Snow Much Fun: the Best of Japan in Winter
Nearby and far-flung: I've got suggestions for everyone
Hello Insiders!
In this month’s edition:
Post-earthquake essential info
Snowy adventures: white sights for everyone
The rail pass to buy ASAP
5 tips for packing light
2024 Noto Peninsula Earthquake - What to Know
Don’t try to visit the northern tip of the peninsula. Unfortunately this includes Notojima and the incredible glass art museum.
Most definitely DO visit Kanazawa, Toyama, Shirakawago and other spots in the region. These places are very much open for business.
Get up to speed on what to do if there’s an earthquake or other disaster with Japan Tourism Agency’s safety tips site, also available as an app (Android / iPhone)
Where to go this month
February in Japan is one of my favourite times to travel, especially if the destination has a lot of snow. All three recommendations are also ever-so-slightly off the beaten path, and are well worth the extra effort required to access them.
Snow Monsters at Zao Onsen
Get enough snow and Siberian winds in one place and you’ll turn trees into these incredible natural sculptures. Seeing the snow monsters is something I will never forget, and it’s certainly worth the journey up to Yamagata Prefecture. Roll in some skiing or snowboarding (this is primarily a ski resort) and you’ve got yourself one phenomenal trip. Don’t like the cold? Lucky for you, there’s the onsen on hand to warm you up afterwards.
Ouchijuku
Once a post town a bit north of Tokyo, Ouchijuku is a restored village that looks pretty much as it did around 400 years ago. No electricity or telephone cables in sight, thatched roofs everywhere, and soba noodles you eat with a leek (yes, really). Ouchijuku is at its prettiest in the snow, and offers a back-in-time experience you just can’t get anywhere else.
Biwako Valley
Although the pronunciation might have you thinking you’re off to the ballet, this is actually (possibly) the nearest ski resort to Kyoto. It’s just 40 minutes away by train and bus! There are eight different runs, catering to all levels of skiiers and snowboarders. And when you’re done, get something to eat at Biwako Terrace, which offers stunning views across Lake Biwa (the largest in Japan).
Now’s the time to get the Hokuriku Arch Pass
Last year Japan travellers collectively lost their mind over the price rises to the national JR pass as well as the cheaper regional passes. But one pass escaped - the Hokuriku Arch Pass. Why? Well because JR is changing the price this March, after the Hokuriku Shinkansen extension to Tsuruga opens.
This means that you have until March 15th to buy this bargain rail pass that gets you from Tokyo to Osaka, in a roundabout manner. It affords you stopovers in the mountain getaway of Karuizawa, Toyama and the nearby gorge railway, as well as the garden and art hotspot of Kanazawa. The catch: you can use the shinkansen as far as Kanazawa, after which you need to use the limited express to reach Kyoto and Osaka. (After March 16th of course, this all changes.)
If you’re staying in Tokyo, this pass already pays off for a round trip to Kanazawa. It’s also a great alternative for explorers who want to get to Osaka, but not before taking in some magnificent scenery and culture in less crowded places.
Right now the Hokuriku Arch Pass costs 24,500 yen, but from March 16th will cost 30,000 yen. Consider using the link below and help support my work!
Hokuriku Arch Pass (Klook)
Travel Pro Tips
Why and how I travel light
If you’ve watched any of my videos about packing or general tips for travelling in Japan you’ll know that I think bringing large luggage with you is just about the worst thing you can do. Unless you’re only staying at just one hotel in Tokyo, or you’re planning on using luggage forwarding services, you’re much better off with a case as close to carry-on size as you can possibly get. Why?
You can easily stow smaller cases in lockers at railway stations, and you won’t need to lug your gargantuan case to your hotel before you can start exploring
You won’t ever need to use the “oversized baggage area” on the Shinkansen - just put it on the overhead shelf
You can move much quicker with lighter luggage
Hotel rooms are often on the small side - huge luggage quickly fills up that space
Tactile paving + rolling luggage = not fun
While I used to travel here with just a small carry-on size case, these days I’m perfectly happy with either a 23 or 15 litre backpack. Although one-bag travel is great, it’s not for everyone. But these one-bag tips for packing light will certainly go a long way to cutting your luggage down to size, whatever bag or case you bring.
1. Merino wool everything
Merino wool is magical. It absorbs sweat, but won’t smell. I’ll leave the science out, but hang up a merino wool t-shirt after a day in Japan’s sweltering August, and the next morning, it will smell of nothing. Seriously! No washing required, at least until you spill yoghurt on it. And this means merino clothes are handy all year round.
Yes, I thought it sounded disgusting too, not washing shirts after wearing them. Now, almost every item I wear when travelling is merino. It means I rarely need to do washing, and I can travel with just one change of clothes. Socks included!
2. One charging brick for everything
If you’re anything like me, you’re travelling with multiple devices. Instead of bringing multiple charging bricks, just get one for everything, now that many (most?) devices use USB-C. This one goes with me everywhere.
3. Bare minimum toiletries
Even at the guest house/hostel level these days, you’ll commonly find a vast array of toiletries on offer either in your room or at reception. And for everything else, drugstores are almost as ubiquitous as convenience stores - so you can easily just pick up sunscreen (or whatever else you need) when you get here. And if you want to bring your electric toothbrush with you, but not the weight and charging stand, I recommend getting a quip. It’s battery powered, light, and gets the job done better than manual brushes.
Quip Electric Toothbrush
(Get $5 off your first refill with code YC2B4CHT)
4. Souvenirs
If you want to take home some sakura kitkats, Ainu design t-shirts, or shinkansen chopsticks, travelling with small luggage presents a problem. What to do? You could buy a larger case or extra bag to fill with your loot. But, it might just be easier for you to send some gifts home. Post offices are all over the place, and make packing your swag a breeze with boxes and packing supplies readily available. Getting something out of your backpack and knowing it’ll be at home waiting for you is one of the best feelings. To send international packages these days you need to use a special website to prepare your shipping label, which you then print at the post office. Don’t worry - it’s all in English.
JP Post International Shipping Info
JP Post International Shipping Page (only for smartphones)
5. Just leave it behind
You’d be surprised what you actually don’t need. And if it turns out that you do need it, just hop along to the drugstore/Daiso/convenience store. You can also borrow lots of items from your hotel - nail clippers for example. And if you’re too cold, find the nearest Uniqlo or recycle shop and get yourself sorted.
Trip Essentials
Everything you need in one place - get ready and support my work at the same time!
Basics eSIM / Sim Card / Pocket Wifi / VPN / Travel Insurance
Transport JR Pass / Regional Passes / Shinkansen Tickets
Andrew says:
Thanks to all the new subscribers this month and particular thanks to those who’ve pledged. You can support my work by using the links - don’t forget to use the code JPUNRVLD5OFF for 5% off Klook items. But if you just want to buy me a coffee, you can do that over on my Kofi page.
That’s all for this month! See ya!
Andrew
*There are some affiliate links in this email: I will earn a small commission if you buy something, and it costs you nothing. Cheers!
Wonderful photos!