Winter in Japan isundervalued season. Snow cascades in Nikko, snowed Fuji of Tokyo, snow sculptures festival in Sapporo, exclusive skiing in Niseko with “powder” the best in the world. Under five targets for winter.
Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri)
The largest snow and ice sculpture festival in the world. It's happening.for 7 days in the first week of FebruarySince 1950 Turnout: 2 million people from 190 countries.
Three locations
- Odori Park— 1.5 km long park in downtown Sapporo. Main large sculptures:giant 15-metre models(locks, temples, anime characters). The night's illuminated. International Competition
- Susukino— entertainment district, hereIce sculptures(not snow). Inside some — whole aquariums with fish frozen on site
- Tsudome— family section, snow slides, snow tubing, tunnels
Practical
- Free admission, 24h
- Hotels in Sapporo: Book 6 months in advance. Prices x3
- Temperature: -5 to -15°C, snow guaranteed
- Directions: Tokyo-Sapporo aircraft 1h 30min, from 8000 JPY. Shinkansen: 8 hours through Seikan Tunnel (JR Pass OK)
Nikko — Temples in the Snow
Nikko(140 km north of Tokyo, 2 hours by train) — one of Japan's holiest areas, UNESCO. In winter: temple complex covered with snow, temperatures -5°C, less tourists than spring/ fall.
Tōshō-gū
TombIeyasu Tokugaws— founder of the Shogunat Edo (1543-1616). Japan’s richest temple —2489 sculptureson buildings.Yōmeimon Gate— a gate so beautiful that “you can look all day” (500 sculptures). FamousThree Monkeys“ I can’t see, can’t hear, don’t speak, ” at the stable. Introduction 1300 JPY.
Kegon Falls
97 m waterfall. In winter, it partially freezes — spectacular views. Access elevator: 570 JPY.
Lake Chūzenji
Volcanic lake 1269 m above the m., tributary of Kegon Falls. In winter all snow, the atmosphere of Narnia.
Onseny in the region
Kinugawa Onsen(30 mins from Nikko) — a very good ryokan-onsen overlooking the Kinu River. In winter snow + hot springs = catharsis.
Niseko — Premium skis
Niseko(Hokkaido, 2 hours from Sapporo) —the world’s best “powder snow”. Annually 15 meters of snow (most in Japan, one of the highest in the world). Extremely dry, “feather” snow — a dream for snowboarders.
Four centres
- Hirafu— the biggest, most nightlife, expensive
- Hanazono— smaller family
- Niseko Village— Hilton luxury hotels, Ritz-Carlton
- Annupuri— the calmest, for experts
All-Mountain Pass: 8900 JPY/day, all 4 centres.Backcountry: excellent, for the experienced — on freerider slopes with trees.
Nightlife and onsen
Niseko is international — 60% of tourists from Australia, USA, China, Hong Kong. Menu in English, hotel bars. Key:Kagura— exclusive Japanese barbecue.Hanazono 308— après-ski bar.
Yudanaka & Snow monkeys (Jigokudani Monkey Park)
Nagano Prefecture, 3 hours from Tokyo. ShrineJapanese macaques (nihonzar)— The only place in the world where monkeys bathe in hot springs. Winter: monkeys sit for hours in onsen (–15°C outside), with a steam blowing with fur. 100,000 tourists each year. Admission 800 JPY, access 30 min walk from the parking lot.
Accommodation base:Yudanaka Onsen— a town with 25 traditional ryokanami-onsen. LegendaryRyokan Biyunoyado— as of 1935.
Shirakawa-go — UNESCO village in snow
Shirakawa-go(Gifu Prefecture) — a village with wooden housesgasshō-zukuri(style ‘praying hands’ — steep 60° roofs adapted to meters of snow). Winter covered with snow = fairy tale image. UNESCO since 1995.
Winter Light-up(January-February, 7 selected evenings): a village illuminated with spotlights — one of Japan's most beautiful views. Requires booking (Ogimachi Village official site, ahead 3 months).
Directions: bus from Kanazawa (1h 15min) or Takayama (50 min).
Otaru — a canal in the snow
Otar(40 mins from Sapporo) — a port town with 19th century brick warehouses along the canal. In winter:Otaru Snow Light Path Festival(10 days in February) — 100,000 candles lit in the evening along the canal and alleyways. Magic atmosphere. Free admission.
Practical tips for winter Japan
- Winter clothes: Uniqlo/Muji — Heattech, puffy jackets. Mandatory waterproof footwear
- Combers in hotels:cattsu(hot bedside table — legendary atmosphere),hibachi(carbon, traditional heaters)
- Hot drinks:amazake(sweet rice, non-alcoholic),hot sake,Yuzu drink(aromatic lemon)
- Winter dishes:au(single-walled),Oden(eating in a hot broth from 7-Eleven stores — legendary!),hot pot ramen
- Season: December-February (snow sure), March-April (dows, but hanami)
- Hotel prices: January (without Snow Festival) — cheapest, February (Snow Festival) — most expensive