Winter

Winter in Japan features hearty root vegetables like daikon, turnips, and Chinese cabbage, often used in warming dishes like hot pot or oden, where food is shared communally. The sea provides winter delicacies such as blowfish, goosefish, and fatty yellowtail, offering adventurous dining experiences. Winter also highlights vitamin C-rich fruits, such as strawberries and a variety of Japanese citrus, which brighten the cold months. Sweet potatoes, harvested in autumn, remain a popular and comforting winter treat, perfect for colder days.

The snow monkeys soaking in hot springs have become famous worldwide, but fewer people know about the Kawazu cherry blossoms, which start blooming in mid-February. These cherry blossoms are just as beautiful and vibrant as the more well-known Somei Yoshino variety, and you can also enjoy plum blossoms in full bloom during this season. This is a great time to get a head start on spring and avoid the crowds that arrive in late March. Snow monkey, Early Cherry Blossom, Plum Blossom etc.

Winter in Japan is a playground for snow enthusiasts. Skiing and snowboarding in places like Hokkaido’s powdery slopes are popular, while snowmobiling and snow trekking offer adventurous alternatives. For a unique experience, try pond smelt fishing on frozen lakes. Winter fireworks light up the crisp night sky, offering a stunning contrast to summer displays. Whether you're on the slopes or by a cozy fire, winter activities in Japan promise excitement and beauty in equal measure.

Throughout the year, Japan hosts a variety of festivals, but perhaps the most important one for the Japanese people is the New Year celebration. During this time, families prepare to welcome the Toshigami-sama, the deity of the New Year, by thoroughly cleaning their homes at the end of the year. As the New Year approaches, it is customary to eat toshikoshi soba, a noodle dish symbolizing long life. Nearly every Japanese person visits a shrine within the first three days of the New Year to make wishes, vows, and set goals for the year.