Best Winter Destinations

Amazing View Of A World Heritage Site From The Observatory

Shirakawa Village is a heavy snowfall area, but it snowed not so much for us to visit here this winter. And we can enjoy the snowy landscape as much as we want! It will snow more during February, so you're still in time to see this scenery.

Arches Of Lights 'Galleria'

It's really an art of lights.

A Skating Rink With A Yokohama Night View

Ice Monsters! Snow Trees Covered With Ice & Snow

These fir trees covered with snow and ice have so strange shapes that they're called 'Ice Monster'! On every around February, you can enjoy snow trees, skiing and walking at the top of the mountains in Zao, Yamagata Pref.◎Access: take bus from Yamagata Station to Zao Onsen Hot Spring Town. Parking lot is available for cars. Take ropeway from Zao Onsen, and you can see the snow trees from the mountain top. By the way, humid coldness is unbearable, you must make doubly sure for winter clothes!

Kinkaku-ji Covered With Snow In Winter

Snow has just arrived at Kinkaku-ji because of this cold wave. The snow covers a few times during winter, so this is very rare scenery. The beauty of Japanese winter, it's so beautiful.

Illuminations Of Five Hundred Thousand Lights In A Large Park

The park is surrounded by Sanuki mountains and makes a wonderful contrast with the darkness. You can enjoy the illuminations different from the one in cities.

A Big Christmas Tree

Christmas tree illumination has just arrived at KITTE this year, too. I can't take my eyes away from a Christmas tree changing its colors by lights.◎It'll be exhibited till December 25th. KITTE is located 1 min walk from Tokyo Station.

Blue Pond In Winter

Blue Pond starts light-up from November every year. The lights change every year and its range was expanded this year. We can enjoy Blue Pond that is differ from that in other seasons.

Lovely Daffodils On A Steep Slope Facing The Sea

At Nagikuroiwa Suisen Kyo, located on south of Awaji Island, white daffodils bloom profusely on the steep slope. Enveloped in fragrance of daffodils and the cold air in January, please enjoy the calm scenery of Seto Inland Sea?

Winter Oshino Hakkai With Beautiful Mt.Fuji And Dried Corns

Oshino Hakkai with some clear spring ponds is covered with snow in winter and it's like an ink painting. In such scenery, the dried corns have warm beautiful colors. They will make Oyaki (snack like a pancake) with these corns after grained.◎Bus is available from Fujisan Station of Fuji Kyuko Railway. There're parking lot for cars.

Beautiful And Happy! Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival

Winter Aomori Prefecture is very cold with much snow. But, you can enjoy winter festival in Hirosaki Castle Park. There7re many beautiful attractions such as snow lanterns, kamakura (snow dome), and illuminations!◎Access: bus is available from Hirosaki Station, and many parking lots around here for cars.

Midwinter Scene! Snow Monkeys Taking Onsen

Though in the severe environment covered with snow almost one third of a year, there's a group of Japanese Monkey living here. In winter, tourist can see these snow monkeys taking onsen hot spring. There's a onsen town near here, you can enjoy traveling, too.

Hijikawa Arashi, A Sea Of Clouds Flowing Down The Mountain To The Sea!

From October to March, on sunny days with some conditions, you can see Hijikawa Arashi (means Storm) that is a phenomenon of fog moving from the mountain to the sea along Hijikawa River. When it happens on a big scale, the fog could cover the whole river even its entry.◎You need car to go to Hijikawa Arashi Observation Park on the top of the hill.

Illumination Of Flower Garden

Now is a good time to visit Ashikaga Flower Park, because it passed the peak of busiest December. You can look the illuminations leisurely, and early spring flowers such as Botan (peony) and Rōbai (Chimonanthus praecox) are beautifully decorated with illuminations.

Mt. Fuji Suddenly Appears In Front Of Our Eyes

You can see the magnificent Mt.Fuji from the observatory, and even a snow-covered Fuji in winter! Taking pictures by long-seconds-exposure, the cars become like laser beam. You need winter clothes.◎Parking area is available but limited. Public Lavatory is available.

Christmas Light Up with Calm European Atmosphere

The lanterns and trees that blend into the woods are romantic, and the atmosphere is like Christmas in Europe. There are also events on weekends and Christmas (reservations required for event dates),

Lighting Amusement Park Only In Winter

A famous and long-established amusement park Hirakata Park. Its pool and skating is popular though, I like its illumination held only in winter. The scenery of glittering amusement park is very fantastic.

Art Of Great Nature

The spring water run down on the walls of mountains become icicles! What's more, they're lighted and make the otherworldly atmosphere! It appears as a stunning winter scenery in various media.

The Beauty Of Jewelry Ice, Sky & Sea

The ices of Tokachi in winter, are polished and washed up by waves, then they're called Jewelry Ice. Though the temperature sometimes become under twenty degrees below zero, the beautiful scenery shining in the morning sun is worth seeing once in your life. There's a high probability that it will be sunny around here, and a tourist spot Harunire Tree is also located near here.

Good Fortune By Mame-maki & Walking Around The Seven Deities! Setsubun-kai At A World Heritage Site

Here is not an ordinary Setsubun-kai, people walk around the pagodas of Zen Buddhism and gather the charms of the Seven Deities. There're many people with 'good luck bamboo grass' in their hands at the precinct. The sponsors throw roasted beans (mame-maki) and say 'in with fortune' (huku wa uchi). Let's take in lots of good fortune!

White Tottori Sand Dunes After Snow

Have you heard Tottori Sand Dunes become white on some winter days? You can see the white sand dunes after it snows. This scenery can't be seen so often, but it's worth waiting for.

Midwinter Itsukushima Srine. A Red Torii Gate Enveloped In A Mist

A red torii gate in the sunshine is of course nice, but misted Istukushima Shrine has an aura of divinity in midwinter. You can go to the torii gate closer by JR ferry than others.

Mysterious Greenish-Blue Pond Never Be Frozen In Freezing Winter

When Ainu people found this greenish-blue pond, they thought it was a present from God because of its beauty. It never be frozen even in winter, and it's like a jewel looks more mysterious in snow.

The World Of Blue And White

Otaru Port in winter. There are a ferry terminal and a marina for boats and yachts. You can enjoy the winter tastes of Hokkaido such as sushi around the port.

A Beautiful Avenue Of Otaru Lighted By Candles

In the season of snow festival, the avenue leading to the Otaru Port is lighted beautifully by candles. These candles alight lovely at the roadsides make our hearts warm.