Why the Kotatsu Is Japan’s Coziest Winter Tradition

When temperatures drop and frost settles over Japan, there is no better place to be than tucked under a kotatsu — a low wooden table draped with a heavy blanket and warmed underneath by an electric heater. This beloved winter fixture turns any living room into a cocoon of warmth, and for generations, Japanese families have gathered around it during the year-end and New Year holidays to eat, chat, and watch television together. But a kotatsu is only half the experience; the other half is the food. Certain snacks, hot pots, and drinks have become inseparable from kotatsu culture, and knowing what to eat under a kotatsu in Japan winter can turn any trip into an authentically cozy, seasonal experience.

The Iconic Kotatsu Snack: Mikan Oranges

If there is one food most associated with kotatsu season, it is the humble mikan (Japanese mandarin orange). Small, sweet, and easy to peel with bare hands, mikan are sold in mesh bags at every supermarket from late autumn through winter. The classic image of Japanese winter — a person lying under a kotatsu peeling a mikan while watching TV — is so iconic it has its own nostalgic nickname among locals. Keep a bowl of mikan on the kotatsu table and you have instantly created an authentic winter scene.

Hearty Hot Pot Dishes to Share Under the Kotatsu

Nabe (Hot Pot)

Nabe, or Japanese hot pot, is the ultimate communal winter dish, and it pairs perfectly with kotatsu dining since many low kotatsu tables are designed with a recessed area or a portable burner nearby. Varieties like yosenabe (mixed hot pot with seafood, chicken, and vegetables), chanko nabe (the hearty stew favored by sumo wrestlers), and mizutaki (a lighter chicken-based hot pot from Kyushu) all fill the room with steam and warmth while everyone eats straight from the shared pot.

Oden

Oden is a simmered dish of daikon radish, boiled eggs, fish cakes, konnyaku, and other ingredients slow-cooked in a soy-flavored dashi broth. It is sold at convenience stores throughout winter and is equally at home simmering on a portable stove atop the kotatsu. The soft, warming texture of oden ingredients makes it an ideal dish to eat slowly while chatting under the blanket.

Warm Steamed Buns and Quick Bites

Nikuman

Nikuman are fluffy steamed buns filled with seasoned minced pork, sold hot at convenience store counters everywhere in winter. They require no utensils, stay warm for a while, and are perfectly sized for a quick, satisfying bite under the kotatsu.

Yaki Imo (Roasted Sweet Potato)

Roasted sweet potatoes, sold by street vendors or in supermarkets, have a naturally sweet, caramelized flavor. Their dense, starchy texture makes them deeply satisfying comfort food, and their warmth lingers in your hands even after you have peeled away the skin.

Sweet Treats for Kotatsu Time

Dorayaki and Daifuku

For those with a sweet tooth, dorayaki (two pancake-like discs sandwiching sweet red bean paste) and daifuku (soft mochi filled with anko or strawberries) are classic kotatsu companions, often enjoyed alongside a cup of green tea.

Oshiruko (Sweet Red Bean Soup)

Oshiruko is a warm, slightly sweet soup made from red beans, often served with a piece of grilled mochi floating inside. It is especially popular after New Year celebrations and is the perfect antidote to a chilly afternoon spent indoors.

Warming Drinks to Pair with Kotatsu Snacks

Hot Sake (Atsukan)

For adults, a small flask of atsukan, or warmed sake, is a classic winter pleasure. Sipped slowly, it complements salty snacks like rice crackers and dried squid, and its gentle warmth spreads through the body much like the kotatsu itself.

Amazake

Amazake is a low-alcohol (or alcohol-free) fermented rice drink that tastes naturally sweet and is often served hot at shrines during New Year visits. It is nutritious, comforting, and family-friendly, making it a wonderful non-alcoholic alternative.

Green Tea and Hojicha

A simple cup of hot green tea or roasted hojicha rounds out the kotatsu experience, cutting through the richness of snacks and providing a soothing, aromatic warmth between bites.

New Year Specialties to Enjoy Under the Kotatsu

Mochi

Freshly pounded or grilled mochi rice cakes are a New Year staple, often eaten plain with soy sauce and nori, dipped in kinako (roasted soybean powder), or added to soups like ozoni. Chewy, warm, and filling, mochi is practically synonymous with the holiday season.

Osechi Ryori

Osechi is an elaborate assortment of New Year dishes packed into stacked lacquer boxes, featuring symbolic foods such as black beans for health, herring roe for fertility, and sweet chestnut mash for prosperity. While traditionally eaten at a proper dining table, many families bring a portion of osechi to the kotatsu for a relaxed, grazing-style New Year meal.

Where to Experience Kotatsu Culture in Japan

Travelers can experience genuine kotatsu dining at traditional ryokan inns, especially those in snowy regions like Nagano, Niigata, and Tohoku, where kotatsu are standard in guest lounges. Many rural minshuku (family-run guesthouses) also feature a large communal kotatsu where guests share hot pot dinners together. In cities, a growing number of kotatsu cafes let visitors warm their legs while sipping matcha lattes or eating seasonal desserts, offering a convenient way to sample the tradition without an overnight stay.

Practical Tips for a Cozy Winter Kotatsu Experience

  • Layer clothing and wear warm socks, since only your lower body will be warmed by the kotatsu heater while the room itself may stay cool.
  • Book ryokan and kotatsu-equipped accommodations well in advance, as winter and New Year holiday periods are extremely popular with domestic travelers.
  • Visit popular hatsumode (first shrine visit of the year) locations very early in the morning or on weekdays to avoid the largest crowds, then retreat to a warm kotatsu afterward with a cup of hot amazake.
  • Pack hand warmers (kairo) for outdoor sightseeing between kotatsu sessions, especially in snowy regions.
  • Try regional nabe specialties, since hot pot ingredients and broths vary significantly by prefecture.

Kotatsu Etiquette

  • Remove your shoes and slippers before sliding your legs under the blanket.
  • Avoid placing hot dishes directly on the blanket edge to prevent burns or stains.
  • It is considered relaxing, not rude, to lie down partially under a kotatsu after eating — many Japanese families do exactly this on lazy winter afternoons.

Conclusion

Few experiences capture the spirit of a Japanese winter quite like sitting under a warm kotatsu with a plate of nikuman, a bowl of nabe, or a sweet mikan in hand. Whether you are visiting during the New Year holidays or simply exploring a snowy region, seeking out kotatsu dining lets you slow down, share food with locals or fellow travelers, and truly savor the season. Add a few of these dishes and drinks to your itinerary, and your winter trip to Japan will feel warm, memorable, and unmistakably authentic.