Walking in a Winter Wonderland: 27 Photos That Will Make You CRAVE for a JAPAN WINTER Trip

Japan may be more popular as a spring destination because of its famous exhibit of cherry blossoms. Locals and foreigners flock the country around April and May to witness the pinkish glow these cherry blossoms paint as they bloom and later on fall on the ground.

Yet, Japan is also a spectacular winter destination – a Winter Wonderland of some sort.

To get you captivated on the beauty of Japan during the colder season, here are some visual proofs that will get you planning a winter trip to the Land of Rising Sun.

Japanese temples, like the Kinkaku-ji, twinkle in the winter.

Japan’s beautiful anytime of year, but it truly sparkles in the winter when snow lands on temples and the soaring Japanese alps for ski season. Luckily, @airasia has flights to Japan on sale just in time for the winter season from an incredible $428 return!

A photo posted by Finder Travel (@findertravel) on Sep 14, 2016 at 3:01am PDT

Japanese castles glisten as well.

Yokote Castle #横手城. Located at a hill top of #Yokote City #横手市, #YokoteCastle was founded by the Onodera Clan (小野寺) in the 1500’s. This small castle changed hands several times until it was burned down during a civil war (Boshin War 戊辰戦争 1868–1869) and what we see today is a reconstruction (1965) of the castle which stood at the same location. For the travel enthusiasts, Yokote Castle is closed during the winter months except the 2-day Yokote Kamakura (snow) Festival #横手の雪祭り held in 15/16Feb yearly. #feb2016 #AkitaPrefecture #秋田県#秋田 #akita #Tohoku #日本東北 #yokotecity #yokoteshi #yokotekamakurafestival #kamakurafestival #snowfestival #snow #snowing #winter #castle #japanesecastle #AllAboutJapan #exploringjapan #japanalert #tokyotouristinfo #traveljapan #japanawaits #日本 #japan

A photo posted by #seetheworldthroughmylenses (@jeffreysiow) on Aug 31, 2016 at 11:42pm PDT

Snow-covered torii is just magnificent.

#japan #japanese #snow #snowing #snowy #snowday #japansnow #japanesesnow #negano #landscape #trees #snowyforest #traveller #travels #travellgram #travelling #aussietraveller

A photo posted by Paris (@paris_jazzhands) on Jun 25, 2016 at 12:28am PDT

Frosted coffee shop to keep you warm in Japan.

A Coffee Shop in Winter Wonderland Shirakawa-go 白川郷 Unesco World Heritage ???? @travelsnaps.japan . . . . #privatetourjapan #jalanjalan #jepang #wisata #travel #travelling #tourjapan #ig_indonesia #tourkejepang#travel#travelphotography#japanwinter#worldheritage#unesco#wonderfuljapan#winterwonderland#winterholiday#liburan#vacation#travelpic#travelphoto#aroundtheworld#traveler

A photo posted by Private Tour [Japan] (@travelsnaps.japan) on Jul 31, 2016 at 6:15am PDT

You can walk along the sea of snow lanterns.

日光・湯西川温泉のかまくら祭。 #nikko #snow #nightview #japanwinter #湯西川温泉 #yunishigawa

A photo posted by @sakadon3s on Mar 7, 2016 at 3:06am PST

Floating in the sea of lanterns at #sapporo. #sapporosnowfestival #hokkaido #lanterns #winterwonderland #lightup #snowfestival #札幌 #雪まつり #ランタンフェスティバル #冬の名物 #ろうそくの灯り

A photo posted by Misato Aonami (@misato.sg) on Jul 4, 2016 at 7:29am PDT

You can even get married (or maybe take your pre-nup photos).

Join us on the Romantic Autumn & Early Winter prewedding at Japan ???? For further information please contact us at: ????mafotografia@yahoo.com ????Phone/ sms: 082244557533 (elvira) #mafotografiajapan #mafotografia #maperfectgetaway #japanprewedding #dhikama #japanautumn #japanwinter #explorejapan #wemakepictures #notjusttakepictures by @dhika_ma for @ma_fotografia, brushed & Styled by @elviralie , gown by @nataliasoetjipto

A photo posted by Wedding & More . MA FOTOGRAFIA (@ma_fotografia) on Jun 9, 2016 at 11:35pm PDT

Winter makes riding in cable cars more exciting!

