10 Most Magical Places to See Snow in Japan

With Japan as big as it is, not every region gets snow each year. But in some areas further north you can guarantee there will be some sparkling white snow to marvel at during your winter trip. The best time to see snow in Japan is generally between January and March, except for the Snow Wall of Tateyama that can be seen much later!

Places far south like Okinawa and Kyushu do not see any snow, so here we’ll be looking at areas mostly north of Tokyo, like in Hokkaido, Nagano, and Ishikawa prefectures.

1) Sapporo: Hokkaido Snow Festival

For many, Sapporo is an absolute must for snowy scenes. It is the capital city of Japan’s northernmost region, Hokkaido, so not only is there a lot to do, but the city is well-equipped for heavy snowfall, so things don’t grind to a halt on snow days. Sapporo offers many services and information in English for international visitors. In 2022, Sapporo saw a total of 476cm of snow!

One of the highlights of Sapporo in winter is its incredible Snow Festival, where sculptors gather to create giant snow sculptures, and the city is abuzz with food stalls and entertainment. It’s like a winter wonderland.

2) Shirakawago: Traditional Huts

Shirakawago offers something a bit different to what you might expect of a “traditional” Japanese setting, but in fact, it’s as traditional as it comes.

Shirakawago is an ancient town filled with thatched-roof houses called “gassho-tsukuri”. During the winter, the houses are covered in a thick layer of snow, creating a scene that looks like something out of a fairy tale.

Nestled among the mountains, the town is a registered UNESCO World Heritage Site, as well as its neighbour, Gokayama. You can explore the town, go snowshoeing, try out traditional crafts, or even stay in one of the traditional houses.

There is a variety of accommodation options available in Shirakawago, catering to different budgets and preferences.

3) Tateyama: Snow Wall

Tateyama is an area within Toyama prefecture, which is known for its heavy snowfall. The sightseeing highlight of the area is the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, which is a long route traversed by buses, trains, and ropeways across the stunning Japanese Alps.

The snowfall here is so high in winter that the area is closed off from December to March, so it’s best to visit at other times to see the snow.

Part of that route is the incredible Snow Wall. This wall can go up to 18m tall, and is usually still at around 10m by June, so is a great escape from the city heat.

4) Hakuba: Skiing and Snowboarding

Hakuba is a popular ski resort area that gained popularity after hosting the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics. Here you are surrounded by the Japanese Northern Alps which are beautifully decorated with snow in the winter.

A big part of skiing culture in Japan is to take a dip in an onsen (hot spring bath) afterwards, so make sure you give it a go and soak out those aches and pains. This is one of the areas in Japan where monkeys do the same!

5) Hakodate: Cityscape Views and Illuminations

Hakodate is a cosy city in Hokkaido. Although it is smaller than Sapporo, it is accessible via bullet train from Tokyo, so is a good option if you have a JR Pass or a Regional Pass for the Hokkaido Region.

The city is covered in twinkling lights in winter, and experiences the most snowfall from in January and February. The highlights are the star-shaped Goryokaku Park, the delicious seafood, and the spectacular views of the snowy city from Mt. Hakodate Observatory.

6) Otaru: Scenic Canal and Snow Sculptures

While we're on the topic of Hokkaido, another great city to visit for its snowy scenes is Otaru.

The most iconic winter scene in Otaru is definitely along the Otaru Canal, where the street lamps reflect in the gentle waters and the buildings are covered in a layer of shimmering snow.

The highlight of Otaru in winter is the Snow Light Path Festival, where the city and canal are decorated in lanterns and snow sculptures for 10 days, usually around the same time as the Sapporo Snow Festival.

7) Ginzan Onsen: Warming Hot Springs

Ginzan Onsen is a magical place to visit in winter, because it has retained all of its traditional charm through the upkeep of its historic inns that line the river. At night, the town is lit up with gas lights, adding a warm glow to the old-timey atmosphere, and illuminating the snowflakes as they fall.

Unsurprisingly, the town is known for its onsen (hot springs). The baths are infinitely more satisfying when snow is falling outside the window.

8) Niseko: Skiing and Snow Sports

Niseko is known for its excellent powder snow that makes it great for skiing and snowboarding. It has gained popularity with the international crowd over the years, making it easily accessible for speakers of various languages.

There are a few different ski resorts, as well as plenty of onsen bath spots. It’s also hard to miss the snow-capped spectacle of Mt. Yotei, the local volcano!

9) Kanazawa: Gold and Gardens

Kanazawa is the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture on Japan's northwest coast. Kanazawa sees much less snow than the areas we've looked at so far, but from December through to February there are often snow flurries that give the city a hint of magic.

The area is most well-known for its large traditional garden called Kenrokuen, and its seemingly limitless supply of gold and gold-plated items. Other than the gardens, one of the most atmospheric places to experience the snow is in the old town called Higashi Chaya, where the snow decorates the traditional scenery as you browse the endless gold items.

10) Mt. Fuji: The Iconic Mountain

Mt. Fuji is Japan’s single most iconic mountain, standing at 3776m high. While the cities around the mountain do not see much snow, Mt. Fuji is often depicted in its snow-capped form.

The only months that Mt. Fuji does not typically have snow on it is from June to October, so the climbing season is within that timeframe. The rest of the year, the volcano is covered in a beautiful white. There are even two small ski resorts around the base of Mt. Fuji.

The best time of the year to get some clear shots of the snowy mountain is in December and January, as this is the least cloudy season with high visibility.

Feeling That Winter Chill?

As you can see, Japan has some beautiful snowy scenes to explore during winter, and many of them don’t even require going as far as Hokkaido to see them. Comprehensive lists of the best ski resorts in Japan are available to help you plan your winter trip.

Hopefully this has given you some inspiration for a Japan winter trip, but if all this talk of snow has got you feeling the cold, maybe you should warm up by taking a look at why you should visit Okinawa, Japan’s tropical paradise or during any other time of the year.