
No, that’s not a screenshot from a Ghibli Film, it’s real life!
While some people in Japan have been enjoying the recent snowfall by creating “invisible people” out of frozen jeans, other parts of Japan have been showing off just how unbelievably beautiful they can look under a fresh blanket of snow.
And we have to say the best in snow so far this year has to be these shots of Ginzan Hot Springs in Japan’s northern Yamagata Prefecture taken by Japanese Twitter user @yossy_photo:
▼ “Title: ‘Snow falling on Ginzan.’ I’m so happy I got my long-awaited pictures of a Ginzan Hot Springs covered in snow.”
https://twitter.com/yossy_photo/status/691595195494715392▼ Why are all these snowflakes getting in my mouth?
Oh right, because my jaw hit the ground.
▼ All that snow looks like it was finely crafted by an artist,
rather than having fallen from the sky.
▼ Are we positive these are snowflakes and not little hot spring fairies zooming around?
▼ For at least one day, Disney World lost its position as the most magical place on Earth.
The word’s still out on whether or not anyone was whisked away by fanciful spirits during this magical scene, but in the meantime, here’s what Japanese net users had to say about this winter wonderland:
“Amazing. It looks like something out of a fairy tale.”
“I want to soak in a nice hot spring with that view.”
“Japan can be pretty great sometimes.”
“A beautiful scene and a skilled photographer came together.”
“Or skilled Photoshopper (I know I’m a terrible person).”
Sure, perhaps the photographer touched up the photos with a little bit of Photoshop. But even then, that’s just part of the artistic process, like putting clay in a kiln or framing a painting, and doesn’t change the beauty of the final pictures
Either way, as with all things cool and magical, we choose to believe.
Source: Twitter/yossy_photo via Hamusoku
Images: Twitter/yossy_photo




Breathtaking photos of one of Japan’s most beautiful hot springs have us ready to brave the snow
Five of Japan’s most unique snow-covered hot spring bathing sites
One of Japan’s most beautiful hot spring towns announces new limits on number of day trippers
Five amazing snow-view open-air Japanese hot springs in Hokkaido [Photos]
Here’s why you should visit Japan’s best winter-night hot spring town on a summer afternoon【Pics】
10 awesome Tokyo cherry blossom festivals and experiences for this year’s sakura season
Nine amazing off-the-beaten-path cherry blossom spots in Japan for yaezakura and shidarezakura
Tokyo government organizes food truck event to clear out delinquent/homeless teen gathering area
Studio Ghibli unveils new Rollbahn notebook in honour of Howl’s Moving Castle
Japanese onsen egg maker from 100-yen store Daiso needs to be on your shopping list
Tokyo Metro adds platform display showing where least crowded parts of the next train will be
Godiva now makes tofu in Japan, and sakura chocolate tofu too![Taste test]
We find the best “homestyle” onigiri at a super local chain of convenience stores
Umamusume food and drinks dash into real world at Family Mart convenience stores[Taste test]
Japan’s top 10 open-air hot spring baths with cherry blossom views【Survey】
Train station platform ramen store closes its doors on half a century of history in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new My Fruit³ Frappuccino at only 34 stores around the country
Cherry blossoms begin blooming in Japan with record-early starts for sakura season
Studio Ghibli adds new Mother’s Day gift sets to its anime collection in Japan
The next time you’re feeling stressed out, you could relax on a Pokémon Psyduck chair from Japan
Virtual idol Hatsune Miku redesigned with look that adds new elements and brings back old ones
When will the cherry blossoms reach full bloom in Japan this year?[Forecast]
7-Eleven Japan’s giant fried chicken skewer would be too big to eat, so it’s really for cuddling
Starbucks Japan unveils new sakura cherry blossom collection for hanami season 2026
Studio Ghibli releases Catbus pullback keychain that runs like the anime character
Nine great places to see spring flowers in Japan, as chosen by travelers (with almost no sakura)
The 10 most annoying things foreign tourists do on Japanese trains, according to locals
Starbucks Japan releases first-ever Hinamatsuri Girls’ Day Frappuccino
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
We deeply regret going into this tunnel on our walk in the mountains of Japan
Studio Ghibli releases Kodama forest spirits from Princess Mononoke to light up your home
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Major Japanese hotel chain says reservations via overseas booking sites may not be valid
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Japan’s top five retro hot springs for a time trip back to the onsen past, as chosen by travelers
Spring snow falls in Tokyo, creating beautiful images of Japanese sakura cherry blossoms
America has hot springs too! Our Japanese reporter puts one to the test
Japan’s second-most-beautiful day-use hot spring might be underrated【Photos】
The biggest “natural” hot spring spa in Tokyo is being built now, but what is its “secret?”
Hot Spring Lovers Rejoice! Three Unique Onsen Resorts to Try Before You Die
Pot-sticker paradise, hot-spring hotel just outside of Tokyo makes for a tasty retreat
This Japanese train station has its very own hot spring bathhouse, right on the platform【Photos】
Six outdoor Japanese hot springs you can visit right now (with Google Street View)
Beautiful new Tokyo hotel gives you the best of both worlds with hot spring bath in the big city
Shimane has a secret hot spring town that feels like stepping into an old Japanese film
Soak yourself in 100% pure hot spring water at home for less than 100 yen!
Hokkaido has an otherworldly giant hot spring that’s easy to miss if you don’t know where it is