Here are the top 10 must-visit winter destinations around the Kanto Region, including several exciting winter activities you can join.
Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival
Location: Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
The Yunishigawa Onsen Kamakura Festival is a spectacular winter event that has been designated as a Japan Night View Heritage Site. Hundreds of mini kamakura are lined up on the Sawaguchi riverbed, and candles are lit on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday nights, creating a magical scene. In Heike Village, you can enjoy the collaboration of thatched roofs and kamakura, and at Yunishigawa Mizunogo Snow Park, you can enjoy games unique to the snowy country, such as sledding.
Event Period: January 30, 2026 (Friday) ~ March 1, 2026 (Sunday) | 17:30PM to 21:00PM
Entry Fees: Adults JPY510, Elementary and junior high school students - JPY250
For more information about this event, visit their official page here.
Lake Okushima
Location: Nakanojo Town, Gunma Prefecture
Lake Okushima, which spreads out at the innermost point of Shima Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, is a dam lake created by the Shimagawa Dam with a circumference of 4 km.
This spectacular spot is known for its "Shima Blue" created by its crystal clear water. In winter, the snowy landscape and frozen lake surface spread out, and the blue color stands out even more. The expression changes depending on the season, weather, and time of day, but on a sunny morning, you can enjoy the beautiful blue color and look great in photos. On the shore of the lake, surrounded by tranquility, you can experience the mysterious blue color that harmonizes with nature.
Recently, it has been attracting attention as "40,000 blue". It is said that the cleaner the water, the more blue it reflects, and it is proof that the water is transparent. In addition to the beauty of this water, it is also said that it looks blue due to the mixture of minerals and other ingredients.
The Misotsuchi Icicles of the Arakawa River
Location: Chichibu City, Saitama Prefecture
Also known as the “thirty hammer icicles”, these natural icicles that appear at the source of the Arakawa River in Okuchichibu freeze the fresh water seeping out of the rock face, forming the art of ice about 8 meters high and more than 30 meters wide. It is considered one of the three major icicles in Chichibu, and the beauty of the natural formations that change every year is a masterpiece.
The best time to see them is usually mid-January ~ mid-February, and at night, they are lit up, creating a mysterious scenery of light and ice reflected on the river surface.
Opening hours: 8:30 - 17:00 (Until 19:00 on weekdays when illuminated, until 20:00 on Saturdays, Sundays, and holidays)
Entry Fees:
* Adult JPY300 each (junior high school students and older)
* Child JPY200 each (elementary school students and older)
* FREE for children under elementary school age
Parking Fees: Regular car 500 yen, motorcycle 200 yen, microbus 1,000 yen, sightseeing bus 2,000 yen (parking in the private parking lot)
For more information about this event, visit their official website.
Kanoyama Kujukudani Observation Park
Location: Kimitsu City, Chiba Prefecture
Located in the center of the Boso Peninsula, on Mt. Kano at an altitude of 379 meters, "Kanoyama Kujukudani Observation Park" is an observation park that is counted as one of the three mountains of Boso, and offers a panoramic view of the "Kujukudani" with many layers of Kamiso Hills. In the early morning after the rain in winter, the sight of the mountains shrouded in fog is like an ink painting, and when a sea of clouds appears, it is even more fantastic. The soft light before dawn and sunset is also spectacular, and you can enjoy stargazing in the clear air.
Entry Fees: FREE, parking fees may apply.
Lake Ashi
Location: Hakone Town, Kanagawa Prefecture
Lake Ashi, which spreads at an altitude of 724 meters, is a caldera lake of the Hakone Volcano. In the early morning of winter, when the weather is clear and there are no waves, you can sometimes see "Upside-Down Fuji" reflecting Mt. Fuji on the clear water. In the season when the air is clear, the snow-covered Mt. Fuji and the blue of the lake are even more beautiful, creating a spectacular view that looks like a painting. The lakeside is dotted with famous places such as Hakone Shrine, the Torii Gate of Peace, and Onshi Hakone Park, and the view from pleasure boats and pirate ships is exceptional.
Access:
* From Odawara Station and Hakone-Yumoto Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus or Izu Hakone Bus bound for Hakone-cho and get off at the "Moto-Hakone Port" or the last stop [Kojiri/Togendai]
* From Odawara Station or Hakone-Yumoto Station, take the Hakone Tozan Bus bound for Kojiri Togendai and get off at the last stop.
Entry Fees: FREE, but parking fees may apply.
Kegon Falls
Location: Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Kegon Falls, one of Japan's three most famous waterfalls, with a drop of 97 meters, is a spectacular spot that symbolizes winter in Oku-Nikko. During the cold season, the surrounding "Twelve Waterfalls" freeze, and icicles cover the rock walls, turning into an icefall that shines pale and sparkling blue ice. The waterfall, surrounded by clear air and snowy scenery, looks like an ice chandelier.
