What’s On in Japan in Winter
Snow festivals, dazzling illuminations, powder skiing and steaming open-air onsen.
141 listings
Sapporo Snow Festival (Sapporo Yuki Matsuri)
Massive snow and ice sculptures transform Odori Park into a jaw-dropping winter wonderland each February.
Shirakawa-go Winter Light-Up
UNESCO-listed thatched-roof farmhouses glow under floodlights against deep snow in a hauntingly beautiful winter spectacle.
Jigokudani Wild Monkey Park
Watch wild Japanese macaques soak in natural hot spring pools amid a snowy valley — one of Japan's most iconic wildlife sights.
Nagasaki Lantern Festival (Nagasaki Chūka Gai Tōrō Matsuri)
Fifteen thousand lanterns bathe Nagasaki's historic Chinatown and harbour in golden light for Japan's most vibrant Chinese New Year celebration.
Shiretoko Drift Ice Walk (Ryūhyō Walk)
Don a dry suit and crunch across the UNESCO-listed Sea of Okhotsk's drift ice floes while scanning for Steller sea eagles and floating ice seals.
Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Yomatsuri)
A UNESCO-listed winter festival pairing six luminous kasaboko floats with a fireworks display over the snowy Chichibu mountain skyline.
Ryōgoku Kokugikan Sumo Tournament (Hatsu Basho)
Watch Japan's national sport live at the iconic Ryōgoku sumo arena during the New Year Grand Tournament, the first basho of the calendar year.
Sapporo White Illumination
Odori Park and Minami Ichijo street transform into a glittering winter wonderland of lights each November.
Kanazawa Kenroku-en Yukitsuri Snow Canopies
Conical rope canopies called yukitsuri are rigged over Kenroku-en's century-old pine trees each winter to protect them from heavy snow.
Kushiro Marshland Tancho Crane Watching
Watch hundreds of endangered Japanese red-crowned cranes dance and call across a snow-blanketed marshland at dedicated feeding stations.
Towada City Winter Art Walk (Towada Art Center)
A world-class open-air art museum lines a snow-covered boulevard with permanent site-specific installations by global contemporary artists.
Kyoto Higashiyama Hanatouro Illumination
Thousands of bamboo lanterns line a five-kilometre stone-paved path through Kyoto's most atmospheric historic temple district after dark.
Zamami Island Humpback Whale Watching
Board a boat from the Kerama Islands to watch humpback whales breach and sing in the crystal-clear seas of a designated national park.
Hakuba Valley Ski & Snow Resort
Japan's premier Alpine ski destination — a 10-resort valley with Olympic pedigree, powder-perfect runs, and stunning Northern Alps backdrops.
Yonaguni Island Hammerhead Shark Diving
Japan's westernmost island draws divers worldwide to witness schools of scalloped hammerhead sharks and the mysterious Yonaguni underwater rock monument.
Asahikawa Winter Festival (Asahikawa Fuyu Matsuri)
One of Japan's largest winter festivals, famous for colossal snow and ice sculptures lining the frozen Ishikari River.
Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (Otaru Yuki Akari no Michi)
Thousands of candle-lit snow lanterns and ice sculptures illuminate the historic canal district of Otaru in romantic winter light.
Lake Akan Winter Festival (Akan Kohan Fuyu Matsuri)
Ice sculptures, fireworks, and Ainu cultural performances light up the frozen surface of Lake Akan in eastern Hokkaido.
Niseko Hanazono Resort Powder Skiing
Ski world-renowned Japow on the slopes of Mount Yotei at Niseko, famed for some of the deepest, driest powder snow on earth.
Namahage Sedo Matsuri
Fierce demon-masked Namahage descend by torchlight on Shinzan Shrine in a spine-tingling winter ritual on the Oga Peninsula.
Hanamaki Onsen Nakatsu Kogen Winter Illuminations
Snow-dusted highland resort hotels in Hanamaki glow with winter light displays amid hot-spring steam and frost-covered forests.
Tazawako Ski Resort
Japan's deepest lake provides a breathtaking backdrop as skiers carve fresh powder runs on slopes overlooking Lake Tazawa.
Tōdai-ji Nigatsudō Shuni-e (Omizutori)
Ancient Buddhist fire ritual at Tōdai-ji where monks wave massive blazing torches over crowds to ward off evil and pray for peace.
Kobe Luminarie
Breathtaking memorial illumination event in Kobe where hundreds of thousands of lights form elaborate archways commemorating the 1995 Great Hanshin Earthquake.
