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Japan in Winter – a Local Guide to Where to Go in Winter in Japan and What to Do and See

Japan in Winter – A Local Guide to Where to Go in Winter in Japan and Winter Sports Tips

Japan in winter is a must for everything from skiing in Hakuba to visiting Nagano’s snow monkeys, best visited between December and March. Other essential things to do in Japan in winter include seeing the deer in Nara, staying in a traditional ryokan, relaxing in an onsen, slurping curry soup in Furano and sipping local `atsakan’ warm sake anywhere.

Since Japan fully reopened to international travellers this month, the Japanese tourism industry has been reporting strong interest in Japan for the winter season. As we’ve only been to Japan in spring and autumn, we thought we’d consult a local friend and Japan insider for local tips to travelling in Japan in winter, especially for winter sports lovers.

Avid snowboarder and skier, Australian Peter Schellenberger and his Japanese wife Shiko have lived in Hakuba, Japan’s premiere winter sports destination, for many years. There they run a cafe-pub and the super comfortable, and especially cosy-in-winter accommodation, Hakuba Downtown Apartments which get exceptional reviews.

Now is the time to book your winter in Japan, as there are great deals everywhere. For instance, Luxury Escapes – the site that offers luxe holidays and hotels for a lot less than you’d normally pay – has a 5-night Japan ski escape with daily breakfast, ski lift pass and onsens from $1,299 per person, and an 8-day tour taking in Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Himeji, and Kyoto for $3,129 per person.

Peter’s local guide to winter in Japan is next in our Local Knowledge series of local guides to places, launched in 2010 when we launched Grantourismo with a mission to promote slow, local and experiential travel, which we believe are more meaningful and memorable forms of travel.

Now, before we share our local’s guide to winter in Japan, I have a favour to ask. Grantourismo is reader-funded. If you’ve enjoyed our travel guides, itineraries, stories, or recipes, please consider supporting Grantourismo by using our links to book accommodation, rent a car or campervan or motorhome, buy travel insurance, or book a tour on Klook or Get Your Guide. We may earn a small commission but you won’t pay extra.

Other ways to support our work, include making a donation to our epic Cambodian cuisine history and cookbook on Patreon or buying something on Amazon, such as these award-winning cookbooks, cookbooks by Australian chefs, classic cookbooks for serious cooks, cookbooks for culinary travellers, travel books to inspire wanderlust, gifts for Asian food lovers, picnic lovers and travellers who love photography. Again, we may earn a small commission from your purchase.

You could also shop our Grantourismo store at Society 6 for plenty of great gifts designed with Terence’s photography. Now let’s share our local guide to Japan in winter, where to go, what to see, what to do, and what to eat and drink.

Japan in Winter – Local Guide to Where to Go in Winter in Japan and Winter Sports Tips

Q. Why should travellers experience Japan in winter?

A. No one ever says “let’s go skiing in Vail and experience American culture”. There is so much more to a skiing trip in Japan – from the food and temples to the mega cities, and even Disney. On top of that, you get some of the best skiing on the planet. Japow!

Q. What’s it like in Japan in winter?

A. Japan is huge – from Okinawa in the south, which is tropical in winter, to Hokkaido, which can be blasted by Siberian winds. In Japan’s Northern Alps, in Nagano Prefecture, especially here in Hakuba, it can mean a metre of snow overnight, which we LOVE.

Last season, we had 50cm from 9am to 4pm! If you are on a winter ski holiday, that’s awesome. If you are a local living in Hakuba, it means a lot of snow clearing before an epic day of skiing.

Japan in Winter – a Local Guide to Where to Go in Winter in Japan and What to Do and See

Q. Best places to go in Japan in winter?

A. For me, the best place to go in Japan in winter is the Northern Alps, in particular Hakuba. I loved it so much, I moved here. For first time travellers to Japan in winter – and many times after for lots of travellers who keep returning year after year – Hakuba is the perfect winter family holiday destination. It’s fantastic for groups.

