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Best Places to Visit in JAPAN in Winter (PLUS Survival Tips)

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There’s no questioning Japan is a beautiful and magical country, and in the winter, Japan becomes even more enchanting. Japan, in winter transforms into a snowcapped winter wonderland. Winter is a season of breathtaking beauty and unique adventures that are ONLY available in the winter. In this blog, we’ll explore some of the best places to visit in Japan in winter. Each destination particularly comes alive in the winter and offers something truly unique.

I will also be sharing some essential Japan winter survival tips, to ensure you make the most of your winter adventure.

Table of contents

Koyasan Japan Itinerary - Best things to do in Japan in Winter
Koyasan (Mount Koya)

❄️Winter – Survival Tips

Winter in Japan brings a diverse range of conditions. From heavy snowfall in the mountainous areas, where temperatures can drop below freezing, to milder conditions in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto. Winter temperatures typically range from 0°C to 10°C (32°F to 50°F), making it ideal for enjoying all sorts of winter activities, hot springs, traditional foods such as hot pots and ramen.

Below are some tips to Help You Survive a Winter in Japan:

  • Wear layers, it’s very cold outside but warm and heated everywhere inside.
  • Train seats are heated. So are a lot of toilet seats lol.
  • You can buy snap heat packs for your pockets from convenience stores, these are perfect for warming you up on particularly cold days.
  • Bring boots so that your feet and shoes stay dry. (Make sure they are comfortable to A LOT of walking)
  • Bring scarfs, thermals, beanies and gloves!
  • The shopping is amazing & cheap, so keep some room in your case to buy some new winter clothes & jackets.
  • They sell the best (and cheap) thermals at UNIQLO.
  • Sumo wrestling tournaments run through the winter months – check the schedule before you go to make sure you are in the right town at the right time.
  • This also means that you may be able to catch the Sumo’s Training in Tokyo in the early mornings in Ryogoku.
  • It’s the perfect time visit an Onsen town and eat their traditional hot dishes like Ramen, or Hot pot.
  • Japan has some of the BEST skiing in the world!
  • Book a hotel with an onsen (we have curated the perfect list of Onsen Hotels in Tokyo)

❄️Year-round Japan Survival Tips

  • MONEY: Japan, although a very modern country, has areas and small stores that will only accept cash. For this reason, we suggest you always carry a combination of both cash and card.
  • CURRENCY EXCHANGE: We suggest you get a WISE CARD. In our experience the online exchange rates are A LOT more favorable than exchanging through our bank, our credit card, or through a physical foreign exchange facilities both abroad and in Japan.
  • TRAIN PASSES: There are several options for Train Passes, including the JR Rail Pass, Kansai Pass, Tokyo Metro Pass, Hakone Free Pass. We have explained them all here so that you can work out which ones you will need to SAVE THE MOST MONEY
  • SUICA / PASMO: We suggest you get a Suica or Pasmo Travel Card. These are a pay as you go transit card and make travelling on Public Transport very easy. Details of where you can get one, due to the global shortage are here in our blog.
  • BOOKING: We STONGLY suggest you book as far in advance as possible. This includes Accommodation, Flights AND entry to theme parks, or Sites / Themed Restaurants etc. You would be surprised how quickly things book out in advance. Trains, Tours, Theme Parks can all be booked through Klook and are usually a bit cheaper than direct.
  • DISCOUNT CODE (10%) for Klook: TRAVELLIVNKLOOK
  • More survival tips to assist you in your planning and travels to Japan can be found here:
Things to know before going to Japan

To see more JAPAN SURVIVAL TIPS, take a look at our recent blog:

IMPORTANT Things to Know Before Going to Japan

❄️Best places to visit in Japan in Winter

The following places, and activities are the best places to visit in Japan in winter. The winter conditions ADD an element that makes them even more magical and special.

Winter Day Trips from TOKYO

Visit the Snow Monkeys in Nagano (Jigokudani Monkey Park, Japan)

The snow monkeys are an INCREDIBLE place to visit in winter, located within reach of Tokyo, this experience (in winter of course) is one of Japan’s and Tokyo MUST SEE’S.

Getting there: Catch a train to Nagano, followed by a local bus to the Monkey Park (exit the station and turn left to the bus stops on the ground floor). From there it is a 5-min walk to the entrance and a 15-minute walk through the Forrest to the monkeys and hot springs.

snow monkeys nagano japan itinerary 10 days
snow monkeys nagano japan itinerary 10 days
snow monkeys nagano japan itinerary 10 days

Alternatively, you can relax and go by car, on a Day Tour with a Guide

Mount Fuji Lakes Region

Seeing a snowcapped Mount Fuji is definately one of the best things to see in Japan in Winter!

