Hi everyone! I’ve been to Japan two times already (Kyushu and Tokyo). This time I want to spend two weeks solo in Japan during the winter season. I’m from a tropical country in SEA and this trip will be my first time to experience snow (I’ve been to Nikko this year early April and there was little snow. That’s my nearest snow experience so far).
My goal for this trip is to experience snow, winter scenery, food and snow festivals. I also do photography and videography as a hobby so I would love to visit places with good scenery.
As a first timer, please let me know if I’m being too ambitious with my itinerary. Since I’m traveling solo, I’m really worried about unforeseen circumstances such as snow storm. Please let me know what to do in case I encounter one in my trip (hopefully never happens).
Itinerary (All using public transportation)
Jan 25 (Saturday): Narita Airport → Tokyo
– A day of travel and arrival around 12:30 pm
– Will spend late afternoon around Ginza to shop for winter clothes
– Hotel: Tokyo
Jan 26 (Sunday): Tokyo
– Ghibli Museum (If I’m able to get tickets)
– Asakusa Area around afternoon
– Hotel: Tokyo
Jan 27 (Monday): Day trip to Kamakura and Enoshima
– Spend mornings to early afternoon around Kamakura.
– Enoshima around sunset until nighttime for the light event
– Hotel: Tokyo
Jan 28 (Tuesday): Tokyo → Yamagata
– Rissyakuji Temple (Yamadera)
– Hotel: Yamagata
Jan 29 (Wednesday): Zao Onsen day trip
– Zao Ropeway for the sea monsters
– Do onsen (preferably rotenburo with snow scenery)
– Hotel: Yamagata
Jan 30 (Thursday): Yamagata → Ginzan Onsen
– Spend the entire day relaxing at Ginzan onsen
– Hotel: Ginzan Onsen (already booked. I was so surprised to see it booked out this early)
Jan 31 (Friday): Ginzan Onsen → Sendai
– Will most likely be a travel day to Sendai
– I am staying here because my Sapporo flight is from Sendai
– Hotel: Sendai
Feb 1 (Saturday): Sendai → Sapporo
– 11am fight to Sapporo
– Moerenuma Park
– Will probably spend the day buying more winter clothes if needed
– Hotel: Sapporo
Feb 2 (Sunday): Jozankei Onsen Day Trip
– Hōheikyō Hot Spring, Jozankei Onsen, Jozankei Shrine Snow Candle Way
– Hotel: Sapporo
Feb 3 (Monday): Sapporo → Asahikawa → Sounkyo
– Travel to Asahikawa for the Penguin Walk and Zoo
– Sounkyo Onsen Ice Festival
– Hotel: Sounkyo
Feb 4 (Tuesday): Sounkyo → Biei
– Furano Ski Resort (not sure if skiing is my thing but I’m a bit scared to ski alone)
– Ningle Terrace
– Hotel: Biei
Feb 5 (Wednesday): Biei
– Will either book a bus tour or photography tour for the famous sightseeing areas. I’m not really sure how yet.
– Will check out Shirahige Waterfall
– Hotel: Biei
Feb 6 (Thursday): Biei → Sapporo (Snow Festival)
– Spend the day for Sapporo snow festival
Feb 7 (Friday): Sapporo & Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival
– Lake Shikotsu in the morning (not sure how is this any different from Sounkyo)
– Explore more of Sapporo
Feb 8 (Saturday): Otaru day trip
– Explore cafes, restaurants, etc.
– Check out Asari area (Saw this area had goof photo opportunities)
– Otaru music box museum
– Otaru Canal
– Hotel: Sapporo
Feb 9 (Sunday): Sapporo → Sapporo Airport → Narita
– Flight is in the evening so I’ll spend the day buying food souvenirs before leaving
– Hotel: Narita
Feb 10 (Monday): Narita → Home
– Lost to travel
Questions:
– Where can I buy winter clothing in Tokyo? all I can think of is GU and Uniqlo. I also need waterproof boots. I’m thinking of buying Waterproof hiking boots in my country. Do you think that’s enough for the entire trip.
– Any recommendations for Yamagata? i want to visit the fox village but I’m unsure on how ethical the place is.
– Is the Asahikawa zoo ethical? I’ve seen photos and videos of their bears and they look stressed but I’m not familiar with their behavior so I don’t know.
– For Biei, can I book a bus tour around the station or tourist center? Any recommendations on how to go around here with the use of public transportation?
– I know that there’s a possibility of snow storms in Hokkaido, I don’t have an issue staying in when that happens but what if it happens during my travel dates to Sounkyo to Biei? What happens to my booked accommodation? Also where do I go? Sorry I’m just not familiar with these. I’m also worried about my safety since I’m traveling alone. Lastly, how long does a snow storm typically lasts?
– is Furano ski resort good for first timers? I’m not sure what to do around Furano.
– I’m planning to travel light but that might be impossible as it’s my first winter experience. How hard is it to stroll around luggage in snow?
– Am I changing hotels too frequently? Would t be better to just stay in Sapporo?
Apologies for having tons of questions. Any recommendations are very welcomed.
Thank you!
by cathrainv