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Japan Winter Tours

Ring in the Holiday season in Japan! See a Japan covered with snow and shrouded in cool weather.
Experience the Sapporo Snow Festival or see the famous Japanese Snow Monkeys.

Winter in Japan

Why should you visit Japan in winter? Winter in Japan offers must-see sites blanketed in snow, savory seasonal dishes, and a list of winter activities for every traveler. Japan's winter season is vast depending on the region, but each are unique in beauty.

Winter in Japan can range from a generous amount of snowfall, to dry and mild weather conditions depending on certain parts of Japan. Japan enjoys its winter season in a list of ways. There is nothing like bathing in an outdoor onsen (hot springs) on a cold day, attending cheerful snow festivals, or enjoying delicious foods unique to the season. Northern regions of Japan, such as Hokkaido, experience an ample amount of snow that is perfect for its beautiful winter festivals. Kyoto or Tokyo, however, are known for its mostly dry and sunny winters, so you can still enjoy sightseeing.

photo of Winter in Japan
Month-by-month guide to traveling in Japan in Winter

Visiting Japan in December

While traveling to Japan in December, visitors can expect many local festivals, Christmas illuminations, and fewer tourist crowds. December is a great time to visit Japan, especially Tokyo. The climate is mild, not too cold, and mostly dry. You may even catch autumn leaves lingering early in the month. Although Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, the country is big on night time illuminations, which are a romantic atmosphere to stroll around in. December also marks the first chance to see the famous onsen-bathing snow monkeys in Nagano.

Visiting Japan in January

Traveling to Japan in January means visitors have the opportunity to meet the famous Japanese snow monkeys at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. The red-faced monkeys, or Japanese Macaque, can be found bathing in an outdoor onsen (hot springs) against an icy backdrop in the forest. January is also the perfect time for travelers to unwind in a warm onsen and enjoy savory foods unique to the cold season. Gardens and temples are particularly beautiful too, with delicate specks of snow and few visitors, it really sets the winter scene.

Visiting Japan in February

If you plan on visiting Japan in February, you're in luck because this is the month where Japan's greatest winter festivals take place. To name, there is the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru Snow Light Path, Asahikawa Winter Festival, and the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival. Additionally, travelers will have the chance to board an "ice breaker cruise" and sail across drift ice, and experience ice smelt fishing on the frozen Lake Akan. There is also the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival to see early-blooming cherry trees, and of course, the onsen-bathing snow monkeys.

Month-by-month guide to traveling in Japan in Winter

Visiting Japan in December

While traveling to Japan in December, visitors can expect many local festivals, Christmas illuminations, and fewer tourist crowds. December is a great time to visit Japan, especially Tokyo. The climate is mild, not too cold, and mostly dry. You may even catch autumn leaves lingering early in the month. Although Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, the country is big on night time illuminations, which are a romantic atmosphere to stroll around in. December also marks the first chance to see the famous onsen-bathing snow monkeys in Nagano.

Visiting Japan in January

Traveling to Japan in January means visitors have the opportunity to meet the famous Japanese snow monkeys at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. The red-faced monkeys, or Japanese Macaque, can be found bathing in an outdoor onsen (hot springs) against an icy backdrop in the forest. January is also the perfect time for travelers to unwind in a warm onsen and enjoy savory foods unique to the cold season. Gardens and temples are particularly beautiful too, with delicate specks of snow and few visitors, it really sets the winter scene.

Visiting Japan in February

If you plan on visiting Japan in February, you're in luck because this is the month where Japan's greatest winter festivals take place. To name, there is the Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival, Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru Snow Light Path, Asahikawa Winter Festival, and the Sounkyo Ice Waterfall Festival. Additionally, travelers will have the chance to board an "ice breaker cruise" and sail across drift ice, and experience ice smelt fishing on the frozen Lake Akan. There is also the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival to see early-blooming cherry trees, and of course, the onsen-bathing snow monkeys.