Saidaiji Eyo (Hadaka Matsuri)
Thousands of near-naked men in loincloths compete in the dark to catch sacred shingi sticks at one of Japan's most famous naked festivals.
Aoshima Shrine Hadaka Matsuri (Naked Festival)
Hundreds of men clad only in white loincloths brave the cold Pacific surf in a 1,200-year-old purification rite at a shrine perched on a tropical island.
Okinawa New Year Countdown Fireworks (Naha Kaijō Shōgatsu Hanabi)
Ring in the New Year with a midnight fireworks display over Naha's harbour, one of Japan's southernmost countdown celebrations.
Nago Cherry Blossom Festival (Nago Sakura Matsuri)
Japan's earliest major cherry blossom festival, held beneath thousands of pink Kanhizakura trees on Nago's hillside castle ruins.
Nakijin Castle Ruins Cherry Blossom Festival (Nakijin-jō Sakura Matsuri)
Pink Kanhizakura blossoms frame the UNESCO-listed limestone walls of Nakijin Castle in one of Okinawa's most photogenic hanami settings.
Katsuren Castle Ruins Hanami
Spread a picnic blanket beneath Kanhizakura trees on the terraced hillside of another of Okinawa's World Heritage castle ruins.
Okinawa Peace Memorial Park Sakura Walk
Walk lanes of flowering Kanhizakura trees through this solemn and beautiful memorial park overlooking the southern Okinawa coastline.
Ocean Expo Park Sakura Viewing (Motobu)
Combine hanami with ocean breezes and marine exhibits at this expansive seaside park adjacent to the famous Churaumi Aquarium grounds.
Urasoe Castle Ruins Cherry Blossom Festival
Central Okinawa's most accessible urban hanami event, set among the historic Urasoe Castle ruins with food stalls and cultural entertainment.
Yomitan Village Kanhizakura Hanami
Discover low-key hanami among local Okinawans in the pottery-village lanes and parks of laid-back Yomitan, sprinkled with Kanhizakura blooms.
Naminoue Shrine & Park Sakura Viewing
Okinawa's most revered Shinto shrine perches above a coral cliff with cherry blossoms nodding in the sea breeze over Naha's urban coastline.
Ie Island Cherry Blossom Cycling Tour
Cycle past wild Kanhizakura trees on traffic-light-free Ie Island, with iconic Iegusuiku rock and turquoise seas as your backdrop.
Okinawan Hanami Bento Cooking Class
Prepare a traditional Okinawan hanami bento with a local chef, then carry your feast to a nearby cherry blossom park for an authentic picnic.
Nago Cherry Blossom Marathon (Nago Sakura Marathon)
Run or cheer beneath a canopy of Kanhizakura blossoms at this beloved annual road race through the pink-lined streets of Nago City.
North Okinawa Cherry Blossom Photography Tour
Join a guided photography tour visiting Nago, Nakijin Castle, and hidden Kanhizakura spots across the Motobu Peninsula at golden hour.
Otaru Canal Winter Illumination
Historic Otaru Canal glows with thousands of warm gas lanterns and LED lights reflected in icy waters.
Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival (Sounkyo Hyobaku Matsuri)
Frozen waterfalls and dramatic gorge walls are lit up in dazzling colours deep in Daisetsuzan's icy canyon.
Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (Shikotsu-ko Hyoto Matsuri)
Translucent blue ice sculptures built from Lake Shikotsu's ultra-clear water glow magically after dark.
Hakodate Christmas Fantasy
A giant fir tree glows on the Hakodate waterfront as fireworks and carols transform the historic bay into a winter dreamscape.
Jozankei Winter Illumination (Jozankei Two Lights)
Snow-draped hot-spring village of Jozankei glitters with 800,000 LED lights strung through its riverside forests.
Hoshino Resort Tomamu Ice Village
An entire village of hand-built ice buildings—bar, chapel, hot tub, and igloo hotel—rises each winter at Tomamu Resort.
Obihiro Winter Festival (Obihiro Fuyu Matsuri)
Tokachi's beloved winter festival fills Obihiro's Green Park with snow sculptures, light shows, and warm local food.
Abashiri Drift Ice Walk (Ryuhyo Walk)
Don a dry suit and walk across the drifting Sea of Okhotsk pack ice in a once-in-a-lifetime Arctic-edge adventure.
Aurora Icebreaker Cruise, Abashiri
Ride the Aurora icebreaker ship as it crunches through Sea of Okhotsk drift ice on a spectacular 60-minute winter voyage.
