The panoramic view of the sprawling star-shaped compound in Hakodate City from the adjacent Goryokaku Tower rarely leaves any traveler visiting Hokkaido without awe. Blanketed in pristine white snow in the winter, the surrounding park also provides stunning views of cherry blossoms in spring and autumn foliage in fall.

©Miyagi Prefecture Tourism Promotion Division

During winter nights in central Sendai City of Miyagi prefecture, the beautiful zelkova tree-lined Jozenji-dori Avenue is magically lit up with over 600,000 twinkling decorative lights during the Sendai Pageant of Starlight. Outside of the festive season, Jozenji-dori and the parks along it also constantly playing host to a variety of mini events and festivals.

Tadami Line is one of the most popular scenic spot in Tohoku region in winter. A local train in green and white crossing the Tadami River with the snowy white backdrop looks straight out of an anime! Experience the feeling of travelling in a true country of snow on the Tadami Line in your next Japan winter trip.

©Tochigi Prefecture Tourism & Local Products Association

Oku Nikko Yumoto Onsen is located just further inside the mountains from Kegon Falls and Nikko Toshogu Shrine, two very famous spots in the Nikko area. It also is the first hot spring area to be designated as National Health Onsen Resort in Japan! Its waters are said to be very effective for beautiful and healthy skin.

Outdoor-lovers ventures away from the busy cities are in for a treat every late October to mid-November at Murodo in Toyama prefecture. The clear winter skies here are a canvas for countless dazzling stars, perfect for stargazing the Milky Way. In other seasons, this plateau is a haven for hikers of all experience levels.

©Biwako Visitors Bureau

For couples seeking a romantic, dramatic winter scenery to remember: Avenue of Metasequoias is the perfect spot for you. After a heavy snow day, the 500 or so Metasequoia trees standing along this 2.4km road appear to have pure white “leaves” to form a gorgeous snow tunnel. In autumn, you get to enjoy a fall foliage tunnel instead!

One of Japan’s three great bridges, the Kintaikyo Bridge at the foot of Iwakuni Castle in Yamaguchi prefecture is oftentimes the subject of many Japanese scenery photographs. Its five iconic wooden arches sprinkled with white snow offers a sight just as visually appealing as when it is framed by cherry blossoms in spring.

©Kumamoto Prefectural Tourism Federation

One of Kumamoto prefecture’s most attractive hot springs resorts, Kurokawa Onsen levels up every winter with the appearance of enchanting glowing orbs. Intricate bamboo lanterns (in the shape of delicate round temari and also some decoratively carved cylindrical ones) are strung up by locals in a stunning seasonal event called Yu-Akari Illumination.

Accessible via ropeway, the open air deck at the Mt. Inasa Observatory offers undisturbed views of the Nagasaki City cityscape. The sight of twinkling night lights upon sundown in particular, stretching all the way over to boats decked at the famous Nagasaki Port, earned itself the appropriate nickname of “10-million Dollar View”. Don’t forget your coats!