Japan in Winter: Snow, Silence, and Seeing It Together for the First Time
This winter, I finally got to experience Japan the way I’ve always dreamed of photographing it—wrapped in snow, quiet, dramatic, and endlessly beautiful. What made this trip truly special, though, was sharing it with my beautiful fiancé, Nam Fon, who had never seen snow before in her life.
From neon city streets to frozen wetlands, this journey felt like several trips rolled into one, each with its own rhythm and mood.
Tokyo: Three Days of Contrast
We began with three days in Tokyo, easing ourselves into Japan while balancing photography with exploration. Tokyo is a city of contrasts—modern chaos and calm tradition living side by side—and while winter softens the edges, it never dulls the energy. Even here, the colder air gave the city a different feel, cleaner light, and a quieter pace in the mornings.
Tokyo was the perfect starting point, but the real winter magic was still ahead.
Mount Fuji & Matsumoto Castle: Reflections and Stillness
From Tokyo, we headed to the Mount Fuji area for two nights. Snow began to shape the landscape more dramatically here, adding layers of depth and simplicity that every photographer loves.
On our final day, we drove north to Matsumoto Castle, and it turned out to be one of the most visually rewarding stops of the entire trip. The castle, framed by winter light and reflected perfectly in the moat surrounding it, was almost unreal. Calm water, crisp air, and just enough snow—it was one of those moments where you barely touch the camera settings because everything already feels right.
Hokkaido: Cold, Commitment, and Chasing Light
The highlight of the trip—without question—was Hokkaido. We based ourselves across Asahikawa, Sapporo, and Kushiro, chasing landscapes, light, and winter wildlife.
One of our most ambitious mornings started at 3am in Kushiro, heading out to the Otowa Bridge viewpoint to photograph the Red-Crowned Cranes. It was –23°C, still dark, and brutally cold. We stood on that bridge for two hours, waiting for sunrise… and the cranes never showed.
No birds. No photos.
And yet, somehow, it was still worth it. The silence, the frozen river, the slow arrival of light—sometimes photography gives you images, and sometimes it gives you experiences you don’t forget.
Asahikawa: Where Everything Came Together
Without a doubt, Asahikawa and the surrounding areas were the most rewarding part of the entire trip. After fresh overnight snowfall, the landscapes were simply breathtaking. Every 50 metres felt like another composition waiting to happen—snow-covered trees, winding roads, soft morning light, and untouched scenes that felt almost unreal.
Early mornings were pure magic. I came away with around 50 landscape images that I’m genuinely proud of—some of my strongest winter work to date.
More Than Just a Photography Trip
This trip wasn’t just about locations or images. It was about patience, cold fingers, early alarms, missed shots, unexpected highlights, and seeing familiar places through someone else’s eyes for the first time.
Below, you’ll find a selection of my favourite images from the journey—landscapes from Hokkaido, reflections from Matsumoto, and a few unforgettable moments with Nam Fon in the snow.
Japan in winter gave us everything: silence, drama, challenge, and beauty. I already know this won’t be the last time we return.
And then there was Nam Fon.
Despite temperatures hovering around –21°C, she somehow agreed to step into the snow wearing a little red bikini—a bold splash of colour against endless white. Watching someone experience snow for the very first time and then immediately embrace it with that much courage (and trust!) was incredible. Brave doesn’t even begin to cover it.
