Enjoy the scenery and delicious food that can only be experienced in winter!
9 recommended domestic travel spots for winter girls' trips

Sapporo, Hokkaido | A fantastic snow festival and delicious winter cuisine

The Sapporo Snow Festival is an event that symbolizes winter in Hokkaido.This is Hokkaido's largest winter festival, with giant snow and ice sculptures lined up. During the day, the white snow stands out against the blue sky, and at night, the lights are on, creating a fantastical world. The scenery is so beautiful you'll want to take a photo.

During the Christmas season, the Sapporo White Illumination will be held, and the city center will be enveloped in light. Odori Park and the street in front of the station will be decorated with sparkling lights, and you can enjoy a romantic winter stroll through the city, interwoven with snow and light. In 2025, the event will start on Friday, November 21st.

Gourmet food is also one of the joys of a girls' trip to Sapporo. In the cold season, you can enjoy dishes that will warm you from the inside out, such as piping hot soup curry, rich miso ramen, and Genghis Khan. Seafood bowls made with fresh seafood are also popular, and we recommend taking breaks from your trip to enjoy cafes and sweet treats.

There are many shopping spots and cafes around Sapporo Station, and spending time relaxing while admiring the snowy scenery is one of its charms. It is easily Access, about an hour and a half by plane from Tokyo, and has a well-developed public transportation system, so even those who are worried about driving can visit with peace of mind.

We recommend HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Sapporo Park as your base for your trip. Relax in the natural Hot springs and enjoy cuisine made with Hokkaido ingredients, making this a perfect winter getaway to warm your body and soul.

Otaru, Hokkaido | Snow lights on the canal and a stroll through the retro townscape

Just under an hour by train from Sapporo, the port city of Otaru is illuminated by gas lamps along the canal at night, and combined with the snowy scenery, the town is enveloped in a soft glow. The cobblestone streets and rows of warehouses evoke a nostalgic atmosphere, and just walking around the town has a calming effect that will relax your mind.

The Otaru Snow Light Path is held every year in early February, and countless candles light up the canals and street corners, creating a fantastical world.The path of light created by the snow and lights is a moving sight that can only be seen during this season.

There are plenty of hands-on activities to enjoy on a girls' trip, such as making handmade glass accessories and shopping at the Music Box Museum. It's also wonderful to choose matching accessories as a memento of your trip.

Otaru's cuisine is also one of its charms. You can enjoy fresh seafood at Sushi Street near the canal, and you can find sweets that can only be tasted here at the main branch of LeTAO. The city is compact and has good public transportation, so you can easily stroll around without worrying about driving on snowy roads.

Hotel Sonia Otaru blends seamlessly into the Otaru landscape, boasting a retro exterior and comfortable interior. You can soothe your travel fatigue in the natural Hot springs on the top floor, and enjoy Ezo-mae sushi and grilled dishes at the hotel Restaurant. This is the perfect inn for a winter trip to Otaru, satisfying both body and mind.

Yunishigawa Hot springs, Tochigi | Enjoy the fantastic night view of illuminated miniature snow huts

Yunishigawa Hot springs in Tochigi Prefecture, nestled in the mountains, is enveloped in a fantastical landscape of snow and light in winter.The annual Yunishigawa Hot springs Kamakura Festival is a beautiful event that has been selected as one of Japan's Night View Heritage sites, one of the Kanto region's top three night lights, and one of Tochigi's seven lights.The sight of countless lit up mini igloos looks like tiny stars falling in the snow.

At the venue, lined with old houses with thatched roofs covered in snow, miniature and large snow huts appear to float in a fantastical way. At night, the lights flicker, adding a warmth to the quiet mountain village. Hundreds of lights line the riverbed of the Yunishigawa River and Sawaguchi River, creating the illusion of a starry sky.

At Yunishigawa Hot springs, known as the home of the Heike clan's refugees, you can soak your chilled body in Hot springs and slowly warm up, which will quickly ease the fatigue of your journey. Another attraction at the tourist spot, Yunishigawa Mizu no Sato, is the opportunity to sample local delicacies such as bandai mochi and handmade soba noodles.

We recommend KAMENOI HOTEL NIKKO YUNISHIGAWA ALL-INCLUSIVE RESORT for your stay. You can enjoy robatayaki (robatayaki) cuisine cooked over an open hearth, venison hotpot, and seasonal vegetable dishes to your heart's content. Soaking in an open-air bath while admiring the snowy scenery is an exceptional experience, and you can spend a soothing time surrounded by the tranquility and warmth unique to winter.

