Snowy Sights: 6 Regions In Japan For Your Next Winter Getaway

1. Yamagata

In the morning: conquer the mountains with slippers

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

No, you didn’t hear us wrong - you can climb up the snow-capped mountains with just slippers! Known as “kanjiki”, these traditional rope slippers spread the weight of the wearer over a larger space so that the person’s foot does not sink too deep into the snow, allowing you to traverse up the snowy terrains safely. Join the morning tour for a unique experience to start off your day!

Snowshoe Trek

Address: Zao Onsen, Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture

Price: Tours start from 38 USD, with your own set of kanjiki. Check website for more info.

Access: From Tokyo, take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station. Subsequently, take a 40-minute bus ride to Zao Onsen.

Snowshoe Trek at Zao Onsen

In the afternoon: stay warm in Zao Onsen

After a chilly morning exploring the volcanic mountain range, melt away the ice in your veins by sinking into the steaming onsen. Here at Zao Onsen, they combine the best of both worlds by having a ski & snowboarding resort right beside their warm baths - so feel free to calm your pounding adrenaline rush by relaxing in the hot water, paired with panoramic views of the surrounding mountain asphalts.

Zao Onsen & Ski Resort

Address: Zao Onsen, Yamagata, Yamagata Prefecture

Price: Ski rates start from 40 USD, accommodation prices vary depending on the kind of rental you choose. Check website for more info

Access: From Tokyo, take the JR Yamagata Shinkansen to Yamagata Station. Subsequently, take a 40-minute bus ride to Zao Onsen.

Zao Onsen

In the evening: eat the famous Yonezawa Beef Ramen for dinner

Enjoy a scrumptious feast of high-quality Yonezawa beef at Uesugi Joshien, where the Yonezawa steak don and beef fillet are absolute hot-sellers. Yonezawa cows are fed with rice straw and fattened for as long as 32 months - that’s why the meat is bouncy and full of flavour.

Uesugi Joshien

Address: 1-1-22 Marunouchi, Yonezawa, Yamagata Prefecture

Price: from 28 USD

Opening Hours: Closed sometimes for private events. Call to make reservation in advance.

Contact: +81 238-23-0700

Uesugi Joshien

2. Niigata

In the late morning: slurp up the Hegi-soba in Kojimaya-Souhoten

Added with a pinch of grounded seaweed called “funori”, the bouncy and slippery hegi-soba noodles are a local delicacy unique to Niigata. Dip it in different sauces for a special kick in the otherwise traditional flavour - hot Chinese mustard and ground sesame seeds are just two of the unlimited choices you have!

Kojimaya-Souhoten

Address: 758-1 Nakayashiki, Tokamachi City, Niigata Prefecture

Price: from 8 USD

Opening Hours: 11 am - 9 pm (Last order at 8:30pm)

Access: Approximately 7 minutes by car from Tokamachi Station (Hoku Hoku and JR lines)

Kojimaya-Souhoten

In the afternoon: a magical experience at the Minami Uonuma Snow Festival

Editor's Note: There's no photo available at the time of writing

Stay in a “kamakura” (little igloos built with snow) here at the Minami Uonuma Snow Festival, where a multitude of other events light up the snow-filled plains. Spend a romantic evening with your significant other while strolling through the snow light corridor, where the flickering lights of candles stream in through little holes drilled through snow walls.

Minami Uonuma Yuki Matsuri

Address: Minamiuonuma City, Niigata Prefecture

Price: Free

Access: 15 minute-walk from JR Joetsu line, or Hokuhoku line, “Muika-machi Station”

Contact: +81 25-783-3377

Minami Uonuma Yuki Matsuri

3. Akita

In the morning: check in to your ryokan and take a morning dip (Rooms from 600 USD, hot spring taxes are 1 USD per adult.)

Choose from a range of Western and Japanese-styled suites here at Kakunodatesanso Wabizakura, where you get to live near the historical samurai town of Kakunodate. 200 years old and sturdy with age, the thatched roofs extend into a private hot spring view in every guest room, so feel free to take a dip anytime you want.

Kakunodatesanso Wabizakura

Address: 2-8 Sasayama, Nishikichokadoya, Semboku City, Akita Prefecture

Price: Rooms from 600 USD, hot spring taxes are 1 USD per adult.

Access: From Tokyo Station: 3hr 10min by Shinkansen to Kakunodate Station, 15min by shuttle service from Kakunodate Station (prior reservation required).

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In the afternoon: visit the lake that never freezes

Feast your eyes on the mystical phenomenon of Lake Tazawa, where it doesn’t freeze even in the dead of winter! Legend has it that the fiery love between two humans-turned-dragons (Tatsuko & Hachirogata) buried deep down in the lake keeps the ice from forming - but for the sceptics, it could highly likely be due to its geographical anatomy. With a depth of 423 metres, it is the deepest lake in Japan.

