernmost of Japan’s islands, Kyushu has the mildest winter climate. It doesn’t compromise on scenic beauty though, and the transition from fall to winter is particularly stunning.
8. Riverside hot spring town: Kurokawa Onsen
I could have chosen to recommend Kyushu’s famous onsen town of Beppu (which is definitely worth a visit). However, instead, I propose Kurokawa Onsen. Despite its name literally meaning ‘black river onsen’ (it is actually on the Tanoharu River), Kurokawa Onsen is another one of those hot spring villages which perfectly encapsulates the cozy onsen experience.
Dozens of ryokan inns vie for your custom, either to stay the night or just for a day visit. For spending the night, I wholeheartedly recommend Yamabiko Ryokan. Enjoy its outdoor rotenburo pool as your mind drifts away to the gushing sound of the nearby river. Ana-Yu (穴 ana meaning ‘cave’ and 湯 yu meaning ‘hot water’) is a great option for daytime use.
While it doesn’t snow down here as frequently as up north in Hokkaido or Aomori, Kurokawa is still a great place to get a flavor of winter in Japan. And you can combine it with a visit to nearby Mount Aso, Kumamoto, or Takachiho.
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