This article is
・What is winter like in Japan?
・What tastes good in the winter in Japan?
・Where can I go in the winter in Japan?
That’s what this article is about.
Index
🌨️ Into the Snow: A Winter Night in Shirakawa-go
My breath fogged in the freezing air as I wandered through the snowy village of Shirakawa-go, where thatched-roof houses stood glowing with warm light. Snowflakes fell gently in the silence of the mountain.
Suddenly, bells rang from a nearby temple, and the scent of miso soup wafted through the air.
Winter in Japan is cold, yes—but it’s also filled with warmth in the most unexpected places.
Shirakawa-go
⛄ Snowy Beauty: Japan’s Winter Landscapes
Japan’s winter “December to February” offers some of the world’s most stunning scenes:
- Snow-covered temples in Kyoto and Nara
- Hot springs in the snow “like in Nagano’s Jigokudani, where monkeys bathe!”
- Mt. Fuji with a snowcap seen from Lake Kawaguchi
- Illumination events like Nabana no Sato or Tokyo’s Shibuya Blue Cave
In the north “Hokkaido and Tohoku“, snow falls heavily—creating dreamy, quiet worlds of white.
🎉 Winter Events & Traditions
Japanese winter is deeply tied to tradition:
- Ōmisoka “New Year’s Eve”: Families clean homes, eat soba noodles, and reflect
- Shōgatsu “New Year“: Japan’s biggest holiday, celebrated with shrine visits and osechi dishes
- Setsubun “Feb. 3”: Bean-throwing to drive away evil spirits
- Snow festivals: Like the famous Sapporo Snow Festival in February with massive ice sculptures
Winter holidays are about cleansing, renewal, and hope.
Shōgatsu “first shrine visit of New Year”
🍲 Comfort Foods of Winter
Japan’s winter cuisine is warm, hearty, and made for sharing:
- Nabe “hot pot“: Meat and vegetables cooked at the table
- Oden: A mix of simmered ingredients served in broth, sold even in convenience stores!
- Zōni: Rice cake soup eaten at New Year
- Nikuman: Steamed buns filled with meat or anko “red bean paste”
- Strawberries: Surprisingly a winter fruit in Japan, often in cakes
☃️ Tip: Try an onsen after a hot meal—it’s a perfect winter combo!
🏔️ Where to Travel in Winter
- Hokkaido: For powder snow, skiing, and Sapporo’s festival
- Nagano & Gifu: Snowy towns like Takayama and Shirakawa-go
- Kyoto: Quiet temples covered in snow
- Beppu “Oita”: For onsen heaven
🔥 Don’t miss the chance to soak in an open-air hot spring while snowflakes fall around you!
❄️ A Season of Stillness and Start
Japanese winter is a pause—a deep breath before the new year.
It invites you to slow down, reflect, and feel the contrast of cold air and warm hearts.
From snowy villages to glowing shrines, Japan’s winter teaches the beauty of simplicity.
P.S.
Although winters in Japan are much warmer than in colder regions such as Northern Europe and Russia, they are cold enough for snow to accumulate.
I quite like this season because I like snowboarding and hot pots.
In Japan, there is a strong culture of celebrating the end of the year and the beginning of the new year.
またね(Matane)!
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