Enjoying the marshland in harsh winter

Winter is a harsh but beautiful season.
There are few signs of flowers or animals, but you can see animal footprints in the snow.

In addition to enjoying the snowy scenery, you can also enjoy snow hiking.

Winter marshland

In some places, snow can begin to accumulate as early as November. The heaviest snowfall occurs from December to March.
Many of the marshes are covered in snow in winter, so access is limited.
Also, many roads are closed during the winter, so be sure to check in advance.

What equipment do you need?

Wetlands in higher altitude areas experience low temperatures, often below freezing.
Sunny days are warm, but when it gets cloudy the temperature drops dramatically.
Therefore, basic cold weather gear such as a windbreaker, down jacket, and gloves are necessary.
If there is a lot of snow, bring gaiters.
The roads are often icy, so winter tires are a must for your car.

Winter marshland for beginners (with snow)

I will list some places suitable for beginners, but I would not recommend this to people who are not used to walking or who are not properly equipped.
You need to pay attention to climate changes and terrain.

Yashima Marshland (Suwa City, Nagano Prefecture)

For a winter marsh, it is very accessible and very safe.
The scenery is amazing and you can enjoy the winter marshes.
The weather is stable, but the temperatures are below freezing.
Proper cold weather gear is a must.
Since the snow is often packed down, I recommend using chain spikes.
The snow is deep in some places so it's a good idea to bring gaiters.
The boardwalk is covered with snow, so be careful not to step off it.
The road to the marsh has been cleared of snow, so if you have winter tires you can reach the same parking lot as in summer.
The parking space is narrow.

Kannon Swamp (Shimogo Town, Fukushima Prefecture)

This place is also easily accessible in the winter and you can enjoy the snow.
The snow is so deep that you can sink up to your thighs.
Other than the swamp in the center, there are no dangerous areas, so you can enjoy the heavy snow to your heart's content.
The road to the parking lot has been cleared of snow, but parking spaces are narrow.

Winter marshland for beginners (no snow)

Lake Kasumigaura Ukishima Marshland (Inashiki City, Ibaraki Prefecture)

The visit of the northern marsh harrier around February attracts many bird photographers.
You can also observe a variety of other wild birds, so it is a recommended place for a walk.
It's flat, so it's easy to walk.

Searching for more winter wetlands

For those who want to know more about the marshland

Here you can find information about various marshes!

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Explore each season

The marshland shows different faces in every season.
No matter what season you visit, you'll have fun because it's full of mysterious charm!

Discover the charms of each month

One of the attractions of wetlands is the seasonal fun they offer.
For first-time visitors, we recommend visiting during the flower season from April to June.
October and November are also good months for exploring and you can enjoy the beautiful autumn foliage.