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Japan winter trips
Japan in winter is quieter, sunnier (it’s true!) and, we think, seriously beautiful. The crowds thin out, temple gardens take on a more subdued, mystical energy (some you’ll have all to yourself) and some of the country’s best-known sights feel far less packed than they can do in spring or autumn.
Winter in Japan is full of pleasant surprises – and we’re here to help you find them. Talk to someone who’s been, bathed, eaten, wandered and warmed their hands on more than one vending machine hot tea. We’ll help you shape a trip that’s thoughtful, original, and just the right amount of unexpected, whether you travel on a Small Group Tour or a Self-Guided Adventure, totally tailormade to you.
Reasons to visit Japan in winter
Space to breathe
Landmarks that draw spring and autumn crowds take on an almost meditative calm in winter. You’ll still see visitors, but far fewer tour groups. Even in Kyoto or Tokyo, there are quiet corners to be found – and they’re easier to find when there’s no jostling required.
A season made for soaking
Japan’s onsen (hot springs) come into their own when the air turns crisp. One of our favourite winter experiences is slipping into a mountainside bath as snow settles on the rocks around you. Cold air on your face, hot spring water around your shoulders. The sharper the chill outside, the better the soak.
Festivals with fire, light and mischief
Winter festivals are more than just entertainment. One day you might be watching locals hoist flaming torches into the night sky, the next, admiring the explosively colourful kimonos and gigantic fur scarfs of young people celebrating Seijin no Hi (Coming of Age Day).
Nature with a quiet drama
Winter strips things back. Red-crowned cranes gather in snowy marshes, their courtship dances as elegant as they are improbable. Nara’s famous deer leave neat hoof-prints in the crunchy snow. Sea eagles swoop along Hokkaido’s drift ice coast with a flair that suggests they know they’re being watched.
More value, less rush
With fewer domestic holidays and tourists about, winter often means better availability, more accommodation options, and less pressure to plan every minute.
Winter Travel itineraries
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Golden Route (Classic)
From ultra-modern Tokyo to the ancient capital of Kyoto via the hot springs of Hakone, this is a classic first-timer's trip to Japan.
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Winter Highlights (IJT Classic)
Winter Highlights is a journey through Japan's wild, northernmost outpost.
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Must-see Japan (IJT Essential)
Enjoy five of Japan's must-see destinations, with a mix of vibrant city life, quieter rural stops, and lots of flexibility to do your own thing.
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Japan Unmasked (IJT Essential)
Our Insiders describe Japan Unmasked as a bit like an introductory sampling platter of all Japanese culture – experiencing the best that Japan has to offer, including those places you may not have heard of. So you can explore those in-between places where so much of Japanese life happens.
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Hidden Corners of Japan
From Japan's classic stops to the undersold beauty of its west coast, Hidden Corners of Japan goes beyond the usual routes, and grants access to the local artisans, guides and craftspeople that make this hidden corner of Japan very special.
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Recommended Winter Travel Experiences
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Sapporo snow festival
Magical winter festival surrounding huge snow sculptures several stories high.
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Foot baths
Still not convinced about getting naked? Foot baths are a great way to feel the benefits of natural hot springs.
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Igloo building
Take a break from the Niseko slopes and learn how to build your very own igloo.
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Snowmobiling
Give your legs a rest and let the snowmobile do all the work, providing full throttle fun through Niseko backcountry and woodlands.
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Winter Travel accommodation across Japan
Green Leaf (Niseko)
The Green Leaf Niseko Village is a beautifully crafted hotel at the base of Mount Annupuri, offering ski-in, ski-out convenience, hot spring baths and spa treatments, fantastic food and great customer service.
Hakuba Springs (Hakuba)
The Hakuba Springs is a comfortable hotel in a very central location in Hakuba, just 5 minutes' walk from the Happo lifts.
La Neige Higashi-kan (Hakuba)
Old-fashioned and faded yet endlessly charming, La Neige Higashi-kan offers some of the resort's cosiest ski accommodation.
Alpen Hotel (Niseko)
The Alpen Hotel is the premier hotel in the Niseko Hirafu ski area and features its own indoor swimming pool, hot spring baths (indoor and outdoor) and a true ski-in/ski-out location at the bottom of the main piste.
Morino Lodge (Hakuba)
Morino Lodge ticks all the boxes: great location, friendly and laid-back atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and comfortable, well-equipped rooms.
Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo (Sapporo)
The Keio Plaza is a superior-grade hotel in the centre of Hokkaido's capital city, just five minutes' walk from Sapporo Station.
Green Leaf (Niseko)
The Green Leaf Niseko Village is a beautifully crafted hotel at the base of Mount Annupuri, offering ski-in, ski-out convenience, hot spring baths and spa treatments, fantastic food and great customer service.
Newly renovated in 2010, guest rooms are modern, well-sized, and very comfortable. Most have very pleasant views, whether they look out over the slopes on one side or Mount Yotei on the other, and there is free Wi-Fi available throughout the hotel. Ski and snowboard lessons, equipment hire, local tours and experiences such as snow rafting and snow shoe tours can all be easily arranged from the front desk, and for après-ski we recommend a cocktail at the convivial lounge bar. A great base from which to enjoy Japan's best winter sports in style!
The location of this hotel is perfect for those who have come for the snow and want to spend every possible moment on the slopes. There is a chairlift practically on the doorstep (the “Banzai”), and from the top of this it's a short ski down to the Niseko Gondola. Meanwhile, a free shuttle bus service links the hotel with all the other local ski areas.
