I recently returned from a trip to Nagano and Hakuba to experience winter in Japan. It did not disappoint! Near Nagano, I visited Jigokudani, a nature park with a unique troupe of Japanese macaques (commonly referred to as snow monkeys) who learned to bathe in hot springs after observing humans. To avoid sanitary issues stemming from humans and macaques sharing the same pool, a dedicated onsen was built for the monkeys.

Hakuba, which is located near Nagano at the foothills of the Hida Mountains, was a picturesque paradise. Views of majestic peaks abound, and every once in a while one can also find a shrine, even in the midst of a snowstorm.

I also spent some time in Tokyo, where just transiting through Tokyo Station makes it too irresistible to admire the architecture. (I might just be a tad obsessed with Tokyo Station.)