When the snowy season blankets Japan, it is transformed into a beautiful winter wonderland. Experience the magic of catching the first snowfall or admire dazzling winter light installations adorning the streets. While many prioritise visiting Japan during cherry blossom season, winter offers equally captivating adventures and stunning scenery. Having just visited and experienced Japan in January this year, I can attest to how charming Japan is in the winter season in its own unique way. From fresh seafood markets and piping hot street food to serene snowscapes, Tokyo and Osaka sparkle in a new light during winter and these are some must-visit places and must-do activities during this time to make your visit an unforgettable one. 

Tokyo Itinerary

1. Tsukiji Fish Market

Did you really visit Tokyo if you didn’t check out the Tsukiji Fish Market? Although many have groused about it being a tourist trap because of the high prices, it is still definitely worth a visit. Especially if it’s your first time in Tokyo, the wide plethora of seafood options available would be perfect for tourists eager to sample everything.

At the peak of the winter season, it is the best time of the year to enjoy the freshest seafood! Think shirako (cod sperm which is in season only during winter), uni (sea urchin), palm-sized oysters, and snow crabs! During the winter harvest, trust that the seafood will be some of the most delicious and fresh ones you’ve ever had. It is a MUST-VISIT if you’re a seafood lover.

It is also recommended to come as early as 8am as the crowd starts trickling in at around 10-11 am and it gets harder to move around as the aisles between the stalls are pretty narrow. I recommend getting the huge XL oysters nearly as big as your face because where else are you gonna find these? As well as the grilled sweet scallops and fresh sea urchin.

Tsukiji Fish Market
Location: 4 Chome-13 Tsukiji, Chuo City, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
Opening hours: 8am - 2pm on weekdays, 10am to 2pm on Sundays and national holidays

2. Go shopping for Fukubukuros

Also known as “hatsu-uri” or the first sales of the year, this marks the beginning of the new year. Departmental stores, shopping malls, and brands go all out with huge discounts and great deals! Look out for ‘Fukubukuro’ which are lucky bags that contain a bundle of items, most of the time it’s super value for money and a much better deal than getting them individually. It is a Japanese New Year custom where the bags are sold for sometimes 50% off or more.

Fun fact, ‘Fuku’ comes from the Japanese saying that there is fortune in leftovers. And do note that people in Japan would line up for hours and endure large crowds for these lucky blind bags because of the great deal so do your research in advance to decide which stores you should start lining up for! The Sanrio bags are the most popular, but other brands including Starbucks, Sephora and large departmental stores also release fukubukuros.

3. Hatsumode

As a new year dawns in Japan, it’s a tradition among the locals to visit shrines and temples to show gratitude to the deities for the safe and sound year before and to to pray for safety and prosperity throughout the year ahead. This occasion is also known as hatsumode which translates to “first prayer”, hence, locals will visit temples or shrines on the first, second, or third day of the year to pray for good fortune in the year to come.

.A common custom during the ritual is to buy a written oracle called “omikuji”, where the omikuji would predict whether you have good or bad luck for the year ahead. If it’s bad luck, you can tie it onto a tree within the shrine’s vicinity, and pray that the prediction is not true.

You can also purchase a good-luck charm during the hatsumode ritual, with specific charms for various areas of life such as love, career, health, etc. If you won’t be spending New Year’s in Japan, don’t worry as most temples hold hatsumode rituals for the first few weeks of January. In Tokyo, Sensoji Temple and Meiji Shrine are the most popular spots that both locals and tourists frequent! 

4. Disney Parks

Tokyo Disneyland and DisneySea offer an enchanting escape into a world of magic and wonder, making them must-visit destinations for both avid Disney enthusiasts and families seeking an unforgettable adventure. They were not exaggerating when they said it’s the happiest place on earth as some of my favourite memories on the trip were made at Disney Parks on the thrilling rollercoasters, scenic boat rides, and captivating parades where Disney characters came to life.

DisneySea presents a more dreamy ocean-themed park better suited for older children, teenagers, and adults while Disneyland would be an absolute dream come true for the tiny ones. Both parks boast an incredible attention to detail and warm hospitality that is distinctly Japanese. If you’re planning to visit this year, you should try timing it after 6 June 2024 as that is when Fantasy Springs, the newest and largest expansion is opening at DisneySea. Prepare for an immersive journey into the magical worlds of Frozen, Tangled, and Peter Pan as the new land unfolds. It is envisioned to be one of the most beautiful Disney Parks ever so plan ahead!

During the winter season, you even get to catch a special Christmas edition of the dazzling night parade, exclusive Christmas shows, and New Year celebratory parades at the park from November to the beginning of the year. Remember to enter the park early in order to catch all the rides and download the Disney Resort app to check out the parade showtimes, queueing times for rides, etc.

