You'll also find plenty of winter festivals and illuminations to enjoy. If you're a tech nerd or just a hopeless romantic, these lights are sure to take your breath away!
1. Warm up with Sake
During the autumn and winter, Japanese people enjoy warming up with sake. It’s a tradition that dates back over 2,000 years and it has many benefits, including bringing out more delicate flavors in a sake.
It also helps prevent alcohol from dropping your body temperature, which is beneficial in cold weather. Warm sake can also help you relax in the evenings after a long day.
There are several ways to heat sake, but the best way is on the stove. Pour your sake into a heat-tolerant vessel, like a tokkuri (sake bottle) and place it in a pan of boiling water until you reach the desired temperature.
This can take anywhere from 2-5 minutes. It is important to stir it every now and then so it warms evenly.
2. Go Ice-Skating
Whether you’re visiting Tokyo for the first time or have been here for years, don’t let the winter season pass you by. There are a variety of great things to do during the winter, including going ice skating!
If you haven’t been ice skating before, you can start off by joining a beginner’s class. These will teach you basic techniques, such as how to stop and spin properly.
When you’re ready, you can try your hand at competitive ice skating. This is a popular recreational sport in Japan, and many locals take part in it to stay active during the winter.
Some of the best rinks in Tokyo are outdoor, so it’s a great way to enjoy the winter weather without having to go indoors! There are also some indoor rinks that are open year-round, so you can practice your skills and get some exercise without having to worry about the weather.
3. Watch Snow Monkeys
Winter is the best time to go to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and watch the snow monkeys take a dip in the thermal hot springs. Located in Nagano, it's a popular spot for families and photographers.
It's a magical experience watching these macaques soak in the warm water and it's a must-see during any trip to Japan.
Despite the large crowds of tourists, the snow monkeys don't seem to mind at all. Their soaking behaviour is a natural way of keeping their bodies warm in freezing temperatures!
The Snow Monkey Park is free to visit all year round, but it can get very crowded and it's best to arrive early in the morning to avoid the crowds. It's also worth taking some snacks with you, because the monkeys will eat anything you throw at them!
4. Visit Shirakawa-go
When snow falls each year, the historic village of Shirakawa-go is blanketed in a magical winter wonderland. This quaint town, located in Gifu prefecture, became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1995 and is home to thatched-roof gassho-zukuri* houses designed to withstand heavy snowfall.
Visiting the gassho-zukuri houses is a great way to get a glimpse into traditional Japanese life. These farmhouses are still used today, with many having been transformed into shops, restaurants, museums and guesthouses.
If you're planning a trip to Shirakawa-go, we highly recommend booking accommodation in one of the farmhouses. These'minshuku' (traditional lodgings) offer Japanese comforts such as on-floor 'futon' bedding and shared bathrooms.
5. Celebrate New Year
As a country with a very strong culture, Japan has many unique New Year traditions that you should try when visiting the nation. Some of them are:
Traditionally, the Japanese view each year as separate from the previous one and spend New Year's Day cleaning, repaying debts, and purifying the home to drive out evil spirits. They also attend bonenkai parties (year forgetting parties) to leave the old year behind.
Then, on the 28th of December, they decorate their homes and entrance gates with kadomatsu (Men Song) and shimekazari (Woman Song), which are made from pine and bamboo. They’re placed in pairs to represent man and woman and are believed to bring good fortune and ward off evil spirits.