The hotel's outdoor hot spring bath should be a highlight of your stay, giving you a chance to rest those muscles after a long day on the slopes. Be aware that the hotel is in a very quiet area with regard to restaurants and bars, so to access Niseko's nightlife you'll have to walk 20 minutes into town.Hakuba Springs (Hakuba)
The Hakuba Springs is a comfortable hotel in a very central location in Hakuba, just 5 minutes' walk from the Happo lifts.
Although it's not ski-in/ski-out, the hotel's position at the heart of Happo Village means that you'll be amply compensated for the slight inconvenience. Amongst its many advantages, there is a minimart and ski hire shop right by the hotel, plus a huge array of bar and restaurant options within walking distance.
The hotel has its own bistro, and owns the nearby Jacks Sports Bar – with live sport on HD screens, a resident DJ, and delicious food. There are also great communal hot spring baths, a mist sauna, and a Jacuzzi; perfect for a relaxing soak after a long day on the slopes. There is also a common room where you can hang out in the evenings and meet fellow skiers and boarders, and a range of books and games for you to use.La Neige Higashi-kan (Hakuba)
Old-fashioned and faded yet endlessly charming, La Neige Higashi-kan offers some of the resort's cosiest ski accommodation.
If you are looking for sleek, modern design and state-of-the-art technology, you won't find it at La Neige Higashi-kan. Instead, expect large, comfortable rooms, a welcoming atmosphere, and eclectic décor that ranges in its inspiration from “farmhouse in Provence” to Art Deco. In addition to its Deluxe, Superior and Standard rooms, La Neige Higashi-kan has two Finnish-style log cottages set apart from the main building in the surrounding woodland.
The owners were inspired by the architecture of Frank Lloyd Wright, and the hotel has been designed to make the most of its natural forest setting. In the lobby, a heterogeneous assortment of sofas (mostly sourced from Europe) cluster around a roaring fire, adding to the cosy and convivial atmosphere.
Breakfast is included and there is an in-house restaurant, which is known for its excellent wine list and the high quality of its French cuisine. The service throughout is impeccable, and the staff speak some English. It is a five-minute walk to the foot of the nearest ski slope, or the staff will be happy to drive you there on request.Alpen Hotel (Niseko)
The Alpen Hotel is the premier hotel in the Niseko Hirafu ski area and features its own indoor swimming pool, hot spring baths (indoor and outdoor) and a true ski-in/ski-out location at the bottom of the main piste.
While the hotel is pretty seventies-looking from the outside, the guest rooms are smart, modern and relatively spacious. The hotel itself is not going to be the most memorable you've ever stayed in, but if you're serious about your skiing (or boarding), you won't find a better location. The nearest chairlifts are less than a minute from the doorstep, and the train station is a 15-minute taxi ride.
Each guest room has its own (very spacious) locker in the hotel dry room, and there is a convenience store on the ground floor. Breakfast includes a wide range of Japanese and Western-style foods, and there is an in-house restaurant – although with the Niseko Village shops and restaurants just a short walk away, you may wish to explore further afield instead. The hotel's hot spring baths are another highlight, offering both indoor and outdoor baths included in the price of your stay.Morino Lodge (Hakuba)
Morino Lodge ticks all the boxes: great location, friendly and laid-back atmosphere, knowledgeable staff, and comfortable, well-equipped rooms.
With Happo's main gondola less than a five-minute walk away and one of the main shuttle bus hubs right outside the front door, you've got easy access to all the resorts in the Hakuba valley! There are also plenty of restaurants, bars and all-important onsen (hot spring baths) nearby.
The dining room serves a continental breakfast every morning (included in price). You can help yourselves to cereal, toast, muffins, fresh fruit, coffee, tea, juice, etc. Guests also have access to the kitchen if you want a snack or don't feel like going out to one of the nearby restaurants. The lodge has a drying room to store and dry your ski gear, free Wi-Fi, laundry facilities (washing machine and airer), waxing and repair room, and they can help you arrange rentals, lessons and tours (or we can pre-book these).
Most importantly of all, however, with over 14 years of combined experience in Hakuba, the staff at Morino Lodge can offer you a wealth of information on anything you like – from the best spots on the slopes to their favourite local onsen.Keio Plaza Hotel Sapporo (Sapporo)
The Keio Plaza is a superior-grade hotel in the centre of Hokkaido's capital city, just five minutes' walk from Sapporo Station.
The hotel has a range of room styles to choose from, including family rooms, triples, and suites. Amongst the services available to guests are a room service food menu, car park, laundry service, in-room massages, and a range of extra service for families – including childrens' nightwear, cots, and bed guards.
There is an in-house gym, a large swimming pool, a sauna, and a spa. There is an extra fee to use the facilities, but if you're an early bird the gym is free to use between 5am and 9am. The hotel's excellent city-centre location means that you'll be spoilt for choice in terms of restaurants, bars and shops – but if you'd like to eat in, there are eight different cafés, restaurants and bars inside the hotel itself, including a patisserie and a Cantonese restaurant.
Winter Travel destinations across Japan
Niseko
A fantastic skiing destination in winter and an amazing location for outdoor exploration in summer.
Nozawa Onsen
Mountain onsen resort which played a key role in the history of skiing in Japan
Shiga Kogen
Love to ski or snowboard? Want endless new runs & terrain? Come to Shiga Kogen, Japan's mega resort
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