So stunning you'll want to pack your bags right away — Japan’s top 8 breathtaking winter landscapes, miss them and you’ll have to wait until next year

By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team, compiled and reported

When traveling in Japan, besides shopping, sightseeing is also an essential experience. When winter arrives, nature across the country dons its winter attire. Here we’ve rounded up eight stunning must-see sights — from natural wonders in Hokkaido to cultural landmarks in Kyoto. Visitors should take advantage of the winter season to enjoy these views.

1. Yamagata Prefecture — Yamayu Onsen
Yamagata Prefecture in Japan’s Tohoku region captured the hearts of many Taiwanese thanks to the drama “Oshin.” The famous hot spring town of Yamayu Onsen, once prosperous due to silver mining and known as the model for the bathhouse in “Spirited Away,” is a renowned hot spring destination. In winter, when heavy snow blankets the area, the snow depth in the onsen town reaches 1.5 to 2 meters. The wooden ryokan lining the streets, adorned with snow, exude tranquility and beauty. Soaking in the warm onsen during this time offers an indescribable sense of happiness.

2. Hokkaido — Blue Pond
The ethereal and dreamy Blue Pond in Hokkaido is a surreal spot so picturesque it was used as a desktop wallpaper for OS X, becoming a beautiful yet somewhat unfamiliar sight for many. Its vivid azure waters reflect the clouds, resembling an inverted sky.

3. Gifu Prefecture — Shirakawa-go Gassho Village
Shirakawa-go Gassho Village is world-renowned for its iconic gassho-style houses. This once isolated mountain village gained global fame after being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996, becoming a major tourist attraction for both domestic and international visitors. Especially in winter, when the thatched wooden houses are covered in snow and illuminated at night, the scene resembles a fairytale dream that is truly unforgettable. 

Lighting Schedule:
First round – January 21
Second round – January 28
Third round – February 4
Fourth round – February 12
Daily from 17:30 to 19:30

4. Hokkaido — Goryokaku
Goryokaku is a uniquely shaped star-shaped fortress, the site of the final battle during the Meiji Restoration where supporters of the shogunate resisted the imperial army. It holds an important place in modern Japanese history. In winter, the park is covered in snow, creating a beautiful sight. From the observation deck of Goryokaku Tower next to the park, you can look down and admire the entire star-shaped “Goryokaku Ruins.”