How to Say Snow in Japanese and Winter Words in Japan

Introduction To Snow in Japanese

Japan transforms into a winter wonderland each year and is known for having some of the best snowfall in the world! 

Dreaming of visiting Japan’s famous snow-covered landscapes, planning a ski trip to Hokkaido, or wanting to learn more about the Japanese language?

Understanding how to say the word ‘snow’ and other useful winter words and phrases in Japan is the perfect place to start!  

Snow has a special place in Japanese culture. It’s celebrated at festivals, used in traditional art and poetry and admired for its calm, natural beauty. 

In this guide, we’ll explore the way to say ‘snow’ in Japanese, along with other common winter words and phrases to help you navigate Japan’s snowy season like a local.  

How do you say ‘snow’ in Japanese?

Yuki (雪) – ‘snow’

The word ‘yuki’ (雪) means snow in Japanese. Japan is famous for its exceptional snowfall because of its location. 

The northern regions, especially Hokkaido, are often referred to as snow country ‘yukiguni’ (雪国). known for having snow-covered mountains ‘yukiyama’ (雪山) with some of the deepest, driest, lightest, loveliest powder snow in the world.

This snow ‘yuki’ is created when cold winds in Siberia pick up moisture that falls as a soft, powdery snow on the Japanese islands.

Different types of snow in Japan

Zarame-yuki (粗目雪) –‘Coarse mesh snow’

This type of snow melts and freezes again overnight, to create a coarse texture. It’s normally found in the spring season and looks similar to crystallised sugar!

Botan-yuki (牡丹雪) – ‘large snowflakes’

This type of snow is ‘large snowflakes’ that fall from the sky. ‘Botan-yuki’ is often used to describe snow in poetry, as they are large snowflakes, and you can see the delicate patterns in each one.

Yukibana (雪花) – ‘snow flower’

This variation of large snowflakes looks like delicate flowers. They’re pretty rare, and it’s considered very special if you see them!

Kata-Yuki (堅雪) – ‘hard snow’

It is important to be aware of this type of snow. It forms when snow is not completely melted and turns to ice overnight, creating a hard layer on top!

Mochiyuki (餅雪 ) – ‘Mochi snow’

This is a funny type of description for snow that refers to the popular mochi treat in Japan, as it looks like soft and delicious mochi.

But ‘Yuki’ snow is more than just a weather type in Japan. This natural formation has helped transform Japan into a world-renowned destination for winter sports.
Here are some other common snow-related words for you:

大雪 (oo yuki) – heavy snow
初雪 (hatsu yuki) – the first snow of the season
雪遊び（yuki asobi）– playing in the snow
雪合戦 (yuki gassen) – snowball fight

Fuyu (冬) – ‘winter’

‘Fuyu’ is winter in Japanese. This is a common word to know if you are planning on visiting Japan during the winter season. The other seasons in Japan are haru 春(spring), natsu 夏 (summer) and aki 秋 (autumn).

Samui (寒い) ‘cold’

‘Samui’ cold is a great word to learn if you’re visiting Japan in the winter. You will hear lots of people using the phrase ‘samui desu ne’ – which translates to ‘cold isn’t it’! Have a look at our guide on how to stay warm in Japanese winter! 

What are common words for winter sports in Japan?

As Japan is famous for having some of the best snow ‘yuki’ in the world. It’s no surprise that it’s popular for winter sports and ski seasons due to the great conditions. Check out our article on Japan Ski Season 2025-26: Top Resorts & Winter Sports to find out some of our best recommendations for places to visit!

Uintāsupōtsu – (ウインタースポーツ) – ‘Winter sports’  

The most common way to say winter sports when visiting Japan is Uintāsupōtsu (ウインタースポーツ), but you can also use the phrase Fuyu no supōtsu (冬のスポーツ), which is a literal translation, broken down into the words ‘winter’s’ and ‘sports’.

Sukī (スキー) Ski/skiing

Sukī means ‘ski’ or ‘skiing’ in Japan, but it’s important not to confuse this with the word ‘suki’ (好き), which means ‘like’ or ‘love’ as the two words have similar pronunciation.

Sunōbōdo (スノーボード) Snowboarding 

Sunōbōdo is the full direct translation of snowboarding in Japanese. But it’s common for people to use sunobō (スノボー), which is a shortened version, popular with the locals.

Nihon sukī jō (日本  スキー場) Japan Ski Resorts

Interested in living and working in Japan?

Now you know how to say common phrases used in Japan for snow, skiing and other winter sports in Japan, as well as some of the best resorts to go to. Do you think you’ll visit?

If you’re interested in working in Japan, why not apply to be an Assistant Language Teacher (ALT) with Interac? It’s a great way to experience life in Japan with the opportunity to visit some of the most popular ski resorts while you’re here!  

We provide an excellent opportunity to explore Japan, while earning a living, and making a meaningful impact on young people through language and cultural exchange. We’d love for you to join the community.

Looking for more help when planning your big move to Japan? Get in touch with us today for more help on Japanese social customs, career opportunities and tips to help you settle in smoothly.