Niseko Hanazono Night Skiing & Winter Illumination
Ski floodlit powder runs under the stars at Niseko Hanazono with Mt Yotei glowing on the horizon.
Sendai Pageant of Starlight (Sendai Hikari no Pageant)
Over 600,000 LED lights transform Sendai's Jozenji-dori zelkova trees into a dazzling winter canopy each December.
Yokote Kamakura Festival (Yokote no Kamakura)
Children host guests inside igloo-like kamakura snow shrines lit by candles in one of Japan's most enchanting winter traditions.
Zao Juhyo (Snow Monsters) Illumination
Zao's famed frost-encrusted fir trees, illuminated at night, loom like ghostly giants across the volcanic mountainside.
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival (Hirosaki-jo Yuki Doro Matsuri)
Snow lanterns and kamakura snow huts illuminate Hirosaki Castle Park, blending samurai heritage with delicate winter light.
Arts Towada Winter Illumination
Contemporary outdoor artworks along Towada's Arts Street shimmer under winter illuminations, merging public art with snowy streetscapes.
Matsushima Oshima Island Winter Illumination
The pine-clad islands of Matsushima Bay are ringed with winter lights, casting shimmering reflections across one of Japan's three views.
Nyuto Onsen Winter Snow Retreat
Soak in rustic open-air hot springs buried deep in the snowy Akita mountains at the legendary Nyuto Onsen cluster.
Koiwai Farm Winter Fantasy Illumination
Japan's largest private farm glows with fairy-tale winter illuminations, turning its rolling snow-covered fields into a luminous holiday landscape.
Aizu Candle Road Winter Festival
Thousands of candles in paper cups light up Aizuwakamatsu's streets and samurai sites, honouring the city's poignant Bakumatsu history.
Kazuno Ani Snow Festival (Ani Ski Resort Yuki Matsuri)
Snow sculptures, torchlight ski runs, and fireworks light up the Ani resort valley in a lively community winter carnival deep in Akita's mountains.
Ginzan Onsen Winter Snow Lantern Illumination
Gas-lamp-lit Taisho-era ryokan facades reflected in a snowy river make Ginzan Onsen Japan's most photogenic winter hot-spring village.
Ashikaga Flower Park Winter Illumination (Hikari no Hana Matsuri)
Over six million LED lights transform Ashikaga Flower Park into a dazzling winter wonderland each evening.
Hitachi Seaside Park Winter Illumination (Miharashi Hill Lights)
Miharashi Hill at Hitachi Seaside Park glows with colourful winter illuminations after the famous kochia season ends.
Tokyo Midtown Christmas & Winter Illumination (Starlight Garden)
Tokyo Midtown's Starlight Garden blankets Hinokicho Park with over 100,000 LEDs for a magical Christmas atmosphere.
Marunouchi Illumination (Marunouchi Bright Christmas)
Nakadori Avenue in Tokyo's financial heart blazes with champagne-gold LED light trees stretching over one kilometre.
Caretta Shiodome Winter Illumination (Canyon of Lights)
Caretta Shiodome's sunken canyon erupts in a free nightly light-and-music show beneath towering skyscrapers.
Yokohama Minatomirai Christmas Illumination (Yokohama Luminare & Starlight Fantasia)
Yokohama's iconic waterfront glitters with competing light installations across the entire Minato Mirai 21 district.
Nikkō Yumoto Onsen Snow Festival
Snow sculptures and open-air fire ceremonies light up the remote hot-spring village of Yumoto within Nikkō National Park.
Sagami Lake Illumination Resort (Sagamiko Illumillion)
One of Japan's largest illumination events, Sagamiko Illumillion wraps an entire lakeside resort in over four million lights.
Showa Kinen Park Winter Illumination (Tama no Hikari Walk)
Showa Kinen Park's vast grounds host a serene winter illumination walk beneath starlit ginkgo allées and illuminated fountains.
Kinu no Sato Snowflake Festival (Tochigi Furusato Snow Event)
Tochigi City's historic canal district transforms each winter with ice sculptures and snow installations along its willow-lined waterways.
Odaiba Rainbow Illumination & Winter Aqua City Lights
Odaiba's artificial island dazzles with waterfront illuminations and a towering Christmas tree framing the Rainbow Bridge.
Mount Mitake & Okutama Winter Snow Hiking Experience
Snow-dusted trails lead from Mount Mitake's sacred village to frozen waterfalls deep in Tokyo's western mountain wilderness.
