By MOOK Scenic Spots Editorial Team
When traveling in Japan, besides shopping, sightseeing is also an unmissable experience. As winter arrives, the natural landscapes across Japan begin to don their winter attire. Here are eight stunning scenic spots, from the natural wonders of Hokkaido to the cultural landscapes of Kyoto. Travelers should take advantage of the winter season to enjoy these sights.
Yamayama Onsen (Photo / Yamayama Onsen)
1. Yamagata Prefecture – Yamayama Onsen
Yamagata Prefecture in Japan’s Tohoku region captured the hearts of many Taiwanese through the TV drama “Oshin.” The once-thriving hot spring town of Yamayama, built around a silver mine, also served as the inspiration for the bathhouse in the movie “Spirited Away.” This renowned hot spring resort becomes even more magical in winter when heavy snowfall of 1.5 to 2 meters covers the area. The wooden ryokan lining the streets, adorned with snow, exude tranquility and beauty. Soaking in the warm onsen amid this scenery brings an indescribable sense of bliss.
Open-air bath at Yamayama Onsen (Photo / Senkyou no Yado Yamayama?)
2. Hokkaido – Blue Pond
The ethereal and dreamlike Blue Pond in Hokkaido resembles a painting and has become a familiar yet otherworldly beauty, even serving as the desktop wallpaper for OS X. Its clear sapphire-blue waters reflect the clouds, creating the illusion of an upside-down sky.
Hokkaido’s Blue Pond is one of Japan’s must-see winter attractions (Image source / Hokkaido Labo)
3. Gifu Prefecture – Shirakawa-go Gassho Village
Shirakawa-go, known worldwide for its iconic gassho-style houses, was once a secluded mountain village that gained global fame after being designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1996. It has since become a popular tourist destination for both domestic and international visitors. Especially in winter, the snow-covered wooden houses, illuminated at night, create a fairytale-like scene that is truly unforgettable.
Lighting Schedule:
First session – January 21
Second session – January 28
Third session – February 4
Fourth session – February 12
Daily from 17:30 to 19:30
Shirakawa-go Tourism Website announces 2016 lighting schedule (Photo / Shirakawa Village Communications)
4. Hokkaido – Goryokaku
Goryokaku is a uniquely star-shaped fortress that played a pivotal role in Japan’s modern history as the site of the final battle between the shogunate supporters and the imperial army during the Meiji Restoration. In winter, the park is covered in beautiful snow, and from the observation deck of Goryokaku Tower nearby, visitors can admire the entire star-shaped “remains of Goryokaku.”
Goryokaku (Photo / Goryokaku Tower)
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