japan travel itinerary winter

Plan a Japan Winter Trip 2024: Top Experiences & 2 Itineraries

Winter (December to February) in northern Japan is like a white fairy tale world : white snow, colorful Christmas illuminations, and a relaxed atmosphere. Although Japan is cold in winter, it still attracts visitors with its unique winter experiences, fewer travelers, and cheaper costs.

Japan is a great place to spend the Christmas holidays with your family : relax in an onsen (hot spring) in a traditional ryokan (inn) while appreciating the snowy scenery in Hakone, ski with your teenage kids at Hokkaido's best powder-snow ski resort, experience dreamy wintry lighting in Shirakawa-go, and see snow monkeys bathe in an onsen in Nagano.

In this article, we are going to look at how to plan a winter travel itinerary, which could be a memorable family holiday.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Japan?

4 Top Japan-in-Winter Experiences

Top 2 Winter Itineraries in Japan

Tips for Winter Travel in Japan

Winter weather in japan.

How Much Does It Cost?

Do I Need a Visa to Go to Japan?

Japan restored its visa-waiver system from October 11th, 2022. If your country is on the Japan visa exemption list, like Australia, Canada, USA, UK and almost all European nations, you can visit Japan for 90 days (in most cases) without applying for a visa in advance.

Here are four top things to do that you should not miss in Japan in winter:

1) Relax in an Onsen in a Cozy Ryokan in Hakone

Staying at a ryokan with onsens (hot spring baths) is the most attractive experience to be had on a winter's day for many travelers from Japan and abroad .

Hakone is the home of onsens and has numerous natural hot springs, some of them are believed to have healing properties. A ryokan is a traditional-style Japanese form of accommodation where you can sleep on a tatami and enjoy high-class kaiseki (multi-course classical Japanese cuisine).

Nothing is better than to relax in an onsen with stunning snowy trees and mountains around you and your family to create unforgettable holiday moments.

Suggested reading: How Long Should I Spend in Japan

2) Ski with Your Kids in Hokkaido/Nagano

Japan has lots of family-friendly ski resorts offering quality powder snow, perfect surroundings, clear English signage, and excellent service. Japan has the best ski resorts in Asia, but it is still cheaper to ski there than in Europe.

Hokkaido's pistes are definitely some of the top Japan destinations in winter, where world-class ski resorts include Niseko and Rusutsu. Skiing in Hokkaido you can enjoy light and fluffy snow, icy mountain scenery, professional English-speaking skiing lessons for kids, teenagers, and families, and fresh seafood.

Nagano, just an hour and a half from Tokyo, is also a well-known ski resort . Once the main venue for the Winter Olympics, Hakuba Valley is Nagano's best family-friendly ski resort.

Check more details about planning a ski holiday with your family >>>

3) See Charming Winter Lighting in Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go is a UNESCO World Heritage site , a picturesque village known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which have steep thatched roofs that are named after 'praying hands'. In recent years, Shirakawa-go has become popular with travelers for its beautiful countryside views and unique farmhouses.

These farmhouses are extremely charming when covered in snow and illuminated at night. The wintry lighting scenes can usually be seen from January to February, but the lighting-up time varies from year to year and stays require advance booking.

Contact our travel advisors and we can arrange it for you.

4) Watch Snow Monkeys Soak in Onsens in Nagano

Nagano is a city surrounded by mountains and is not far from Tokyo. It's well-known for its Hakuba Ski Resort and snow monkeys that soak in hot springs. It is a good place to go for family holidays in winter.

Monkeys (Japanese macaques) in Jigokudani Monkey Park are the only ones in the world who love to soak in hot springs in winter. Watching the snowflakes fall on the monkeys, each of them relaxing in hot springs to keep warm, would be a new and unforgettable memory of the trip.

Winter Itineraries in Japan: The Top 2 Options

Here are two winter itineraries that are hand-picked for families visiting Japan for the first time with two popular lengths of holidays (9 and 14 days), both including relaxing in hot springs, seeing snow-covered shrines, enjoying a cup of steaming Japanese tea, and the option to go skiing with your kids.

1) The 9-Day Classical Route: Major Highlights and the Ryokan Experience

Tokyo–Hakone–Kyoto–Osaka

This itinerary covers the top highlights of Japan: experience kid-favored anime elements and an attractive Christmas atmosphere and illuminations in Tokyo, soak in onsens at a comfortable ryokan with snow scenery in Hakone, spend family time in Kyoto trying on kimonos and feeding friendly deer.

Here is a summary itinerary for you ( contact us for more details):

Days 1–3: Tokyo (samurai, make sushi, anime center, and Asakusa)
Days 4–5: Hakone (ryokans with onsens)
Days 6–8: Kyoto (snow-covered shrines, geishas, sake, and feed deer)
Day 9: Osaka and departure

It's also a great idea to spend an extra 2–3 days having a family ski time in Nagano, which is not far from Tokyo.

2) 14-Day Best Winter Experience Route: Skiing, Snow Monkeys in Onsens

Sapporo–Otaru–Tokyo–Nagano–Shirakawa-go–Kyoto

You can get the best winter experience in Japan with this itinerary: ski and explore a famous chocolate factory in Sapporo — capital of Hokkaido, take a day trip to Otaru to enjoy a snowy view on the Otaru Canal, see the magical sight of snow monkeys soaking in hot springs in Nagano, and appreciate the wintry lighting in Shirakawa-go.

Here is a summary itinerary for your inspiration ( contact us for further details):

Days 1–3: Sapporo (skiing, the most famous local chocolate factory and Sapporo Ice Festival)
Day 4: Otaru (Otaru Canal and exquisite glass)
Days 5–7: Fly to Tokyo (Tsukiji Market, Tokyo Tower, sumo, and anime)
Day 8: Nagano (snow monkeys soaking in hot springs)
Days 9–10: Takayama and Shirakawa-go (well-preserved townhouses and snow-covered gassho-zukuri farmhouses)
Days 11–13: Kyoto (geisha, tea ceremony, sake, ryokan with onsen, feed deer in Nara)
Day 14: Depart from Kansai International Airport in Osaka

To create a wonderful winter trip in Japan, here are some suggested tips to help you to avoid unnecessary hassles.

Christmas and New Year is one of the busiest times in Japan. It's better to plan ahead and book flights and hotels at least 6 months in advance to reserve your favourite hotel/room.
Winter in Japan is cold and snowy. You'd better take thick clothes to keep warm. We recommend you to bring a down jacket, gloves, and waterproof boots.
Most ski resorts in Japan have rental shops to rent or sell ski equipment, so you don't have to take heavy ski equipment to Japan. Of course, it's okay to bring your own equipment. You can pay for a delivery service that will ship your skis directly to the ski resort.

Just let us know your interests and requirements , and we can help make it happen.

Winter in Japan is from December to February and the weather is cold and dry.

In Sapporo on Hokkaido, the average daily temperature range is from 0°C (32°F) in the warmest part of the day down to -6°C (20°F) at night. While in Tokyo or Kyoto temperatures average above freezing, ranging from 2 to 10°C (36–50°F) on average.
The average rainfall per month in winter is low in Tokyo/Kyoto at around 58 mm (2 in), but the average snowfall in Sapporo on Hokkaido is a moderate 104 mm (4 in) — and more snow falls at Hokkaido's mountainous resorts.

December sees the beginning of winter in Japan, with clear skies, and colder and drier weather. Cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Sapporo get into the festive spirit when celebrating Christmas and New Year.

January/February is the best time to ski in the white world of northern Japan. The high-quality powder snow is the most important feature of ski resorts in Japan, which attracts many skiers to come and enjoy it.

How Much Does a Japan Winter Trip Cost?

Japan rivals Europe both in terms of facilities and service standards, which means that travel in Japan costs more than in China or in Southeast Asian countries.

US$350-500 per person per day is the typical cost for a private tour with 4-star hotels, based on a family of 3–5 people. This includes a private guide, private car, full-day itinerary, tickets for attractions, and a local 4-star hotel.

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A Japan Winter Itinerary + 7 Unique Things To Do In Japan In Winter

Thinking of visiting Japan in winter? Don’t leave these unique experiences off your Japan winter itinerary.

A Japan winter itinerary is going to be packed with magical sights that most tourists don’t get to see.

That’s because winter in Japan is a truly unique time – and that means you can enjoy some of the most unique things to do in Japan when you visit during the winter season.

If you’re still deciding when to visit Japan, this winter itinerary might just convince you that the colder months are one of the best times to visit Japan.

Even if you’ve visited Japan in the spring, summer or autumn, winter in Japan will be a completely new experience.

Here’s how to plan a trip to Japan in winter, including where to go, what to add to your Japan winter itinerary and must-know tips for visiting Japan in winter.

Is it worth visiting Japan in winter?

Japan 2-week itinerary: winter edition, the japan rail pass, tokyo in winter, day trips from tokyo in winter, hokkaido in winter, kyoto and osaka in winter, 1 – visit an onsen, 2 – slurp ramen, #3 make the most of indoor entertainment, 4 – stay in a traditional japanese house, 5 – indulge in the izakaya experience, 6 – go shopping, 7 – take part in a traditional tea ceremony.

Just to let you know… This post contains affiliate links, including Amazon Associates links. I may receive a small commission from them at no extra cost to you.

First things first, you’re probably wondering if winter is even a good time to visit Japan.

After all, even if you’re only just starting to plan your trip to Japan , you’re probably well aware of the famous cherry blossom festival .

And while taking part in the annual hanami (flower viewing) tradition should be on every traveller’s bucket list, it’s also, understandably, peak travel season in Japan.

Given that many visitors time their trip for the spring and summer seasons, places generally get busier (and more expensive!) at these times.

As much as I loved witnessing the cherry blossoms turn the streets of Kyoto pink, I still feel winter is a totally underrated time to visit Japan.

Not only will most places be quieter and have fewer crowds during the off-peak months, but winter is when Japan may just be at its most enchanting of all.

Japan in winter itinerary

When it comes to planning a Japan winter itinerary, I would largely follow this itinerary for 7 days in Japan, with a few extras added in.

Those extras would be two of my favourite places in Japan and both are better in winter: Hokkaido and the snow monkeys hot springs at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park.

While both of these places can be enjoyed all year round, they really come into their own in the colder season when snow lines the ground.

The 2-week Japan itinerary below will help you see the best of Japan in winter in just a couple of weeks.

If you have more time, you could easily spend at least one more full day in each of the places included.

And if you don’t have a full two weeks to explore, I would reduce the number of city days and focus on spending a few days in Hokkaido.

While northern Japan has something to offer in every season, winter really is the best time to visit Hokkaido.

With heavy snowfall, snow festivals with snow sculptures – such as the Sapporo Snow Festival – and many of the best winter activities that Japan has to offer, it would be a shame to miss Hokkaido on a winter trip to Japan!

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo. Explore the city, including the eccentric Tokyo nightlife
Day 2: Explore Tokyo
Day 3: Day trip to Mount Fuji
Day 4: Take the shinkansen to Hakodate
Day 5: Explore Hakodate. Transfer to Sapporo for the night
Day 6: Take a day trip to Noboribetsu and Jigokudani “Hell Valley”
Day 7: Enjoy winter sports (or get cosy in one of the many ski resorts), visit seasonal events or take a day trip to a National Park
Day 8: Travel back to Tokyo on the shinkansen
Day 9: Take a day trip to see the snow monkeys (alternative: Hitachi Seaside Park)
Day 10: Travel to Kyoto
Day 11: Explore Kyoto during the day, then experience Kyoto at night
Day 12: Visit Nara Park
Day 13: Transfer to Osaka, visiting Himeji Castle on the way. Explore Osaka
Day 14: Osaka/departure day

If one thing becomes abundantly clear when planning a 2-week winter itinerary for Japan, it is that the Japan Rail Pass is essential.

This handy little card gives you access to the entire network of high-speed trains (and some non-high-speed local trains) across the country, making it possible to squeeze much more into your winter trip to Japan.

If you plan to visit Hokkaido – I highly recommend it! – it will also save you a small fortune on the cost of travel in Japan.

It’s best to order your pass before you leave because it’s much cheaper than buying it once you arrive. Plus, it’s also much easier.

You can buy your pass on this website (the best place to buy!) and get free delivery to almost any country in 24-48 hours. If you prefer, you can also do as I did and pick your pass up when you arrive, but you’ll save time by getting it delivered.

Japan in winter: Yumoto Noboribetsu in Hokkaido in March

Where to go in Japan in winter: in detail

Unlike other countries – like Spain or parts of the United States , for example – the fact that it’s winter won’t restrict you much in Japan.

If anything, it’ll mean you get to see a really special side to this already magnificent country.

Here’s a breakdown where to go during winter in Japan, including the places included in the winter itinerary above:

Most trips to Japan will begin with at least a few days in Tokyo since most international flights land at Narita Airport (or sometimes Haneda Airport).

Although you might not be able to enjoy strolling around the city’s expansive parks as much, there won’t be many things you’ll have to skip.

Even when it’s chilly outside, you can still enjoy all the city’s highlights, including Harajuku’s shopping street and Golden Gai’s unique nightlife . In fact, Golden Gai’s tiny bars are even cosier when it’s cold outside.

You also won’t have to skip the 24-hour karaoke, 24-hour sushi trains or the many ramen houses.

Insider travel tip

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The Japan winter itinerary above includes a couple of day trips from Tokyo.

While it’s possible to spend the night at most of these destinations, there’s really no need. As long as you have a Japan Rail Pass , it’ll be just as easy – or even easier – to head back to Tokyo at night.

My one tip would be to stay as central in Tokyo as possible. Being close to a train station – especially Tokyo station – will be super helpful when it comes to making the most of your time in Japan.

Plus, since winter in Japan can get quite chilly, it will minimise the amount of time you need to spend out in the cold.

Anywhere in the Shinjuku or Shibuya area will make a great base for exploring Tokyo and beyond via rail:

Recommended sustainable Tokyo hotels:

Stay in the heart of the city in luxury: Imperial Hotel
Apartment living with home comforts: Citadines Shinjuku Apart-Hotel
A luxe stay with traditional touches: JR Kyushu Hotel Blossom
Quirky and affordable: Book and Bed
For unrivalled views of the city: Kimpton Shinjuku (by IHG)

While it’s not possible to hike Mount Fuji during the winter months, it’s still very possible to visit.

And it’s something you won’t want to miss!

Seeing Fuji capped in a layer of snow is a sight you’ll never forget, but is only possible for a few months of the year.

The best way to see Mt. Fuji is on a day tour such as this one that stops at several scenic spots. The bus picks up and drops off in Shinjuku, which is another reason to make it your Tokyo base.

Hotel deals in Shinjuku (updated live)

If you haven’t booked your Tokyo accommodation, these limited-time hotel deals are updated daily and many of them off free cancellation if you change your mind:

Shibu Onsen & Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

One place you won’t want to miss in Japan in winter is Shibu Onsen.

A short bus ride and hike from this small onsen town you’ll find the famous snow monkey hot springs .

Winter is also the best time to see the Japanese snow monkeys bathing in natural hot springs because the cold weather means they spend more time in the water. Which means more cuteness and even better travel photos !

The easiest way to visit is on a day trip from Tokyo. It’s a long(ish) journey, but joining an organised guided tour from Nagano station is the easiest way to take the stress out of logistics.

This one-day tour meets where the shinkansen arrives and will drop you off after, so you can make the most of your JR Pass. It also includes lunch and sake tasting!

Hitachi Seaside Park

Hitachi Seaside Park is an expansive garden that changes with the seasons.

The park has been designed so that each area has different plants and flowers in bloom at each time of year.

That means that, if you v visit in the winter, you’ll see a completely different spectacle to what you would see in the summer.

Even if it wasn’t set up to change seasonally, the design of this park is a piece of art worth seeing.

You can visit on a day trip from Tokyo , but stay overnight if you want to make the most of it and get the Japanese onsen experience .

Jigokudani snow monkey park on a Japan in winter itinerary

Outside of Tokyo, Hokkaido is a must if you’re visiting Japan in winter.

In fact, winter in Hokkaido is a pretty magical experience and probably the best time to visit Japan’s northernmost island. And since Hokkaido has a much longer winter than the rest of the country, it’s well-equipped for winter travellers.

If you’re an avid skier, you’ll love Hokkaido’s ski towns and resorts. And even if you’re not, staying at one is a great way to unwind in the Japanese mountains.

Whether you head there or not, make sure you leave time for Noboribetsu. If you only do one thing in Hokkaido during winter, take a soak in the hot springs and enjoy the incredible views.

You can visit on a day trip from Sapporo or, if you want the full onsen experience, book a night at the Noboribetsu Grand Hotel (if there are any rooms still available – it books up fast!).

Hokkaido loves winter and has several festivals celebrating the colder months of the year.

The Hokkaido Snow Festival is the most popular of all, taking place in late January and/or early February every year. If you can time your Hokkaido trip around it, it’ll almost definitely be worth it.

And if it doesn’t, you can still enjoy the Sounkyo Ice Festival which runs all the way until March.

Women in traditional Japanese kimono in Kyoto Japan

Japan’s other major cities, Osaka and Kyoto, both have their own unique charm during winter. You could visit both on a day trip or overnight adventure from Tokyo, but stay a little longer if you can.

Kyoto may just be the most photogenic city in Japan, and even more so in winter. The only thing more magical than seeing its narrow streets and towering temples is witnessing them covered in snow.

Kyoto gets incredibly busy during cherry blossom season and the warmer months, so winter is a great time to see it without the crowds. Plus, there’s even more nightlife to enjoy there.

Osaka doesn’t suffer from the freezing temperatures that other Japanese cities face during the winter, so it’s a great time to visit Japan’s second-largest metropolitan area.

You can still enjoy all the same shopping, restaurants and entertainment , but with smaller crowds than in peak season. As a foodie hotspot, Osaka is a great place to try some local delicacies in the warm .

In addition to that, Osaka also has its own share of light festivals and celebrations to enjoy throughout the winter.

Once again, I’d recommend choosing Osaka accommodation that is centrally located and/or close to a train station because travel distances can be significant.

Both Kyoto and Osaka make a great base for exploring nearby tourist attractions. Some of the best ones to explore during the Japanese winter include:

Himeji Castle

Kamikawa Ice Festival in Hokkaido in March

Activities to add to your Japan in winter itinerary

Wherever your trip to Japan takes you, make sure you add these unique experiences to your Japan winter itinerary.

They’re all just a little bit better when it’s cold outside!

There’s nothing like slipping into a natural hot bath when it’s freezing out. If you can, find an open-air one and enjoy the fresh surroundings.

Just make sure know the onsen rules first!

Ramen is good at any time of year, but it’s the best when it’s cold outside.

There’s nothing like feeling the warm, yummy noodle soup heat you up from the inside out.

I’m yet to try bad ramen in Japan, but the best by far was in Hokkaido. But perhaps that’s just because it was coldest there…

Japan has no shortage of indoor activities. From robot shows to karaoke contests, there’s always plenty to keep you entertained when you don’t want to be outside.

Do a little digging and you never know what you might find.

Japanese homes may just be the most logical houses on the planet.

From sliding doors that can make the room as big or as small as you like, to dining tables complete with blankets to cover your legs, there’s nowhere cosier to stay during the winter.

There are plenty of ryokan style accommodation options on Booking.com, Hotels.com and Agoda , including both hotels and homestays, and it’s well worth spending at least one night in one!

Izakaya are informal bars that serve drinks and snacks similar to tapas.

Every visitor to Japan should try to visit one of these bars, especially in the winter. When it’s cold outside, the cosy atmosphere is a great place to warm up.

Alternatively, sign up for an izakaya cooking class to learn more about Japanese culture while trying some food yourself.

Japan is home to some of the best brands on the planet.

From electronics to fashion, there’s no shortage of unique places to shop – especially in the capital city, Tokyo.

During the winter months, prices are often reduced as stores prepare for the new season, so it’s the perfect way to escape the cold and experience a new side of Japanese culture.

Tea plays an important role in Japanese culture – and is also the perfect way to warm up on a winter day.

You’ll learn all about it while sipping a warm cup of ceremony-grade matcha.

Tea ceremonies are available in Osaka, Kyoto , Tokyo and almost every big city so there’s no reason not to add one to your Japan winter itinerary!

RELATED READ: Norway’s Lofoten Islands are another great winter trip – here’s why.

Japan Travel Planning

Even though I found Japan surprisingly easy to travel, it still pays to be prepared.

In fact, it’s one country where you’ll really save yourself some time and money (not to mention stress!) by having as much prepped in advance as possible.

Here is a checklist of things to have prepared before you go:

Shinkansen Tickets

The Japan Rail Pass is a no-brainer for anybody who wants to see more than one part of Japan.

Booking in advance is super simple – much simpler than buying in Japan – AND comes with free 24-48 hour delivery.

I booked through JRailPass.com and can’t recommend them more for their price, efficiency and customer service.

GET YOUR TICKETS

Travel Insurance

The good news: things generally run smoothly in Japan and, when they don’t, the healthcare is some of the best in the world.

The bad news: when things don’t go to plan, it can be very expensive.

That’s why travel insurance is a must in Japan.

Since moving to Portugal, I use and recommend True Traveller because they cover a wide range of activities and circumstances.

If you’re resident outside of Europe, EKTA travel insurance offers affordable, transparent and extensive coverage all over the world.

WiFi/Sim Card

Getting a sim card in Japan is tricky (and expensive!). Unfortunately, I waited until I was there and learned the hard way, so I highly recommend arranging your WiFi situation before you go.

The best way to stay connected while travelling Japan is with an eSim that you can use right away or this local sim with unlimited data that you can pick up on arrival.

Save on flights to Japan

Did you know that you can save up to 10% on flights with a cashback service?

With WayAway Plus , you can find the cheapest flights, transfers and other travel services and receive part of your purchase back in cash. It goes straight to your Paypal account!

I use WayAway to book all my flights so that I can save extra and have secured an exclusive discount for Alajode readers to do the same.

Use this link and the code ‘ALAJODE’ to save a massive 55% on your yearly membership plan and start saving. That mean you’ll get up to 10% off all travel services for less than $4 per month. In just one trip to Japan, that could save you hundreds of dollars!

Not only does a VPN help protect you and your data while travelling, it can also help you access geo-locked content.

That’s something that comes in really handy in a place like Japan, especially if you don’t speak the local language!

NordVPN is the one I use and trust, and currently has this great deal available.

Airport Transfers

If you’ll be arriving late or staying somewhere fairly remote, consider booking an airport transfer on arrival.

This will take a whole lot of stress out of an already confusing situation when you land in Japan, especially after a long flight.

I’ve found this website has the best prices and the widest availability (sometimes in places where there aren’t even taxis!).

About Jodie Marie Dewberry

Jodie has been travelling the world full time since 2017, sharing the most unique places in the world along with tips for living as a digital nomad. She is a passionate wildlife photographer and has worked with a number of prominent travel brands, including airlines, tourism boards, hotels and tour operators.

The Ultimate Japan Winter Itinerary (2 Weeks, 4 Cities)

02/27/2023 by Kristin Addis 2 Comments

When I think of the Japanese winter, I picture that feeling of being in a snow globe, or sitting in a steaming onsen (hot springs), or beautiful views of Mt. Fuji. It’s a tall order, to be sure, but like always, Japan delivered.

I’ve traveled to Japan five times in various seasons, but I have to say, the winter is a hit. Combining low season ease with beautiful snow was a win to me!

We recently spent two delicious weeks there, getting a taste of big cities, tiny villages, some of the most famous sights, and of course, delicious food. Honestly? I think we did a great job.

This is the ultimate two-week Japanese winter itinerary:

Table of Contents

Our journey began in Kyoto and finished in Tokyo. If you can book one-way flights, this eliminates a transit day. You can also consider taking the two-hour bullet train from Tokyo over to Kyoto for the start of your trip.

Though it’s never a guarantee that you will get snow in Kyoto — in fact, it’s a rarity — seeing some of the most famous sites with the white stuff was magical.

Day 1: Bamboo grove

Head to Arashiyama as early as you can to walk through the bamboo forest and check out some of the shrines. The earlier you go, the smaller the crowds should be — however, the bamboo is thick and it can be dark super early in the morning. Though the shrines often have entrance fees that are usually around ¥500, the bamboo is free to walk through and enjoy.

You’ll see busy stands selling snacks close to the entrance, but honestly, they were a bit on the pricey side, and we found better ones elsewhere.

Jet lag took up more of the early part of our journey than intended, but if you are able, try to see the Kinkaku-ji temple, a golden pagoda surrounded by tranquil gardens and a pond. Finish the day with sunset on the famous street leading up to Hokan-ji temple.

Day 2: Kaiseki and torii

Our second day began with an early journey to Fushimi Inari Taisha, a Shinto shrine dating from 711 CE, with its famous walkways straddled by thousands of torii gates, and is free to enjoy. This and the bamboo forest were the sites I most hoped to see in Kyoto, and it was just as magical in person as I’d dreamed it would be.

It’s open 24 hours, as is the bamboo forest, so heading there early is a great idea. We happened to get there around 8am on one of the coldest, snowiest days of the year in the lowest season, and therefore had it almost to ourselves for a few minutes, but by 9am, busloads of people were showing up.

From there, check out the Kojingamine outlook for an overview of the city, followed by a visit to the Tō-ji temple, the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan dating back to the year 796.

Finish the evening with a stroll through the historic Gion district, or better yet, take a food tour. Ours involved a few hours of walking around, learning about the local culinary history, tasting traditional snacks and spices unique to Kyoto, and finishing with a kaiseki dinner, a ritual meal consisting of several courses created by a team of chefs. Each one features a different cooking style, though you can usually count on a rice dish, miso, sushi, and some kind of dessert. This is the highest level of dining in Japan and should not be missed! (The exact tour we took is no longer available, but you can book something similar .)

Day 3: Tea ceremony and shrines

Have you ever wanted to don a kimono? Participating in a tea ceremony is one of the best ways to get your chance. You’ll have the opportunity to learn the ritual around drinking green tea while wearing this traditional garment, plus get a photo doing so.

Finish the evening with sunset at Kiyomizu-dera, a Buddhist temple that is part of the Historic Monuments of Ancient Kyoto UNESCO World Heritage site.

Where to stay : Kyoto has some gorgeous hotels like the Six Senses and four seasons. The charm of these places is amazing, and worth making it one of your trip splurges!

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(Due to our desire to catch an event that I’ll discuss later on in the post, we could only spend three nights in Kyoto, but it deserved so much more! I’d recommend staying at least three, if not more.)

This adorable town full of friendly people is the gateway to the Japanese Northern Alps, as they’re called. We picked this town for its historic feel and famous food, and the likelihood of it being a winter wonderland (it was!).

Day 4: Journey to Takayama, known for delicious Hida beef

You’ll spend a good chunk of the day getting to Takayama, which is best accessed on Japan Rail (JR) via Nagoya. The ride there is beautiful, most of it alongside a deeply blue river. (Sometimes there’s also a direct bus, though, so be sure to check! We tended to use Google Maps for our planning, which I suggest doing when weighing your options.)

Spend the afternoon and evening sampling some local Hida beef, which is incredibly flavorful and tender, at Kyoya restaurant, where you cook your meal over a charcoal grill at your table! It was a delicious experience at a place we didn’t even realize was famous — we just stopped by, since it was near our Airbnb. Apparently a reservation is normally essential, so be sure to call ahead.

Day 5: Sanmachi and Hida no Sato folk village

Check out the historical houses (pictured below the subheading above) in Sanmachi, a neighborhood with traditional Edo-era architecture dating back to the 1600s through the 1800s. You’ll find small eateries, shops, and houses all along the way.

There’s a morning market along the river as well, where you can find food vendors. It’s perfect for an early stroll.

jalan itinerary Hida no Sato folk village

Spend the afternoon checking out the Hida no Sato folk village, an open-air museum featuring more Edo-era farmhouses. In the summer months, you’ll see grass growing on the thatched roofs, and in the winter, the village is famous for having feet of snow packed to the tops of the houses. It was magical to see them that way! Entrance is ¥700.

(The village also a great primer for the next stop, Shirakawa-go, a larger UNESCO World Heritage village from the same era.)

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Traveling in Japan with a Baby

Day 6: Shinotaka ropeway or Gero onsen

Head out of town to the Shinotaka Ropeway (¥3,300 per adult), about a 1.5-hour bus ride each way, or consider heading to the town of Gero, south of Takayama, for a night. It’s one of the most famous onsen towns in Japan, known for its particularly smooth water.

(Due to my tattoos I can’t use most onsen , which I’ll discuss later, but for this reason, we opted to skip Gero.)

Where to eat: In Takayama, we loved the Tori Coffee and Sabou Usagi cafés, as well as Uemura for dinner. The latter is a truly tiny restaurant serving organic food the chef grows himself. I cannot recommend it enough! I messaged him via Instagram to book. Sakurajaya is also a fun experience, sitting at the bar and watching the chef make the food in izakaya fashion (informal, small dishes).

Where to stay : I loved our Airbnb here! It was the cheapest of the trip, at around $90/night, and had its own outdoor bathtub, which was magical with the snow!

Shirakawa-go

Day 7: UNESCO site Shirakawa-go

Light Up Shirakawa-go was the event I mentioned that caused us to leave Kyoto a bit earlier than I normally would have. Each winter, for six Sundays over January and February, Shirakawa-go lights up all of its buildings in the evening. If you are planning way ahead and can snag a reservation to stay overnight, do it, but if not, you can take a bus tour to the event from Takayama.

Tickets for this may sell out, as the number of visitors is capped. I logged on right when they went on sale in November and had to refresh the page for a couple of hours before finally getting through, but I’m happy to say that it was worth it. It truly felt like we were in a snow globe.

If you can’t get tickets for the light-up event, be sure to head there during the day. It is easy to access from Takayama via a bus that runs hourly (the bus costs ¥700, village admission is free). The village and buildings are quaint, there are a few museums you can enter for a couple hundred yen, and there’s an observation deck as well. The village would be delightful in every season, though I loved seeing it so snowy!

Stay: it’s possible to overnight in Shrakawa-go in the traditional houses . They book up well in advance for the light up event, though other times of year or other evenings would be easier. You’re only allowed to stay for one night in each house and they ask that you don’t bring large suitcases as there isn’t room for storage.

Day 8: Journey to Mt. Fuji

This was our longest travel day, making our way down to Yamanashi prefecture. It was so worth the journey, though, as staying on a lake with a view of Mt. Fuji was a highlight for us.

There were dozens of ways we could have chosen to get there, though we opted for the JR back through Nagoya, followed by a bus. (In 2023, the bus that runs between Takayama and Kawaguchiko was not running, but it would be by far the best and cheapest way in the future.)

Kawaguchiko

Wintertime is generally the clearest time of year and offers the best chance to see Mt. Fuji, one of the most famous sights in Japan.

When we were deciding between Kawaguchiko and Hakone, another popular spot an hour south, one of my Instagram followers suggested Kawaguchiko (and Takayama!), and I’m so glad we took her advice. We had gorgeous mountain views over the lake day after day.

Day 9: Chureito Pagoda

You can’t visit Kawaguchiko without seeing the Chureito Pagoda, which as one of the most iconic views in Japan.

That said, it was also my biggest heartbreak of the trip, having wanted to see this view of Mt. Fuji for years. The clouds rolled in just as we were getting off the train. C’est la vie!

The pagoda is free to visit. You’ll have to climb quite a few stairs to get there, though, but it’s worth it.

Consider also stopping by Oishi Park, which is easy to access from the sightseeing-loop bus, for another iconic Fuji view.

Day 10: Soak and stare at Fuji

We spent a good chunk of our tenth day hanging out at our hotel, to be honest. I recommend booking a place to stay on the opposite side of the lake from Mt. Fuji (the northern side), so that you can take a day or so to just relax and enjoy the view.

We booked Ubuya , a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn that typically features tatami-matted rooms) that had private hot springs on the balconies. Since I have tattoos, this was the only way that I was going to get to enjoy onsen that are so iconic in Japan in the winter.

Due to tattoos’ association with gang culture, almost all onsen and even hotel spas in Japan ban those with tattoos, unless it’s very small and can easily be covered with a Band-Aid. You can’t cover them up with a swimsuit, either, as one is fully nude in onsen .

