If you are plannig a trip to Japan in December, January and February, you will see how beautiful winter landscapes Japan has to offer during this time of the year.
If you are looking for beautiful classic snowy scenes I suggest you going north, where the winter gets really icy and snowy. I will guide you through some suggetions of places I have been myself and really enjoyed.
Ginzan Onsen - Yamagata
Ginzan Onsen is a hot spring area in Obanazawa, in Yamagata prefecture. It was formerly a silver mine, but the natural hot springs yielded from the mountains around the town made the area flourish in the 20th century with traditional wooden ryokans built along the Ginzan River. It is one of the most famous places in Japan for winter season. And it is worthy every moment and money you spend on it. It is a beautiful scene specially if it is covered in snow, the wooden roofs and the snow on them make a paint-like image in your mind that you will never forget. The time it gets more beautiful is by nightfall, when the bridge and the street lights are lit by gaslight, the good point is, the sunset in Japan during winter time is really early, so you won't have to wait much. If you are planning to stay overnight in Ginzan Onsen, you can book a lot of options of hotels and ryokans, but be sure to book them on advance, because they are almost always full in the winter season, also, be prepared to spend a considerably amount on money as they are always popular for this time of the year. But if you are traveling on a budget, there is the option to get the hourly bus from Oishida Station, it takes people to and back from Ginzan Onsen, you just have to be attentive to last time the bus leaves Ginzan Onsen on the day, ortherwise you will have to take a taxi back to the station. Taxis are also avalaible to take you to and from there. Oishida Station is acessible for the JR Yamagata Shinkansen from Tokyo, and you can use several passes provided by JR. Access to the town is free of charge. There are some cafes and restaurants, but they are always full, so be sure to reserve some time to wait in line.
Jigokudani Monkey Park - Nagano
Jigokudani Yaen-Koen, mostly know as Jigokudani Monkey Park is a wordly known famous place in Japan. It got popular because of the Japanese Macaques (also known as Snow Monkeys) that descend from the steep cliffs to bathe in a warm hot spring pool, their own onsen, it is the only place in the world where monkeys do this. It is an incredible experience to see wild animals relaxing in the warm gentle hot spring water. The visit will be more pleasant if you visit it after a heavy snow, as the whiter the valley gets the more magical it appears to be, get your camera ready because monkeys are enchanting.
There are some rules you have to comply with during your visit such as not touching the animals, everything will be explained to you by the time you enter the park. You will have to ascend to the mountain in a frozen path for about 1.6 kilometer, so be sure to wear appropriate winter shoes(I bought mine here). You can access Jigokudani Monkey Park by bus from Nagano Station, which is accessible from Tokyo by JR Hokuriku Shinkansen (check in advance if your pass covers this area). You can also access it by car. Be aware that you will have to walk for about 35 minutes before getting to Monkey Park. The admission fee is 800 yen for adults and 400 yen for children, and in winter season it opens at 9am and closes at 4pm.
Otaru Canal - Hokkaido
Otaru Canal is another popular attraction in Japan, located in the famous prefecture Hokkaido. The canal was originally built to allow small ships to transport goods to warehouses, after the modernization of the docks facilities, the canal became obsolete. There was a plan to land filling the canal, but due to citizens moviments, the canal was restored and the remaining warehouse were transformed in museums, shops and restaurants. Otaru Canal is a romantic path, walking through Otaru Canal in the evening is unforgettable, they usually make some lamps with snow and ice, and light them up with candles, which transforms the Canal into a bucolic walk. Also, the warehouses transformed into shops and restaurants make the wandering even more charming. We had dinner in one of those restaurants, and it was fabulous to sit facing the window and see other people enjoying their time in the Canal. Otaru is very cold, so be sure to wear proper winter clothes.
Otaru Canal is a five minute walk from Otaru station. As Otaru is in Hokkaido, a separate island from the main island in Japan, you will have to take a plane or the Shinkansen to get to it, you can also go by car, but you will need to take a ferry. Otaru Canal is free of charge, and in mid-February there is an illumination event.
