Japan in Winter: 5 Destinations Not To Miss

Blogs
August 1, 2025

Japan in winter is a season of contrasts—powdery snow falling over centuries-old temples, steaming hot springs tucked into mountain valleys, and coastal towns with crisp blue skies and quiet streets. If you’re planning a Japan trip and want to go beyond the usual ski resorts, this guide takes you to five of the best destinations in winter where culture, nature, and stillness meet.

These places aren’t just beautiful—they’re experiences that invite you to slow down, wander off the guidebook trail, and let winter work its quiet magic.

Kamakura

Best for: History, temples, ocean air, and unhurried exploration

In summer, Kamakura is alive with beachgoers. In Japan in winter, the crowds fade and the city’s quiet charm comes to the surface. Located just an hour by train from Tokyo, this former shogunate capital offers a gentler start or end to your Japan trip.

Spend mornings wandering through Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, its vermillion gates framed by bare winter branches. Visit Hōkoku-ji Temple’s bamboo grove, where the winter light filters soft and golden. On the coast, Yuigahama Beach is perfect for contemplative walks with Mount Fuji sometimes visible in the distance.

Seasonal tip: In January, Kamakura hosts the Ebisu Festival at Hongaku-ji Temple, a lively contrast to the otherwise calm streets. Warm up with bowls of shirasu-don (whitebait rice) or roasted sweet potatoes from street vendors.

Kanazawa

Best for: Samurai heritage, gardens, and winter gastronomy

Kanazawa is magical in winter. The samurai district of Nagamachi is dusted with snow, its earthen walls and wooden gates glowing under lantern light. Kenroku-en Garden, one of the top three in Japan, is at its most poetic—pine trees dressed with yukitsuri ropes to protect their branches from snow, ponds mirroring a silver sky.

Winter is also crab season here. Try snow crab fresh from the Sea of Japan at Ōmichō Market, alongside steaming bowls of local jibuni (duck stew). Visit Higashi Chaya District for tea houses that feel frozen in time, their warm interiors a refuge from the cold.

Seasonal tip: Kanazawa is less crowded than Kyoto but just as rich in culture, making it ideal for slow exploration in winter. It is also one of the best destinations to visit if you are interested in native crafts.

Naoshima

Best for: Contemporary art, architecture, and reflective travel

In Japan in winter, Naoshima feels almost otherworldly. The Seto Inland Sea is calm and pale blue, and the island’s open-air art installations stand in stark contrast to the crisp air and soft winter light.

Spend a day at the Chichu Art Museum, where Monet’s Water Lilies glow under natural skylight, and the architecture itself feels like part of the exhibition. Bike along quiet roads to see Yayoi Kusama’s iconic yellow pumpkin, often with no one else around. Stay in a minimalist ryokan where the focus is on the view and the season’s flavours—grilled local fish, winter vegetables, and delicate miso soups.

Seasonal tip: Many installations are open year-round, but winter is the time to experience them without the summer tourist rush, making it easier to connect with the art and space.

Sapporo

Best for: Snow festivals, hot springs, and a mix of city and nature

If your Japan trip in winter includes Hokkaido, Sapporo is the perfect base. In February, the city transforms for the world-famous Sapporo Snow Festival, where giant snow and ice sculptures turn parks into frozen galleries. Stalls selling hot miso ramen, grilled seafood, and steaming amazake line the streets.

From Sapporo, it’s easy to take day trips to ski resorts like Niseko or explore Otaru, a romantic canal town lit by hundreds of lanterns during its Snow Light Path Festival. And when the city’s chill gets to you, soak in nearby hot springs in Jozankei Onsen, surrounded by snow-covered mountains.

Seasonal tip: Visit in early February to catch both the Sapporo Snow Festival and the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival in one trip.

Okinawa

Best for: Beaches, coral reefs, and island culture

While mainland Japan in winter is cold and snowy, Okinawa is mild, sunny, and relaxed. Average daytime temperatures hover around 18°C, making it one of the best destinations in winter for those who want to mix a Japan trip with a tropical escape.

Explore Shuri Castle, once the seat of the Ryukyu Kingdom, without the summer crowds. Snorkel or dive in the Kerama Islands where visibility stretches over 30 metres, even in winter. Visit local markets in Naha to try goya champuru (bitter melon stir-fry) and Okinawan soba—comforting on a cool evening.

Seasonal tip: Winter is humpback whale season in Okinawa. Join a boat tour from Naha to witness these giants breaching against a turquoise backdrop.

Planning a trip to Japan?

Japan in winter offers far more than ski slopes—it’s a season for slowing down, experiencing tradition, and finding beauty in quiet moments. Whether you’re walking through snowy samurai streets in Kanazawa or watching whales in Okinawa, each of these destinations offers a different side of winter in Japan.

We’ll craft an itinerary that blends must-sees with hidden corners—so you can experience Japan in winter at its most magical. Write to us for a curated winter itinerary.