Tokyo Disney Parks
Location: 1-1 Maihama, Urayasu, Chiba 279-0031, Japan
Get tickets here

5. Visit an Onsen

The serene beauty of Japan is a perfect setting for a rejuvenating onsen experience, aka the hot springs. Especially in winter, dipping into the comforting natural hot water baths has never felt better. Each onsen bath is rich in beneficial minerals that help your skin emerge softer and smoother with every dip. There are options for roten-buro (outdoor baths) and noten-buro (indoor baths); if you’re in an adventurous mood, opt for the outdoors bath as it is such a great and relaxing experience to be soaking in the comforting hot water in near zero temperatures.

Located about an hour away from central Tokyo by train, the JFA YUME Field Makuhari Onsen Yura no Sato is the most beautiful onsen I have ever been to. Although it is quite far out in the outskirts, the experience is so worth the commute! It is scenically located by the beach, so do expect some strong winds when you’re soaking in the outdoor pools, but the view truly takes your breath away.

I highly recommend going during the daytime so you can catch the magnificent sunset while dining at their in-house restaurant and just simply kick back and relax.

Although most onsens in Japan prohibit tattoos, you could inform the staff at the counter beforehand and they may allow you to enter, or if not, you could also cover it up with a sticker.

JFA YUME Field Makuhari Onsen Yura no Sato
Location: 26 Mihama, Mihama Ward, Chiba, 261-0022, Japan
Opening hours: Mon-Fri, 9am to 12am

6. Eat Tsujihan

After seeing it all over social media, I decided to pay Tsujihan a visit to see if it’s truly worth all the hype and spoiler alert: it is worth every cent.

You need to plan Tsujihan into your itinerary because there is no way you’re leaving Japan without having this exceptional meal that I still think about now — a month after the trip. Think the most fresh and decadent sashimi mountain donburi bowl with melt-in-your-mouth sashimi chunks including crab, sea urchin, and tuna. I ordered the most lux Tokujo option (3,300 yen) which had extra servings of uni, crab, salmon roe and it is so incredibly value-for-money. The portions were generous and the ingredients were so fresh it is simply to die for.

Each mouthful, be it the buttery sea urchin, delicate tuna, or sweet crab chunks, is a testament to the culinary artistry that elevates this bowl to the divine. When you've relished two-thirds of the rice, it is recommended by the chef to top up the bowl with a hearty sea bream broth. It transforms the remaining dish into a comforting sea of flavours and it further infuses the rice with a rich umami essence, trust that you will want to slurp up every drop of the oceanic goodness.

This was hands down my favourite meal of the entire trip and if I had to choose only one restaurant to queue for again, it would be Tsujihan without a doubt. I could go on all day about how amazing the meal was, but the long queue that entails at their main outlets can be a bummer. A pro tip is to frequent their less-popular outlets located slightly away from the Tokyo city center, such as the Nihonbashi Kaisen Donburi Tsujihan Ark Hills or Nihonbashi Kaisen Don Tsujihan Kagurazaka branch.

On a typical day, the queues could range between at least 45 mins to 2 hours, but on my visit to the latter, I only had to wait for about 20 minutes during the peak dinner time at 7pm. The space is very limited, which is why the waiting time can be long. They don’t accept reservations so do come early to queue or make the effort to travel to other branches for a better shot! But, it is SO worth the effort, time and money!

Tsujihan
Location: Japan, 〒103-0027 Tokyo, Chuo City, Nihonbashi, 3 Chome−1−15 久栄ビル １Ｆ
Opening hours: 11 am–9 pm

Osaka Itinerary

7. Day Trip to Kobe

Go to the land of Kobe beef and I promise you will not stop thinking about those divine beef cubes. I visited Tor Road Steak Aoyama restaurant after hearing from friends and online reviews that it served up amazing and affordable Kobe beef, and boy were they right about that.

The lunch set came with a Seafood Salad appetiser, followed by Cream Soup, grilled vegetables on the teppanyaki grill that include tofu, bell peppers, mushroom, and eggplant. And the main star of the day — the Kobe beef cubes with stunning marbling that was seared to sheer perfection.

It tasted nothing like I ever had before and the humorous chef was incredibly entertaining throughout the entire meal, cracking jokes and making conversation, making it such an enjoyable experience on top of the utterly tantalising beef.

Priced at 6,500 yen for the entire lunch course for 100g of Kobe beef, it is an absolute steal and a must-try experience in Kobe because after trying it for myself, it is quite literally the best beef I have ever had in my life. I promise that you will forget about the hole in your pocket (and it’s not even that big of a hole in comparison to other joints in the area) the moment you sink your teeth into the beef cubes. Pro tip: go for the sirloin cut for the most heavenly beef cubes you will ever try.

Also, for more bang for your buck, remember to book it for lunch in particular as the dinner menu is not as affordable! 

