23 Japanese Winter Words that Fluent Speakers All Know

What are the must-know Japanese winter words? Great question, glad you asked. Japan has words for all seasons — Japanese spring words, summer words, and autumn words. In this guide, you’ll pick up 23+ winter words that are commonly used around winter time. Culturally relevant words. Words for things that are common during winter in Japan. Plus, fun words like… “snowball fight.” So, take a scroll down, start absorbing these words, and start speaking some wintry Japanese.

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1.　寒い

• Samui
• Cold

The first Japanese word you’ll want to say during the winter is samui! It can get very cold in Japan, especially up north near Hokkaido. 

2.　雪

• Yuki
• Snow

This is a beautiful word that is reflected in the kanji character. You’ll notice the character has a roof on top with snow like dashes underneath. Japanese people love to enjoy the snowy days by staying warm inside.

3.　お正月

• Oshougatsu
• New Years

One of the most important traditional holidays is the New Year. This is a time for families to get together and celebrate. They will reflect on the past and welcome the New Year by eating special dishes and going to the shrine or temple.

4.　クリスマス

• Kurisumasu
• Christmas

Although it is a western holiday, Japanese people enjoy celebrating Christmas, and there are ways to say Merry Christmas in Japanese. But, there’s a difference! Christmas in Japan is usually a time for couples to spend a romantic day together and exchange gifts. 

5.　雪だるま

• Yuki daruma
• Snow man

There is a unique word in Japanese for “snow man”. The word daruma means a traditional type of round doll. Since snowmen are made of round snowballs, this word fits perfectly.

6.　おでん

• Oden
• Simmered fish cake stew

Oden is one of the many unique Japanese foods and is a popular winter dish.  You can find this delicious and warm dish in convenience stores or at special restaurants. The dish features a light soy sauce broth with various ingredients from vegetables, eggs, and fish cakes.

7.　鍋物

• Nabemono
• Hot pot

Another important winter dish is nabemono. These are simmered dishes or stews that can have a huge variety of ingredients and flavors. There are also dedicated hotpot restaurants all over the country.

8.　吹雪

• Fubuki
• Blizzard

This is one of my most favorite Japanese winter words. Say it with me: fu-bu-ki! It’s similar to “hanafubuki” or “cherry blossom blizzard” — a word on my “beautiful Japanese words“ list. Now, Fubuki or blizzards can happen frequently in the northern parts of Japan. The word for blizzard is made up of the kanji characters 吹, which means “blow”, and 雪, which means “snow”.

9.　スキー

• Sukii
• Ski

If you’re a fan of winter sports, Japan has many ski resorts all over the country. Make sure to experience the amazing snow quality by visiting one of these resorts.

10.　冬

• Fuyu
• Winter

A list of Japanese winter words isn’t complete without the word for winter, fuyu! Japanese people value seasonality. Winter is a time when everyone looks forward to the New Years celebrations. 

11.　こたつ

• Kotatsu
• Heated table

Most Japanese households have a kotatsu at home during the winter. These are tables with a heater inside and a blanket on top. It’s an amazing Japanese invention where you can use a table and stay warm at the same time.

12.　つらら

• Tsurara
• Icicle

You can find huge icicles in northern Japan hanging off of the houses. Be careful not to stand underneath them!

13.　お年玉

• Otoshidama
• New Years money

Kids look forward to the Japanese New Year because they receive money from family relatives. This is a great way for them to learn how to save and spend money.

14.　冬休み

• Fuyu yasumi
• Winter break

Winter break lasts further into January in Japan. Since the New Year is important for Japanese people, work and school don’t resume until around January 7th.

15.　温泉

• Onsen
• Hot spring

One of the most enjoyable things about being in Japan during the winter is to enjoy the hot springs. In Japan, there are many hot springs which are located outside. The cold air and the warmth of the water can be a relaxing combination.

16.　ストーブ

• Sutoobu
• Heater

A misleading word in Japanese is sutoobu because it sounds like “stove.” A stove in English indicates a place to cook food but in Japan it means a heater.

17.　マフラー

• Mafuraa
• Scarf

An important winter weather item is a scarf! Hand knit scarves are a popular gift item during the cold months in Japan.

18.　手袋

• Tebukuro
• Gloves/mitten

Mittens/gloves are written with the kanji characters for “hand” and “bag”. Just like scarves, you’ll see that in some anime or dramas, hand knit mittens are a common winter gift.

19.　みかん

• Mikan
• Orange

Oranges are an essential winter fruit. Japanese people love to sit at the warm kotatsu with a pile of oranges when it’s cold.

20.　おしるこ

• Oshiruko
• Warm sweet red beans with mochi rice cakes

Oshiruko is a must-try Japanese dessert. It can keep you warm and it is relatively healthy since it is made with beans.

21.　雪合戦

• Yuki gassen
• Snowball fight

The word for snowball fight translates into something more like  “snow battle” in Japanese. 

22.　イルミネーション

• Irumineeshon
• Light decorations

In Japan, light decorations are a beautiful part of the winter season. There are huge areas with Christmas lights all over the city. It is a popular spot for couples to go on dates.

22.　鏡餅

• Kagami mochi
• Special New Year’s rice cakes

These are rice cakes that are used as decoration and eaten during the New Year’s celebrations in Japan. They are two large round rice cakes that are dried and placed on top of each other. 

23.　かぼちゃ

• Kabocha
• Pumpkin

Although in the west we associate pumpkins with the fall, in Japan it is a winter food. Many people believe that eating pumpkin helps to prevent colds.

23.　雪まつり

• Yuki Matsuri
• Snow festival

In northern parts of Japan, snow festivals are a major event. At these festivals, you can see impressive snow sculptures! The largest one is called the Sapporo snow festival which has hundreds of sculptures and a wide variety of local food vendors.

23. 冬の気配

• Signs of Winter
• Fuyu no Kehai

Kehai is a new word here. It means “hint” or “indication.” So, when you feel that chill in the air despite Winter having not started yet, you get a feeling that Winter is coming. That’ a “fuyu no kehai.” A sign of Winter.

Conclusion— Back to You.

Now, you know some common Japanese winter words. If you want to remember these words, print out this page. What’s your favorite one here? Leave me a comment. I read ’em all. – The Main Lingua Junkie