Tancho Crane Winter Feeding Grounds, Kushiro Shitsugen
Watch hundreds of endangered red-crowned cranes gather at feeding stations across the frozen Kushiro Marshland.
Nemuro Birdwatching: Steller's Sea Eagle & Winter Raptors
Nemuro's frozen wetlands host the world's largest concentration of Steller's sea eagles, a once-in-a-lifetime wildlife spectacle.
Chichibu Night Festival (Chichibu Yo-Matsuri)
One of Japan's three great float festivals, sending six enormous illuminated kasaboko floats through Chichibu's winter streets under fireworks.
Konomiya Hadaka Matsuri
Thousands of loincloth-clad men jostle to touch the sacred 'god-man' in one of Japan's most dramatic and ancient winter purification festivals.
Katsuyama Sagicho Matsuri
Women from local neighbourhoods pour barrels of amazake over float-riding men in this wildly fun, centuries-old winter purification rite.
Kasuga Wakamiya On-Matsuri (春日若宮おん祭)
A 900-year-old winter festival at Kasuga Taisha featuring torch-lit processions and classical performing arts through Nara's ancient streets.
Okayama Saidaiji Temple Precinct Experience
Explore the storied Saidaiji Temple complex, spiritual home of one of Japan's three great naked festivals, year-round.
Izumi Crane Festival (Izumi Tsuru Matsuri)
Celebrate the arrival of 10,000 wintering cranes at Izumi Plain, the world's largest concentration of hooded and white-naped cranes outside East Asia.
Ryukyu Lantern Festival (Okinawa World Gyokusendo Cave Illumination)
Thousands of hand-painted lanterns illuminate the stalactites of Gyokusendo Cave in a magical winter festival of light.
Nakagusuku Castle Ruins Cherry Blossom Viewing
UNESCO-listed Nakagusuku Castle ruins draped in vivid pink kanhizakura blossoms against ancient Ryukyuan stone walls.
Shikinaen Royal Garden Cherry Blossom Stroll
Stroll through a UNESCO-listed Ryukyuan royal garden adorned with kanhizakura blossoms reflected in its tranquil pond.
Nago Central Park Cherry Blossom Walk
Wander under hundreds of kanhizakura trees lining the hillside paths of Nago Central Park, the heart of Okinawa's cherry blossom season.
North Okinawa Kanhizakura Motorcycle Tour
Ride through northern Okinawa's cherry blossom corridor from Nago to Nakijin on a guided motorcycle tour past pink-lined roadsides.
Cape Hedo Sakura Sunrise Hike
Hike to Okinawa's northernmost cape at dawn and watch the sun rise over the East China Sea framed by wild kanhizakura blossoms.
Yanbaru Forest Cherry Blossom & Birdwatching Tour
Spot Okinawa Rail and Ryukyu robins feeding in kanhizakura trees on a guided birding walk through UNESCO-listed Yanbaru forest.
Nakijin Castle Sakura Tea Ceremony Experience
Participate in an open-air tea ceremony beside the cherry blossom-laden walls of UNESCO World Heritage Nakijin Castle.
Motobu Peninsula Cherry Blossom Sea Kayak Tour
Paddle crystal-clear waters along the Motobu coastline beneath hillsides ablaze with pink kanhizakura cherry blossoms.
Nago Sakura Season Okinawa Soba Cooking Class
Learn to hand-pull Okinawa soba noodles and craft a cherry blossom–themed lunch with a local chef during hanami season in Nago.
Nago Castle Park Sakura Night Illumination
Experience Okinawa's iconic cherry blossom illumination as thousands of kanhizakura trees on Nago Castle hill glow softly after dark.
Southern Okinawa Kanhizakura Village Cycling Tour
Cycle quiet backroads through southern Okinawa's farming villages past roadside kanhizakura trees and sugarcane fields in full bloom.
Naha Sakura Season Awamori Distillery Tasting Tour
Tour a historic Naha awamori distillery and taste seasonal cherry blossom–infused spirits paired with Ryukyuan small plates.
Otaru Snow Light Path Festival (小樽雪あかりの路)
Thousands of candle-lit snow lanterns and floating wax lights transform Otaru's historic canal into a romantic winter dreamscape.
Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival (層雲峡温泉氷瀑まつり)
Frozen waterfalls and dramatically lit ice pavilions fill Sounkyo Gorge for Hokkaido's most spectacular canyon winter festival.
Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival (支笏湖氷濤まつり)
Crystal-clear ice sculptures formed from the ultra-pure water of caldera lake Shikotsu glow in ethereal blue and green light after dark.
