6 Fun Things to do in Winter in Japan

Winter is actually my favorite season in Japan. Though I love the changing leaves, once you get past typhoon season in October and pollen season in November, winter feels like a breath of fresh air.

Winter brings evenings spent under the kotatsu, baking cookies and pies, and hotpot for dinner at least once a week. As we hurtle towards the holiday season, everything seems just a little cozier.

The end of the year also means end-of-the-year parties (bōnenkai), New Year’s festivities, and a break for all of us English teachers. So let’s get into 6 fun things to do in the winter in Japan, whether you’re a tourist or in it for the long haul.

There are countless things to enjoy during winter in Japan.

You can do most things during any season, like visiting temples and shrines, shopping your heart out, and eating delicious foods.

But some things just hit different in Winter, like holiday spirit and winter-only events, for example. Let’s get into some of my favorites.

When I think of winter in Japan, my mind jumps immediately to New Year’s. From ringing the bell at Zojoji over the New Year for both 2018 and 2025, to our first shrine visit of the year (hatsumōde) at Asakusa’s Sensoji.

Temples across Japan will ring their bells to dispel the “108 worldly passions“. Though tickets to ring the bells at famous shrines sell out quickly, it’s truly a unique experience, especially if you’re visiting.

New Year’s in Japan has a very different atmosphere from the US. Instead of a raucous party with fireworks and sparkling cider, it’s characterized by quiet reflection, cleaning, and tradition.

People clean their homes over the winter season to bring in good luck and clear out old stuff. It’s like spring cleaning. Foods like toshikoshi soba and osechi ryōri, traditional New Year’s food, are also enjoyed by many households.

Toshikoshi soba (lit. year-crossing noodles) is so popular before the new year that getting into a restaurant or ordering takeout requires a reservation.

On the other hand, osechi is usually made up of pickled or stewed ingredients, so no one has to cook after the new year. And while historically people made their own osechi, nowadays you can reserve it to be delivered or picked up.

There are endless shopping centers and malls, especially in Tokyo, where you can spend your time window-shopping.

Not to mention, there are many underground shopping districts like the Shinjuku Subnade and Asakusa’s Underground Street.

So if you’re looking for fun things to do in winter in Japan, check out these fun indoor experiences.

I’ve been to Skytree at least 10 times at this point, and in all that time, I’ve only seen Mt. Fuji from Skytree once. And that was over the winter break, when humidity is low, and clear skies are more common.

Now, phone pictures can’t do it justice honestly, Mt. Fuji standing guard over the Tokyo skyline was such an enchanting view.

And as a bonus, the entire Skytree Town Solamachi Mall is waiting below. You can find anime stores like Doraemon and Ghibli, stationery, souvenirs, and more.

You can literally get lost in here the whole day. They have good restaurants and snacks, too. You can even take a rest on the massage chairs on the fifth floor at Fujiiryoki.

The Deluxe Pokémon Center in Nihonbashi is filled to the brim with merch, from plushies and stationery to bentos and tea sets.

They have tons of different Pokémon plushes, including some rare ones. I also thought their Snorlax display was excellent. There’s even a Pokémon cafe, but be sure to sign up for it in advance.

There are also Pokémon centers in Funabashi, Asakusa Solamachi, Yokohama, etc., so even if you don’t make it to Nihonbashi, you’ll find one somewhere along your journey.

And if Pokémon isn’t enough for you, the Nintendo Store in Shibuya covers the rest. They have Mario merch, Splatoon, Animal Crossing, and everything in between.

It was so hard to resist everything in sight. If you’re a fan of the games, definitely check out the Nintendo store.

Spend a few hours roaming Odaiba’s famous Diver City Mall, where you can visit the Gundam store, grab some grub, and sign up for events like the Poop Museum.

Although it’s intended for kids, adults are also encouraged to join in. The cost is ¥2000 per adult. While it’s a niche experience, I thought it was really cute and fun. And you get a free poop on a stick, what’s not to love?

If that’s not exactly your cup of tea, though, you can also try teamLab. Their exhibition “Planets” will be held until 2027, so there’s still time to try it. Just beware… there is a water element to it, so you might be better off waiting until spring for it.

Another great way to enjoy your time in the winter is to step into an arcade for retro games. Of course, game centers are full of new games, too.

Usually, they’re split into three or four floors. One for crane games and the like, one for rhythm games and the newest machines, and one for retro gaming.

It’s a good escape from the cold, and a fun way to spend an hour or two. Otherwise, karaoke is an excellent way to have fun with your friends or family.

Buy some drinks, a snack or two, and enjoy a couple hours of singing your heart out to all the best meme songs. It’s a blast.

I’m a total foodie, so for me, one of winter’s huge benefits is the food.

You can get hotpot, ramen, udon, warm drinks at cafes… the list goes on and on. But these are some of my favorite eats in winter.

Hotpot is an insanely popular food in Japan during the winter months. Of course, there’s traditional Japanese nabe, which usually stars pork, napa cabbage, mushrooms, konjac jelly, and other delicious add-ons in a savory broth.