Hakuba is affordable, English is widely spoken, there’s a wide range of off-snow activities, the skiing is incredible, and you can also do a day trip to the snow monkeys, which is a must-do in winter. The best time of year to visit the snow monkeys is December to March when they spend most of their time huddling together or in the onsen to stay warm. The snow monkey are in Nagano, an hour by train from Hakuba.

Of course, no trip to Japan is complete without a stop in Tokyo. For the kids, there is Disneyland and so much more. Night time, wandering down the small lanes of Omoide Yokocho to eat yakatori and drink beers with the salarymen, kicking on in Shinjuku’s small bars and clubs, then walking that off after breakfast the next morning in one of the many beautiful parks. It’s a sensory overload in the best way.

It’s a must to go to Nara to see the deer, and that’s just the start. In Nara, stay in a traditional ryokan and enjoy an onsen before dinner, after dinner and before breakfast. The dinners at ryokans are superb. Ask for the local `atsakan’ which is form of sake.

Q. Best way to get around in Japan in winter?

A. Travel in Japan in winter is super easy. Trains are king in Japan, whether longer distances over the incredible Shinkansen network or local trains when travelling through and around any of the large cities.

In some places hire cars can be useful in Japan. But things to consider when hiring a car in Japan is the need for an IDP and an effectively zero blood alcohol content, so you are better off walking or taking a train or taxi when going out for dinner.

Q. Best places for snowboarding and skiing in Japan?

A. Hakuba is the best winter ski destination in Japan for beginners through to those wanting the steep back country adventures only the mountains here can provide. With 10 resorts spread along the valley, and with so much terrain choices, it’s perfect for families, groups and individuals wanting an easy affordable ski trip to Japan.

Niseko is great for those wanting a more Western-style upmarket holiday. The skiing in Niseko is great for beginners and intermediates, with some limited advanced terrain on resort. In the last ten years there has been significant development and the old-time charm of Hirafu has been replaced with the glitz you see in larger US and European ski resorts, which some travellers love.

Further afield, for those looking for alternatives to Hauka and Niseko, we really love Furano in Hokkaido. The actual town is a short distance from the ski resorts but is our pick to stay in for a winter ski trip. Make sure you try the famous Japanese curry soup there.

Nozawa Onsen in Nagano prefecture is unique in that it’s possible to bounce between free public onsens throughout the village which is a great way to relax after a day’s skiing there.

Q. Do snowboarders and skiers need to bring their own gear?

A. To avoid lugging ski gear many guests rent ski equipment here. In the larger places such as Hakuba, Niseko and Furano there are now ski rental shops that specialise on inbound guests, carrying a wide range of sizes and new and near new equipment.

If you do want to bring your own ski equipment, it’s possible to send it direct to your accommodation from the airport, but you need to allow a couple days for it to arrive. Many guests take advantage of that and spend their first few days in Tokyo before heading up to the Alps.

Japan in Winter – a Local Guide to Where to Go in Winter in Japan and What to Do and See

Q. Your packing tips for Japan in winter?

A. Bring layers, both to ski in and for getting around town. For being on the mountain, a base layer, mid layer and shell is the best way to dress. With so much powder, a jacket with powder skirt or wearing bibs is a must.

I like my snow gear slightly oversized so that no skin is ever exposed to the snow. At night time, leave your ski jacket with lift pass at home and wear something warm and water repellent. Beanies, gloves and good shoes are a must.

Q. Tips for recovering after a day on the slopes?

A. After a day on the snow nothing beats an onsen. Just make sure you read up on onsen etiquette. Ask if tattoos are ok, if you have any. In places like Hakuba, it’s not an issue but in places more further afield tattoos will preclude you from entry into onsens.

Japan in Winter – a Local Guide to Where to Go in Winter in Japan and What to Do and See

A Japanese massage is another great way to end the day, especially for tired and sore legs and feet. Often, I keep massages to down days. but they are awesome after an onsen.

Drink, eat and chat about your day. Nothing beats sitting with family and friends, old and new, and recounting what a great day you had.

Q. Tips for Japanese food and drink to warm up?

A. Enjoy some Japanese beer – for tap beer, it’s hard to go past a Kirin, but many places also stock a good selection of craft beers and wine. My favourite drink is atsakan, which is warm sake. Always ask for the local atsakan. If there is more than one, you can guess what my next advice is… coupled with some karage, Japanese fried chicken, it’s the perfect way to warm up in winter in Japan. Kampai!

