From skiing to paragliding above Mt. Fuji, here’s a list of thrilling activities for an unforgettable winter getaway this year.
If you’re looking to enjoy the Christmas season frolicking in the snow, there are a lot of places in Japan to visit for an unforgettable winter wonderland. The cold season is breathtaking with its scenic landscapes, festive atmosphere and savory delicacies, not to mention the broad range of thrilling activities.
In winter, tourists line up to ski down its world-class slopes, relax in onsens (hot springs), and indulge in large snowy crabs. Another reason to seize the season here is that Japan has long winters that begin in mid-December, peaks in January, and ends in mid-March.
The weather tends to be fairly mild and bearable, as it remains sunny with little rain or snow. Temperatures meanwhile range between -6° and -20°, depending on the prefecture you’re staying in.
To inspire you to spend a holiday like no other in this enchanting country, The POST has listed down some of the most exciting things to do, whether it’s your first time experiencing snow or you’re creating more core memories with the family.
Related story: Four magical places to visit for a snowy getaway in Japan
1. Ski on powdery slopes
If you haven’t tried skiing before, you might not be able to resist getting your dose of adrenaline rush this time, as you’d find around 500 ski areas across Japan. Among the most popular ones is Niseko in Hokkaido, which is sometimes called the powder capital of the world.
Many tourists and locals get a thrill from its 1,208-meter-high mountain, the Niseko Annupuri, which has powder snow that is light and dry. It offers 13 courses that suit all skill levels and a picture-postcard view of Mt. Yotei.
Another destination frequented by skiers worldwide is Hakuba Village, which is located in the Japanese Alps, just outside the Nagano Prefecture. Its area comprises 10 ski resorts, with Happo-one being the largest and most popular of them all.
Considered a Japanese skiing mecca, Happo-one hosted the 1998 Winter Olympics and the Freeride World Tour from 2018 to 2021. It boasts a 1,701-meter vertical drop and has a steep pitch best suited for intermediate and advanced skiers.
There is also Echigo-Yuzawa, which is another renowned ski destination located just an hour from Tokyo. The snowy mountain paradise features 12 ski fields including GALA Yuzawa, which has its own bullet train station.
2. Paraglide above Japan’s snow-capped mountains
If you’re looking for a thrilling adventure high above the ground, paragliding at the top of Japan’s snowy mountains might be your best bet. This activity will certainly take your breath away as you fly high on a parachute while enjoying magnificent views of Japan’s snowy landscapes.
You can avail of the service through paragliding schools across the country, such as those in Nagano and Shizuoka. During the flight in Nagano, the winds will take you to see scenic views of the Japanese Alps. Meanwhile, the one in Shizuoka will let you delight in the view of Asagiri Plateau and the dairy farms around it. If the weather is good, you’ll also get a clear view of majestic Mt. Fuji.
Photo opportunities are provided, both in the air and after landing. Even beginners can try a hand at paragliding, as each person is accompanied by certified pilots.
3. Go snowmobiling across snowy forests
A snowmobile tour is a great choice for a thrilling ride across some of Japan’s snowy forests. During the tour, you’ll get to hop on an all-terrain vehicle and drive through breathtaking sights you’ll get nowhere else but Japan.
It is safe for beginners to try the tour, as there will usually be a guide to demonstrate how to operate the snowmobile. You will also be given time to practice. For a more memorable experience, you can ride the vehicle with a loved one or your child if he/she is at least seven years old.
Before taking the ride, make sure that you’re geared with ski clothes, snow boots, gloves, and a neck warmer. Snowmobiling is available in various cities in Japan, including Niseko and Nakano.
4. Warm up inside a Kamakura Snow Hut
Japan’s winter season is best spent warming up in the cold weather. One of the ideal places to do this is in a kamakura or hollowed-out snowdomes. These frozen domiciles were originally built as shrines where the Japanese would worship the water god and pray for good water. Today, they continue to serve as a popular winter destination for tourists all over the globe.
Areas in Japan that hold kamakura festivals include the Yunishigawa Onsen in Nikko which features large snow huts that tourists can sit in, as well as small ones that illuminate light. There’s also the Yokote Snow Festival in Akita Prefecture where the Japanese would create a makeshift village of 80 kamakura, with some built at the foot of the Yakote Castle.
5. Dive into Japan’s winter festivals
Japan’s winter festivals, like the rest of the season’s exciting activities, are unmissable. These stunning and engaging winter destinations feature magnificent snow sculptures, fireworks displays, and light shows that draw millions of tourists every year.
The Sapporo Snow Festival is the country’s biggest spectacle which began in 1950 with only a few snow sculptures on display. Today, attractions are spread across three venues: central Odori which showcases the festival’s best and biggest sculptures; Susukino, which sparkles with illuminated sculptures at night, as well as Tsudome which comes with snow slides and other interactive installations.
A skating rink and several food stalls add magic to the enchanting festival, which runs for over seven days in February.
Other than manmade sculptures, Japan’s freezing temperatures create mesmerizing masterpieces out of lakes and waterfalls for tourists and locals to enjoy. Every winter, Lake Shikotsu and the rest of the Shikotsu-Toya National Park transforms into a wonderland of ice and snow. Here, tourists can marvel at ice sculptures, join winter activities, and showcase their moves at the ice skating rink from Feb. 2 to 22 next year.
Meanwhile, tourists in Kamikawa, Hokkaido can join its annual Sounkyo Onsen Ice Waterfall Festival which has the frozen Ryusei and Ginga Waterfalls as the main attraction. There will also be a fireworks show at the festival which is scheduled to run from Jan. 26 to Feb. 10, 2025.
Over at Saitama Prefecture is the Otaki Ice Festival which features the Icicles of Misotsuchi, a naturally-occurring wall of ice that spans 30 meters wide and 10 meters high and has since been a popular tourist destination for travelers all over the world.
6. Explore snow-covered temples and villages
Japan’s temples and villages are among the most iconic symbols of the country. When covered with snow, these magical castles, temples, and neighborhoods that best represent the country’s cultural identity turn into a winter paradise for tourists of all ages.
Some of the most visited spots are the charming Shirakawa-go and Kiyomizu-dera temples, as well as the famous Matsumoto (Black Crow Castle) and icy Himeji Castle. Kifune Shrine is likewise frequented by tourists for its snow-covered stone staircase that, along with its vermillion-colored lanterns, provide a picturesque backdrop for people touring the holy place. It is best to visit during the night, from January to February, when the lanterns are lit up to cast a warm winter glow on the spectacle.
7. Unwind in an Onsen hot spring
Whether you had a thrilling adventure on snowy slopes or warmed up to a flavorful dinner in a kamakura snow hut, there’s no better way to cap off the day than soaking in “onsen” or public hot springs throughout Japan. Relax and unwind in the rejuvenating Kurokawa Onsen, which is especially gorgeous when lit with lanterns on winter nights, the Ginzan Onsen with its wooden inns and magnificent views of Yamagata’s mountains, as well as the Kusatsu Onsen which is known for its scenic Yubatake hot water field.
Japan’s onsens require guests to bathe fully naked to protect the water’s purity and for you to absorb its full effects. If you’re not comfortable baring it all in front of strangers, you can soak instead in hot springs that allow the use of swimsuits, such as the Takagawa Onsen in Gunma, Kawayu Onsen in Wakayama, Nagayu Onsen in Oita, and Shin-Hotaka Onsen in Gifu, among many others.
