Just like in other countries, Japan has its own way to ring in the new year and its own traditions on the first few days of January. Let us give you some travel tips for Japan in the first week of January!
Learn more about Japan’s traditions surrounding the end of the year, and find out how to have a good NYE in Tokyo!
The town of Kusatsu in Gunma became well known about 120 years ago after Dr. Balz from Germany, found its hot spring to be very effective against all kinds of ailments.
Hakuba in Nagano is one of Japan’s ski areas with several large ski resorts to choose from. The magnificent views and snow conditions make it very popular.
Nagano city is a good place to stay as a base for making day trips in the area with its good bus and train connections. What is there to do in the city itself?
The Shiga Kogen Highlands were formed by volcanic activity and have a mountainous landscape. It stands as one of the world’s largest winter resorts and was home to many of the events of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.
Declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1995, Shirakawago is best known for its traditional farmhouses in the thatched-roof style called Gasshozukuri, some of which are more than 250 years old.
Yudanaka, rich in natural hot springs, is located deep in the mountains of the Yamanouchi area in Nagano. Some 200 monkeys live in this area. Watching them bathe just like humans do is fun!
The Ashikaga Flower Park has wisteria trees that are 130 years old, and in spring the flowers are at their best. This gorgeous park is very popular with visitors from all over Japan.
Why have Japanese people been wearing masks even before Covid-19 hit? Besides protecting yourself and others from viruses, there are interesting other reasons as well.
Sapporo is the capital of Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island. The Moerenuma Park was designed by the world-famous sculptor Isamu Noguchi.
Niseko is located a two-hour drive away from Hokkaido’s main airport New Chitose, and it is a much-loved destination for winter sports from late November until early May.
Asahikawa is the second-largest city in Hokkaido. Early February each year the Ashikawa Winter Festival is held here, but there are more reasons to visit this cool city.
Shiretoko in Hokkaido is a real nature paradise. You can enjoy hiking, fishing, hunting, an ice breaker boat, and a drift ice walk. Birding in winter is also a special experience.
Although Japan welcomes most tourists in spring and summer, for those who are looking for a more quiet time and a different kind of experience, winter can be a great time to discover Japan.
If you love skiing and snowboarding, Japan is a great December-April destination for you. There are over 500 ski resorts across Japan which vary in size from large resorts to small one-lift shops.
Sukiyaki is a typical wintertime dish in Japan featuring beef, tofu, scallions, cabbage, and mushrooms. You can eat it in restaurants, but Japanese people also eat this at home a lot.
Shabu shabu is still a relatively new dish. It was inspired by the Chinese-style hot pot that was brought to Japan by a restaurant named Suehiro from Osaka.
If you want to try something new in Japan that you can likely not find in your home country, you should give oden a try! It is not only delicious but also a healthy and low-calorie option.
Winer time : Feburary
The eastern part of Hokkaido is still undeveloped and a true treasure chest of nature. Let us take you to this area to meet a plethora of wild birds and animals.