This ryokan was definitely a splurge for our trip, but it was worth it! We also ate breakfast and dinner in the hotel, the latter a kaiseki meal in a private room set up for us and the baby.

Day 11: Fuji ropeway and Asama shrine

Are you down for an Insta-famous photo opportunity? There are two big ones in the area, including the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. It’s a short journey, so I normally would not feel the ¥1,800 per person round-trip is worth it, since you can get a great view of the mountain from the lakeside. But you can get some pretty cool pictures swinging with Mt. Fuji at a swingset at the top. You’ll have to queue up and pay an additional ¥500 for the photo op, which we didn’t do, but part of me wishes we had.

Next, take the bus bound for the Asama shrine and either walk from there, which is a 30-ish-minute uphill climb, or take a taxi to Tenku no torii. They’ll ask for ¥100 per person at the entrance and there will be another queue, but I loved the photos we got! (pictured at the beginning of the Kawaguchiko section).

Note: The “suicide forest” is also in the Kawaguchiko area, but it’s generally regarded as disrespectful to visit. Please pick other activities instead. There are many other beautiful forests in Japan!

Stay : As mentioned above, we booked Ubuya and loved the experience. If it’s out of your price range, I re commend staying on the same side of the lake and booking another hotel nearby so that you can still get the Fuji view from your room.

Welcome to the largest city in the world! I am usually not a big-city person, but Tokyo is a different animal. It’s one of the most unique places I’ve ever been, and there’s almost a limitless supply of things to do. Though you can only ever scratch the surface, these are some of my favorites:

Day 12: TeamLab and Harajuku

Harajuku is one of the most famous areas of Tokyo — and for good reason. There’s awesome shopping, creative cafés, and some famous local culture to check out. If you’re looking for something more traditional, in the same area, you can walk around the Meiji Jingu Shinto shrine.

From there, pop by the Hie shrine for another opportunity to walk through a smaller version of the Kyoto torii gates, as well as view one of the lovelier shrines in Tokyo, featuring white walls and a green roof.

Finally, do not miss a TeamLab exhibit! This art collective’s immersive art experiences get me every time. They tend to only remain open for a few years; TeamLab Planets should be open for another year or so, and it’s a must-see. I highly recommend going in the hours before closing so as to have fewer people in your photos. Book your ticket ahead of time too: this one somehow let us skip the whole line! Entrance is ¥3200.

Day 13: Nakano, Shibuya crossing, and ramen

On our second-to-last day, I knew I wanted to do another food experience. There are a couple that I was looking at, including a walking tour in the famous Tsukiji fish market and a six-bowl ramen tasting . The latter just happened to fit better with our schedule, and it was delicious! We visited three ramen shops, all of which featured several unique flavors and styles. Garrett and I also shared each of our bowls, so that we could sample all of the flavors, so we ended up having 12 ramen samplings. Our favorite was the inventive pesto ramen, though I always love the curry version and was surprised by how much I enjoyed the squid ink as well.

Give yourself some extra time to check out Shibuya crossing, where the tour begins, which is the famous all-direction crosswalk that as many as 3,000 people use at a time! It’s quite a sight. If you want to see it from above, the Starbucks is a popular place to check it out.

We followed our ramen tour with a giant ice cream at Daily Chico at the Nakano broadway, pausing to take the photo featured above on one of the adjacent streets, which you can find by glancing to your right as you walk up the broadway.

Day 14: Imperial Palace, Disney, and unique kaiseki in Ginza

On your last day, you’ll have to make a difficult choice about what to see. I have a complete Tokyo itinerary here with a bunch of options. If our son were a bit older, we would have loved to go to Tokyo Disney or Disney Sea. Better believe it’s on the docket for the future!

Since our hotel was near the Imperial Palace, we opted to take a walk around the grounds. Keep in mind that you actually have to take a tour in order to get closer. The gardens are lovely, though, and the trees lining the streets near Tokyo Station are a great winter photo op.

I’d finish your trip with one of the most unique kaiseki experiences, in the high-end Ginza district of Tokyo: Tsurutokame , the only all-female kaiseki restaurant in Japan, featuring not only delicious food but incredible presentation. I was vegan when I visited a few years ago, and they even created a completely vegan menu for me! It was a highlight of all of my trips to Japan. It’s also popular, so book well in advance!

Where to stay : I splurged a bit on this part of the trip as well, booking us at the Prince Gallery Kioicho Hotel . The view from the room made it so worth it! The breakfast was delicious, and the location was central, but the best part about it was definitely the service, which was top-notch.

Although many of you won’t need to worry about this, it was also the only place we stayed in Japan that had a crib!

Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost major island, is important to mention. Many people choose to ski its famous powder (known in the ski world as Ja-pow), during all or at least part of their winter trip.

From Tokyo, you can take the bullet train and be in Hokkaido in about four hours. Although it was under consideration for us, since we are not really ski people (who live in a ski town — it’s weird, I know) and had a baby with us, we passed.

But there’s good reason to visit. Sapporo, the largest city, has a snow festival each year that features massive ice and snow sculptures. It usually only lasts for a week, so plan your trip accordingly if you’d like to see it.

Getting Around

Getting around Japan was pretty straightforward using Google Maps. I would sometimes cross-reference with blog posts that specifically discussed the journey between certain destinations, just to be sure, but Google Maps was almost always correct. I also appreciated that it would usually give me the exact platform and even car to use in order to make a quick exit.

That said, both Kyoto Station and Tokyo’s larger metros can be confusing, although there were information desks scattered throughout, and they were super helpful — I would just show them where I was trying to go, and the staff person would point in the right direction.

To Rail Pass or not to Rail Pass?

Should you get the Japan Rail Pass ? Only foreigners are allowed to get this pass, which for a one-time fee gives you unlimited rides on the Shinkansen (bullet train) and Japan Rail lines. If you are going to be taking long-distance trains between Kyoto and Tokyo or Hokkaido, for example, it could make a lot of sense.

We opted not to do it, however, since two of the towns we visited — Takayama and Kawaguchiko — involved bus travel. It didn’t work out to be financially advantageous for us, just barely. We did, however, get the Tokyo metro pass , and I recommend the Hakone pass if you opt to go there.

If you do plan to take trains during the high season, it will probably make sense to get the JR pass and book your seats ahead of time. There are only a few cars on each train that are unreserved, which only worked out for us because we were there during low season. Book highway buses ahead of time as well, either in person at the station or online. I hadn’t realized this was important — we were lucky to grab the last seats on our bus to Kawaguchiko, which would’ve been such a pain to have missed!

Also, be sure to have cash on hand. There are ATMs in most convenience stores and train stations. We found that the ticket machine did not take our foreign credit cards, but if we waited in line for in-person service, we could buy a train or bus ticket with a card. Many restaurants also prefer cash.

Language and other notes

Although I can read a bit of Japanese, thanks to my years studying Mandarin and the similarities between the two, I don’t speak it beyond hello ( konnichiwa ) and thank you ( arigato ). Thanks to Felix, I learned that the word for “cute” is kawaii .

I found that people were always willing to try to communicate, though, since Japanese people are friendly and wonderful hosts. So I highly recommend downloading Japanese on Google Translate before you go. That way you can access it offline if you need to show somebody something or ask a question.

Also keep in mind that people bow as a sign of respect, a greeting, or thank you. Be sure to bow back, fully facing the person.

Japan is easily one of my favorite countries to explore because it’s just so different from anywhere else on earth. You get the opportunity to travel back in time, to feel blasted to the future in the big cities, and the friendliness is incredible.

Note: Some links in this post are affiliate links to the hotels and activities that we participated in. Purchasing through these links supports us at no extra cost to you

About Kristin Addis

Kristin Addis is the founder and CEO of Be My Travel Muse, a resource for female travelers all around the world since 2012. She's traveled solo to over 65 countries and has brought over 150 women on her all-female adventure tours from Botswana to the Alaskan tundra.

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GUIDE Winter in Japan Cold weather and warm spirits

Stories & Guides

Cold weather and warm spirits

As winter approaches, a frigid chill engulfs the whole of Japan, and while it rarely snows in most of the country's metropolitan areas, the surrounding mountains and northern regions are regularly covered by fresh blankets of powder.

Pack plenty of warm clothes, then bundle up and head outside to enjoy snow festivals, skiing, and snowboarding, and relaxing onsen resorts.

While the harshness of winter varies by location, a warm winter jacket is a necessity regardless of where you're traveling
During the New Year's holidays, most restaurants and attractions shut down. Consider planning ahead to avoid any disappointments
Enjoy the seasonal cuisine that winter brings, indulging in extravagant nabe hot pots, delicious ramen broths, and other soothing dishes

Where to ski in Japan

As a densely mountainous country, Japan boasts numerous peaks ideal for winter snow sports. Regardless of where you're traveling within Japan, the winter brings ample powder to the nearby mountains, and with it many ski and snowboard enthusiasts.

Visit a temple or shrine on New Years

Winter festivals

Cold weather brings people closer together. Despite the cold air, many traditional festivals and events take place in the winter, transforming the harsh winter days and dark winter nights into a fun and warm celebration.

Warm up in an onsen hot spring

Get out of the biting cold and indulge in a relaxing bath, taking a soak in the mineral-rich waters of Japan's many natural hot springs. With fresh, pure water bubbling out from the volcanic earth below, many towns and villages have sourced this soothing water for hundreds of years, developing a rich culture around public bathing and relaxation. Take a day or two to escape the city and relax. Some locations have outdoor baths, and enjoying the hot water with snow all around is magical.

* The information on this page may be subject to change due to COVID-19.

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Japan Winter Itinerary – Activities, Destinations, and Trip Ideas!

If you’re wondering whether winter is the best time to visit Japan, then worry not! Japan has four distinct seasons, each with its own unique set of seasonal activities, places to visit, and different cuisines, making it a wonderful time of year to travel. Personally, I prefer the Japan winter season to the summer months, which are stiflingly hot and humid, making any kind of outdoor activity unbearable.

Winter in Japan has plenty to offer visitors, from the snow monkeys of Nagano to ice sculptures in Hokkaido. Japan’s mountainous landscapes mean its snowy peaks are heaven for winter sports enthusiasts, whilst illumination events around the country are popular with families and couples. Read on to discover what to do in Japan in winter using this 14 day Japan winter itinerary!

Have you been to Japan during the winter? What was your favorite activity? Let me know in the comments!

Are you planning a trip to Japan soon?

Check out my 4-day Tokyo itinerary, 5-day Tokyo itinerary , and 3-day Kyoto itinerary for first-time visitors. Also, don’t forget to download your free Kyoto Bucket List for 2024 .

Recommended 2 Weeks Japan Winter Itinerary

This is a sample of an ideal 2-week winter itinerary in Japan, but if you are visiting for a shorter period, you could also just select a couple of areas to travel to based on your interests. I’ve also included some ideas at the end for top winter destinations and activities for longer itineraries or if you want to switch out some of the suggested destinations below.

Domestic travel in Japan is super easy with an excellent public transport system and rail network, plenty of cheap domestic flights, and even night buses offering transport options to suit any budget.

Days 1–2 Tokyo
Days 3-4 Hakone/Mt Fuji
Days 5-7 Hokkaido
Days 8-10 Japanese Alps
Days 11-12 Kyoto
Days 13-14 Tokyo

This page contains affiliate links. If you choose to purchase after clicking a link, I may receive a commission at no extra cost to you .

Days 1-2 Discover Tokyo

Begin your Japan Winter Wonderland extravaganza with a short break in Japan’s capital city. Tokyo is so magical during the wintertime and has many beautiful Christmas displays, illuminations, and markets as well as all of the classic sights to try and squeeze in!

Tokyo Winter Itinerary – Day One

Spend your first day in Tokyo with some sightseeing, taking in the classic landmarks such as the Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa, one of Tokyo’s most famous temples and the oldest too. If you have time, take a guided rickshaw tour before you leave!

After visiting the temple, walk over to Tokyo Skytree where you can visit their annual Christmas market which usually runs from mid-November until December 25. Fill up on festive treats, see the tower light up, then go up to the top of the tower for epic views across the city!

Be sure to also check out Meiji Shrine and enjoy the peaceful gardens and ponds whilst strolling around. Unlike Senso-ji which is a Buddhist temple, this is a well-known Shinto shrine. Shinto is Japan’s ancient religion, so I think it’s interesting to visit both. Meiji Shrine is really close to Harajuku, Shibuya, and Omotesando which have plenty of attractions to occupy you for the rest of the day!

Shibuya also has a gorgeous winter light display, the Blue Cave illuminations, which sees around 800 meters of trees illuminated with approximately 600,000 lights to create a magical atmosphere. Over in nearby swanky Omotesando, the famous tree-lined shopping avenue is also covered with 900,000 golden lights to create a stunning display.

A little bit further afield but still worth the visit are the illuminations at Yomiuriland , a theme park in Tokyo whose attractions are decorated with millions of LED lights.

Tokyo Winter Itinerary – Day 2

Continue exploring Tokyo at your own pace and take in some special winter activities whilst you’re here like enjoying a Japanese winter dining experience, shopping for lucky bags, or experiencing a traditional new year.

Enjoy Japan’s Unique Winter Dishes

Much of Japan’s cuisine changes with the seasons and the arrival of winter marks the appearance of heart-warming dishes such as nabe , oden , and nikujaga . Nabe is a kind of Japanese hotpot usually filled with vegetables and meat or fish.

Eating nabe is a fun and social dining experience where friends gather to make the dish around a portable stove or meet in nabe restaurants. If you’re in Tokyo, you must try out a nabe party for yourself!

Oden can be purchased throughout Japan and is often sold in convenience stores during the winter, it consists of a light broth containing items including fishcakes, daikon radish, and boiled eggs. Nikujaga is a filling dish often cooked at home and is a kind of beef and potato stew, the perfect comfort food on a cold day.

Enhance your winter dining experience even further by getting cozy under a Japanese kotatsu, a low table with a built-in heater, covered by thick blankets that are impossible to leave once you’re under! Google ‘kotatsu dining Tokyo’ for a list of restaurants where you can have your own kotatsu experience!

Go Crazy for Japan’s Lucky Bags

Every winter in early January, people line up to buy fukubukuro, Japanese lucky bags. The idea is that you go to your favorite stores and buy a mystery bag that contains items that are heavily discounted. The only catch is that you can’t see what is inside the bag, so there is an element of luck involved as to whether you will like what’s inside. These kinds of bags are extremely popular, with many selling out within minutes of going on sale. If you are visiting Japan during this time, it’s a fun shopping experience to try. Whilst clothing brands sell some of the most popular lucky bags, other companies such as Starbucks also sell bags featuring items such as coffee beans, drinks vouchers, and mugs.

Experience a Japanese New Year

New Year in Japan is different from western countries, it is a time for families to get together and visit the local temple, eat traditional food known as osechi, and stay up to watch the first sunrise of the year.

It’s a time of reflection not partying, although you can still find western-style countdown parties in Tokyo too. One of the best places to spend New Year’s Eve near Tokyo is around Narita in Chiba , close to Tokyo’s Narita airport. This small town is buzzing on New Year’s Eve with lively restaurants and bars, whilst food stalls line the streets surrounding the Naritasan Shinsho-ji temple.

Days 3 & 4 Hakone Hot Springs and Majestic Mount Fuji

What could feel cozier than viewing Mt Fuji’s snow-capped peak from a traditional Japanese onsen (hot spring) on a crisp winter’s day? Depart Tokyo and head to Hakone for a couple of nights, an area famous for its abundance of hot springs, nature, and views of majestic Fuji-san.

If you’re planning to spend a couple of days exploring the area, then consider purchasing the Hakone free pass, a 2-day discounted pass which allows unlimited travel on eight different types of transportation in Hakone, including the sightseeing cruise and ropeway.

You’ll find an abundance of hot springs in the Hakone area, so be sure to take some time to do a bit of hot spring hopping in between your sightseeing! Even better, if the travel budget allows, stay in a Hakone ryokan with a private onsen so that you can really take some time to relax in your own exclusive space.

Ryokan Hakone Ginyu is a peaceful ryokan where every guest room features an outdoor hot spring bath with views over the Hakone mountains. The Hotel Green Plaza Hakone is close to attractions like the Hakone ropeway and features rooms with private open-air baths and Mount Fuji views.

Days 5-7 Explore Hokkaido, Japan’s Winter Wonderland

Head back to Tokyo and hop on a short flight to Hokkaido, Japan’s northernmost island and a haven for winter sports and activities.

Without a doubt, one of the best places to enjoy Japan in the winter is on the northernmost island of Hokkaido , which transforms into a stunning winter wonderland around December time as the snow starts to fall. The island offers something for everyone. If you’re looking for a city break, head to Sapporo and Hakodate to discover their Christmas markets and illuminations. The charming coastal city of Otaru is also a delight to experience during its annual festival in February, which sees thousands of candles light up the city and along the canal. Fans of winter sports can, go ice walking across Hokkaido’s famous partially frozen Lake Shikotsu or head to the slopes of Niseko, whilst nature fans can enjoy smelt fishing, canoeing, and snowshoe trekking through the Kushiro marshlands in a one-day winter tour .

Probably the most famous winter festival in Japan, the Sapporo Snow Festival is held every February for a week where visitors can admire jaw-droppingly impressive snow and ice sculptures among the many attractions.

Ice Hotel and Village

For something extra during your Hokkaido visit, check out the Hoshino Resort Tomamu which features a stunning ice village from mid-January to the end of February that you can visit with an ice bar, ice restaurant, and ice onsen!

Days 8-10 Explore the Japanese Alps

After your trip to Hokkaido, head back to Tokyo via a short domestic flight and explore the Japanese Alps in Nagano Prefecture or Gifu Prefectures. Jump on the bullet train in Tokyo and arrive at Nagano Station just 80 minutes later ready to continue your Japanese winter adventure!

Nagano: Hot Springs, Snow Monkeys, and Ski Resorts

Things to do in Japan in winter - see snow monkeys

From Nagano train station, travel for 45 minutes by JR trains to Yudanaka Onsen, the gateway to the Yamanouchi region, a popular tourist destination famous for its snow monkeys and the largest ski resort in Japan, Shiga Kogen which played host to the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics.

Spend the night in a traditional ryokan and take a soak in the peaceful thermal baths whilst admiring the mountain views. After spending time with the snow monkeys or hitting the ski slopes, return to Nagoya Station.

Gifu Prefecture: Takayama and Shirakawa-go

Around a 4-hour train journey from Nagano Station, Takayama is a beautifully preserved traditional Japanese town nestled within the Hida Mountains which is ideal for an overnight stay and as a base to explore the area. Aside from exploring the old town, popular attractions here include the Hida Folk Village and the Shinhotaka Ropeway which transports visitors 2,200 meters above sea level to admire stunning mountain vistas via cable car all year round.

A popular side-trip from Takayama is a 50-minute bus journey to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go , an area famous for its thatched roof farmhouses which turn into a picture-perfect winter postcard scene each year, particularly during the village’s light-up events when the farmhouses are illuminated at night-time. The farmhouses have been preserved for hundreds of years and their sloped roofs are designed to cope with heavy snowfall.

Things to do in Japan in winter - visit Shirakawago

Whilst most people visit Shirakawa-go as a day trip, it is possible to stay overnight in a minshuku – family-run guesthouses. For the overnight stay or visits during the illumination period, you should book in advance via a tour company to guarantee access. You can also t ake a trip to Shirakawa-go by bus from Nagano.

The UNESCO World Heritage site of Shirakawa-go in Gifu prefecture is one of Japan’s loveliest winter spots thanks to the region’s unique style of thatched farmhouses which have been preserved for hundreds of years. The building’s sloped roofs are designed to cope with heavy snowfall, making them a picturesque spot to visit for a day or stay overnight. Some of the villages in the area also hold winter illumination events where the houses are lit up at night.

Kanazawa Castle City

After a couple of days in Takayama and Shirakawa-go, you could spend also spend a night in Kanazawa – which can be accessed directly by bus in just over two hours. Kanazawa is an ancient castle city situated in the neighboring Ishikawa Prefecture. During the wintertime, Kanazawa becomes a picturesque snow-covered wonderland, with winter illuminations lighting up much of the city and its gardens. Kanazawa is also home to a historic geisha district that holds regular performances and the Nagamachi district which houses traditional buildings was once home to powerful samurai. Kanazawa is also the center of Japan’s gold leaf production and you can participate in your own gold leaf pasting experience too.

Days 11-12 Visit Kyoto, Japan’s Cultural Capital

Following your Japanese Alps adventure, from Kanazawa, you can take a train directly to Kyoto with a journey time of just over two hours, or alternatively, it’s about a half-day train journey from Nagano.

Kyoto is a must-visit destination in Japan any time of year, as one of Japan’s best-preserved and most beautiful cities. There’s so much to see and do in Kyoto, that a 2-night stay should be the very minimum amount of time that you spend there. Here are my top recommendations for how to spend 2 days in Kyoto:

Day 1 – Explore Kyoto’s Temples & Shrines

It would be impossible to see all the wonderful temples and shrines that Kyoto has to offer in a single day so my advice would be to research and just pick a few that appeal to you the most and spend a whole day temple hopping. Oh, and remember to pack good walking shoes!

My top recommendations for first-time visitors would be to check out some of the following sights:

Kinkaku-ji – Kyoto’s striking golden temple is always worth a visit and for minimal crowds, I recommend arriving right at 9 am when it opens and after you have finished taking photos, stop by the cute tea garden for some green tea.

Ginkaku-Ji and Nanzen-Ji via the Philosopher’s Path – the Philosopher’s path is a lovely scenic canal-side walk that passes by several shrines. The route only takes around 30 minutes to complete but you’ll also find a temple at both ends of the path, Ginkaku-ji and Nanzen-ji that are definitely worth a visit.

Heian Shrine – this is one of Japan’s most important Shinto shrines and features a huge Torii gate and extensive gardens, which were featured in the movie Lost in Translation.

Fushimi Inari – you’ve probably already seen photos of the famous torii gates at Fushimi Inari shrine, and as one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions, the earlier you can arrive there, the better. As admission is free and it’s technically open all the time, you can get there as early as you like to avoid the crowds and get those perfect photos.

Gion – the Gion district of Kyoto is a treasure trove of hidden delights waiting to be discovered and is also the city’s geisha district. During the evening you may be lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a geiko or maiko (geisha in training) on her way to an engagement.

Kiyomizu-dera – this famous temple located in the east of Kyoto is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is known for its large wooden terrace which offers visitors incredible views of the city.

Day 2 – One Day in Arashiyama

I always think it’s worth spending a whole day in Kyoto’s Arashiyama district, it has lots of things to see and do all within walking distance, rather than having to rely on crowded buses to get around like in downtown Kyoto.

Arashiyama is just a short train ride from downtown Kyoto and there are also plenty of hotels and traditional Japanese ryokan in the area if you want to experience an overnight stay here.

These are my top 5 recommendations for how to spend one day in Arashiyama:

Visit the monkey park – Iwatayama Monkey Park is home to around 120 Japanese Macaque monkeys and although it’s around a 20-minute uphill walk, the rewards include scenic views from the observation deck and the chance to observe the monkeys roaming freely. You can also purchase snacks such as peanuts and bananas to give to the monkeys!

Hire a boat – on your way back into Arashiyama town, you’ll cross a river where you can rent rowboats by the hour. This is a great activity to do if the weather is nice, and a chance to enjoy the scenery.

Stroll through the Bamboo Grove – be sure to take a walk through the famous Bamboo Grove, one of Kyoto’s most magical spots. The towering bamboo creates a sense of tranquility and calmness against the crowds of tourists.

Visit Gio-Ji – one of Kyoto’s lesser visited temples, this serene spot has beautiful moss-covered gardens and is the perfect place to stop and have a quiet moment.

Stop by Saganoyu Café – one of my favorite lunch spots in Arashiyama, this former bathhouse has been converted into an elegant café serving everything from pasta to stacks of pancakes!

Days 13-14 Return to Tokyo

Take the bullet train back to Tokyo and spend your last night in Japan enjoying the best the city has to offer! For a final night out to remember, choose your own adventure from one of the following activities:

Izakaya and Karaoke – if you want to experience a classic Tokyo night out like a local, find a cozy izakaya for drinks and food before ending the evening in your own private karaoke booth! One of my favorite izakaya is a cheap and cheerful chain called Hanbey, whose walls are adorned with Showa-era posters and advertisements. Top karaoke rooms in Shinjuku include Karaoke no Tetsujin (one of the more reasonably priced places), Karaoke Kan, and Karaoke Uta Hiroba, whose prices also include free soft drinks.

Classic Cocktails at the Park Hyatt – i t’s pricey but if you are looking for somewhere romantic and special to spend your last night then you can’t really go wrong at Park Hyatt’s New York Bar. They have a cover charge in the evenings when live bands perform and drinks are what you would expect to pay in a 5-star hotel, but you can’t beat the views, service, and atmosphere!

Dinner at Gonpachi – Gonpachi in Roppongi is the restaurant that inspired the famous fight scene in the movie Kill Bill, and the menu is typical of what you would expect to find in a Japanese izakaya, from charcoal-grilled meat skewers to sushi, and they are also known for their soba noodles.

Tokyo Bay Cruise – go for dinner onboard one of the traditional yakatabune boats for a memorable evening. Cruise Tokyo Bay in houseboats decorated with hanging paper lanterns and tatami floors and feast on delicious sushi and tempura dishes.

Get Lost in Tokyo’s Yokocho – yokocho are alleyways packed full of tiny restaurants and bars and are so much fun to explore you’ll feel a little like Alice falling down the rabbit hole! The best ones include Omoide Yokocho in Shinjuku, Ameya Yokocho in Ueno, and Harmonica Yokocho in Kichijoji.

Additional Japan Winter Trip Ideas for Longer Itineraries

If you have longer than 14 days to spend in Japan, then you could also check out some of the following winter destinations and attractions:

Get Spirited Away with Snow Monsters

The famous snow monsters in Yamagata Prefecture are snow-covered trees in the ski resort of Zao Onsen, whose sinister monster-like shapes are on show throughout winter with nighttime illuminations open to the public. In addition to the ski resort, there are plenty of natural hot springs and ryokans to experience in the area.

After you have found the snow monsters, head an hour north Ginzan Onsen, a traditional and secluded hot spring town in the mountains that looks like it came straight out of the Studio Ghibli movie Spirited Away with its wooden buildings and gas lamps.

Nabano no Sato Illuminations

Nabano no Sato Flower Garden light display

The Nabano no Sato flower garden on the outskirts of Nagoya is famous in Japan for its spectacular winter illuminations with nearly 6 million LED lights brightening up the park with popular attractions like the tunnel of lights. The illuminations run from October to May each year with cherry blossom light-ups running from late February.

Cherry Blossom Viewing

Whilst cherry blossom season typically runs from mid-March through to early April, if you visit Japan in February there are a few early bloom spots you may be able to see cherry blossoms, such as Kawazu Town in Shizuoka Prefecture whose blossoms usually appear in early February due to the warm climate. Another spot for early blossoms is Matsuda Herb Garden in Kanagawa whose cherry blossom festival is held from early February to early March each year.

Try Some Winter Sports

Japan’s abundance of mountains makes it the ideal destination to try out some winter sports, and there are more than 500 ski resorts around the country to choose from. Japan’s ski season usually lasts from December to March although dates can vary depending on the weather conditions. Some of the most popular areas for winter sports include the resorts of Niseko, Rusutsu, Tomamu, and Furano in Hokkaido, and Hakuba Valley near Nagano which played host to the Winter Olympics in 1998. Just one hour on the bullet train from Tokyo you’ll also find Karuizawa, an upscale resort with skiing and ice skating.

Have any questions about your Japan itinerary or Japan winter travel? Join my Facebook group and ask me anything!

If you’re planning a trip to Japan be sure to download my 101 insider travel tips below, based on my experiences of living and traveling extensively in Japan for 4 years and interviews with local experts and tour guides.

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Japan in Winter: A Guide to the Best Winter Activities and Destinations

Are you ready to explore the wonders of winter in Japan? This article will guide you through the key information and essential activities for your cold-weather excursion. From snow-draped landscapes to thrilling winter sports, hot springs, cultural celebrations, wildlife encounters, culinary delights, and unique snow experiences, Japan in the winter has something to offer everyone.

Explore the magic of Kyoto’s winter gardens or hit the slopes in Niseko, a powder snow paradise. Experience the social warmth of Sento or witness the luminescent beauty of winter illuminations. Encounter the famous snow monkeys or indulge in seasonal seafood and hearty Japanese comfort foods. Whatever your interests, Japan in the winter has it all. This article will help you plan your perfect winter itinerary, navigate Japan’s winter weather, and answer frequently asked questions about visiting Japan during the winter months.

Key Information

Exploring the snow-draped landscapes of japan, the japanese alps, the magic of kyoto’s winter gardens, the thrill of winter sports in japan, niseko: a powder snow paradise, hakuba valley: skiing amidst majestic views, japan’s hot springs during winter, private onsen escapes, the social warmth of sento, cultural celebrations: winter festivals in japan, sapporo snow festival, illuminations that light up the night, encounters with wildlife: the famous snow monkeys, culinary delights: winter’s flavorful offerings, seafood at its seasonal best, warm up with hearty japanese comfort foods, unique snow experiences, drift ice adventures in hokkaido, mystical snow monsters of zao, planning your perfect winter itinerary, when winter lasts: timing your visit, staying cozy: accommodation choices, navigating japan’s winter weather, winter apparel guide, travel safe: coping with snow and ice, frequently asked questions, is it a good time to visit japan during winter, is japan expensive in winter, what months constitute winter in japan.

Japan in Winter: A Guide to the Best Winter Activities and Destinations

Winter in Japan is a season of abundant snowfall that transforms the country into a picturesque wonderland. From the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Mie Prefecture to the snow-covered slopes of Hakuba Ski Resort, there is something for everyone. The holiday season starts in early December, making it the perfect time to explore traditional Japanese inns in onsen towns like Nozawa Onsen and Noboribetsu Onsen. These places are known for their hot water and Japanese hot springs, providing a warm escape from the chilly winter temperatures.

Tokyo Station has become a hub for those seeking the best ways to travel to popular destinations. With the JR Pass in hand, convenience stores are at every corner, making travel easy and convenient. Fewer crowds make navigating parts of Japan easier, like Akita Prefecture or Shiga Kogen.

Early January is ideal for attending Japan’s most popular winter events. For example, visitors can attend the Yokote Kamakura Festival and admire snow sculptures or partake in outdoor activities like ice skating. In Odori Park, the light-up event near Mt Fuji is a spectacle, especially during the snow season when thick snow blankets the area.

Visiting public baths after a day of enjoying powdery snow at popular places like the Hakuba Ski Resort offers a glimpse into the heart of Japanese culture. Taking part in unique activities, such as watching sumo wrestlers, also offers this glimpse.

For those seeking a serene experience, winter in Shiga Kogen is known for thick snow and snow slides. Alternatively, visitors can also consider visiting the lesser-known Yokote Kamakura Festival in Akita Prefecture, which promises fewer tourists and extra serenity.

Overall, Japan is one of the most popular winter adventure destinations, offering something for everyone, from winter sports to cultural experiences.

Japan’s winter landscape is a unique experience. Winter begins in December and the coldest month is February. The northern regions of the country are more rugged and full of snow-capped mountains, while it remains mild in Okinawa. In this section, we’ll explore two winter destinations in Japan that offer a unique experience: The Japanese Alps and Kyoto’s Winter Gardens.

The Japanese Alps are a winter wonderland that offers a sight to behold. Imagine mountains blanketed in powder snow, with ski resorts nestled amidst their slopes. However, it’s not just about the snow. The Alps’ charm lies in adventure. Whether carving down a slope or basking in the serene mountain views, there’s a sense of exhilaration and peace that is uniquely Alpine. A visit to the traditional villages of Ogimachi and Gokayama adds cultural richness to your winter escapade. It makes the Japanese Alps an unforgettable winter destination.

