Explore the Kanto Region With the JR Tokyo Wide Pass—Winter Itinerary

Enjoy traveling in the winter with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass

Experience stunning snowy scenery and relaxing hot springs while traveling with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, which is valid beyond Tokyo all the way to Niigata Prefecture, where you can enjoy all kinds of winter sports.

Warm up in a rejuvenating hot spring bath, with open-air baths highly recommended for an up-close view of the snowy scenery. After a relaxing soak, there's nothing better than indulging in a hearty meal. Winter in Japan is synonymous with nabe (hot pot,) a delicious dish filled with meat and vegetables.

Day 1: Explore Tokyo's winter illuminations and Christmas markets

On your first day, immerse yourself in Tokyo’s festive spirit with highlights like enchanting illuminations and traditional Christmas markets. Featuring large Christmas trees and charming wooden huts, these markets—originally from Germany—fill the city with holiday cheer, offering hot wine, delightful Christmas goods, and a vibrant atmosphere.

Don’t miss the fantastic illuminations featuring hundreds of thousands of LED lights, creating a truly enchanting experience. If shopping is on your agenda, take advantage of New Year's sales. Many stores hold special sales campaigns starting on New Year's Day, offering significant discounts.

Below, you’ll find three locations to enjoy these three seasonal events in Japan’s capital.

Tokyo Christmas Market

The Tokyo Christmas Market at Jingu Gaien will boast an impressive 61 stalls, including over 30 restaurants and more than 20 shops offering Christmas ornaments and souvenirs. The centerpiece is a stunning 14-meter-tall Christmas Pyramid, imported from the quaint German town of Seiffen.

Be sure to catch the daily live performances featuring German bands, Japanese gospel groups, opera singers, and other exciting shows.

Tokyo Christmas Market
Address: 2-3 Kasumigaoka-machi, Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo
Access: 10-min walk from Gaien-mae Station (Tokyo Metro Ginza, Hanzomon lines) and Aoyama Itchome Station (Tokyo Metro Hanzomon, Oedo lines;) 5-min walk from Shinano-machi Station (JR Chuo, Sobu lines) and Kokuritsu Kyogijo Station (Toei Oedo Line)
Official website: https://tokyochristmas.net/ (in Japanese only)

New Year's Sales

Winter is bargain season at department stores in Japan. If you're heading to Harajuku, Ikebukuro, or Shibuya—easily accessible with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass—you'll find plenty of great deals. Omotesando Hills near Harajuku Station and the Seibu Ikebukuro Main Store are top spots to check out during the first week of January.

Christmas Illuminations

In Japan, winter nights come alive with stunning illuminations that transform the season into something magical. One standout example is Shibuya Blue Cave, where 600,000 blue LEDs light up an 800-meter stretch of zelkova trees from Shibuya Park to Yoyogi Park. This mesmerizing display creates a breathtaking, otherworldly atmosphere.

Another must-see is the illumination event at Yebisu Garden Place. Here, you’ll find a massive Baccarat chandelier—a five-meter masterpiece crafted from 8,500 crystal pieces—adding an air of elegance to the festivities. Both locations promise unforgettable sights for your winter adventures.

Day 2: Go skiing at Gala-Yuzawa Snow Resort

After experiencing the vibrant energy of Tokyo on the first day, head to Niigata Prefecture on the second day to visit the Gala-Yuzawa Snow Resort. The journey from Tokyo Station to Gala-Yuzawa Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen takes just 75 minutes. With the JR Tokyo Wide Pass, this area is easily accessible, making a round trip on the shinkansen both convenient and hassle-free.

After hitting the slopes, relax in the hot spring conveniently located within the station. Take your time to unwind before boarding the bullet train back, making it a perfect day trip.

Snow Resort access made easy with direct connection from Gala-Yuzawa Station

At Gala-Yuzawa Station, you can head straight to the Cowabunga Ski Center without even leaving the station building. At the gondola’s summit station, you’ll find Cheers, a rest house with a childcare center for kids aged 2-6, and a spacious food court, Pal Pal, which can seat about 720 people. This makes it a comfortable and family-friendly environment, perfect for those with young children.

The resort boasts 16 ski runs , with the longest stretching 2,500 meters. For kids, there’s a Snow Play Park with two dedicated areas for sledding and free play. The sledding area includes a roofed snow escalator that resembles a tunnel, allowing for fun even on snowy days.

For thrill-seekers, there’s a kicker for jumps and a jib area designed for freestyle tricks with obstacles, giving snowboarders a skatepark-like experience. Whether you're visiting with kids or looking for some adventure, Gala-Yuzawa Snow Resort has something for everyone.

