Snow comes to mind when thinking of winter in Japan. Japan is known for its powder snow qualities that make it excellent for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding, but is also simply breathtaking to look at. In this article, we introduce the best places to find snow in Japan and highlights of snow that can only be experienced here.
Table of Contents
When is Japan’s Snow Season?
Japan’s snow season is generally from December to March, though this varies depending on the region and prefecture. Peak snow season is typically during the coldest winter months of January and February. During the winter and snow season, it gets terribly cold in Japan with temperatures in many parts of Japan below 10°C/50°F, or even below zero. Therefore, it is essential to take measures against the cold with proper winter clothing and heating goods.
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Does all of Japan experience snowfall?
No, while Japan is known for its winter snowfall, there are regions that typically experience little to no snow during winter. In general, southern parts of Japan tend to have less snow compared to northern parts of Japan. Additionally, the southern islands of Japan, such as Kyushu, rarely see significant snowfall. Okinawa, in particular, has a subtropical climate and very rarely has snow. During winter, the temperature in Okinawa is around 20°C/68°F during the day, which is not conducive for snow.
When does it snow in Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto?
Cities like Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto, which are located in the southern and central parts of Japan’s main island, usually have milder winters with little to no snowfall.
Snow, if it does occur, in Tokyo is usually in January. However, do not expect the beautiful powder snow Japan is famous for, the snow in Tokyo is typically light and is wet snow, which is icy and melts fast. Snow in Tokyo does not typically pile up enough for playing but is still beautiful to see. Likewise in Kyoto and Osaka, significant snowfall is rare, but that’s what makes it more special when it does happen. Kyoto, in particular, with its traditional buildings and atmosphere becomes incredibly beautiful with a touch of snow.
Keep in mind that while these areas may not experience heavy snowfall, they can still have chilly temperatures during the winter months. It's always a good idea to check the specific weather conditions for your desired location and time of travel.
Additionally, these are general weather trends, but weather conditions can vary from year to year. As an example, the weather conditions for the year 2023 was very unusual with many regions including Hokkaido, Kyoto, and Nara experiencing snow in November.
Image from JMA.
If you're planning to visit for winter sports or to experience the snow, it's advisable to check the current weather conditions and forecasts for the specific region you plan to visit. You can do so at the Japan Meteorological Agency's Snow Analysis/Forecasts here. Or on their seasonal forecasts for snowfall here.
Writer's Pick
Highlights of Snow in Japan
What exactly makes snow so fascinating to see and play in Japan? There are unique sights, traditions, and events that can only be experienced here. These are some of them!
Winter Sports in Japan
Japan has some of the highest snowfall in the world and is often praised for its excellent snow quality that is perfect for winter sports like snow skiing, and snowboarding. When the snow season comes, ski resorts in Japan become very busy with visiting tourists, both local and from overseas. Many ski resorts offer rental of ski gear and snowboards.
Places that are famous for ski resorts in Japan include Hokkaido, Nagano, Yamagata, and Niigata prefectures. Nagano is the prefecture with the most ski resorts in Japan.
What other winter sports are there in Japan? Have a look at our Winter Activities in Japan article.
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Unique Sightseeing Spots Only in Japan
When thinking about winter and snow season in Japan, some particular scenes come to mind, like the snow monkeys soaking in the hot springs, the beautiful snow covered village of Shirakawago, and the tall snow walls of the Tateyama Snow Corridor. Other sights you may not know of are the “snow monsters'' and drift ice. There’s also
Ice Festivals, Snow Festivals, and Other Winter Festivals in Japan
Festivals, aka Matsuri (祭り), are enjoyed every season in Japan, though each season has its own speciality. During winter in Japan, ice festivals, snow festivals, Christmas markets, and winter illuminations are events that fit the wintery snowy vibes. There are some ice and snow festivals in particular that are very famous, like Hokkaido’s Sapporo Snow Festival.
10 Best Places to Find Snow in Japan
Without further ado, if you want to enjoy the beautiful atmosphere and scenery of snow in Japan, here are 10 of the best places to find snow in Japan!
1. [Gifu] Shirakawago
The UNESCO World Heritage Site Shirakawago is an area where gassho houses are preserved. These gassho houses, with steeply pitched timbered roofs, were built during the 18th century. Great skill is required to assemble these wooden houses. Not only are nails not used in the construction process, but the gabled roof made of thatch is very steep allowing for snow to slide off easily.
During winter, these gassho houses are covered with white snow. Looking down from the mountain, the cute white houses look like snowy cottages from picture books. At night, when the houses are lit up, it looks like an image of Christmas taken straight from a children’s storybook.
If you’re planning to visit, keep in mind that tickets for the observatory and bus to the village must be reserved in advance. It is also possible to book an overnight stay at a gassho house.
2. [Nagano] Jigokudani Monkey Park
This may be the cutest winter attraction in Japan. Jigokudani Monkey Park is home to a large number of wild Japanese macaques, also known as Snow Monkeys. They live there freely and people who love monkeys can watch them and their lifestyle from up close. The Snow Monkeys enjoy soaking in the water all year round, but there is a much higher chance to see them doing so in winter as the hot spring baths keep them warm. For hygienic reasons, the hot spring baths in Jigokudani Monkey Park are exclusively for monkeys only.
How did the Snow Monkeys come to enjoy bathing in the hot springs? It is said that during the early years, they came to imitate humans who came to take baths. The snow monkeys with expressions of pure bliss as they soak in the hot spring water while surrounded by snow is a healing sight. No wonder many people come to visit them every year.
The Jigokudani Monkey Park is located in Nagano Prefecture, one of the places that enjoys the most snow in Japan, and also the prefecture with the most ski resorts in Japan.
