Shirakawa-go Winter Light-Up. Image: Japan’s Fireworks via Shutterstock
As Australia’s summer holiday season coincides with the northern hemisphere winter, many Australians find themselves traversing the seasons by travelling to Japan during the country’s coldest months. But Japan’s crisp wintry conditions aren’t just ideal for skiers and snowboarders in search of exhilarating runs blanketed in top-quality powder snow. Right throughout the winter season, Japan is full of festive events, activities, and customs that offer travellers the warming winter wonderland experience they’ve always dreamed of.
Marvel at the illuminations
Making the most of the shorter winter days, parts of Japan’s towns and cities come to life in the evenings with spectacular light displays that are guaranteed to leave you feeling warm and fuzzy inside, despite the biting temperatures. Don’t miss the Shirakawa-go Winter Light-Up where traditional “Gassho-zukuri” style homes and surrounding trees are bathed in the warm glow of light to create a captivating scene against the icy snow-covered rural landscape.
Meanwhile, you could feed your imagination among the illuminated works of art and trees at the Sapporo White Illumination, or enjoy the enchanting experience of walking through the flower gardens of light at Kanagawa’s Sagamiko Illumination. And there are plenty of others to experience around the country. The following dates are for the 2022/23 winter season:
• Shirakawa-go Winter Light-Up 
– January 15th, 22nd, 29th & February 5th, 12th, 19th
• Tokyo Midtown Christmas Illumination – November 17th to December 25th
• Shinjuku Twinkle Park – November 25th to December 25th
• Sapporo White Illumination – November 22nd to March 14th
• Sagamiko Illumination (Kanagawa) – November 12th to April 2nd
• Midosuji Illumination (Osaka) – November 3rd to December 31st
• Lake Haruna Illumination Festa – December 16th to 25th
Sagamiko Illumination. Image: MarinaSkyf via Shuttershock
Get cosy among the Christmas markets
Christmas is not a national holiday in Japan, but that doesn’t mean there’s any shortage of festivities to soak up the Christmas spirit. From around the end of November to Christmas Day, some of Japan’s major cities play host to enchanting Christmas markets where you can enjoy everything from mulled wine and hot chocolate to hearty German cuisine and brightly lit stalls selling festive arts and trinkets. Some of the most popular markets for the 2022/23 winter season include:
• Tokyo Christmas Market – December 9th to 25th
• Roppongi Hills Christmas Market (Tokyo) – November 26th to December 25th
• Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse Christmas Market (Kanagawa) – November 25th to December 26th
• TENJIN Christmas Market (Fukuoka) – November 21st to December 25th
• Hiroshima German Christmas Market – December 16th, 17th and 18th
• Kagoshima Christmas Market – December 2nd to December 25th
• Sapporo Munich Christmas Market – November 22nd to December 25th
Soak up the festivities on the Dutch streets of Huis Ten Bosch
During a trip to Japan, you’d expect to feel a million miles from the streets of northern Europe, but a visit to Huis Ten Bosch in winter promises a truly magical experience. In Nagasaki, Huis Ten Bosch is a recreation of the scenery and typical townscape of the Netherlands dating back to the 17th century. From November 5th to December 25th, this Dutch-inspired theme park comes alive at Christmas with illuminations and decorations, fireworks spectaculars, and even performances from Santa Claus.
To add to your fairy tale Christmas experience, Huis Ten Bosch is also home to Sky Carousel , Japan’s first three-story merry-go-round, where you can appreciate the incredible architecture and festive illuminations from high up above.
Huis Ten Bosch Christmas Illuminations: Image: Huis Ten Bosch
Experience the Chitose and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Around 40 minutes from Sapporo by road, the Chitose and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival takes place from the 28th of January to February 23rd 2023 in Lake Shikotsu Onsen in the Shikotsu-Toya National Park. With Lake Shikotsu known for its clear waters, visitors to the festival can explore the impressive ice sculptures which are created by spraying water from the lake which quickly freezes in the icy air. At night, the ice sculptures become illuminated with colourful lights for a mesmerising display, while other attractions at the festival include, drum performances, fireworks, hearty winter cuisine, and the surrounding hot springs.
Chitose and Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival: Image: Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
Try a slice of Japanese Christmas cake
During the festive season, Japan’s popular Christmas cake can be found almost everywhere. In stark contrast to the dense and fruity Christmas cake most Australians will know, Japanese Christmas cake is a light sponge cake which is covered with whipped cream and decorated with strawberries and other festive trinkets. Traditionally eaten on Christmas eve, Japanese Christmas cake has become a staple sweet treat to be enjoyed throughout the season.
Join in Japan’s fried chicken Christmas meal tradition
In Japan, the family meal of choice on Christmas Day is a long way from the seafood, salads, and turkey that are all too familiar to the Aussie Christmas table. Said to date back around 40 years and inspired by a campaign by KFC restaurant, millions of Japanese families will share a fried chicken feast on Christmas Day.
Today however, the tradition of enjoying a fried chicken dinner on Christmas Day extends well beyond the fast food chain, with many restaurants offering the tasty treat either to eat in or takeaway. Keep in mind, though, that if you are in Japan on Christmas Day and would like to experience the national meal of choice, you may need to order in advance.
For more information, please contact:
James Cooley | james@thelucidagency.com.au | +61 401 316 701
