UPDATE | January 1, 2023

Only in winter! Beautiful snow scene in Japan

Happy new year. When a new year begins, I feel somewhat excited. Spring is still far away, but there are many wonderful sights that can only be seen in the cold winter. This time, I would like to introduce beautiful snow scenery and recommended sightseeing spots that make you think, "This is winter in Japan!"

[Snow scene of the event]

Have you ever heard the word "kamakura"?
Kamakura are dome-shaped snow huts that are often seen in areas that get a lot of snow, such as Akita and Niigata prefectures in the Tohoku region.

Every year in Yokote City, Akita Prefecture, the "Kamakura Festival" is held as a traditional event to worship the god of water.
Children enter the kamakura and treat visitors to amazake and rice cakes.
In the Tohoku region, you can often see mini kamakura made of snow piled up in front of houses. After the snow is collected and shaped into a mountain, a shovel is used to dig the inside of the mountain from the side to create a cavity. Care must be taken not to collapse the ceiling, and it is surprisingly warm inside.

In Sapporo, Hokkaido, an event called "Sapporo Snow Festival" is held every February.
Local high school students started making snow sculptures, and the scale gradually grew. With a history of more than 70 years, more and more people are visiting Sapporo not only from Japan but also from overseas to see the snow sculptures of this snow festival.
Also, if you are not satisfied with just looking, you can participate in the snow sculpture contest and exhibit your own work.

[Natural snow scene]

Mt.Fuji is beautiful in any season, but it is especially beautiful in winter when it is covered with snow.
Mount Fuji is located on the border of Yamanashi Prefecture and Shizuoka Prefecture, and you can see a beautiful snow scene from either side.
You can't climb the mountain outside of summer, but you can enjoy the view from the top of a nearby mountain, or enjoy the snowy scenery from the Kawaguchiko area at the 5th station of Mt. Fuji or from a hot spring inn at the foot of the mountain. I think. Looking at the snow-covered Mt. Fuji while soaking in the hot springs will give you an indescribably luxurious feeling.

In addition, the natural art that can only be seen during the winter, "Juhyo", is another recommended snowscape.
Juhyo is the result of winter monsoon winds containing moisture hitting trees in the mountains, freezing them, and causing snow to pile up on top of them. At first, it looks like ice flowers blooming on the tree, and it is so fragile that it looks like it will break soon. Those that have grown to the point where the original shape of the tree is no longer known are called “snow monsters”.
You can see frost-covered trees at ski resorts in Hokkaido, the Tohoku region, and Nagano prefecture.
On the Gozaisho Ropeway in Mie Prefecture in Kansai, you can see frozen waterfalls called Hyobaku and icicles along with frost-covered trees.

[Snow scenery of Japanese architecture]

Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage site, is one of Japan's most scenic spots.
Shirakawa Village in Gifu Prefecture is lined with gassho-zukuri private houses, and the scenery of quietly falling snow is very impressive.
When you pray to Buddha, you put your palms together in front of your face and chest.
Snow piles up on the roof, and the illuminated night view is fantastic and soothes the visitors.
It is a place that can only be reached by bus or car, so be sure to do enough research in advance and give yourself plenty of time to get there.

Kinkakuji is one of the famous sightseeing spots in Kyoto, but the scenery you can see changes depending on the season.
I especially like the appearance of Kinkakuji on a cold winter day with a thin layer of snow.
Kyoto sometimes gets snow from the end of December to February, but it rarely snows like it does in the Tohoku region.
On the next day after it snowed in the middle of the night, I woke up early in the morning and enjoyed the snowy scenery at Kinkaku-ji Temple, where no one was there.
The combination of pure white snow and golden glittering Kinkakuji creates an indescribably solemn atmosphere that makes you want to stare at it forever.

Ginzan Onsen in Yamagata Prefecture is a historical building where you can feel the good old days. It can be enjoyed in any season, but the best time to visit is winter, when the snow piles up. The building is lit up in the evening, creating an even more nostalgic atmosphere.
Over the past few years, the popularity of Instagram has skyrocketed, and many people from all over the world have come to visit.
It is perfect for those who want to enjoy a nostalgic atmosphere while relaxing in a hot spring.

How was it?
The view is even more beautiful during the cold season. How about experiencing the beautiful snowy scenery of winter in Japan before spring comes?
Please wear warm clothes to avoid catching a cold.