Snowscapes of Japan

Located at 44 degrees north latitude, this part of Hokkaido is the southernmost point where the sea freezes and is the only place in Japan where you can observe drift ice. Activities such as sightseeing cruise, walking on drift ice or floating among the ice is available with local tour companies.

Some of the older thatched-roof houses in this World Heritage village is said to be around 300 years old. The roofs are re-thatched every 30 to 40 years. Night time illumination is held on weekends during January and February.

The small and quiet village of Oshino is located just a little northeast of Mt. Fuji and is a highland basin surrounded by mountains. The spring water from Mt. Fuji is especially famous for its quality, and also for it deep blue green color at the village wells.

The cliff of pyroxene andesite columnar joint is 25 meters high and 1 kilometer long, and is one of the only three places in the world where similar geography can be found.

Nagamachi area in Kanazawa City used to be a residential area for the samurai families, and the mud walls, stone pavement and architecture from centuries ago still remain. Straw sheets cover the walls during the winter to protect them from snow and ice.

Hossawa Waterfall located in the mountains of western Tokyo is one of the very few places in Tokyo where you can see an icefall (only if you’re lucky). The waterfall is 60 meters high.