14 Things to Do in Tokyo in Winter: Experiences, Sightseeing, Events, and Food

3 Popular Winter Activities to Enjoy in Tokyo

Winter in Tokyo offers a wide variety of activities to enjoy both indoors and outdoors, from winter sports in snowy areas to hot springs and indoor puzzle-solving games, so you can choose the perfect activity to suit the weather and your preferences.

Here we will look at three particularly recommended activities to enjoy in Tokyo in winter .

1. Skiing and Snowboarding | Enjoy Japan's Snow

If you want to enjoy winter in Tokyo, the first thing we recommend is skiing or snowboarding, which allows you to fully enjoy Japan's snow .

Japan's light and fluffy powder snow, known as "japow," is considered to be of the highest quality by ski and snowboard enthusiasts around the world.

Here are three recommended tours with interpreter guides.

1. [English/Chinese Guide Accompanied] (Departing/Returning from Shinjuku) Tambara Ski Park Day Trip Bus Tour | Ski or Snowboard Clothing Rental + Lift Ticket Included

Tour details and reservations here

2. [English/Chinese guide included] (Departing and returning from Shinjuku) Tambara Ski Park Snow Play & 50 minutes of all-you-can-eat crab & 30 minutes of all-you-can-eat strawberry picking day trip bus tour

Tour details and reservations here

3. [English/Chinese guide included] (Departing and returning from Shinjuku) Hunter Mountain Shiobara Snow Play & Ouchijuku Free Stroll (lunch included) Day Trip Bus Tour | Shiobara City, Tochigi Prefecture

Tour details and reservations here

All tours are accompanied by English-speaking or Chinese-speaking guides, so you don't have to worry about language barriers. Also, since these are day tours departing from Shinjuku, transportation is easy and you can participate casually.

If you want to fully enjoy winter sports, check out tour 1. If you want to enjoy snow and gourmet food, check out tour 2. If you want to enjoy snowy scenery and historical Japanese townscapes, check out tour 3.

2. Hot Springs and Spas | A relaxing experience perfect for the cold winter

During the cold Japanese winter, why not relax your body and mind at a hot spring or spa facility ?

Tokyo has many hot springs and spa facilities that are easy to drop into. Among them, Tokyo Dome Natural Hot Springs Spa LaQua is particularly conveniently located, just a one-minute walk from Korakuen Station. It's also about a 20-minute train ride from major tourist areas like Tokyo Station, Shinjuku, and Asakusa, making it the perfect place to stop by between sightseeing and shopping.

The hotel uses natural hot spring water pumped up from 1,700 meters underground, allowing you to experience a genuine hot spring in the heart of the city. The hotel is equipped with an open-air bath, sauna, bedrock bath, restaurant, and more, so you can spend the whole day relaxing. The hot spring is said to be effective in easing stiff shoulders, sensitivity to cold, and fatigue. It is perfect for warming up your body after sightseeing in the cold winter.

Tokyo Dome Natural Hot Spring Spa LaQua

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3. Escape Games | Popular indoor winter activities

For sightseeing on a cold day, we recommend an indoor escape game, which allows you to use both your body and your brain .

When it comes to escape games in Tokyo, Tokyo Mystery Circus in Shinjuku is the place to go. It is one of the largest escape games in Japan, and is a real escape game where you become the protagonist of a story and solve puzzles, codes, and riddles to escape from rooms.

There are games of various difficulty levels, so everyone from beginners to advanced players can enjoy them. Some escape games are available in English, so be sure to give them a try.

Tokyo Mystery Circus is popular, and games vary in length, from as short as 10 minutes to over an hour. Be sure to check the official website before visiting to see what games are available in English.

Tokyo Mystery Circus

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4 Recommended Tourist Spots to Visit in Tokyo in Winter

Tokyo is full of tourist spots that have charms that are unique to winter.

Here are four must-see tourist spots in Tokyo during the winter .

Let's take a closer look at the features and highlights of each.

1. Tokyo Skytree | One of Tokyo's best night view spots, shining in the winter sky

Tokyo Skytree is a 634m tall radio tower that was completed in 2012.

Tokyo Skytree has two observation decks, the Tembo Deck and the Tembo Galleria , both of which offer 360-degree views of Tokyo. The view from the glass floor on the Tembo Deck is thrilling.

The air is clear in winter, so there are many days when you can see Mount Fuji clearly during the day. As the sun sets and the city lights come on, you can enjoy a beautiful night view of Tokyo .

There are also commercial facilities and an aquarium at the base of the Skytree, so there are plenty of spots to enjoy after sightseeing.

Tokyo Skytree is perfect for those who want to enjoy the Tokyo cityscape and winter scenery from the tallest building in Japan.

Tokyo Skytree

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2. Sensoji Temple | A downtown Tokyo spot where you can experience the charm of winter

Sensoji Temple is Tokyo's oldest temple , located in the Asakusa area of Tokyo's downtown. There are many spots in the surrounding area where you can experience traditional Japanese culture, making it a popular tourist destination for foreign tourists.