Kyoto’s Winter Gardens offer a softer hue, leaving behind the image of the towering Alps. Snowfall gently covers the temples and pagodas, transforming the city into a calm winter haven, awaiting the warmer weather. During winter, certain gardens stand out, including the Karesansui at Ryoan-ji Temple, the stroll garden at Ginkaku-ji Temple, and the Hojo Garden at Tofuku-ji. The snow enhances their Zen beauty, reflecting the Japanese appreciation for nature and beauty. These gardens provide a peaceful escape from the cold and are essential stops on any winter itinerary in Japan.

In summary, Japan’s winter landscape offers a unique experience to travelers. The Japanese Alps and Kyoto’s Winter Gardens are two winter destinations that offer a unique experience. The Japanese Alps offer a range of winter sports and cultural experiences, while Kyoto’s Winter Gardens offer a peaceful escape from the cold.

Japan is a top destination for winter sports enthusiasts. Two of the most popular destinations for skiing and snowboarding are Niseko and Hakuba Valley.

Niseko, located in Hokkaido, is a haven for powder snow enthusiasts. It is renowned for its excellent skiing conditions, with plenty of snow, varied slopes, and an active après-ski scene. The ski resorts in Niseko, such as Annupuri and Hanazono, are well-known for their outstanding powder snow. After a day of skiing or snowboarding, visitors can unwind with craft beers and rare whiskies in the vibrant après-ski scene.

Table: Niseko Ski Resorts

Hakuba Valley, located in Nagano Prefecture, offers a diverse skiing experience suitable for skiers of all abilities, from beginners to experts. The valley has several popular ski resorts, such as Happo-One Snow Resort and Tsugaike, each with its special features and beautiful views. Skiers can glide down the slopes and enjoy the amazing views of the nearby mountains, adding a special charm to skiing in Hakuba Valley.

Table: Hakuba Valley Ski Resorts

Japan’s ski season typically runs from December to April, with peak season in January and February. Both Niseko and Hakuba Valley offer a wide range of winter sports activities, including skiing, snowboarding, and snowshoeing. With their unparalleled skiing conditions and stunning views, Niseko and Hakuba Valley are must-visit destinations for winter sports enthusiasts.

Japan is famous for its hot springs, or onsens, which are a great way to warm up after a day of winter activities. Onsens are known for their warm and calming environments, providing a refreshing break from the winter cold. There are two types of onsens to choose from: private onsens and sento bathhouses.

Private onsens offer an intimate natural hot springs experience. They are perfect for those seeking solitude or a romantic getaway. Picture yourself alone in a hot spring bath surrounded by beautiful winter scenery. Private onsen resorts often have many amenities, including electric kettles and tea sets in rooms, along with public and smaller private baths. They offer luxury and a close experience with nature.

Some of the most popular private onsen destinations in Japan include Zao Onsen, Ginzan Onsen, and Nozawa Onsen. Zao Onsen is famous for its outdoor hot springs, which offer stunning views of the surrounding snow-covered landscape. Ginzan Onsen is located in a picturesque town with traditional Japanese architecture, while Nozawa Onsen is known for its large variety of hot springs.

In contrast to private onsens, sento bathhouses offer a communal bathing experience. Sento bathhouses are traditional in Japan and are places where locals meet, chat, and unwind. A visit to a sento is more than just bathing; it’s a way to experience the friendly social atmosphere of Japan. In a sento, you soak in warm waters and enjoy the company of others.

Some of the most popular sento bathhouses in Japan include the Kinosaki Onsen, which has seven public bathhouses, each with its own unique style, and the Oedo Onsen Monogatari, which is a theme park-style bathhouse in Tokyo.

In conclusion, Japan’s hot springs offer a variety of experiences to suit any traveler’s preferences. Whether you prefer a private onsen escape or the social warmth of a sento bathhouse, Japan’s onsens are sure to leave you feeling rejuvenated and relaxed.

Japan’s winter is not only about snowy landscapes and hot springs, but it is also a time of vibrant cultural celebrations. Among the cultural celebrations, Japan’s winter festivals are an impressive display of Japanese culture. The Sapporo Snow Festival and winter illuminations are two of the most popular winter festivals in Japan.

The Sapporo Snow Festival is held annually in Hokkaido’s capital city and is a grand celebration of winter’s beauty. The festival started in 1950 as a creative project by local students, and now it is a huge event that attracts people from all over the world. The festival offers a variety of attractions across three sites: Odori, Susukino, and Tsudome. Visitors can enjoy amazing snow and ice sculptures, thrilling slides, and snow rafting. The sculptures’ craftsmanship is breathtaking, and visitors can participate in snow activities or enjoy the local food. The Sapporo Snow Festival is an unforgettable part of any Japanese winter itinerary.

As night falls, cities across Japan come alive with stunning winter illuminations. These bright light displays turn parks, buildings, and streets into enchanting scenes that look like a fairy tale. Among these illuminations, the Kobe Luminarie stands out. The Kobe Luminarie takes place every December and represents hope while honoring the victims of the 1995 Great Hanshin earthquake. Walking under the beautiful lights, visitors can feel deep respect for the resilience and spirit of the Japanese people.

Other winter festivals in Japan include the Asahikawa Winter Festival, Yokote Kamakura Festival, and many snow festivals that take place in various parts of Japan. These festivals are an excellent way to experience Japanese culture and enjoy the New Year holidays.

Japan’s winter is not only known for its scenic landscapes and cultural events, but also for its unique wildlife. One of the most famous wildlife encounters in Japan is at the Jigokudani Monkey Park, where visitors can observe Japan’s famous snow monkeys in their natural habitat. These Japanese macaques are known for their habit of bathing in natural hot springs during the winter to stay warm in Nagano’s cold climate. Watching these wild monkeys bask in the hot springs surrounded by the beautiful winter landscape is a heartwarming experience. Visitors can also witness the monkeys’ faces turn red from the warm water and cold air, adding a touch of wild charm to the Japanese winter. If the monkey park is not of interest, visitors can check out one of Japan’s many zoos.

Japanese cuisine is renowned for its seasonal ingredients, and winter is no exception. The winter season in Japan offers a plethora of fresh seafood and comforting dishes that are full of flavor.

During winter, many fish and shellfish are at their peak, providing fresh and flavorful tastes. Sashimi, sushi, and grilled fish are some of the popular seafood dishes that are available during the winter season. Local markets such as Omicho in Kanazawa and Tottori Kara in Tottori are great places to try winter seafood.

Japanese winter cuisine also offers comforting dishes that are perfect for the chilly weather. Sukiyaki, a savory hot pot, and oden, a hearty stew, are popular dishes that warm and comfort both body and soul. Izakaya restaurants are great places to try these dishes, along with other comfort foods such as ramen and nabe.

In conclusion, winter in Japan is not just about snowscapes and hot springs; it also offers a variety of flavorful dishes that are sure to delight any food lover.

Hokkaido offers a unique experience of walking on a vast, frozen sea with ice stretching to the horizon. It is a chance to see northern Japan’s stark, beautiful winter. Drift ice adventures in Hokkaido can be experienced through walking tours or scenic boat cruises. The beauty of drift ice can be experienced while exploring the ice, and one may see Steller’s Sea Eagles and other wildlife. This makes the adventure even more exciting. Asahikawa is a popular starting point for drift ice tours in Hokkaido.

Zao in Yamagata prefecture is known for its heavy snow and strong winds that shape the trees into eerie figures called snow monsters, also known as juhyo. These snow monsters are unique to winter and make the landscape look like it’s from a fantasy novel. Viewers can see the snow monsters from a distance or up close, which adds intrigue to Japan’s enchanting winter landscape. The mystical snow monsters of Zao can be accessed through a ropeway ride, followed by a short hike. Visitors can also enjoy skiing and snowboarding in the Zao area. The blue pond, located in the same area, adds to the beauty of the winter landscape.

In conclusion, Japan offers unique snow experiences beyond skiing. Drift ice adventures in Hokkaido and the mystical snow monsters of Zao are two such experiences that offer a glimpse into Japan’s enchanting winter landscape.

When planning a winter trip to Japan, it is important to choose the right time to visit. The winter season officially starts in December and ends in February, with peak snowfall usually occurring from mid-January to late February. For those interested in skiing or snowboarding, it is recommended to aim for the peak snowfall period. Visitors hoping to experience the winter festivals should check the dates of the events to ensure they don’t miss out. If visiting the snow monkeys or exploring the snow monsters of Zao is on the itinerary, it is best to plan the visit between December and February.

To start the trip, visitors can arrive at Tokyo Station. It is essential to stay warm and comfortable during the winter trip to Japan. There are many accommodation choices available, from traditional ryokans to modern hotels. For a traditional experience, visitors can stay in a ryokan, which offers tatami-matted rooms and communal baths. For those who prefer modern amenities, many hotels provide comfort, convenience, great views, delicious food, and hot springs.

Timing the winter trip to Japan is crucial to ensure visitors can experience everything they want to see and do. The peak snowfall period is ideal for skiing or snowboarding. Visitors interested in seeing the snow monkeys or the snow monsters of Zao should plan their visit between December and February. Winter festivals are also a popular attraction during this time, and visitors should check the dates of the events to avoid missing out.

Finding the perfect place to stay is just as important as scheduling the trip. To stay warm and comfortable during the winter trip, visitors can choose from various accommodation choices. Ryokans offer a traditional experience, with tatami-matted rooms and communal baths. For those who prefer modern amenities, many hotels provide comfort, convenience, great views, delicious food, and hot springs. Visitors should choose the type of accommodation that suits their preferences and budget.

Japan’s winter weather can be challenging, with heavy snowfall and icy conditions in many regions. However, tourists can still enjoy their visit to the fullest with the right clothing and safety measures. This section provides a guide on how to navigate Japan’s winter weather, including what to wear and how to travel safely.

Wearing the right clothes is crucial for staying comfortable in Japan’s winter climate. Layering is essential, with materials like wool, down, fleece, and thermal fabrics providing the best insulation. Tourists should consider packing thermal underwear, a warm hat, gloves, and a scarf to keep themselves warm.

Footwear is also important. Waterproof hiking shoes offer the best protection against cold and wet conditions. Thick socks are also recommended for warmth and comfort. Additionally, tourists should pack hand and feet warmers, which can be found in most convenience stores in Japan.

It is important to note that indoor heating in Japan is not as common as in other countries, so tourists should also consider wearing layers indoors to stay warm and comfortable.

Being careful and well-prepared is key to safe travel in snowy and icy conditions. With the heavy winter snowfall in Japan, it’s important to stay safe while enjoying the winter landscapes.

Whether driving or walking, tourists should be aware of the conditions and navigate with care. It is recommended to wear shoes with a good grip to prevent slips and maintain a safe distance from other vehicles to prevent accidents on icy roads.

Tourists should also be aware that crowds in Tokyo and Osaka can make walking on snowy or icy sidewalks more difficult. It is important to be patient and take extra care when navigating through crowded areas.

Remember, safety is of utmost importance when enjoying Japan’s winter wonderland. By following these winter apparel and travel safety tips, tourists can have a safe and enjoyable winter experience in Japan.

Winter in Japan can be a good time to visit, especially in December when the weather is cool and the country is less crowded. However, visitors should be prepared for colder temperatures and the possibility of snow in some regions.

Japan is generally less expensive in winter, except during the New Year holidays, which is a peak travel season. Visitors can save money on their trip by taking advantage of off-peak prices and discounts.

Winter in Japan typically lasts from December to February. While temperatures vary by region, it is the perfect season to enjoy hot springs and beautiful winter scenery. Visitors should pack warm clothes and be prepared for colder temperatures in the northern regions.

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Japan itinerary – 14 days of our incredible japan winter itinerary.

Japan is an incredibly diverse country. With amazing nature, traditional architecture and a distinctive mix of ancient and modern culture, there’s really nowhere else in the world like it! Maximise your time with this Japan itinerary 14 days and prepare for the time of your life. Amazing in any season, this reflects our Japan winter itinerary, but can just as easily be applied to spring, autumn or summer (with just one or two t weaks).

Towering skyscrapers, incredible technology, pop culture, ancient traditions, unusual places , wildlife, food and so, so much more. Japan literally offers something for everyone.

Having spent two incredible weeks in the ‘land of the rising sun’, we’re pleased to share our honest thoughts on everything we did (and a few things that we didn’t have a chance to do ourselves too)!

Having visited the island of Honshu in late December/early January, this post is first and foremost a Japan winter itinerary, but the activities and ideas we share are largely transferrable to any season.

We intentionally visited a number of well-known tourist destinations (being our first trip, we didn’t want to miss out), along with some off-the-beaten-path Japanese highlights . The two have combined to bring you this awesome itinerary.

Just as Japan packs a punch, so does this itinerary! Be sure to use the table of contents box that follows should you want to jump to one section in particular (though we’d always suggest you start by skim reading the entire post).

Jump straight on in...

Getting Around Japan on Your Japan Winter Itinerary – Plan Transport for Your Japan Itinerary – 14 Days

Japan is renowned for its incredible transport system. Trains, in particular, making travelling in Japan an absolute breeze.

It is possible to travel through Japan by bus, rental car and plane too, but in our experience, trains generally end up being the best bang for buck (in regards to time vs cost).

Though its rail system isn’t particularly cheap, it is efficient, fast and convenient and though we initially questioned the value in our JR Passes (as they were far from affordable), we came away from our 2-week itinerary as complete converts.

When travelling to Japan, we suggest pricing up the train transport you require before comparing that total with the price of a JR Pass – that way you’ll be able to figure out the most cost-effective way for you to travel across the country.

Plan Your Own Japan Itinerary – 14 Days on Your Japan Winter Itinerary

Japan is an incredibly diverse and exciting country, that combines both ancient cultures and modern life in a manner that we’ve not experienced anywhere else in the world.

It is a place that has to be seen and experienced to be believed.

To help make life easy for you, we’ve broken down where we stayed and what we did in each of the key locations we visited.

From the incredible history of Hiroshima and Kyoto, to the buzz of Tokyo (and everywhere in between), this Japan Itinerary 14 Days covers many of the key highlights in Japan whilst taking a well-considered route.

Back your bags and great ready to hit the road!

Top Tip: Japan is amazing at any time of year! If you’re headed there earlier in the year, be sure to consult this Autumn packing list .

Osaka (1 Night) – The Start of Your Japan Itinerary 14 Days

A vibrant, buzzing city, Osaka is known for its nightlife, incredible street food and it modern architecture. It also serves as a great entry or exit point to Japan, when combined with Tokyo – do as we did and fly into one city and out of the other, to save both time and money.

Osaka is a large port city and commercial centre on the Japanese island of Honshu. It’s known for its modern architecture, nightlife and hearty street food. The 16th-century shogunate Osaka Castle, which has undergone several restorations, is its main historical landmark. It’s surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees. Sumiyoshi-taisha is among Japan’s oldest Shinto shrines.

Though we didn’t have long in the city, it’s easy to spend much longer; even with four days in Osaka , you won’t be wanting for things to do.

What to Do in Osaka

Visit dotonbori – the heart of osaka.

There you’ll find countless neon signs (which are best viewed at night) lining a beautiful canal. There is also a 580m long shopping street that connects Dotonbori to Shinsaibashi – it’s the best place to go to try local street food dishes. You’ll be spoilt for choice there!

Admire the Osaka Castle

As beautiful as it is important, the Osaka Castle is a must-see whilst in the city. This castle is recognised as one of the most famous landmarks in all of Japan as it played an important part in being to unify Japan in the sixteenth century. It has since been decimated by fire and rebuilt and repaired a number of times; existing in its current form since 1931.

Our favourite time to visit is at night when it is illuminated (which just so happens to be when you see it on the go kart tour).

Check out Tsutenkaku – The Osaka Tower

This 100m+ observation tower boasts beautiful views of Osaka. Whilst you’re in the area, be sure to check out the restaurants and shops in Shinsekai.

Hit the streets on a Go Kart!

If you’re looking for a good time (and we know you are), you’ve got to jump in a go kart in Japan! We’d heard mixed things about just how appreciated the go karts are in Tokyo (and by that, I mean we’d read some horror stories), but that’s absolutely not the case in Osaka. We donned onsies and had the time of our lives!

Our guide did a great job of explaining how to safely drive the go karts on the open road, ensured we felt comfortable the entire time and zipped us around all of the key sights in the city (including the Osaka Castle, Namba, Dotonbori, Osaka Tower and the stunning Christmas illuminations). Be prepared to feel like a celebrity though; we couldn’t get over how many people were waving and snapping photos of us.

If there’s one thing you do in Osaka, make sure this is it! It really is the perfect way to get a sense of Osaka whilst having a good giggle.

Additional Things to do in Osaka:

Spend a day at universal studios japan.

A world renowned theme park brand, with rides and attractions based on Hollywood blockbusters, Universal Studios Japan (or USJ as it’s known by fans) appeals to guests of all ages. If you’re wondering whether it’s worth paying the Japanese park a visit (when you’ve already been to one elsewhere), the answer is yes; not only do they have an incredible Wizarding World of Harry Potter, but they also have Japanese favourites like Sailor Moon, Godzilla and Attack on Titan – attractions you don’t see anywhere else in the world. They’ve also got one of my Universal favourites – Jurassic Park: The Ride!

Visit the Kuromon Market

This is the most famous market in Osaka and where you’ll find endless fresh seafood, meat, fruit and more – Osaka is known for its regional street food and this is one of the best places to find it.

Spend some time at Kaiyukan – Japan’s Largest Aquarium

Osaka is home to one of the biggest aquariums in the world . There you’ll find whale sharks, rays, seals and over 600 other species of fish and marine animals. If you’re looking for a low-key wall to fill your time or entertain younger travellers, this is a great way to do so.

Where to Stay in Osaka

Kaja Hotel . Modern and funky, this surf-inspired hotel represents excellent value for money. With each self-contained suite built within a shipping container, it’s far from a traditional Japanese hotel but that doesn’t make it any less memorable. The Kaja Hotel is also close to a local light rail station, making it incredibly easy to get in close to the action of Osaka (and out of it again when it’s time to rest.

Hiroshima (1 Night)

Made famous for all the wrong reasons, Hiroshima was all but destroyed when an atomic bomb was dropped on it during World War II. Having worked hard to rebuild itself, it is an a modern city that draws in tourists from all around the world, looking to reflect and observe a glimpse into its difficult past.

What to Do in Hiroshima

Visit the peace memorial park.

The Peace Memorial Park spans the worst affected part of Hiroshima; the first city in the world to fall victim to a nuclear attack. It serves to remember those affected by this atrocity, both directly and indirectly.

Once home to the busiest commercial and residential district in the city, it is now an expansive park where you’ll find the A-Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, countless monuments and more. Unfortunately, the museum was closed during our visit (what are the chances when it’s only closed two days a year – the 30th and 31st of December) but we have heard it’s well worth seeing.

The A-Bomb Dome is on display year-round and is a moving reminder of the physical damage that atomic bombs cause in a community.

Check out Hiroshima Castle

Another beautiful example of Japanese architecture, the Hiroshima Castle is also known locally as the Carp Castle. Though it was originally built in the late 16th century, it was sadly destroyed, along with the rest of the city, by atomic bomb in 1945. In 1958, the castle was rebuilt as an exact replica – this now houses a museum to help inform visitors about life in Hiroshima before the war.

Additional Things to Do in Hiroshima

Enjoy shukkei-en – formal japanese gardens.

Shukkei-en (which means ‘shrunken scenery garden’ in English) is a great example of traditional gardening in Hiroshima. It includes a pond, tea houses and a range of scenery which is represented in miniature form (including mountains, valleys and forests).

You’ll find the garden connected by a path which works its way around the pond. We suggest you follow this pathway to ensure you see all of the miniature scenes.

Visit Miyajima

There are many day trips that are possible from Hiroshima but the most well-known is Miyajima (which is formally known as Itsukushima) . Miyajima Island is recognised as one of the most scenic locations in all of Japan thanks to it’s incredible. This ‘island of the Gods’ is home to the iconic orange Great Torii Gate, which appears to float above the water at high tide. Whilst visiting this island, visitors are also able to enjoy museums, temples and gorgeous forrest trails. Though we were short on time in Hiroshima, we will certainly be back to visit Miyajima.

Where to Stay in Hiroshima

Nest Hotel Hiroshima Hatchobori . Another excellent find, Hiroshima’s Nest Hotel is conveniently located in the shopping district of Hatchobori. Even better, the free JR tourist bus has a stop literally right outside! The hotel itself is modern and conveniently appointed, again offering privacy and comfortable whilst being superb value for money.

Nara (Day Trip)

A fantastic day trip from Kyoto, Hiroshima or Osaka, Nara is a quiet little town that surges to life each day as the tourists arrive. The town itself is beautiful but it’s the deer, shrines and temples which you’ll find just outside of town that are the main attractions.

What to Do in Nara

Feed the wild deer.

The best-known attraction in Nara was certainly our favourite; Nara Park where you’ll find hundreds of wild (but surprisingly tame) deer.

At the park, you’re able to buy deer crackers, but be warned – some the deer just love and some they won’t even touch. We arrived late in the afternoon when the deer were full and really didn’t feel the need to buy crackers for them – it was awesome just to be there, in amongst the deer.

For animal lovers, Nara is a real highlight on this Japan itinerary 14 days.

Visit Nara’s Temples and Shrines

As you walk along the main road to Nara Deer Park, you’ll find countless Japanese temples and shrines. They’re all beautiful and worth swinging up as you walk back from your visit to the deer.

Kyoto (3 Nights)

Widely recognised as ground zero for Japanese culture, if there’s one place to go to get a glimpse into the past, this is it.

Falling within the list of Japan’s ten largest cities, it has a population of 1.5 million, which swells exponentially due to tourism.

Once the capital city and home to emperors from 794 to 1868, the city was spared from atomic bomb during WWII due to its incredible history. Thanks to that decision, tourists and locals alike can enjoy many priceless original shrines and temples; more so in Kyoto than anywhere else.

Kyoto is just one of many beautiful places to visit in Japan and is a must-see on your itinerary.

Pro tip: We were there over the New Year period when the city was frantically busy; it’s still possible to avoid crowds in Kyoto (most of the time).

What to Do in Kyoto

Wander through fushimi inari taisha.

A key Shinto shrine, Fushimi Inari Taisha is one of the most famous and ancient in all of Japan. Known for its orange torii gates, its mountain trail winds up Mount Inari, paying respects to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. On your hike along Fushimi Inari, you’ll notice an abundance of foxes, thought to be Inari’s messengers, and smaller shrines off to the side of the gates on occasion.

It is possible to hike to the summit of Mt Inari over the course of 2-3 hours, but it is certainly possible to stop and turn around at any stage. The further you walk along the mountain trail, the fewer torii gates you’ll see and the further apart they are; this means that from a photographic point of view, the first 30 minutes or so of the hike is the most interesting.

Did you know? The gates that you’ll walk through have all been donated by Japanese citizens and companies. The smallest gates start at approximately JPY400,000 (USD3,635/NZD5,515) and larger ones require payments of over JPY1,000,000! In the small shrines that sit off to the side of the main trail, you’ll also spot mini torii gates which have been donated by people with smaller budgets.

Visit Arashiyama

Explore the arashiyama bamboo forest.

One of the most photographed parts of Kyoto, a visit to the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is practically a must on your Japan itinerary 14 days. With a number of pathways, the forest is free for visitors to access, and even on a busy day, it’s magical. The sound of the breeze russling through the bamboo is unbeatable – to the point that that Ministry of the Environment has recognised it as part of the official soundscape of Japan!

Visit Monkey Park Iwatayama

On the opposite side of the Ōi River (to where you’ll arrive by bus or train), you’ll find a group of almost 200 wild Japanese macaque monkeys. Food can be purchased at the park, where you can enjoy some quiet time with our distant relatives.

Though we made the decision not to visit Iwatayama Monkey Park whilst in Arashiyama (as we knew we’d see the snow monkeys later in our Japan itinerary 14 days), we had been told that it was amazing!

Enjoy the township of Arashiyama

A stunning old village, Arashiyama is now home to countless authentic souvenir shops, street food vendors and restaurants. It is the perfect place to meander and soak in what makes Japan so special.

Wander Higashiyama

Check out sannenzaka and ninenzaka.

Two of the most iconic streets in Kyoto, a visit to Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka is a must. These two lanes slope gently down, past teahouses, beautifully preserved buildings and, at the right time of year, one of the most incredible displays of cherry blossoms you’ll see in the city.

If you follow these two ‘slopes’, you’ll find yourself at the beautiful Kiyomizudera Temple.

Admire the Kiyomizudera Temple

Build way back in 780, Kiyomizudera (known as the “Pure Water Temple”), is one of the most celebrated in the whole country. It is best known for its large wooden stage which provides incredible views out over Kyoto.

So you’re in the know… The Kiyomizudera Temple is currently being renovated; this work is expected to be completed in 2021.

Roam Gion on the look out for Geishas

Known across the world for their incredible ability to entertain (dance, culture, poetry – you name it, they can do it), geishas are unique to Japan.

In Gion , geisha’s learn their craft, so if you keep your eyes peeled (and have a little luck) you may find one wandering the streets.

Hire a traditional kimono

Though I went back and forth about dressing in a kimono and wandering the streets of Kyoto, it ended up being one of the real highlights from our trip!

To start, I selected my silk kimono (a difficult task in a sea of stunning options) and the team got to work on me.

If you’ve never been dressed in a formal kimono, it’s hard to explain just how incredibly involved the process is. It involves two women working together, towels, cord, tape and layer after layer of material, all whilst they natter away in Japanese. It is an amazing experience and one that I highly recommend!

Once you’re kitted out in your kimono, you’ll pick your hairstyle and accessories before setting off for the streets of Kyoto, ready to explore and snap photos.

Walking around the old streets of Kyoto, I felt a little like a Japanese princess!

Discover local eats on a food tour

A firm favourite for us whenever we travel, food tours are an amazing way to get to know locals, meet new travelling friends and chow-down on a variety of local dishes. In a country like Japan where meals are often foreign (not to mention, presented in a different language), having a Japanese guide order on your behalf is a godsend!

We tried a variety of meals on our tour, ranging from those that were fairly familiar to ones that we wouldn’t ever have thought to order (cold soba noodles, anyone?) but that is precisely what food tours are all about. Every dish was a treat and the company was even better.

We loved our time with Arigato Food Tours and will certainly be back when we next travel to Japan.

Additional Things to Do in Kyoto

Admire kinkaku-ji – the golden pavilion.

One of the most beautiful buildings in all of Japan, a visit to the Golden Pavilion is a highlight for many. This Zen Buddhist temple (which is officially named Rokuon-ji) has two floors completely covered in gold leaf – it is just stunning!

Where to Stay in Kyoto

M’s Inn Sanjo Omiya . Another fantastic hotel, M’s Inn Sanjo Omiya wasn’t as affordable as the aforementioned hotels, but when you’re visiting Kyoto over the New Years period, nothing is cheap! When compared to other properties, it was a great day though, and it certainly delivered on comfort and convenience. Located in a fairly local part of the city, it was away from the madness of central Kyoto (which we appreciated) but still well-connected both by bus and train. The rooms themselves were well-appointed and comfortable and though reviews online talked about some frustrations with the automated check-in, we didn’t have any issues (and found their staff to be very helpful).

Matsumoto (Day Trip)

The perfect day trip on the way from Kyoto to Nagano (and then on to Yudanaka), Matsumoto is a small town that packs a mighty punch!

What do Do in Matsumoto

Admire matsumoto castle.

One of the most important castles still standing in Japan, the Matsumoto Castle is a stunner.

With only three premier historic castles left in the country, it really is worth hopping off the train to see Matsumoto Castle for yourself. Best of all, access to the grounds are free and as it’s a relatively small town that doesn’t get as many tourists as other spots, you’ll be guaranteed an amazing view of the castle.

Snap a photo by the Seikando Bookstore

Sandwiched between two modern buildings, you’ll find the Seikando Bookstore . This incredible little building was modelled after the Matsumoto Castle and is home to an incredible collection of second-hand Japanese books. Unfortunately the store was closed when we visited, so we didn’t get a chance to explore inside, but the building itself is well worth seeing – even if you don’t step foot inside.

Yudanaka (1 Night) – Winter Paradise on this Japan Winter Itinerary

The gateway to the Snow Monkey Resorts Park, this is as close as you can get to them by train. Sleepy and quaint, Yudanaka provides a glimpse into rural life in Japan.

What to Do in Yudanaka

Visit the snow monkeys.

Winter icons in Japan, we loved visiting the snow monkeys just out of Nagano. Though they can be seen any time of year, it’s best to see the snow monkeys whilst on your Japan winter itinerary.

After completing an easy hike (which takes approximately 25 minutes), you’ll climb up to the geothermal home of the wild Japanese macaque troupe. There you’ll find the snow monkeys swimming, bathing, grooming and getting up to all sorts of general mischief!

It’s a must-do if you’re visiting Japan in the colder seasons and for us, was a real highlight on our Japan itinerary 14 days.

Relax in an onsen

If you’re looking for the perfect way to relax your tired, travelling muscles, an onsen is the perfect place. You’ll find these traditional Japanese hot springs throughout Japan, but they are especially popular in this region.

If you want to use the public onsens, you’ll need to be prepared to enter naked with only your own gender. It’s also important to check that tattoos are allowed at your onsen of choice, as they often aren’t.

Should you prefer to swim clothed or with your hetro partner it is possible to hire private onsens for periods of time. This is also a great solution should you have tattoos that cannot be covered (and onsens that are not tattoo-friendly).

Where to Stay in Yudanaka

Guest House Honami-Kaido . If you’re looking for a real taste of what it is to live in Japan, look no further! Yoshirou, the owner of this guest house, goes above and beyond to ensure his guests have a fantastic stay. What he lacks in English, he certainly makes up for in enthusiasm and kindness! Though the guest house is a little out of town, Yoshirou includes three return journeys each day and will happily drop you into town, to the famed onsens and also to the snow monkeys. It’s worth noting that as this is a traditional guest house, you will be sleeping on futons on the floor, but it’s all a part of the Japanese experience. This snuggly guesthouse is the perfect place to stop off for an evening or two on your Japan winter itinerary.

Shiga Kogen (2 Nights): Another Japan Winter Itinerary Highlight

Shiga Kogen (which means Shiga Heights in English) is all about the snow. Perfect for all skiers and snowboarders, it is close to the snow monkeys and to Nagano and is especially known as being an ideal spot for intermediate snow-bunnies. It first came into the spotlight internationally as the host of the 1998 Winter Olympics and is now a favourite amongst locals and in-the-know travellers.

For snowboarders and skiers, no visit to Japan is complete without a stop off at the mountains, as part of a Japan winter itinerary.

What to Do in Shiga Kogen

Ski and snowboard up a storm.

Shigan Kogen is the second highest ski resort in Japan and one of the largest too. With 19 different interconnected ski fields, it’s easy to cover a lot of ground in a very short amount of time – both via ski lift and their bus system. As all of these lifts and buses can be accessed using the one ski pass, multi-day skiing and boarding really is a breeze.

In total, you’ll find more than 80 kilometres of trails (wow!) that span an elevation of 980 metres, serviced by almost 70 lifts, gondolas and chairs. This is a serious ski resort by any standards, but add in a might dose of infamous Japanese powder (japow, anyone?) and you’ve got a match made in heaven.

After being dropped off at the Giant ski field (which was nice and handy to our accommodation), we spent the day snowboarding Hoppo Bunadaira and, my personal favourite, Nishidateyama . Though visibility wasn’t great for us on the mountain, we were blessed with the most incredible powder that fell right throughout the day.

We’d never experienced snowboarding in such incredible snow but now really do understand why people hunt the world for powder!

Where to Stay in Shiga Kogen

Hotel Astoria . Owned and run by a fabulous Japanese couple, Kyoko & Satoshi really make Hotel Astoria the kind of place that you could return to time and time again (made all the more magical when you’re cuddled up inside at night as the powder falls outside). Though the hotel is a little dated now, it all adds to the charm. Located well in Shiga Kogen, you’ll find yourself close to countless ski fields. The evening meals (cooked by Kyoko) were fantastic and offered an amazing selection of food and Satoshi really went out of his way to help us throughout our stay. Ski and snowboard gear is conveniently available to rent onsite (everything from waterproof clothing right down to snowboard bindings ) and Satoshi will gladly take you to and from the ski fields each day (at no additional cost and at the times you choose) – plus he’ll collect you from the nearby bus station too. This is another hotel that offers true Japanese hospitality!

