Japan Winter Holiday - Suggestions Please

John on 15/03/2017 - 13:42
Last edited 15/03/2017 - 14:20 by 1 other user

Hi,

Trying to arrange another holiday to Japan for December/January end of this year. Haven't bought anything so looking to get some tips before buying the tickets etc..

We've been to Japan last November (our itinerary was somewhere in the forum) and basically went around Tokyo/Mt Fuji/Kyoto/Osaka/Hiroshima. So this won't be the first time.

During our past visit we found that we enjoyed Kyoto & Osaka much more than Tokyo mainly because we like the quietness of it. In most area, Tokyo was too busy for us (we have a 4 year old and was travelling on a pram too). So for this trip we are planning to experience more of the traditional feel from Japan smaller town/cities.

Things I'd like to know is (if you could help I'd really appreciate it):

  1. Is it better to go early/mid December or early/mid January (avoiding Xmas New Year)? Want to experience some snows but not too much that we get too cold to do anything (bear in mind we have a small toddler). Not really looking into snow sports.

  2. What cities are best to visit during these months?

  3. Itinerary suggestions? Or if you have any similar itinerary to share? Wanting to know how should I plan my travel accross the cities?

  4. Any other things to be aware of for travelling in the winter months? Apart from the cold and short daylight time

Anything that would help us get started would be helpful! Many thanks!

Travel

Comments

  • John on 15/03/2017 - 13:43
    +1

    Sorry post it in the wrong section of the forum and cant edit to move it. Can admin help please? >_<

  • devpress on 15/03/2017 - 14:54

    OP, I spent 3.5 weeks in Japan for my honeymoon during last Winter. Happy to provide my own views once this post moves into the right forum (:

    • John on 15/03/2017 - 17:37

      Its been moved I'm pretty sure. Can you please let me know all about it :D

      • devpress on 15/03/2017 - 20:33

        I'll start with a list of winter/snow specific things that we did, all of which were in Hokkaido (though noting that we weren't travelling with a small child):

        • Taking the overnight sleeper train from Tokyo to Hokkaido (though I believe these services have since been replaced by Shinkansens)
        • Snow dog sledding in Asahikawa
        • Catching an ice-breaker ship off Abashiri to see drift ice in the Sea of Okhotsk
        • Visiting Otaru canal during their Snow Light Path festival
        • Soaking ourselves in lots of onsens (especially Rotenburo - outdoor onsens)

        Other wintery/snow things we didn't do, but are keen to try:
        * Visiting the blue pond in Biei, Hokkaido
        * Skiing in Niseko
        * Seeing the Sapporo Snow Festival

        We did a whole bunch other stuff during our trip - which you can basically do any time of the year - such as:
        * Watch the tuna auction at Tsukiji, Tokyo
        * Seeing the Shibuya crossing in Tokyo
        * Visiting Mount Fuji
        * Climbing the Himeji castle in Himeji
        * Eating Kobe beef in Kobe
        * Visiting the A-dome at Hiroshima
        * Visiting the bamboo forest & golden shrine in Kyoto
        * Visiting Dotonbori and seeing the Glico man in Osaka

        … and a bunch of other stuff. And we did all of our domestic travel via Japan Rail.

        Let me know which of the above is of interest and I can provide further info. Once we narrow down the activities we can talk about itinerary…

        EDIT: In answer to your questions:

        1) The climate/weather isn't really that different from December to mid January — it's winter in Japan and it'll be cold. Obviously it will be coldest in Hokkaido, and warmer down south.

        2) That kind of depends on what exactly you want to do? I'd love to visit certain places in Hokkaido, but that might not be your cup of tea if you dont like the cold?

        3) Again, start from what you want to do - then build out an itinerary from there

        4) Only context specific things — for example, I don't recommend driving in Hokkaido in winter due unless you're experienced driving in snow conditions. Again, probably best we talk about this once we determine what you want to do

        EDIT 2: just saw your other posts re Japan … you seem to know your way around already ??

        • John on 15/03/2017 - 21:03

          Thanks for the tips! Yes Ive been to the big cities but havent been to Hokkaido or other cities. And obviously haven't been there in winter.

          If I just want to experience snow (to see it not really for ice sports) would there be some by beginning of December? I heard it starts in Hokkaido before moving south so I guess I should start in Hokkaido if I travel earli Dec?

          Did you try other cities? Apart from thise mentioned above? Keen to hear some cities to look at eg. Takayama. Not really keen on spending too much time in the main cities as we've been there before

          Btw I'd love to hear more about Hokkaido. How many days do u think one should spend there? Missus are not into sightseeing so more exploring the city and experiencing the life there

        • devpress on 16/03/2017 - 10:34

          @John:

          In some places the ski season starts in November - so depending on where you go (most likely up north) you can find snow in December.

          This is dependent on your travel availability but consider coinciding your trip with the various Snow Festivals — these are distinctive winter events and quite worth visiting in my opinion.

          Non-majors we visited that I'd recommend:
          * Karuizawa: great outlet shopping + rotenburo
          * Otaru: for the canal / snow festival
          * Miyama (Kyoto perfecture): for the village there

          We loved Hokkaido for its ocean views, nature (not as well developed as major cities on Honshu) outdoor activities and (sea)food. Sapporo may be Hokkaido's largest city, but it pales in comparison to other majors on Honshu. If you're wife loves exploring developed cities, then I wouldn't recommend any city in Hokkaido for her — they would be small and less interesting by comparison

        • John on 16/03/2017 - 12:20

          @devpress: Thanks again, I will look for that festivals/events to help us started! Yeah she quite like strolling past shops and getting dinner somewhere.

