Japan has so many beautiful places around the country, and usually travelers are confused which one is better than the others. Winter is coming in a month, and Japan also has a great and wonderful places to visit in winter.
Here are places in Japan you won’t believe exist and are recommended for winter!
1. Yamagata Ski Resorts
In Yamagata Prefecture, there are 103 kilometers of slopes: the ski resort are served by 72 ski lifts. Let’s have some fun here in Yamagata Prefecture!
There is Zao Onsen Ski Resort at the top of the list, as the best of ski resorts in Yamagata Prefecture, with 3.2 out of 5 stars. It is the largest ski resorts offer up to 50 kilometers of slopes. And the highest ski resorts in Yamagata Prefecture is Tengendai, extend up to an altitude of 1,820 meters.
2. Kussharo Lake
Kussharo Lake, or Kussharoko in Japanese, is a beautiful caldera lake in Akan Mashu National Park. It is the park’s largest lake with a circumference of 57 kilometers. There are many outdoor activities you could enjoy around the lake, such as: fishing, hiking, kayaking and cycling.
You could also go to outdoor hot spring baths, or rotenburo, located along the lake’s shores. And it is free to use, in swim suits. However, some of the baths are not very well maintained.
3. Zao Snow Monsters
Zao is not only known as one of the best ski resorts. It is also a home to see a scenery straight out of a dreamy island. There are “spooky snow monsters” appear around mid-Feburary. The Alpine trees bombarded with heavy snowfall and winds, until it looks like monsters and will make you mesmerized.
When the sun sets, you can have a cup of coffee on the cafe and enjoy the snow monsters illuminated with colorful lights.
There are also a Zao Snow Monster Festival in winter, where snow monster mascots entertain the visitors.
4. Hokkaido Blue Pond
Blue Pond, or Aoiike in Japanese, is located outside the hot spring town of Shirogane Onsen. Named after the pond’s deep blue color, and it owes to natural minerals dissolved in the water.
Recently promoted as a tourist spot, this pond is part of an erosion control system to prevent damage to Biei (small town surrounded by hilly landscape), in case of an eruption by nearby Mount Tokachidake.
It takes 5-10 minutes to walk through the forest to the Blue Pond. The pond gets lit up on winter evenings from November to April, until 9pm.
5. Ginzan Onsen
Ginzan Onsen, or Silver Mountain Hot Spring, is a secluded hot spring town nestled in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture. The area originally developed around a silver mine. However, nowadays it is better known as one of Japan’s prettiest onsen towns with historic ryokan (Japanese-style in) lined up along the river.
Around the numerous traditional style ryokan in Ginzan Onsen, there is Fujiya ryokan at the center of town, which was recently rebuilt by famous modern architect, Kuma Kengo.
Although purists may find it out of place, its unique modern design incorporates many of the traditional design elements of the surrounding buildings, such as exposed wood and white plaster.
6. Ashigakubo Icicles
The Icicles of Ashigakubo are a thrilling addition to winter illuminations in Saitama Prefecture, Japan.
From early January to late February, the icicles in here can be viewed day or night. But the aura of night makes them even more enchanting.
The icicles have been created by locals, since 2014. After spraying water onto the small hill, they illuminate the crystallized water with an array of neon lights to make it spectacular.
The entrance ticket to Ashigakubo Icicles also includes a hot tea or amazake (traditional sweet rice drink).
Source: https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resorts/yamagata/
https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/661/
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6803.html
https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6832.html