Other activities you could do in Kobe is visit the Kobe Herb Gardens and embark on the cable car ropeway for an incredible bird’s eye view of the entire city. And though flowers are not really in bloom during winter, the entire garden was so empty it felt like I had the entire place to myself. You could also warm up at the foot spa located within the glasshouse pavilion — perfect after a hike up to the hilltop!

Tor Road Steak Aoyama
Japan, 〒650-0011 Hyogo, Kobe, Chuo Ward, Shimoyamatedori, 2 Chome−14−5 永和ビル
Opening hours: Thurs-Tue, 12–9 pm (Wednesdays closed)
Reservations via Facebook

Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway
Location: 1-4-3 Kitanocho, Chuo-ku, Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture 650-0002 Japan
Opening hours | Website

8. Day Trip to Kyoto

If you’re going for a short Tokyo-Osaka trip, I recommend doing a quick day trip to Kyoto as it is only about a half-hour train ride from Shin-Osaka Station. But of course, it is best to start your day bright and early, arriving at Kyoto at around 7 or 8 am in order to get a good shot of the empty Arashiyama Bamboo Grove right before the crowd starts coming in. Additionally in January or February, without the crowds typical of peak tourist seasons, you can fully immerse yourself in the natural beauty and serenity of the grove. Take a step back from the busy city life and wander through the towering bamboo stalks in the tranquil winter, it can be such a calming experience!

For lunch at Arashiyama, it was an utterly unforgettable one. I decided to give the TikTok-viral Itsuki Chaya Arashiyam HonTen restaurant a shot and it was one of the best decisions made on the trip. Though I was a little hesitant at the start as the price is on the steeper end at 4,000 yen per pax for their Lunch Set, I am so glad that I bit the bullet and did it anyway. That was definitely one of the best meals I had in Japan as it served a scrumptious meal amidst an incredible ambience.

You get quite a wide spread of various small seasonal dishes and right in front of us was the most beautiful and picturesque view of Arashiyama’s river. Their set meals also switch up according to the seasonal offerings. During the winter season, I got the Yuba Shabu and Seasonal Hotpot, Wagyu Beef Sukiyaki Bowl, Seafood Chirashi, Shrimp and Seasonal Tempura Bowl, and Golden Egg Bowl.

Important note: you have to pick the Riverside option for this calming view while enjoying your meal. A tip is to book about two months in advance because this spot is incredibly highly sought after and there is good reason why.

Itsuki Chaya Arashiyam HonTen
Location: Japan, 〒616-8383 Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Saganakanoshimacho, 官有地10
Opening hours: 9:30am to 8pm daily
Reservations

9. Universal Studio Japan

Boasting an array of world-class attractions, Universal Studio Japan is a must-visit theme park if you’re in Osaka. From heart-pounding rides like The Flying Dinosaur at Jurassic Park to the insanely popular and adorable Super Nintendo World, USJ is the place to be whether you’re a film buff, a thrill-seeker, or a family seeking to make unforgettable memories. We highly recommend getting the Express Studio Pass as a top-up to your USJ tickets as it comes with a timed-entry ticket to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter or/and Super Nintendo World which saves you the trouble of arriving in the wee hours of the morning to camp for the the timed entry access to these exclusive areas of the park.

Though the tickets were a tad bit expensive, I felt that it was worth the splurge as I personally had a much better experience skipping the 120-min long queues for the popular rides. It was also a breeze exploring the Harry Potter and Super Nintendo World as they are located quite close to each other.

During my visit in January, the theme park closed slightly earlier than usual because of the winter season so they closed the lines for the rides at about 5-6pm, as the sun had also begun to set. Hence, be an early bird and arrive before the park’s opening time to really maximise your time there and go on as many rides as possible!

Universal Studios Japan
Location: 2 Chome-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031, Japan
Opening hours | Website

10. Rinko Premium Outlet

For some last-minute shopping, head down to Rinko Premium Outlets which is just a 20-minute train ride away from Kansai International Airport. Housing over 210 shops including brands like Coach, Kate Spade, and Polo Ralph Lauren, it is the largest outlet shopping center in western Japan.

A good shopper’s tip? Shop on your last day so you won’t have to lug all the goods moving across different hotels during your holiday! Plus, if you went a little overboard with all the beauty supplies and vintage goods, don’t fret because you could just get new luggages from the premium outlet or an affordable one at Don Quijote.

I also managed to rent luggage storage for 800 yen per luggage at Kansai Airport so that I could do all the shopping carefree. For those that have reached their shopping quota for the day, you could also take a nice stroll down the marble beach just beside the premium outlets for a captivating view of the ocean, soak in the wintery sea breeze, and catch the gorgeous sunset. There is also a shuttle bus service for pick-ups and drop-offs at the KIX and Rinku Premium Outlets at 300 yen per adult so you could also consider that for a no-fuss and easy traveling option.

Rinko Premium Outlets
Location: 3-28 Rinkuoraiminami, Izumisano, Osaka 598-8508, Japan
Opening hours: 10am to 7pm daily

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