Even if you don?t love cold weather, it?s hard to resist the magic of winter in Japan, the coziest time of year (with delightfully few tourists).

Japan is well known for the beauty of its seasons. The cherry blossoms in spring. Vibrant fall foliage. Even the lively festivals (matsuri) of summer.

Yet winter is often overlooked, despite offering some of Japan?s most sublime experiences ? and fewer tourists. (See our full article on the seasons and when to visit Japan).

Because we love winter in Japan both for its unique experiences and its relative lack of crowds, we?ve compiled a few of our favorite things about this underrated season. Get yourself cozy and read on!

Is Winter a Good Time to Visit Japan"Weather in Japan in Winter8 Experiences That Make Winter a Unique Time to Explore JapanWhen to Begin Planning Your Winter Trip to Japan
Originally written in November 2014, this post was updated and republished on December 6, 2021.

Is Winter a Good Time to Visit Japan"

Most people are drawn to Japan?s peak seasons, spring and fall, so we?re always thrilled when a new client asks us, ??”Is Japan worth visiting in winter"”

The answer is a resounding yes!

If you can handle a bit of cold weather, and love exploring with fewer tourists around, winter is a great time to visit Japan. As you can read in more detail below, winter in Japan offers amazing sushi and sashimi, heartwarming comfort foods and cozy izakayas, soothing ho...