. Gala Yuzawa in Niigata prefecture is a ski resort which is super easy to access. It connects directly to Shinkansen bullet train station which can be reached from Tokyo within 1.5hrs without additional connections. . Gala雪場位於新潟縣的越後湯沢地區。雪場是跟新幹線車站完全連結。從東京出發的話，不需轉車，一個半小時直達。 #单板 #雪板 #日雪專科 #日本滑雪 #滑雪 #galayuzawa #gala #snowjapan #japansnow #japow #japowder #skijapan #japanski #triptojapan #japanwinter #snowboardingtrip #skitrip #yuzawa #echigoyuzawa

A photo posted by JAPOW (@japow_snow) on Aug 16, 2016 at 4:43am PDT

Even vending machines keep their cool.

The lure #takemebacktuesday #japan #japansnow #japansnowboarding #landofthevendingmachine #theressnoweverywhere #lure #nevergothirsty #niseko

A photo posted by Claire McKibbin (@misscleaa) on Feb 29, 2016 at 1:08pm PST

Snow angels!!!

sleeping in beauty view #白川鄉 #Shirakawago #飛驒高山 #japan #Nagoya #japansnow

A photo posted by Jenny C (@jccccheung) on Feb 21, 2016 at 8:50am PST

And snow festival.

Dreaming of snow #sapporo #japan #snowfestival

A photo posted by Maria Cobb (@middlecobb) on Aug 13, 2016 at 7:28am PDT

#snowfestival #snow #2015 #sapporo #japan

A photo posted by @asukafurusho on Jul 25, 2016 at 1:59am PDT

”DRAGON BALL SUPER” Sapporo snow festival in Hokkaido Pref. Japan. Giant snow sculpture❄️⛄️ The height of the snow sculpture is about 15m. 30周年ということで。 さっぽろ雪まつり 大雪像❄️⛄️ ドラゴンボール超 #japan #snowfestival #snowman #DragonBall #札幌 #雪まつり #Superbview #travel #trip #journey #旅 #旅行 #bns_japan #bestjapanpics #gf_japan #far_eastphotgraphy #insta_japan #igs_japan #ig_japan #loves_nippon #instagramjapan #lovers_nippon #phos_japan #ptk_japan #photo_jpn #wu_japan #wp_japan #wow_nihon #igs_asia #igs_world

A photo posted by kaoru (@kaoru_photgraph) on Jul 8, 2016 at 4:00pm PDT

Winter love in Tokyo.

A rare heavy snow in Tokyo #tokyolover ❤️ ???? @travelsnaps.japan • • • #japanholiday #japanwinter #japanlover #japan #tokyo #wanderlust #traveljapan #travelgram #photographer #topdestinations

A photo posted by Private Tour [Japan] (@travelsnaps.japan) on Jul 31, 2016 at 6:40am PDT

There’s just something about snow-covered fields and mountains.

Enjoy the 360 degree panoramic view of Northern Alps while railing down your track in Iwatake Snow Field in Hakuba. . 在滑出自己的軌跡的同時，欣賞壯麗的被阿爾卑斯山景。這是在白馬岩岳雪場才有的體驗。 . #lovesnow #skitrip #snowboardingtrip #japow #japowder #powdersnow #firsttracks #groomer #hakuba #iwatake #skijapan #japanski #japansnow #滑雪 #日本滑雪 #日雪專科 #单板 #双板

A photo posted by JAPOW (@japow_snow) on Aug 16, 2016 at 10:14pm PDT

Perfect blue bird sunny day in Niseko. The views were pretty amazing from the top of the mountain, and the ride back down was pretty fun! #snowboarding #niseko #japan #japansnow #travel #adventure #amazing view #topofthemountain #pow #japow #mtyotei

A photo posted by Renee Fairhurst (@reneefairhurst) on Mar 5, 2016 at 5:05am PST

A snow-covered lodge in Japan is just the perfect getaway.

Tahoe Lodge – An idyllic Niseko retreat Tahoe Lodge is modelled on the North American ski chalets, while its Japanese design is cleverly concealed within just in case you forget where you are. This incredible getaway ski lodge offers both serene surroundings and easy access to adventure and premium dining. #retalkasia #therealestatetalkasia #realestatenews #realestateasia #realestate #property #propertynews #asianproperty #propertymarket #international #design #architecture #snow #ski #Japan #HokkaidoTracks #Hokkaido #Nsieko #Izumikyo #SnowHomes #JapanSnow #SkiInSkiOut #SkiChalet #JapanSki #winterholiday #skiholiday #holidayhome #winterretreat @hokkaido_tracks @retalk_asia

A photo posted by SnowHomes (@snow_homes) on Jul 18, 2016 at 10:20pm PDT

Or make it a Japanese igloo.