Q. Best way to meet locals in Japan in winter?

A. One of the highlights of travel is meeting people, particularly locals, and the best way to do this in Japan is to go into small local shops and buy from small local businesses, bars and restaurants.

The chairlift is also a great place for meeting locals in ski resorts in Japan. One tip is if you are skiing with a group, break up a bit and offer to share your chairs with locals. With some broken English and Japanese, you may meet a new friend for life.

Japan in Winter – a Local Guide to Where to Go in Winter in Japan and What to Do and See

Q. A quintessential souvenir or gift from Japan?

A. Omiyagi is different for everyone, whether it’s a kimono for a niece, some obscure manga for a nephew, or some local arts and crafts for other family members, there is always a wide selection of gifts. Popular gifts also include hats, shirts, and even beer cozies!

Images courtesy of Luxury Escapes

Do you have any tips to add to our local’s guide to Japan in winter based on your experience? We’d love to get your Japan tips in the comments below.

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About Lara Dunston

A travel and food writer who has experienced over 70 countries and written for The Guardian, Australian Gourmet Traveller, Feast, Delicious, National Geographic Traveller, Conde Nast Traveller, Travel+Leisure Southeast Asia, DestinAsian, TIME, CNN, The Independent, The Telegraph, Sunday Times Travel Magazine, AFAR, Wanderlust, International Traveller, Get Lost, Four Seasons Magazine, Fah Thai, Sawasdee, and more, as well as authored more than 40 guidebooks for Lonely Planet, DK, Footprint, Rough Guides, Fodors, Thomas Cook, and AA Guides.

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Still looking for Christmas cooking inspo? Check o Still looking for Christmas cooking inspo? Check out our seafood recipe collection, especially if you celebrate Christmas on Christmas Eve with a fish focused meal in the Southern Italian tradition, transformed by Italian-Americans into the Feast of the Seven Fishes, or like Australians, who celebrate Christmas in the sweltering summer, feast on seafood for Christmas Day lunch, we’ve got lots of easy seafood recipes for you.

Our recipes include a classic prawn cocktail, blini with smoked salmon, a ceviche-style appetiser, and devilled eggs with caviar. We’ve also got recipes for fish soup, seafood pies and pastas, salmon tray bake, and crispy salmon with creamy mashed potatoes.

You’ll find the recipes here: https://grantourismotravels.com/seafood-recipes-for-christmas-eve-and-christmas-day-menus/
(Link in bio if you’re seeing this on IG)

Merry Christmas if you’re celebrating!! 

#christmas #christmasfood #seafood #fish #recipes #christmasrecipes #foodstagram #foodblogger #food #foodlover #igfood #picoftheday #igfood #igfoodie #cooking #foodblog #food #foodstagram #instafood #instafoodie #foodie #foodies #foodlover #foodpics #foodporn #foodphotography #foodwriter #foodblogger #grantourismo #grantourismotravels #xmas #merrychristmas #happychristmas
If you’re still looking for food inspo for Chris If you’re still looking for food inspo for Christmas Eve or Christmas Day meals, my smoked salmon ‘carpaccio’ recipe is one of dozens of recipes in this compilation of our best Christmas recipes (link below). 

The Christmas recipe compilation includes collections of our best Christmas breakfast recipes, best Christmas brunch recipes, best Christmas starter recipes, best Christmas cocktails, best Christmas dessert recipes, and homemade edible Christmas gifts and more.

My smoked salmon carpaccio recipe makes an easy elegant appetiser that’s made in minutes. If you’re having guests over, you can make the dish ahead by assembling the salmon, capers and pickled onions, and refrigerate it, then pour on the dressing just before serving. 

Provide toasted baguette slices and bowls of additional capers, pickles and dressing, so guests can customise their carpaccio. And open the bubbly!