Fujiyoshida (1 Night)

With Mt Fuji looming in the background, Fujiyoshida is a small, quiet city that services Japan’s tallest peak (at almost 3,800m high).

What to Do in Fujiyoshida

Get your scream on at fuji-q highland.

Widely recognised as the best rollercoaster theme park in Japan, Fuji-Q Highland calls adventure-seekers from all around the globe. With giants like Eejanaika (a 4th dimension hypercoaster, like X2 at Six Flags Magic Mountain – one of my favourite coasters of all time), Do-Dodonpa (maximum acceleration) and Takabisha (with a record-breaking inverted drop-hill), Fuji-Q Highland really does play with the big boys.

Though it would be next to impossible to compete with the quality thrills of Six Flags Magic Mountain and Cedar Point , or the theming of Disneyland , Fuji-Q Highland provides an awesome introduction to serious coasters (even if many of them are getting on a little in age now).

Where to Stay in Fujiyoshida

Hostel Fujisan YOU . If you’ve new to hostel life, this is the perfect place to start (though it’ll probably ruin you for any future hostel!). With a full breakfast (including fresh bread, cooked daily), a lovely quiet atmosphere, comfortable beds and an impeccably clean and well-appointed bathroom setup, it’s exactly what a hostel should be. Better still, it’s so affordable that we didn’t think twice about getting a private room.

Tokyo (4 Nights); The Last Stop on Your Japan Itinerary 14 days

The beating heart of Japan, Tokyo really does have to be seen to be believed. With its busy streets, vibrant pop-culture, ancient traditions and towering buildings, no trip to Japan is complete without paying this amazing city a visit.

What to Do in Tokyo

Be wowed at the robot restaurant (shinjuku).

I thought I knew what to expect walking into the Robot Restaurant but truth me told, nothing can prepare you for the insane spectacle that you’ll experience.

It’s loud, it’s bright, it’s manic and over-the-top. Above all else though, it is an amazing glimpse of modern Japanese pop-culture and a must-do in Tokyo!

Though food is available for purchase, it’s fairly expensive and of questionable quality (especially when compared with the incredible food everywhere else in the city) but contrary to the name, this spot’s all about the show. Go in with an open mind and ready for a good time and you’ll come out buzzing.

Whilst in Shinjuku, be sure to spend some time wandering the streets – it’s one of the most vibrant and exciting parts of Tokyo!

Take a supercar for a spin in the home of street racing!

Considering the supercar scene in Tokyo, there really is no better place to put a fast car through its paces.

We booked in to drive a Ferrari F430 and spent two hours weaving in and out of inner-city streets, racing along the motorway and stopping off at key landmarks. The highlight of it all (besides driving in an incredible car of course), was our stop at a local carpark – there, dozens of car enthusiasts would meet up to show off their amazing rides.

It was a taste of the good life that we’d love to experience again!

Treat yourself to a dinner cruise

A surprisingly local experience, we really enjoyed our dinner cruise . As the only obvious tourists onboard, we really felt like we stumbled across a surprise Japanese gem!

Based on the menu you choose, you’ll be served an outstanding multi-course meal all whilst sailing through Tokyo Bay. Throughout the evening, you’ll enjoy live music and have the opportunity to take to the deck to enjoy incredible city views (and to snap the odd photo of course).

Maybe you have a special occasion to celebrate? Or maybe simply being away is reason enough to treat yourself? Either way, an evening dinner cruise is the perfect combination of sightseeing and fine food & wine.

Chow down on world-class steak

Apologies, first of all to our vegetarian and vegan readers – we suggest you skip right on past this suggestion.

Assuming you do eat meat, you absolutely have to try Japanese steak whilst visiting the country – it really is unlike anywhere else.

If Japan has the best steak in the world (and it really does), then Misono really is the best of the best. Established in 1945, this restaurant created the concept of teppanyaki steak – where delicious high-grade steak is cooked by master chefs right infront of your eyes.

Without doubt, it will be the most memorable meal of your trip!

Be amazed at TeamLab Borderless

A triumph of art and technology, TeamLab Borderless is a favourite amongst tourists and for good reason – it is incredible!

TeamLab Borderless is divided into five different sections; Borderless World, Future Park, Forest of Lamps, Athletics Forest and the En Tea house. Each and every part of this must-see attraction is mind-blowing.

To avoid the crowds, we suggest pre-purchasing your ticket and aiming to arrive as TeamLab Borderless is opening.

Even if you can’t be amongst the first to enter for the day, we still highly recommend popping along – crowds or not, you’ll have an incredible experience.

… and again at TeamLab Planets!

Another amazing light and art installation, TeamLab Planets is different enough to Borderless that it’s still more than worth a visit.

More physically immersive, you’ll even take your shoes and socks off to stand in knee deep water, amazed as projected fish swim right past you.

Both of these museums blew our minds! They’re a must-see on any Japan itinerary 14 days.

Don your Disney ears and hit DisneySea

One of two Tokyo Disney parks , and widely recognised as the most extravagantly themed park in the world, DisneySea is a sight to behold. This is the most unique of all the Disney theme parks, so for us, it was a must-see whilst we were in Tokyo. The park, however, can be crazy busy so it’s important to plan appropriately so you don’t spend more than you need to and to avoid spending all day in line.

To help organise our visit to DisneySea, we used two different booking planners to find the quietest possible day to visit and went ahead and pre-purchased our tickets at a discounted price . Instead of picking up our tickets at the gate, we met a travel agent at the final train station (where you’ll get off to transfer to either Disneyland or DisneySea) and got our tickets from him. Our tickets were original tickets (exactly the same as we’ve received when visiting the original Disneyland and Disneyland Paris ) and were accepted at the front gate without any problem at all; they are genuine tickets just offered at a lower price.

Visit the Shibuya Crossing

The one crossing in the world that really needs no introduction, the Shibuya Crossing is absolutely frantic.

Though it’s awesome any time of the day, we recommend visiting around sunset and people-watching before heading off to dinner at a nearby restaurant.

Check out Gōtokuji Temple – The Cat Temple

Located outside of central Tokyo, you’ll find Gōtokuji Temple. Though you’ll find incredible traditional Japanese gardens there, there’s one more unique feature that people visit for – the thousands of lucky cats on display!

Known in Japanese as maneki-neko (which means beckoning cat), these good luck charms are left by locals and tourists alike.

Not only do these gorgeous little cats bring luck to those that leave them behind, they also provide a great photo-op and free afternoon’s entertainment.

Without a doubt, this is one of the most unique things to do in Tokyo !

Visit some of Tokyo’s most exciting districts!

Harajuku; home to pop culture and cosplay in japan.

If there’s one place in Japan where you’ll can expect to see all things cute and colourful, Harajuku is it!

I must admit though, I went expecting to see people dressed in costumes, but realised pretty quickly that this isn’t the Harajuku of old.

Instead, we were greeted by countless crêpe shops, souvenir stands and the odd whacky-dessert vendor.

Was it bright and colourful? Absolutely.

Was it as amazing as I’d hoped for? To be honest, no.

Though I’d always considered Harajuku a must-see part of Tokyo, having now visited, I wouldn’t hurry back, nor would I miss seeing something else in favour of a visit to this district.

Be wowed as you visit Akihabara

Home to manga, Japanese anime and gaming, Akihabara buzzes with energy. This vibrant shopping hub is where you’ll want to head if you’re keen to pick up electrical gear to take home. Even if you’re not actively shopping, it’s worth a visit though.

Looking for the centre of Akihabara? Head along to Radio Kaikan where you’ll find 10 floors, filled to the brim with trading cards, collectibles and toys (for all ages!)

Additional Things to Do in Tokyo

Visit the happiest place on earth; disneyland tokyo.

A perpetual favourite, Tokyo has its very own Disneyland (which just happens to be right beside DisneySea). Modelled after the original Disneyland in Anaheim, California (which we have visited a number of times), we decided to check out DisneySea instead. If you’re never been to Disneyland though, we’d definitely encourage you to pop along. As an added bonus, Disneyland Tokyo has significantly less crowding than DisneySea!

Check out the best views in Tokyo

Whilst visiting the Shibuya crossing, why not head to the top of Shibuya Scramble Square , where you’ll find Shibuya Sky . 230 metres above the city below, this open-air observation deck offers incredible 360° views.

As you’d expect though, be warned if you’re afraid of heights!

Where to Stay in Tokyo

Hotel Park Side Ueno . Located right in the hustle and bustle of Tokyo, Hotel Park Side is nearby fantastic restaurants, bars, shops, whilst enjoying the calm of its neighbouring park. With a selection of options, including traditional Japanese rooms and their beautiful sakura rooms (cherry blossom themed), there’s something to make everyone in this hotel. Our personal recommendation is the sakura room – with a beautiful cherry blossom decal blooming right across the walls, it’s distinctly Japanese (without the need to sleep on the floor). Hotel Park Side also offers a delicious cooked breakfast each morning – it was easily the best Western breakfast that we had on our 2 week visit in Japan!

Henn Na Hotel Tokyo Asakusabashi . If you’re looking for a techy hotel in Japan, look no further! The Henn Na Hotels are known for innovative use of technology, both in improving guest experiences and in making their stay a lot more fun. From your check-in with an android (available in a number of languages), through to freshening up your gear with the LG Clothes Styler , Henn Na manages to combine technology with convenience and service. As an added bonus, their Asakusabashi hotel is literally minutes walk from the train station (but we never once heard a train from our room). They’ve also got a restaurant downstairs that caters to all tastes, offering a Western, Indian (my personal recommendation there – yum) and Japanese breakfast.

And there you have it, your action-packed Japan itinerary 14 Days, ready to go!

Japan is an incredible hive of energy and a powerhouse of juxtaposition. Whether you visit for the shopping, food, activities, pop-culture, history, religious sites or the outdoors, this incredible country is widely recognised as one of the most desirable travel destinations in the world for good reason!

What is it about Japan that will inspire your visit? And most importantly, how soon can you get there?

Pin this post to return to this Japan winter itinerary…

Plan an incredible 2 week vacation in Japan using our itinerary. It includes 14 days of fun, adventure, culture, nature and much, much more. From Hiroshima to Tokyo, Shiga Kogen to Matsumoto, and everywhere in between...

Sarah - Exploring Kiwis

Sarah is a teacher and passionate traveller from New Zealand. Thirsty for adventure, she has just returned from two years in Abu Dhabi and six months travelling around South America with her husband, Nathan. She has worked in the past for an international airline and as a tour manager - travel and adventure is her passion! Sarah hopes to inspire others to push their boundaries and make new discoveries through travel too.

3 thoughts on “ Japan Itinerary – 14 Days of Our Incredible Japan Winter Itinerary ”

My girlfriend and I are both Kiwi’s looking to go to Japan this New Year period (roughly Dec 30 – Jan 15), and we were wondering how you found it over that period in terms of restaurant/shops/attractions being open or closed? I’ve read in a few places that a lot of places close over this time. Was this your experience? And where do you think would be best to go to ‘minimise’ the impact of these closures?

Hi James, how exciting! Retail shops were closed on New Year’s Day but it’s like that in much of the world. We just took it easy that day and visited a beautiful garden and temples. We didn’t have any issue getting food though. I really wouldn’t let it worry me 🙂 If it’s helpful, I can give you a promo code to save some money on activities over there too?

Hi! My partner and I are heading over in the 2022-2023 new year period. You mentioned to the previous comment that you had a promo code? Would it be possible to get that from you? And how do you go about using it?

10 day Japan winter itinerary ⛄ How I did the Japanese Alps ⛄ Tokyo Nagano Hakuba Takayama ⛄ Backpacking Japan travel blog

This is basically part 1 of my Japan winter itinerary and almost exactly what I did. (Part 2 is winter in Hokkaido !)

This starts off from Tokyo, and then heads to places where you can visit the mountain range called the Japan Alps or Japanese Alps.

This is how I did it anyway in early 2019.

I started at the very end of February and was in these places through March.

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Best ski resorts in Japan. Best snowboarding in Japan. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

This was actually a little late in terms of winter landscape, as some places I visited didn’t have the packed snow as seen in pictures. The snow was melting.

So if you have flexibility in your dates, it may be better to try to go earlier in the season than I did. Although they did say the season I went was unseasonably warm so snow was melting earlier than usual. In pictures below that you don’t see packed snow, google winter pictures of these places!

But even with places that did have snow melting, you’re sure to have a very Japan experience by following this winter itinerary!

There are some places on this list that aren’t necessarily winter-specific destinations, but since you are in the area, they can be a perfect way to experience more of Japan!

First, the quick list of the best places to visit for winter in Japan when starting your trip from Tokyo.

Then, the quick list of the 10 day trip itinerary to go to these places with 1-2 weeks in Japan.

Then, a little bit about where to stay.

And then, a bit more about getting around Japan, specific to these places, by bus or train!

3 best places to visit for winter in Japan in 10 days

…when you’re making a loop from tokyo.

Nagano City

These are the places to spend your nights!

And then from these places…

9 best things to do in Japan in 10 days

1. nagano city.

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Best places to visit in Japan in winter. nagano. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

2. Jigokudani snow monkey park

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Best places to visit in Japan in winter. jigokudani snow monkey park hot springs. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

3. Shibu onsen hot spring town

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Best places to visit in Japan in winter. shibu onsen hot springs japanese town. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

4. Obuse chestnut town

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Best places to visit in Japan in winter. obuse chestnut japanese town. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

5. Hakuba Valley

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Best places to visit in Japan in winter. Hakuba, northern Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

6. Matsumoto

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Best places to visit in Japan in winter. Matsumoto. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Kumano Kodo ancient pilgrimage trail (temples and shrines through the mountains)
Must-see sumo show
Traditional yukatabune dinner cruise
Fun ninja lesson
Koyasan pilgrimage temple town

7. Takayama

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Best places to visit in Japan in winter. Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

8. Shinhotaka ropeway

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Best places to visit in Japan in winter. Shinhotaka ropeway, Japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

9. Shirakawago

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Best places to visit in Japan in winter. Shirakawago. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

So how to make these things a part of your trip to Japan?!

Here is the quick list of the Japan winter itinerary!

Day 1: Tokyo to Nagano

Tokyo to Nagano by bus (4 hours)
Overnight in Nagano

Day 2: Nagano

Jigokudani snow monkey park
Shibu onsen

Day 3: Nagano

Zenkoji Temple

Day 4: Nagano to Hakuba

Nagano city to Hakuba by bus (1.5 hours)
Overnight in Hakuba

Day 5: Hakuba ski resort

Happo-one ski resort (gondola ride for winter landscape of snow-capped mountain views if you don’t ski!)

Day 6: Hakuba ski resort

Iwatake ski resort

Day 7: Hakuba to Takayama

Hakuba to Matsumoto by train (1.5 hours)
Matsumoto walk , including to Matsumoto Castle
Matsumoto to Takayama by bus (2.5 hours)
Overnight in Takayama

Day 8: Day trip to Shirakawago

Takayama to Shirakawago by bus
Visit Shirakawago
Walk around Takayama Old City

Day 9: Day trip to Shinhotaka Ropeway

Takayama to Shinhotaka ropeway by bus
See winter mountain views around the Shinhotaka ropeway

Day 10: Takayama to Tokyo

Takayama to Tokyo by bus or train
Overnight in Tokyo

There’s a bit more on how to get around Japan below, but first…

Where to stay in Japan

There are maps and links below (partner websites) to search for hotels in the overnight cities that are a part of this itinerary. Put in future dates into the map, and have a look at hotel prices and reviews!

Since this itinerary uses the snow monkey pass (more on this in a bit) to go places from Nagano city, it can be convenient to stay near Nagano Station which is where you can find the train station and bus station.

I stayed at this hostel that also has private rooms that will give you a Japanese feeling.

For Hakuba, it can be helpful to first decide what it is you want to do here. The ski resorts are kind of spread out, so it will save you time if you stay in an area that will be closest to some of your activities. Some ski resorts might be a 30 minute to 1 hour shuttle ride away.

I stayed at this hostel that also has private rooms. It was located within walking distance of a shuttle bus stop, and they offered a free ride to the train station too.

If you follow this itinerary by going to the suggested day trips, then it will be convenient to stay near the bus station (which is also near the train station).

I stayed at this hostel that also has private rooms, and also gives you a bit of a Japanese feeling. This was a 5-10 minute walk from both the bus station and the old city area. If that’s all booked up, this hostel is a sister property of that one, also in a good location.

To be safe, it would be best to book your flight out of Tokyo on the day after you arrive back. Winter travel can mean an increased risk of delays. You don’t want to feel stressed about having to make it back by a certain time for your flight! (Although this could be a good reason to have travel insurance for those weather related delays !)

Shinjuku is where the main long distance terminal is located, and it’s also the location of a major train station too. This is also a popular Tokyo neighborhood for tourists.

In Shinjuku, I’ve stayed at this more modern hostel . In another area of Tokyo, I’ve also stayed in this hostel right near the Asakusa neighborhood of Tokyo that offered free group activities like cooking classes, and I would also recommend having a look at this hostel that is in Asakusa. This neighborhood can also be nice if you’ll be further exploring Tokyo.

And now…

A few more details about getting around Japan!

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Getting around Japan in winter. train or bus. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Getting from Tokyo to Nagano

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Getting around Japan in winter. Tokyo to Nagano bus. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

To get from Tokyo to Nagano, it’s possible to take a shinkansen train if you want to use your JR pass .

But it’s also possible to get there for cheaper, at least when it comes to individual tickets. (Tokyo to Nagano shinkansen train vs Tokyo to Nagano bus.)

I basically just showed up at the Shinjuku bus station in Tokyo (THE main bus station in Tokyo) and bought a bus ticket to Nagano. I don’t always recommend this approach as it depends on season and destination (you might not get a seat), but it worked out for me at the end of February! The bus was fairly empty.

See more about my trip from Tokyo to Nagano by bus .

Getting around Nagano city area

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Day 2: Nagano city

Shibu onsen, small hot springs town

Day 3: Nagano City

Obuse, the small chestnut town

Nagano is the name of a prefecture (similar to a state or province), and there’s also a city by the same name. This region was home to the 1998 winter olympics.

When in Nagano city, I bought the 2-day snow monkey pass which is around 3,500 yen (US$30). This included all necessary transportation to and from the famous Jigokudani snow monkey park (there’s a direct bus), and it includes the entry too. This is where you see snow monkeys in the onsen hot springs.

The snow monkey pass also includes transportation to Shibu onsen , which is a small hot springs town. You can visit Shibu Onsen on your way back from the monkey park. (It is kind of a long walk, but I walked there from the monkey park.) The pass also includes transportation to Obuse , which is a small town known for chestnuts. Visiting both of these places can give you a quieter small town Japanese experience.

You can buy the snow monkey pass once you arrive in Nagano, in the basement level of the train station. Follow signs for the Nagano Dentetsu Station.

When you’re in Nagano city, also be sure to visit Zenkoji Temple. This is a famous temple in Nagano.

Nagano is also known for the Japanese noodles called soba . While you can find soba all over Japan, since it’s a specialty here, be sure to have soba in Nagano! You might be able to see them prepare the soba from the street too.

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. What to eat in Japan. nagano soba. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

I stayed at a hostel in Nagano which can give you a Japanese feeling type stay – see my photos !

Also see my photos for:

How to spend 2 days in Nagano
Walk through streets of Shibu Onsen
Walk through streets of Obuse

Getting from Nagano to Hakuba

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Getting around Japan. nagano to hakuba bus. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

There is a direct bus from Nagano City to Hakuba.

You need to buy a bus ticket before you board the bus. The Nagano bus station is right next to/at the train station. You can buy bus tickets at a store near the place to catch the bus to Hakuba. (You’ll see signs.) It can be better to buy a ticket as soon as you arrive in Nagano, just so you don’t have to worry about tickets selling out. I bought mine on the same day I was leaving though.

Getting around Hakuba

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Getting around Japan in winter. Hakuba shuttle. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Happo-one ski resort

Hakuba is a popular ski destination in Japan, as well as a popular snowboarding destination.

Hakuba Valley located in Nagano prefecture, and is a part of what’s called the Japanese Alps or the Japan Alps.

There are a number of ski resorts and snow fields that make up Hakuba, and there’s a Hakuba Valley mountain area pass. This will give you access to all 10 mountains that make up Hakuba Valley including the gondolas and ski lifts, as well as free rides on the shuttle buses that run between the various ski resorts. You can go for 1-day ticket, starting at around 6,100 yen (US$60), through a 7-day ticket. Here are updated prices for the ski lift pass.

You can find ski rentals and snowboard rentals in Hakuba.

Even if you don’t ski, Hakuba can be worth a visit if you are seeking winter landscape! Have a look at taking the gondola at either the Iwatake ski resort (get snacks or a beer at Hakuba Mountain Harbor) or the Happo-one ski resort. You’ll need to buy a round-trip gondola ticket. And without a ski lift pass, the way you’ll get around the various Hakuba ski resorts will also be the shuttle, but that will be around 500 yen (US$5) per ride.

Some of the bigger ski resorts have free shuttles running around the areas too.

I stayed at a hostel in Hakuba that was a short walk from a Hakuba shuttle stop, and it’s also near a train station. See my photos!

Getting from Hakuba to Takayama

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Getting around Japan in winter. Hakuba to Takayama. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

To get from Hakuba to Takayama, Matsumoto is basically along the way. Matsumoto has a famous castle, so it could be a convenient stop when you want to visit a castle in Japan!

See more about my trip from Hakuba to Takayama .

Getting around Hida Valley (Takayama area)

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Getting around Japan in winter. Takayama, Hida Valley, Japanese Alps. nohi bus. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Takayama to Shirakawago by bus (1.5 hours)
Takayama to Shinhotaka ropeway by bus (2 hours)
See winter mountain views

Takayama’s old city is a relatively small area you can walk that will give you that “very Japanese” feeling.

Takayama also makes for a good base for day trips by bus. You can make a trip to the UNESCO world heritage site and historic village of Shirakawago. (Google winter pictures for Shirakawago!)

You can also make a trip to Shinhotaka ropeway for more snow-capped mountain views if you didn’t get enough in Hakuba. If you’re interested in winter hiking or snowshoeing, this is a good area to start a trail too. You need to bring your own gear though! Otherwise if want just a casual winter hike, you can walk for 10-15 minutes on the snow-packed trails and then turn around!

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Things to do in winter in Japan. winter hikes in japanese alps. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

See more about my trip to Shinhotaka ropeway on a cloudy day .

Takayama has a specialty “ Takayama ramen ” so be sure to have some of this type of Japanese noodles when in Takayama!

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. What to eat in Japan. takayama ramen. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

I stayed at a hostel in Takayama , which is another place that can give you a Japanese feeling type stay! It’s also a short walk from the bus station, which is convenient for those day trips!

Getting from Takayama to Tokyo

10 days in Japan winter itinerary. Getting around Japan in winter. Takayama to Tokyo. shinjuku station. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

Takayama to Tokyo by bus (6 hours)

There is a direct bus from Takayama to Tokyo. It’s best to buy this bus ticket at the bus station as soon as you get to Takayama so you don’t have to worry about bus tickets being sold out.

Otherwise, train is another way to get from Takayama to Tokyo, although it will require a train transfer and will be more expensive. If you plan on further exploring Japan like the traditional Golden Route tourist trail , this might be a time consider activating a JR pass . If riding the shinkansen bullet train is on your bucket list for Japan, this is a time you can take it. (You can also take it at the beginning of this Japan itinerary, from Tokyo to Nagano.)

For the end of the trip, instead of heading back to Tokyo, I moved on to Hokkaido for more of winter in Japan. There was plenty of snow to be seen in Hokkaido even at the end of March!

I went from Takayama to Nagoya by bus to get to the Nagoya airport, and from there took a flight to Hokkaido. (I almost didn’t get a bus ticket, so I would definitely say get this in advance if you’re headed to the airport!)

HAPPY 10 DAYS OF WINTER IN JAPAN!

10 days in Japan winter itinerary from Tokyo. Nagano, Hakuba, Takayama, Japanese alps. Best places to visit winter in Japan cities. Best things to do. Getting around Japan by bus and train. Backpacking Japan winter travel blog

How to spend winter in Japan

10 day winter itinerary with the Japan Alps
7 day winter itinerary in Hokkaido

If you're looking for a route for winter in Japan, here are some ideas!

10 day Japan winter itinerary
Tokyo to Nagano bus
2 days in Nagano with snow monkey pass // Stay at this Nagano hostel (private rooms available)
A few days in popular ski resort area Hakuba (go here for at least a day even if you don't ski for the winter landscape in the mountains!) // Stay at this Hakuba hostel (private rooms available)
Hakuba to Takayama ( Hakuba to Matsumoto train / a few hours in Matsumoto / Matsumoto to Takayama bus )
A few days in Takayama with day trips: Shirakawago / Shinhotaka ropeway on a sunny day // Stay at this Takayama hostel (private rooms available) and eat regional Takayama ramen
Takayama back to Tokyo OR Takayama to Nagoya airport to fly to Hokkaido for more winter landscapes!

Hokkaido winter itinerary (train to get around - there are JR Hokkaido passes available, and you can use a regular JR pass too)

Sapporo to Asahikawa (Asahikawa for penguin walk at zoo)
Asahikawa to Abashiri (Abashiri for drift ice cruise)
Abashiri to Obihiro (night in Obihiro and go to Lake Shikaribetsu ice village the next day)
Obihiro to Sapporo
Sapporo to Noboribetsu onsen hot spring town (day trip)
Sapporo to Hakodate // Stay in this Hakodate hostel
Hakodate to Tokyo on shinkansen bullet train through the underwater tunnel! ( Regular JR pass will be worth it if you take this train ride along with one more long distance train ride within 7 days)

Is a JR pass worth it?!

Google maps can make it easy to figure out whether or not you should get a JR pass!
In google maps, type in your departure and arrival city, and choose the transit icon. The route will come up, and so will the estimated cost at the bottom!
Here is an example of a train route with cost on google maps.
So do that for all of your long distance routes to figure out how much it might cost.
Next, go here to see how much a JR pass costs from an official JR pass vendor (and partner of this website).
And compare!
Not all forms of public transportation are JR, but long distance shinkansen bullet trains are, and that's where the most cost savings will come.

Best of Kyoto (and Japan!)

Best temples to visit in Kyoto
Japanese gardens in Kyoto

best places to visit in japan for first trip to japan. famous things to do in japan

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Visiting Japan in the Winter – The Ultimate Itinerary

Updated on August 30, 2024

Are you set to uncover the “Japan in the Winter” allure?

Strap on your skis, dip into steaming onsens, and witness luminescent festivals.

This article takes you to “Japan in the Winter”.

It showcases the essential activities and sights for your cold-weather excursion.

The Magic of Kyoto's Winter Gardens

Hakuba Valley: Skiing Amidst Majestic Views

The social warmth of sento, illuminations that light up the night, warm up with hearty japanese comfort foods, mystical snow monsters of zao, staying cozy: accommodation choices, travel safe: coping with snow and ice, key information.

Winter in Japan is a time of abundant snowfall.

It brings unique experiences and transforms the country into a picturesque wonderland.

From the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Mie Prefecture to the snow-covered slopes of Hakuba Ski Resort, the season offers something for everyone.

The holiday season starts in early December.

It is the perfect time to explore traditional Japanese inns in onsen towns like Nozawa Onsen and Noboribetsu Onsen.

These places, known for their hot water and Japanese hot springs , provide a warm escape from the chilly winter temperatures.

Tokyo Station has become a hub for those seeking the best ways to travel to popular destinations.

With the JR Pass in hand, convenience stores are at every corner.

Fewer crowds make navigating parts of Japan easier, like Akita Prefecture or Shiga Kogen.

Early January is ideal for attending Japan’s most popular winter events.

For example, you can visit the Yokote Kamakura Festival and admire snow sculptures.

You can also partake in outdoor activities like ice skating.

In Odori Park, the light-up event near Mt Fuji is a spectacle, especially during the snow season when thick snow blankets the area.

Niseko’s ski resorts, like Annupuri and Hanazono, are well-known for their outstanding powder snow.

After a day of skiing or snowboarding, enjoy the vibrant après-ski scene.

Here, you can unwind with craft beers and rare whiskies.

Unlike Niseko, Hakuba Valley in Nagano Prefecture provides a varied skiing experience.

Hakuba Valley is famous for its many ski resorts.

It is suitable for skiers of all abilities, from beginners to experts.

The valley has several popular ski resorts, such as Happo-One Snow Resort and Tsugaike .

Each one has its special features and beautiful views.

Gliding down the slopes, you will see amazing views of the nearby mountains.

This adds a special charm to skiing in Hakuba Valley.

Private onsen resorts often have many amenities.

These include electric kettles and tea sets in rooms, along with public and smaller private baths.

A private onsen is perfect for relaxing after winter activities or enjoying alone time.

It offers luxury and a close experience with nature.

In contrast to the private onsens, sento bathhouses offer a communal bathing experience.

Sento bathhouses, traditional in Japan, are places where locals meet, chat, and unwind.

A visit to a sento is more than bathing.

It’s a way to experience the friendly social atmosphere of Japan.

In a sento, you soak in warm waters.

Cultural Celebrations: Winter Festivals in Japan

Japan’s winter is not just about snowy landscapes and hot springs.

It’s also a time of vibrant cultural celebrations.

Japan’s winter festivals are an impressive display.

The ice sculptures at the Sapporo Snow Festival are breathtaking.

Sapporo Snow Festival

The Sapporo Snow Festival, held annually in Hokkaido’s capital city, is a grand celebration of winter’s beauty.

In 1950, local students started a creative project.

Now, it’s a huge event.

People from all over the world come to see it.

The festival offers a variety of attractions across three sites.

Visitors can enjoy amazing snow and ice sculptures, thrilling slides, and snow rafting.

You can marvel at the sculptures’ craftsmanship, participate in snow activities, or enjoy the local food .

The Sapporo Snow Festival is an unforgettable part of any Japanese winter itinerary.

As night falls, cities across Japan come alive with stunning winter illuminations.

These bright light displays turn parks, buildings, and streets into enchanting scenes that look like a fairy tale.

Among these, the Kobe Luminarie stands out.

These dishes warm and comfort both body and soul.

Eating these dishes lets you enjoy the flavours of winter.

Unique Snow Experiences

Japan’s winter wonderland offers lots of unique snow experiences beyond skiing.

Drift Ice Adventures in Hokkaido

Picture yourself standing on a vast, frozen sea, with ice stretching to the horizon. This is the thrill of a drift-ice adventure in Hokkaido.

It’s a chance to see northern Japan’s stark, beautiful winter.

Walking tours or scenic boat cruises allow you to experience the beauty of drift ice.

While exploring the ice, you may see Steller’s Sea Eagles and other wildlife.

This makes the adventure even more exciting.

From the frozen seascape of Hokkaido, we journey to the snow-covered slopes of Zao in Yamagata prefecture .

In Zao, heavy snow and strong winds shape the trees into eerie figures called snow monsters.

The snow monsters, unique to winter, make the landscape look like it’s from a fantasy novel.

Viewing the snow monsters from a distance or up close adds intrigue to Japan’s enchanting winter landscape.

Planning Your Perfect Winter Itinerary

With so much to see and do, planning your winter itinerary is key to enjoying a fulfilling visit to Japan.

When Winter Lasts: Timing Your Visit

Choosing the right time for your winter trip to Japan is essential to your planning process.

The country’s winter season officially starts in December and ends in February .

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Japan’s Magical Winter Season

My first trip to Japan in winter was unspectacular—you might even say it was bad. It was late January 2015 and I headed to Hokkaido, but not to ski. Although local tourism authorities had helped me put together an itinerary, I was woefully underprepared, and left Japan the second week February feeling like I’d missed something.

That’s the bad news. The good news? From my 2019 cold weather swing through Tohoku and Hokuriku, to 2023, when I made a second stab at a winter journey around Hokkaido , the magic of this understated, underrated season has steadily revealed itself.

No matter what about Japan snow season attracts you, or where you think you’ll end up traveling, be sure to continue reading. I’ll not only ensure you avoid the mistakes I made during my first Japan winter itinerary—I’ll guide you toward the transcendental experiences that have now define winter in Japan for me.

