Notetowen

Everything I’m bringing to beat the cold and not compromise on style.

I’m heading back to Japan in two months, and I can’t wait to share all the winter outfits and travel moments along the way.

This time, we will be flying into Kansai Airport, heading to Nagoya the next day. From there, we will take an express bus to Gifu Prefecture. We will stay in Takayama and take day trips to Shirakawago and Gujo Hachiman. After that, we will drive to Kanazawa.

We plan to fly to Hokkaido once we have explored Kanazawa’s old streets and tea districts. We will unwind at Noboribetsu Onsen before making our way to Sapporo for the Snow Festival. From there, we will take day trips to Otaru, Biei, and Furano. Then we will wrap up our journey with stops in Hakodate and Tokyo.

Aside from planning the itinerary, I have also been curating my outfits for the trip. Although I have seen snow before when I lived in Shanghai for a few years, it was never heavy snowfall. The coldest temperature I have ever experienced was probably around 0°C. I have been preparing extra carefully to make sure I’m properly dressed for the cold. And, being from sunny Queensland, anything below 20°C already feels cold to me.

Expected Temperatures for Late January to Mid February:

Location	Typical Temperature	Notes
Nagoya	0 to 8°C	Cool, crisp; light layering works well.
Takayama / Gujo Hachiman	-6 to 3°C	Snowy; a heavy coat and thermal layers are musts.
Shirakawago	-10 to 2°C	Expect deep snow; snow boots essential.
Kanazawa	1 to 6°C	Wet snow or rain possible; waterproof shoes help.
Noboribetsu Onsen	-10 to -2°C	Snowy Onsen town; warm boots and cosy wear.
Sapporo	-12 to -3°C	Snow Festival season; bundle up.
Biei / Furano	-15 to -5°C	Extreme cold; layer up with Heattech and wool.
Hakodate	-7 to 1°C	Windy; dress warmly with scarves and gloves.
Tokyo	3 to 10°C	Milder but still chilly; layering is key.

Here’s what I’m packing for the 24 days trip:

For outwear, I’m bringing two wool coats from COS. They both have a good wool content, and they are just the right length for me (I’m only 151 cm). I’m also bringing a reversible faux fur jacket from Petite Studio NYC to change up the look. If you are a short girl like me, I highly recommend checking out this brand!

Bringing three sweaters and three cardigans, all in neutral tones for easy mixing and matching. Most of these have a good wool content, so hopefully I will stay warm and cozy. My current favorite brand to shop for winter knitwear is SISTERHOOD. 

Bringing three trousers and three skirts, mixing different textures and styles to keep the outfits fun. I have stuck to maxi skirts so I can layer Heattech leggings underneath. 

Only bringing one bag for the trip, a faux leather tote bag from SAMO ONDOH. It’s lightweight and fits everything I need. 

I’m really excited to wear the balabonnet! I have been seeing it all over my Pinterest feed. I’m not usually a fan of wearing hats and scarves together, it just doesn’t feel flattering on me. So if I had to choose, I would pick the hat. But the balabonnet is perfect because it keeps my neck warm as well. The one I’m bringing is from Free People.

I’m taking three pairs of shoes with me: snow boots for the cold and snowy days, knee-high boots for more dressed-up moments, and sneakers for casual exploring. Check out INUIKII if you are looking for cute winter shoes.

And of course, I will be packing Uniqlo Heattechs, including leggings, tops, and socks. I recently learned that layering an Airism top underneath helps prevent sweating, so packing a few of those as well. 

That’s everything I’m bringing for the trip! I have tried to keep it practical, warm, and easy to mix and match. It might seem like a lot. However, most of my knitwear isn’t machine washable. I feel better knowing I have enough options to rotate. Also, I just love fashion!

I will be sharing more about the trip in the coming posts. Stick around if you want to hear more about my travel updates, outfit inspo, and little adventures along the way.