For many of us, Japan is already something of a magical place, with pagodas and geishas galore. Now, heavy snow has kicked things up a notch and these pictures of Kyoto under a blanket of the white stuff are truly mesmerising.
The pagodas look even more majestic than usual.
This is the coldest winter I've ever experienced in #Japan. #Kyoto was so gorgeous under heavy snow. #Kinkakuji pic.twitter.com/LjV4nCxuGM
— Meera ?? (@meeraumi) January 15, 2017
One of the biggest attractions of Kyoto lies just outside the city: Arashiyama, a district known for its astounding natural beauty and bamboo forests, which look rather fetching underneath the snow.
If you're in Kyoto, #Arashiyama looks stunning when covered with snow ?? pic.twitter.com/xuRJOobQRY
— Donny Kimball (@DistantDystopia) January 16, 2017
There’s no denying it, snow makes everything look a whole lot more special.
Especially as the sun was shining on a snowed-under Kyoto.
Some hardy souls even braved the frosty outdoors to do a spot of meditation.
And it didn’t stop the geishas from going about their daily business.
As if we needed any more reasons to put it on our bucket list?
And it was almost a snow day for students. The weather forced organisers to put back the start of an entrance exam for national and public universities at some venues – but only by an hour.