How Cold Does It Get in Japan?

The weather varies throughout Japan’s winter season—and, not surprisingly, depending upon where in the country you travel. For example, while Japan in January is usually below freezing (especially in Hokkaido, where it can dip below -20ºC, and the Tohoku region ), I’ve found that places like Kansai and Shikoku can be comparatively balmy during this period, with highs around 10ºC or even higher.

In general, the temperature in Japan in February will decrease, and the propensity for snowfall will increase. This is even the case in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto , which in spite of pictures you might’ve seen online, aren’t exactly winter wonderlands. Certain parts of Japan can be cold and snowy well into the spring—the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route just north of the Japanese Alps , for example, doesn’t even open for traffic until mid-April!

Places to Visit in Japan in Winter

For most people planning a winter holiday in Japan, the country’s northernmost island is going to be near the top of the list. However, Hokkaido is not exclusively for skiers, even though it might seem that way on paper, given how many people make a beeline for Niseko . For example, you can enjoy a walk along the icicle-lined Otaru Canal , attend the Sapporo Snow Festival , marvel at the “Penguin Parade” in Asahikawa , see red-crested tancho cranes in the marshlands surrounding Lake Akan near Kushiro or peer down on Hakodate ‘s star-shaped Goryokaku fort covered in snow.

When clients contact me about a Japan winter itinerary, I often tell them they should choose Tohoku (the northeastern part of Honshu island) instead of Hokkaido. The reason I give them? “Tohoku,” I explain, “is Hokkaido’s scenery with the culture of mainland Japan.” To put it another way, you’ll enjoy wild nature but more typical Japanese architecture and traditions. Spend your days amid the “snow monsters” in Yamagata , and your evenings bathing at Zao Onsen . Traipse amid snow-buried warrior homes in the Kakunodate Samurai district, or visit Akita prefecture’s Yokote Castle when locals build kamakura , which are basically Japanese igloos.

Mt. Fuji and The Japanese Alps

Probably the third-most popular destination in Japan in the winter is the Japanese Alps , which are famous for many of the same reasons Tohoku and Hokkaido are—and not just because of the Hakuba ski resort. Here again, skiers aren’t the only ones who can have a good time, even if Nagano prefecture is home to many of Japan’s best ski resorts. I personally love to base myself in the castle city of Matsumoto and take day trips from there, whether to the scenic Chuo Alps , charming towns like Shirakawa-go and Takayama or the historical Nakasendo trading route. You can also do various activities at Mt. Fuji during the winter , although you obviously can’t climb it.

Perhaps the strangest destination option for Japan winter travel is sub-tropical Okinawa , but not for the reasons you’re thinking. To be sure, while seeing Okinawa’s unique species of cherry blossoms is a pretty singular experience, you shouldn’t be expecting beach time on Tokashiki Island or at Kabira Bay on Ishigaki . Of course, it could still be possible, particularly if you choose to visit during early winter (so, Japan in December) or later in the season, in early-to-mid March. Additionally, the chill winter months are the perfect time to enjoy warming Okinawan cuisine, including taco rice and hearty pork Okinawa soba noodle soup.

Japan’s Major Cities

Although the list of things to do in Tokyo in winter is relatively short, this uncrowded season is still a great time to visit the Japanese capital. Likewise, places like Kyoto , Nagoya and Osaka are practically deserted during winter—and are absolutely delightful if you’re lucky enough to get snow. Fukuoka ‘s chilly winter nights provide the perfect justification to gorge yourself on rich tonkotsu ramen, while Hiroshima manages to feel even more solemn when it’s cold.

Things to Do in Japan in Winter (Besides Ski)

Gawk at the incredible beauty around you.

The thing that shocked me most as I executed my Japan winter itinerary was how colorful the country was during this seemingly dead season. From the vermillion gates of Tokyo’s Hie Shrine , to the tangerine glow above Mt. Fuji at sunset, to the turquoise waters of Tsuru no Yu onsen, to the cloudless azure of the skies above Zao Onsen’s pure white snow, Japan is a vibrant rainbow of color in the winter, much to my surprise and delight.

Practice Your Winter Photography Skills

As a result of what I’ve just written, another top choice for what to do in Japan in winter is snow photography , which is more difficult than you might expect. For instance, while scenes without snowfall require slight over-exposure in order to capture the brilliant white carpet before you, you’ll want to turn up your ISO (and speed up your shutter!) in order to get shots of falling snow just right, lest they be blurred. Invest in a good pair of gloves so your hands don’t freeze, and an extra battery of two—they die faster in the cold!

Enjoy Japanese Animal Adventures

Japan in the winter isn’t just for humans—it’s also when many of the country’s cuddliest residents are at their most resplendent. Of course, seeing animals during a Japan winter travel itinerary isn’t without its caveats—in any season. To start with, while a hike to see the snow monkeys of Jigokudani , a bus journey to the red-crested tancho cranes of Hokkaido or a train ride to see the deer of Nara is relatively innocuous, I’d probably think twice before visiting the so-called “ Fox Village ” of Miyagi prefecture . Likewise, there are certain winter animals you should probably avoid, most notably the bears that are endemic in many parts of Japan.

Savor Warming Winter Foods

One of my favorite things about winter time in Japan is eating—and eating everything in sight! To be sure, while certain dishes (like seasonal oden bowls with spicy mustard, piping hot ramen and steaming plates of tonkatsu curry) seem better suited for season, I’m just as likely to tear into a plate of fresh sushi or enjoy whatever local soft cream flavor is hot, especially the gold-covered variety that’s so popular in Kanazawa ! Just make sure to watch your calorie consumption, if you care about that sort of thing—icy sidewalks can make it difficult to run or jog in Japan in winter.

Visit a Ski Resort Anyway

As you search for things to do in Hokkaido in winter (or even Tohoku, as the case may be), the majority of places you find are going to relate to skiing. However, you needn’t be a skier to visit these places. Whether you get loaded at an après ski bar in Niseko , or ascend the aforementioned Mt. Zao in Yamagata to marvel at the towering snow monsters, you don’t need to be on a pair of skis (or even snowshoes) in order to enjoy Japan’s ski season.

Best Onsen for Japan in Winter Travel

Many people email me asking what to wear in Japan in winter (TIP: a trip to UNIQLO once you arrive in Tokyo should put you in contact with most of what you need), but in some cases the answer is surprisingly simple: Nothing at all! In my opinion, winter is the very best time of year in Japan to enjoy onsen hot springs, particularly if you can find a place to bathe outdoors.

As far as the best (or simply my favorite) Japan winter onsen, that’s a bit more difficult to say. Takaragawa Onsen , located in Gunma prefecture a couple hours north of Tokyo, will always hold a special place in my heart—it’s objectively the most beautiful “natural” hot springs hotel in Japan. I find Akita prefecture’s Tsuru no Yo somewhat overrated, on the other hand, while Shuhokaku Kogetsu in Kawaguchiko probably has the best view (SPOILER ALERT: Mt. Fuji reflected in the waters of Lake Kawaguchi), even if it’s prohibitively expensive for the majority of travelers.

Other FAQ About Traveling to Japan in Winter

Is japan worth visiting in winter.

Visiting Japan in winter is absolutely worthwhile, even if you don’t ski. From light crowds even in the temperate cities of Kyushu and Shikoku , to the chance of seeing your favorite attractions in Kanazawa or Kyoto blanketed in snow, Japan is at its most undisturbed during the winter months.

Is Japan cold in winter?

Japan can be very cold in winter, or very mild. If your Japan winter itinerary takes place in Hokkaido or the Tohoku region, you can expect lots of snow and temperatures well below 0ºC/32ºF. Destinations in Japan’s south and west like Shikoku and Kyushu are mild and sunny, while Okinawa can be downright balmy. Major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Hiroshima can be cool and wet, but rarely get legitimately cold or snowy.

Does it snow in Tokyo in December?

Tokyo almost never sees snow, in December or otherwise. If your Japan winter travel itinerary focuses exclusively on the Kanto region and you absolutely must see snow, consider riding the Shinkansen to Nagano or Nikko , or taking a day trip to hike Mt. Takao if you’ll only be in the Tokyo’s city center.

The Bottom Line

In some ways, I prefer Japan in winter to every other season, though that wasn’t the case until somewhat recently. If you can curate a Japan winer itinerary spotlighting places that interest you and experiences that keep you on your toes, the magic of this underrated, understated season will wrap itself around you like a bamboo stalk dusted with fresh snow. You needn’t ski in order to enjoy Japan at its snowiest, though you might commission a custom Japan winter trip to make sure you can see the best of the rest of what’s on offer, whether you’re contemplating visiting Japan in December, January or February.

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The Ultimate Japan Itinerary for First-Timers: From 1 to 3 Weeks

A towering, colorful pagoda in the foreground with beautiful Mount Fuji in the distance in Japan

I’ve yet to meet a traveler who didn’t love their time in Japan . It’s just one of those countries that everyone loves. How can you not? The food is carefully crafted and delicious; the history and culture are both rich and long; the landscape breathtaking; and the people super friendly and polite.

Japan remains one of my favorite countries. No matter how long I visit, it’s never enough. I always leave wanting more.

But the country always seems forbidding to many travelers. It definitely still has that “exotic” stereotype that makes people think it’s hard to travel around.

Where should you go? What should you include in your Japan itinerary? Should you buy a JR Pass to help you get around?

To help you out, here are a few suggested itineraries based on my years of visiting that will ensure you see the best sites on your Japan trip — as well as get off the beaten path and get a real sense of Japanese culture!

Table of Contents

Japan Itinerary: Know Before You Go

Japan itinerary: one week, japan itinerary: two weeks, japan itinerary: three weeks.

A bullet train passing the beautiful Mount Fuji in Japan on a sunny day

Just be sure to get one BEFORE you go as you cannot purchase them on arrival. For more information on the pass, including how much they cost and how you can get one, read this blog post . It has everything you need to know!

Mobile Data in Japan In Japan, English isn’t widely spoken (especially outside of the major cities) so having access to the internet is vital for checking addresses, using translation apps, and looking up things to see and do. The easiest way to get data is through an international eSIM for Japan .

An eSIM allows you to access mobile data via a QR code so you can have internet wherever you are, without worrying about physical SIM cards or roaming charges. This will save you a lot of time and hassle when using apps like Google Maps, Google Translate, Instagram, and YouTube. It will also come in handy for checking menus at restaurants (since they are rarely in english).

The famous Sensoji temple during a sunny day in the Asakusa area of Tokyo, Japan

Day 1 & 2: Tokyo Chances are you’ll be starting your trip in Tokyo , since it’s home to the country’s biggest international airport. If your trip is seven days long, activate your JR Pass right away, so that you can take advantage of the free JR trains that run through the city.

While you could easily spend your entire week in Tokyo and not get bored, here are some of the highlights:

Visit the fish market – In 2018, Tokyo’s main fish market moved to Toyosu, which is twice the size of the old one, Tsukiji, making it the largest in the world. While a lot of good restaurants moved too (Sushi Dai being the most famous), I find the place itself very stale, since you can no longer wander the floor (you look down via a walkway above; you also need a visitor’s pass to enter).

The old outer market in Tsukiji is still great though, and you can still find food and stores there too. You can wander alone and just eat and shop until you can’t anymore! Most businesses open at 6am, so it’s a perfect place to go in the morning when you wake up early because of jet lag. Food and drink tours of the Tsukiji Outer Market are available for around 13,500 JPY.

See Sensoji Temple – Sensoji is beautifully painted and sits in a scenic spot near a five-story pagoda and the famous Kaminari Gate. There’s a huge statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall. It’s always busy but is worth seeing with your own eyes. The temple is free to visit.

Drink in Golden Gai – This alleyway of back-street bars is a lively place to drink at night and has a bit of a red-light-district feel to it. It is not to be missed. Even if you don’t drink, be sure to wander about. Arigato Tours offers tours of the area where you’ll learn about the neighborhood while stopping to sample Japanese classics like sushi, yakitori, and ramen. Tours are 23,900 JPY and include a drink and dishes at four food stops.

Visit the Imperial Palace – When the emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new residence and renamed it Tokyo. Though you can’t go inside (or get very close), the building is amazing. It is surrounded by lovely grounds and a park, and there’s a moat around the stone walls. You can also see the changing of the guard, though it’s a relatively low-key and unassuming ceremony.

Watch a sumo match – Kokugikan, Japan’s most famous sumo arena, hosts tournaments three times each year. The wrestling that we see today dates to the 17th century, though its origins go back even further, and it’s still one of the most popular traditions in the country. If you’re in town at the right time, this is a must-do! Tickets sell out quickly, so act fast. You can book a ticket online here (you’ll be accompanied by a guide too, so you can learn more about the tradition as it unfolds before your eyes).

If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to Kamakura to see the giant Buddha statue (Daibutsu). It is over 13 meters (42 feet) tall and dates back to the 13th century. The journey is around 90 minutes each way — and free with the JR Pass !

For delicious food, some of my favorite bars and restaurants include: Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (Standing Sushi Bar), Nemuro Hanamaru KITTE Marunouchi, Motodane, Tokyo Whisky Library, Ichiran Shibuya, and Uohama.

WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO : Hostel Chapter Two – A small, family-run hostel not far from Skytree Station in Asakusa. I really like the shared kitchen and common room, as there’s a real social feel to them.

A narrow, old street in quiet Kyoto, Japan with a pagoda in the distance

With its beauty come lots of crowds though, so try to visit outside of the busy summer months. Even with lots of tourists, though, the city is still magnificent and has a lot to offer. Some things to see and do that you shouldn’t miss are the following:

Visit the Golden Pavilion – This famous (and picturesque) temple dates to the 1950s, when a monk burned down the previous temple (from the 14th century) while trying to commit suicide. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most-visited destinations in the country!

Explore Gion – Gion, the historic geisha district, is renowned as being one of the most iconic and atmospheric areas of town. It’s known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, and preservation of geisha (known locally as geiko) culture. Lining the main street are ochayas (teahouses where geishas entertain), small shops, and many restaurants, ranging from upscale kaiseki restaurants serving traditional Kyoto cuisine to casual eateries.

To really learn more about this amazing party of town and its past, take a walking tour of Gion . You’ll learn a ton and get a lot of context. They cost around 1,800 JPY.

Wander in the Bamboo Forest – For a relaxing break, head to Arashiyama and let the dense and towering stands of bamboo envelop you. Located near the famous Tenryu-ji temple, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the entire country. It’s not that big, but there are some hidden areas to explore. Just make sure to arrive early if you want to enjoy it without the crowds (it fills up fast after sunrise).

While there, I would also recommend visiting the Okochi Sanso Garden, which (along with the home) belonged to the famous Japanese actor Denjir? ?k?chi (1898–1962). It’s not free (it’s 1,000 JPY), but it’s really nice and has some wonderful views.

Admire Ryoan-ji temple – This is my favorite temple in Kyoto. Originally established in 1450 as a residence for a high-ranking samurai, it was soon converted into a Zen temple and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a mausoleum that houses the remains of seven emperors. Its traditional rock and sand garden is considered one of the best in the country. There’s also a teahouse where you can experience the traditional Japanese tea ceremony ( chanoyu ) as you overlook the Kyoyochi reflecting pool.

Wander the Nishiki Market Nishiki Ichiba is now one of the biggest indoor markets in town. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen” and spanning over five blocks, it is full of vendors selling traditional dishes from the region, classic Kyoto souvenirs, and really just about anything else. There are over a hundred stalls here, many of which have been in the same family for generations. Opening hours depend on the shop but are typically from 9am to 6pm.

To dive deeper into Japanese food culture, you can take a food tour of the market . It’s the best way to learn about all the food you’ll see, as well as the market’s history.

For a half-day trip, you can also visit Nara. It’s a small city just one hour from Kyoto. Nara was the capital of Japan in the eighth century, so there are lots of buildings and temples here that are upwards of a thousand years old (which is rare in Japan, due to fires, as well as World War II). But the real draw in Nara are the deer.

Since the 17th century, those in and around the city have been considered sacred. You can buy crackers to feed them or just watch them stroll around carefree. A guided half-day walking tour that includes all of Nara’s highlights as well as a traditional lunch is 11,500 JPY.

While you’re here, don’t miss a visit to Todai-ji. It’s the world’s largest wooden building and is home to a 16-meter (52-foot) Buddha statue. It was built in 738 CE and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission is 600 JPY.

WHERE TO STAY IN KYOTO : Backpacker Hostel K’s House – A fun, social backpacker hostel in a great central location. The rooftop terrace is a cool spot to hangout and meet other travelers after a day of exploring.

The iconic, towering Osaka Castle overlooking busy Osaka, Japan on a sunny day

Don’t miss Osaka Castle though. While it’s not the original (this version dates to 1931), it’s nevertheless an impressive sight. It’s home to a small but insightful museum and an observation deck that offers some picturesque city views.

And be sure to stroll down Dotonbori (ideally at night), the main street, which is lined with restaurants, stores, and tons of neon lights and signs. A guided walking tour that includes Dotonbori as well adjacent neighborhoods is 6,500 JPY.

The bombed-out ruins of the atomic bomb site in Hiroshima, Japan

Today, Hiroshima is thriving . Don’t miss the Atomic Bomb Museum, which depicts the history of the city before and after that fateful day. It has photos, artifacts, videos, and information about the effect of radiation on the population. It’s a sobering experience but one that should not be missed.

If you feel like getting out of town afterward, head to Miyajima , an island that offers a place to hike and enjoy nature. You can also take a cable car to the peak of the mountain to take in the view. A one-way ferry ride to the island takes 10 minutes and is free to JR Pass holders.

WHERE TO STAY IN HIROSHIMA : Roku Hostel – A cozy, small hostel with a rustic atmosphere and design. It feels like you’re staying with a friend here, and the beds are super comfy too.

An empty street with glowing lights in Tokyo, Japan

If you like history, don’t miss the Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village, home to a collection of traditional thatch-roof houses that you can enter to further immerse yourself in the country’s past.

This city (and region, really) is famous for its Hida beef, a high-fat variety that’s even better than any A5 Wagyu you might have. It just melts in your mouth. Be sure to have some while you are here!

The Japanese Alps are not far from here as well, so if you love hiking and want to extend your time in the region, head to Kamikochi for a day hike or overnight trip. It’s just an hour away and has both easy and moderate trails, which are open from April to November. Hiking trails can also be found in Hakusan National Park (also just one hour away by car).

The quiet streets of scenic Kanazawa, Japan with locals wearing traditional clothing

One of the more unique temples in Japan is here too: Ninja (Myoryuji) Temple. While the temple wasn’t home to actual ninjas, Myoryuji was built as a defensive structure (strict laws forbade local lords from building defenses, so they were hidden in the temple to circumvent the rules). These include hidden rooms, secret tunnels, and a maze of staircases and halls to confuse enemies.

If you need a break from exploring cities, Hakusan National Park, home to Mount Haku, one of the three holy mountains, is just an hour south of town.

The traditional Japanese castle overlooking Matsumoto in Japan

If you’re here in April, there are incredible cherry blossom displays that are famous in the region. And, just like Takayama, Matsumoto is close to the Japanese Alps, so you’re just a stone’s throw from some of the best hiking in the country.

A red torii gate in the water with lush greenery and Mount Fuji in the background Japan

There are tons of hotels (both modern and traditional) that have their own hot springs (often both indoors and outdoors). It’s the perfect place to wrap up a trip, relax, and take in the views.

In addition to getting a copious amount of R&R, be sure to ride the cable car up the mountain for even more amazing views. The area is surrounded by craters from an inactive volcano that erupted 80,000 years ago (not to be confused with nearby Mount Fuji, which is an active volcano), and you’ll find lots of vendors at the top selling eggs cooked in the sulfurous waters. It’s said the eggs prolong one’s life by seven years, so feel free to give them a try!

If you prefer to hike up instead, the trail is open between July and September, with the trek taking anywhere from 5 to 12 hours, depending on your level of fitness. Typically, hikers leave at night in order to arrive at the summit by dawn. There are little shops along the way that sell food and even beds you can rent in advance if you want to split your journey up. Just make sure you do your research and prepare in advance as it’s a tough hike!

If you really want to play tourist, you can also ride a mock pirate ship around the lake for more views of the mountains, and Mount Fuji in particular.

Full-day tours around Hakone that include all the main sights cost 14,800 JPY.

WHERE TO STAY IN HAKONE : Hotel Green Plaza – With gorgeous views of Mount Fuji, a huge buffet dinner (with both Western and Japanese options), and a private onsen where you can relax and enjoy the view, this is one of the best places to stay in Hakone if you want value but don’t want to break the bank.

A busy street in sunny, subtropical Okinawa, Japan

Using the suggestions above, here’s how I would organize your itinerary:

Days 1-3 : Tokyo
Day 4 : Mount Fuji or Hakone
Day 5 : Takayama
Days 6 & 7 : Kanazawa
Days 8 & 9 : Matsumoto
Days 10-12 : Kyoto
Days 13 & 14 : Osaka
Days 15 & 16 : Hiroshima

The sprawling, green landscape of Hokkaido, Japan inside a national park

If you do want to spend a few hours in Hakodate, don’t miss the Morning Market, where you can find lots of fresh seafood. You can also visit Fort Goryokaku, the first “Western”-style fort in the country.

An old brewery in the winter in Sapporo, Japan

Be sure to stop in at the local Beer Museum too, owned by Sapporo Breweries (the oldest beer company in the country). It showcases the history of beer in Japan and how the business got its start. If you’re a whiskey fan, stop by The Bow Bar, home to some rare (and expensive) whiskeys and considered one of the best such bars in the world.

What I love about the city is its location. This region has some of the best hiking in the country. There are plenty of hills and mountains, offering options for both day hikes as well as overnight trips. Some highlights include Mount Me-akan, Mount Asahim, Mount Mashu, and Nishibetsu-dake. For the best views of the city, head to Mount Moiwayama. It’s just a 30-60-minute hike to the top, though there is a cable car you can take as well.

And if you’re visiting in the winter, hit the slopes! There are over a hundred ski resorts in Hokkaido. You can rent skis (or a snowboard) for around 10,000-18,000 JPY. Lift prices are usually 4,000-6,000 JPY per day. In the winter, don’t miss the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. It’s held every February and draws over two million visitors. There are ice sculptures, igloos, live music, and delicious local foods on offer.

Additionally, be sure to take a day trip to Otaru, where you’ll find some of the freshest uni in the whole country (this is the main area where the famed Hokkaido uni is caught). Go hungry and visit the markets, stalls, and shops around there.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAPPORO : Waya Hostel – This is a laid-back, colorful hostel with a social atmosphere that makes meeting people a breeze. It has a homey, DIY feel and is perfect for budget travelers looking for a no-frills place to crash.

The busy streets of Tokyo, Japan near an old temple

There is a ton to see and do in Japan , and you could easily spend another month here and still just scratch the surface (we didn’t even get to Okinawa and the islands!). And while these itineraries are a bit fast-paced, Japan isn’t cheap, so budget travelers need to move around the country quickly to avoid breaking the bank.

But no matter how long you visit, you won’t be disappointed. Japan is an amazing, beautiful, and unique destination that I never get tired of visiting. While it’s not as affordable as its neighbors, there are still plenty of ways to save money , and it’s definitely worth spending the time (and money) visiting. You won’t be disappointed!

Just make sure to get your Japan Rail Pass before you go!

Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory so they are best for booking a hostel. If you want to stay in a hotel or guesthouse in Japan, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Safety Wing (best for everyone)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel — and I think they will help you too!

Be sure to check out the Japan Rail Pass if you’ll be traveling around the country. It comes in 7-, 14-, and 21-day passes and can save you a ton of money!

Looking for More Travel Tips for Japan? Check out my in-depth Japan travel guide for more ways to save money; information on costs; tips on what to see and do; suggested itineraries, reading, and packing lists; and much, much more!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

a pagoda in Japan overlooking Mount Fuji

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8-Day Japan Winter Itinerary For Less Than S$1.2k — Fox Village, Snow Monkey Park, Gassho Houses

Key highlights include winter must-sees like Zao Fox Village, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and the charming snow piled Gassho-styled roofs in Shirakawa-go. Find out how to maximise your JR Pass on a trip to Japan in winter!

Japan is one of those places that’s ideal to visit regardless of the season but after over four trips to Japan , winter is perhaps our favourite — visiting onsen s with Snow Monkeys bathing in them, a village where foxes tumble in snow or curl up for an afternoon nap and experiencing the warm hospitality in a traditional gassho house.

Planning to experience winter in Japan? Here’s how to make the most of Japan during winter with the 7-day JR Pass!

Travelling on a budget with the 7D Whole Japan JR Pass

Update on December 2023: Prices have increased for the JR Pass since October 2023. Find out more in our JR Pass guide .

Whole Japan JR Pass - Japan Winter Budget Itinerary

Travelling with the JR Pass is one of our favourite ways of travelling in Japan. While a round trip from Tokyo to Osaka already exceeds the value of one, we’ve taken the challenge upon ourselves to stretch the value of the JR pass and use it to help us discover beyond Tokyo and Osaka; and all without stretching the budget too much 😛

JR Passes can cost a lot but for the sights we wanted to cover, the Whole Japan JR pass saved us a total of S$330 ( Click here for the breakdown )!

Starting from Tokyo, we did day trips to the Zao fox village , attempted to catch sight of Mount Fuji at Kawaguchigo , chilled out with the snow monkeys in Nagano and even stayed a night in the traditional Gassho houses of Shirakawa-go before heading to Kansai where we took our flight out for under S$1.2k! (Incld. accommodation, exclud. flights)

This may not be the cheapest way to spending 8 days in Japan but for the experiences we wanted to leave with, I think we worked out a pretty fair budget. Hope you find our Japan winter itinerary useful!

Budget Breakdown:

Accommodation: ¥23,100 Transport: ¥49,580 (Incld. 7D Whole Japan JR Pass ) Activities: ¥11,50 Food: ¥15,500 Misc: ¥3000 (For SIM Card and Lockers)

TOTAL FOR 7D: ¥102,730 ($1231.77)

Check Flights to Tokyo

We didn’t include flight prices in the budget because they vary depending on your date of travel. To get a better estimate of your total budget, check flights here first:

Check flight prices from Singapore to Tokyo here if you can’t see the widget above.

First Time to Tokyo?

Tokyo has a plethora of activities ranging from quirky to hipster. If you’re planning to spend a couple of days in Tokyo, ask to activate your JR Pass on a later date when collecting your JR Pass at the JR East office in Narita. Ideally, you should begin when you’re ready to take the pass on consecutive day trips out from Tokyo. To get from Narita Airport to Central Tokyo, purchase the Keisei Airport Skyliner as it’s cheaper than the Narita Express (N’EX).

Check out 24 hours in Tokyo for the quintessential Tokyo experience or our Quirky Tokyo Guide for the fun and bizarre stuff!

If you’re activating your JR pass on your first day like us, make seat reservations for the next N’EX to get to Tokyo station. This train is covered by the JR Pass.

Staying connected: Don’t forget to prebook your 4G SIM Card . Comes in 1GB (for 6 days), 3GB and unlimited (both for 8 days). If you’re staying longer than 8 days, perhaps a portable WiFi might be more convenient.

Day 1: Tokyo Day Trip to Zao Fox Village

Accommodation in Tokyo: Wise Owl Hostel Tokyo (only 1 station away from Tokyo Main station which is perfect for making day trips out of Tokyo) — ¥2,300 for a dorm bed

Fox at Zao Fox Village - Japan Winter Itinerary

2 hours north-east of Tokyo in the Miyagi prefecture is a village where foxes roam. I know that sounds quite dreamy but after visiting for ourselves, I have mixed feelings about the place.

There are 2 parts to the “village”. Right after you purchase your entrance ticket (¥1000), the first thing you see is foxes either tied on a leash or kept in cages of various sizes. Some are kept in because they’re sick but one section of foxes are kept as designated huggers. For ¥400, you can hug, pet and carry one of these foxes; which I personally found quite sad because most of the time they would be tied up or kept in a tiny confined space.

Fox at Zao Fox Village - Japan Winter budget Itinerary

The other part is a lot better although it’s still a fenced up area. Foxes here have more space to roam and you’ll see most of the foxes rolled up into balls of fluff, taking a nap in the wooden crates by the staircase. There’s a lot of space here but foxes aren’t meant to live together by nature so you’ll see a lot of them with injuries on their head or tail from fights.

Zao Fox Village Feeding Platform - Japan Winter Itinerary

There’s a feeding platform where you can bring your ¥100 pack of feed (from the entrance) and you’ll see hoards of foxes crowding below looking up eagerly. It’s an adorable sight, until you throw the food over the ledge and watch the foxes growl and wrestle aggressively over the few morsels you’ve just released.

Foxes fighting at Zao Fox Village - Japan Winter Itinerary

It makes you wonder if their injuries are a result of such proximity or if they would be the same in nature. We did enjoy walking through the areas far from the feeding platform where foxes would playfully take a jab at each other or approach you to chew on your shoe lace (don’t let them! Unless you’re alright walking away with half your shoe lace gnawed off).

Entrance fee: ¥1000 How to get there: From Tokyo station, take the Yamabiko Shinkansen to Shiroishizao station and take a 20min taxi to the fox village (¥4200). Opening hours: 9AM – 5PM (last entry at 4:30PM)

*Pro-tip: On the way back, ask the other guests if they would like to share a cab back to Shiroishi-zao station to split the cab fare.

DAY 2: Tokyo Day Trip to Kawaguchi

Accommodation in Tokyo: Wise Owl Hostel Tokyo

Chureito Pagoda - Japan Winter budget Itinerary

Another key winter experience is catching sight of Mount Fuji from one of 5 Fuji Lakes. We picked Kawaguchi, a quiet town 2 hours from Tokyo. You can use your JR Pass to get to Otsuki station before transferring to the Fujikyu line to get to Kawaguchi-ko station.

Before you arrive at Kawaguchi-ko station, you might want to make a stop at Shimoyoshida. From the station, there’s a popular lookout point of mount Fuji from the back of Chureito Pagoda which takes 397 steps to get to.

Chureito Pagoda - Japan Winter Itinerary

Unfortunately our luck with the weather was pretty bad on the trip and the elusive Mount Fuji was no where to be seen. Do a quick check on the weather before deciding on this day trip or else a trip here is pretty sad if the weather is bad.

Hoto Fudo Noodles in Kawaguchiko - Japan Winter budget Itinerary

Our only saving grace was probably this hearty bowl of Hoto noodles — a Kawaguchi specialty of springy handmade noodles and probably one of the best dishes to have in winter. The most famous shop is Hoto Fodo located just across the road from Kawaguchiko station.

Hoto Fudo Kawaguchiko - Japan Winter Itinerary

Set in a cosy restaurant, the noodles here are said to be the most traditional version of all and only served in one variation; a miso vegetable soup (¥1080). A common ingredient in all Hoto noodles is a slice of pumpkin which doesn’t stand out a lot but adds a nice touch to the whole dish.

If you like more variety, there’s another restaurant: Hōtō kenkyūjo (ほうとう研究所) located near the Kawaguchi Music forest which has Hoto with a generous serving of seafood including crab and lobster legs (¥1380 – 1980).

How to get there: Take the shinkansen to Otsuki, from Otsuki, switch to the Fujikyu line and get off at Shimoyoshida, then Kawaguchiko station. The JR Pass covers the ride from Tokyo to Otsuki station.

DAY 3: Nagano

Host of the 1988 Winter Olympic Games , Nagano is a mountainous region most famous for the snow monkeys who definitely know how to enjoy life. It might be hard to believe at first but the onsen pools here are in fact reserved for the monkeys only.

Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

From Tokyo, pack your bags and set out early for Nagano. You can leave your luggage in the many lockers available at the train station. The JR pass covers your ride from Tokyo to Nagano station via the Hokuriki shinkansen (90 minutes). Then hop over to the Nagano Dentsu station where you can purchase the 1 day Snow Monkey Pass (¥3,200) .

Snow Monkey Pass - Japan Winter budget Itinerary

This covers the express bus that will transport you both ways between Nagano station and the Snow Monkey Park in 45 minutes. The pass also includes the entrance fee (¥1000) to the Snow Monkey Park.

From the drop off point, there’s a 20-minute walk to the entrance of the park.