It can be made from humble ingredients or extravagant ones, but either way, it’ll warm your belly. And you can find restaurants serving it up all-year-round in Tokyo.

You can also find Mongolian hotpot like Little Sheep, and Taiwanese hotpot like The Boiling Point in Shibuya. Both are super flavorful and perfect for a cold winter day.

And, while you can never go wrong with ramen, soba, or udon, check out shabu-shabu if you get the chance.

A close cousin to hotpot, shabu-shabu is also a great option in the winter. You can cook each slice of fatty pork belly in a pot of boiling soup at your own table, which feels super deluxe. I really enjoy Rabu in Ginza and Tonvege in Shinjuku for shabu-shabu.

Get into the winter season with seasonal fruits (and veggies). Fruits are popular any time, but I love winter fruits here.

By the way, the most popular winter fruits in Japan are mikan (tangerines), persimmons, and… strawberries!

If you’re getting too cold outdoors, head into a coffee shop for a quick break. There are numerous cafes in Tokyo, especially, so you can’t go wrong ducking into one.

Whether you’re looking for specialty coffee or a chain restaurant, there’s something for everyone. When it comes to chains, I’m a fan of Komeda Coffee.

Some of my favorite cafes in Japan are Coffee Nova and Lucent Coffee (and many more).

And of course, you’re not limited to coffee. There are tea shops selling everything from Earl Grey to matcha. So step into one and get comfortable.

Bars and pubs are popular anytime, but it’s always nice to get out of the cold and warm up amongst good company.

If you’re looking for a drink to warm you from the inside, allow me to recommend three bars that I absolutely love.

It’s not enough to say this Tir na nÓg is unique. It’s themed as the Celtic land of the fairies, “Tir na nÓg”, so it’s like no bar or restaurant I’ve ever been to.

The atmosphere is dark and mysterious as you descend down the steps into a different world. Just try to get there early or make a reservation if you can. This isn’t a bar you just hop to and from. You instead get seated and spend time taking in the ambience as you enjoy quirky drinks.

Speaking of the drinks, they are whimsical and aesthetically pleasing, and each are fairytail themed. It’s a really great spot to try if you like unique drinking experiences.

Second up is TCG / BOARD GAME Cafe & Bar FUN. And as the name implies, this trading card game and boardgame bar is a ton of fun. While we made a reservation, it’s not strictly necessary.

We visited last winter with my family and ordered their special card-game omakase drink based on the cards we brought.

It was a blast, and we enjoyed each other’s company while playing games like Blokus.

There were other people at the bar with friends, too, but there was plenty of space for us to have our own fun without bumping elbows or feeling crowded.

Nui. is a hostel that operates a bar from 6 pm. The vibes here are chill and casual, and the natural wood interior elements really give the space a sense of groundedness. Plus, you can chat with both Japanese and foreign tourists if that’s your thing.

We’ve spent a few nights drinking here with friends, especially during our study-abroad year. Don’t worry, the drinking age is 20 in Japan.

While they serve up classic cocktails, their house drinks are delicious as well. We still think about their fries with creme fraiche and chili sauce. Omg.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is an entire event held in early February every year.

You can also grab a bite to eat. Sapporo ramen, which is thickened with miso to keep it warm, is famously delicious.

Soup curry is another Hokkaido favorite that I love. You can also visit the famous Sapporo Beer Museum while you’re in the area.

Hokkaido Jingu Shrine is a beautiful place to go walking in the falling snow. Or check out the rotenburo open-air baths Hokkaido is famous for, and have a drink of Hokkaido milk to end the night.

Plus, the relatively nearby Aomori prefecture is famous for its apples and sake, so if you get a chance, try visiting while you’re in the area.

Skiing in Japan is super popular in winter, especially in towns like Nagano. Famous for hosting the 1998 Winter Olympics in Hakuba, Nagano boasts world-renowned ski resorts and famous hot springs.

According to Ramón, Nagano has the powderiest snow he’s ever skied in, which is high praise. And it’s no secret that this area is beloved by skiers worldwide.

Just be careful to get into town early enough for dinner, since some shops close early.

And if you can, spare some time to go to Jigokudani, in Nozawa Onsen, to see the Japanese macaques bathe in the hot springs. You can always check out their livestream, too!

One of my all-time favorite things about Winter in Japan is the Illumination. Trees and buildings are wreathed in shining lights of all colors.

I’m particularly fond of the blue ones. They seem to fill the world with icy sparkles befitting the winter mood.

While the tradition started in the 90’s, it has become a winter staple in Japan. And even in our town, we can see trees and buildings decorated with lights.

Best of all, you can take in the sights for free. While some special installations require a fee, most illumination is public.

You can set out to view all kinds of illumination in Tokyo, Kansai, and, of course, Tochigi. Ashikaga’s famous flower park displays lovely illumination in place of their usual wisteria flowers, making a great photo-op.

If you’re still curious about winter traditions in Japan, check out my Coming of Age in Japan blog, or read about KFC Christmas, a Japanese holiday tradition.