Visiting Japan during the winter can be a stunning experience. Mount Fuji is capped in snow and the temples and shrines can be beautifully lit up for a magical atmosphere.

But it’s important to be prepared for this season as hotels, intercity trains and transport are extremely crowded. Read on to discover our top tips for your visit to the Land of the Rising Sun!

Tokyo

A city of skyscrapers and tucked away alleys, Tokyo is an excitingly vibrant metropolis. One of the most densely populated cities on Earth, Tokyo’s space is often at a premium. To save on room, Japanese invented the capsule hotel: futuristic-looking rooms crammed down to their essentials.

One of the most popular things to do in Tokyo is explore the narrow alleyways of Golden Gai, a lively street with small restaurants and bars. It’s an enchanting place to grab a bite and mingle with locals, but be sure to leave enough time to take a break and sip matcha tea on traditional tatami mats at a teahouse.

It’s not surprising that Tokyo has a whole host of quirky cultural institutions. Take the time to wander around the Murakami Library, a literary-haven that is home to the collected works of world-famous author Haruki Murakami. You can leaf through the little-known and legendary texts, listen to his hand-picked jazz records and drink a cup of coffee in the student-run cafe at his alma mater – all for free.

Other must-sees include the 13th century Great Buddha in Kamakura, the eponymous park’s ponds (particularly gorgeous during cherry blossom season and autumn leaves), and the soaring Shinjuku Tower. A half-day trip to the cliff-top Tsurugaoka Hachimangu temple is also worth considering.

For those with more energy, renting a bike is an ideal way to see Tokyo. Try out the cycle ways around Shimokitazawa, Asakusa and the Imperial Palace.

In a country that almost defines itself by egalitarianism, an anguished debate has gathered pace this year over the rising income gap between Japan’s haves and have-nots. Arch-conservatives and left-wingers alike blame globalisation for clobbering unskilled workers, as well as structural reforms that have lowered worker protections and deregulated labour markets.

Kyoto

Kyoto is a mesmerizing city filled with traditional Japanese culture. It draws millions of visitors each year looking for a respite from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo to explore the city’s temples, shrines and bamboo groves. Staying in a traditional ryokan and experiencing an authentic onsen is also a must-do.

But there’s much more to Kyoto than just its cultural sites. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains, lakes and forests where it’s possible to hike to scenic views of the city. A popular activity is to hike up to the top of Mt Hiei where expansive views over Lake Biwa are breathtaking, especially in autumn when the surrounding forest turns a rainbow of warm hues.

One of the best times to see the stunning scenery around Kyoto is at sunrise or sunset. It is widely believed that watching a sunrise or sunset can help you develop a greater sense of gratitude for the Earth and it’s certainly a lovely way to end the day.

Another popular activity is to take a bus up to Goryokaku Tower in the heart of Kyoto. This fortress tower offers a spectacular view of the city and the lake and is an ideal spot to photograph Kyoto from a different perspective.

As well as offering a bird’s eye view over the city, the observatory deck is open all year round. You can even visit on a snowy day as the star-like shape of the fortress and its reflection in the snow make for an amazing image.

In July the streets of Kyoto come alive for one of Japan’s most famous festivals, Gion Matsuri. Large wooden floats called Yamaboko roll through the centre of the city drawing huge crowds of people to watch and cheer on the spectacle.

The best time to visit Kyoto is during the spring and autumn when temperatures are warm but not too hot and the skies are often blue. The summer can be quite humid and winter brings the occasional light snowfall. It is important to note though that late March to early May coincides with several consecutive public holidays, a period known as the Golden Week when tourists are joined by locals and the city becomes super-crowded.

Osaka

Osaka is a vibrant city with a unique culture that takes time to unravel. Its outgoing people, local peculiarities and festivals, and flavourful street food make it a great destination for visitors with varied interests.

A great way to experience Osaka at night is with a bar-hopping and tasting tour in the izakaya district. This includes Hozenji Yokocho Alley, an old-fashioned drinking alley near Dotonbori, and many others that offer a range of cuisines. You can also take a look at Osaka’s skyline from the Abeno Harukas Tower Ferris wheel (F Ykai Fsut). Colored lights on the wheel help to predict the weather, and there are even restaurants on top!

Another popular activity is to visit one of the city’s museums, such as the Osaka Museum of Contemporary Art (saka Kansai Gakuin – MoCA), which offers exhibitions that span from celebrated international artists to pop culture. You can also take a trip to the national Abeno Harukas museum, where a variety of art and cultural exhibitions are held.

The thriving shopping districts of Namba and Umeda are also worth a visit. Namba is home to the main train station, while Umeda is a more modern area that features several impressive department stores. Both are a great place to shop for anything you can imagine. Alternatively, you can check out Den-den town in the south of Osaka, which is like Tokyo’s Akihabara, only much bigger. This is the hub of all things geeky, and you can find electronics, Anime goodies, Arcades with Gashapon machines, comic book stores and more here.

For sports fans, Osaka is a great city for watching professional baseball with the Hanshin Tigers and basketball with the Osaka Evessa in the B-League. For a more traditional sport experience, you can also see the Kintetsu Liners play rugby union in the Top League.

If you are looking for something different, why not try cosplay go-karting? This is one of the coolest experiences you can have in Osaka, and you get to dress up as your favourite video game or anime character before zipping around the streets. You can book this through Klook and the prices are very affordable.

Nara

The first permanent capital of Japan was Nara, and it’s no surprise that this historic city is brimming with reminders of its Buddhist past. In fact, it boasts 8 temples and shrines and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This Nara day trip itinerary will show you the highlights and give you plenty of time to admire them all.

The best way to explore is on foot. The city centre is easy to navigate, and the streets follow a grid pattern from the eighth century. There are plenty of places to stop for a break and enjoy the local food and drink.

As you walk around, look out for the deer! These friendly and obedient creatures are one of the city’s most famous residents, and they’re found everywhere. The most popular spot for deer-spotting is at Kofukuji Temple, where you’ll find them lining up to receive treats from visitors. Then head to Todai-ji, a grand temple that houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha. It takes a few moments to adjust to the sheer size of this monument, but it’s an unforgettable sight.

If you want to learn more about Buddhism in ancient Japan, there are a couple of other must-visit temples in the area. You’ll find the exquisite Fushimi Inari Shrine and Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, but if you want to see more of the countryside, head to Horyu-ji, which is a little further away from downtown Nara. This temple is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site and was the first place that Buddhism was introduced to Japan.

After your tour of the temples, you’ll need a rest! Take a stroll to either Isuien Garden or Yoshikien Garden, which are both free for international tourists. After you’ve had your fill of gardens, double back into Nara Park, the main home of the city’s devious deer. There are hundreds of them here, and they’re incredibly used to visitors! They’ll happily pose for pictures, and if you’re lucky, you might even get to feed one of them.

By this point, you’ll have worked up an appetite! For the best restaurant in Nara, head to Nino, which has an amazing rating on TripAdvisor and serves up some of the finest Japanese cuisine in the country.