Japan Winter Guide for Foreigners: Staying Warm and Getting Around (2025)
Winter in Japan catches many foreigners off guard — not because of the cold itself, but because Japanese apartments are often poorly insulated and the heating systems work differently than expected. Knowing what to prepare for makes a huge difference. Here’s how to stay warm and comfortable through the Japanese winter. 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. ...