Tokyo in Winter

[Maryvel]

Hi everyone!

I've been to Japan twice already, but always in summer. This february will be my first trip to Tokyo in the cold season.

Has anybody here ever been to Tokyo in winter and can tell me what it's like? Is it very cold? I'm worried that I'll have to waste all the space in my suitcase on winter clothes...

Any answer will be helpful!

[aimlesswanderer]

Was there in winter 2006-2007, which was apparently a warm winter. The cold doesn't bother me that much, so I was fine. One day was warm enough for t shirts, another was raining hard all day... no snow, but that normally comes later in winter, and we were there at the beginning of winter.

Just took one warm jacket, and that was enough for me. As long as it isn't snowing, or you aren't standing around at night, you should be fine. Buildings generally seem to have heating, so duck into a shop if you get cold.

[Maryvel]

Great! Thank you!

[y0ssy]

Possibility of heavy snow in Tokyo downtown area for the first time in 16 years.
天気: 東京都心でも積雪　１６年ぶりの大雪の恐れ
http://mainichi.jp/graph/2014/02/08/201 ... c/001.html
(pictures of Tokyo street scenes)

午前１０時現在の積雪、交通情報
http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/videonews/ ... 9-nnn-soci
(Weather news report with video and the accompanying Japanese text.)

February is usually the coldest month in Japan, so it is better to bring winter clothes.

[ooyoo]

Yes, definitely dress warm for February, and bring an umbrella. But plan on layers, because INSIDE, they tend to blast heaters and you'll sweat to death if wear your jacket LOL If you're worried your jacket won't be warm enough, Uniqlo has VERY warm and ultra-thin puffy jackets, vests and coats at a cheap price, so you can always buy one while you're there

[y0ssy]

Uniqlo is a good suggestion since they have a re-cycle box inside their store. And for those who find it cumbersome to pack the winter clothes into their luggage bag, they can donate it to the Uniqlo Recycle-Box.

As for umbrella, I usually don't bother to carry it since the wind velocity can be terribly strong and wreck it apart. Poncho raincoat is better.

Some of my friends from the tropical zone have no idea how to dress for the cold...
http://www.wikihow.com/Dress-for-the-Cold

So they don't understand why it is good to wear clothes by LAYERS
http://www.trusty-travel-tips.com/best- ... thing.html

And how to look chic in winter clothes!
http://laurenconrad.com/blog/post/how-t ... inter-2013

[fictionalistic]

Uniqlo looks like it has lovely clothing! I'm always bad at packing for cold weather, so warmer but not necessarily puffy clothing will def help me out. <3

[neko2626]

Wow, didn't know Uniglo has a Uniglo Recycle Box for donation. Any advice from folks on how weather in Hokkaido - Sapporo Area is at the end of October - early November? Might be planning a trip there during that time......

[y0ssy]

Wow, didn't know Uniglo has a Uniglo Recycle Box for donation. Any advice from folks on how weather in Hokkaido - Sapporo Area is at the end of October - early November? Might be planning a trip there during that time......

About the end of October - early November, there is a likelihood of the first snow in that area. It snowed about 10 days earlier compared to last year.
11月8日 札幌で初雪。
http://www.sweb.co.jp/tenki/record/record_snow.html

Sapporo TV News
http://www.stv.ne.jp/news/index.html
hopefully, you are able to view the TV news online from the internet in your country.

[neko2626]

Thank you! Will check out the links...

[doodoofan]

I lived inTokyo for one year, and the winter was too cold for me. However, I got used to it really fast and didn't have to wear layers of clothes on snowy days. The weather is around 5-10 degrees the whole winter, and. I remember it was pretty cold in February, because it was snowing for one day. If you're used to cold weather, you should be fine. My Korean friends said it was nothig in comparison with winter in their country.

[jacky321]

I must say it is really great idea to enjoy the winter season. I have no idea about winter vacation in Tokyo. AFter reading all posts, I am thinking to go there this season with my friends. I am very happy for it. I hope I will spend a nice time here.