Japan is popular for its cherry blossoms and colorful autumn foliage, but you cannot pass up the winter season. There are many places worth to visit. Here are 7 hidden gems in Japan’s winter.
1. Kamakura Snow Hut Village, Nagano
This unique igloo village in Nagano is actually a restaurant. It opens every winter. Restaurant Kamakura Village is made up of 20 pop-up igloos nestled in the snowy Japanese Alps in the small town of Iiyama.
Each igloo fits up to four people and they serve a noroshi nabe, a tasty local hot pot made with miso, pork and local veggies. This restaurant will return this winter from mid January to February.
2. Yunishigawa Onsen, Tochigi
This winter wonderland can be found at the Yunishigawa Kamakura Festival in Tochigi prefecture. The festival takes place from late January to early March every year, and showcases hundred of illuminated mini snow huts known as “kamakura”. The “kamakura” set up around the Sawaguchi riverbed at Yunishigawa Onsen. The festival is scheduled to be held around late January to late February.
3. Shirakawa-go, Gifu
The village of Shirakawa-go is a sight to behold during the winter. It is designated as a Unesco World Heritage Site, made up of numerous “gassho-zukuri” thatched-roof farmhouses that have been converted into hotels, restaurants, and museums. The houses are designated to be stand firm against heavy snowfall and make for a fanciful sight when covered in fresh snow.
4. Zao Snow Monsters, Kanagawa
Zao Hot Springs Ski Resort is home to theses chilling ice monsters, as known as “juhyo”. These natural formations are actually evergreen trees covered with snow and make for a stunning winter sight. The ice monsters phenomenon can be seen in a limited places and times, because it needs a specific climate conditions to happen.
5. Jigokudani Monkey Park, Nagano
Let’s go to this park to meet the Japanese macaques, as known as snow monkeys, who lounge around in hot spring waters. You can find this winter destination inside Joshinetsu Kogen National Park in Nagano prefecture.
The monkeys often bathe in the onsen around the year, but if you’d like to see them with snowy surroundings, head up to the park between January and February.
6. Nabana no Sato Illuminations, Mie
This festival may not be snow-related, but the light-up at Nabana no Sato is one of the best winter illuminations in Japan. It is a botanical garden on the small island of Nagashima, Mie prefecture. It turns into a brilliant display of winter lights, with millions of parking LEDs forming rivers, waterfalls, and many more. The illumination continues all the way through to May, you can stop by and see the lights.
7. Kenrokuen, Ishikawa
Kenrokuen in Ishikawa prefecture is considered one of Japan’s three great gardens. The well-manicured space is a popular spot to visit around the year, but during winter, it is particularly special.
When the snow falls, the grounds covered by the white snow, and turns the landscape into a cool scene. The garden is often lit up during winter evenings and sometimes mini concerts are held at the on-site Uchihashi-tei teahouse.
Source: https://www.timeout.com/tokyo/travel/most-beautiful-winter-destinations-in-japan