The best destinations for snow hunters in Japan

Winter in Japan is also a wonderful opportunity to venture out beyond the urban sprawl and experience the country, its customs, and cuisine like a local. Below are the best destinations for who want to explore Japan in winter, especially, for the snow hunters.

Abashiri Drift Ice, Hokkaido

Head right up north to the Sea of Okhotsk along the coast of Hokkaido, and you would be forgiven for thinking that you are in fact in the middle of the Antarctic. Here massive plates of drift ice known as ryuhyo float atop the ocean surface.

Drift ice season may not be Japan’s most well-known winter vacation opportunity, but it is definitely one of the country’s more unique experiences. Emerging in around mid-January and gone by March, there is a little time to check it out if you do want to see it in action. Occasionally from land you can spot drift ice floating along the coast, but to really explore the area at its peak, it is recommended you hop aboard one of the Aurora Sightseeing Boats. The tour boats depart from Abashiri Port in Hokkaido’s northeastern corner a couple of times daily, and a tour costs around 3,000 yen (£20) per person.

Otaru, Hokkaido

When it comes to winter in Japan, the heaviest snow falls in Hokkaido, where you can enjoy the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. But, take a 45 minute train ride, and you will be whisked away to the port city of Otaru, a city pivotal to the development of Japan’s northernmost island. Brick warehouses and Victorian style street lamps line Otaru Canal, giving it a distinctly European feel. Visit at night and be charmed by Otaru’s Snow Light Path, an event held in February where the streets of Otaru are decorated with snowmen and candlelight.

Shirakawa-go, Gifu

Looking like an idyllic painting come to life, Shirakawa-go is a small traditional village in the heart of Gifu that is stunning year-round. Nonetheless, winter is when it is at its most beautiful. The area is best known for being the home of Japan’s unique ‘gasshou’ houses, a style of old-world traditional Japanese architecture.

Some of the houses here are over 250 years old. The name ‘gasshou’ translates to ‘praying hands’ in English. It was so named because their sharply steep roofs clasped together resemble the two hands of the Buddha in prayer.

See more: 10 best places to go skiing in Japan

Zao Snow Monsters

The best place to see snow monsters is at Zao Onsen, a well-known hot spring and ski resort in the mountains of Yamagata Prefecture. These "monsters" are formed by heavy snow deposited on trees and frozen into shape by chilling winds. The Snow Monsters form around the peak of the Zao Ski Resort and are usually most spectacular around mid-February.

Ouchi Juku, Fukushima

Walk in the footsteps of samurai in the village of Ouchi Juku, a former post town on Aizu-Nishi Kaido that which connected Aizu, Fukushima with Nikko, Tochigi during the Edo Period. Ouchi-juku feels like a living museum, as the town has been restored to its former glory. Traditional thatched buildings, a trademark of post towns, line the unpaved main street, where you will find plenty of quaint shops, restaurants, and Japanese inns.

Warm up with a local specialty - fish grilled at an iriori, or sunken hearth - then head to Ouchi-juku Town Pavilion to explore more of this historic village.

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Reasons why you should visit Hokkaido

Boasting unspoiled natural sights, festivals, coastline and the freshest seafood in the country, Hokkaido is sure to impress even the most seasoned traveler. There are many reasons to visit Hokkaido, but we have narrowed it down to these best reasons.

Hot Springs

Hokkaido is home to some of the most peaceful and luxurious onsen (hot spring) locations in Japan. Traditionally thought to be a cure for just about every type of injury or sickness, locals and visitors alike go to the onsen to rest, recharge, and relax.

Skiing

Home to the 1972 Winter Olympics, the mountains here boast some of the best ski conditions in the world. It comes as no surprise that skiers and boarders from all over flock to Niseko, Kiroro, and Rusutsu resorts to experience Hokkaido’s finest powder snow.

Hiking

Hokkaido’s mountainous terrain, green landscapes, and deep valleys have earned it the reputation of being the ultimate hiking destination. Guaranteed to satisfy thrill seekers and adventurers, several mountain trails will take hikers across still active volcanoes.

