Japan is a country of four distinct seasons, with each bringing decidedly different weather.

Japan is in the northern hemisphere - so colder in the north, warmer in the south - with the same general seasons as Europe and North America.

The Sea of Japan coast and side of the central mountains gets deeper snow and is less hospitable in winter; the Pacific coast side receives less snow and milder temperatures in winter - one of the reasons that most of the bigger cities and advanced transport links are on the Pacific side of the central mountains.

Snow sports enthusiasts will want to turn up in winter (fuyu) when deep, dry powder falls in abundance, especially in Hokkaidō and in the central mountains. Shōgatsu is New Year and Japan’s most important holiday period, when many travel to celebrate with family.