Originally Posted by KI-NRT

If it's January or February, a large part of Japan - especially in the North, West and in the Mountains - will be covered in snow. For a guarantee of snow, I'd suggest Tohoku, Hokkaido, Nagano, Niigata and the Hokuriku region (among others.) Tohoku is very picturesque during this time. However, many of the top ryokans are quite isolated (not within walking distance to any sort of town), and even if there was a town, it's not the type that you'll find in places like Kinosaki Onsen. One of the exceptions is Ginzan Onsen, although I'm not aware of any property that is truly high end there, unless you're fine in a more traditional, rustic ryokan such as Fujiya (which was redesigned by Kengo Kuma.)

For views of snow-capped mountains, but not necessarily being in the snow (no guarantee of it, anyway), then places like Lake Suwa (Sui Suwako) and the Fuji Five Lakes area (such as Fufu Kawaguchiko, with superb views of Mt. Fuji on a clear day) come into play.

We were planning on visiting Zaborin in 2020, but decided against it at the last minute over concerns about a drop in the service level there according to many Japanese reviewers. They supposedly had high staff turnover during the pandemic. Zaborin has never been celebrated for its service (i.e. check-in at the lobby counter, not even while seated in a lounge area, nobody accompany you to your room to explain the in-room functions, etc), which is strange, given that it's already been over 7 years since it began operating. Still, the hardware is fantastic and is in a beautiful location.

We're planning to stay at Senjyuan for the first time this November, as a combination trip with Kusatsu Onsen Kei and Fuefukigawa Onsen Zabou (the latter is not well known since it's in a remote part of Yamanashi, but the "special" room at the latter looks incredible, as does the Onsen.)