Gala Yuzawa Snow Resort
Address: 1039-2 Kayabira, Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minami Uonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Access: Direct access from Gala-Yuzawa Station
Official website: https://gala.co.jp/en/winter/

Warm up in the hot springs of Spa Gala no Yu

At Gala-Yuzawa Station, you'll find Spa Gala no Yu. Along with its soothing onsen (hot spring baths,) it also features a fitness pool and a kids' pool (swimwear required,) making it the perfect spot to relax and warm up while waiting for the shinkansen to your next destination.

The pool area features glass walls, providing breathtaking views of the snowy landscape. You can also relax in the outdoor jacuzzi, ideal for soothing tired muscles. For extra comfort, there's a free rest area where you can unwind after your bath.

Day 3: Enjoy hot springs and local food in Echigo Yuzawa Onsen

While Gala-Yuzawa Snow Resort is an ideal spot for a day trip, Echigo Yuzawa Onsen offers the perfect overnight getaway. You can enjoy a combination of skiing and relaxing at charming inns, where soothing hot spring baths and delicious local cuisine await.

Waking up at the inn, you'll be greeted by a stunning view of snow-covered mountains and a picturesque town blanketed in white. The peaceful, nature-filled landscape is incredibly calming. Let’s take a look at some must-see spots in Yuzawa to make your stay unforgettable.

Yuzawa Museum of History and Folklore "Yukiguni-kan"

Yuzawa gained nationwide fame as the setting of Nobel Prize-winning author Yasunari Kawabata’s novel Snow Country (Yukiguni, 1948.) A seven-minute walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station, the Yuzawa Museum of History and Folklore "Yukiguni-kan," offers a glimpse into the world of this literary masterpiece.

The museum recreates the atmosphere of Snow Country and features Kawabata’s handwritten version of the novel’s iconic opening line: "The train came out of the long tunnel into the snow country. The earth lay white under the night sky."

You can also admire Japanese paintings inspired by scenes from the novel, including works by Order of Cultural Merit recipients Tatsuo Takayama and Chusaku Oyama. Additionally, the museum offers a glimpse into the region's traditional lifestyle, with displays of an old house featuring a hearth, as well as farming tools and folk implements that reflect the resourcefulness and seasonal adaptations of the area's ancestors. This experience offers both literary and cultural insights into Yuzawa's rich heritage.

Yuzawa Museum of History and Folklore "Yukiguni-kan"
Address: 354-1 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minami Uonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Access: 7-min walk from Echigo-Yuzawa Station (West Exit)
Official website: http://www.e-yuzawa.gr.jp/yukigunikan/ (in Japanese only)

Strawberry Picking

Yuzawa is known for its strawberry production, and at places like Yukiguni Agripark Yuzawa Ichigo-mura, you can pick your own bright red, and sweet strawberries.

The strawberries grown here are a local Niigata variety called Echigohime. Due to the area's unique climate, these strawberries take about two months to ripen, allowing them to store plenty of nutrients. As a result, they’re larger, sweeter, and less acidic than those that ripen more quickly.

Since the strawberries are grown in a vinyl greenhouse, you can enjoy this delightful experience no matter the weather.

Yukiguni Agripark Yuzawa Ichigo-mura
Address: 750-1 Kandatsu, Yuzawa-machi, Minami Uonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Access: 20-min walk from Echigo Yuzawa Station
Official website: http://www.yuzawajyuki.co.jp/ichigo (in Japanese only)

Onsen Hopping

For hot spring fans, a tour of Echigo Yuzawa’s hot spring area is a must. One notable spot is Komako no Yu, a public bath named after Komako, the heroine of Yasunari Kawabata’s novel Snow Country. The bath can accommodate up to 15 people and it features partitioned washrooms. The spring water here is of the sodium-calcium chloride variety.

Another great option is Ishiuchi Yungparunas, a natural hot spring resort. It offers a variety of relaxing facilities, including a large natural hot spring bath, a salt sauna, a medicinal herb bath, and an open-air rock bath. The indoor bath is particularly spacious and comfortable. Among these, the salt sauna is especially popular among female bathers.

Take a soothing soak in these hot springs to refresh both your body and mind.

Komako no Yu
Address: 148 Yuzawa, Yuzawa-machi, Minami Uonuma-gun, Niigata Prefecture
Access: 20-min walk from Echigo Yuzawa Station
Official website: https://sp.yuzawaonsen.com/?page_id=160 (in Japanese only)

Ishiuchi Yungparunas
Address: 946 Ishiuchi Jitodo, Minami Uonuma-shi, Niigata Prefecture
Access: 10-min drive from JR Echigo Yuzawa Station (East Exit;) shuttle service available
Official website: www.yungparunas.com/

Discover Tokyo and regional destinations with the JR Tokyo Wide Pass

The JR Tokyo Wide Pass offers affordable travel not just within Tokyo but also to regions like Niigata. During the winter season, you can enjoy picturesque snowy landscapes, exciting activities, and seasonal delicacies.

*The information in this article, such as prices and business hours, was accurate at the time of publication but is subject to change. Please refer to the official website(s) for the latest information.