Where to Buy Snow Gear and Winter Wear in Japan
Last Updated on October 9, 2025 by Kay
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Wondering where to buy winter gear and wear in Japan?
As a Canadian, I was surprised by winter in Japan, in particular, how cold it can feel. This is due to Japan’s humidity, which makes the air feel colder, a wet cold that seeps into your skin. Buildings here also don’t have the same level of humidity as snowy countries such as Canada or those in Europe.
If you’ve traveled to Japan and find yourself a little chilly, or you want to invest in some gear for skiing or snowboarding, I’ve got you covered.
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Do You Need to Buy Winter Gear in Japan?
No, not necessarily.
When it comes to snowfall, most cities in Japan’s main island (apart from the Tohoku region) don’t get much. In fact, most of it will melt away within a few hours. This is especially true for Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto.
Of course, Hokkaido is a different story. If you’re visiting Hokkaido in winter, I recommend buying highly insulated boots, a good winter jacket, and thermals. I’ll cover where to get those soon.
In general, though, I wear thermals under my clothes in winter because it can get pretty chilly, especially when there’s a harsh wind.
What Kind of Winter Gear Can You Buy in Japan?
You can find everything you need in Japan to have a comfortable (and fun) winter. This ranges from clothing such as coats, boots, thermal layers, gloves, and hats, all the way to snow sports gear like snowpants, goggles, ski jackets, and waterproof gloves.
However, as a Canadian, I will say that good snow gear here is expensive. Whenever I go back to Canada during winter, I make sure to stock up on any snowboarding gear I need.
Also know that in Japan, foreign brands like ROXY and Salomon are quite popular, and that’s for a reason. I personally don’t think there are any Japanese brands that compare in terms of quality. Since they import these items, you can find a range of different sizes.
I will say that if you’re coming from abroad for snowboarding or skiing in Japan, it might be better to bring your own gear or rent it.
Where to Buy Snow Gear in Japan
For those looking for where to buy snow gear for winter sports in Japan, such as snowboarding and skiing, here are the shops you should check out.
If you live in Japan, I suggest going to stores to have a look, and try on gear, and then look for the items online. Sometimes they’re even cheaper than in-store.
Murasaki Sports
This is my family’s favorite place to buy snowboarding gear. Murasaki Sports (ムラサキスポーツ) carries popular brands like Solomon and Burton, and their staff are always super helpful.
They have several convenient locations throughout Japan, including Tokyo and Osaka, so it’s easy to find. Just plug the name into Google Maps and you’re good to go!
Burton
Burton has its own flagship stores in Tokyo as well as Osaka. If you’re a fan of this popular sports brand or just curious about what they have to offer, then I suggest checking them out.
JSBC Snowtown
JSBC Snowtown is a shop in Osaka that offers discounted snowboarding and skiing gear. I like that they have a great selection for kids, and their prices go down even further in February.
We bought our daughter’s Solomon snowboard from here, as well as her bindings and boots.
MORISPO (Moriyama Sports)
Morispo is a shortened way to say Moriyama (Mori) Sports (Spo).
It has a great selection of affordable snowboarding and skiing gear and wear. It’s Kansai-based with shops in Osaka, Kyoto, Hyogo, Shiga, and Aichi.
This is another one of my family’s favorite shops, and is where I got my snowboarding boots, board, and bindings. The staff are always so knowledgeable and helpful!
Mega Sports
This sports store has a small selection of wear for snowboarding and skiing, but it’s still worth checking out if there’s one nearby.
When is the Best Time to Buy Snow Gear in Japan?
If you want the newest models, start shopping around October and November.
If you want the best deals, shops hold end-of-season sales in February and March. We also managed to get a good deal on last season’s boots in early September.
Where to Buy Winter Wear in Japan
If you’re looking for a shop to buy thermals and decent winter jackets (that are insulated), here are the best shops to hit up.
Note that any shopping mall in Japan will have lots of stores selling fashionable and affordable coats, sweaters, etc. However, usually the sizing is limited, and they aren’t very insulated.
UNIQLO
This is hands-down my favorite place to buy thermals for winter (Heat Tech), sweaters, insulated jean leggings, and jackets that are practical and warm. The clothing here also comes in different sizes.
I know UNIQLO can be found worldwide, but it’s much cheaper in Japan.
GU
GU is owned by the same company as UNIQLO. Their clothes are more affordable than UNIQLO, although sometimes I find the quality isn’t as good.
They have a “warm” line of clothing (ウォーム) that is supposed to have insulating features, but I have never tried it, so I can’t speak from personal experience whether this is true or not.
Workman
This is a hidden gem when it comes to affordable but quality winter wear. My husband can afford whatever he wants, but he still got his winter boots from here and loves them.
They also carry thermals, gloves, hats, etc., for all ages and genders.
Winter Wear and Gear for Kids in Japan
When it comes to kids, here are places that I’ve found a good selection of snowsuits, jackets, snowpants, and snowboarding as well as skiing gear for kids.
MORISPO (Moriyama Sports)
As mentioned earlier, this is a family-favorite of ours.
They have ski and snowboard wear gear for children, although the selection is a little small. We got our daughter’s helmet and goggles from here.
Nishimatsuya
This is for those with young children (babies to elementary school). I absolutely love getting their thermals for my daughter, which are called HOTWRAP. (Very easy to understand!)
They also have great snowsuits, although the sizes are really only for babies and toddlers.
I don’t think their winter jackets are of good quality. They’re not waterproof, for one, so my daughter’s jacket ended up soaked after playing in the snow. We ended up buying her a proper winter jacket from Helly Hansen.
For waterproof jackets, go to UNIQLO or a sports store like Helly Hansen or any of the stores I mentioned earlier that carry snow gear.
They also have snowpants, although I find these sell out very quickly, and some stores don’t carry them at all. For snowpants, go to one of the stores that sell snow gear. You can also buy snowpants at snowboard or ski resorts in Japan.
Murasaki Sports
This store carries snowwear for toddlers to teens (and adults, of course).
Mega Sports
Similar to Murasaki Sports, they carry snowwear for all ages except for babies.
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