Winter Wonderland in Japan

Winter time in Japan is truly magical, seeing the countryside covered in a layer of soft fresh snow makes it especially beautiful.

If you are dreaming of a White Christmas in Japan you will certainly get the white, but perhaps not the Christmas. Christmas is not really celebrated in Japan. You will hear Christmas music (minus the words) playing in the shops and Western shops will be wrapped up like a big Christmas presents, however, Christmas day is a normal work day.

New Year celebrations in Japan are also a little different. Some cities have more recently introduced countdown events, however, you won’t see the fireworks displays we are used to in Australia (although fireworks and Sake on the ski slopes is very popular in many ski villages). Japan guide has a great description of traditional New Years celebrations in Japan.

Japan celebrates the 1st of January as New Year (not the Lunar New Year) and it is marked by visiting shrines in the first few days of January. If you plan on visiting shrines, perhaps don’t go on the 1st, 2nd or 3rd of January, they are absolutely crowded.

Even if you are not into skiing or snowboarding there is so much to do in Japan in the winter. Here are some of our suggestions. One big tip is to book early, particularly any time you plan to stay in the snow, places can book out 12 months in advance.

Skiing and Snowboarding

Many Aussie families travel to Japan for the snow and snow sports. In fact, so much so that you’ll feel like you stepped back into Australia! The powder there is plentiful. It’s closer and easier to get to than other northern countries and it’s winter during our long summer holidays – perfect!

We had our first Japan snow adventure in early 2019 and loved it. We all snowboarded for the first time ever and the boys picked it up in a couple of days. It was a favourite activity for all of them and they can’t wait to go back for more. Us oldies took a little longer to learn, although I didn’t get much of a chance as I broke my arm on the second run! The things we do, trying to prove to our kids that we can keep up with them! Hint: make sure you have travel insurance.

For more on skiing and snowboarding in Japan, check out this page on where to go or this page on skiing and snowboarding for first timers.

Visit an Onsen town

Japan is known for its Onsens (hot springs) and in winter, there is nothing more relaxing than a hot onsen at the end of a cold day. If you are game, try an outdoor Onsen surrounded by snow!

Japanese bathhouses or Sento can be experienced throughout Japan but for a traditional and truly memorable experience, make a trip to an Onsen town. There are many small historic Onsen towns that have popped up around hot spring areas. Hakone is the closest to Tokyo. Check out Japan Rail pass top 10 Onsen towns.

We visited 500 year old Ginzan Onsen, a small Onsen town where wooden multi-story Ryokans are camped right on the banks of the river. The cobblestone streets, gaslights and bridges that criss-cross the river add to the romance and nostalgia of this charming town. Ginzan Onsen is tricky to get to in the height of winter, but the sight of this town blanketed in snow is absolutely amazing. You can visit for a day trip, however, we recommend staying in a ryokan and having a Kaiseki meal to complete the experience.

Snow monkeys

These monkeys are famous worldwide, so if you are in Japan in winter, its the perfect time to see them chilling out …or warming up!… in their own Onsen.

The monkeys come down from the surrounding mountains for the warmth of the hot spring. They are not at all phased by the people that come to see them and they carry on their day to day lives around the tourists. It is a slippery cold walk out to see them so we recommend warming up afterwards with ramen at the Monkey cafe, mulled wine never tasted so good! (but not if you are driving – Japan has a zero alcohol limit)

It is a 3 hour trip to the Monkey Park from Tokyo by public transport and can be done as a day trip, however to make the most of the experience, do like the monkeys do and stay overnight in one of the onsen towns for your own onsen experience! Japan guide has information about the Yamonuchi area and onsen towns. If travelling with family look for somewhere that has family baths such as Kanaguya in Shibu Onsen.

Snow play

It goes without saying that if there is snow then there are snowmen to make and snowball fights to be had! Although it was often hard to actually make a snowball as the snow was so light and dry, it didn’t really squash into a snowball.

We spent some time driving through the snow in Nagano, Niigata and Yamagata prefectures from Nagano to Nozawa Onsen to Ginzan Onsen to Zao Onsen in January. We had hoped there would be places to hop out of the car and stop and play in the snow but no. The roads are either major roads and too unsafe to stop, or small narrow roads piled high with snow either side and too unsafe to stop!

The best option if you want to play in the snow is to go a snow field. Most of them have kids parks that are free of charge and the kids can hang out and play while you enjoy a coffee or throw a snowball or two!

Meet the snow monsters at Zao Onsen

Zao Onsen is an ancient Onsen town, a ski resort and one of three places in Japan where you can see Juhyo or snow monsters. The bitter Siberian winds whip over the mountains rapidly freezing the snow which completely cover the trees, the result is snow monsters or snow ghosts that move ever so slightly in the strong winds.

Cable cars take you right up to the top of the mountain. Then you can ski down the slopes between the trees or you can just go up for a look around and have a hot chocolate. At night the monsters are lit up in a chilly, spooky, multicoloured display!

No matter how warm you think you are, you will freeze on the mountain it is -10 degrees and that is without the wind chill factor of those Siberian winds! Of course it didn’t stop the boys having a game of soccer with a snowball of ice!

Illuminations

Japan celebrates illumination in winter time and the cities across Japan are dressed up with thousands of tiny twinkling lights! Illuminations usually run from November to December, some continue into February, so be sure to check out what is on when you are around.

Japan-guide lists some of the best illuminations throughout Japan.

Visit an ice or snow festival

There are a number of snow and ice festivals in Japan, the most famous of which is the Sapporo Snow festival. Unfortunately, many of the snow festivals are held in February after school term has restarted in Australia, so we haven’t made it to the festivals yet…

Check out Japan-guide for information about snow festivals, snow slopes and other winter activities in Japan.

There are so many exciting things to do in Japan in winter, remember to rug up (find some of our hints and tips here) and you will all have an amazing winter wonderland adventure!