Japan December Destination Recommendation for a Couple of Nights Away from Tokyo

mshanann on 25/05/2025 - 00:30

Hi Japan experts

I’ve got a Japan trip in mid December, and are seeking a travel location recommendation for a few nights away from Tokyo. I’m happy to go up to three hours or so on the train or get a hire car.

I’ve been to Tokyo/Kyoto/Osaka and to Nagano/Yuzawa.

I loved Osaka - food / night spot

Other than locations above, can anyone recommend somewhere up to 300/400km radius from Tokyo worth spending a couple of days/nights at in December. (Which will be Cold).

Food/history/scenery/relaxation are all of interest.

Thanks

Travel Asia Japan

Comments

  • DingoBilly on 25/05/2025 - 01:26
    +3

    Nikko is quite beautiful and is a great daytrip/one day overnight trip from Tokyo.

    Hakone/Kawaguchiko also come to mind for the Mt. Fuji part, and could be good for a day trip or overnight stay. But can also be very touristy.

    • freefall101 on 25/05/2025 - 16:19

      I spent 3 nights in Nikko many years ago, which was too long, but it is a seriously stunning place. I'd love to go back again for a day or two.

      • mshanann on 26/05/2025 - 12:26

        Thanks!

  • samyall on 25/05/2025 - 08:45

    Takayama and the surrounds are drop dead gorgeous and has the best beef in Japan. Its also the perfect spot to go to Shikawago and the other gassho villages. I recommend trying to get to Ainokura and Gokayama as they were two of most amazing places I have ever been.

    You could do 3-4 nights and definitely tick all your boxes of food/history/scenery.

  • payless69 on 25/05/2025 - 08:52

    Hokkaido got powder snow, best in the world!

  • Wiadro on 25/05/2025 - 09:34

    Mt Fuji

    • Butterfly Gocha on 25/05/2025 - 13:53

      Hakone - views of mt Fuji. Cable car and black egg. Pirate ship.

      Smell of sulphur is pretty strong though

  • jjjaar on 25/05/2025 - 10:18
    +2

    Kanazawa.

    • slknv on 25/05/2025 - 11:59
      +1

      Agree kanazawa for a couple of days - about 2.5 hours from tokyo on hokuriku shinkansen, if you're lucky the kenroku-en gardens will have snow and it looks spectacular, great seafood.

    • AaronRain on 25/05/2025 - 12:28

      Kanazawa is beautiful (even just the train sight on the way there) and have one of the Three Great Gardens of Japan. You can also visit the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art, most of the exhibit should be free (unless they changed it).

      • mshanann on 26/05/2025 - 12:27

        Thanks!

  • dtc on 25/05/2025 - 21:11

    Agree that Kanazawa is your best option and it’s one of my favourite cities in Japan and definitely worth a visit.

    Fuji won’t be accessible at that time of year. Nikko isn’t a bad choice but it’s only about a full day of sights and otherwise you will be sitting around (with a lot of the shops closed as it’s not peak season). However it’s a lot cheaper than the travel to Kanazawa (which is ¥28000 return from Tokyo)

    Another option is Nagano and either head to an onsen town nearby and relax for a few days; or spend a day in Nagano, day at Matsumoto (50 min away by train) and then a night in an onsen town

  • mshanann on 26/05/2025 - 12:26

    Thanks everyone!

  • d4zz4 on 07/08/2025 - 15:57
    +1

    A bit further than you mentioned but I had a few days to fill and got the 5 days JR East pass. Went to Akita, caught a joyful train to Aomori stopping at Hirosaki for a bit as well. Beautiful area.

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