The best time to see it is usually from late January ~ early February, and you can enjoy the powerful scenery up close from the observation deck.
Opening hours: Daily from 9:00AM to 04:30PM
Entry Fees:
* Adult - JPY600
* Elementary school kids - JPY400
* Preschooler - FREE
Parking Fees:
* Regular Cars - JPY500
* Micro and large vehicles - JPY2,000
How to get there:
By Train:
* From Asakusa Station or JR Shinjuku Station on the Tobu Line, take the limited express to Tobu Nikko Station, or get off at Nikko Station on the JR Nikko Line.
* Transfer to Tobu Bus "bound for Chuzenji Onsen / Yumoto Onsen" and get off at "Chuzenji Onsen". 5 minutes on foot.
By Car:
* From Tohoku Expressway Utsunomiya IC, enter Nikko Utsunomiya Road, Kiyotaki IC, Irohazaka for about 50 minutes
Akagi Shrine
Location: Maebashi City, Gunma Prefecture
Akagi Shrine, located on the shores of Lake Onuma at an altitude of about 1,300 meters, is said to be one of Gunma's best power spots. It enshrines the god of mountains and lakes, "Akagi Daimyojin", and has been worshipped as a guardian deity of people since ancient times. In particular, the god of the lake is a goddess called "Princess Akagi", who is popular for granting women's wishes and protecting them from various disasters.
The snow-covered outer rim of the mountain, the vermilion worship hall that stands out against the lake, and the newly replaced vermilion sacred bridge called "Woodpecker Bridge" are breathtakingly beautiful. During the winter season, when the lake surface freezes, a world of silver spreads out all over the place, and the dignified air and silence create an ethereal scenery. You can enjoy worship in the spectacular scenery unique to winter.
Entry Fees: FREE, but parking fees may apply.
Ryuo Gorge
Location: Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture
Ryuo Gorge, which stretches between Kinugawa Onsen and Kawaji Onsen, is a valley of strange rocks created by undersea volcanic activity about 22 million years ago. The powerful scenery, like a dragon roaring, and the ethereal scenery of the tranquility of winter spread, and in the valley surrounded by tranquility, you can enjoy the magnificent natural beauty unique to winter. The promenade is well maintained, but there is snow and ice, so don't forget to take measures to protect yourself from the cold and slipping.
How to get there:
* Approximately 35 minutes from Nikko Utsunomiya Road "Imaichi IC"
(Train) Immediately after getting off at "Ryuokyo Station" on the Noiwa Railway Aizu Kinugawa Line
About 12-minute walk from the station to Nijimi Falls
Entry Fees: FREE, but parking fees may apply.
Mt. Haruna (Haruna Fuji)
Location: Takasaki City, Gunma Prefecture
Mt. Haruna, one of the three mountains in Jomo in Gunma Prefecture, is attractive for its magnificent scenery created by the outer rim mountains surrounding Lake Haruna and Haruna Fuji in the central crater hill. In winter, the lakeside at an altitude of about 1,100 meters is covered with snow, and Haruna Fuji is reflected on the surface of the lake like a mirror. If you climb to the top of the mountain by ropeway, you can enjoy the spectacular view of the Kanto Plain and Mt. Fuji in the distance, and it is a spot full of winter charms, such as the "Lake Haruna Illumination Festival".
How to get there:
* Takasaki Station Bus 90 minutes
* Kan-Etsu Expressway Takasaki IC 60 minutes by car
Entry Fees: FREE, but parking fees may apply.
National Scenic Spot Fukuroda Falls
Location: Ogo Town, Ibaraki Prefecture
Fukuroda Falls is 120 meters high and 73 meters wide, and is counted as one of the top three waterfalls in Japan. In the middle of winter, the entire waterfall freezes, and an "icefall" appears like an ice curtain, and the huge ice sculptures created by nature are so beautiful that they are amazing.
The best time to see it is usually from late December ~ mid-February, and the majestic icefall seen up close from the viewing platform seems to be a work of art unique to winter.
Entry Fees:
* Adult - JPY500
* Children - JPY300
How to get there:
By Car:
* From Joban Expressway "Naka IC" via National Route 118, about 60 minutes
By Train:
* Get off at Fukuroda Station on the JR Mizugun Line and walk for about 40 minutes. It takes about 7~10 minutes by bus or taxi.
Winter is the only time you’ll witness snow-capped peaks, shimmering icefalls, and magical illuminations in their full glory. Bundle up, embrace the chill, and start planning a winter outing you’ll remember long after the snow melts.
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