Street Markets

Known as the “Kingdom of Food” among the Japanese, Hokkaido offers the freshest seafood, produce and dairy products in the country. The curbside markets in Sapporo provide locals and tourists a chance to buy locally (and at wholesale prices). There are also several sushi and sashimi restaurants stationed throughout the markets for visitors just looking for a quick lunch.

Jingisukan (Ghengis Kahn)

Any dish named after a Mongolian warlord is bound to pack a punch; diners can enjoy a hefty portion of lamb/mutton and vegetables grilled over an iron dome skillet. Legend has it that the shape of the skillet represents the helmets of Mongolian soldiers. This may or may not be true, but that doesn’t make it any less delicious.

National Parks

With its rich biodiversity, pristine lakes and rivers, and active volcanoes, Hokkaido features some of the most impressive parks and world heritage sites in Japan. Daisetsuzan, the island’s largest park, covers over 2,300 square meters, while the other five national parks offer hiking, hot springs, animal sanctuaries, and the famous Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival.

Local Farms

The rolling hills, lush greenery, fresh produce and dairy farms of Hokkaido are a must for travelers in need of some fresh air. Cycling enthusiasts should pay a visit to the “Road of Patchwork” in the small town of Biei, a wide field where the flowers are grown in alternating colors.

Coastal Towns

The small fishing towns and port cities that run along the coast of Hokkaido make lovely places to visit for couples, families, or anyone looking for a bit of relaxation. The town of Otaru is a quaint and comfortable place known for its local charm and romantic atmosphere.

Sapporo Beer

The Sapporo Beer Factory and Beer Museum offers tourists a behind-the-scenes look into the history of brewing in Japan as well as how the beer is made. Of course, the tour ends with a 30 minute all you can drink session, so guests are advised to have lunch before taking the tour.

See more: The most breathtaking regions in Hokkaido, Japan

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Hokkaido traditions that only locals can understand

With its long winters, rich history, and indigenous population, the northern island of Hokkaido has a distinct culture, unique to that of the rest of Japan. We take a look at some of the holidays, special events, and traditions that make Hokkaido truly one of a kind.

Strawberry and Pork Festival

While most people don’t typically associate one with the other, the small town of Toyoura in southern Hokkaido is famous for two things: strawberry farming, and pork. Apparently, the local government decided to save time and celebrate both products at once, and thus the Strawberry and Pork festival was created. Aside from the obvious dining options, the event also features live performances and marching bands.

Ubagami Shrine Festival

This 3 day parade dates back nearly 400 years and is one of Japan’s oldest festivals. Local residents carry various mikoshi (portable shrines) through the streets, the oldest of which was built in Osaka in the year 1694. The festival also features traditional musical accompaniment mainly performed by flutists and drummers.

Otaru Snow Light Path

Located just an hour’s drive from Sapporo, this beautiful port city already has a reputation for being something of a fairytale, but the real magic happens around the first two weeks in February. For 10 days, the entire city is lit up by lanterns and miniature snow statues, creating a beautiful and calm winter wonderland.

Sapporo Snow Festival

Drawing in over two million tourists per year, this now legendary festival of ice and snow was started by a group of high school students in 1950. Participants can join sporting competitions, ski and snowboard events, ice sculpture exhibits, and even a beauty contest where the winner is awarded the title of “Ice Queen”.

See more: The most breathtaking regions in Hokkaido, Japan

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Visit the most popular regions in Japan

Located in the Pacific Ocean just off the eastern coast of mainland Asia, Japan is remarkably made up of almost 7,000 islands. The four main, and indeed, largest ones are Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu, which make up 97 percent of Japan’s landmass.

Hokkaido

More sparsely populated than any other part of the country, Japan’s northernmost island of Hokkaido is a nature lover’s dream; its wild and untouched landscapes are home to six incredible national parks for you to explore.