Kaminarimon, which stands at the entrance to Sensoji Temple, is known as the symbol of Asakusa, and its giant red lantern is a popular photo spot.

Nakamise Street, which leads through Kaminarimon Gate to the main hall, is lined with around 90 souvenir and sweet shops. You can enjoy a uniquely Japanese atmosphere while sampling traditional Japanese sweets and snacks such as ningyo-yaki and senbei rice crackers.

There are many kimono rental shops around Sensoji Temple, so it's recommended to stroll around in a kimono.You can also enjoy cultural experiences such as making Japanese sweets, calligraphy, and ukiyo-e woodblock prints, making this the perfect area for those who want to experience Japanese traditions .

Sensoji Temple also hosts events unique to winter. Many visitors come to pray for health and happiness in the new year during the first shrine visit of the year from January 1st to 3rd. On Setsubun (Setsubun) on February 3rd, there is also an event where beans are thrown, allowing you to experience the traditional Japanese winter scenery.

If you want to experience Japan's historical architecture, traditional culture, and winter atmosphere, be sure to visit Sensoji Temple.

Sensoji Temple

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3. Mameshiba Cafe | A relaxing indoor spot where you can interact with animals

Harajuku Mameshiba Cafe is a popular spot where you can interact with cute Mameshiba dogs .

Mame Shiba is a breed of dog that is characterized by being slightly smaller than the regular Shiba Inu, as the word "bean" suggests.

The charm of this zoo is that you can spend time inside the warm rooms, even on cold winter days, feeling the Japanese atmosphere. Many of the dogs are friendly, and it's relatively easy to interact with them, which is another reason for its popularity. You can also take photos, making it the perfect place to create memories of your trip .

Mameshiba Cafe is a popular animal cafe experience spot for foreign tourists, with a 30-minute turnaround system. It can get crowded and you may not be able to enter right away, so it's recommended to check opening hours and reservation status before visiting.

This is perfect for animal lovers and those who want to avoid the cold outdoors and enjoy sightseeing indoors.

Harajuku Mameshiba Cafe

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4. TeamLab Borderless | An indoor spot to enjoy digital art

teamLab Borderless is an immersive museum that combines digital art and technology .

As the name suggests, this facility offers new experiences that transcend boundaries, and is known as a "museum without a map," with no maps or routes.

The museum displays 79 artworks, with flowers sprouting and growing throughout the space, and the artworks changing shape as they intricately combine with one another. The interconnectedness of the artworks creates an immersive experience that can only be experienced here.

Since teamLab Borderless is an indoor facility, you can enjoy it without worrying about the cold, which is a great point in winter. If you're interested in the latest digital art or want to go sightseeing regardless of the weather, be sure to check it out.

teamLab Borderless

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4 Winter Illuminations and Events to Enjoy in Tokyo

In winter in Tokyo, you can enjoy illuminations in various areas.

Here we will introduce four illuminations and events that will brighten up Tokyo in winter .

Let's take a closer look at the appeal of each.

1. Marunouchi Illuminations

Marunouchi illuminations is a popular illumination event held in the Marunouchi area around Tokyo Station.

This historic event will be held for the 24th year in 2025, and the 1.2km-long main street, Marunouchi Nakadori, and the roadside trees around Tokyo Station will be illuminated in champagne gold lights. The beautiful contrast with the red brick building of Tokyo Station makes it a popular photo spot.

Additionally, a giant Christmas tree will be set up at Kyobashi Central Plaza in the Kyobashi/Ginza area, where you can enjoy a music and light show. Furthermore, a commercial facility in Marunouchi will also hold a collaborative exhibition with Disney Animation.

If you would like to enjoy illuminations while sightseeing around Tokyo Station, be sure to visit the Marunouchi illuminations.

Marunouchi illuminations

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2. Yomiuriland "Jewel Illumination"

Yomiuriland's Jewel Illumination is a light festival held at Tokyo's leading amusement park, which has over 40 attractions .

For about five months, the entire park will be illuminated with LED lights that sparkle like jewels, enveloping it in a fantastical world.

The theme of Jewel Illumination changes every year, and in 2025, illuminations that express fun and splendor will be introduced under the theme of "LIGHT HOP⤴." Since it can be enjoyed in conjunction with the attractions, you can spend your time playing at the amusement park during the day and enjoying the light show at night.

Yomiuriland's Jewel Illumination is recommended for those who want to see a field of illuminations, or for those looking for a spot where they can enjoy the whole day along with attractions.

Yomiuriland "Jewel Illumination"

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3. Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo "Hogwarts in the Snow"

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo's "Hogwarts in the Snow" is an event where you can experience the world of the Harry Potter films in a Christmas setting .

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo is a popular facility where you can experience the worlds and behind-the-scenes of the films "Harry Potter" and "Fantastic Beasts." During the event, the entire facility will be enveloped in a festive Christmas atmosphere.

