Travel in Dec/Jan - what's to see?
- Thread starter Kim11913
- Start date
- 27 Nov 2012
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To echo what Thomas wrote, I'd say there are three main ways to enjoy Japan: nature, old culture, and new culture. If you give an idea of what interests you, it's easier to make recommendations.
Myself, having been to Kyoto and Shibuya more than once, my trips tend to be to nature spots these days, or places with great food.
Myself, having been to Kyoto and Shibuya more than once, my trips tend to be to nature spots these days, or places with great food.
- 14 Mar 2002
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See, everyone's quite eager to help you out, but we really need more info from you. ;-)
zoomingjapan
Japan Travel Expert
- 18 Jun 2012
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Hallo nach Muenchen! 
There are certain things that are especially beautiful in winter.
I recommend visiting Kawaguchiko because you can take great photos of Mt. Fuji. With the cold weather, the sky is usually clear and Mt. Fuji rarely hides behind clouds then.
Definitely visit the "snow monkeys" in Nagano who are bathing in hot springs. I also went there in winter a few years ago.
And if you really go, then you should also check out nearby Matsumoto Castle , one of the very few original castle structures left in Japan!
Hokkaido is nice, but personally I'd recommend it rather in summer than in winter unless you go to the "Yuki Matsuri", but that's in February.
The Tohoku region is extremely beautiful, but has a lot of snow in winter, so it might be a hassle to travel around.
The Chubu region (Nagano, Gifu, Niigata) also gets a lot of snow, but Shirakawa-go is nice in winter!
I also went to Kyushu in winter. No snow at all, lots of palm trees and beautiful beaches.
You can see my winter vacation Kyushu trip here.
There are also "special" things to see in Japan like Battleship Island, Cat Island, Rabbit Island or just go and see Tama, the Station Master Cat.
There are certain things that are especially beautiful in winter.
I recommend visiting Kawaguchiko because you can take great photos of Mt. Fuji. With the cold weather, the sky is usually clear and Mt. Fuji rarely hides behind clouds then.
Definitely visit the "snow monkeys" in Nagano who are bathing in hot springs. I also went there in winter a few years ago.
And if you really go, then you should also check out nearby Matsumoto Castle , one of the very few original castle structures left in Japan!
Hokkaido is nice, but personally I'd recommend it rather in summer than in winter unless you go to the "Yuki Matsuri", but that's in February.
The Tohoku region is extremely beautiful, but has a lot of snow in winter, so it might be a hassle to travel around.
The Chubu region (Nagano, Gifu, Niigata) also gets a lot of snow, but Shirakawa-go is nice in winter!
I also went to Kyushu in winter. No snow at all, lots of palm trees and beautiful beaches.
You can see my winter vacation Kyushu trip here.
There are also "special" things to see in Japan like Battleship Island, Cat Island, Rabbit Island or just go and see Tama, the Station Master Cat.
zoomingjapan
Japan Travel Expert
- 18 Jun 2012
- 274
- 49
No idea what's wrong with the forum, but my post was posted twice.
- Thread starter
- #11
Thank you every one for your replies. I am trying to be more precise this time.
I like the historical buildings, my favorite last time was the Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto.
Get to eat real japanese food, I love sushi but this I can get at home as well. More like something you are not coming along when one is not in Japan.
Further i love great unique landscapes.
Are there any festivals in this period of time? I will arrive on 30th of December, spending New Years Eve with friends in Tokyo and than start traveling across country until 12th of January.
I like the historical buildings, my favorite last time was the Kinkakuji Temple in Kyoto.
Get to eat real japanese food, I love sushi but this I can get at home as well. More like something you are not coming along when one is not in Japan.
Further i love great unique landscapes.
Are there any festivals in this period of time? I will arrive on 30th of December, spending New Years Eve with friends in Tokyo and than start traveling across country until 12th of January.
- 20 Aug 2003
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Skip Hokkaido if you are into history or historical buildings.
The first 1-3 days of your trip will have many shops, banks, and post offices closed, so be prepared. Also, much public transportation could be on a less frequent schedule, so get help from your friends.
You still have not said where you want to go. Don't you have any idea, so we can give advice? Get a guidebook or check online about festivals. Pretty basic research.
The first 1-3 days of your trip will have many shops, banks, and post offices closed, so be prepared. Also, much public transportation could be on a less frequent schedule, so get help from your friends.
You still have not said where you want to go. Don't you have any idea, so we can give advice? Get a guidebook or check online about festivals. Pretty basic research.
zoomingjapan
Japan Travel Expert
- 18 Jun 2012
- 274
- 49
It's always easier if you speak Japanese, but you can get around without it. It's just more difficult.
I understand your dilemma. Japan has so many awesome places to discover, but I fear you have to choose one region you want to explore this time and keep the rest for the next time.
Personally I'd prefer Kyushu or Shikoku ... or even Chugoku and Kansai to Tohoku and Hokkaido in WINTER, but that's just me.
After all it's YOUR vacation!
There are so many great things to see and explore in Tohoku but most of them are close from autumn to early spring, so it would be a shame to go there without being able to explore those. Better go there in the warmer months another time.
I understand your dilemma. Japan has so many awesome places to discover, but I fear you have to choose one region you want to explore this time and keep the rest for the next time.
Personally I'd prefer Kyushu or Shikoku ... or even Chugoku and Kansai to Tohoku and Hokkaido in WINTER, but that's just me.
After all it's YOUR vacation!
There are so many great things to see and explore in Tohoku but most of them are close from autumn to early spring, so it would be a shame to go there without being able to explore those. Better go there in the warmer months another time.
- 27 Nov 2012
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If you are in Ehime, Shikoku, there is a mountain, Mt Ishizuchi, which has some very old New Years ceremony (I was there in August, so I didn't see it). And in Matsuyama, you can go to Dogu onsen, one of the most famous in Japan.
WizardOfOss
後輩
- 16 Jul 2008
- 4
- 1
In case you'll be in Tokyo between the 10th and 19th of January, be sure to visit the Furusato Matsuri in the Tokyo Dome, an event all about the culture, matsuri and above all the food of all over Japan. I visited it this year, it sure was one of the highlights of my week in Tokyo. Lots of interesting foods to try, lots of good stuff to buy, and lots of inspiration (even when I can't read 99% of the brochures I got) for my next trips to Japan.
- 20 Aug 2003
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Don't think where just yet. If we don't know why you even chose Japan specifically, we can't advise much. As was already asked, what are your interests in the country?Thats my problem I cannot decide where to go. Should I stay on Honshu or go to Shikoku or Kyushu. I only have about 10 days of traveling and I am not sure which direction I should take.
Japan is just too big.