As such, the huge island has a wealth of breathing nature for you to enjoy. While some parts are made up of rolling hills, lakes, and paddy fields, others display beautiful cherry blossom trees, towering mountains, and steaming hot springs. While summer offers up innumerable hiking opportunities in scenic places such as Shikotsu Toya National Park, winter makes for perfect skiing conditions, with Niseko and Furano both being popular ski destinations.

Home to Japan’s native Ainu people, much of Hokkaido was only really settled by the Japanese in the last one hundred years. As a result, its cities and towns are quite different in style from the rest of Japan. They are more modern in nature and lack any traditional architecture. The lively city of Sapporo is the capital of the island and is particularly worth visiting in winter when it hosts the famous Sapporo Snow Festival.

Kanto

Although Tokyo, the world’s largest metropolis, understandably dominates Kanto with all that it has for visitors to see and do, the region actually has a lot to offer up alongside Japan’s futuristic and bustling capital city.

Shibuya/Tokyo

The small town of Nikko, for instance, is home to impressive mausoleums and a beautiful national park of the same name, while Kamakura has plenty of beautiful shrines and temples for you to check out – in addition to its lovely beaches and hiking trails.

Mount Fuji

While much of Kanto is located on a plain, the region is also home to some outstanding natural attractions. The Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park is a must-visit for its relaxing hot springs, the breathtaking Fuji Five Lakes, and the fantastic views it boasts of Mount Fuji off in the distance. With history, nature, and culture all on offer, Kanto really does have it all.

Kansai

A fascinating region to explore, Kansai is where Japanese civilization all began. It remarkably boasts three of the nation’s former capital cities, which all showcase Japan’s rich and ancient cultural heritage.

Dotonbori/Osaka

Complete with a stunning array of historical and cultural landmarks in the shape of their many shrines, temples, and palaces, the cities of Asuka, Nara, and Kyoto are all exceptional places to visit. Yet more incredible sights can be seen in the castles at Hikone and Himeji and the wonderful hot springs at Arima Onsen.

Kobe Harborland

While the region also boasts bustling cities such as Osaka and Kobe, Kansai has its fair share of beautiful nature, with Lake Biwa – the largest lake in the country – and Mount Koya both particularly delightful to explore.

Kyushu

Kyushu is Japan’s most southwestern main island. While it is mostly made up of stunning mountains and fertile valleys, the broad, flat plain in the north is home to its two largest cities – Fukuoka and Kitakyushu. While both are worth a visit for their interesting historical sights, museums, and architecture, Kyushu’s outstanding beauty is what you really want to see.

Indeed, lots of impressive nature is on a show; you can be visiting the world’s largest caldera at Aso one day, surfing in the huge waves at Miyazaki the next, and exploring the breathtaking Amakusa chain of islands later in the week.

Beppu

One of Kyushu’s main draws is the famous city of Nagasaki, which was so tragically devastated by the second atomic bomb attack by the US in WWII. Other points of interest are Beppu – a famous hot spring town – and Kumamoto, which has a gorgeous castle for you to explore.

Read more: Top favorite summer dishes in Japan

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Visit Hokkaido and taste these amazing dishes

Hokkaido is a large prefecture in the North of Japan that’s blessed with abundant nature, rich and expansive agricultural lands, and some of the finest seafood in the country. It’s no surprise then that Hokkaido is a popular tourist destination, not just for foreign visitors but for many domestic travelers. One of the main highlights of visiting Japan’s northernmost prefecture is to enjoy the region’s meibutsu, the local specialty foodstuffs.

1. Crab

Hokkaido boasts several premium varieties of crab, including tarabagani (king crab), zuwaigani (snow crab), and kegani (horsehair crab), all available at an attractive price. Specialty shops in Hokkaido boil up succulent crab freshly caught from the ocean, and Hokkaido crab shipped straight to your front door is one of the top holiday gifts in Japan. The different varieties of crab can be eaten in an assortment of ways, such as kani nabe (Japanese hotpot), served with rice kani meshi, as nigiri neta (topping), and in miso soup.