You’ll find that recipe and many more Christmas recipes here: https://grantourismotravels.com/best-christmas-recipes/ (link in bio if you’re seeing this on IG)

Merry Christmas!! X

#christmas #christmasfood #recipes #christmasrecipes #foodstagram #salmon #smokedsalmon #foodblogger #food #foodlover #igfood #picoftheday #igfoodie #cooking #foodblog #food #foodstagram #instafood #instafoodie #foodie #foodies #foodlover #foodpics #foodporn #foodphotography #foodwriter #foodblogger #recipedeveloper #writingacookbook #grantourismo #grantourismotravels 
#xmas #merrychristmas #happychristmas
If you haven’t visited our site in a while, I sh If you haven’t visited our site in a while, I shared a collection of recipes for homemade edible Christmas gifts — for condiments, hot sauces, chilli oils, a whole array of pickles, spice blends, chilli salt, furakake seasoning, and spicy snacks, such as our Cambodian and Vietnamese roasted peanuts. 

I love giving homemade edibles as gifts as much as I love receiving them. Who wouldn’t appreciate jars filled with their favourite chilli oils, hot sauces, piquant pickles, and spicy peanuts that loved-ones have taken the time to make? 

Aside from the gesture and affordability of gifting homemade edibles, you’re minimising waste. You can use recycled jars or if buying new mason jars or clip-top Kilner jars, you know they’ll get repurposed.

No need for wrapping, just attach some Christmas baubles or tinsel to the lid. I used squares of Cambodian kramas (cotton scarves), which can be repurposed as napkins or drink coasters, and tied a ribbon or two around the lids, and attached last year’s Christmas tree decorations to some.

You’ll find the recipes here: https://grantourismotravels.com/homemade-edible-christmas-gifts/ (link in bio if you’re seeing this on IG)

Yes, that’s Pepper... every time there’s a camera around... 

#christmasgiftideas #ediblegifts ##christmasfoodgifts #foodgifts #giftideas #homemadegifts #christmasfood #ediblegiftideas #hotsauce #chillisauce #sriracha #pickles #homemadepickles #recipes #foodstagram #foodblogger #food #foodlover #igfood 
#blackcat #blackcatsofinstagram #picoftheday 
#christmas #christmastree #xmas #merrychristmas #happychristmas #cambodia #siemreap
This crab omelette is a decadent eggs dish that’ This crab omelette is a decadent eggs dish that’s perfect if you’re just back from the fish markets armed with luxurious fresh crab meat. It’s a little sweet, a little spicy, and very, very moreish.

Our crab omelette recipe was one of our 22 most popular egg recipes of 2022 on our website Grantourismo and it’s no surprise. It’s appeared more times than any other egg recipes on our annual round-ups of most popular recipes since Terence launched Weekend Eggs when we launched Grantourismo in 2010.

If you’re an eggs lover, do check out the recipe collection. It includes egg recipes from right around the world, from recipes for classic kopitiam eggs from Singapore and Malaysia and egg curries from India and Myanmar to all kinds of egg recipes from Thailand, Japan, Korea, China, Mexico, USA, Australia, UK, and Ireland.

And do browse our Weekend Eggs archives for further eggspiration (sorry). We have hundreds of egg recipes from the 13 year-old series of recipes for quintessential egg dishes from around the world, which we started on our 2010 year-long global grand tour focused on slow, local and experiential travel. 

We’re hoping 2023 will be the year we can finally publish the Weekend Eggs cookbook we’ve talked about for years based on that series. After we can find a publisher for the Cambodia cookbook of course... :( 

Recipe collection here (and proper link to Grantourismo in our bio):
https://grantourismotravels.com/22-most-popular-egg-recipes-of-2022-from-weekend-eggs/

If you cook the recipe and enjoy it please let us know — we love to hear from you — either in the comments at the end of the recipe or share a pic with us here.

#recipe #recipes #eggs #eggslover #breakfasteggs #WeekendEggs #egg #breakfast #brunch #igfood #igfoodie #cooking #foodblog #food #foodstagram #instafood  #instafoodie #foodie #foodies #foodlover #foodpics #foodporn #foodphotography #foodwriter #foodblogger #recipedeveloper #lookingforapublisher #writingacookbook  #grantourismo #grantourismotravels
I’m late to share this, but a few days ago Angko I’m late to share this, but a few days ago Angkor Archaeological Park, home to stupendous Angkor Wat, pictured, celebrated 30 years of its UNESCO World Heritage listing. 

