Top 6 recommended winter spots in Kansai & Kyoto
Winter in Japan
Japan is a small country with a wide range of climates. It is roughly divided into the Sea of Japan side and the Pacific Ocean side.
In winter, the Japan Sea side experiences a lot of rain and snow, and the wind is strong. In contrast, the Pacific side experiences dry, sunny days.
For snowy scenery, head to the Sea of Japan side
On the Japan Sea side, there are many hot spring areas and ski resorts where you can enjoy beautiful snowy scenery, such as Kinosaki Onsen, Kanazawa, and Hakuba.
If you want to enjoy snow, these are the places to go. However, there is a high probability of encountering rain or snow, so they may not be suitable for long-term stays.
If you want to sightsee, head to the Pacific coast
Winter is the best season for tourists in areas on the Pacific coast, such as Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka.
The weather is the most stable during the year, with daytime temperatures reaching 15°C (60°F) even in January. Due to recent climate change, it almost never snows.
More than anything, with overtourism getting worse, the Pacific coast has the fewest tourists in winter, and hotel prices are nearly half of what they are in the peak season.
Recommended winter spots in Kansai
Sea of Japan Side
Kinosaki
A fun town where you can walk around seven hot springs
Kinosaki Onsen is one of the oldest hot springs in Japan, with a history of over 1300 years.
What makes it particularly unique is that it has been designed from the beginning to "make guests walk around." While other Japanese hot springs are surrounded by huge inns, Kinosaki has seven small hot springs scattered around, and there are no hot springs inside the hotels. Inevitably, all guests walk around the town, which has resulted in the formation of lively streets.
Walking in a yukata
It is recommended to walk around in a traditional Japanese yukata, but everyday clothes are also fine. You can have a great experience drinking, eating snacks, playing games, and looking at crafts.
Our Cycling Tour
The 70km from Kinosaki to Ine is the most beautiful and enjoyable cycling route in the Kansai region. Come spring and join us on our tour! You can rent a one-way bike or get a full guide with a support car.
Access to Kinosaki
There are many direct express trains from Kyoto Station, taking around two and a half hours.
Amanohashidate
Japan's Three Great Views
Amanohashidate is said to have been the ladder that the gods used to travel between heaven and earth when they created Japan, and has attracted many believers. It is also a stopover on the Japanese pilgrimage, and for the past 300 years it has been called one of the "Three Most Scenic Views of Japan," along with Miyajima in Hiroshima and Matsushima in Sendai.
Cable Car
The winter scenery is very beautiful, but due to climate change, there has been little snow recently. There is a cable car just a short distance from Amanohashidate Station, so you can easily see it from above.
Our Bike Rental Shop
Our bike rental shop is located in front of Amanohashidate Station, so you can cycle across the sandbar of Amanohashidate. There is a lot of rain and snow in the winter, but on sunny days, please come and ride.
Access to Amanohashidate
There are direct express trains from Kyoto, which takes about two and a half hours.
Ine
A unique and beautiful fishing village
Ine is an old fishing village situated in a miraculous geographical location. Although it is on the Sea of Japan side, there is no wind even in winter, and you can enjoy the impressive group of boathouses lined up for a circumference of 5km.
Bike rental / Tour
I live in Ine, but the weather is often bad in winter, so I don't have many opportunities to cycle. If you contact us the day before or on the day of a sunny day, we may be able to accommodate you.
Access to Ine
There is no train, but it takes an hour by bus from Amanohashidate.
The distance is about 20km, and it's actually faster to get there by bicycle, so from spring to autumn we recommend renting an e-bike at Amanohashidate and riding there.
North Lake Biwa
Top Ski Areas in Kansai
The area around Mt. Ibuki on the north side of Lake Biwa, Japan's largest lake, is a heavy snow area and is also famous as a ski resort. The snowy mountain scenery seen from Lake Biwa is particularly beautiful.
The world's heaviest snowfall, 11m
Mount Ibuki, the symbol of Lake Biwa, recorded 11 meters of snowfall in 1927, and is still the number one mountain in the Guinness World Records. The snow walls that are cleared away are also a sight to behold.
Nagahama, a old town of craftsmen
A recommended town in the northern part of Lake Biwa is Nagahama. When my family and I go skiing at Mt. Ibuki, we often stay in this town and enjoy various experiences.
In the 16th century, this was Asia's largest gun production area, and even today there are many artisans making small things that are uniquely Japanese, such as glass crafts and the dolls inside gachapon machines.
You can also enjoy glass crafts, visiting handicraft shops, and visiting the doll museum. We also recommend the traditional festival memorial hall.
Lake Biwa National Cycle Route
It takes about an hour by train from Kyoto, or two and a half hours from Tokyo by taking the Shinkansen to Maibara Station and then changing to a rapid train.
Japan's largest bicycle-only road runs along Lake Biwa, and many cyclists ride along it.
From Kyoto to Nagahama, the road is flat and runs for 90km along the canal and lake shore, so it's a great way for cyclists to get there.
Access to Nagahama
It takes about an hour by train from Kyoto, or two and a half hours from Tokyo by taking the Shinkansen to Maibara Station and then changing to a rapid train.
Pacific Ocean Side
Kyoto
Kyoto experts visit in winter
Contrary to the pictures you see online, it rarely snows in Kyoto, and climate change is making it warmer.
The weather is the most sunny during the year, with daytime temperatures reaching 15°C (60°F) even in January.
You can avoid the crowds and stay cheaply.
Due to recent overtourism, many people come from Asia from spring to autumn, and it is crowded and not possible to do sightseeing. However, in winter, there are fewer people, so you can enjoy sightseeing in peace and find cheap accommodation.
Cycling in Arashiyama in winter is the best!
Arashiyama is located in the west of Kyoto, and the mountains in winter are a little lonely but beautiful, which further enhances the mysterious atmosphere.
E-Bikes are the best way to explore Kyoto
If you want to enjoy Kyoto, an E-Bike is the best. The true joy of Kyoto is not in the commercial areas near the station, but in the small alleys and bamboo mountains. You can enjoy it with your whole body more than a taxi, it's faster, and you can adventure at your own will.
Even in winter, the temperature is like spring in Europe. You can enjoy the best cycling!
South Lake Biwa
The south side has good weather.
Lake Biwa is the largest lake in Japan, and has a diverse climate. In contrast to the north side, where it snows a lot, the south side is sunny and almost snow-free in winter, making it comfortable even for cycling.
Japan's largest merchant district
During the Sengoku period (100 years of civil war) in the 16th century, Kyoto was completely burned down, and Lake Biwa was the de facto center of Japan until it was westernized. In fact, many of Japan's leading companies, such as Toyota and Itochu, have their roots in Lake Biwa. We recommend traveling around the merchant district along the lake.
4 hours by bicycle from Kyoto
There are many trains, so many people get there by train, but if you want to fully experience the nature and culture of the lake, cycling is also recommended.
The best seasons are spring and autumn, but you can also cycle in winter if the weather is good. Why not rent one of our fantastic bikes and give it a go!