Traditional features with modern luxuries, including an outdoor sauna and rotenburo bath, provide you with a truly unforgettable stay.
minshuku
Immerse yourself in the way of the shadow warrior by staying the night in this 100-year-old building.
I spent two winter seasons working in the hospital emergency room (as a translator) in Niseko, a popular Hokkaido snow holiday destination for foreigners. While we had our share of broken bones from ski and boarding accidents, what impressed upon me most was the number of people who get ill while on vacation. There were just as many sudden illnesses as snow-related accidents–everything from gastrointestinal disorders to ear infections and first-time asthma attacks which too many times put people in the emergency room.
The good news is that most of these illnesses can be avoided, but different cultures pose different health risks and knowing what to watch out for beforehand can be tricky, if not impossible. In this article, I’ll share some tips on how to stay healthy while traveling in Japan in wintertime, based on my experience working with hundreds of foreigners who ended up in hospital on their vacations.
By following some simple (but not necessarily so obvious) rules, we aim to keep our snow-loving Rocketeers out of Japan’s hospitals and flying down the slopes in all their glory instead!


Japanese avoiding domestic travel as foreign tourists increase, possibly creating vicious cycle
Nintendo’s Kirby now delivering orders at Kura Sushi restaurants, but not in Japan
TikTok releases its Year in Music 2025 – Japan’s Top 10 Songs ranking
More Shinkansen trains being added to Japan’s “golden route” to meet traveler demand
We tried making traditional Japanese sweets at home then had some fun with the leftovers
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
U.S.A. now the fastest-growing market for Japan’s high-tech toilets, now selling quicker than ever
Tokyo tortilla restaurant is worth visiting whether you love or hate traditional Mexican cuisine
Kyoto sightseeing tour: The most amazing old bathhouses in the city
Osaka teen arrested for hacking into Internet cafe’s app to steal data, was helped by Chat-GPT
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Tokyo event lets you travel back in time, for free, to celebrate 100 years since Showa era start
Sanrio theme park in Japan announces plans to expand into a Sanrio resort
This hot springs town in Japan sets fire across a mountain every winter in a beautiful tradition
Gundam and Reebok team up for new GQuuuuuuX Pumps【Photos】
Japanese man who didn’t know how banks work defrauded out of 21 million yen
Japanese woman sues man for 1.5 million yen for violating her “right to chastity”
Studio Ghibli mixes with sporty street styles of New Era to put No Face on your head in cap series
Stamina-destroying “Paralysis Noodles” are Tokyo’s newest over-the-top ramen innovation
Japan’s human washing machines will go on sale to general public, demos to be held in Tokyo
Starbucks Japan unveils new Christmas goods and a rhinestone tumbler that costs 19,500 yen
Real-world Nausicaa Ghibli anime glider completes its final flight in Japan【Video】
Japanese train company is letting fans buy its actual ticket gates for their homes
Is China’s don’t-go-to-Japan warning affecting tourist crowds in Tokyo’s Asakusa neighborhood?
The 10 best day trips from downtown Tokyo【Survey】
A guide to visiting Sagamiko Illumination, one of the three biggest light-ups in Kanto
Survey asks foreign tourists what bothered them in Japan, more than half gave same answer
Japan’s deadliest food claims more victims, but why do people keep eating it for New Year’s?
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
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】
The top 10 annoying foreign tourist behaviors on trains, as chosen by Japanese people【Survey】
No more using real katana for tourism activities, Japan’s National Police Agency says
Starbucks Japan reveals new sakura drinkware collection, inspired by evening cherry blossoms
Japan’s first hotel with a human washing machine is now ready for you to come and bathe in it
U.S.A. now the fastest-growing market for Japan’s high-tech toilets, now selling quicker than ever
Tokyo tortilla restaurant is worth visiting whether you love or hate traditional Mexican cuisine
Kyoto sightseeing tour: The most amazing old bathhouses in the city
Osaka teen arrested for hacking into Internet cafe’s app to steal data, was helped by Chat-GPT
Exhibit featuring cutting-edge smell technology held at Tokyo Skytree
7-Eleven Japan now sells…matcha burritos?!?
W.T.F. Japan: Top 5 kanji with ironic meanings【Weird Top Five】
River in Japan’s Nara Prefecture suddenly turns fluorescent green【Videos】
Tokyo considering law requiring more trash cans following litter increase in heavily touristed area
Kimono snowboarder captivates Internet with awesome Coming of Age Day video【Video】
Evangelion original anime studio Gainax is now completely dissolved, Eva’s creator mourns ruined friendships
This is NOT a capsule toy here – Testing out Japan’s fully functioning mini iron【Photos】