Gunma, Kusatsu Hot springs | A relaxing girls' get-together with the illuminated Yubatake hot springs and hot spring baths

When it comes to girls' winter Hot springs trips, Kusatsu Hot springs is a must-visit.The famous Yubatake, where steam rises from the hot springs, is a symbol of Kusatsu, and in the winter when it is covered in snow, it takes on an even more fantastical atmosphere.At night, the baths are lit up in blue, green, and orange colors, creating a romantic night view of flickering steam and lights.

Kusatsu's Hot springs have long been popular as a place for therapeutic bathing, and are known for their various health benefits. It's also known as the birthplace of the outdoor bath hopping tradition, and a unique way to enjoy the Hot springs is to don a yukata and haori and go on a hot spring hopping spree. Spending time with friends, whether it's shooting gallery or playing smartball, or strolling through the retro Hot springs town, will create lasting memories of your trip.

One of the joys of a girls' trip is chatting about beauty while soaking in the hot springs, which are known for their skin-beautifying properties. After enjoying the hot Hot springs and chatting, your heart will feel warm and satisfied.

There's plenty of gourmet food to enjoy while walking around, including Hot springs manju, maitake mushroom tempura, and Kusatsu Hot springs pudding. On cold nights, we recommend chatting around a hot pot at a ryokan inn. It's easily accessible, about a four-hour direct bus Access from Shinjuku, making it easy to visit even without a car.

We recommend staying at Kusatsu Onsen Daitokan. It is one of the closest inns to the Yubatake, where you can enjoy the hot spring waters directly from the source. Enjoying meals made with local ingredients and watching the steam rising from the hot springs will help you relax and unwind.

Akita, Tazawako | A winter girls' trip around the lapis lazuli lake and snow-viewing open-air bath

Tazawako in Akita Prefecture is a mysterious lake that boasts the deepest depths in Japan.With a maximum depth of 423.4 meters, the lake rarely freezes even in winter, and the scenery created by the snow-covered mountains and the clear blue lake surface is like a scene from a fairy tale. The golden Tatsuko statue standing on the lakeside symbolizes this place, along with the legend of Princess Tatsuko, who is said to have turned into a dragon in order to wish for eternal beauty.

The area is dotted with Hot springs, including the famous Nyuto Hot springs. Tsuru-no-yu Hot springs, known for its milky white water, offers an exceptional experience bathing while gazing at the falling snow. Why not enjoy touring the hot springs, savoring their different charms and effects?

If you're on a girls' trip, we recommend soaking in Hot springs while chatting and savoring local cuisine. Kiritanpo hotpot, packed with the delicious flavor of Hinai Jidori chicken, will warm you from the inside out. Sharing local beer and sake is also a unique winter pleasure in Akita.

We recommend the Tazawako Lake Resort & Onsen as your base for your trip. Inside the hotel, lanterns inspired by the Akita Kanto Festival are lined up, making it a popular photo spot. You can enjoy a relaxing time surrounded by abundant nature while soothing yourself in the open-air bath and buffet featuring Akita specialties.

Ishikawa/Kanazawa | Kenrokuen's Snow Hanging and Winter Japanese Sweets Tour

Kanazawa, the castle town of Kaga, which had a million koku of rice, is transformed into a fantastical Japanese landscape in winter, where snow and traditions blend together.At Kenrokuen, one of Japan's three most famous gardens, white snow piles up on the pine branches protected by yukitsuri ropes, creating a beautiful contrast between the white and green that is just like a painting.At night, the area is lit up, allowing you to enjoy a tranquil beauty that is different from that during the day.

We recommend taking a relaxing stroll in the crisp winter air at Higashi Chaya District, where the old townscape remains. If you walk along the cobblestone streets with a Japanese umbrella and a rented kimono, you'll encounter a landscape filled with atmosphere that makes you feel as if time has stopped. Taking a photo with the retro townhouses in the background will make a perfect memory of your trip.

Kanazawa is also a treasure trove of Japanese sweets. Freshly brewed matcha latte, matcha warabi mochi (raw warabi mochi), and soft serve ice cream adorned with gold leaf are just some of the elegant treats available. Warming up after a day of walking around in a traditional machiya cafe while enjoying these delights is a truly special experience. Furthermore, the seasonal winter seafood, such as hairy box crab and winter yellowtail, is also exquisite.

You can get there directly from Tokyo on the Hokuriku Shinkansen, and you can also get around the main spots by bus, so you don't have to worry even if you don't have a car.

If you're looking for a high-quality stay, head to HOTEL MYSTAYS PREMIER Kanazawa. Enjoy spacious Guest rooms and cuisine featuring seafood from the Hokuriku region. Spend a relaxing time here to conclude your trip to Kanazawa.

