Nikko's mountains, lakes, temples, and hot springs are even more beautiful when blanketed in snow. The freezing winter temperatures present opportunities for season-specific scenery and activities. Nikko's snow-covered landscape is within easy reach from Tokyo, adding ease to your winter travels.
Be inspired by our Re: Nikko Winter video and read on for more details about experiencing Nikko in winter.
Relax among snowy scenery
Bathing in a mineral-rich onsen is a highlight of a trip to Japan in any season, and relaxing in an outdoor bath surrounded by snow-covered nature is a particularly therapeutic experience. Stay in one of the four inns in the secluded Okukinu Onsen area to take a dip among the falling snow. Some facilities offer mixed bathing; just wrap yourself in a towel and sink into the water. Lake Chuzenji is particularly striking in the winter season, too. The surrounding hills are blanketed in snow, and trees on the lakeshore are bejeweled with encrusted ice when lake water splashes onto trees and piers, then freezes in place. Add a dose of mental calmness to the tranquil views of Chuzenji by engaging in a Buddhist experience at the lakeshore temple. You can try copying out Buddhist sutras, tracing the characters with a traditional brush. The experience is suitable for visitors with no Japanese writing ability. During the Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Snow House Festival, the banks of the Sawaguchi River are covered with hundreds of miniature kamakura snow huts, each one illuminated by candlelight. The flickering glow adds magic and romance to a clear, crisp winter evening.