2. Jingisukan

Jingisukan, or “Genghis Khan”, is a type of barbecue dish from Hokkaido that features lamb grilled together with vegetables such as kabocha pumpkin and sliced cabbage, and a spicy soy-based sauce. The dish is named after the famous Mongolian ruler due to the helmet-shaped grill that the dish is cooked on, which many people believe evokes the image of a Mongolian warrior. Lamb and mutton are not widely eaten in other parts of Japan, so jingisukan dining offers a unique Hokkaido experience.

3. Ikameshi

Ikameshi is a dish of squid (ika) stuffed with rice and simmered in a soy sauce based stock. It originated in southern Hokkaido during the food shortages of World War II when rice was scarce in Japan. Squid was plentiful at the time, so a local bento lunch vendor came up with the idea of using the squid to stretch out their rice supplies. Today, ikameshi is beloved by locals and visitors alike, and can be purchased from train station bento vendors known as “ekiben” in Hokkaido.

4. Soup Curry

Soup curry is a dish of spiced Japanese curry that originated in Sapporo. It combines a curry base with a rich broth, roasted meat, fresh herbs, and plenty of vegetables. The dish is easily customized to personal preferences, from the toppings used to the spice level. This is a warm and filling soup that is packed with flavor. Enjoy it with a side of rice, which you can dip into the delicious curry-flavored broth to soak up the flavor.

5. Kaisendon

Kaisendon is a type of donburi, or rice bowl, topped with fresh sashimi, seafood, and shellfish. With its world-class uni and crab, juicy scallops, and buttery ikura (salmon roe), Hokkaido is the best place to try kaisendon in Japan. Look for it from breakfast time in the fish markets of Sapporo and Hakodate.

6. Miso Butter Ramen

If you need warming up and looking for things to eat in Hokkaido, miso butter ramen is just the dish. A richly flavored style of ramen noodles that originated in Sapporo, it’s made with a soup base of red miso paste combined with chicken or pork bone broth. The noodles used in Sapporo ramen are thick and wavy and served slightly chewy. They’re joined by popular local ingredients like fresh Hokkaido butter and sweet corn, and even extravagant seafood toppings such as scallops and crab.

7. Yubari Melon

Hokkaido’s yubari melon is one of the most expensive fruit in the world. Grown in greenhouses, it’s recognizable for its thick raised webbing, blemish-free surface, perfectly round shape, and intense melon flavor balanced with a gentle sweetness. Melons in the range of 20 thousand yen and above are often given as gifts of distinction for special occasions, and the most expensive Yubari melon ever sold for 2.5 million yen.

See more: Visit Hokkaido and taste dishes made from Melon

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Regional dishes you need to try in Japan

Japan has a wonderful unique cuisine. Different regions have their own traditions of agriculture, produce and recipes. So in addition to the traditional Japanese dishes found throughout the country, many regions and cities in Japan have their own specialties.

Yubari Melon (Hokkaido)

Known also as “Yubari King”. Yubari melons are grown only in a small town called Yubari city. The sweetest melon you can ever taste. Some Japanese people present Yubari King melons as gifts during the holiday called chugen. It becomes the must-have dessert in Hokkaido.

Takoyaki (Osaka)

Takoyaki is the main street food associated with Osaka. This tasty treat is a fried round mixture of batter, octopus, ginger, and usually some vegetables and spices. The best place to sample takoyaki is at one of the food stalls along the Dotonbori, but this dish can be found all over the city. Many locals even have special takoyaki-making grills at home.

Goya Champuru (Okinawa)

Goya (bitter melon) came to Okinawa from Southeast Asia and quickly became one of the region's most favored vegetables.Champuru means "stir-fry" in the Okinawan language. This dish is a stir-fry of goya, pork, tofu and eggs. It is prepared by stir-frying various ingredients.

Monja-yaki (Tokyo)

Originally a children’s treat, monjayaki is now established as a specialty of the Tsukishima area of Tokyo (near Ginza). It’s a “cook it yourself” dish with ingredients such as dried squid, sweetcorn and cabbage are cooked on the hotplate. Then a runny batter is poured into a hollow in the middle. It is all scraped around with a small spatula and eaten off the spatula as it is cooked.