Lake Tazawa

Access: Take a bus from Tazawako Station to Tazawa-kohan bus stop on the lake’s eastern shore (12 minutes away)

At night: kiritanpo at Kamakuraya for dinner!

A signature food of Akita, the kneaded rice on a skewer is roasted to a crispy golden-brown and dunked into a rich chicken soup. Enjoy the sweetness of newly harvested rice with a serving of local sakè to warm up your body from the winter cold!

Kamakuraya

Address: Omachi, Akita City, Akita Prefecture

Price: from 30 USD

Opening Hours: 5pm - 12am (Last order: 11.30pm)

Contact: +81 18-862-9055

4. Fukushima

In the morning: take a scenic ride through the Aizu region

Hop on board the Tadami Line, where it will take you through the mountainous region of Aizu. Covered with a sheen of glowing white snow, the panoramic views of ashy mountains make for a great view during winter.

Tadami Line

Address: 1-1, Ekimae-machi, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture

Price: Varies from season to season. Check website for more info

Tadami Line

In the afternoon: trekking across the seafloor at the Lake of Five Colors

Trekking across snow-laden fields should be an easy feat for you after your experience at Zao Onsen! Now, it’s time to put your trekking skills to use again, by waddling through the snow to visit the beautiful Goshikinuma, coined after the ever-changing colours depending on the season and angle you view it at.

Snowshoe Trek Tour

Address: Trek Tour from Yaginuma to Benten'numa

Price: from 35 USD

Opening Hours: Choose from morning slot (9.20am) and afternoon (1.20pm)

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In the evening: check in at a Fukushima ryokan with onsen baths

Your ryokan experience wouldn’t be complete without a steaming hot tub! Check out 3 of these exquisite ryokans in different parts of Fukushima - no matter where you’re coming from, there’s a place for you!

Ryokans in Fukushima

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5. Nagano

In the morning: watch the Snow Monkeys take a bath at Yamanouchi

Nope, peeking is not a crime here! Although feeding and touching the monkeys are illegal, you can still observe their entertaining antics with one another. Friendly and accustomed to humans, they mostly just focus on their main duties here - taking a good long shower and eating to their hearts’ content.

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Address: 6845 Yamanouchi-machi Shimotakai-gun Nagano Prefecture

Price: 5 USD (8 USD from December 2016)

Opening Hours: 8:30 to 5pm (April to October) 9am to 4pm (November to March)

Access: Take a bus to Kanbayashi Onsen from Yudanaka Station (10-15 minutes away), and the monkey park is a 30-40 minute walk away.

Monkey Park

In the late afternoon: grab an oyaki for lunch!

Half a dozen of these fist-sized dumplings will make a warm snack for your tummy on a cold day! Seasoned with vegetables, miso and savoury soy sauce, you definitely can’t miss getting a taste of this! Commonly sold on the streets, look out for street vendors standing behind wooden pots with a billowing cloud of steaming mist everywhere.

6. Hokkaido

In the morning: take a day trip to the Blue Pond in Biei

When still, the entirety of the blue pond resembles a looming mirror, reflecting the vivid blue hues of the skies onto its own waters. During winter, it is especially beautiful to see the untainted turquoise waters peppered by rows of crisp white trees - it looks just like a scene taken from a fairytale, so be sure not to miss this beautiful sight!

The Blue Pond

Access: Hop on the Hokkaido Expressway at Sapporo interchange and get off at Mikasa Interchange, then drive pass Katsurazawa Dam and through Furano (about 150km in total). Take a 10-minute stroll along the footpath, and you will find yourself at the pond.

In the early evening: hang out at the peak of Mount Hakodate

Spend your last night in Hokkaido by admiring the sprawling landscapes of Hakodate. Illuminated by a blur of city lights, the view from the top of Mount Hakodate resembles a flurry of fairy lights amidst towering metropolitan buildings. Take the Hakodate ropeway, a convenient alternative to an otherwise harsh hike up the rocky terrains. Operating in 15-minute intervals, you can hitch a ride up to the top in just 3-minutes.

Although the weather may be colder than comfortable, don’t let the chilly winter winds freeze your enthusiasm - the stunning sights from the peak will melt the cold away!

Peak Of Mount Hakodate

Price: from 8 USD

Opening Hours: Ropeway operates from 10am to 9.50pm. Varies from season to season, check main website for more info

Mt. Hakodate Ropeway

Ready for some frolicking in the snow?

For some, winter is a chore and is better off spent hibernating in the comforts of the heater. However, there’s so much you’re going to be missing out on if you stay cooped up at home! This vacation, take some time off and consider visiting one of the 6 places mentioned above. With a huge variety of activities for you to choose from, we can guarantee that you’ll ditch your linen sheets for sheets of fluffy white snow instead!