Getting there: Starting from Tokyo, you take the JR Chuo Line to Otsuki Station. From there, you transfer to the Fujikyu Railway Line, which brings you directly to the stations around the Five Lakes area, such as Kawaguchiko Station and the Shimoyoshida Station for famous Chureito Pagoda.

The route offers stunning views and glimpses of Mount Fuji on clear days.

Once again there are some great Day Tours with a Guide, available to take you to the Mount Fuji Lakes Region, like this one

Hakone Region

Hakone is another opportunity to see the beautiful snow capped Mt Fuji and a beautiful place to visit in Japan in winter. As well as Mt Fuji you will see other local attractions like the iconic Hakone Shrine, the ropeway cable car into the Ōwakudani Volcanic Valley and the pirate ship cruise along the Ashinoko Lake near Hakone.

Getting there: From Tokyo, take the Tokaido Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo Station to Odawara Station. Once at Odawara Station, transfer to the Hakone Tozan Line, which is a local train that will take you into the Hakone area.

The Hakone Free Pass is highly recommended for travelers visiting Hakone. It covers the round-trip travel from Tokyo to Odawara on the Shinkansen and unlimited travel on specified modes of transport within the Hakone area, including the Hakone Tozan Line, buses, boats on Lake Ashi, and the Hakone Ropeway. You can buy the Hakone Free Pass here, and use our discount code TRAVELLIVNKLOOK

DAY TOURS AVAILABLE TO ALL THESE REGIONS:

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Winter Day Trips from KYOTO or OSAKA

Mount Koya (Koyasan)

Koyasan is known as the spiritual capital of Japan and is the home to 100s of Buddhist Temples and Mausoleums. It is a very sacred place and one of our favorite places we visited while in Japan in winter.

Getting there: Starting at Namba Station, take the Nankai Koya Line (Limited Express or Express) to Gokurakubashi Station. This is the nearest station to Koyasan.

At Gokurakubashi Station, transfer to the Nankai Cable Car that will take you up the mountain to Koyasan.

Using the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket: The recommended pass for traveling to Koyasan is the Koyasan World Heritage Ticket. This pass includes round-trip travel from Osaka to Koyasan, unlimited travel on Nankai Railway lines (including the cable car), and discounts or free admission to selected temples and attractions in Koyasan. This can be bought through Klook, using our code TRAVELLIVNKLOOK for up to 10% off.

The journey from Osaka to Koyasan takes approximately 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the train schedule and transfers.

Koyasan Japan Itinerary
Koyasan Japan Itinerary
Koyasan Japan Itinerary

Day tour option for visiting Koyasan (AND the Koyasan Pass)

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Nara Deer Park

We visited just before Christmas and what better way to get in the festive spirit than to dress in Santa Suits and visit the deer at the Nara Deer Park. It was such a fun experience, and at one point we had a lineup of locals wanting to get photographs with us….

❄️Other Prefectures to visit in Japan in winter

Shirakawa-go

Known for its UNESCO-listed traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, Shirakawa-go is stunning in winter when these thatched-roof houses are blanketed in snow, offering a picturesque scene straight out of a winter fairy tale.

Gokayama Kanazawa

Similar to Shirakawa-go, Gokayama is famous for its gassho-zukuri villages and is wonderful to visit in winter providing a glimpse into Japan’s rural mountain life.

Toyama

Toyama is great to visit in winter for its proximity to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, where visitors can experience majestic snow walls towering above them, along with the Tateyama Snow Festival featuring impressive ice sculptures. It is also where you can see the snow meet the sea.

❄️Skiing in Japan in Winter

Skiing at Hakuba
  • Hakuba
  • Miyoka
  • Nozawa Onsen
  • Niseko
  • Rusutsu Resort
  • Sapporo Teine
Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival is a world-renowned winter event held annually in Sapporo, Hokkaido, attracting millions of visitors from around the globe. Featuring ice and snow sculptures, some towering over 15 meters tall, the festival transforms the city into a winter wonderland.

Blog cover: Skiing in Japan - The Best ski fields near Tokyo

To read our guide about the BEST Skiing near TOKYO

CLICK HERE

❄️Japan Onsen Towns

Onsen towns are the perfect place to spend some time on a cold wintery day. Why not warm yourself up with a HOT relaxing hot spring onsen and take in a traditional Japanese cultural experience.

Popular Onsen Towns

  • Hakone (Day visit from Tokyo)
  • Atami (Day visit from Tokyo)
  • Beppu (Day visit in Kyushu)
  • Kusatsu
  • Nozawa Onsen
  • Hakuba Town
Hakuba Town Blog – Skiing in Japan – The Best ski fields near Tokyo

Ultimately, we feel you are going to fall in love with the winter in Japan, just like we did. We LOVED it so much, we have already booked to go back next year and explore more of Japan’s winter wonderland!

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