Chagayu (Nara)

Chagayu is a traditional breakfast food from Nara that’s made by boiling rice in roasted green tea with salt until it becomes a soupy porridge. The dish was originally enjoyed by monks at Nara’s Todai-ji temple as part of the Omizutori festival, but eventually became a common food enjoyed by locals throughout the region. Chagayu can be eaten hot or cold, and the roasted aroma of the green tea gives this wholesome dish a complex, but highly satisfying flavor.

Yudofu (Kyoto)

Popular with Japanese Buddhist, a yudofu is a simple yet delicious hot pot. Minimal ingredients used in this dish as a typical Yudofu only contains tofu cubes and vegetables in hot water. However, as with many recipes, there are options with various meats and more ingredients. Kombu also is known as edible seaweed can be added for extra flavor. The Yudofu is a winter favorite amongst the Japanese monks and can be as simple or as complex as you fancy.

See more: Japanese healthy dishes for cold weather

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5 most amazing hotels in Japan

Japan, also known as the Land of the Rising Sun, is an exciting and culturally fascinating travel destination. Its hotels are equally appealing, and they are just as diverse as the nation itself. You will find the skyscrapers catering to international business travelers in hubs like Tokyo and Kyoto, but you’ll also find luxurious resorts and capsule hotels.

Park Hotel Tokyo

The Park Hotel Tokyo is a contemporary skyscraper in the middle of the capital city. From its top floors, you can expect stunning views over the city. The Park Hotel Tokyo is also conveniently located just a two-minute walk from the Shimbashi Station, which allows you to get to other major destinations in the area via subway. There are seven dining options within the Park Hotel Tokyo that serve up Japanese cuisine as well as international fare. Other luxury amenities include a spa, a fitness facility and a lounge filled with modern art.

Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon

A brief walk from the Asakusa Train Station is the upscale Gate Hotel Asakusa Kaminarimon, one of the most popular contemporary hotels in Tokyo. The convenient location makes it easy to travel via train around the city, but you can also walk right to attractions like the Senso-ji Temple or the Hanayashiki Theme Park. The rooms are comfortable and modern, and guests will have access to hotel amenities like in-room massage therapy, a French restaurant and an open-air terrace exclusively available for guests to enjoy, which happens to be an amazing place to soak in city views.

See more: Things to do in Asakusa, Tokyo

Hoshinoya Kyoto

You’ll find the upscale Hoshinoya Kyoto on the banks of the Katsura River in the popular Arashiyama district of Kyoto. Although it is in the center of the city, the setting is wooded, and guests will be just a short walk from the wildly famous Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The rooms are sleek, modern but minimal, and they feature bamboo decor and tatami mat flooring. A floating tearoom is an ultimate luxury, allowing you to sip upscale teas right over the waters of the river.

Hakone-Ginyu

This luxurious spa resort can be found in Hakone, and it is surrounded by lush green mountains. The suites are spacious but minimalist, designed with relaxation in mind. Many of the rooms and suites at the Hakone-Ginyu offer private terraces, and the views are definitely one of the most appealing things about this incredible resort. You’ll also be able to unwind in one of the two open-air bathhouses, not to mention the countless hot tubs. Indulge in spa treatments, and then enjoy incredible Japanese cuisine while making the most of the mountain views.

See more: Hakone, a peaceful place in Japan

The Windsor Hotel Toya

On the Japanese island of Hokkaido, you’ll find the Windsor Hotel Toya Resort and Spa. At the Windsor Hotel Toya, you can choose from traditional minimalist rooms with tatami mats or upgraded western beds, all of which offer amenities like wifi access, personal fridges and flat-screen televisions. The spa facilities are the main attraction, featuring a bathhouse, an indoor pool, and a hot tub, but there is also a scenic golf course on the property. Guests will also be mere minutes from the enticing Toyako Hot Spring.

Source Touropia