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!
MOST POPULAR
Today
Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Studio Ghibli releases new anime keychains that are like miniature figurines
Dorayaki from 89-year-old Japanese confectionery shop is one of the best sweets hidden in Tokyo
War in Iran threatening Japan’s pudding production
Japanese people share 11 amusing tales relating to pregnancy and childbirth
Police in Japan summoned to deal with bank intruder…who is also a deer[Video]
Live-action Ghibli Princess Mononoke stage play tickets are now on sale
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Tokyo store makes you to pass a quiz in order to buy Pokémon cards as part of anti-scalper policy
Weekly
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]- Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Studio Ghibli launches huge new anime movie T-shirt collection with special design details
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!- Japan enters Golden Week vacation period, survey shows one in three plan to ride it out at home
- Japan’s new Pokémon jackets give you the look and powers of the Kanto starter trio
Japanese convenience store gives away free ice cream with creative ad at Shinjuku Station
Tsujihan sushi bowl restaurant goes viral with foreign tourists, but is it worth the hype?
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
Monthly
Japan reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa- Japan’s 5.3 million beautiful Hitachi Nemophila flowers are now in full bloom[Photos]
Pokémon and Ikea Japan cross over into each other’s worlds with collaboration events
Wisteria season starts early with blooming of Japan’s Great Wisteria in its beautiful garden
Japan’s best conveyor belt sushi restaurant of seven years ago has now, finally, come to Tokyo- New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Brand-new Pokémon manhole covers coming to help the recovery of a disaster-stricken part of Japan
Japan’s awesomely beautiful Alpen Route snow corridor is now open
Injuries on stairs in Tokyo highlight an overlooked design flaw
Mt. Fuji decorated with a 500,000-flower pink carpet is Japan’s ultimate spring view
Yearly
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
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 reportedly adding Japanese language skill requirement to most common foreigner work visa
RECOMMENDED STORIES
Japanese people share 11 amusing tales relating to pregnancy and childbirth
Police in Japan summoned to deal with bank intruder…who is also a deer[Video]
Live-action Ghibli Princess Mononoke stage play tickets are now on sale
Tifa’s Final Fantasy VII bar is going to pop up in real-world Tokyo
Tokyo store makes you to pass a quiz in order to buy Pokémon cards as part of anti-scalper policy
New Kyoto Converse sneakers celebrate Japan with traditional kimono fabrics for your feet
Second-generation sumo burger coming to Burger King Japan with return of Baby Body Burger
New Legend of Zelda Boss is a canned coffee, gives you a chance at awesome jacket loot【Pics】
What are the worst things about living in the Japanese countryside?[Survey]
Brand-new Square Enix Cafe to open in Tokyo…and in Los Angeles too!
McDonald’s and Gundam team up for customized anime mecha and fried chicken sandwiches[Video]
This Mother’s Day, why not give the gift of a single, really expensive, never-picked mango?
Japanese sweets souvenirs don’t get more beautiful than this
Hello Kitty is now a transforming truck robot[Photos]
-