Noboribetsu Jigokudani Winter Night Walk (登別地獄谷冬夜景)
Steaming volcanic vents and sulphur-crusted craters of Hell Valley are lit at dusk, creating an eerie, otherworldly winter spectacle.
Okhotsk Drift Ice Observatory, Abashiri (オホーツク流氷観測)
Stand on the Sea of Okhotsk's frozen shore and watch vast fields of drift ice grinding ashore at the world's southernmost drift-ice coastline.
Furano Ningle Terrace Winter Illumination (ニングルテラス冬のイルミネーション)
A fairy-tale forest boardwalk of glowing handcraft cabins in the Furano ski resort woods, lit softly throughout the winter season.
Lake Toya Onsen Winter Nightly Fireworks (洞爺湖温泉冬の花火)
Every single night from October through April, fireworks burst over the volcanic caldera lake at Toya Onsen in a uniquely intimate winter display.
Tokachi Balloon Festival (十勝バルーンフェスティバル) – Winter Edition
Dozens of hot-air balloons rise over the snow-blanketed Tokachi plains at dawn in one of Japan's most colourful winter sky festivals.
Niseko Annupuri Illumination & Torchlight Descent (ニセコアンヌプリ冬イルミネーション)
Skiers and snowboarders carrying flaming torches descend Annupuri's slopes in a dramatic nighttime procession above illuminated Niseko village.
Sendai Pageant of Starlight (Sendai Hikari no Pageant)
Over 600,000 LED lights transform Jozenji-dori Avenue into a dazzling corridor of winter brilliance.
Yokote Kamakura Festival (Yokote no Kamakura)
Ancient igloo-like kamakura snow huts glow warmly across Yokote, hosting children and shrine offerings inside.
Zao Juhyo Ice Monster Illumination Tour
Ride Zao Ropeway at night to witness eerily beautiful snow-laden ice monsters glowing under colored spotlights.
Hirosaki Castle Snow Lantern Festival (Hirosaki-jo Yuki Doro Matsuri)
Hundreds of hand-crafted snow lanterns and ice sculptures illuminate Hirosaki Castle Park in magical winter light.
Aomori Nebuta Museum WA·RASSE Winter Visit
Explore towering, luminous Nebuta floats up close inside Aomori's striking waterfront museum during the quiet winter season.
Ginzan Onsen Winter Snow Lantern Evening
Taisho-era ryokan rise from deep snow beside a lantern-lit river in one of Japan's most photogenic winter scenes.
Nyuto Onsen Winter Snow Retreat
Soak in milky, mineral-rich outdoor baths surrounded by deep Akita mountain snow at one of Japan's most secluded onsen clusters.
Aizu Candle Road Winter Festival
Thousands of flickering candles illuminate Aizuwakamatsu's castle town streets in a quiet, contemplative winter night festival.
Lake Towada Winter Canoe & Illumination Experience
Paddle a transparent canoe across mirror-still Lake Towada at night, surrounded by snow-dusted forest and winter starlight.
Naruko Gorge Winter Snow Scenery & Onsen
Explore the dramatic snow-blanketed cliffs of Naruko Gorge before warming up in one of Tohoku's most celebrated hot spring towns.
Kakunodate Samurai District Winter Snow Walk
Stroll Kakunodate's immaculately preserved samurai district as deep snow transforms its centuries-old black-walled estates into a living woodblock print.
Shiroishi Kogane-no-Sato Snow Festival (Shiroishi Yuki Matsuri)
Snow sculptures, glowing lanterns, and fireworks light up Shiroishi's Kogane-no-Sato park in a spirited community winter festival.
Kasukabe Illumination at Higashi Kosodate Community Park
Kasukabe's beloved community park glows with thousands of winter lights, drawing local families for seasonal illumination walks.
Yomiuri Land Jewellumination
Yomiuri Land amusement park becomes a jewel-toned wonderland with over 1.5 million Swarovski-inspired LED lights each winter.
Tokyo Dome City Winter Illumination (Smile Illumination)
Tokyo Dome City's LaQua and promenade light up with half a million warm-white LEDs in the heart of central Tokyo every winter.
Roppongi Hills Christmas & Winter Illumination
Roppongi Hills' Keyakizaka Zelkova-lined boulevard blazes with elegant white lights for one of Tokyo's most stylish Christmas illuminations.
Shibuya Ao Christmas Illumination (Ao Illumination)
Omotesando's premium shopping street Ao blazes with icy blue and white LEDs, anchoring one of Tokyo's most elegant Christmas walks.
