Winter in Japan is a truly charming season of the year, with plenty of unique experiences that come along with it, including pure white snow!
Japan is a country I’d describe as having “extreme seasons.” What I mean is that, for example, is that summer in Japan is really hot, and in the same way, winter in Japan is really cold!
As such, it’s quite common for temperatures to drop below 0 degrees Celsius during the winter season.
Some regions cop a lot of snow during this time while others may only get a few sprinkles, and after living through an entire winter season here, I’ve experienced snow in Japan in all of its forms.
Yuzawa
Let’s not joke around here, if you’re looking for the best possible snow experience in Japan, then you need to hit the slopes at Yuzawa’s Ski Resort!
You don’t even need to be into skiing, simply take the cable cars up to the top and enjoy the magnificent views before taking it back down. Once at the top, the views of endless snowy mountains in Yuzawa is a sight you will never forget.
Pure white snow blanketed atop hard rocky mountains and decorated in armies of frosty snow-capped trees amidst misty clouds was like an image that truly felt computer-generated and straight-up fake (clearly, the impact it had was very real though!).
Nagano
Not too far out from Yuzawa is the rural prefecture of Nagano. This town is home to Japan’s famous Snow Monkey Park and also has many other attractions such as the Zenkoji Temple and the Matsumoto Castle.
Not only can you see the wild monkeys bathing in hot springs (and mucking about), but Snow Monkey Park is also a huge area of snowy walking trails with temples, shrines, and flowing rivers along the way.
If Yuzawa is the winter paradise of Japan, then Nagano is the winter wonderland. Instead of enjoying the views of snowy mountains from a high altitude, you get hands-on with a more engaged, immersive experience trekking through the snow!
Kyoto
Truthfully, you don’t have to travel outside of Japan’s major prefectures to enjoy snow. In fact, I was able to see a few snowy trails during my hike up Kyoto’s Mt. Hiei.
Of course, the snow you get in the city is not as impressive as the regional areas of Yuzawa and Nagano.
However, there is a certain charm in having the snow sprinkling down in the crowded metropolis areas of Kyoto.
One winter morning on my way to work, I cycled through the snowy breeze of Kyoto city and to this day it remains my most memorable commute to work!
For the best chance of experiencing snow in Japan’s major cities, I suggest visiting around late January to mid-February, at least that’s what worked for me!
Of course, if you are planning to visit Japan, you’ll need a way to get around the country as efficiently and affordably as possible. Japan Rail provides an abundance of travel passes to suit your travel needs. So whether you are traveling individually or as a group, the JR Pass is every traveler’s go-to for getting around and making the most of your time in Japan!