Dubbed by locals as the ‘deep freeze,’ Kyoto in winter is known for its bitter cold. While recent years have been mild, the winter air is dry and harsh, making it easy to catch a cold if you don’t dress appropriately.

Despite this unpleasantness, Kyoto’s unmatched collection of historical temples, ancient alleyways, and beautiful parks triple in beauty with a sprinkling of mid-winter snow! If you’re planning to spend time in Kyoto over winter, don’t start packing until you’ve read this guide!

Stark red torii gates contrast magnificently from the pure whiteness of fallen snow, transforming the land into a photographer’s paradise! Indeed, taking in Osaka’s glorious winter scenery is the best way to warm your heart against the bone-chilling Kansai cold.

If you're on the hunt for wintery sights like these, look no further! Here are 10 winter spots in Kansai you don't want to miss - if you can bear the chill!

Mount Miune, located in the southeastern part of Nara Prefecture’s Mitsue-mura, is home to spectacular “muhyo” rime ice created by water vapor freezing on the branches of trees. Along with the surreal rime ice itself, the much-anticipated Rime Ice Festival organized by the Mitsue Tourism Association is Nara’s unmissable winter highlight! Taking place at the Mitsue Youth Travel Village, the event is a fun-filled carnival of fascinating demonstrations and soul-warming food.

Uncover this and other snowy secrets with LIVE JAPAN’s Nara winter guide here.

After a nippy day of winter sightseeing, nothing soothes cold bodies more than a steaming hot bowl of ramen! Brimming with salt and calories to replenish the energy you burned trying to stay warm, ramen will patch you up to fight another day!

Of course, under these harsh conditions, a regular-sized bowl of ramen simply won’t do. Winter travelers deserve their ramen mega-sized, and this legendary Osaka ramen joint offers just that! With thick pork slices, handfuls of vegetables, and a heap of garlic, these colossal bowls are like an edible Mt. Fuji!

Once you’ve nourished yourself with ramen, the next step in the healing process is a soak in the hot springs! Warming your entire body right to the bones, the unforgiving cold of Kansai’s winter will become nothing but a distant memory.

We've selected 4 of the finest onsen in Kyoto and Nara to soak while enjoying the stunning scenery. Find out more about these perfect places to rest and relax below!

Don’t let the cold put you off! Travelling Japan during winter is an absolute joy! And the western Kansai region exemplifies Japan’s winter charm perfectly! All the sights you know and love are transformed by snow and ice, allowing you to discover their charm all over again! But don’t go unprepared - winter is a beast preying on those who underestimate it. Find out what to bring and how to stay warm and healthy with our Kansai winter guides here!