
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】
Japan’s most popular curry rice restaurant chain, Coco Ichibanya, might be for sale
Tamagotchi evolves into a ring for its 30th anniversary, preorders now open
Family Mart releases Famima convenience store products nationwide, but which ones are worth buying?
One Piece Day 2026 brings new art, music, and new cast announcements
A real-world Pokémon Poké Ball hotel is opening in Japan at a still-secret location [Video]
Finally! Japan’s big three convenience store chains announce rice ball price reductions
Solo travel in Japan: Hidden beer garden in Tokyo is a haven for single visitors
Studio Ghibli unveils new anime calendars and diary planners for 2027
Hobonichi unveils new 2027 planners, diaries and stationery with One Piece, Suica Penguin, Hello Kitty and a must-buy Mini Techo
Beautiful 785-step Japanese shrine sando stairway walk is one very good reason to visit Kagawa
Japan’s final Penguin Suica train cards have already shipped, and when they’re gone, they’re gone
Japan approves foreign resident visa renewal fee increases of up to 967 percent, starts soon
Japan tripled its departure tax to fund tourism but is using the money on cherry blossoms and bears
Farewell Final Ceremony announced for Tokyo’s life-size Gundam statue, will stream live
Family Mart releases new Human Made Cup Noodle in Japan, with freebies for Nigo fans
Hikaru Utada sings new song in Shinkansen commercial for Japan’s Supreme Class cabins
Nike x One Piece collection brings Devil Fruits to sneakers and streetwear in Japan
12-year-old British girl who went missing in Tokyo found safe after visiting anime sites around Yokohama
7-year-old boy left behind on Mt. Fuji by his own dad
Sushi Bus: Japan’s first conveyor-belt bus lets you eat sushi while sightseeing around Tokyo
Pokémon Center Online designates first Pokémon items that will require Japanese ID card to buy
Japanese toilet aims to attract foreign tourists but not everybody is happy about it
New Japanese vending machine at Shinkansen station sells cups of ice on platform
Study finds hundreds of people in Indonesia legally named after Naruto, Inuyasha, other anime stars
Japan announces sudden 400-percent increase in visa fees for foreigners entering the country
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Studio Ghibli has a new anime out, and there’s only one place in the world where you can see it
Starbucks Japan releases new drinkware and goods for Valentine’s Day
Starbucks Japan releases new sakura goods and drinkware for cherry blossom season 2026
Japan’s newest Shinkansen has no seats…or passengers [Video]
Tokyo subway installing new ticket gates that don’t accept payment through Suica or other IC cards
Japanese ninja certification exam attracts 131 candidates from Japan and abroad
Salomon releases Japan-exclusive Mt. Fuji hiking gear that doubles as an amazing souvenir
Put sesame oil in your coffee? Japanese maker says it’s the best way to start your day【Taste test】
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
Japan’s second-most-beautiful day-use hot spring might be underrated【Photos】
America has hot springs too! Our Japanese reporter puts one to the test
The biggest “natural” hot spring spa in Tokyo is being built now, but what is its “secret?”
Freezing temperatures in Japan turn inn’s hot spring water to ice
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
Solaniwa Onsen: Kansai’s largest hot spring theme park is also one of its most beautiful