Flashback Friday Japan Holiday Destination: IGLOO ???? #japan #japanwinter #japantravel #snowboarding #snowboarder #couplesescape #japansnow #gaminglife #streaminglife #instatravel #gorgeous #chill #tree #spooky #instagood #warm #blizzard #oct #boo #instasky #snowing #memories #kickinit #pretty #stuffing #lights #sunset #gifts #presents #photooftheday

A photo posted by AMAYZE (@amayzedas) on Jun 3, 2016 at 12:29am PDT

Ice villages, like Tomamu in Hokkaido, come to life.

. Tomamu Hoshino Hotel and Ski Resort in Hokkaido is a wonderful luxury resort for family. Ice village, tasty foods, powder trails, hot spring pool. Every family member can easily find their own favorite winter activities here. . Tomamu星野旅館是個適合全家大小的雪場。這裡有冰雪村莊，美食，粉雪，還有溫泉泳池。在這裡，全家的成員都可以輕易地找到自己喜歡的冬季活動。 . #tomamu #tomamuresort #japow #星野 #hoshinoresort #powderskiing #skijapan #japanski #hokkaido #nisekovillage #japanwinter #snowboardingtrip #japansnowboarding #japansnow #滑雪 #单板 #日本旅行 #日雪專科 #日本滑雪 #滑雪 ????@hoshinoresorts_tomamu

A photo posted by JAPOW (@japow_snow) on Aug 6, 2016 at 5:19am PDT

Selfies are much more amazing in Japanese winter.

Snowboarders ???????????????? #thegang #snowtime #betherelish #therelish #nozawasnow #japansnow

A photo posted by Annabel Barratt (@annabelbarratt) on Mar 9, 2016 at 12:06am PST

The search of perfection ????????#japansnow

A photo posted by M A T T H I E U???? (@_matthieu.p_) on Mar 19, 2016 at 6:22am PDT

#roxysnow #tsugaike #japansnow

A photo posted by I Am Emma ???? (@emmfar____) on Apr 9, 2016 at 3:40pm PDT

If you are quite the adventurer, there are ski resorts in Japan where you show off your mad skills!

It’s not all about the powder… ????: @danpowerphotography #aomorispring #aomoriparks #japansnow #japow

A photo posted by Aomori Spring Resort (@aomorispringresort) on Aug 24, 2016 at 1:58pm PDT

2.5 months to go until the resort opens! #winter #japow #jump #backcountry #ski #winterholiday #winterwonderland #Hokkaido #vacationniseko #niseko #powder #powdersnow #二世谷 #北海道 #粉雪天堂 #深雪谷 #滑雪 #skiing #skiingislife #welovesnow #snow

A photo posted by Vacation Niseko (@vacationniseko) on Sep 12, 2016 at 2:00am PDT

Happy Friday! Lovely powder at Hanazono! #hpg #powdersnow #japow #nisekowinter #niseko #nisekohanazono #japanwinter #powdersnow #snow #funinthewood #hanazono #vacationniseko #powderheaven #skiingislife #ski #backcountry

A photo posted by Vacation Niseko (@vacationniseko) on Sep 16, 2016 at 1:35am PDT

Heli-skiing? How cool is that?!?

. Heli skiing and snowboarding is still kind of new service in Japan ski industry. We believe more to come, cuz it is the ultimate way to access virgin Japow. ????@hokkaidobackcountry Photo: Greg Doyle . 在日本搭乘直升機進行滑雪運動相對還是很少數的。不過未來只會越來越多，因為這是能滑到日本野雪最終極的方式。 . #japow #japowder #japansnow #snowjapan #hokkaido #niseko #backcountry #backcountryskiing #skijapan #japanski #winterjapan #japantrip #japanwinter #snowboarding #skiing #滑雪 #日雪專科 #粉雪 #雪板 #单板

A photo posted by JAPOW (@japow_snow) on Aug 30, 2016 at 11:03pm PDT

Winter makes you appreciate it more to take a dip in a hot spring.

Forget about wagyu and sashimi #lategram #hokkaido #japansnow #springwater #hilton #hotsprings #lovethewayyoutravel

A photo posted by Cloverdreamer (@clover3snow) on Apr 19, 2016 at 2:11pm PDT

Come on. Book that ticket and plan that winter trip to Japan now.

Don’t forget to back your thickest jackets.

Brrrrr! 🙂