Japan Winter Tours

Japan Winter Tours incorporate must-see sites in prominent regions, fun winter activities, and the most charming winter festivals the country has to offer. Experience pleasant, dry weather in Japan's big cities and beautiful landscapes blanketed with snow in the northern regions. Our travelers on our Japan Winter Tours have the chance to see the red-faced snow monkeys and the most impressive snow sculptures.

Travel to Japan on one of our Japan Winter Tour packages to experience the best winter attractions. Visit must-see sites in Tokyo and Kyoto, or meet Nagano's famous snow monkeys.

27 winter tours in Japan

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    question mark icon         Tour#: GTX6063031

Discover Hokkaido - Winter Festivals arrow readmore icon

Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Abashiri / Shiretoko / Lake Mashu / Mt Io / Lake Kussharo / Lake Akan / Tsurui / Obihiro / Shikaoi / Furano


12 Days 11 Nights | from US $5998.00 (Limit to 24 guests)

Join a 12-day tour of Hokkaido and discover the seasonal beauty and cultural wonders that make the this island special - including three Hokkaido Snow Festivals.

Start Date End Date Twin/Triple Start City End City Style Save Status
Thu. Feb 6, 2025 Mon. Feb 17, 2025 US $5998.00

Small Group Limited to 24 passengers

Sapporo Sapporo Deluxe-Plus Sold Out / Waiting List
Wed. Feb 4, 2026 Sun. Feb 15, 2026 US $5998.00

Small Group Limited to 24 passengers

Sapporo Sapporo Deluxe-Plus Minimum 4 / Book Now  
    question mark icon         Tour#: GTC7084498

Okinawa & Hokkaido - Cherry Blossoms & Winter Festivals arrow readmore icon

Okinawa / Shiraoi / Lake Shikotsu / Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Kitami / Abashiri / Lake Tofutsu / Lake Akan / Kushiro


15 Days 14 Nights | from US $6098.00

Join our Okinawa and Hokkaido Tour, which include Okinawa Cherry Blossoms, Hokkaido's Winter Snow Festivals, and each island's unique cultural treasures.

Start Date End Date Twin/Triple Start City End City Style Save Status
Mon. Jan 27, 2025 Mon. Feb 10, 2025 US $6098.00 Okinawa Kushiro Deluxe Guarantee / Book Now  
Wed. Jan 28, 2026 Wed. Feb 11, 2026 US $6098.00 Okinawa Kushiro Deluxe Guarantee / Book Now  
    question mark icon         Tour#: GTU1389796

Best of Honshu & Hokkaido: Snow Monkeys & Hokkaido Winter Festival Tour arrow readmore icon

Honshu (Tokyo / Lake Kawaguchi / Matsumoto / Yudanaka / Takayama / Shirakawa-go / Kanazawa / Kyoto / Nara / Osaka), Hokkaido (Shiraoi / Lake Shikotsu / Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Kitami / Abashiri / Lake Tofutsu / Lake Akan / Kushiro)

    1 reviews

16 Days 15 Nights | from US $6398.00

Explore the two main winter attractions of Japan - Snow Monkeys and Hokkaido Winter Festivals.

Start Date End Date Twin/Triple Start City End City Style Save Status
Sun. Jan 26, 2025 Mon. Feb 10, 2025 US $6398.00 Tokyo Kushiro Deluxe Guarantee / Book Now  
Tue. Jan 27, 2026 Wed. Feb 11, 2026 US $6398.00 Tokyo Kushiro Deluxe Guarantee / Book Now  
    question mark icon         Tour#: GTQ6952842

Okinawa, Hokkaido & Beyond - Cherry Blossoms, Winter Festivals & Snow Monkeys arrow readmore icon

Okinawa / Shiraoi / Lake Shikotsu / Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Kitami / Abashiri / Lake Tofutsu / Lake Akan / Kushiro / Kawazu / Mt Fuji / Matsumoto / Yudanaka / Obuse / Nagano


19 Days 18 Nights | from US $7698.00

Experience the islands of Okinawa and Hokkaido, and Beyond, in two different winter climates that include Snow Festivals, Snow Monkeys, and cherry blossoms.