That’s as good an excuse as any to put this magnificent, sprawling archaeological site on your travel list this year.

While riverside Siem Reap, your base for exploring Angkor is bustling once more, there are still nowhere near the visitors of the last busy high season months of December-January 2018-2019 when there were 290,000 visitors. 

Last month there were just 55,000 visitors and December feels a little quieter. A tour guide friend said there were about 150 people at Angkor Wat for sunrise a few days ago.

If you’re looking for tips to visiting Angkor, Siem Reap and Cambodia, just ask us a question in the comments below or check Grantourismo as we’ve got loads of info on our site. Click through to the link in the bio and explore our Cambodia guide or search for ‘Angkor’. 

And please do let us know if you’re coming to Siem Reap. We’d love to see you here x

#siemreap #cambodia #asia #travel #instatravel #traveldeeper #slowtravel #localtravel #experientialtravel #exploremore #neverstopexploring #goexplore #igtravel #angkorwat #angkor #temple #temples #angkorwithoutcrowds #unesco #unescoworldheritagesite #unescoworldheritage #archaeology #archaeologicalsite #traveladdict #beautifuldestinations #beautifulplaces #travelgram #wanderlust #picoftheday📷 #grantourismotravels.
Our soy ginger chicken recipe will make you sticky Our soy ginger chicken recipe will make you sticky, flavourful and succulent chicken thighs that are fantastic with steamed rice, Chinese greens or a salad, such as a Southeast Asian slaw. 

The chicken can be marinated for up to 24 hours before cooking, which ensures it’s packed with flavour, then it can be cooked on a barbecue or in a pan.

Terence’s soy ginger chicken recipe is one of our favourite recipes for a quick and easy meal. I love the sound of the sizzling thighs in the pan, and the warming aromas wafting through the apartment. 

It’s amazing how such flavourful juicy chicken thighs come from such a quick and easy recipe.

Recipe here (and proper link to Grantourismo in our bio): https://grantourismotravels.com/soy-ginger-chicken-recipe/

If you cook it and enjoy it please let us know — we love to hear from you — either here or in the comments at the end of the recipe on the site or share a pic with us x 

#recipe #recipes #chicken #soygingerchicken #asianfood #southeastasianfood #igfood #igfoodie #cooking #cookingtime #recipe #recipes #comfortfood #foodblog #food #foodstagram #healthyfood #instafood #healthy #instafoodie #foodie #foodies #foodlover #foodpics #foodporn #foodphotography #foodwriter #foodblogger #recipedeveloper #writingacookbook #grantourismo #grantourismotravels
Who can guess the ingredients and what we’re mak Who can guess the ingredients and what we’re making with my market haul from Psar Samaki in Siem Reap — all for a whopping 10,000 riel (US$2.50)?! 

Birds-eye chillies thrown in for free! They were on my list but the seller I spent most at (5,000 riel!) scooped up a handful and slipped them into my bag. She was my last stop and knew what I was making.

My Khmer is poor, even after all our years in Cambodia, as I don’t learn languages with the ease I did in my 20s, plus I’m mentally exhausted after researching and writing all day. I have a better vocabulary of Old and Middle Khmer than modern Khmer from studying the ancient inscriptions for the Cambodian culinary history component of our cookbook I’m writing.

So when one seller totalled my purchases I thought she said 5,000 riel but she handed back 4,500 riel! The sum total of two huge bunches of herbs and kaffir lime leaves was 500 riel.

Tip: if visiting Siem Reap, use Khmer riel for local shopping. We’ve mainly used riel since the pandemic started— rarely use US$ now as market sellers quote prices in riels, as do local shops and bakeries, and I tip tuk tuk drivers in riels. I find prices quoted in riels are lower.

Psar Samaki is cheaper than Psar Leu, which is cheaper than Psar Chas, as it’s a wholesale market, which means the produce is fresher. I see veggies arriving, piled high in the back of vehicles, with dirt still on them — as I did on this trip. 