Sapporo - Hokkaido
Speaking of Japan's winter destinations, and not speaking of Sapporo is almost a sin. The most north prefecture of Japan has its capital in Sapporo, which lives in the imaginary of everyone in Japan. It snows a lot in Sapporo, and the way it snow falls there is both magical and beautiful. During the snow season, it is commom the whiteout effect, when everything gets covered in snow. Famous for its particular cuisine, Sapporo is a heaven for people who are into gastronomy, and most of the most delicious products in Japan are produced there, their chocolate is also delicious, and I reccomend you getting a lot of it, specially the white chocolate.
The most famous attractions in Sapporo:
Sapporo Snow Festival, which is held every year and features beautiful snow statues. Be attentive to the dates, because the festival last about only two weeks.
Sapporo Tower: the famous tower where you can have a beautiful view of Odori park, also while enjoying the charming park, you'll have a nice view of the tower.
Sapporo Beer Museum: an old factory building transformed into a museum where you can enjoy the famous Japanese beer after the end of the tour.
Shiroi Koibito Park: which has a tour to the chocolate factory, and has a magical atmosphere.
Sapporo Olympic Museum: This incredible museum is about the Winter Olympic Games of 1972, held in Sapporo. It is very interesting to learn about Winter Olympycs, and also the seeing how the Ski Jump Stadium is bigger in real life than in television.
Susukino: Strolling around Susukino by night is also a must-do in Sapporo, you will be able to see the famous Nikka sign and will have the oportunity to enjoy the local cuisine.
Sapporo is in Hokkaido, as I said before, a separated island from Honshu, I have been there twice, and both of them I took a plane from Nagoya, the good news is: there are always time sales for plane tickets for Sapporo, so stay tuned in your favorite companies. Pay attention to Peach Airlines, they always have good prices for Hokkaido.
You can read more about Sapporo here
Aomori Museum of Art - Aomori
Aomori is the city that snows the most in the world, located in the north cost of Honshu, the main island. In this city you will find the Aomori Museum of Art, which houses works of Yoshitomo Nara, a local and famous artist. The most iconic symbol of the museum is the Aomori dog, and during snow season it gets a really charmig snow cap. The museum works are fascinating. The museum is near Sannai-Maruyama site, an archaelogical site containg very large ruins of Jommon Period settlement. You can do both activities in one day, and there will be some time to enjoy Aomori city. The local cuisine is famous for its seafood. And the most famous product from Aomori is the Aomori apple, known in entire Japan. So before going back home, I suggest you walking around Shin-Aomori station's market for apple themed souvenirs. You can get to Aomori Museum of Art and Sannai-Maruyama site by a local touristic bus, or you can take a taxi from Shin-Aomori station. Aomori is acessible by car, but the most convinient way to get there from Tokyo is through Hayabusa Shinkansen, the fastest bullet train in Japan.
BONUS: Mount Fuji - Shizuoka
If you are willing to go north, there is Mount Fuji, near Tokyo, that offers incredible views during all seasons of the year. Winter in Mount Fuji is charming because it is when Mount Fuji gets its most beautiful view, the heavy snow cap covering more than half of the mountain. All of the five lakes offer enchanting scenes. My favorite lake in winter in Yamanakako Lake, in this lake you can take pictures of the Fuji-san with a fascinating lake in front of it. Also, in this lake in winter, it's possible to take the famous picture of Diamond Fuji.
There is also the Saiko Wild Bird Forest Park, where there are ice sculptures in winter, where you can take awesome photos with Mount Fuji featuring at the back. As all this places are in wide area I suggest renting a car or taking a private tour to take you in the most beautiful places.
These are places that I loved going in winter season, and I hope this articles helps you plan your visit to Japan during the cold months of the year.
I highly reccomend you enjoying also all the winter foods available in Japan, specially the local Ramen of the cities you visit.
I hope you have a thrilling adventure in Japan winter.
Michelle Motoki