3. [Miyagi, Yamagata] Mount Zao
The true identity of Japan’s “snow monsters” are frost covered trees called 樹氷 (Juhyo) in Japanese. The peak of Mount Zao has many cedar trees. Due to the seasonal winds and the warm currents from the Sea of Japan, large amounts of water vapour approaches the mountains to form snow clouds, resulting in heavy snowfall. The cedar trees become covered in snow and ice to form large snow monsters. Truly, a wonder of nature.
Mount Zao spans across two prefectures. The snow monsters can be seen at Zao Onsen Ski Resort on the Yamagata Prefecture side, while on the Miyagi Prefecture side, they can be seen when visiting Sendai.
4. [Hokkaido] Sapporo Snow Festival
The Sapporo Snow Festival, called 札幌雪まつり (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri) in Japanese, is the most famous snow festival in Japan. It is held annually in Sapporo City, Hokkaido during the coldest winter month of February. It is a historic snow festival that started in 1950 when school students sculpted six snow figures for an exhibition - this was the first Sapporo Snow Festival. And in Winter 2024, the 74th Sapporo Snow Festival will be held.
The Sapporo Snow Festival features many impressively large-scaled snow sculptures. There are realistic recreations of real places, persons, or things, as well as creative works of art. Anyone and everyone is welcome to participate. Other festivities during the event include light shows and projections, winter sports like curling, snow slides and snow rafting, performances, and Hokkaido food and drinks to partake in.
5. [Hokkaido] Abashiri Drift Ice
The Sea of Okhotsk is located in the northern part of Hokkaido Island. In winter, due to large amounts of fresh water rushing into the Strait of Tartary, the salinity of the Sea of Okhotsk decreases, making it difficult for the floating ice on the surface of the ocean to melt. This results in a spectacular view of floating ice, aka drift ice.
Abashiri’s drift ice season is from January to March. You can take sightseeing boats in Abashiri and Monbetsu to go out to sea for a closer look. On these sightseeing trips, you will not only see the endless sea of ice, but also seagulls, seals, and other marine animals. It is a very interesting experience!
Another interesting place to visit in Abashiri is the Abashiri Prison Museum. It is an actual prison facility during the Meiji era that has now been converted into a museum. Many of the buildings have been designated as important cultural properties by the Japanese government and carefully preserved. Abashiri Prison is also the background setting for Golden Kamuy, a popular anime and manga series set in Hokkaido.
6. [Hokkaido] Biei
You may know Biei in Hokkaido for its flower fields in summer, but Biei in winter is in a different league of its own. The expansive flat fields of Biei, once covered with green grass, are now covered with snow forming a pristine, unmarked and endless sea of snow. Winter sports like snow hiking etc. are available of course, but the sheer beauty of the snow is what makes it worth visiting.
There are several particularly famous scenic spots in Biei. The Mild Seven Hills is one such spot, named after a cigarette commercial that it appeared in. Who knew that a simple row of pine trees could look so beautiful.
7. [Tochigi] Yunishigawa Hot Spring
Yunishigawa Onsen is a small remote hot spring town located in Nikko City, Tochigi that has a history of over 500 years. From late January to late February every year, the hot spring town holds a winter festival called Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival. The town transforms into a winter wonderland perfect for a romantic visit featuring snow lanterns and snow houses. At night, the snow lanterns and candles placed inside each snow house are lit, forming stars across the snowy white landscape that resembles a Milky Way on earth.
8. [Toyama] Tateyama Kurobe Snow Walls
The Tateyama Kurobe Snow Walls, also known as Snow Corridor, is one of the most impressive sights of snow in Japan. It is located along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, specifically along the Bijodaira to Murodo route. The 20 metres tall snow walls were formed as a result of clearing piled up snow in order to pass this section of the road.
Despite what you may think, the Snow Corridor is only open to visitors from around mid April to mid June, and not during the winter months. For those that missed the opportunity to see snow in Japan during winter, why not take this opportunity to visit. There are tour buses that can bring you to the Snow Corridor, or to explore the entire Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route.
9. [Ishikawa] Kanazawa and Kenrokuen Garden
Kenrokuen (兼六園) in Kanazawa City, Ishikawa is one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens (日本三名園). The garden’s name “Kenrokuen” means “having 6 attributes” in reference to the garden having the 6 attributes required for an ideal garden, namely spaciousness, tranquillity, artifice, body of water, and magnificent views. Kenrokuen is beautiful all year round, but is said to be even more so in winter when blanketed in snow.
In winter, 雪吊り (Yukizuri) are a common sight in Japanese gardens. Yukizuri are ropes or wires wrapped around trees to protect them from the snow that resemble umbrella wires. It also makes the trees look like Christmas trees. The Yukizuri works by preventing snow from accumulating on the tree and breaking its branches. Some places that do not experience snow may use Yukizuri purely for decoration purposes, like Rikugien Garden in Tokyo.
Aside from Kenrokuen, the entire Kanazawa City is also a beautiful sight during winter with the usual streets, buildings and sights covered in a layer of snow. It gives off a different atmosphere from the usual.
10. [Yamagata] Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen is the epitome of Taisho Roman. The wooden ryokan (Japanese inns) were built at the end of the Taisho era. Flowing through the center of the town is the Ginzan River, and the town itself is surrounded by mountains. During winter, when the town is covered with snow, it becomes breathtakingly beautiful, resembling a scene straight out of a period drama.
Exploring the town and enjoying the hot springs is great fun in itself, but Ginzan Onsen is also popular for the beauty of its nature. If so inclined, you can go on a nature trail hike and explore the mountains surrounding the town.
To Close
In this article, we’ve given you just a quick glimpse of Japan and snow. There are many more places to find and enjoy snow in Japan, but these 10 are a good starting point. Don’t forget to look into Japan’s other winter attractions like the food and illuminations too!