The scent of a mountain of incredibly aromatic pineapples offloaded from the back of a dusty ute was so heady they smelt like they’d just been cut. More exotic European style veggies arrive by big trucks in boxes labelled in Vietnamese (from Dalat) and Mandarin (from China), such as beautiful snow-white cauliflower I spotted.

Note: the freshest produce is sold on the dirt road at the back of the market.

#cambodia #siemreap #foodwriter #foodblogger #foodphotography #igfood #foodstagram #instafood #instafoodie #foodie #instadaily #picoftheday #market #siemreapmarket #psarsamaki #marketfresh #vegetables #healthyfood #marketshopping #traveltips #foodtravel #culinarytravel #localtravel #cooking #cookingtime #curry #homemade #currypaste #grantourismotravels
My Vietnamese-ish meatballs and rice noodles recip My Vietnamese-ish meatballs and rice noodles recipe makes tender meatballs doused in a delightfully tangy-sweet sauce, sprinkled with crispy fried shallots, with carrot-daikon, crunchy cucumber and fragrant herbs. 

The dish is inspired by bún chả, a Hanoi specialty, but it’s not bún chả. No matter what Google or food bloggers tell you. Names are important, especially when cooking and writing about cuisines not our own.

This is an authentic bún chả recipe:  https://grantourismotravels.com/vietnamese-bun-cha-recipe/ You’ll need to get the outdoor BBQ/grill going to do proper smoky bún chả meat patties (not meatballs).

My meatball noodle bowl is perhaps more closely related to dishes such as a Central Vietnam cousin bún thịt nướng (pork skewers on rice noodles in a bowl) and a Southern relation bún bò Nam Bộ (beef atop rice noodles, sprinkled with fried shallots (Nam Bộ=Southern Vietnam) though neither include meatballs. 

Xíu mại= meatballs although they’re different in flavour to mine, which taste more like bún chả patties. Xíu mại remind me of Southern Italian meatballs in tomato sauce.

In Vietnam’s Mekong Delta, home to millions of Khmer, there’s bánh tằm xíu mại. Bánh tằm=silk worm noodles. They’re topped with meatballs, cucumber, daikon, carrot, fresh herbs, crispy fried onions. Difference: cold noodles doused in a sauce of coconut cream and fish sauce. 

Remove the meatballs, add chopped fried spring rolls and it’s Cambodia’s banh sung, which is a rice noodle salad similar to Vietnam’s bún chả giò :) 

Recipe here: (link in bio) https://grantourismotravels.com/vietnamese-meatballs-and-rice-noodles-recipe/

For more on these culinary connections you’ll have to wait for our Cambodian cookbook and culinary history. In a hurry to know? Come support the project on Patreon. (link in bio)

#recipe #recipes #vietnamesefood #cambodianfood #asianfood #southeastasianfood #ricenoodles #rice #noodlebowl #meatballs #igfood #igfoodie #foodblog #food #foodstagram #instafood  #instafoodie #foodie #foodies #foodlover #foodpics #foodporn #foodphotography #foodwriter #foodblogger #writingacookbook #writingacambodiancookbook #patreon #patreoncreator #grantourismo
It is pure coincidence that Pepper’s eye colour It is pure coincidence that Pepper’s eye colour matches the furnishings of our rented apartment. So, no, I did not colour-coordinate the interiors to match our cat’s eyes. 

I keep getting DMs from pet clothing brands wanting to “partner” with Pepper and send her free cat clothes and cat accessories. Although she did wear a kerchief for a few years in her more adventurous fashion-forward teenage years, I cannot see this cat in clothes now, can you? 

#pepper #blackcat #blackcats #blackcatsofinstagram #blackcatsrule #blackcatsmatter #cat #cats #catsofinstagram #catstagram #catlover #catlovers #catlove #catoftheday #catphoto #catpic #catpics #cambodiancat #cambodiancatsofinstagram #catlife #catloversclub #catoftheday #catgram #catstagram #cats_of_instagram #catphotography #catsofig #catsoftheworld #catsofinsta #cats🐱 #siemreap #cambodia

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