There’s only one main onsen pool and you’ll see lots of monkeys as well as people crowded around.

Nagano Snow Monkeys - Japan Winter Itinerary

The Monkeys here are wild but are totally chilled and don’t really mind if you’re taking photos of them. However, do be a bit more weary of those with babies hanging on them as they tend to be a bit more paranoid and protective of their little one.

Do note that this is only for the monkeys!

For the humans, you can take a dip in nearby Kaede no Yu , Shibu Oyu , or Wakuwaku no Yu onsens for ¥300 – 500.

How to get there: Take Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano (90mins). Purchase a 1 day snow monkey pass for ¥3200 from the Nagano Dentsu station and hop on the Express bus that goes direct to the Snow Monkey Park (45 minutes).

You can stay a night in Nagano at the many onsen resorts but we took our bags from the lockers and continued on to Takayama (2.5 hour train ride).

*Alternative Route to from Nagano: Take Shinkansen to Kanazawa (60mins), spend the night and take a 1.5hour bus to Shirakawago the next morning. From Shirakawago, it’s a 50 minute bus ride to Takayama. If you’re taking this route, you can swap Day 4 for Day 5.

DAY 4: Takayama

Accommodation in Takayama: J-Hoppers Hida Takayama — ¥2,700 for a spacious dorm bed

Takayama Old town - Japan Winter budget Itinerary

One of Japan’s best preserved towns, Takayama is a popular winter destination for it’s charming Edo-style neighbourhood that’s even more charming when covered in snow.

But as our cursed luck with the weather continues, the snow had just melted off about 2-3 days before we arrived. Despite having almost no snow in sight, I still found the place rather enchanting and the perfect stopover before we visited the ultimate winter wonderland — Shirakawa-go.

Morning Markets

Takayama Morning Market - Japan Winter Itinerary

Starting from 8AM, head to either the Miyagawa or Jinya Mae morning market and you’ll see locals setting up stalls by the Miyagawa river.

From traditional snacks like rice crackers to quirkier finds like wasabi chocolate and coffee in a cookie cup, here’s a good place to pick up a gift or two. There’s also seasonal vegetables, wooden crafts and a woman folding really complex origami.

Opening Hours: 8AM – 11AM

Hida Kotte Aburi Sushi

Hida Kotte Takayama - Japan Winter Itinerary

One of the most famous delicacies in Takayama is Hida beef and you can find various beef eateries around the town. But an interesting one is the Hida Kotte snack bar. Beef is partially cooked with a blow torch and served sushi style on a piece of crispy rice cracker. Pick from 3 options: ginger soy sauce, salt or gunkan (warship) style with a raw egg on top. A set of all 3 costs ¥900 but trust me, it’s worth it!

Other recommended beef places to check out: Manpukutei ($), Suzuya ($$) and Ajikura ($$$).

Cost: ¥600 – 900 Opening Hours: 10AM – 5PM Address: Kamiyano Town Takayama City Gifu Prefecture 34

Free Sake Brewery Tours

Harada Sake Brewery Takayama - Japan Winter Itinerary

At 3000m above sea level, Takayama’s perpetual cold climate makes it perfect for brewing sake. There are various local breweries around the old city and from 19th Jan – 3rd March, they’re taking turns to run free tours of their sake making facility .

We were there in the first week and did our tour at Harada Sake Brewery . The tour honestly isn’t much but it was quite cool to find out what they did with the left over fermented sake (Sake Lees).

¥200 Sake Tasting in Takayama - Japan Winter Itinerary

But perhaps our favourite part of all was the sake tasting 😛

There’s a tasting fridge with around 15 different sakes and you can try them all just by purchase a sake cup for ¥200 (yes you get to bring this home). We loved it so much we ended up buying a bottle home too.

Tour timings: 10AM – 12PM, 1PM – 4PM Address: Various breweries around the old city

Visit Shirakawa-go

Gassho Zukiri Houses in Shirakawa-go - Japan Winter Itinerary

If you aren’t planning to stay the night in Shirakawa-go, J-Hoppers Hostel (where we stayed) offers half day bus tours there for ¥3900. It leaves once in the morning and another in the afternoon. For us, we decided to spend a night in Shirakawago. You can take the highway bus from the Nohi bus terminal right next to Takayama station (¥4420 round trip). Check the timings for the Nohi Highway bus here .

DAY 5: Shirakawa-go

Accommodation in Shirakawa-go: Shimizu Inn — ¥9,500 – ¥13,000/pax includes dinner and breakfast

Gassho Zukiri Houses in Shirakawa-go - Japan Winter budget Itinerary

A UNESCO World Heritage Site, Shirakawago (白川郷) receives quite a bit of snowfall every winter. In order to avoid snow buildup on the roofs, the gasshō-zukuri style homes you find here can be spotted with high straw roofs with steep slopes on each side giving the entire town a dreamy winter wonderland look.

Gassho Zukiri Houses - Japan Winter Itinerary

There really isn’t much to do in the town but a key experience is staying in one of these traditional gasshō-zukuri guesthouses. They’re super popular during the Dec – Feb period so book early if you’re planning to stay.

Meals at the Minshuku - Japan Winter Itinerary

There are no restaurants in the area so your accommodation will usually include 2 meals for each night you’re staying (dinner and breakfast).

Dinner at Shimizu Inn - Japan Winter Itinerary

I loved how homely the meals were with little servings of many varieties. Be careful though, the servings may look small but it adds up and you’d be stuffed before you know it.

In the day, you can take a shuttle bus (¥200) to the observatory for a unobstructed view of the village.

Leaving Shirakawago: From the bus terminal you can take the bus to 3 nearby cities: Takayama (50 minutes), Kanazawa (75 minutes) or Toyama (80 minutes).

The train ride to Kyoto is 135 minutes from Kanazawa, 163 minutes from Toyama and 182 minutes from Takayama.

DAY 6: Kyoto

Accommodation in Kyoto: Wasabi Kyoto Soba Hostel — ¥1,700 for a dorm bed (located 15 minutes from Kinkakuji temple)

Kyoto rarely snows, but it did this year (2018 Jan)! And of course, our poor luck continued and it only snowed when we left.

If it’s your first time in Kyoto, you really should spend at least 2 nights here. Check out our Kyoto budget guide for all the quintessential Kyoto experiences. Below are our all-time top 5:

1) Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest - Japan JR Pass Budget Guide

Entrance Fee: None Opening hours: 24 hours Nearest Station: Saga Arashiyama Station, JR Sagano line

2) Fushimi Inari

Fushimi Inari Shrine - Japan JR Pass Budget Guide

Entrance Fee: None Opening Hours: Dawn to dusk Nearest Station: 5min walk from Inari Station (JR Nara line) OR 10min walk from Fushimi Inari Station (Keihan line)

3) Kinkakuji Temple

Kinkajuki Temple - Japan Winter Itinerary

Entrance Fee: ¥400 Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM Nearest Station: From Kitaoji Station (Karasuma Line), take bus 204 or 205 to Kinkakujimichi bus stop and walk 400m to Kinkakuji

4) Nishiki Market

Opening Hours: 9AM – 5PM Nearest Station: Shijo Station (Karasuma line)

5) Kiyomizudera

Cost: ¥400 Opening Hours: 6AM – 6PM (may vary slightly depending on season) Nearest Station: Most accessible by bus or by cycling. For bus, take bus 206 from Kyoto Station to Kiyomizu-michi and walk for 10 minutes.

Read more about these in our Kyoto Budget Guide .

DAY 7-8: Osaka

Accommodation: J-Hoppers Universal Osaka — ¥2,300 (15 minutes from USJ) Osaka Namba Hostel Miyabi — ¥2,300 (Near Namba Station)

Osaka is best known for 2 things, Universal Studios Japan and FOOD. And that’s exactly what were in Osaka for this trip.

Don’t get me wrong, Osaka too, has many gorgeous monuments and interesting activities. If it’s your first time to Osaka, check out our very first Osaka Budget Guide for all the best things to do, see and eat for under S$70/day including accommodation!

Universal Studios Japan

Cactuar Churros - Universal Cool Japan 2018

If you’re visiting from 19th Jan – June 24th 2018, definitely check out the newly refreshed Universal Cool Japan section in USJ.

Detective Conan Escape Room Game-Universal Cool Japan 2018

Find yourself in an exciting Final Fantasy themed VR roller coaster or stretch your brain at the 4 storey Detective Conan Real Escape Room . These 2 were my favourite experiences at USJ this round.

Read also: Universal Cool Japan 2018 for what to expect in this new section, or our Ultimate USJ guide for tips and tricks to beating the crowds and maximising your time in the park.

Useful USJ Passes to get:

Universal Studios Japan 1.5 day pass — Enter the park after 3pm on the first day and have the whole of day 2.

Universal Cool Japan 3 Express Pass — Express access to 3 popular attraction in the Universal Cool Japan section. You’ll need this to enter the Detective Conan Real Escape Room game.

Namba Food Hunt

Known as THE entertainment and shopping district, Namba is perhaps the most exciting area in Osaka. Here are just some of our favourite food finds in the area; all under ¥1000!

1) Beef Cutlet Takeru

1kg super large size Beef Cutlet Takeru 1kg super Osaka -Japan Winter budget Itinerary

The most famous menu item at Beef Cutlet Takeru is this 1kg super large size beef cutlet rice bowl . For just ¥940, it comes with a miso soup and topped with a perfectly poached egg.

Each cutlet is lightly breaded on the edges and almost completely raw in the middle. In front of you in a mini grill where you can cook each individual piece to your liking.

While this set doesn’t serve 1kg of beef, the serving is pretty generous but basically comes with a mountain load of rice. If you’re not a “rice bucket” kind of person and don’t want to waste food, you can request for less rice (although the price will stay the same).

The catch is, each outlet only serves 5 of these bowls a day — which means you need to queue around 30 minutes before the shop opens to get your hands on one of these.

Beef Cutlet Takeru Osaka - Japan Winter Itinerary

If you happen to miss out, the ¥1,200 set is equally worth it and comes with a free flow bowl of cabbage salad.

Don’t forget to ask for sauces! There are up to 15 different types of dips and sauces to go with the cutlet including Garlic Soy Sauce, Mustard, Ponzu Sauce, Garlic Salt and our favourite of all — freshly grated garlic!

Address: 2 Chome-4-4 Nanbanaka, Naniwa-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 556-0011, Japan (Namba Outlet) Opening Hours: 11AM – 11PM (Everyday)

*Pro-tip: There are 2 outlet in Namba alone so if the queue looks long on one, try the other just 1 street away!

2) Niku Geikijou

Niku Geikijou Skirt Steak Bowl Osaka - Japan Winter Itinerary

A relatively new brand in the “fast food” rice bowl world (along with Yoshinoya, Matsuya and Sukiya), Niku Geikijou may very well be a new favourite.

It’s a little pricier than the rest (ranging from ¥690 – ¥790) but serves a very generous portion of meat and you can choose from 12 different sauces to have the rice drenched in.

Sauces range from sweet to extra spicy, with garlic, with ginger or with miso. We ordered the skirt steak bowl and asked for the garlic miso sauce which turned out super addictive! Oiishi indeed!

Address: 2 Chome-4-4 Nanbanaka, Naniwa-ku, Ōsaka-shi, Ōsaka-fu 556-0011, Japan Opening Hours: 11AM – 11PM (Everyday)

3) Imai Honten Udon

Imai Honten Udon Osaka - Japan Winter Itinerary

The specialty at Imai Honten is their Kitsune Udon which is fried bean curd cooked in a sweet soup broth for hours until it absorbs all the goodness. It might seem like a plain dish but light and light broth somehow manages to be just tasteful enough for you keep wanted another spoon of it.

Address: Osaka-shi Chuo-ku Dotonbori 1 – chome 7 No. 22 Opening Hours: 11AM – 10PM

One-stop place to book all your travel essentials

Hogwarts Castle & Hogsmead_Village-Universal Cool Japan 2018

Klook has become one of the first sites we turn to when it comes to trip planning. From WiFi, to transport, to experiences, they have almost everything we need and at very competitive prices. Here’s what we booked from Klook for this trip:

1) 7 Day Whole Japan JR Pass — Saved us $300+ in value. Click here for JR Pass breakdown 2) 8D 4G SIM Card — Fuss free pick up from Tokyo Airport (Comes in 3GB and Unlimited) 3) ICOCA IC Card — Comes preloaded with ¥1,500 credits and can be used on all transports in the Kansai region including Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Kobe 4) Universal Studio Ticket — Available in 1, 1.5 and 2 day passes. No printout needed. You can get access just by scanning the QR code on your phone. 5) Nankai Airport Express — Since we returned on day 8, we could no longer use our JR pass to get to Kansai Airport so this was our next best option! The limited express trains will get you to the airport under 45 minutes but leaves only 2 times every hour so be sure to check the timetable from Kansai airport and to Kansai airport .

All set for your winter adventure? Start securing your flights now:

Can’t see the widget above? Check flight prices from Singapore to Tokyo here instead!

This post was brought to you by Klook .

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A post shared by The Travel Intern (@thetravelintern) on Jan 25, 2018 at 8:44pm PST

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13 comments.

This provides a good overview of places to go in Japan. I find this an interesting express itinerary to cover so many places in Japan over 7 days. I would think in reality I would spend a bit more time at each location, account for waiting time, find my way, etc in order to get from place to place. I guess it would be too stressful for me to cover 7 places/cities in 7 days. Seat reservations on some trains are probably needed when using the JR pass. This was something that put me off when I considered the JR Pass.

Yeah it’s super express as mentioned! mainly for those who wants to do many things in a short period of time as they might have limited vacation leave. For most routes, JR trains are actually ok without the JR Pass if you avoid the usual peak hours. Only for the overnight trains and long distance trains is it more important to make the reservations!

Hi.. How to book accommodation in Shirakawa-go: Shimizu Inn? I cant find it in agoda. thank you very much

We booked via Japanguesthouses.com. you can check for availability here: https://www.japaneseguesthouses.com/ryokan-single/?ryokan=Shirakawago-Shimizu

Thank you Cherie..

Hi Ms. Cherie.

I have read your itinerary and it is awesome.

I would like to ask, is this a February trip? Is this itinerary advisable for a December trip?

Yes, we did this in late Jan/early Feb but even then, Takayama’s snow happened to have melted on the day we arrived so pretty it’s unpredictable. But if you’re just looking to enjoy the warm houses in Shirakawago then I can imagine December to be a great time too!

Hi I have read this post and it’s awesome . I made small changes in this plan according to my family needs & completed my trip with family between Dec 22 to Dec 31. Below is my itinerary . Day 1 22-12-2018 Singapore to Tokyo and settle in room Day 2 23-12-2018 Hakone ( using Hakone free pass klook pass ) Day 3 24-12-2018 Gala Uzawa ( Activated JR Pass First day ) Day 4 25-12-2018 Nagano (snow Monkey park ( JR Pass day 2)) Day 5 26-12-2018 Shirakawa-go ( Nohi bus ) Day 6 27-12-2018 Nagoya nabana no sato winter illumination ( JR Pass day 4 ) Day 7 28-12-2018 USJ ( 1.5 days pass) ( JR Pass day 5) Day 8 29-12-2018 USJ ( 1.5 days pass) ( Traveled back to Tokyo 8.26 Hikari 2.30 hrs travel ( JR Pass day 6 )) Day 9 30-12-2018 Tagarakawa Onsen ( JR Pass day 7 ) Day 10 31-12-2018 Ueno Park & Pack up back to singapore.

Bought suica card for local subway travel in Tokyo & Nagoya also used this card in vending machines . Traveled with family(Indian vegetarian )bit hectic, but can manage easily .(Me ,Wife,daughter (11) ,son (7) ) Budget 10K )

Thanks a lot for such a wonderful post and keep travelling 🙂

sounds like a great plan. Thanks for sharing!

Hi, I wonder how big your luggage is? We are going to visit Japan next January – February, and we “copied” your itinerary so ours is more or less is quite similar to you. But we wonder if we would be able to do all the stuffs if we carry big sized luggage. Please help 🙁

Believe it or not, we actually did this trip with a cabin sized luggage! It might be a little hard to find luggage space in the trains but the buses usually had a luggage compartment below so that wasn’t a problem!

Hi found your wonderful itinerary. Wanted to travel to Japan end Nov. Is picking up a car to drive advisable?

Hi Chris! If you are comfortable driving, it’s always nice to have some flexibility. We have driven in Hokkaido and around Mount Fuji before pre-covid!

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2 Week Central Japan Winter Itinerary

A 2 week Japan itinerary in the middle of winter? Maybe your idea of a winter vacation involves less snow and cold weather, but we think wintertime travel in Japan is one of the best times to go to the country!

In the summertime, the humidity and swells of tourism makes exploring the Japan a bit draining. We have travelled to Japan three times now, all in the middle of winter and we couldn’t recommend it more! With snow covered mountains and temples, hot springs, warm Kotatsu dining tables, and piping hot street food, Japan has you covered even in the coldest weather. So grab some a warm cup of tea, sit back, and enjoy our 2 week Japan itinerary for your next winter adventure.

Navigation :

Tokyo – 4 Days

Kamakura – 1 Day

Hakone – 2 Days

Matsumoto – 2 Days

Nagano City – 3 Days

Toyko – 2 days

TOKYO (4 DAYS)

A 2 week Japan itinerary wouldn’t be complete without exploring the expansive capital of Tokyo. Your international flight will land here anyway, so don’t skip out on going into the city and doing some sightseeing. You can spend days, weeks, and months exploring this city and still not see it all, but we think that four days at the beginning of your trip should check off some of the highlights and get you rested after a long flight.

Arrive In Tokyo, Wander Around Your Hotel, Get Some Rest

Land in Tokyo

Take the train to your hotel and explore your neighborhood for the evening! There’s nothing better than getting to know the place you’ll be staying so you can know where to shop, eat, and not get lost.

Explore Meiji Shrine, Be Artsy In Harajuku, Go Crazy In Shibuya

Morning: Meiji Shrine

The shrine, located in the beautiful Yoyogi Park, is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. This temple is a must see in the Harajuku area as the serene and historic shrine juxtaposes itself against the busy and modern city that surrounds the park.

Wake up refreshed and take the train into Harujuku Station on the JR Line or Meiji-Jingu-Mae Station on the Chiyoda and Fukutoshin Lines. From here, you can walk to Yoyogi Park, home to the famous Meiji Shrine.

Afternoon: Harajuku

The Harajuku trend is huge in Tokyo and they have their own neighborhood to boot! Think of them like modern bohemians akin to the hippies in Haight Ashbury from 1960s San Francisco. Hip, vintage, and colorful, Harajuku is definitely a unique place for thrift shopping and people watching.

Back track towards the subway station and the Harajuku neighborhood. Definitely check out the Haight Ashbury shop here ! Seriously, just go to all the thrift stores and feel all the 1990’s nostalgia this area is famous for.

Evening: Shibuya

The Shibuya neighborhood is the iconic poster child of Tokyo. You have probably seen a million photos and movies shot along the Shibuya crosswalk. Shibuya is best to do in the late afternoon and evening. It is one of the more costly areas we spent time in, but definitely worth it for one night out in Tokyo!

Walk around and see some of the shops before heading to the Shibuya crossing to take some golden hour photos. Afterwards, grab some yakitori (skewered snack food) at Torikizoku (we called this place turtle yakitori because the middle character in the name looks like a little turtle !) Be sure to hit up a few sake bars , and then finish up at the karaoke bar for an hour.

Sleep In, Eat Some Fish At The Tsukiji Market, Go To Yanaka Cat Town

Mid-Morning: Tsukiji Fish Market

The Tsukiji Fish Market is a must see if you are staying in Tokyo for more than a couple of days. The late Anthony Bourdain once said, “When I’m in a city that’s new to me, I try to go to the central market very early in my trip. I’ll go at 6 a.m., when people are shopping for businesses. You get to see what people buy and really eat.” Markets are where you are go to get cheap(ish) food and people watch. You’re sure to have a unique experience each and every time you go.

Get exited because you can create your own fish bowl set! Snag some photos after you eat because you don’t want to wait too long for the crowds to settle in and have to wait forever for your food.

Afternoon: Yanaka Cat Town

When we heard that there was small alleyway of shops, restaurants, and cafes called “Cat Town” we clearly had to go! The street is short but the quaint shops and eateries are a great way to spend a bit of your afternoon without too much walking. Plus, you can spend all your time looking out for kitties. Total win.

After eating your weight in fish, really get in touch with your feline side by hanging out with some cats in the Yanaka Cat Town! This is one of the oldest and historic neighborhoods in Tokyo, so don’t miss it.

Sunrise at Senso-ji Temple, Cafés and Shopping, Night Out in Piss Alley

Morning: Senso-ji Temple

The Senso-ji Temple is the oldest temple in Toyko dating back to 645 AD and therefore is one of the most famous temples in Japan. Don’t forget to check out the Asakusa Market shopping and food heaven. Asakusa is a street is located on a narrow strip of land leading straight to the Senso-ji Temple! You can rent kimono, check out the market, and sign up to start your own Goshuincho stamp book at the temple. Basically, these little books are stamped and signed by an attendant for 300 yen. It is a way to document your pilgrimage to the temple or shrine and is a gorgeous souvenir of your trip.

Go in the early morning if you are looking to beat the crowds. We’re talking pre-sunrise. The morning light looks incredible here though and is certainly worth the early start!

Evening: Memory Lane aka Piss Alley

Dozens of cheap yakitori, skewered small snack foods, restaurants line the narrow and grungy alleyways previously known as Pissy Alley. Not so many years ago, the alleyways restaurants had no public toilets and often men would simply relieve themselves right in the cramped streets. Now, clearly marked toilet signs can be found and so, we can only hope, cleanliness levels are on the rise.

Take a break from your early morning start with some rest or café time. Afterwards, we totally suggest stuffing your face for a full evening hopping from place to place in Memory Lane. Don’t forget the sake!

Kamakura (1 DAY)

Kamakura is a little over an hour ride outside of Tokyo, so this was an easy day trip option for us as we were not renting a car. Ryan was keen to fill his Goshuincho stamp book as Kakakura is famous for its many temples and shrines and the promised views of Mt. Fuji at sunset pretty much sealed the deal for the rest of us. Here are our suggestions for Day 5 of our 2 Week Japan Itinerary!

Temple Walk, Lunch On Komachi Dori Street, Sunset at Shonan Kaigan Beach

Arrive in Kamakura

Catch the train to Kita-Kamakura Station. You should start in the north and wind your way down south towards the shore.

Morning: Temple to Temple Walk

Meigetsu-in Temple

Do the temple to temple walk which will take you through 3 large and beautiful temples. Start at the Meigetsu-in Temple and see the iconic circular window in the main hall. It is particularly beautiful after a wintery snow!

Kencho-ji Temple

Walk south towards the Kencho-ji Temple for about twenty minutes. This is the oldest Zen temple in Kamakura, founded in 1253. The temple complex is huge and therefore feels like you have the place to yourself. Don’t forget to do the hike behind the temple which will lead you up stairs for about 30 minutes before reaching the top with views of Kamakura and Mt. Fuji in the distance.

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine

Tsurugaoka Hachiman-gu Shrine is another fifteen minute walk south from the Kencho-ji Temple. The entrance of this shrine is amazing. A long path, starting all the way at the waterfront and winding through the city center ends in a large stone stairway to the shrine.

Here is a map of the temples in and around Kamakura for ease (zoom in to make it larger). Don’t forget to grab a Goshuincho stamp book. What could possibly be a better souvenir for your trip to Japan?

Afternoon: Komachi Dori Street

Stop in for lunch along the Komachi Dori Street and rest your tired toes. The street is at the base of the Tsurugaoka Shrine so it is an easy five minute walk from there. There are tons of amazing street food options if you want to try a little of everything but we opted for the Tonkatsu Komachi restaurant instead for some delicious fried cutlets.

Kotoku-in Temple

For one last temple, and probably the most impressive in Kamakura, the Kotokuin Temple is one last temple on your day trip itinerary. Here, you can see the Great Buddha of Kamakura which is the third largest seated Buddha statue in Japan at nearly 47 feet tall and was erected in 1252.

You can get here by taking the bus from the entrance of Komachi Dori Street. Look for the English signs directing you to the correct bus. The ride should only take about ten minutes before you arrive at the temple. Enjoy the time off your feet, otherwise you can walk the 25 minutes to the temple.

Evening: Shonan Kaigan Beach

The view of Mt. Fuji towering on the other side of the sea is stunning from Shonan Kaigan Beach. There are plenty of restaurants and cafes along the beachfront so you can grab some dinner here too if you fancy!

Grab the historic Enoden Train down to the coast. Get on the train at Hase Station, 10 minutes walking time away from Kotokuin Temple and alight at Enoshima Station. There, you’ll need to walk about ten minutes down to the beach. With a highball whiskey from the nearest 7-11 convenience store in hand, watch the sunset over the ocean with Mt. Fuji in the distance.

HAKONE (2 DAYS)

Hakone really isn’t the place you want to do a short day trip to from Tokyo, in our opinion. We think it’s best to dedicate at least two days here to fully enjoy this little mountain town.

Hakone is beautiful any time of year and the entire area is a Japanese National Geopark. With views of Mt. Fuji, sulfuric vents and hot springs, and the famous Ashi Lake torri gate, why wouldn’t Hakone be on your 2 Week Japan Itinerary?

Arrive In Hakone, Check Out The Shops, Soak In The Onsen

Morning: Arrive in Hakone

To get to Hakone, you will need to purchase train tickets on the Odakyu Line. Get your tickets for the train at the Odakyu Line departing station in Tokyo on the 2 nd floor . Pay for the Hakone Free Pass 2 or 3 day pass as it is definitely worth it with all the transportation you will be taking in Hakone and the pass covers it all. Check out this site for the Hakone Free Pass for more information and maps.

Afternoon: Hotel and Shopping

After dropping off your things, take some time to go explore the small shops and restaurants in the area and hit up a brewery or one of the numerous cafes.

Evening: Soak in an Onsen

There are tons of onsens in Hakone and we contest there is no better way to spend the cold months of the year than in piping hot water. Remember, unlike S outh Korean spas , people with tattoos are not allowed in many onsens across the country.

Some onsens in Hakone even fill their tubs with coffee and wine (no tattoos allowed here) , if that’s something you’re into. We booked our hostel at K’s House simply for their private onsen. This is the only tattoo friendly onsen we’ve found in the area, but there are many more you can go to if you are tattoo free!

Hakone Loop Path

You can pretty much see everything you want on this 3-6 hour loop of the area. Bus, trains, cable cars, and ships will whisk you away in a big loop route of Hakone! This is where your Hakone Free Pass will really pay off. The Loop is pretty straight forward, so you shouldn’t have a hard time finding you way. Head back to the bus stop and take the bus outside of the train station to the Hakone Shrine.

Morning: Hakone Shrine to the Ashi Lake Boat

Pretty much everyone has seen this famous Japanese lakeside Torii Gate in some photo or another. The red pillars jut out from the shoreline with Fuji towering in the distance. The temple is especially beautiful in the winter snow, another bonus for visiting in the wintertime!

The temple is best with morning light if you are hoping for photos of the famous torri gate without being back-lit. After exploring the temple, get your tickets for the next Ashi Lake Cruise to the opposite side of the lake. This is a 30 minute boat ride, included in your Hakone Free Pass, that will drop you off at the terminal for the cable car to the Owakudani Sulfur Vents and Hot Springs.

Afternoon: Owakudani Sulfur Vents to Gora

Riding a cable car to a smelly hole in the ground, eating black sulfur eggs, AND views of Mt. Fuji?! Seriously, if there is a better way to spend an afternoon, I don’t want to hear about it. You have to eat at least 5 eggs for it to really count though.

Ride the cable car and eat your weight in sulfuric eggs. Surprise, they taste basically the same as regular hard-boiled eggs! You will then hop back on the cable car to head towards Sounzan.

Once in Sounzan catch the red trolley car down the hill to Gora. From here, be sure to make a stop at the Gora Brewery and Grill . Grab a couple of to go beers and sit outside at their amazing footbath!

Late Afternoon: Gora to Hakone

From here, you will take the Tozan Train all the way back to Hakone! There are tons of museums, restaurants, and shops in many of the small villages, so check those out if you have the time. The loop took us about five hours so we could have gone much slower.

MATSUMOTO (2 DAYS)

History, art, and charm, that’s why we settled on going to Matsumoto. That’s also why we are suggesting Matsumoto in our 2 Week Japan Itinerary! An added bonus was that everything we wanted to see and do in the city was all within walking distance of each other. If you are considering doing Matsumoto as a day trip from Tokyo, it is a great choice!

Transfer To Matsumoto Via Tokyo, Browse Seikando Castle Bookstore, Go Souvenir Shopping

Morning/Afternoon: Get to Matsumoto

Catch the train from Hakone to Shinjuku Station. YES YOU HAVE TO GO BACK TO TOKYO FOR THE FASTEST ROUTE. Unless you have you own rental vehicle, then ignore this completely and drive the easy hour and a half northeast to Matsumoto.

From the 3 rd floor of the bus terminal across the street from Shinjuku Station, catch the Willer Bus to Matsumoto. It should only take you three hours and cost around $35 (3500 yen) each.

Late Afternoon: Seikando Castle Bookstore

Charm! Matsumoto has it on every street, and this uniquely odd bookstore is no exception. The Seikando Bookstore was modeled specifically by the owner to mimic the nearby Matsumoto Castle when it was renovated nearly 70 years ago. It can be found crammed between two modern buildings and this flanking creates quiet a surreal scene.

Take a moment to go inside and check out all the old and secondhand books both in Japanese and English! A couple of doors down is a wonderful souvenir shop that you shouldn’t miss either, especially their fun and cheaply priced Kabuki masks .

Souvenir Shopping On Nawate Street (Frog Street)

This walking street is a great place for food, shopping, and spying little frog statues placed sweetly throughout the street and along the shops. Our favorite place was actually a bakery called Sweet Co. Nawate that has been in business for over 105 years. It is located near the entrance of Nawate Street. There are five locations across Japan and one opening in Seattle soon.

If you are looking for Matsumoto souvenirs, this is your place! Frogs are popular gifts here as well as the colorfully printed Japanese traditional tenugui fabric which can be used as gift wrapping, scarves, or for decorative display. Don’t forget to check out Yohashira Shrine at the entrance to the market if you are looking for a stamp in your Goshuincho stamp book.

Tour Matsumoto Castle, Eat Lunch On Nakamachi Street , See The Kusama Exhibit

Morning: Matsumoto castle

This is the other highlight of the city, the Matsumoto Castle! One of Japan’s most historic castle’s, the original building was constructed in 1504. It was actually up for demolition when it was sold in 1872, but residents of Matsumoto came to the rescue it when they started a campaign to save the castle. Since then the Matsumoto city government has made numerous efforts to preserve the historic site.

If you are going in the winter, wear thick, warm socks as you are not allowed to wear shoes inside and the floors can get very cold even with the provided slippers.

Nagano Street Food Specialty: Oyaki Buns

Don’t miss out on the Oyaki buns. A specialty of the Nagano prefecture, these warm little buns will fill you up and combat the wintery cold. You can get them with loads of different fillings such as red bean, sweet potato, eggplant, and meats. They’re all good, so you might as well eat one of each to be on the safe side.

You can find several eateries selling these little gems outside of the castle, so warm your freezing toes with a few of these guys before you leave the area!

Afternoon: Nakamachi Street

Everything is walkable in Matsumoto, so as long as you stay in the central area, you can walk to any of these points of interests in the city. This street is lined with a number of warehouse buildings (kura) with white painted walls, a characteristic of former merchant districts. Some of these buildings are over 100 yeas old, lending to its aesthetic nature.

Eat and shop along this scenic street, and certainly don’t forget to check out the vintage Samsara hippie shop where you can listen to old records and shop “Fork Art” (a common misspelling of folk art!)

Late Afternoon: Matsumoto City Art Museum

If you don’t know about Yayoi Kusama, Google her right now. Seriously. Here, I’ve done it for you. Yayoi Kusama is a modern artist you definitely have to see in person and Matsumoto is her hometown! The Matsumoto City Art Museum hosts some of her art permanently on display. The museum is closed on Mondays and is open from 9 – 5 on every other day. Adult tickets are 400 yen and children are 200 yen.

