Winter in Japan

People sit around a kotatsu (left); keeping the cold away with a kairo. (© Pixta)

Marunouchi in central Tokyo lit up for winter. (© Pixta)

A Christmas cake, Japanese-style. (© Photolibrary)

Many kinds of osechi ryōri for New Year consumption. (© Pixta)

The delicately fragrant Japanese narcissus. (© Pixta)

Temple bells are rung 108 times at New Year. (© Pixta)

The gate in front of the temple Sensōji in Asakusa, Tokyo, at New Year. (© Pixta)

New adults dressed up in kimono for Coming of Age Day. (Courtesy Daniel Rubio)

Ropes prevent trees being damaged by heavy snowfall at Kenrokuen in Kanazawa, Ishikawa Prefecture. (© Pixta)

There are many good locations to hit the slopes in Japan. (© Pixta)

The Sapporo Snow Festival is known for its detailed ice sculptures. (© Pixta)

Valentine’s Day is all about chocolates in Japan. (© Pixta)