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Three Top Japan Travel Themes for Winter & Spring Festival Trips via APP

Published: 2026-09-27 👁 100 views
Last updated 2026-09-27 — With Lunar New Year approaching and a six-day holiday ahead, why not take your family on a trip to Japan? In recent years, the number of travelers to Japan has increased, and travel options have become more diverse. Alongside attending various winter festivals, visitors can ride...

By MOOK Scenic Spots Family Travel Network, compiled and reported by Ren Xiang
 
Lunar New Year is just around the corner, and with a six-day holiday ahead, have you planned your travel itinerary yet? Continuing the 2013 Japan travel boom, Japan remains a great choice for a winter getaway.
In recent years, the number of travelers to Japan has increased, and travel options have become more diverse. In addition to attending various winter festivals, visitors can ride sightseeing trains, taking in the snowy landscapes through warm train windows, and spend the night in traditional Japanese houses to experience authentic culture.

 
Stay in a Nostalgic Time Capsule
 
The Japanese, who always strive to preserve their traditional culture, are constantly seeking a balance between modernity and tradition. Historic buildings from the Edo and Meiji periods have been transformed into inns, allowing guests to feel as if they’ve stepped back in time.
 
Kyoto, a symbol of old-world charm, is home to many traditional Japanese homes, one of which is the small Ryokan Buroya, located near Nijo Castle.Ryokan Buroya is a machiya-style building from the Meiji era. The first floor houses a Western-style café, while the second floor offers two rooms for accommodation—it’s an affordable choice for staying in a historic Kyoto home. When it comes to traditional architecture, the Kurashiki area, designated as a Traditional Buildings Preservation District, can’t be missed. Hotel Kurashiki is housed in buildings from the Edo period—what were once sugar warehouses have been transformed into uniquely designed guest rooms, showcasing the owner’s thoughtful touches. Meanwhile, Marukoma Onsen Ryokan is located on the northern shore of Lake Shikotsu in Hokkaido. Established in 1915 (Taisho 4), this nearly century-old inn allows you to enjoy traditional Japanese hospitality and secluded hot springs while taking in breathtaking natural scenery. Heading to the southern island of Okinawa, guesthouses serve as a bridge between locals and travelers. Chana Tea House has a 20-year-old historic building that miraculously survived World War II bombings, with bullet holes still visible inside—adding to the sense of passing time.
 
[Info]
◎ Ryokan Buroya
Address: 28 Komeyamachi, Kamiryokogawaagaru, Kamigyo Ward, Kyoto City
Phone: +81-75-211-8109
 
◎ Hotel Kurashiki
Address: 4-1 Honmachi, Kurashiki City, Okayama Prefecture
Phone: +81-8-6422-0730
 
◎ Marukoma Onsen Ryokan
Address: 7 Horominai, Lake Shikotsu, Chitose City
Phone: +81123252341
 
◎ Chana Tea House
Address: [Illegible text – likely an address in Okinawa]
Phone: +81989973207
 

Walking through the heart of Kurashiki’s Bikan Historical Quarter, it’s hard not to be drawn to Hotel Kurashiki, with its rich historical ambiance facing the Kurashiki River (Image provided by Magazine Editorial Department)

Journey Through Railway Scenery
 
When traveling in Japan, the railway network is absolutely essential. In addition to regular trains, there are also many seasonal and specialty trains to choose from, each with unique features that turn the journey itself into an experience.
 
To enjoy the winter scenery, make sure to include a ride on the SL Winter Moorland train in Hokkaido. This retro and adorable train connects Kushiro and Abashiri, running at a slow pace so passengers can fully enjoy the winter landscape. For those looking to visit the popular hot spring town of Yufuin in winter, don’t miss the Yufuin-no-Mori train, which departs from Hakata, passes through Yufuin, and arrives in Beppu. The interior is designed with a European nostalgic theme, accompanied by birdsong and soft music, creating a relaxing vacation atmosphere. Speaking of trains, how can we not mention the world-famous cat stationmaster Tama? The Kishi Station on the Kishigawa Line of Wakayama Electric Railway gained fame thanks to Tama, leading to the creation of themed trains designed by rolling stock designer Eiji Mitooka—including the Tama Train (Tama Densha), which reignites the childlike wonder in travelers.
 

The Yufuin-no-Mori train is like a hidden green spirit in the mountains, leading travelers to the hot spring town (Image provided by JR Kyushu)

Winter Festivals
 
During the deep winter, Hokkaido’s sky filled with powdery snow is an iconic image for travelers. Winter in Hokkaido is truly a festival extravaganza, with countless carnivals such as the Sapporo Snow Festival, Shikotsu Lake Ice Festival, and Abashiri Drift Ice Festival. Beyond Hokkaido, streets across Japan are also illuminated with dazzling lights, where glowing illuminations and festive atmospheres are simply enchanting.
 
The Sapporo Snow Festival is one of the most famous winter events in northern Japan, held every early February in Odori Park. Massive snow sculptures paired with laser projections create a magical and dreamlike world. Once winter arrives in Tokyo, the city lights up in various spots, with Odaiba being one of the key areas for illumination, shining beautifully from late November through March. Another lighting spectacle, Huis Ten Bosch—voted Japan’s best light display in 2012—is also a must-see. Located in Nagasaki, Huis Ten Bosch decorates its park with over ten million bulbs every winter, with the display lasting four months. And in the Kansai region, visitors to the Eastern Hills in early March can enjoy the Higashiyama Flower Lantern Path stretching from Seigan-ji Temple to Kiyomizu-dera Temple.
 

The annual Snow Festival held in February is one of Japan’s largest celebrations and the most iconic international snow festival representing Hokkaido. (Photo provided by Sapporo Tourism Association)

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