Tohoku/Hokkaido in winter

Hi everyone. I'm currently in midst of planning a roughly 3-week trip to Japan in early February. Currently the few things on my list I have are:

5 or so days for the snow festival.

1-2 days visiting shirakawa-go for the lightup events,

1-2 visiting a friend in Inawashiro, Fukushima.


I've been to Japan many times but never in the winter, and is basically looking for any suggestions for stuff in Tohoku/Hokkaido area that I should do in the winter to fill the remaining week and half. I will most likely have a 3-week JR pass, and also renting a car for certain spots. I'm open to anything!

Thanks in advance!

just a quick comment for now, but are you planning on spending all 5 days for the snow festival or do other things as well? Cause you really only need around 2 days max to see everything festival related, and 5 days would be overkill.

Do you ski? If so I'd combine the snow festival with a visit to Niseko or some of Sapporo's ski resorts.

Thanks for the response!

For Sapporo, I figured I'd take about 2-3 days to leisurely do the snow festival stuff, and another 2 days for fooding/shopping and what not, that or maybe use 1 extra day to do a quick side trip to Otaru.

Yes I do plan on hitting at least one of the slopes area, I take you you recommend Niseko? Is there any other ones that you would recommend?

If you are visiting the lovely region of Tohoku during Feb, there are some special winter festivals and events you can consider.

Aizu-Wakamatsu Winter Illustrated Candle Festival, Feb 7-8, 2014
http://www.aizukanko.com/event/83/

Ouchijyuku snow Festival, Feb 8-9, 2013 (monitor webpage for 2014 information)
http://shimogo.jp/event/#oouchijuku_yukimatsuri

Yonezawa Snow Lantern Festival, Feb 9-10, 2013 (monitor webpage for 2014 information)
http://yukidourou.yonezawa.info/

Yokote-no-Kamakura Snow Hut Festival, Feb 14-17, 2013 (monitor webpage for 2014 information)
http://www.yokotekamakura.com/01_event/04_winter/kamakura_time.html

Towada-ko Snow and Light Fantavista, Feb 1-24, 2013 (monitor webpage for 2014 information)
http://www.towadakofuyumonogatari.com/

Another special sight during winter is the Juhyo Snow Monsters in Zao and Feb is said to be the best time for it. If you are into skiing you can ski among them and they are lit up after dark.
http://www.zaoropeway.co.jp/w_season02.html

In Hokkaido, Otaru is having its annual Snow Light Path Festival from Feb 7-16, 2014
http://otaru.yukiakarinomichi.org/
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6706.html

Hakodate holds several winter illumination events. Again you have to monitor the respective webpages for update information next year.
http://www.hakodate-illumination.com/illumination/201105/123.php (Hakodate Illumination)
http://www.hakodate-illumination.com/hikarino-komichi/201301/667.php (Hakodate Candle Night)
http://www.hakodate.to/hoshinoyume/ (Goryokaku Light-up)

Asahikawa is having its own Winter Festival from Feb 6-11, 2014
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6894.html
http://www.city.asahikawa.hokkaido.jp/files/kankou/awf/leaflet/pdf/lea...

I went to Tohoku in Feb and loved it. The highlight was Nyuto Onsen. Use a rotenburo, surrounded by snow. Magical! The snow monsters that William5 mentioned are special too.

sweet, thanks for all the info guys. Looks like I'll have to carefully plan my travels to catch all the different festivals going on!

Couple of onsen stops sounds great too!

For onsen experience in Tohoku, if you are going to Nyuto Onsen aim for Tsurunoyu Onsen.
http://www.tsurunoyu.com/english.html

Another great place is Ginzan Onsen.
http://www.ginzanonsen.jp/

2 more popular onsen destinations in Tohoku are Naruko Onsen and Akiu Onsen
http://en.naruko.gr.jp/ (Naruko)
http://akiusato.jp/index.html (Akiu)

Zao Onsen is another good choice, just that its beautiful public rotenburo is closed during winter months from late Nov to mid April the following year.
http://www.zao-spa.or.jp/cat_spa

If you are after some unique experience for an onsen stay, consider Aoni Onsen. You can't beat its atmospheric surrounding at night when the whole place is lit up with oil lamps with no electricity available.
http://www.yo.rim.or.jp/~aoni/info-yado/info-yado.html

For a spectacular sunset view while dipping in a rotenburo by the shore, go for Furofushi Onsen.
http://www.furofushi.com/english/spa.html

On the other hand for a sunrise view while enjoying onsen, consider a stay in Minami Sanriku Hotel Kanyo which is also popular for its seafood feast.
http://www.mkanyo.jp/