Before you jetset off to a beach somewhere to escape the cold, hear me out: Japan is a great winter destination.
And not just because you can ski (although you could combine sightseeing with what people claim is the “best snow in Asia” on Japanese slopes).
Why then? Read on…
Onsens
Onsens and Japanese karaoke rank as the top two experiences I had in Japan. Karaoke’s great any time of the year, but onsens are best appreciated in winter.
These Japanese hot springs let you experience the age-old tradition of public bathing in Japan. Find out what you should know here.
Normally separated by gender, you wash off thoroughly at the stalls provided, and then climb into the steaming hot onsen, sit on the floor, and completely relax.
After a long day of exploring in the crisp winter air, nothing tops soaking in the hot waters of an onsen to relieve sore muscles and stress.
The best onsens we found were at the Mustard Hotel in Asakusa, Tokyo, and the amazing outdoor onsen at Dormy Inn in Himeji.
Heated toilet seats
Ever had the shock of sitting on a freezing cold toilet seat in the middle of the night? You’ll understand this one.
The Japanese are artists in efficiency and comfort. So it’s no surprise that they’ve made even bathroom time more enjoyable.
In Japan, toilets do an assortment of odd things: play music to hide uncomfortable toilet noises, spray jets of water to clean you off (options for men and women), blow air to dry your bottom, and more.
They are also heated. At first, it felt a bit strange to sit down on a warm surface, but after a month traveling in Japan, I grew to love it.
In summer, these heated seats probably go unnoticed, but in winter, it’s just one more thing that makes Japan fantastic.
Ah, how I miss them.
Fewer tourists
As long as you’re not skiing, winter is low season for tourism in Japan.
Besides the elaborate New Year celebrations (more on that later), the country stays relatively calm.
Major attractions are open but you won’t have long wait times or have to deal with massive tour groups, and hotels and guesthouses have plenty of rooms (even booking last minute).
We felt like we got a look at authentic Japan, without vying for position with other tourists.
Best views of Mt Fuji
The tallest peak in Japan, this iconic volcano graces many a postcard and even the currency in Japan. For centuries, it’s been an object of faith and worship and inspires awe in anyone who sees it.
The best time to get a peek at this major peak is between October and February (visibility is at its highest in December and January), because the cold winter temps keep the haze that normally covers the tip at bay.
From firsthand experience traveling to Japan in January, I can concur. First, we saw Fuji from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building tower, and in the following days traveled to Lake Kawaguchiko and saw the peak for three consecutive days.
So if this bad boy’s on your must-see list, it’s winter for the win!
Note: you can’t actually climb to the peak in winter, though you can sometimes ride the bus to the 5th station (depending on road conditions) and get views from there.
Warming Japanese food
Us thoroughly enjoying shabu shabu hot pot in Tokyo.
Japanese food, simply put, is some of the tastiest on earth. And in winter, many of the dishes really shine with their ability to warm you up while they fill you up.
Ramen – Japan’s famous soup – cures any chills from the brisk winter air and is incredibly cheap and easy to find across the country.
Traditional and seasonal Japanese meal from our ryokan stay in Nikko.
In Osaka and Hiroshima, the local dish okonomiyaki (layered pancake of cabbage, bean sprouts, other veggies, and delicious sauce) sits on a sizzling hot plate in front of you, staying nice and hot while you eat.
Various hot pots come into vogue in winter. Try the one-pot hot pot dish, nabu, served to you in a steaming crock of goodness, or the DIY hot pot, shabu shabu, where you dip raw meat and veggies into a near-boiling pot of delicious broth.
The cold of winter adds a layer of satisfaction to these traditional Japanese dishes.
New Year’s celebrations
The main street in Asakusa leading to the temple, taken on New Year’s Day.
New Year – one of the most important holidays in Japan – shuts the country down for about a week.
While that might sound like a bad time to visit, it gives you the unique chance to see Japanese traditions come to life.
Temples fill shoulder-to-shoulder with people praying for a good year and leaving the last one behind, reading their fortunes, and warding off bad omens.
A unique fox parade happens in Tokyo, restaurants prepare various good luck dishes you can only get at the New Year, and you can see the emperor!
Waving our flags waiting for the emperor to give his New Year’s speech.
He makes his appearance on January 2 – one of only two days a year he does a public speech (the other being his birthday, go figure). He stands on the Imperial Palace’s balcony and blesses the people and the country for the new year.
As a bonus, you also can see the inner part of the Imperial Palace (for free!); normally, it’s completely closed to visitors.
It’s not too cold
Peep the outfits — all you need are warm shoes, medium winter jackets, and a hat and gloves!
Cold is relative to what you’re used to (I’m from North Dakota, so -30°F is a standard Tuesday in January and February), so if you’re from a place that has snowy and cold winters, you’ll be pleasantly surprised by the temps in Japan.
On the other hand, if you’re from a hot locale, Japan’s winters will introduce you to cold without being too cold.
So if you’re hesitant to visit because of the cold, don’t be. Just bring a warm jacket, gloves, a hat, and warm boots and you’ll be golden.
Lounging on a beach is always great, but if you love cultural travel without all the crowds, then a visit to Japan in winter will definitely be your jam.