Spectacular Snow-Covered Views: 3 Must-Visit Winter Destinations in Japan’s Countryside
Traveling to Japan soon? Instead of heading to Tokyo or Osaka, why not explore the country’s underrated yet equally attractive destinations in the countryside? Visiting the Chubu region, particularly the Hokuriku area off the northwest, is highly recommended, especially during winter when the scenic spots are cloaked in a blanket of snow.
There, Japan’s best winter destinations can be found. Witness the unique beauty of the Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces in Ishikawa, the Shirakawa-go Village in Gifu, and the seafood-abundant Unazuki Onsen in Toyama.
The Hokuriku area has long experienced heavy snowfall, and from December to February, if the weather conditions are right, it may be possible to get a spectacular view of Japan’s winter attractions that are off the beaten track. However, there have been years with warmer winters and less snowfall, too, so be sure to check the forecast in advance to get the best possible view!
1） Unazuki Onsen（Kurobe, Toyama）
Facing the Sea of Japan is Unazuki Onsen, a place in Kurobe, Toyama, where you can relax in a hot spring bath while admiring the snow-covered mountains. The hot spring town is one of Japan’s must-see winter destinations, as it is close to Kurobe Gorge, one of the popular tourist spots in Toyama, famous for its delectable gourmet seafood.
It is also the starting point for the Kurobe Gorge Railway, which services a sightseeing train that offers a panoramic view of Northern Japan Alps’ virgin forest. Here, you can also enjoy a spectacular winter view, which lends a sight quite different from the lush greenery during summer and the fiery leaves of autumn.
If you’re traveling around Toyama in winter, try to catch the Unazuki Onsen Winter Story or Snow Fireworks Festival. Held every Saturday from early January to mid-April, the event allows you to see the magical scenery created by fireworks and snow. It’s best experienced in mid-winter, when the air is clear, making you appreciate the colorfully lit landscape even better.
After enjoying the fireworks display at night, head out to enjoy the fresh seafood caught at the Kurobe fishing port and the local sake of Toyama the next day. Unazuki Onsen will for sure provide you a chance to fully enjoy the charm of Toyama winter.
We recommend staying overnight at Unazuki Onsen if your travel itinerary allows, so you can enjoy hot springs while gazing at the spectacular view of Kurobe Gorge.
Facility Information
| Name: Unazuki Onsen Location: Kurobe-shi, Toyama-ken Access: From Tokyo, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kurobe-Unazukiosen Station (approximately 150 minutes), then change to the Toyama Chiho Railway and ride for 25 minutes to reach Unazuki Onsen Station. If you’re traveling from Kyoto or Osaka, take the JR Thunderbird Limited Express to Kanazawa, then transfer to the Hokuriku-Shinkansen to Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station (an approximately 180-minute trip). From there, you can change to the Toyama Local Railway to Unazuki Onsen Station (25 minutes). Website: Kurobe Trip (English) |
2）Shirakawa-go（Ono, Gifu）
Shirakawa-go Village in the Gifu Prefecture is a must-visit spot if you want to go sightseeing in the Tokai subregion of Chubu during winter. Shirakawa-go is well known for its gassho-zukuri style houses. Built by combining wood beams in an arc shape, these houses’ steeply pitched thatched roofs are a recognizable feature of the village.
The unique architecture of the Shirakawa-go Village draws countless tourists every year, but its snow-covered look is particularly breathtaking, so we recommend you see Shirakawa-go in wintertime.
If you want to travel to Shirakawa-go, Japan, you can go on a day trip and join sightseeing bus tours that usually depart from either Hida-Takayama in Gifu or from Kanazawa City in Ishikawa. There are also buses that let you explore the World Heritage Sites of Shirakawa-go and Takayama.
On top of that, you can also hop on one-way highway buses, as well as ones that let you stop by at Gokayama in Toyama. There are a lot of convenient transportation and tour packages to choose from, so make sure to do your research before you go.
The cities nearby also have their own must-see winter attractions, so consider exploring all that you can while you’re around the region to make the most out of your trip. There is a golden route called Mitsuboshi Kaidou connecting the areas of Kanazawa, Gokayama, Shirakawa-go, Takayama, and Matsumoto, conveniently allowing you to visit the top sightseeing spots in Hokuriku and Tokai region.
If you plan on hitting all birds with one stone, we recommend going to Kanazawa as your starting point. Stay in and travel around Kanazawa City for a day and check out the Kenrokuen Garden or the “garden that combines six characteristics,” one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. You can also head over to the Higashi Chaya District, one of Japan’s few remaining geisha districts with restored teahouses and taverns.
Kanazawa is only about an hour and 45 minutes away from Shirakawa-go, so you can easily head over the following morning to explore the thatched-roofed village.
Then, after exploring the Shirakawa-go Village on your second day, you can go on to Hida-Takayama by bus in the evening. There, you can stroll along the old castle town called
Sanmachi-dori, with streets lined with cafes and stores that have been renovated from old houses.
Of course, there are tons of other landmarks that you can visit along the golden route. If you have more time to spare, don’t miss out on the old townscapes, World Heritage Sites, and National Treasures like the Matsumoto Castle.
Facility Information
| Name: Shirakawa-go Village Location: Shirakawa, Ono-gun, Gifu Access: Shirakawa-go is best accessed by bus from Takayama. From Nagoya and Gifu take the JR Takayama Line to Takayama. Head to the Takayama Bus Center and ride a bus for around 50 minutes to Shirakawa. Website: Shirakawa-go Tourist Association (English) |
3） Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces（Wajima, Ishikawa）
Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces is another of Japan’s best winter destinations. Located in Wajima City, Ishikawa Prefecture, the rice terraces are rice paddy fields constructed in a step formation on mountain and valley slopes, offering a beautiful view during both day and night. Among all the rice terraces in Japan, Shiroyone Senmaida has been designated as a scenic National Cultural Property.
Every mid-October to mid-March, an illumination event called Aze no Kirameki goes viral. During the event, 25,000 solar LED lights are installed in the paddy fields and lit at night, allowing us to enjoy grand illuminations in the winter season.
The LED lights switch to pink, green, gold, and blue every 15 minutes. Under a clear starry night sky, the colorful illuminations make for a mesmerizing winter attraction. The illumination is lit at sunset, and it's best to see the lights between 5 p.m. and 8 p.m.
Spot Information
| Name: Shiroyone Senmaida Rice Terraces Location: 99-5 Shiroyone-machi, Wajima-shi, Ishikawa-ken Aze no Kirameki Opening Date: Mid-October - mid-March ※Event dates are subject to change. Please visit the official website for announcements. Access: It takes about 2 hours from Kanazawa Station to the roadside Wajima Flat Home Station via Hokutetsu Bus. Get off there and ride the Hokuriku Railroad Bus for around 20 minutes. Then get off at the Shiroyone Senmaida Bus Stop. Website: Shiroyone Senmaida (Japanese) |
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