Check out Kusama’s sculptures, room installment, paintings, as well as some of her early work! If you were unable to snag tickets to the Kusama Museum in Tokyo like I was, this is your next best thing!

NAGANO (3 DAYS)

For your 2 week Japan itinerary in winter, why wouldn’t Nagano be on your top list of places to visit? Nagano City is the capital of the Nagano prefecture and was host to the 1998 Winter Olympic Games meaning there’s loads of skiing and snowboarding opportunities! If snow is what your looking for while you travel around Japan this winter, Nagano is where you want to be.

Arrive in Nagano City, Check out Temple Street

Morning: Arrive in Nagano City

Take the train from Matsumoto Station to Nagano City. This was the cheapest train we took and cost us around $9 each, and was about an hour ride. If you wish to buy a the Snow Monkey Park One Day Pass (see below), you can purchase it at the station when you arrive.

Afternoon: Zenko-ji Temple and Shopping Street

Right in the middle of Nagano City is what we call, “Temple Street,” a long cobblestone walking path that slowly ascends upwards past many temples, shops, and eateries. This is definitely the perfect place to get your Goshuincho stamps from the resident monks!

Check out temple street in the late afternoon on your way up to the historic and large complex of the Zenko-ji Temple. Later in the evening, eat at one of the eateries along the walking path.

Monkey Hot Springs OR Matsushiro Historic Town

Option One: Snow Monkey Park

These are the only Macaque monkeys in the world who bath in hot springs and you can only see them in Japan. To get there, you should buy the Snow Monkey 1-Day Pass which will include unlimited one day use of the Nagaden train, bus, and express bus as well as your entrance fee to the park. The tickets are 3200 yen per person and you can purchase it from the window inside the Nagaden Nagano Station.

Mentally prepare yourself for a cold, and possibly snowy, one mile hike in the morning in order to beat the crowds. Afterwards, check out the Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan onsen which lies in front of the Snow Monkey Park. Unfortunately, they do not allow guests with tattoos to bathe here.

Option Two: Matsushiro Castle Ruins and Historic Town

Samurai. Castle ruins. Underground vaults and tunnels. Matsushiro is an historic and beautiful town well worth checking out. You could easily spend an entire day here, so it’s certainly a great option if monkeys and cold hikes aren’t your thing!

Take the Matsushiro line bus from Nagano Station. It leaves every half hour from platform 3 of the Zenkoji exit. For historical sites, get off at the Matsushiro Eki stop. See the castle ruins, the famous Sanada samaruai family residence, the Bunbu Military Academy, and much more. Check out Go Nagano for more information!

Ski Your Heart Out!

Catch the Bus to a Ski Resort!

In Nagano province, there are many choices for different resorts to go skiing. Most of them are within a couple of hours from Nagano city so you can easily bus there as well. This is the land of the Nagano Olympics, so you simply have to ski these slopes!

From the Nagano Station, you can buy your bus tickets to any of the nearby ski resort towns. Most are between an hour to three hours away, so plan to get an early start!

TOKYO (2 DAYS)

For the end of this whirlwind 2 week Japan Itinerary, you’ll need to make the trek back to Tokyo in order to catch your flight. We always like to give ourselves a bit of breathing space though, so we spent our last remaining day in the capital relaxing and eating and repeating.

Arrive in Tokyo, Warm Kotatsu Table Dining, Tokyo Skytree

Morning: Bus Back to Tokyo

You can buy tickets via the Willer Bus company’s online website or simply purchase the bus tickets from the Nagano Station window.

Our bus wound its way through gorgeously snow covered rural villages and evergreens for a little over four hours before arriving at the Shibuya Station in Tokyo.

Afternoon: Kotatsu Winter Dining

Kotatsu is a form of dining where you sit on the floor around a low wooden table frame that is covered by a heavy blanket. On top of the blanket sits a table top and you cover your legs with the blanket. Underneath is electrically heated, keeping you completely toasty warm!

Check out Yoyogi Curry in Shibuya for outdoor patio Kotatsu dining in winter! Eat slowly though so you can enjoy these warm blankets to the fullest.

Evening: Views of Skytree Tower

Tokyo’s Skytree tower comes to life, even in the cold winter months! Even in early February when we were there, plum trees were blooming. At night, the tower is lit and makes up a huge part of the iconic Tokyo skyline.

Head to Sumida District on the JR Chuo/Sobu Line to catch nightfall at the Tokyo Skytree Tower. Be sure to wrap up in warm clothes as nightfall in the city during wintertime is very cold!

Catch Your Flight

Relax in the Morning and Get to the Airport

Our flight was in the late afternoon, so we simply checked out at 11pm and grabbed the first train to the airport. We could have gotten up early and done one last thing in Tokyo, but we like to leave on our travel days feeling more refreshed.

Check out of your hotel and catch the train back to the airport. The train will take around an hour and a half from most parts of the city and if you are flying internationally, you should make sure to be at the airport at least two hours early!

∴ Have you ever been to Central Japan in the winter? Is there anything we missed out on seeing? Let us know in the comments below! We love hearing from you. ∴

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Japan Winter 12-day Itinerary

Asia , Destinations , Japan

Our Japan winter trip was all about enjoying the fun things to do in Japan during winter. On this 12-day trip, we were able to do certain things that we could only experience during a Japan winter season, such as marvelling at the biggest winter illuminations in Nagoya, watching a winter show at the Osaka castle, visiting snow monkeys in their natural habitat, enjoying the Hakone hot springs and playing with snow at a ski resort.

Below is our 12-day itinerary.

Day 1: Tokyo

We arrived in Tokyo and spent our first evening exploring Shibuya and watching people criss-crossing at the Shibuya crossing. The nice part about visiting Tokyo in winter was the light decorations all around the city. Read more about our Tokyo trip.

Day 2: Hakone

We travelled to Hakone known for its hot springs and amazing views of Mt Fuji . We took a cable car, a ropeway across steaming volcanoes and stayed overnight in a traditional Japanese ryokan with a hot spring bath. Read more about our Hakone trip.

Day 3: Hakone – Osaka

We explored the volcanic valley, and then took a sightseeing pirate ship across Lake Ashi. In the afternoon, we took the bullet train to Osaka and enjoyed an evening in the lively Namba area. Read more about our Osaka trip.

Day 4: Osaka Aquarium and Castle

We visited the Osaka Aquarium, had some fun at the Tempozan marketplace, and then visited Osaka Castle in the evening for an outdoor show. Read more about Osaka .

Day 5: The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

Day 6: Kyoto

We went on a day trip to Kyoto from Osaka as we didn’t get to see the famous red Torii gates at Fushimi Inari and the geisha district in Gion the last time we visited Kyoto. Read more about Kyoto .

Day 7: Winter Illuminations

One of the best things to do in Japan during winter is to enjoy its winter illuminations and one of the best was at Nabana No Sato near Nagoya. Read more about Winter Illuminations in Nabana No Sato .

Day 8: Hakuba Ski Resort

A winter holiday is not complete without a chance to play with snow. We headed north to Nagano and spent the afternoon at the Hakuba ski resort. We spent the night at Hakuba Sun Valley with the Goryu snow park right at its doorstep.

Day 9: Jigokudani Snow Monkeys

We took a bus to see the Jigokudani snow monkeys who only make an appearance during the colder months to soak in the warm bath prepared by the locals. In the late afternoon, we took the bullet train to Tokyo.

Day 10: Tokyo

We visited the famous Tsukiji fish market, Pokemon centre, and spent the evening in Shinjuku, with a hearty ramen dinner at Menya Gaijin. Read more about Tokyo .

Day 11: Tokyo

We took a stroll down Harajuku street, famous for trendsetting fashion; Akihabara, a haven for electronic goods and Asakusa for sightseeing, shopping as well as sushi at Sushi-ken. Read more about our Tokyo trip.

Day 12: Narita Airport

Planning for this trip.

As this trip was our second trip to Japan, planning was comparatively easier this time round. I hope that you find the tips below useful for your planning.

Accommodation

For our trip, we stayed at different types of budget-friendly and family-friendly accommodations:

Hotel Empire in Shinjuku – We stayed overnight in this budget-friendly family accommodation that is a 3-min walk from JR Okuba station, 1 stop away from Shinjuku.
Hakone Gora Kanon – We stayed overnight at this traditional family ryokan up the Hakone mountain resort with private hot spring baths. They were also able to order for us dinner (tempura prawn udon) from a nearby restaurant.
Wafu Ryokan Uehonmachi – We stayed in this budget-friendly Japanese-style accommodation in Osaka for 4 nights. It is within walking distance to Uehonmachi station, just 1 stop away from the lively Namba area.
Hotel Mystays Nagoya – We stayed overnight here after visiting the illuminations. We chose this because it was only 3 stops from Nagoya station, from where we were to depart for Hakuba the next . near a restaurant with halal food ( Taxim ). We couldn’t find a family room in Nagoya, so we booked 2 rooms.
Hakuba Sun Valley – We chose this accommodation because it had an option for a muslim-friendly menu, was close to Hakuba Goryu Ski resort and there was snow right outside the accommodation.
Haru Hotel – We stayed 3 nights at this budget-friendly accommodation that is within walking distance from JR Okuba station and 1 stop away from Shinjuku

Tickets and Tours

You can get attraction tickets, tours and even restaurant bookings for Japan through Voyagin.com .

Getting around with Luggage

Transportation

Express train from Airport to Shinjuku
JR Yamanote from Shinjuku to our hotel in Shin-Okubo
RomanceCar from Shinjuku at 09:27am and arriving at Hakone-Yumoto at 11:04am.
Hakone Free Pass – Tozan railway to Gora (39 min), cable car to Sounzan (10min), ropeway to Togendai and bus to Gora (see bus schedule ) and cable car to accommodation at Naka-Gora.
Hakone Free Pass – cable car, ropeway to Owakudani, ropeway to Togendai, pirate ship cruise across Lake Ashi (40 min) and a bus back to Odawara.
We activated our Japan rail pass and took the bullet train from Odawara at 14:08, arrived at Shin-Osaka at 16:26 and changed to the Osaka Loop Line and a local Kintentsu line to our accommodation at Osaka-Uehonmachi . Refer to the Osaka Train Map .
Train to Kintetsu-Nipponbashi to have dinner at the Dotonbori area.
Train to Osakako to visit the Aquarium using the Osaka Kaiyu Ticket which included entry to the Aquarium and unlimited rides within Osaka city for the day.
Train to Osaka station, then to Osakajokoen to see the castle
Train on JR Yumesaki line to Universal City
Universal Studios Japan tickets
Train to Shin-Osaka, Shinkansen train from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto (15 min), then took the JR Nara Line to Inari (1 stop)
Travelled by bus around Kyoto , and took Shinkansen back to Osaka.
Shinkansen to Nagoya (about 1 hr)
Two-way shuttle bus from Meitetsu Bus Centre (near Nagoya station) to Nabana No Sato (each way about 1 hr) (1,780 Yen) or train from Nagoya to Kuwana via JR Kansai Line (24 min) and shuttle bus from Kuwana station to Nabana No Sato
Nagoya City Subway from Nagoya to Sakae(Aichi) f or dinner and hotel
Nagoya City Subway from Sakae(Aichi) to Nagoya
Limited Express (Wide View) Shinano from Nagoya at 08:00, change at Shiojiri at 10:15 and Limited Express Azusa train to Hakuba, arriving at 11:28
Bus from Hakuba to Nagano (1hr 5 min)
Nagano Dentetsu Bus to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and return, by purchasing 1-day Snow Monkey Pass from Nagano station (2,900 Yen per adult)
Shinkansen from Nagano at 17:55 to Tokyo (79 min)
1-day Metro line pass (paid at station). See Tokyo Metro map . – Note that there are 3 types of day pass (1) Metro line only (2) Metro + Toei Line (3) Metro + Toei + JR. Decide your route before buying the pass.
Train to Airport (fastest at 36 min), Private shuttle van to Airport or Shuttle bus (cheapest).
You must purchase the JR pass and receive the Exchange Order before entering Japan. You can purchase it online at klook.com . At the airport, there is a JR pass exchange office where you can turn in the Exchange Order and show your passport to get the JR pass.
You can make seat reservations for free at the JR stations.
You can check train schedules on hyperdia.com .

Other Useful Tips

There are many great bakeries and Japanese snacks around Japan that are reasonably priced. You can find some of them at the basement level of shopping malls or at train stations.
There are many souvenir shops at Narita Airport selling Japanese snacks in nicely-wrapped boxes. You can save on taxes when buying them from the airport.
You may wish to consider getting a sim card to be used during your Japan trip, but you need to use it on a handset that supports 3G.
Rental of Wifi devices are also available at the airport. You can book it online at Voyagin.com .
It is useful to install an English-Japanese language translator on your mobile phone for communication with a local who might not be well-versed in English.
If you have to bring electronic products like kettles or irons, get the travel ones that can be adjusted to 100V. Those that are fixed at 230V will not work properly in Japan.
Last but not least, muslim travellers can find a number of halal food or muslim-friendly restaurants around Japan. Read more about Must-try Halal food in Tokyo , Must-try Halal food in Kyoto and Must-try Halal food in Osaka .
In Nagoya, Taxim restaurant, near where we stayed (Hotel MyStays Nagoya), serves halal Turkish and Italian cuisine.
Our accommodation in Hakuba, Hakuba Sun Valley , also serves muslim-friendly breakfast and dinner with advance request.
At Jigokudani Snow Monkey, the ramen at Enza Cafe uses halal chicken. Other halal food around Nagano area are listed in the Nagano Muslim Guide .

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About The Author

Rosie is a mummy to 3 kids. She enjoys going on travel adventures with her family. Her trips are free-and-easy, family-oriented and mostly budget-friendly.

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13 Comments

I loved my visit to Japan in 2013. I went to Tokyo, Hakone, Yokohama and Yokoska! I need to blog about it!

Ah! I want to go to Japan so badly! It definitely at the top of my list, to eat sushi in Japan one day. I am pinning this so I can refer back to it when I finally make the trip.

What an action packed schedule! This is for sure an intense guide and so necessary for people who are researching the locations you mentioned. Thank you for doing the work to put something this amazing together. Will keep this for later trips to Japan.

What a nice winter itinerary! We’ve toured Japan only in the summertime, and I certainly feel that those magical onsens should be enjoyed also during winter. Would love to ski in Nagano and see the snow monkeys! I’m so glad that you had great views of Mt Fuji, we didn’t see the peak at all. We saved massively with the JR pass, but then again, we traveled all the way from Beppu to Tokyo making several 2-4 day detours on the way. Great insight and tips for anyone planning a trip to Japan!

Well written with lot of info! Your post made me miss my trip to japan.. I can’t wait to go back soon. I also liked your images. Super!

Hi, mommy rosie! I need to ask a lot of questions. Am planning for a trip to japan and ill be using your itinerary. would you mind if we do chatting? thanks

Hi, I love Japan a lot and if you have questions, please don’t hesitate to ask.

Can I have a overall budget you spent on this trip it would give me some sort of idea on how much I need for my family?

Hi there Lina, I spent about SGD 10-11K for the 12 day trip for 5 people, including flights from Singapore.

Thank you for sharing. Great info and tips!! I am so gonna use this to help plan our trip. Thank you so much.

Thanks so much for sharing your experiences in Japan. It will be my family of 3’s first time going Japan in Dec 2019. May I know is it a good time to go to Hakuba Ski? Will there be snow from 20 to 24 Dec? Thanks

Hi, there is no guarantee that there is snow, but I think your chances should be quite good. The area that we stayed had little snow at the time we came, but another area nearby had a lot of snow.

travelling to japan in the winter is memorizing always love to visit Japan in Winter, Travelling is passion of most of people.

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14-Day Japan Winter Itinerary – February

Planning a visit to Japan this winter might be a daunting task, especially if you are going there for the very first time in your life. There may be hundreds of reasons why one should go to Japan to celebrate his/her winter holiday season.

This post here reveals only the top 10 reasons , but according to my travel experience there are still lots of things to do and see out there, seriously!

February is the month of celebrating country’s most exciting winter festivals held throughout Japan. When it comes to experience a winter festival in Japan, Hokkaido is hard to beat!

The region is widely known as one of the best popular winter holiday destinations in the world. Surprisingly, you are actually going to start off your trip from Sapporo , the capital of Hokkaido.

With spending few nights in the city, you get to some other areas in the region and then move towards Honshu , either by train or air; it all depends on your budget, though.

That’s the initial plan of the trip. I can’t wait to suggest you the best travel guides to make your entire journey enjoyable, so today I want to share my itinerary for 14 days in Japan. I hope you will find it helpful.

Please note this itinerary would work perfectly if you take a trip to Japan in early February.

Day 1 – New Chitose Airport to Sapporo

Welcome to Hokkaido, Japan.

It’s pretty impressive that you might have already seen lots of snow out there while looking out of the plane window as you were landing at New Chitose Airport . Is this the first time you have seen snow?! Probably it’s.

Getting to Sapporo from the airport is very easy especially by JR rapid trains. The one way ride takes about 35 minutes and costs 1070 yen. You don’t need to buy a ticket if you have either Japan Rail Pass or Hokkaido Rail Pass . Alternatively, you can take airport buses that operate every 15 minutes between Sapporo and the airport.

Once there, make sure you make a hotel reservation beforehand. There are many areas in the city where you can stay overnight. I suggest you to stay at Hotel MYSTAYS Sapporo Aspen . It’s a very nice hotel and close to JR Sapporo Station .

Try to book a flight to Sapporo that is supposed to land at New Chitose Airport in the morning. I am telling you this because you can actually walk around the city, especially in Odori Park to see winter illuminations in the evening.

Day 2 – Sapporo in a day

With so much to see and experience in this beautiful city, many people only plan for couple of days to stay here.

From sightseeing to restaurants, winter festival to skiing, Sapporo offers you lots of things to experience. Please note the city also obsessed with good seafood and wine!

In fact, there is no problem if you base yourself in Sapporo, and then start exploring its iconic landmarks, events, and take multiple day trips on the outskirts of the city.

Are you ready to discover the city? With lots of snow on the street, winter in Sapporo is absolutely amazing.

At first, take a good look at this winter festival calendar of this year . It shows that the Sapporo Snow Festival will be held from February 4 through February 11, 2021.

Your Sapporo Travel Plan covers three great winter festivals of Hokkaido, Sapporo Snow Festival, Otaru Snow Light Path Festival, and Asahikawa Winter Festival.

If you are looking for a suggested itinerary for Sapporo, I have written one for you. This itinerary tells you about how to spend a lovely day in the city . If this is not what you are looking for, then contact me. I will suggest you based on your interests and preferences.

Just one thing to mention here is that try to explore the Sapporo Snow Festival’s venues at night! Don’t miss a walk into Susukino neighborhood as well.

Day 3 – Sapporo -> Asahikawa -> Sapporo

There are some wonderful day trips from Sapporo that appeal to all types of travelers. If you don’t believe me then search on Google and you will find your answer. Visiting Asahikawa from Sapporo City is one of the best day trip ideas for sure.

Today you will be visiting two interesting places in Asahikawa city, Asahiyama Zoo, and sites of Asahikawa Winter Festival .

Hop on a JR limited express train to Asahikawa Station. It’s a 80-minute train ride. From the train station you head over to Asahiyama Zoo by bus (40 minutes, two buses per hour). To get the most out of today, you can spend half a day here and then rest of the time you will be at the sites of Asahikawa winter festival.

Visiting the zoo is must whenever you come to Asahikawa. The penguin walk at the zoo is Kawaii! Animals like Polar bears, Japanese cranes, wolves, eagles, including other endangered animals can be found there.

Asahikawa Winter Festival , the second biggest winter festival in Hokkaido houses lots of snow sculptures, and the best highlight of the festival is the giant snow sculpture.

It’s so big that you will surly overwhelmed by. Just pay a visit to Asahibashi Site to see this iconic sculpture. There are also snow slides to have fun in the snow.

Apart from doing these, you can walk around the Asahikawa Station as there are many restaurants. Find the famous Asahikawa ramen there and satisfy your stomach before you take a train back to Sapporo.

Before heading towards your hotel room, you can visit JR Tower Observation Deck T38 , located inside JR tower. Enjoy the panoramic night views of Sapporo City from an observatory located 160 meters above ground.

Let’s call it a day!

Day 4 – Skiing/Ice-fishing in Sapporo and Visiting Otaru in the Evening

Let’s go skiing and ice-fishing! Which one do you think would be the best fit for your interest? These two are considered the most popular winter activities in Hokkaido. It’s up to you.

You can spend the morning skiing and snowboarding on the mountain. On the other hand, some of you would like to experience ice fishing adventure on beautiful Barato River.

I recommend two ski resorts for ski fanatics that are located nearby Sapporo City. One is Sapporo Teine and the other one is called Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort .

Both ski resorts provide ski rental shops, restaurants, various ski zones, ski lessons, coin lockers, changing rooms, and lift tickets.

Ice-fishing on the Barato River has been a popular winter activities for many visitors to Sapporo. There is a half day Barato River ice-fishing tour organized by Hokkaido Treasure Island Travel Inc. You can visit its official website to see the tour price and schedule .

Take your lunch at a restaurant in downtown Sapporo. Your next destination for the day is Otaru. From Sapporo, Otaru is a 30-45 minute train ride (local and rapid trains).

With the Otaru Snow Light Path Festival , Otaru is one of Hokkaido’s most vibrant cities in winter. The festival is very attractive with lots of snow candles, small snow statues and lanterns.

Every year, the festival is celebrated for 10 days. It looks magical in the evening and night as hundreds of lights making the area quite peaceful to take a stroll.

So take a leisurely walk along the Otaru Canal and feel the festive atmosphere right away! The canal itself looks picturesque with the floating lights.

Get back to Sapporo! Once dinner time rolls around, enjoy it at Nemuro Hanamaru , one of the best sushi restaurants in the city.

Day 5 – Sapporo to Noboribetsu Onsen

It’s time to warm your body and soul! That’s why you need to head to Noboribetsu Onsen .

Your Hokkaido expedition is not complete until you pay a visit to Noboribetsu Hot Spring Resort.

With eleven various kinds of thermal waters and one public bath house, this is considered one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts, and it’s arguably the best hot spring resort in Hokkaido.

Most of the hotels and ryokans here provide their guests both indoor and outdoor hot spring baths. I recommend two hotels to stay overnight – Dai-ichi Takimotokan and Noboribetsu Grand Hotel . The outdoor bath of the Noboribetsu Grand Hotel is amazing. On the other hand, Dai-ichi Takimotokan is popular for its indoor hot spring baths.

Jigokudani or The Hell Valley is a few minute’s walk from these hotels. Go explore this wonderful natural landmark. Visitors are suggested to walk around the hot spring town as well.

Noboribetsu Marine Park NIXE is also a nice place to explore in Noboribetsu. The dolphin show and penguin walk are absolutely hilarious and your little ones are going to love these at the marine park. I can guarantee it!

Day 6 – Noboribetsu to Hakodate

This morning you take a train to Hakodate, a beautiful port city with some amazing tourist attractions. To many travelers, Hakodate seems quite peaceful. Indeed it is!

It’s not as bustling as Sapporo, though. In the spring, many people come here to see stunning sakura (cherry blossom) display at Fort Goryokaku.

Ok, I hope you have packed your luggage and taken all your belongings! So, let’s begin the day with a walk to Noboribetsu Station, and wait for a limited express train (Super Hokotu).

Hop onto one and leave for Hakodate. The one way ride takes about 155-160 minutes. The early you can arrive in Hakodate, the better it would be.

Get off at JR Hakodate Station, and then make your way to this hotel . You will stay a night there before heading towards Tokyo by Shinkansen tomorrow.

The main reason you come to Hakodate is for its fabulous night views that can be experienced from the observation deck of Mount Hakodate. Before you go to Hakodate Ropeway , you can visit some places around, such as Fort Goryokaku, Motomachi, The Bay Area, and Red Brick Warehouse.

Walking around Motomachi is always a good idea. Do it before you get to Mount Hakodate in the evening. It only takes about 3 minutes to get to the summit from the base station of Hakodate Ropeway.

As the main trail to the summit is easy to hike, some people also hike up the mountain in the summer. And I don’t recommend it for you in the winter, though. Just take the cable car!

Enjoy the night view of Hakodate city from there. Please note this is one of Japan’s three best night views! Is not it incredible?!

Day 7 – Hakodate to Tokyo by Shinkansen

Do you want to fly to Tokyo from Hakodate or get there by a bullet train? If your budget allows then you can think of reaching Tokyo earlier by air. However, a ride on a bullet train is a good experience indeed. Since you have a Japan Rail Pass, you should take a Shinkansen (Hayabusa train). It will take 5 hours, though.

Shin Hakodate Hokuto Station -> Tokyo Station -> Shinjuku Station.

In Tokyo, you will stay at Hotel Gracery Shinjuku in Shinjuku area. After check in, you can take a nap!

In the evening, you can pick up a number of places to visit, but I would suggest you visit some places around Harajuku and Shibuya . These areas are very easy to get to from Shinjuku Station by train on the JR Yamanote Line.

Walk through the Takeshita Dori (shopping street in Harajuku) including a visit to Tokyo’s largest Daiso (100 yen shop) and experience the famous Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue in Shibuya neighborhood. Don’t you forget that these areas in downtown Tokyo are packed with lots of shops and restaurants!

Day 8 – Tokyo in a Day

If this is your very first time visit to Tokyo city, there is nothing good than visiting its top attractions. There is a list of exciting things to do and see in Tokyo in February. Excited to know?!

Today, the interesting places to visit in the city are Shinjuku Gyoen, Koishikawa Korakuen, Sensoji Temple (Asakusa Kannon Temple), Tokyo Skytree, Tokyo National Museum, and Roppongi Hills .

Start your day with a visit to Shinjuku Gyoen, one of the largest and famous parks in Tokyo with gardens, walking trails, and lots benches for people to seat around. From Shinjuku Station it takes just over 10 minutes walk to reach Shinjuku Gate.

It’s up to you whether or not you are going to visit Koishikawa Korakuen , but you must visit Sensoji Temple in Asakusa. Then make your way to Tokyo Skytree and enjoy a great lunch at Sky Restaurant 634 (Musashi).

After lunch you visit the Tokyo National Museum. Spend all your evening at Roppongi Hills as the area has plenty of dining options and shops.

Taxi/train to your accommodation, and then sleep tight!

Day 9 – Tokyo to Takayama

You will take a day trip from Takayama City to Shirakawago. That’s the main reason why you need to head over to Takayama from the capital city.

“Tokyo (Tokaido Shinkansen) -> Nagoya (Hida limited express train) -> Takayama” – this is the route you will be going through to reach Takayama with a transfer at Nagoya Station.

Hop onto a Hikari Train as it’s covered by Japan Rail Pass. The entire journey from Tokyo Station to Takayama Station via Nagoya Station may take just over 4.5 hours. Check in at Best Western Hotel Takayama .

You can spend the evening in Takayama by taking a walk into the Old town of Takayama. Indeed, the streets of the Old Town are worth exploring!

Day 10 – Takayama to Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go is often known for its beautiful winter scenery. The thatched roof houses of the Ogimachi village in Shirakawa-go (UNESCO World Heritage Site) look fabulous during winter.

In the winter months, Nohi Bus offers bus tours like this .

Winter illumination at the village is a top notch for anyone looking to admire Shirakawa-go’s winter scenery. The bus tour actually also includes a dinner! Make reservation in advance by visiting Nohi Bus’s official website. And they don’t accept reservation by telephone.

Before the bus tour, you will have a plenty of time to explore Takayama City including a hiking adventure, and two morning markets.

Visitors can easily explore the city on foot and there is a wonderful easy hiking trail to enjoy Takayama’s winter natural beauty. The trail is called Higashiyama Walking Course . This is in fact, a great way to spend your morning in Takayama.

Day 11 – Takayama to Osaka

Takayama Station -> Nagoya Station -> Shin-Osaka Station -> Osaka Station

This early morning, you get to Nagoya station from Takayama station. From there take the shinkansen to Shin-Osaka Station. It takes about 3.5 hours. After that, transfer to Osaka Station. It’s a 5-minute train ride. Check into this hotel , which is located next to JR Osaka Station.

I have so many ideas to share, but the ones I am going to share with you here are enough to help you plan your trip to Osaka.

Osaka at night is stunning and overwhelming. The city is packed with lots of restaurants, cafes, bars and shopping malls that are ideal places to keep you entertained and spend the night before you get to sleep, no doubt!

Maybe there are some places in Osaka, which you think are worth visiting. Just feel comfortable and visit them.

However, the places I want you to visit are Osaka Castle Park, Umeda Sky Building, Shitenno-ji, and Dotonobori . This is not going to be a tight schedule for you.

Just plan accordingly, and you would manage to do everything pretty nicely. I am sure that you will have plenty of time to visit these attractions after checking into a hotel.

Day 12 – Osaka to Nara (Day trip)

A visit to Nara in the winter will be a remarkable journey! It’s always inspiring visiting its famous landmarks, especially in the area of Nara Park.

When you plan on visiting Nara from Osaka as a day trip, must-see places will be Kofukuji Temple, Nara National Museum, Todaiji Temple, Kasuga Taisha, and don’t forget to feed some deer in the park . Please note there are hundreds of them roaming free!

Wandering around the park visiting Kofukuji temple’s historic treasures, after that, spend some time at the Nara National Museum.

Nara is well-known for its sacred deer and Buddhist temples. Todaiji is one of its most sacred temples. The main hall of the temple houses Japan’s largest bronze statue of Buddha (15 meters tall). Please note the main hall itself a quite remarkable structure as it’s considered the largest wooden building in the world.

After discovering the incredible treasures of Todaiji, head over to Kasuga Taisha . Its eye-catching architecture will steal your heart away!

The one way train ride from Osaka Station to Nara Station takes about 45-50 minutes. It’s very easy to get to Nara from Osaka, don’t you think so?

After the day trip adventure, take a train back to Osaka. And if you are not tired, I would recommend you to visit HEP FIVE , one of the major shopping malls in downtown Osaka. Enjoy a relaxing ride on its iconic Ferris Wheel .

Day 13 – Osaka to Kyoto (Day trip)

It’s time to add another side trip from Osaka. And this time you will be in Kyoto!!

Staying in Osaka has a number of good advantages. It’s a shopping paradise and most importantly foods are amazing there! Apart from these, it’s easy to take a day trip to many areas around such as in Nara, Kyoto, Kobe, Himeji , etc.

Don’t be disappointed to find that this suggested itinerary does not tell you to stay a night or two in Kyoto. You don’t need to stay there as you can easily explore Kyoto’s best attractions from Osaka. On the other hand, many travelers prefer staying in Kyoto and come to Osaka to see its popular attractions.

When it comes to visiting Kyoto’s best attractions, I see that every place in Kyoto deserve your attention. Unfortunately, you can’t visit them all on a single day. And often tight schedule does not work properly. Considering this fact, you should visit some places, such as Fushimi Inari Shrine, Gion/Higashimyama district, and Kinkaku-ji .

Kinkaku-ji becomes truly an amazing place to take a stroll around during winter. You may see a lot of snow on its ground on the day you visit it. Bear in mind that dress warm to survive the cold there!

If you are going to stay in Japan for more than 14 days, I highly recommend you to plan on staying in Kyoto at least 2 nights. That’s the best way to experience Japanese traditions in the area.

Day 14 – Osaka to Kansai International Airport

After checking out from the hotel, make your way to Osaka Station and hop on a train (JR airport rapid train) to Kansai International airport . The one way ride takes 70 minutes and it’s fully covered by Japan Rail Pass .

Come back to Japan to travel in the future again, that’s what I can expect from you. Japan has so much to offer you and only a 14-day stay in Japan is not enough!

This suggested itinerary is quite easy to follow and if you think you still want to modify it, I would say “Why not?! – do modify it on your own and add the places you want to visit.”

Thanks for reading, and I wish you have a wonderful time in Japan this February. Take care guys!

Hot spring bath with great views of Mt. Fuji!!!!

21 days, 20 nights

The following is a suggested itinerary for first time travelers to Japan who spend 21 days and 20 nights in Japan, and arrive/depart from Tokyo 's Narita Airport .