          How's the cities in Hokkaido in comparison to Hiroshima? We quite enjoy Hiroshima even though it was small. Should we just stay in Sapporo?

        • devpress on 16/03/2017 - 13:22

          @John:

          There are definitely boutique shops & craft stores along "old streets" in the smaller cities — you just wont have larger department stores (which is more boring anyway IMO) and the like if that's what your missus is into.

          Eating is the same - if she wants convenience then stick to large cities. Smaller towns are more likely to offer experiences — for example, my wife and I spent an hour getting lost on the streets of Asahikawa in snowfall looking for some famous but obscurely located yakitori restaurant. It was worth the search - but YMMV (esp. with kids)

          We only did Hiroshima for the Peace Memorial and A-Dome; didn't think the city was otherwise worth exploring. We also didn't find Sapporo all that interesting (except for their snow festival). I think surrounding towns are more interesting - such as Otaru, Noboritetsu; maybe you could use Sapporo as a base to explore these places.

          There's a zoo in Asahikawa for your child, but that might be a bit further away from Sapporo than you would like.

          I think it would be something to see the Shirogane Blue Pond frozen over, but that's half-way between Biei and Furano, and may not be the easiest to get to without a car (though note my caution about driving in winter)

        • John on 16/03/2017 - 14:00

          @devpress: Thanks heaps mate. I have much more starting point to research now. Very excited!

        • devpress on 16/03/2017 - 14:18

          @John:

          Let me know how you go; my wife and I are in the midst of planning our next trip this coming May …

  • dazweeja on 15/03/2017 - 17:41

    Not sure about Winter but… snow monkeys. Shibu Onsen is a nice little onsen village near there.

    Himeji is quite nice. Good castle and Mt Shosha is also cool.

    • John on 15/03/2017 - 21:05

      Thanks for that. Yeah trying Onsen is on top of my list!

  • nightelves on 16/03/2017 - 13:15

    If you have an Amex card transfer the point over to SPG then to Marriott Rewards. You need at least 180k reward points. This can easily be achieve with two Explorer card. Once the points are in Marriott Rewards, request for the 7 nights Hotel and Flight package and have the points trasnferred to United Airlines.

    Reason for this is that flights from Mel-HND cost 80k + $130 in Business class with fully flat beds.

    As a bonus you also get the 7-nights at Marriott Osaka included into your trip as part of the Hotel and Flights package.

    I recently redeemed this and got 7-nights at Osaka Marriott for 4200Y . Hope that helps.

    • John on 16/03/2017 - 14:05

      Wow that's awesome. I'll look into it!

      • nightelves on 16/03/2017 - 14:28

        Let me know if you have any questions. I have redeem two Hotel + Flight Packages this way. The 7-night Marriott Hotel alone was worth close to $3k.

        • John on 16/03/2017 - 15:03

          Honestly. I'm not sure if I've been collecting Amex points. I've got Amex through Westpac Altitude Black and been getting the Altitude points all this time. Never thought anything of Amex points..

        • nightelves on 16/03/2017 - 16:02

          @John:

          Yeah Amex has that unique benefit of being able to transfer to multiple airline and hotel partners.

  • amaninaku on 21/03/2017 - 15:49

    I've been to Osaka and Kyoto in winter . It's really good!

  • John on 21/03/2017 - 19:18

    I've been drafting my first itinerary. I really wanted to to do trips to Takayama (I heard its nice in winter) but realise it will be too much to put Sapporo in the trip…

    So my options are:

    A. Tokyo (3N), Hakone (2N), Kawaguchiko (2N), Matsumoto (1N), Takayama (2N), Kanazawa (1N), Osaka (3N)
    B. Tokyo - Sapporo & surroundings - Tokyo (not sure the detail yet)

    Which one do you recommend? Seems to be a lot of moving around either option. I haven't really been researching more on the possibility of doing these trips with minimal check-in/out… anyone has some similar itinerary?

  • Pandaroo on 21/03/2017 - 23:09

    Thanks for this thread, I basically had the same questions and now I've got some good things to start researching.
    I've been before over new years/January but only visited Tokyo and then snowboarded for 7 days, wasn't interested in sightseeing or anything but this time planning on travelling with my partner and 1 year old baby.

    Have you noted any decent deals in flights? I've yet to book any, But I'm planning to combine it with my free Amex Platinum Edge and spend a weekend in Melbourne before flying out… which I need to book before the 28th of this month..

    • John on 21/03/2017 - 23:59

      No deals yet but checking SQ flight stopping over Singapore for a week is pretty reasonable at about $1200pp considering the high season. Planning to spend Christmas New Year in Sigapore

  • ReefandDoe on 25/03/2017 - 00:13

    We loved Tokyo Disneysea, the feeling was amazing. It had a fire, water, and lights show at night that was one of the best things I've seen.

    We took a train 1 hour out of Tokyo which took us straight to a ski field- the closest one to Tokyo. It was excellent. You got straight out of the train and into the lobby of the ski field. Hired your gear, and could go straight up the Gondola. It was the easiest skiing experience I've ever had.

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