Japan Winter Guide for Foreigners: Staying Warm and Getting Around (2025)
Japan’s winter runs December through February. The experience varies dramatically by region — Tokyo has mild but dry winters, while Niigata and Hokkaido receive world-class snowfall. Winter by Region Region Winter Climate Snowfall Okinawa 15–20°C, rarely below 10°C None Tokyo / Kanto 2–12°C, dry cold Light (occasional) Osaka / Kansai 3–12°C Light Nagano -5 to 5°C Heavy Niigata / Sea of Japan coast -2 to 8°C Very heavy Hokkaido -15 to 2°C Extreme Heating Your Apartment Japanese apartments are notoriously poorly insulated. Single-pane windows and thin walls make winters tough. ...