Regular train tickets will be cheaper than a Japan Rail Pass for this itinerary; however, travelers who do not mind paying extra for the convenience and flexibility of the pass' all-you-can-ride priviledge could consider using a 21-day Japan Rail Pass. Below are some sample budgets for the itinerary, excluding airfare. Find out more about the sample budgets and about the current yen exchange rates .

Questions? Ask in our forum .

Japan Itineraries 2025: 4 Days to 2 Weeks Japan Travel Itinerary

Japan is a country of contrasts, uniquely blending ancient traditions with modern technology. Whether you're keen to explore the bustling streets of Tokyo , the ancient temples of Kyoto , or the serene beauty of Mount Fuji , Japan has something for everyone.

Ready to start planning your Japan itinerary ? Wondering how much time to allocate in each city? Curious about must-see attractions and activities? Planning a trip to Japan isn't straightforward!

Check out this guide to Japan travel itineraries . Whether you have 4 days or 2 weeks, this guide will help you create a customized journey that fits your interests and budget. From exploring historic temples to tasting delicious street food, Japan offers something for everyone.

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Japan Itinerary 4-6 Days: How to Spend 4-6 Days in Japan (Short Stay)

Japan is so captivating that even 4-6 days can feel too short. Most people focus on exploring one or two of Japan's most famous cities and surrounding areas. Popular combinations include Tokyo and its nearby attractions , or Tokyo and Kyoto .

Japan Itinerary 4 Days: Tokyo, & Mt. Fuji, Hakone Sightseeing

Discover the best of both worlds in a 4-day adventure through Tokyo and its surrounding areas. Experience the vibrant energy of Tokyo , with its world-class shopping, delectable cuisine, and captivating nightlife.

Then, escape the city and immerse yourself in the serene beauty of Mount Fuji and Hakone . Hike through lush forests, soak in soothing hot springs, and admire the breathtaking views of Japan's most famous mountain. This itinerary offers a diverse range of experiences, from the modern to the traditional , making it the perfect introduction to Japan .

Day 1: Arrival

Day 2: A Blend of Tradition and Modernity (Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara (Electric Town), Tsukiji Fish Market)

Day 3: Enjoy Japan's Iconic Scenery and Hot Springs (Mount Fuji 5th Station, Lake Kawaguchi, Owakudani)

Day 4: Departure

4 Days Japan Tour Package: From Tokyo to Mount Fuji Tour

Japan Itinerary 5 Days: Tokyo & Kyoto Iconic Itinerary

A great suggestion for a 5-day itinerary in Japan is to focus your plans on the country's two most iconic cities: Tokyo and Kyoto . Tokyo represents modernization and fashion, while Kyoto carries the weight of history and culture.

Imagine hopping on a Shinkansen bullet train to travel between the bustling streets of Tokyo and the serene temples of Kyoto . It's a chance to see the best of both worlds!

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

Day 2: Tokyo Highlights Tour. (Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Sensoji Temple, Kaminarimon Gate, Nakamise Shopping Street, Tokyo Skytree, Tsukiji Fish Market)

Day 3: Take a Shinkansen Ride and Explore Kyoto (Shinkansen, Golden Pavilion, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market)

Day 4: Kyoto Sightseeing (Fushimi Inari-Taisha, Kiyomizudera Temple, Ninenzaka and Sanenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, Gion)

Day 5: Departure

5 Days Japan Group Tour: Tokyo Kyoto Small Group Tour

Japan Itinerary 6 Days: Tokyo, Tokyo Area & Kyoto

A 6-day itinerary in Japan allows you to visit Tokyo and Kyoto , the country's two most famous cities. You can spend 1-2 days in each city. Additionally, incorporating Japan's most beautiful peak, Mount Fuji , would be an ideal addition to your six-day journey in Japan .

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

Day 2: Tokyo's top attractions (Imperial Palace, Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara Electric Town, Tsukiji Fish Market)

Day 3: Mount Fuji & Hakone (Mount Fuji 5th Station, Lake Kawaguchi, Owakudani, Lake Ashi)

Day 4: Take a Shinkansen bullet train ride from Tokyo to Kyoto

Day 5: Kyoto Highlights Tour (Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kiyomizudera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, Gion)

Day 6: Departure

6 Days Japan Highlights Tour with Mt. Fuji & Hakone Onsen (Hot Spring Tour)

Japan Itinerary 7 Days: How to Spend 1 Week in Japan (Classic Travel Length in Japan)

A week is the perfect amount of time to explore the classic route in Japan : Tokyo , Kyoto , and Osaka . You can also customize your 7-day trip for families or delve deeper into the popular Kansai region. If you have an extra day, an 8-day classic route or a popular Japan autumn foliage tour would be a great addition.

Related Article: 1 Week in Japan: 7 Days Japan Itinerary (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka...)

Japan Classic Iitnerary 7 Days for First Timer

Day 1-2: Tokyo Tour. Explore Tokyo's iconic landmarks including Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, and Asakusa's Senso-ji Temple.

Day 3-4: Kyoto Tour. Visit Kyoto's famous sites such as Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Nijo Castle, and stroll through Nishiki Market. Experience the charm of Gion, Yasaka Shrine, and Kiyomizu-dera

Day 5: Nara Tour. Travel from Kyoto to Nara , where you'll visit the majestic Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga Taisha Shrine, and Nara Park, famous for its friendly deer. Enjoy a hike up Wakakusa Hill for panoramic views.

Day 6-7: Osaka Tour. Discover Osaka's highlights including Osaka Castle, the Ukiyo-e Museum, and a street food tour through Shinsaibashi and Dotonbori.

7 Days Japan Essential Tour: Tokyo Kyoto Nara Osaka (Basic Golden Route)

Japan 7 Days Itinerary for Family with Kids

Planning a 7-day family vacation in Japan ? From the magic of Tokyo Disneyland to the ancient traditions of Kyoto , and the adorable deer at Nara Park, Japan is a dream destination for families .

In just 7 days, you can experience museums, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, World Heritage Sites, parks, authentic Japanese cuisine , and anime streets. There's something for everyone in the family to enjoy! Check More Japan Family Packages >>

Day 1-3: Tokyo Highlights with Disneyland (Ueno Park, Tokyo National Museum (or National Museum of Western Art), Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara, Tsukiji Fish Market, Disneyland)

Day 4-5: Kyoto Tour (Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kiyomizudera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, Gion)

Day 6-7: Nara & Deer, Osaka (Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Osaka Castle Park, Dotombori District)

7 Days Japan Family Tour with Kids - From Tokyo Disneyland to Kyoto, Nara & Osaka

Japan 7 Days Itinerary for Kansi Region Exploration

Kansai is a must-visit region in Japan , with Kyoto and Osaka leading the way. While you can spend a day or two in each, consider adding Nara and Hiroshima to your itinerary. Nara is famous for its friendly deer and ancient temples, while Hiroshima offers a sobering look at history. A day in each will add depth to your trip.

Day 1-3: Kyoto Highlights Explore. (Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kiyomizudera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, Gion, Kinkakuji Temple, Nijo Castle, Sagano Scenic Railway, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge)

Day 4: Nara & Uji (Uji Matcha street, Byodoin Temple, Uji River, Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha )

Day 5: Osaka Tour. (Osaka Castle Park, Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum, Shinsaibashi-suji & Dotombori, Namba Yasaka Shrine, Shinsekai)

Day 6-7: Hiroshima (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, Itsukushima Shrine)

7 Days Japan Kansai Tour with Hiroshima: Osaka, Kyoto, Uji & Nara

Ideal 7-Day Japan Itinerary Additions

For a quick introduction to Japan , a week-long trip focusing on Tokyo , Osaka , and Kyoto is a great option. Whether you're traveling solo or with family, you can customize your itinerary. If you have an extra day, consider adding a trip to Mount Fuji or exploring the autumn foliage .

Mount Fuji & Hakone (1 Day): Travel from Tokyo to Hakone to experience the magnificence of Mount Fuji . Visit Mount Fuji's 5th Station for panoramic views, explore the serene Lake Kawaguchi, and discover Owakudani's volcanic valley with its active sulphur vents.

Day 1: Osaka Tour

Day 2: Nara Tour (Osaka Castle Park, Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha, Mt. Wakakusa)

Day 3-4: Kyoto Autumn Foliage (Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, Kiyomizudera Temple, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, Gion, Eikando Zenrinji Temple, Sanzenin Temple, Sagano Scenic Railway, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji Temple, Togetsukyo Bridge)

Day 5-6: Tokyo (Meiji Jingu Shrine, Meiji Jingu Gaien Ginkgo Avenue, Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara)

Day 8-9: Mount Fuji & Hakone (Lake Kawaguchi Maple Corridor, Owakudani, Lake Ashi)

8 Days Classic Japan Tour with Mt. Fuji - Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara & Osaka

Japan Itinerary 10 Days: How to Spend 10 Days in Japan

A 10-day trip allows you to experience the best of Japan . You can leisurely explore major cities like Tokyo , Osaka , and Kyoto , and add natural wonders like Mount Fuji to your adventure. If you have more time, consider visiting Nara , Hiroshima , Uji, or even smaller cities like Kurashiki, Himeji, and Kobe for a more in-depth experience.

You can also create a customized itinerary based on your interests, such as a cherry blossom tour or a family-friendly adventure.

Related Article: 10 Days in Japan: 5 Best Japan 10 Days Itinerary Ideas (For First Timer & Family)

Japan 10 Days Itinerary: Golden Route

Day 1: Arrive at Osaka.

Day 2: Explore Osaka with a full-day tour including Osaka Castle, the Ukiyo-e Museum in the morning, followed by a street food tour through Shinsaibashi, Dotonbori, and a visit to Nanba Yasaka Shrine and the exterior of Shinsekai & Tsutenkaku.

Day 3: Travel from Osaka to Hiroshima by Shinkansen with a guide, visiting the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and Park. If time permits, take a ferry to Miyajima Island to see Itsukushima Shrine.

Day 4: Day trip from Osaka to Uji and Nara , then to Kyoto . Explore Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Nara Park in Nara , and Uji's Matcha Street, Byodo-in, and Uji Bridge. Stay overnight in Kyoto.

Day 5: Kyoto city tour includes visits to Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, the preserved streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, and Gion & Hanamikoji. Optional activities include a kimono experience and a geisha performance. Free time suggestion: Nishiki Market.

Day 6: Full day in Kyoto covering the city area in the morning with visits to Kinkaku-ji and Nijo Castle. In the afternoon, travel to the Arashiyama area to enjoy Sagano Scenic Railway, Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji Temple, and Togetsukyo Bridge.

Day 7: Depart Kyoto by Shinkansen to Tokyo

Day 8: Tokyo city tour includes Meiji Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Asakusa Temple (Kaminarimon and Nakamise Shopping Street, distant view of Tokyo Skytree), and Akihabara with an optional manga cafe visit. Optional sushi-making experience at Tsukiji Market.

Day 9: Day trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji and Hakone. Visit Mount Fuji's 5th Station, Lake Kawaguchi, then experience the Owakudani cable car and a pirate ship ride on Lake Ashi with views of the floating torii gate. Return to Tokyo for the night.

Day 10: Departure

10 Days Best Japan Tour for Family - From Tokyo Disneyland to Universal Studios Japan

Japan 10 Days Itinerary: Cherry Blossom

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

Day 2: Explore Tokyo with visits to Ueno Park for cherry blossoms, Tokyo National Museum, Senso-ji Temple, East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, and Tsukiji Fish Market.

Day 3: Continue touring Tokyo with stops at Meiji Jingu Shrine, Yoyogi Park for cherry blossoms, Shibuya Crossing, and Tokyo Tower, with cherry blossoms visible around Zojoji Temple and Shiba Park.

Day 4: Travel to Hakone to view Mount Fuji from the 5th Station, enjoy Lake Kawaguchi, visit Owakudani for black eggs, take a pirate ship ride on Lake Ashi, and relax in a Hakone hot spring.

Day 5: Depart Hakone for Kyoto via bullet train, enjoying some free time to explore upon arrival.

Day 6: Discover Kyoto's beauty with visits to Kiyomizudera Temple and Maruyama Park for cherry blossoms, stroll through Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, and explore the historic district of Gion.

Day 7: Experience Kyoto's historical sites including Kinkakuji Temple with cherry blossoms, Nijo Castle, Sagano Scenic Railway for cherry blossom views, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji Temple, and Togetsukyo Bridge.

Day 8: Journey from Kyoto to Nara then Osaka, visiting Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Todaiji Temple, Nara Park for cherry blossoms, Kasuga Taisha, and Mt. Wakakusa.

Day 9: Tour Osaka starting with Osaka Castle Park for cherry blossoms, Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum, followed by shopping in Shinsaibashi-suji & Dotombori, and visiting Namba Yasaka Shrine and Shinsekai.

Day 10: Departure

Check More Japan Cherry Blossom Packages >>

10 Days Japan Spring Tour - Sakura Cherry Blossom Tour to Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto & Osaka

10 Days Japan Itinerary for Family

Day 1: Start your family adventure in Japan with your arrival in Tokyo.

Day 2: Enjoy a family-friendly tour of Tokyo visiting Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Senso-ji Temple, Akihabara's Electric Town, and Tsukiji Fish Market.

Day 3: Choose between a magical day at Tokyo Disneyland, perfect for families, or explore educational opportunities at one of Tokyo's renowned museums.

Day 4: Take a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone. Experience breathtaking views of Mount Fuji from the 5th Station, explore Lake Kawaguchi, and visit Owakudani's volcanic valley.

Day 5: Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto via bullet train. A thrilling ride that offers both comfort and speed, making it an exciting experience for the whole family.

Day 6: Discover Kyoto's charm with visits to Kinkakuji Temple, Nijo Castle, and Nishiki Market. Stroll through Gion, Yasaka Shrine, Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka, and end at Kiyomizu-dera Temple.

Day 7: Journey from Kyoto to Nara then Osaka, visiting Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, Kasuga Taisha, and Mt. Wakakusa, all offering engaging experiences for children and adults alike.

Day 8: Explore Osaka with visits to Osaka Castle Park, perfect for a family picnic under the cherry blossoms, Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum, lively Shinsaibashi-suji & Dotombori, Namba Yasaka Shrine, and Shinsekai.

Day 9: Spend a fun-filled day at Universal Studios Japan in Osaka, a highlight for kids and adults with its exciting rides and attractions.

Day 10: Conclude your family's memorable journey through Japan with a departure from Osaka.

Check More Japan Family Packages >>

10-Day Deep Dive Japan Itinerary

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo.

Day 2: Embark on a Tokyo tour, visiting Meiji Jingu Shrine, Shibuya Crossing, Asakusa Temple (Kaminarimon, Nakamise Shopping Street, distant view of Tokyo Skytree), and Tsukiji Market.

Day 3: Travel from Tokyo to view Mount Fuji at the 5th Station and Lake Kawaguchi, then head to Nagoya to explore the Osu Shopping District.

Day 4: Start in Nagoya with a visit to Nagoya Castle, then drive to Kyoto. Visit Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) and Nijo Castle. Consider exploring Nishiki Market during free time.

Day 5: Tour Kyoto, including Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, the preserved streets Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, Yasaka Shrine, and Gion.

Day 6: Travel from Kyoto to Nara to visit Todaiji Temple, Nara Park, and Kasuga Taisha. Continue to Osaka to explore Osaka Castle Park and Dotonbori.

Day 7: Journey from Osaka to Kurashiki, visiting Okayama Korakuen, Ohashi House, and the scenic Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter.

Day 8: Travel from Kurashiki to Hiroshima to see the Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and Peace Memorial Park. If time permits, take a ferry to Miyajima Island to visit Itsukushima Shrine.

Day 9: Depart Hiroshima for Himeji to visit the iconic Himeji Castle.

Day 10: Travel from Himeji to Kobe to see the Kobe Harbor and Chinatown.

10 Days Japan Discovery Tour with Hiroshima, Kurashiki, Kobe (Small Group)

Japan Itinerary 14 Days: How to Spend 2 Week in Japan

Two weeks in Japan give you the chance to enjoy a panoramic tour of Japan : starting in Tokyo and its surrounding areas ( Mount Fuji and Hakone ), then traveling via Shinkansen to the Kansai region to explore Japan's four most popular cities ( Kyoto , Uji, Nara , and Osaka ), and finally discovering Hiroshima .

Related Article: Japan Itinerary 14 Days: How to Spend 2 Weeks in Japan (For First Timer)

Day 1-4: Explore Tokyo's Highlights

Spend 4 days discovering Tokyo's diverse attractions . Begin with the serene Meiji Shrine, followed by the bustling Shibuya Crossing. Explore the historic Asakusa Temple, dive into the electronic wonderland of Akihabara, and visit Tsukiji Fish Market for some fresh seafood. Enjoy some free time to delve deeper into the city's vibrant neighborhoods.

Day 5-6: Mount Fuji & Hakone

Dedicate a day to breathtaking views at Mount Fuji's 5th Station and the serene settings of Lake Kawaguchi. The following day, explore more of the scenic beauty of Hakone with a visit to the tranquil Shinmura Sengen Park and another chance to appreciate Mount Fuji from different perspectives.

Day 7-9: Kyoto's Top Attractions

Three days in Kyoto allow for a deep exploration of its cultural and historical treasures. Visit iconic sites like Fushimi Inari Shrine, Kiyomizu Temple, the charming streets of Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka, and Yasaka Shrine. Marvel at Kinkakuji's golden reflection, wander through Nijo Castle, and experience the scenic Sagano Railway, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Tenryuji Temple, and Togetsukyo Bridge. Spare some time for lesser-known gems like Kifune Shrine, Sanzen-in, and the bustling Nishiki Market.

Day 10: Uji & Nara

Spend the morning in Uji walking down the Matcha Street, visiting Byodo-in Temple, and enjoying the views from Uji Bridge. In the afternoon, travel to Nara to visit the imposing Todaiji Temple, the peaceful Nara Park, and the spiritually significant Kasuga Taisha.

Day 11: Hiroshima

In Hiroshima , reflect on peace and history with visits to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, including the haunting A-Bomb Dome and the informative Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. If time allows, take a ferry to Miyajima Island to see the iconic Itsukushima Shrine.

Day 12-14: Osaka

Spend three days in Osaka starting with Osaka Castle Park, exploring the Kamigata Ukiyoe Museum, and shopping in the bustling districts of Shinsaibashi-suji and Dotonbori. Visit Namba Yasaka Shrine and observe the retro vibe of Shinsekai and the exterior of Tsutenkaku. Cap off your stay with a thrilling day at Universal Studios Japan, perfect for entertainment and fun.

14 Days Japan Panoramic Tour for First-Time Visitors 2024/2025

Extend Your Japan Tours to Asia's Top Destination

Combining Japan with other Asian countries offers travelers a richer, more diverse cultural experience. This multi-destination approach not only showcases the unique traditions, cuisines, and histories of each country but also highlights the contrasts and connections across Asia.

From the precise artistry of Japanese gardens to the grand historical monuments of China , the dynamic urban environments of Korea , and the vibrant marketplaces of Southeast Asia , travelers gain a comprehensive view of the continent's heritage and modernity.

Japan+China

Japan and China are among Asia's most popular destinations. Allocate 7-8 days to explore each country. In Japan, visit Tokyo , Kyoto , and Osaka , then head to China to hike the Great Wall, explore Beijing's Forbidden City, marvel at Shanghai's futuristic skyline, and immerse yourself in the cultural and historical charm of ancient Xi'an . This combination allows travelers to experience the ancient roots and rapid modernization of two of Asia's greatest civilizations.

16 Days Japan China Tour: Ancient and Modern Faces of East Asia

Japan+Korea

You can plan about 2 weeks to explore Japan and Korea . Start with a brief exploration of Korea's refined cities like Seoul and Busan, then head to Japan's iconic cities— Tokyo , Kyoto , and Osaka . Experience everything from ancient temples to modern technology in this dynamic journey.

Japan+Thailand

About 2-3 weeks , transition from the serene and meticulously maintained gardens of Japan to the colorful, spirited atmosphere of Thailand . Begin your journey in Tokyo , Kyoto , and Osaka , soaking in Japan's rich culture and advanced urban landscapes.

Fly to Thailand to explore Bangkok's royal palaces and temples, Chiang Mai's historical sites, and relax on the stunning beaches of Phuket . This trip offers a blend of urban excitement, cultural exploration, and tropical relaxation, perfect for a comprehensive Asian experience.

Travel to Japan with Asia Odyssey Travel (AOT)

Immerse yourself in the iconic beauty and rich history of this fascinating country. With over a decade of experience crafting personalized travel experiences, AOT is the perfect partner to guide you through Japan's most captivating destinations, from the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene temples of Kyoto.

Useful Travel Guide: Japan Travel Guide , Japan Travel Tips & FAQs

Popular Destinations:

Tokyo : Experience the vibrant energy of Japan's capital with its mix of modernity and tradition.
Kyoto : Explore ancient temples and stunning gardens in Japan's cultural heart.
Osaka : Enjoy this dynamic city's lively atmosphere and delicious street food.
Mount Fuji : Witness the breathtaking beauty of Japan's iconic mountain.
Hakone : Relax in hot springs and enjoy scenic views of Mount Fuji.
Nara : Visit historic temples and mingle with friendly deer in ancient parks.
Hiroshima : Learn about the poignant history and visit the Peace Memorial Park.

Tour Packages:

Comprehensive Japan Tours: Japan Tours , Best Japan Tours , Japan Group Tours
Theme Tours: Japan Cherry Blossoms Tour Packages , Japan Autumn Tour Packages , Japan Family Tour packages
Combined Tours with Nearby Regions: Japan China Tours , Japan Korea Tours, Japan Thailand Cambodia Vietnam Tours

Contact us today to start planning your dream vacation, and let us take you on a journey through the Land of the Rising Sun, where traditional culture and modern life blend seamlessly.

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Recommended Related Trips

From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the tranquil hot springs of Noboribetsu, this 12-day journey across Northern Japan immerses you in the country’s rich tapestry of culture, history and natural beauty. Zip North on a bullet train to Aomori, where you can visit prehistoric sites and fresh seafood markets. Soak in volcanic hot springs, paddle across lakes and discover the vibrant spirit of Hokkaido. After wandering the lavender fields of Furano, end your adventure in Sapporo, where modern energy meets great mountainous views. Japan’s colourful wonders await – are you ready?

Trip overview

Discover Hokkaido’s rich Indigenous Ainu culture at the region’s first Ainu Museum, where you can learn about their traditions and make Ainu dumplings.
Explore northern Japan’s natural wonders, like Hell Valley’s volcanic steam to Mt. Asahi’s peaks and the serene waters of Lake Shikotsu.
Walk around Hirosaki Castle on a guided tour, where you’ll learn about its role in the Neputa festival, known for its giant, vibrant floats.
Stay in two local ryokan hotels and immerse yourself in the Japanese onsen experience – relaxation in a natural hot spring – and savour a signature Kaiseki dinner.
Witness Japan’s seasonal transformations from cherry blossoms in spring and lavender fields in summer to vibrant autumn foliage and white winter snow – every season offers its own unique colour palette.
It's best to pack light as you’ll need to carry your own luggage while navigating busy train stations. For Day 5 and Day 6, you’ll need an overnight pack that can fit your essentials for two days as your main luggage will be transferred from Hakodate to Furano.
Japanese train connections are typically centred around major cities, so travelling to smaller towns and cities often requires passing through these larger hubs.
There’s a canoeing activity included in the trip which isn’t too demanding but requires a good level of fitness to fully enjoy the experience.

Konnichiwa! Welcome to Japan. Whether you’re drawn to anime or manga, skyscrapers or cherry blossoms, sushi or ramen, you’re in the right place. Your adventure officially begins with a welcome meeting at 6 pm, where you’ll meet your fellow travellers and local leader. After, maybe get to know your group better with an optional dinner and explore Tokyo’s nightlife. Perhaps take a walk down Shinjuku’s Omoide Tokocho or ‘Memory Lane’ – a narrow alley lined with busy restaurants and bar stalls that originated in the 1940s as a black-market quarter. Today, it’s one of the best spots to try some of Tokyo’s local street food!

Hotel (1 night)

There are no meals included on this day.

It’s very important that you attend the welcome meeting as we will be collecting insurance details and next of kin information at this time. If you are going to be late, please let your travel agent or hotel reception know. Ask reception or look for a note in the lobby for more information on where the meeting will take place.

Hop on a bullet train (shinkansen) this morning and head north to Aomori, where you can relax and enjoy the countryside views. When you arrive, get your bearings with a leader-led orientation walk and then enjoy a free afternoon. Maybe visit the Sannai-Maruyama Archaeological Site, which gives an insight into how prehistoric Japanese people lived, or the Aomori Museum of Art, which features an impressive blend of contemporary art and local heritage exhibitions. Seafood lovers might want to check out Aomori Nokkedon – a market where you can sample a variety of local seafood, such as sea urchin and squid, using a fun ticket-based system (simply exchange a ticket for the seafood of your choice).

Aomori - Leader-led orientation walk

Your travel time today will be approximately 3.5 hours.

Hop on a train this morning and head to Hirosaki for the day. One of the most famous festivals in Japan is held here every August – the Nebuta Matsuri – featuring large lantern floats of mythological warriors. You’ll see some of these floats on display in Tsugaru Neputa Village, before you make your way to Hirosaki Castle. Enjoy a tour of the feudal-era three-storey castle and hear more about its role in the annual Hirosaki Cherry Blossom Festival before heading back to Aomari for a free afternoon.

Hirosaki - Tsugaru Neputa Village
Hirosaki - Hirosaki Castle

Your travel time today will be approximately 2 hours.

Today you’ll make your way to Hokkaido Island via bullet train. When you arrive in Hakodate, your leader will guide you on an orientation walk, with a stop at a fish market for lunch. It’s famous for its fresh seafood and is a great spot to try some local delicacies like kaisuke (oysters) or kaisendon (seafood donburi). Continue to Goryokaku Tower for wonderful views of the national historic site Goryokaku – a star-shaped public park which was once a fort designed to modernise the island’s military defence. The evening is free for you to explore Hakodate as you wish – feel free to ask your leader for any restaurant recommendations!

Hakodate - City walking tour
Hakodate - Fort Goryokaku

Traverse more of Hokkaido today by heading to Noboribetsu by train – a famous onsen (hot spring) town, part of the larger Shikotsu-Toya National Park. You’ll go straight to Jigokundani, literally meaning ‘Hell Valley’, this is an apt name for the volcanic activity on display! There are nine different types of onsen in Nororibetsu and they’re all powered by the geothermal activity at this volcanic crater. Tonight, you’ll stay in a ryokan hotel (traditional Japanese inn) that offers a range of onsen baths to try – the perfect chance to soak away your travel fatigue.

Ryokan Hotel (1 night)
Noboribetsu - Hell valley

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours. Please prepare an overnight pack that can fit your essentials and valuables for today and tomorrow, as your main luggage will be transferred from Hakodate to Asahikawa. Only one piece of luggage transfer is included. Please consult with your tour leader on cost if you have more luggage to transfer.

Pass through rural Hokkaido as you travel to Shikotsuko by train and bus, where you’ll be welcomed by the sight of Lake Shikotsu – a caldera lake formed by volcanic activity. Cruise along the clear water in the afternoon in a canoe and admire the surrounding forests. Shikotsuko is known for its natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere so soak up the calm vibe on the lake. Return to another ryokan hotel this evening and take advantage once again of the relaxing hot springs. Then, tuck into a kaiseki dinner – a traditional Japanese fine dining multi-course experience.

Lake Shikotsu - Lake Canoe
Lake Shikotsu - Kaiseki dinner

Your travel time today is approximately 3.5 hours

If weather conditions aren’t suitable for canoeing, we’ll opt for a hike along one of the walking trails around the lake instead.

Today you’ll journey to Asahikawa – the second largest city in Hokkaido, located in the heart of the island. It’s one of the coldest cities in Japan so make sure you layer up for your leader-led orientation walk if you’re visiting during winter. After, maybe check out Otokoyama Sake Brewing Museum, where you can learn about sake-making methods and sample some of the renowned local beverage. You can also opt to walk along Japan’s first permanent pedestrian shopping street – Heiwa Dori Shopping Street – or visit Alley Furarito for some casual dining or izakaya (Japanese-style pub) options.

Asahikawa - Leader-led orientation walk

Your travel time today is approximately 4 hours.

Start your day with a visit to the Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum and learn about the rich culture of Ainu people – an Indigenous group from the northern regions of Japan. This is the first Ainu museum in Hokkaido and set up back in the 30s by an Ainue family who was hoping to preserve Ainu culture through the museum, and it's still owned by the same family. Join a guided tour, and if you are lucky, it may be led by a member of the Ainu family who established the museum, and gain insight into their history and traditions. After, get familiar with Ainu food during a cooking demonstration showcasing Ainu dumplings (and then sample some for yourself!).

Asakihawa - Kawamura Kaneto Ainu Museum
Asahikawa - Ainu dumpling making demonstration

Hop in a private transfer to Asahidake Ropeway – a line that climbs Mount Asahi, the tallest mountain in Hokkaido. Get all the rewards without the sweaty workout by riding the ropeway up the mountain, taking in the elevated views. After, drive to the Blue Pond – a body of water with a deep blue hue due to natural minerals – before continuing to Furano, where you’ll spend the night. Perhaps try some local delicacies like Furano wine and cheese for dinner this evening.

Asahikawa - Mt. Asahi Ropeway
Asahikawa - Blue Pond (Aoike)

Your travel time today will be approximately 5.5 hours.

Stop and smell the flowers with a morning visit to Tomita Farm. From late June to early August, you’ll see the expansive lavender fields that have made the farm famous in Japan and beyond – and there are plenty of other colourful crops to admire outside of those summer months. Travel by train then to Sapporo, the capital city of Hokkaido. Known for its winter sports scene, Sapporo is bordered by mountains and ski hills. You’ll also notice it has a grid-based street layout, which is very rare for Japan – and easy to navigate! The evening is yours to explore at our own pace – maybe stop for a Sapporo beer and miso ramen in a local restaurant.

Furano - Tomita Farm
Sapporo - Leader-led orientation walk

Your travel time today will be approximately 3 hours.

Head out on daytrip today to Otaru – a nearby town with a scenic canal area – and enjoy some free time roaming the streets. Maybe visit the Otaru Music Book Museum, home to 25,000 music boxes and lots of information on the city’s music box craftsmanship. If you visit during February, you might catch the Snow Light Path Festival – a winter wonderland of lanterns and ice sculptures. Head back to Sapporo for a farewell dinner of Sapporo's signature Genghis Khan roasted lamb and toast to your Japanese adventure with your group.

Otaru - City walking tour
Sapporo - Genghis Khan lamb dinner

Your trip comes to an end this morning after breakfast. You can leave at any time before the checkout time.

7 breakfasts, 1 lunch, 3 dinners

Bullet Train, Train, Public Bus, Cable Car, Metro, Canoe

Hotel (9 nights), Ryokan Hotel ( 2 nights)

Dates and availability

Important notes.

1. A Single Supplement is currently not available for this trip due to limited rooms at our chosen accommodation. 2. It is essential that you pack light and compact for rail travel in Japan. There are size restrictions for luggage on Shinkansen trains. Luggage from 160cm to 250cm may require an additional JPY1000 oversize luggage fee per train journey. Luggage over 251cm will NOT be permitted on the Shinkansen trains at all. Please notify your tour leader at your Welcome Meeting if your luggage is from 160cm to 250cm so they can make the necessary arrangements. 3. We are currently unable to book pre or post trip accommodation at our start and finish point hotels due to limited room availability. We recommend booking a hotel of your choice through your booking agent. 4. We are not able to book airport shuttle service for Japan now. Japan has an extensive and efficient public transport system and the joining and finishing point instructions are listed in the Essential Trip Information. 5. Please note that there are generally less double rooms in Japanese hotels, even those in Western style. While every effort will be made to accommodate double room requests, this may not always be possible.

Want an in-depth insight into this trip? Essential Trip Information provides a detailed itinerary, visa info, how to get to your hotel, what's included - pretty much everything you need to know about this adventure and more.

Check back later or explore reviews for similar trips.

COMMENTS

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