Summer or winter trip?

Hello everyone,

I realize this is a very subjective question, but I have the opportunity to go Japan either this winter (early jan) or next summer (late July/early aug) and need some perspective. I've been in the summer and have enjoyed the festival's but snowy onsens seem magical. If in the same position as me, what would you do and why?

My gut feeling would be if you have visited already in the summer, try coming over in the winter.

A couple of years ago, I took some Ozzie friends skiing in Nozawa and was really struck by how pretty it looked with the snow. I suspect places like Shirakawa-go would also look fantastic in the winter.

Another advantage of coming over in the winter is the skies tend to be much, much clearer and the views of Mt Fuji on a nice winter's day are unbeatable.

The only caveat is that we've had a very warm year and much of Japan may still be snow-free in early January (there seems to be less and less snow every year and coming later and later), in which case the landscape tends to look rather bleak and dreary - but I would have thought that there will be plenty of snow by then in the mountains...

Even though the summer is the peak festival period, there are plenty going on all year round. Here's a pretty good list of festivals in January:
http://www.japanvisitor.com/japanese-festivals/festival-january

Early Jan is a mixed bag. On the plus side are all of the things mentioned above. Also the food will be different (different season), and you wont have the horrific summer heat.

On the minus side is that very early Jan is a frustrating time to travel with the shutdown (should be fine after about 5 Jan); it is cold so you need heaps more clothes which makes for more luggage, inside (including in the transport) it is always scorching hot so all of those clothes make you melt, the days are shorter so you dont get so much in, the trees are barer, if it rains it gets slushy then your shoes are waterlogged and hard to dry (thanks Kanazawa!).

I'd probably try winter anyway

I have experienced the 4 seasons in Japan, each season brings its unique Japan experience. However, my best, most memorable Japan experience would have to be Hokkaido trip in deep winter ( Feb).
In your case, as you have visited Japan in Summer, winter would be a better option, especially if you love onsens. Nothing beats the experience of being in a beautiful rotenburo, watching the beautiful mountain view and being showered by the beautiful snowflakes.
Also, some places are best visited winter time ( e.g., the snow-monkeys of jigokudani; the Shirakawa-go; not to mention all the ski resorts ...)
http://www.snowjapan.com/the-snow-monkeys-of-jigokudani-nagano
http://shirakawa-go.org/english/e_world.html

Sure, winter is cold. But is that not the whole point of going into an onsen. Furthermore, if you STAY in one in the early morning you would be warm for much of the rest of the day. I usually drop by jacket after my second/third day of consecutive onsens.

I always find snowscape to be beautiful and it accentuates the beauty of Japanese architecture. The pure white world brings Kinkakuji's gold to another level. So does it do to Japan's famed red bridges.

but snowy onsens seem magical

If you wish to experience "the magical onsen moment", winter has got to be it, period!

Thank you everyone for your very detailed pros/cons list and resources; Lazy Pious and andy, you have brought up many points about traveling in the winter that I hadn't considered. Slushy shoes are not my jam, but I am grateful for the list of winter festivals. I had no idea there were so many!

Lostintranslation, shinji, and Jh, thank you for confirming my fears about snowy onsen being as amazing I thought. You have strengthened my resolve for soaking away in the snow!

It really is a difficult decision, but I think I will wait for another year to go in the winter time. The strong yen at the moment is my main reason for delaying my trip

Maybe you will be there after/before Sapporo snow fes.
http://www.nature-center.jp/kotan/
https://youtu.be/gxeeiqHQPic
https://youtu.be/hmduLW0hOj8

Exactly strong yen or not is big problem
but now cheap air(LCC) a lot via(fr/to) near countries.
https://www.google.com/flights
https://www.skyscanner.net/
Click map each pref.
http://www.mlit.go.jp/koku/visit_japan/index.html

Snow covered area is not Japan wide.
http://www.jma-net.go.jp/yamagata/kishou_tokusei/sekisetu.gif

Winter activities not only Sky/Snow boards at ski site.
Winter night sky feel space pretty close if urban city living
https://www.rikubetsu.jp/tenmon/
also big city night view will be clear by dry air.
http://find-travel.cdn-dena.com/picture/articlebody/70856

The slushy shoe problem is easy. Just get waterproof boots, be it snow shoes or hiking boots.

And winter is always my favourite time to visit Japan. There are all sorts of things to see and do. Any idea of what areas you'd like to visit?

Thank you NM for the very detailed links! It's not that I can't afford the high yen, but having everything being essentially 20% a little over a year ago to just being dead even is a huge switch. I am still holding out that Abe and the central bank with do some more monetary easing. I really do want to see the snow festival in Sapporo, but I am still a student.

Sal, thank for the boots idea! I really want to visit Sapporo or Mashuuko in the winter. Of course, tsuru no yu would also be on my list. I've always been more drawn to the touhoku/hokkaidou region, so that would probably be where I would head.

Thanks!

Sounds awesome. How long do you think you'd be there for?

I usually try to aim for a three weeks to a month. I take students with me in the summer, so I like to have a little bit of time for myself. Even though I love showing them the country, it is super exhausting!

Oh I see, but
If you are really Japan lover you "may" have a chance :)
https://www.facebook.com/whowantstocometojapangp/posts/543053669219173

This is one of popular Japaese TV program of very interesting foreign Japan big lovers document starts fr their country.
Title is 世界! ニッポン行きたい人応援団 (Sekai! Nippon ikitai-hito ouendan).
https://www.facebook.com/whowantstocometojapangp
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/nipponikitaihito/
http://www.tv-tokyo.co.jp/nipponikitaihito/backnumber/
バックナンバー : backnumber (pull down menu)

So way to go to Japan is not only buying air tickets by myself.

A few more ideas for you:
Zao Onsen snow monsters http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7927.html (aim for the illumination days)
Kakunodate http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e3601.html . Even though only a couple of the samurai houses are open this time of year, they're very impressive.
The Akita Nairiku line http://www.tokyoweekender.com/2014/01/the-akita-nairiku-line-winter-wo...
Aizu-Wakamatsu is interesting and don't miss the sake brewery and museum http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7700.html

As for Hokkaido, I've only been there in summer so I can't speak personally for January, but I highly recommend Noboribetsu Onsen, Hakodate, Asahiyama Zoo, the Hokkaido Historical Village (Sapporo), Asahidake Onsen, Masshuko and Iozan. Oh and Rebun and Rishiri, but there's no way you'd go there in Jan!! This hotel in Noboribetsu Onsen http://www.takimotokan.co.jp/english/ was where we went as day trip onsen users, and it was awesome. I wish we'd stayed overnight. Next time....