Japan, cherry blossoms bloom against the white snow.

Japan boasts diverse natural landscapes and a unique culture that always leaves a lasting impression on those who visit. The scenery in Japan is distinct in each season. During the transition from winter to spring, the snow no longer blankets everything as it did during the peak of the cold season, and cherry blossoms begin to bloom. Everything seems to be changing its attire, preparing for the vibrant spring season of sakura blossoms at the end of March.

Visiting the Land of the Rising Sun at this time of year, tourists can enjoy the snow-capped Mount Fuji, explore the ancient village of Oshino Hakkai, go skiing at Fujiten Snow Resort, admire the early-blooming cherry blossoms on the artificial island of Odaiba, visit cultural sites, and experience many other interesting things.

Mount Fuji

Located on the island of Honshu, spanning the prefectures of Yamanashi and Shizuoka, Mount Fuji (3,776 meters high - the highest in Japan) is a symbol of the Land of the Rising Sun, a landmark that anyone visiting Japan wants to see with their own eyes. Around its base are five lakes: Kawaguchiko, Saiko, Yamanakako, Shojiko, and Motosuko, creating a picturesque landscape. Mount Fuji is a nearly 100,000-year-old volcano that is now inactive.

The main road leading up Mount Fuji winds through vast forests. Snow still blankets both sides of the road and the mountain slopes. The road to Mount Fuji has many viewpoints accessible by car. Tourists can admire the expansive mountain scenery, take photos, or play in the snow.

Oshino Hakkai Ancient Village

Nestled at the foot of Mount Fuji, about 100km from Tokyo, Oshino Hakkai is an ancient village that still preserves traditional Japanese architecture with simple thatched roofs. Here, visitors can stroll around the village, immerse themselves in the peaceful atmosphere, and admire the panoramic view of Mount Fuji in the distance.

In addition, Oshino village has eight unique lakes with bottoms made of volcanic rock due to geological processes over 80,000 years, and fed by meltwater from the snow and ice on Mount Fuji.

Fujiten Snow Resort

Fujiten Snow Resort, located about 90 minutes from Tokyo, is one of the most popular winter destinations in Japan. From Fujiten Snow Resort, visitors can admire Mount Fuji, enjoy skiing, and take scenic cable car rides. Besides Fujiten Snow Resort, other locations such as Hokkaido and Nagano are also great options for those wanting to try skiing in late winter.

Enjoying the early blooming cherry blossoms.

Japanese cherry blossoms typically bloom in late March and early April each year, attracting visitors from all over the world to Japan to admire them. However, from late February to early March, visitors are also fortunate enough to witness the beauty of this iconic flower of the Land of the Rising Sun.

Odaiba artificial island

Located in Tokyo Bay, the artificial island of Odaiba is one of Japan's proudest achievements. This large, bustling artificial island is a land reclamation project built during the Edo period. It is also home to the Statue of Liberty, a gift from France to the Japanese people. From here, visitors can see across the Rainbow Bridge. The area is also close to shopping centers, entertainment venues, and restaurants, offering plenty of choices.

Naritasan Shinsoji Temple

Located near Narita International Airport, Naritasan Shinsoji Temple is one of the oldest and most sacred temples in Chiba Prefecture. Over 1,000 years old, Naritasan Shinsoji Temple is dedicated to the fire god Fudo Myoo. Japanese people often visit Naritasan Shinsoji Temple to pray for good fortune. The temple grounds contain many ancient buildings and pagodas, five of which are recognized by the government as important cultural assets. At the temple, the Goma fire ceremony, a prayer to Fudo Myoo, takes place several times a day.

Yanaka Old Town

Located in northeastern Tokyo, Yanaka Old Town possesses a nostalgic charm. The traces of bygone years are still evident in its houses and street corners. As one of the few areas in Tokyo that remained intact after World War II, Yanaka Old Town is considered a hidden gem amidst the bustling capital. Here, visitors can explore art galleries, craft shops, and cafes with a distinctly Japanese atmosphere.

Asakusa Kannon Shrine

The Asakusa Kannon Temple (also known as Sensoji Temple), completed in 645, is the oldest and most sacred temple in Tokyo. Japanese people often visit it to pray on New Year's Eve and New Year's Day. Today, the Asakusa Kannon Temple is always crowded with tourists who come to visit, learn about its architecture, and pray for good fortune. In front of the temple is the Nakamise Street, where visitors can shop for typical Japanese souvenirs.

Shopping in Tokyo

Besides enjoying the scenery and learning about the culture, tourists visiting Japan can indulge in shopping at Tokyo's shopping malls. Shibuya and Shinjuku are two famous, bustling districts of the Japanese capital. These areas are packed with shops, cafes, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

In late winter and early spring, the weather in Japan is still very cold. Therefore, tourists visiting Japan need to pay attention to keeping warm. Currently, Japan is also implementing COVID-19 prevention measures. Accordingly, Vietnamese visitors entering Japan must have received all three doses of the vaccine or have a negative PCR test result 72 hours before entry. Japan also mandates the wearing of face masks in public places.

Text and photos: Xuan Phuong