5 Must-See Incredible Winter Sights in Japan

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Shaped by snow and ice, Japanese winter scenery is striking and photogenic. From villages that would look perfect inside a snow globe to strange trees that look like legions of icy monsters standing on a mountain, Japan's winter scenery is some of the best in the world.

Written by

Salvo

Travel writer and assistant editor at MATCHA with extensive travel around the Osaka, Kyoto, and Wakayama areas. A Kansai insider who knows their Akashiyaki from their Takoyaki, Iain enjoys getting authentic stories from traditional craftspeople and interesting creators. Particularly fond of temples and shrines, Iain delves deep into the crossroads of tradition and modernity in his eight-plus years living and writing about Japan.

Shaped by snow and ice, the winter scenery in Japan is stunningly beautiful and incredibly photogenic for any visitor to the country. While the temperatures might be very low, visiting these five amazing places around Japan will bring a smile to your face as well as countless unforgettable memories.

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1. Shirakawago Village in Winter

5 of The Best Winter Sights to See in Japan

Looking like a scene straight out of a Christmas movie, Shirakawago is a village in Gifu Prefecture that is a recognized UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the winter, the thatched roofs of the farmhouses pile up with snow and the village is blanketed in white.

Seen from afar, the village looks like a collection of Japanese-style gingerbread houses that are all huddled together, keeping warm through the icy chill. Make sure you stick around to see the village at night, as it becomes even more spectacular with lit-up farmhouses for you to photograph!

2. Ginzan Onsen and the Snow Monsters on Mt. Zao

Step into a scene lit by Taisho-era (1912-1926) retro street lamps and enjoy the sights of Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture.

This hot spring town is considered to be one of the best in Japan, and the soft warm glow of the lights along with the glistening snow gives an air of whimsy and magic to the entire area. Enjoy an unforgettable stay at one of Ginzan Onsen's many great guest houses, and take a refreshing dip in the rejuvenating hot springs that line the river.

The onsen town makes for a nice relaxing end to the day after you've trekked up Mt. Zao to see the snow monsters! While they are actually just snow-covered trees, the odd shapes that are formed by the buildup of snow and ice lends them a beautiful humanoid quality, leading to the nickname "snow monsters".

3. The Frozen Waterfalls in Oirase Gorge, Aomori

5 Must-See Incredible Winter Sights in Japan

Picture from Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel: A Snow and Ice Outdoor Adventure courtesy of Hoshino Resorts Oirase Keiryu Hotel
In winter the lush greenery of Oirase Gorge is replaced with icy cathedrals of blue and white. Located near Lake Towada in Aomori Prefecture, the gorge's many gullies and canyons get filled with powdery white snow and the many waterfalls that dot the landscape are frozen in place.

During the day, they shimmer in a sapphire blue hue that is incredibly vivid against the white wintry background. However, at night they are lit up in a number of gorgeous colors from vivid teal green to a vibrant pink that lends each waterfall an otherworldly feel.

4. The Snow Corridor of Tateyama Kurobe

Photo by Pixta
Without a doubt one of the most famous sights in Tateyama Kurobe, the Snow Corridor (Yuki no Otani) is only visible for a few months in winter. In order to get from Bijodaira to Murodo Station, colossal snow walls large enough to allow coaches to pass are carved out along the roadside.

These walls are truly spectacular, and leave any visitor who sees them breathless. The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is one of the most scenic in Japan and uses cable cars, buses, and other transport to help visitors traverse one of the highest mountain ranges in all of Japan. It is one of the best winter scenery destinations to visit around the Nagano area.

5. Drift Ice in Hokkaido

Picture from A Unique Phenomenon! How to Enjoy Hokkaido’s Drift Ice
This is the closest that visitors can get to being able to walk on water in Japan! Along the Sea of Okhotsk, ice drifts form a beautiful and striking natural phenomenon where visitors can walk across them. These vast floes are beautiful to behold and with guided walking tours or cruises, visitors will be spoiled for choice as to the best way to see the Hokkaido drift ice.

You can also visit the drift ice museum and learn about the natural forces that shape this unique seasonal event, as well as sample novelty foods that try and mimic the visuals of the drift ice. Drift ice curry, which has white dumplings floating in the roux, and a drift ice float that is a vivid electric blue are just some of the favorites to sample!

Enjoy Japan's Breathtaking Winter Scenery!

Braving Japan's winter chill can be one of the most rewarding things a visitor can do and is one of the best reasons to see some of the more underrated destinations in Japan. Seeing how the titanic forces of nature have come to shape the landscape of the islands is magical and absolutely breathtaking.

While winter might have many heading inside to escape the cold, these destinations may just give you a reason to go out and explore!

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Main image by Pixta

Written by

Salvo

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