Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Nagano Prefecture is the only place in the world where you can watch wild Japanese macaques soak in a natural hot spring. Pairing it with the centuries-old hot spring village of Shibu Onsen ten minutes down the valley turns the visit into one of Japan’s most atmospheric winter trips.

Traveling to Japan in winter? Takayama and Shirakawa-go are two of the most atmospheric stops in the Japanese Alps, with Edo-period streets, thatched farmhouses, and some of the heaviest snowfall in the country. Together they make an easy pairing from Tokyo, Kyoto, or Kanazawa, and we’d put this part of Japan high on the list for any winter trip.