Snow monkeys, hot springs, snow festivals, skiing, illuminated trails, and food that warms the heart. Talya Klein visited Japan in winter and discovered experiences that do not exist in any other season of the year.
Unlike the tourist seasons of cherry blossom or autumn leaves, winter in Japan reveals a different country: colder outside, warmer inside, and full of spectacular events and festivals. While snow is rare in most cities, the mountains and northern regions are covered with layers of fresh snow.
Those who choose to travel in the cold season discover a different country: slower, full of charm and colors, and experiences impossible at any other time of the year.
Winter Festivals in Japan Not to Miss
Sapporo Snow Festival
Winter in Japan is full of unique festivals combining art, tradition, and magical atmosphere. The largest and most famous is the Sapporo Snow Festival, held every year during the first week of February on the northern island of Hokkaido, a less crowded destination for international travelers.
The festival attracts about two million visitors from around the world, displaying hundreds of carved snow and ice sculptures, some several meters high, with impressive designs ranging from Japanese architecture to popular cultural figures. The event takes place across three main sites: Odori Park, Susukino, and Tsudome. At night the sculptures are illuminated, creating a different experience from the daytime.
Yokote Kamakura Festival
Another festival is the Yokote Kamakura Festival in Akita Prefecture, a tradition over 450 years old. Hundreds of Kamakura, Japanese igloos made from blocks of snow, are built, inside which traditional ceremonies are held to honor water and bless the new season. Candles lit inside the Kamakura and the warmth of local hospitality create an intimate and magical atmosphere.
Winter Light Festivals
Fans of light festivals will especially enjoy the Otaru Snow Light Path in Hokkaido, a short drive from Sapporo, where streets and paths are illuminated by thousands of snow lanterns.
Hirosaki Castle also hosts a special festival with over 200 snow lanterns and snow sculptures with candles.
The castle is lit with colored lighting mapping that highlights the ancient castle walls.
Iwate Snow Festival
The Iwate Snow Festival is a week-long event featuring giant snow sculptures, horse-drawn sled rides, snow slides, and a variety of family activities.
Hadaka Matsuri
For the adventurous, the Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Man Festival) in Okayama Prefecture is a colorful and surprising gathering where thousands of men wrapped in loincloths participate in traditional rituals before rushing to the Saidaiji Kannonin Temple to pray for good luck. A similar festival is held in southern Hokkaido.
Snow Monkeys in Jigokudani
One of the most special attractions in winter Japan is the snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture. Japanese macaque monkeys became famous worldwide for their habit of bathing in natural hot springs in winter. Photos of these monkeys in the warm water have become iconic worldwide.
The park is located in a remote mountain valley, allowing observation of monkeys in their natural environment as they play in the snow and soak in the hot spring waters. The sight of monkeys sitting peacefully in the hot springs, with steam rising from the water, has become one of the most recognized symbols of Japanese winter.
Visiting the park requires about a 30-minute walk from the entrance parking lot, with the trail offering stunning views of the snow-covered forest. Early morning or late afternoon visits are recommended when the monkeys are most active. Proper snow shoes are suggested, as parts of the path can be slippery.
Skiing, Snow, and Amazing Landscapes
Japan, with its mountainous terrain, is a favorite destination for skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts worldwide. Over the past decade, Japan has established itself as an international ski powerhouse.
The snowfields of Hokkaido, especially the famous Niseko resort, attract skiers from all over the world for Japow, the unique powder snow accumulating at dozens of sites with slopes for every level, professional guidance in English, and even extreme trails. The resort offers open slopes, free snow areas, and a stunning view of Mount Yotei. Rusutsu is another destination in Hokkaido with open areas and rolling mountain terrain.
Most visitors from Tokyo travel to nearby Nagano, known for excellent skiing and convenient access. Hakuba, the large ski valley near Nagano, offers 10 interconnected ski resorts with wide slopes, free snow trails, and training centers for beginners and advanced skiers. Zao Onsen in Yamagata is known for its “snow monsters,” trees covered in thick snow layers that resemble almost human shapes, a rare attraction for skiers and travelers.
Travelers in the Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Kobe areas can take an easy day trip to Biwako Valley in the mountains surrounding Lake Biwa.
Gala Yuzawa in Niigata is a short Shinkansen ride from Tokyo, offering excellent skiing and onsen relaxation after skiing.
Hot Spring Bathing: Onsen Tradition
To escape the cold, it is recommended to soak in the mineral-rich waters of Japan’s many natural hot springs. With fresh and pure water bubbling from the volcanic earth, many towns and villages have drawn on these relaxing waters for hundreds of years, developing a rich culture around public bathing and relaxation. Some locations offer outdoor baths, with the enjoyment of hot water while snow falls around being magical. Bathing is usually gender-separated as it involves full nudity. Visitors with tattoos should check in advance which onsens allow entry, as most do not permit tattooed guests.
For a less revealing onsen experience, many ryokans, traditional Japanese lodgings, offer private in-room onsens.
In Hakone, “Hakone Kowakien Yunessun” allows visitors to enter with swimsuits while viewing Mount Fuji. This onsen is unique for three special pools: wine, coffee, and green tea.
Ancient Villages: A Winter Legend
Shirakawa-go village is a UNESCO World Heritage site for its famous triangular thatched-roof houses. In winter, houses are illuminated at night, with thick snow on the roofs emphasizing their unique shape. Takayama in Gifu, Miyama in Kyoto, and Kakunodate invite travelers to experience authentic Japanese serenity, tradition, and gardens.
In Kakunodate, a unique fire and snow festival takes place, where participants perform a traditional purification ritual by swinging fire around themselves and children. Very few tourists attend, ensuring a local and personal experience.
Nikko, about two hours from Tokyo, is an excellent destination for a calm winter day. The shrines and pagodas of Toshogu Shrine are covered in snow, with tall surrounding trees creating an almost mysterious atmosphere. In the cold season, Nikko is quieter and less crowded, highlighting the spiritual beauty of the place.
Food That Warms the Heart
Winter in Japan is not only snow and white landscapes; it is also the perfect time to enjoy Japanese winter cuisine:
Nabe, a Japanese hot pot full of vegetables, meat, and tofu in broth, is ideal for cold evenings. Warm ramen soups are especially suitable for the season.
Amazake is a traditional sweet fermented rice drink served hot, and in smaller towns, it is served at festivals, along with hot sake, Atsukan.
Ningyo-Yaki and Taiyaki are sweet hot cakes in the shape of a fish or doll filled with sweet red bean paste or cream, often sold at festivals and street stalls during winter.
Japanese Winter Months
Winter in Japan officially begins in December, with temperatures dropping to about 12 degrees Celsius in the morning and 8 degrees in the evening in most areas. January marks the peak of winter and is the coldest month. Temperatures drop significantly during this period, especially in northern areas like Hokkaido.
Although the number of travelers in Japan during this period can make booking accommodations challenging at popular festivals, it is not a popular season for international travelers, reducing flight prices significantly. Lodging outside Sapporo is also cheaper than in peak seasons.
