Spend a winter break in Japan that blends rich culture with seasonal wonders for a magical experience.
From snow-capped landscapes to traditional hot springs, Japan offers a unique blend of tranquility and adventure.
The charm of festive illuminations, winter festivals, and snow sports make it an ideal destination for those looking for a diverse and glamorous holiday experience.
Winter is a great time to visit the well-preserved Shirakawa countryside of Japan. The town, which is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, consists of several thatched-roofed gassho-zuki farmhouses that have been converted into motels, restaurants, and museums.
Every February, the port city of Otaru Hokkaido hosts a spectacular snow festival. During the so-called Otaru Snow Light Trail Festival, the city's streets are illuminated with hundreds of lights and snow sculptures. We really enjoyed the lights floating along Otaru's main canal. Put the event on the calendar for this season, which runs from February 10 to February 17, 2024.
Kenrokuen Garden is considered one of the three major gardens in Japan in Ishikawa Prefecture. While it's a popular destination all year round, the well-kept grounds are particularly attractive during the winter months. When it snows, the surroundings are covered in white, transforming the scenery into a truly tranquil area. During the winter months, the park is often lit up, and the nearby Uchihashi-tei Teahouse occasionally hosts small ** performances.
Although it has nothing to do with snow, the illuminations of Nabana no Sato are among the best in Japan. Millions of sparkling LEDs are displayed in the Botanical Gardens located in Mie Prefecture, a small island on Long Island, creating rainbow-colored rivers, waterfalls, and other features in this breathtaking winter light show. There is plenty of time to visit and enjoy the illuminations as it lasts until May.
During the Snow Festival in February every year, Sapporo transforms into a chilly fantasy world. In 1950, students began building snow sculptures in the Odori area, and since then, the festival has grown into a week-long extravaganza featuring magnificent ice sculptures that cover the area. The event will return this winter from February 4 to 11, 2024.
The Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival in Tochigi Prefecture is home to this enchanting winter wonderland. Every year, during the winter festival from late January to early March, hundreds of illuminated igloos known as Kamakura are on display.
Visit this park for an up-close look at snow monkeys or Japanese macaques relaxing in the warm spring waters. This winter resort is located within Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano Prefecture. The monkeys often bathe in the hot springs, but if you want to see them in the park in the snow, visit in January or February.
Open every winter, this charming igloo village in Nagano is actually a restaurant. Located in the small village of Iiyama, Kamakura Village Restaurant consists of 20 pop-up igloos tucked away in the snow-capped Japanese Alps. You will enjoy a delicious local hot pot called noroshi nabe, which is cooked with miso, pork, and seasonal vegetables. Each igloo can accommodate up to four people. The restaurant, which will bring back the snowy winter season, will open from January 20 to February 29, 2024.