Winter is a highly underrated season to visit Japan, as most people come for the sakura or autumn leaves. Here are my top 5 winter must-dos!
(1) Check out Nagano’s Snow Monkey Park
The best time of year to see Japan’s iconic snow monkies is in the heart of winter. Upon arriving in Nagano, Tokyo, you’ll be hit by feelings of awe and wonder as you gaze upon the pure white snow. Frozen icicles hang from homes and trees are blanketed in pure white snow in this winter wonderland. At Nagano’s Snow Monkey Park, you can see these fuzzy little creatures bathing in the hot springs and keeping warm for the winter!
(2) Ski at the Yuzawa Snow Resort
If you’re more of a sporty type, you’ll love Japan’s plethora of ski resorts around Tokyo. Head over to the Yuzawa Snow Resort in Niigata and hit the slopes with your friends and family! Take the cable carts up to the top to see Niigata’s beautiful snowy mountains. If you don’t like skiing, you can hit up the cafes in the warm indoors and enjoy watching people ski from the window.
(3) See Yoyogi Park’s beautiful Christmas lights
One of the best ways to experience winter in Japan is by immersing yourself in the country’s Christmas spirit! You’ll find beautiful festival lights all around Tokyo’s major cities as the people let loose for the holiday season. The best place to see Japan’s Christmas lights is at Yoyogi Park. You will feel like you’re in another world with their endless blue lights and musical performances!
(4) Keep warm with a hot bowl of Soba or Udon
Of course, no trip is complete without a good feed! Japan offers some of the best winter warmer dishes in the world. Hot soups like ramen and miso soup are always favorites, but I personally love a hot bowl of tempura soba noodles. The colder the weather, the better it tastes! I will never forget the feeling of sipping this hot noodle soup on the coldest day at Nagano’s snowy forest!
(5) Cycle around Mount Fuji
Contrary to popular belief, winter is one of the best times of year to see Mount Fuji. Unlike spring and summer, the winter season offers clear views of the mountain. Furthermore, the mountain top will be at its peak “snowiness,” giving off the best aesthetic for visual pleasure! Cycling around Lake Kawaguchi is a great way to keep warm during winter in Japan while enjoying the different views of Mount Fuji!
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!