Itinerary Check – 25 Days Dec-Jan

Hello all. Thank you in advance for any help and tips you can provide. Itinerary for 25 day trip Dec 13 2024 – Jan 8 2025 attached below. We picked this time of year to get the most out of my PTO. This will be my first-time visiting Japan. I understand the weather, average temperatures, and holiday closures expected around the new year and these dates.

My main outstanding questions are:

1. Do you think its wise to do Hokkaido? Our thinking is to see some snow, experience a unique area of Japan, and eat yummy seafood, ramen, curry! Waste of time since it's so far?? We know it will be very cold.
2. If yes to Hokkaido, what would you recommend for December 22nd (I'm not thrilled by Otaru's music box museum)?
3. Is it wise to do Beppu? We love hot springs so that's why we've included Beppu but we also hope to do some in Hokkaido, Hakone, and potentially even Kyoto. Is Beppu overkill or worth it?
4. Google indicates Hiroshima Peace Park + Miyajima Ferry are not closed on XMAS, can anyone confirm?

Thank you!!

December 13-14: Travel 

USA to Haneda arrive Saturday, December 14 and get settled in Tokyo 

December 15-18: Tokyo 

Day 1 (December 15): Northern Tokyo 

• Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
• Tokyo Skytree 

 Day 2 (December 16): Outlying Tokyo  

• Studio Ghibli Museum 

Day 3 (December 17): Western Tokyo 

• Meiji Shrine 
• Shibuya 
• Thrifting / Shopping / Pokemon Center Shibuya 

Day 4 (December 18): Central Tokyo 

• Tsukiji Outer Market 
• Imperial Palace 
• Akihabara

December 19: Travel 

Travel from Tokyo to Sapporo (still deciding between flying or Shinkansen + train) 

December 20-22: Sapporo / Hokkaido 

Day 1-2 (December 20-21): Sapporo Exploration 

• Explore local markets and try Hokkaido's cuisine
• Walk / Hike
• Sapporo Beer Museum 
• Onsen

Day 3 (December 22): Hokkaido day trip? Otaru? Hakodate? 

December 23: Travel

Travel from Sapporo to Hiroshima (Fly).

December 25-26: Hiroshima / Miyajima Island 

Day 1 (December 25): Hiroshima 

• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum 

Day 2 (December 26): Miyajima Island 

• Itsukushima Shrine and the famous torii gate
• Hike or take the ropeway to Mt. Misen  

December 27-28: Beppu 

Day 1 (December 27): Beppu  

• Travel to Beppu
• Experience Hells of Beppu (Jigoku) 

Day 2 (December 28): Beppu 

• Onsens 

December 29 – January 3: Kyoto / Osaka / Nara 

Day 1-3 (December 29-31): Kyoto 

• Travel to Kyoto
• Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) and Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion)
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Tenryu-ji Temple
• Fushimi Inari Taisha (torii gates) 

Day 4 (January 1): New Year's Day 

• Experience Hatsumode (first shrine visit) at a local Kyoto shrine
• Gion area of Kyoto

Day 5 (January 2): Nara Day Trip 

• Nara Deer Park
• Todai-ji Temple
• Kasuga Taisha Shrine 

Day 6-7 (January 3-4): Osaka 

• Osaka Castle
• Dotonbori
• Shitennoji Temple 

January 4-5: Hakone / Mt. Fuji 

Day 1 (January 4): Mt. Fuji 

• Visit Lake Kawaguchi for views of Mt. Fuji
• Ryokan 

Day 2 (January 5): Hakone 

• Explore Hakone / Hakone Round Course
• Travel to Tokyo 

January 6-7: Tokyo 

Day 1-2 (January 6-7): Tokyo 

• Explore Tokyo or revisit favorites
• Shinjuku, Harajuku
• TeamLab Borderless 

January 8: Departure