The biggest attraction at "Hogwarts in the Snow" is the Great Hall, which also appears in the movies. A Christmas tree over 5 meters high is decorated, and over 400 candles are lit as if floating in the air on tables lined with turkey, cake, and other delicacies, creating a fantastical space.

If you're a Harry Potter fan looking to see this special limited-time event, be sure to check it out.

Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo

"Hogwarts in the Snow"

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4. Tokyo Christmas Market in Jingu Gaien

The Tokyo Christmas Market in Jingu Gaien is a popular event where you can experience an authentic German Christmas market in Tokyo .

It features a fantastical atmosphere based on Grimm's fairy tales and other European stories, and the most eye-catching feature is the 14-meter-tall Christmas pyramid brought from the village of Seiffen in Germany. At night, the illuminations light up, making you feel like you're in a European town.

The venue is lined with stalls where you can enjoy essential European Christmas foods such as mulled wine, sausages, and baked goods. You can also purchase Christmas ornaments and miscellaneous goods imported from all over Europe.

This is a rare event where you can enjoy European Christmas culture in Tokyo. There are many photogenic decorations, making it a great place for couples and friends to create memories.

If you want to experience the atmosphere of an authentic Christmas market, be sure to visit the venue at Jingu Gaien.

Tokyo Christmas Market in Jingu Gaien

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3 Recommended Warm Dishes for Winter in Tokyo

There are plenty of foods to warm you up in the winter in Tokyo.

Here are three winter delicacies you'll want to try in Tokyo during the cold season .

Let's take a closer look at the appeal of each.

1. Hot Pot

Hot pot is a typical Japanese winter dish in which various ingredients are simmered in a single pot .

Typical hot pot dishes are sukiyaki, shabu-shabu, and motsunabe.

The appeal of hot pot is that it naturally sparks conversation as family and friends gather around the same pot. If you're dining with a group of family or friends, we recommend choosing hot pot.

2. Oden

Oden is a dish made by simmering ingredients in a soup made from kelp and bonito flakes for a long time , and the ingredients vary depending on the region.

Below are some examples of ingredients.

Oden is also sold at convenience stores. In winter, hot oden is lined up next to the cash register, and one of the attractions is that you can freely choose your favorite ingredients. Oden is the perfect dish for those who want a quick and easy way to warm up, or for those who want a healthy meal.

3. Ramen

Ramen is a world-famous noodle dish .

There are many ramen restaurants in Tokyo, and many that are open until late at night. Ramen is relatively affordable, making it popular with people who want to eat a satisfying meal while keeping their budget low.

In Japan, there is a culture of eating ramen as a way to finish off a night of drinking. Especially on cold winter nights, many people warm up their chilled bodies with hot soup before heading home.

If you want to warm yourself up with some hot soup or if you want a late-night meal, check out some ramen restaurants in Tokyo.

Preparations for a comfortable winter in Tokyo

To enjoy a comfortable winter in Tokyo, it's important to prepare in advance.

Here are three things you should keep in mind before enjoying winter in Tokyo .

1. Check the temperature and weather before you go out

In winter in Tokyo, temperatures can vary greatly from day to day. There are also days when it snows, so be sure to check the weather forecast before heading out .

If you are going to an outdoor tourist spot or event, you should be prepared for changes in temperature. If rain or snow is forecast, be sure to bring an umbrella or other rain gear.

Snow can cause traffic disruptions, so it's a good idea to check the weather and traffic information.

2. Choose clothes that are easy to put on and take off

In winter in Tokyo, the heating is on full blast indoors and on trains, so we recommend wearing clothes that are easy to put on and take off so you can adapt to the temperature changes .

Also, if you're sightseeing outdoors, it's useful to have a scarf, gloves, and a knit hat. Make sure to wear clothes that allow you to easily regulate your body temperature, and enjoy sightseeing in comfort.

3. Buy cold weather gear locally

In Tokyo, you can purchase cold weather gear locally .

The major fashion brand UNIQLO is known for its highly insulating innerwear, Heattech. It's thin yet warm, making it perfect for layering.

Convenience stores and drugstores also sell disposable hand warmers. These come in two types: one that you can stick on your clothes and one that you hold in your hand. They are perfect for keeping you warm during winter sightseeing, as they can easily get cold.

Enjoy winter in Tokyo! We recommend a day trip to enjoy the snowy scenery.

In this article, we introduced activities, tourist spots, illuminations, and gourmet food to help you enjoy winter in Tokyo.

Winter in Tokyo is a season where you can enjoy a variety of activities, including skiing, hot springs, and illuminations.

For those who want to experience Japan's snowy scenery, we recommend Orion Tour's English and Chinese-speaking day tours. Not only can you enjoy skiing and playing in the snow, but there are also plans to tour historic towns like Ouchi-juku, allowing you to fully enjoy the charms of Japanese winter in one day.

Using the information we have introduced as a reference, why not combine your Tokyo sightseeing with Orion Tours and create some winter memories ?