Crisp chilly air, clear blue skies − winter in Tokyo is beautiful. Sure, you’d want to soak in an onsen all the time, but you’d be missing out. Mount Fuji is especially stunning this time of the year, the plum blossoms are in full bloom and the city is bejeweled with millions and millions of tiny lights, so bundle up in your warmest clothes and see Tokyo in all its icy splendor.
Revel in the light display
Tokyo’s never a dark desolate place – not even in the depths of winter. In fact, the city transforms into a sparkling winter wonderland as millions of colorful lights are installed to decorate trees, buildings and even landmarks like Tokyo Tower.
Catch Mount Fuji in its full glory
Mount Fuji is indisputably Japan’s national symbol, but it also likes to hide from sight from large chunks of the year – except in winter. The clear skies and the snowcap on the mountain mean that good ol’ Fuji-san is properly visible from various viewpoints in Tokyo and surrounds between November and February.
For the best vistas, get up high. Free option includes the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Observatories and the Bunkyo Civic Center. For that picture, head towards Lake Kawaguchi for the Chureito Pagoda. Otherwise, enjoy more unusual views from Fuji – Q Highland amusement park at the foot of Mount Fuji, or travel to Inamuragasaki in Kamakura to see Mount Fuji from the beach!
Go see the plum blossoms
Plum – or ume – flowers may not be as spectacular as the cherry blossoms, which symbolize the arrival of spring in Japan. Nevertheless, these white and pink beauties have been held in high regard for over a millennium, and are renowned for their pleasant fragrance, which fills the Tokyo air from early February to mid – March. Plum trees can be found all over the Tokyo city, or parks, shrines, and gardens.
Take a dip in an onsen
Rooted in Japanese tradition, public bathhouses or sento are still very much a part of daily life in Tokyo. Many of them offer hot spring baths or onsen, filled with natural volcanic spring water, known for its healing mineral content.
While going for an onsen dip is a wonderfully relaxing experience at any time of the year, it’s in winter that you’ll really learn to appreciate a steamy soal. Several Tokyo sento offer special types of baths said to have even greater warming powers than your average hot spring. Go and try it!
Join in with the winter festivals
Although summer and autumn are when most of Tokyo’s major festivals take place, there’s still more than enough matsuri action going on between December and March. While Setsubun on 3rd February is the most important festival during this time, you’ll find a nice lineup of other, quirkier celebration both in and around the capital.
Article and picture: www.timeout.com
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