Omiya Hikawa Shrine Winter Illumination
Omiya's grand Hikawa Shrine glows with lanterns and soft illumination lights during the New Year season, welcoming millions of Hatsumode visitors.
Yokohama Garden Necklace Winter Illumination
Yokohama's linked garden network sparkles with winter lights, connecting Yamashita Park, the Rose Garden, and harbour-front plazas in one luminous trail.
Nikkō Ice Festival at Lake Chūzenji
Artisans carve dramatic ice sculptures along the frozen shores of Lake Chūzenji with Nikkō's sacred mountains as a breathtaking winter backdrop.
Kawagoe Koedo Winter Illumination (Kawagoe Christmas & Lights Festival)
Kawagoe's Edo-era clay-walled storehouses glow under warm winter lights, blending historic 'Little Edo' atmosphere with seasonal illumination.
Mito Kairakuen Plum Blossom Festival (Mito no Ume Matsuri)
Over 3,000 plum trees in Japan's famed Kairakuen Garden burst into bloom during Mito's celebrated Ume Matsuri, one of Japan's largest plum festivals.
Hachioji Jo Terrace Winter Illumination
Hachioji's Jo Terrace shopping complex sparkles with seasonal winter lights, offering western Tokyo residents a local Christmas and New Year illumination destination.
Nabana no Sato Winter Illumination
One of Japan's largest illumination events, featuring a dazzling 200-metre tunnel of LED lights and sweeping themed light fields.
Fuji Kawaguchiko Winter Fireworks Festival (Kawaguchiko Fuyu Hanabi)
Winter fireworks burst over Lake Kawaguchi with snow-capped Mt. Fuji as the backdrop on select Saturday evenings.
Matsumoto Castle Winter Night Illumination
Japan's oldest wooden castle glows midnight-black against winter skies, its moat mirroring floodlights and occasional snow.
Yuzawa Snow Country Onsen Winter Experience
Soak in steaming outdoor onsen surrounded by the deep Echigo snowfields that inspired Kawabata's Nobel Prize-winning novel.
Toyama Yukiakari no Michi (Snow Lantern Path)
Hundreds of handmade snow lanterns and ice candles line the streets of Toyama's old town, casting a warm amber glow on winter nights.
Hakuba Valley Snow Festival
Snow sculptures, torchlit ski descents, and fireworks celebrate winter at the foot of the Northern Alps in the 1998 Winter Olympic village.
Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Fire Festival (Nozawa Onsen Dosojin Matsuri)
Villagers defend a massive wooden shrine from torch-wielding attackers in one of Japan's most primal and spectacular fire festivals.
Nagoya Christmas Illumination at Oasis 21 & Hisaya Odori Park
Nagoya's futuristic glass spaceship plaza and its grand boulevard park sparkle with millions of LEDs through the Christmas season.
Kenroku-en Yukitsuri Snow-Protection Rope Viewing, Kanazawa
Marvel at Kenroku-en's pine trees dressed in elegant rope-and-pole yukitsuri snow supports — a centuries-old winter garden art form.
Shiga Kogen Snow Monster (Juhyo) Snowshoe Tour
Snowshoe through a surreal forest of juhyo — snow-encrusted fir trees that tower like alien ice sculptures on Japan's largest highland plateau.
Gifu City Nobunaga Summit Winter Illumination & Gifu Castle Night View
Gifu Castle blazes with floodlights atop Mt. Kinka while the city below shimmers with winter illuminations celebrating Oda Nobunaga's legacy.
Nara Tokae (なら燈花会)
Thousands of candles cast a soft golden glow across Nara Park's ancient temples and wandering deer on winter evenings.
Arashiyama Hanatouro (嵐山花灯路)
Soft roadside lanterns and illuminated temple gardens transform Arashiyama's bamboo groves and riverside into a magical winter walkway.
Lake Biwa Otsu Hikari no Michi Winter Illumination (大津光の路冬イルミネーション)
Otsu's historic lakefront promenade along Lake Biwa glitters with thousands of LED lights reflected in Japan's largest freshwater lake.
Osaka Hikari Renaissance (大阪・光の饗宴 中之島イルミネーション)
Nakanoshima Island blazes with monumental 3D projection mapping and dazzling light art across Osaka's iconic Neoclassical civic buildings.
Fleur de Lumière Hiroshima Winter Illumination
Hiroshima's city centre glows with thousands of warm LED lights adorning the Hondōri and Peace Boulevard during the winter season.