Start Date End Date Twin/Triple Start City End City Style Save Status
Mon. Jan 27, 2025 Fri. Feb 14, 2025 US $7698.00 Okinawa Tokyo Deluxe Guarantee / Book Now  
Wed. Jan 28, 2026 Sun. Feb 15, 2026 US $7698.00 Okinawa Tokyo Deluxe Guarantee / Book Now  
    question mark icon         Tour#: GTL3964020

Hokkaido & Beyond: Birding & Wildlife Winter Photography Tour arrow readmore icon

Mt Fuji - Matsumoto - Obuse - Yudanaka Onsen - Tsurui - Lake Kussharo - Mt. Iou - Notsuke Peninsula - Rausu - Aidomari - Nemuro - Lake Furen - Kiritappu Wetland

    3 reviews

13 Days 12 Nights | from US $8398.00 (Limit to 10 guests)

Discover the stunning birds and wildlife of Fuji Five Lakes, Yudanaka Onsen, Kushiro, Lake Kussharo, and the Shiretoko Peninsula, and view snow monkeys, red- crowned cranes, Blakiston's Fish Owls, and many more.

    question mark icon         Tour#: GTC4566054

Japan Winter Highlights: Winter Festivals, Kawazu Cherry Blossoms & Snow Monkeys arrow readmore icon

Shiraoi / Lake Shikotsu / Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Kitami / Abashiri / Lake Tofutsu / Lake Akan / Kushiro / Tokyo / Hakone / Kawazu / Lake Kawaguchi / Matsumoto / Yudanaka / Takayama / Shirakawa-go / Kanazawa / Kyoto / Nara / Osaka / Himeji / Kurashiki / Hiroshima / Shimanami Kaido / Oobokekyo Gorge / Takamatsu / Kobe

    3 reviews

21 Days 20 Nights | from US $8698.00

Discover the unmissable Winter Highlights of Japan on a 21-day itinerary, with exciting Hokkaido Winter Festivals, the Snow Monkeys of Yudanaka, and the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival.

Start Date End Date Twin/Triple Start City End City Style Save Status
Sun. Feb 2, 2025 Sat. Feb 22, 2025 US $8698.00 Sapporo Osaka Deluxe Guarantee / Book Now  
Tue. Feb 3, 2026 Mon. Feb 23, 2026 US $8698.00 Sapporo Osaka Deluxe Guarantee / Book Now  
    question mark icon         Tour#: GTY696833

Super Grand Tour of Japan (Reverse) - Cherry Blossoms, Winter Festivals & Snow Monkeys arrow readmore icon

Okinawa / Shiraoi / Lake Shikotsu / Sapporo / Otaru / Asahikawa / Sounkyo / Kitami / Abashiri / Lake Tofutsu / Lake Akan / Kushiro / Tokyo / Hakone / Kawazu / Lake Kawaguchi / Matsumoto / Yudanaka / Takayama / Shirakawa-go / Kanazawa / Kyoto / Nara / Osaka / Himeji / Kurashiki / Hiroshima / Shimanami Kaido / Oobokekyo Gorge / Takamatsu / Kobe


27 Days 26 Nights | from US $10998.00

Join the Super Grand Tour of Japan (Reverse), which includes Cherry Blossoms in Okinawa, Winter Festivals in Hokkaido, Kawazu Cherry Blossoms, and Snow Monkeys, on a delightful winter itinerary all across Japan.

Start Date End Date Twin/Triple Start City End City Style Save Status
Mon. Jan 27, 2025 Sat. Feb 22, 2025 US $10998.00 Okinawa Osaka Deluxe Guarantee / Book Now  
Wed. Jan 28, 2026 Mon. Feb 23, 2026 US $10998.00 Okinawa Osaka Deluxe Guarantee / Book Now  




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