Top 10 Best Places to Visit in Japan During Winter | Snowy Season

Winter in Japan is beautiful, you don’t want  to miss it. Some places are worth visiting during the snowy season in Japan. Here we list the top 10 best places to visit in Japan during winter!

 

Place 1: Goryokaku, Hokkkaido

Operation hours: 9.00 AM - 6.00 PM

Fee: around 900 JPY (adult)

“Goryokaku is a historical spot that was once used as a fort in the late Edo period. The construction was originally started aiming to strengthen the defensive force against western countries after Japan opened some of the main ports including the famous star-shaped Hakodate Port for international trade. It attracts a number of visitors along with Goryokaku Tower. Enjoy the morning market with 250 small shops and restaurants with high quality seafood.”

 

Place 2: Monkey Onsen, Nagano

Operation hours: 9.00 AM - 4.00 PM

Fee: around 800 JPY (adult)

“Snow Monkey Park is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Nagano Prefecture. The park is home to wild monkeys which inhabit the area, and during the winter season, visitors can enjoy watching them bathing in outdoor hot springs! If you are lucky, you might be able to come across 50-60 monkeys bathing in the relaxing hot spring together.”

 

Place 3: Kenrokuen, Kanazawa City, Ishikawa

Operation hours: 8.00 AM - 5.00 PM

Fee: around 320 JPY (adult)

“Kenrokuen is a huge garden with 11.4 hectares of land situated in the center of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture. Designated as one of the three great gardens in Japan. The garden fascinates visitors with a number of iconic structures such as a traditional Japanese tea house, authentic stone lanterns, beautiful ponds, and pleasant bridges.”

 

Place 4: Metasequoia

Operation hours: all day - better at golden hours

Fee: free

“The 2.4 km peaceful road with 500 metasequoia trees on both sides, located in Shiga Prefecture, never stops enchanting visitors. It is widely known as a scenic spot with the beautiful trees standing neatly in clean rows. It is a very enchanting spot to take photos.”

 

Place 5: Nabana no sato, Kuwana City, Mie

Operation hours: 10.00 AM - 9.00 PM

Fee: around 2,300 JPY (adult)

“Nabana no sato is a flower theme park located in Kuwana city, Mie Prefecture. It boasts a wide range of seasonal flowers and plants. Since they have a big greenhouse, which offers a suitable environment for flowers to grow regardless of season. Winter is in fact the most visited season because there is a famous illumination event. The entire garden is brightly lit up with sparkly illuminations with a different theme every year!”

 

Place 6: Drift Ice, Okhotsk Sea, Northeast of Hokkaido

Operation hours: 9.00 AM - 5.00 PM

Fee: around 3,500 JPY (adult)

 “Take a cruise ship “Aurora” to enjoy the stunning scenery up close, which also could give you a chance to witness the wildlife such as cute seals lying on the ice! During the winter season, almost 80% of the sea gets covered with drift ice. It continues to grow until it finally appears near the coastlines, transforming the sea into a frozen world overnight!” 

 

Place 7: Kinkakuji, Kyoto

Operation hours: 9.00 AM - 5.00 PM

Fee: around 400 JPY (adult)

"Kinkakuji is a world-famous Buddhist temple located in Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. The main structure is often referred to as the Golden Pavilion, as most of its exterior is covered with shiny gold leaves. Along with other prestigious historical spots in Kyoto, it is listed on UNESCO World Heritage Site. It has a beautiful traditional Japanese garden with a pond called Kyoko-chi.” 

 

Place 8: Ginzan Onsen, Yamagata

Operation hours: all day

Fee: around 500 JPY (adult) to take bath

“Ginzan Onsen is one of the most famous hot spring resorts in Japan. Located in a deep mountainous area in Yamagata Prefecture. It gives a peaceful atmosphere created by historical buildings and inns dating back to the Taisho period. Winter brings a lot of snow every year which covers the entire area silently. Enjoy the breathtaking scenery of the white world while soaking in a relaxing hot spring!” 

 

Place 9: Three largest icicles, Chichibu City, Saitama

Operation hours: all day

Fee: 200 JPY for Misotsuchi, 400 JPY for Onouchi and Ashigakubo

“It consists of the following three icicles: Misotsuchi Icicles, Onouchi Hundred Icicles, and Ashigakubo Icicles. The icicles grow to about 30 meters in width and 8 meters in height, and appear only the coldest time from January to February. It is very beautiful to take photos there. ”

 

Place 10: Zao Snow Monsters, Yamagata

Operation hours: all day

Fee: around 6,300 JPY per day (adult) for the ski resort

“can be seen at a popular ski resort in northern Japan. Zao’s ice trees (Juhyo) or snow monsters are one of the most unique and spectacular snow arts made by nature. Hundreds of snow monsters covered the slope at Zao Ski Resort, and visitors can actually enjoy skiing and snowboarding passing by the trees. At night, the snow monsters are lit up and display mystical winter scenery.”