Why should you visit Japan in winter?

Japan is one of the world's most popular tourist destinations. Each season, the Land of the Rising Sun captivates with its own unique beauty. From autumn foliage to cherry blossoms, each visit offers a different way to experience Japan. Despite the cold, a winter trip to Japan is a delightful time to explore this island nation. Here are some reasons to visit the Land of the Rising Sun in winter.

Ice fishing

Wakasagi tsuri, or "ice fishing," is extremely popular in Japan during the winter. It's a fascinating and exciting cultural experience for travelers brave enough to withstand the harsh cold.

Typically, to experience wakasagi tsuri (ice fishing), people set up tents on the frozen lake, dig a circular hole about 15-20 cm in diameter, and use a fishing rod with specialized line. Fishermen here don't need any kind of fishing license. However, some places may require a license. Additionally, Japanese seafood is among the freshest in the world, so this is an activity you should definitely try when visiting during the winter.

Snow-covered landscape

While many tourists prefer visiting Japan in the spring to see the cherry blossoms, winter shouldn't be missed, with its fairytale-like scenery. Snow-capped mountains, everything from trees to temples, bridges, and houses—all nestled under a blanket of white ice and snow—create a truly spectacular landscape.

Less crowded

People often flock to Japan during cherry blossom season. Therefore, most international tourists choose to travel during this time, meaning it's peak season with crowded attractions, hotels quickly becoming fully booked, and prices rising. Conversely, if avoiding crowds is a priority for your trip, then winter is the ideal time to visit popular tourist destinations in Japan.

Winter sports

For travelers who enjoy skiing, snowboarding, and other winter sports, Japan is a fantastic choice. Hokkaido and Nagoya offer some of the best destinations in the country for winter activities. Even more special are the well-equipped ski resorts, providing exciting, novel, and memorable experiences.

Holidays in Japan

There are many unique traditional holidays celebrated in winter in Japan. New Year's Eve is especially exciting in Japan as you can participate in festivals and eat Toshi Koshi soba noodles on New Year's Eve with the belief that "life will last as long as soba noodles." Another notable Japanese winter holiday is Seijin no Hi, or "Coming-of-Age Day." This day marks the milestone of young people turning 20 and is celebrated with many prominent activities throughout Japan.

Hot spring bath

Soaking in hot springs is an experience not to be missed when visiting Japan in winter. Onsens are typically resorts built around Japanese hot springs and are like perfect oases for relaxation and immersing yourself in nature. However, visitors should be prepared to undress, as onsens require complete nudity.

Seasonal cuisine

Japanese cuisine is very diverse, and in winter, visitors can enjoy a variety of hot dishes to warm their stomachs amidst the harsh cold. Some notable dishes include ramen noodles, oden, okayu porridge, nabemono hot pot, and popular winter street foods like yakiimo (roasted sweet potato) and nikuman (meat buns).

Sapporo Snow Festival

For tourists visiting Japan in February, a stop at the Sapporo Snow Festival is a must-see. Here, visitors can enjoy numerous snow sculptures featuring popular characters like Hello Kitty and Rilakkuma. Besides the cool ice sculptures, the Sapporo Snow Festival also offers ice bars, ice skating rinks, food stalls, and live entertainment.

Visit the Snow Monkey Park.

Jigokudani Monkey Park, also known as the Snow Monkey Park, is open to visitors year-round. These monkeys can be found in Nagano and they survive the cold winter temperatures by huddling together and playing by the hot springs. With a Japan Rail Pass, visitors can easily reach the park on a day trip from Tokyo.

Phuong Thao is an editor at Travellive magazine. She is passionate about traveling and enjoys capturing moments with her camera in every place she visits. Travel, art, and lifestyle are Phuong Thao's favorite writing topics.

Phuong Thao