Japan is a great place to be any time of the year, but it’s just magical during winter. During winter, we see Christmas, New Years, Seijin no Hi (the celebration for people turning 20 – becoming adults – that year), and Valentine’s Day – all with stunning decoration and festivities all around. They’re really beautiful and it’s fun to see that one day, it’s all decorated for Christmas, and on the next, it’s changed to New Years.

Food in Japan is usually delicious, but the winter food is even better – warming the body and the soul – everywhere. And there is much lovely and cute food, like snowman coffee, winter theme cakes, the heart warming Japanese stews, and casseroles, etc. Don’t forget the tea, steaming, a little bitter, and always delicious!

Snow sports are also present with many mountains all around the country. Even if you don’t ski or snowboard, it’s super fun and breath-taking to see the snow-covered houses and temples – and the mountains. We had fun riding a gondola just to see the town from above. It’s also during winter that we get to see the monkeys bathing in the thermal waters.

There are many sales opportunities, for those who enjoy shopping. Grab a little bargain here and there. To top it up, it’s mostly low season, so you can visit many sites with as little crowd as you can get – it’s still a bit crowded, but it’s Japan and everything is crowded every day of the year.

And when you’re tired of all that, find yourself a nice ryokan (Japanese B&B’s) with a private thermal bath and relax. If you find one with an external pool, the better! It’s pure joy for all the senses.