Nagano, Tateshina | A silvery white resort in the sky, with spectacular views of frost and icefalls

Mishakaike Pond, located at an altitude of around 1,500 meters, is a popular spot with spectacular winter scenery.You can encounter a fantastical sight as frost forms on the leafless trees, sparkling in the morning light. When the cold reaches its peak, the waterfall in Yokoya Valley freezes over, creating a wall of ice over 10 meters high. This natural icefall is a spectacular sight, and is a symbol of Tateshina in winter.

Take the ropeway up to an altitude of about 2,200 meters and enjoy the magnificent view of the sea of clouds and the Yatsugatake mountain range below. If the weather is good, you can even see Mt.Fuji in the distance. After enjoying the snowy mountains, soothe your body and mind at Tateshina Hot springs. Scattered among the hot springs are open-air baths along the mountain streams and hot springs where you can gaze at the starry sky, this famous hot spring is said to be where Takeda Shingen healed his wounds.

Take a break at the roadside station "Venus Line Tateshina Lake" during your trip. They have a great menu for girls' trips, including the local soft serve "Tateshina Ice" and smoothies made with highland vegetables.

TATESHINA LAKE RESORT (formerly Izumigo,Ambient Tateshina), located on the shores of Lake Megami, will reopen on Wednesday, January 21, 2026. It is a hotel where you can enjoy Hot springs and gourmet food in a quiet environment surrounded by lake and forest. In the open-air bath, you can spend a luxurious time soaking in the waters of Tateshina Hot springs in the clear air.

Kyoto | A relaxing girls' trip to snow-covered shrines, temples and traditional townhouse cafes

Winter is actually a hidden gem in the ancient capital of Kyoto.In January and February, when there are fewer tourists, you can leisurely visit famous temples and shrines and enjoy walking around the city in a calm atmosphere.If you're lucky, you might even be able to see the Kinkakuji Temple and Kiyomizudera Temple covered in snow, a spectacular sight that can only be seen in winter. The scenery of the ancient capital, enveloped in clear air, makes for beautiful photographs.

To warm up your chilled body, head to a townhouse-style cafe or sweet shop. Enjoy a matcha latte or freshly made zenzai at a cafe with tatami seating and a kotatsu table, or a shop renovated from a century-old Kyoto townhouse, and you'll feel relaxed and at peace. Kyoto-style Japanese sweets are also visually appealing, making them the perfect memento of your trip.

We also recommend experiencing limited-time events and plans through the "Kyoto Winter Travel" campaign, which allows you to experience Kyoto in the winter. Starting January 9, 2026, a number of valuable cultural assets will be open to the public for a limited time at 15 locations.

It's easily Access from Tokyo, just two and a half hours by Shinkansen. The atmospheric townscape and the tranquility of winter make it the perfect place for a girls' trip.

HOTEL MYSTAYS Kyoto Shijo is recommended for those who want to fully enjoy exploring Kyoto. It is within walking distance of the nearest stations, Karasuma Station on the Hankyu Kyoto Line and Shijo Station on the Kyoto Municipal Subway Karasuma Line, making it convenient for sightseeing at Nishiki Market and Nijo Castle. The breakfast buffet offers local flavors such as Kyoto-style side dishes and handmade tofu.

Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki: A European-style townscape enveloped in fantastic lights

Huis Ten Bosch, a theme park that recreates the streets of the Netherlands, is a popular spot where the entire town is bathed in a glow in winter. The fantastical scenery makes you feel as if you have wandered into a European town.

Among them, the "Kingdom of Light" is a spectacular event where the park is filled with illuminations, including a ferris wheel bathed in dazzling light.You can enjoy the illuminations all year round, but in winter the area becomes even more spectacular with Christmas decorations and seasonal shows.Whether you look down on the cityscape from the illuminated tree-lined avenue along the canal or the illuminated Ferris wheel, there are plenty of photogenic scenes.

At night, a fireworks and music show is held. The colorful lights and sounds create a spectacular performance, making winter nights even more romantic.

There's also a wide variety of gourmet food, and the famous Sasebo burger is perfect for a bite to eat while walking around. We also recommend spending time with grown-up women, enjoying hot chocolate at a Dutch-style cafe, or enjoying cheese and wine.

For those who want to relax in the evening, we recommend Hotel Lorelei. Conveniently located just a one-minute walk from Huis Ten Bosch Station on the JR Omura Line, the natural Hot springs will help you soothe your travel fatigue. The hotel's buffet Restaurant offers exotic Food.

Summary

In winter, towns, scenery, and food are all filled with charms that can only be found in this season. From snow-covered shrines, illuminated cityscapes, steaming Hot springs, and seasonal delicacies, every place has its own unique winter pleasures. Many spots can be reached by public transportation, making it a great way to easily experience something out of the ordinary with friends. Why not take a soul-satisfying winter girls' trip on your next day off?