If you’re searching for unforgettable things to do near Tokyo in winter, the Ashigakubo Icicles Festival is a standout seasonal experience. Located in the Chichibu area of Saitama Prefecture, this winter-only event showcases massive frozen icicle formations created as water flows down the mountainside and freezes in the cold air. The result is a dramatic natural ice display that feels far removed from the energy of central Tokyo. During the day, the icicles create a quiet,

During the colder months, Tokyo takes on a completely different personality after dark. The city transforms into a glowing winter wonderland, with seasonal illuminations lighting up iconic downtown areas such as Ginza, Omotesando, and Tokyo Midtown . Streets lined with trees sparkle with thousands of lights, shop windows feel extra festive, and the crisp winter air makes everything feel sharper and more magical. These winter illuminations have become a seasonal tradition in

While Tokyo itself is rich with winter activities, there are other incredible destinations worth exploring during a winter visit. This 2026 winter season has been quite an eventful one. Starting last autumn with bizarre appearances by wild boars and wild bears coming dangerously close to humans (luckily the bears are in hibernation mode right now so you have nothing to fear!), and we've seen some record snowfall in the northern part of Japan. It's been a bit of a crazy seaso