My family is visiting Japan around Dec 16th – Jan 1st. I’d like to include some winter experiences (not winter sports), but I’m not sure how realistic being in the mountains in late December is weather-wise. If anyone has been to these places in December and can shed some light on what it’s like and public transport accessibility, that would be so helpful!
I’ve been to Japan once as a teenager (Tokyo and day trips), but my husband and son (11yo) have not.
We are excited to explore modern Tokyo, but since we are expats who already live in a big Asian city (Taipei), I want to make sure we also experience something off the beaten path. Food, culture, and nature are high priorities. Would love an onsen in a winter/mountain setting, but would need a family friendly one (not gender separated naked). My kid loves trains and WWII history. We aren’t into anime and don’t want to go to a theme park like Disney/USJ.
Flying into either Fukuoka or Nagoya seem to be cheaper for us and we will end up flying home from Tokyo. Planning to buy tickets soon.
**Flying into Fukuoka itinerary idea:**
* Day 1: Fukuoka: Fly in to Fukuoka in the morning, visit Shofukuji temple and/or kushida-jinja shrine before eating ramen (either origial Irichan or Ippudo locations, since Ramen Stadium sounds too overwhelming).
* Take a later train to Hiroshima to spend the night near the train station.
* Day 2: Hiroshima: Visit Peace Memorial Park, Museum, etc. My son really enjoys WWII history, which is why we thought this would be an important stop. But he’ll only be 11 yo, so I’m not sure if this particular experience would be too intense for him.
* Take a later train to Kyoto and check into hotel.
* Day 3 – 5: Kyoto: Planning for 3 full days in Kyoto details TBD. Could probably spend even more time here.
* Day 6-7: Kanazawa, Gokayama, and/or Takayama sound interesting. Would love to get off the beaten path and experience winter since we don’t get much of that in Taipei (and where we are from in the states). My husband is voting to scrap this whole idea and just add more time to Kyoto to minimize hotel moving. But somewhere less touristy is appealing to me.
* Kanazawa appears to have some similaries to Kyoto, so maybe not a good choice if we are already planning time in Kyoto. But it sounds less touristy.
* Takayama sounds lovely, but maybe not in December? Might be too far out of the way if we aren’t already coming from the north. And is this going to be a hot mess using the bus in winter?
* Staying in a Gassho homestay in Ainokura for a night sounds special but not sure about the reality of being that remote in winter and also not having a rental car.
* Matsumoto Castle sounds worthwhile too (but potentially way too far out of the way).
* Day 8 – 15: Tokyo: probably 6-7 full days, details TBD.
* Day 16: Fly out of Tokyo
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**Flying into Nagoya itinerary idea:**
Scrap seeing Hiroshima’s Peace Park and figure out how to balance the Kyoto, Tokyo, and winter experience I mentioned above. Seems like we would have more time for this option if I figure out the best route/transportation.
* Day 1: Nagoya: Fly in to Nagoya in the morning, maybe visit 1 or 2 of the Toyota Museums (yes, husband and son are obsessed with Toyota trucks).
* Take a later train to either Kyoto (to spend 3-4 full days) or up to Takayama to explore the areas mentioned in 1st itinerary (Takayama, Gokayama, Kanazawa, etc.)
* Day 2 – 7: Definitely need some help figuring out the flow here and what makes sense in winter weather. For example, Takayama (spend 1 night) > stop by Gokayama on the way to Kanazawa (spend 1 night) > Kyoto (4 nights). Seems like too many hotel changes, especially with a kid…
* Day 8 – 15: Tokyo: probably 6-7 full days, details TBD.
* Day 16: Fly out of Tokyo
1 comment
> either origial Irichan or Ippudo locations, since Ramen Stadium sounds too overwhelming
Let me put it this way: Go to Ramen Stadium, taste Kurume-style ramen (Kurume Honda Shoten) and you will not want to do have anything to do with Ichiran or Ippudo ever again.
> he’ll only be 11 yo, so I’m not sure if this particular experience would be too intense for him.
You should be prepared for an intense experience, but honestly, this is exactly an age, where horrors of the war should be shown.
> Kanazawa appears to have some similaries to Kyoto, so maybe not a good choice if we are already planning time in Kyoto. But it sounds less touristy.
The main similarities to Kyoto is that it’s geisha district survive intact and it’s the other large city that has survived unscathed WW2. The local culture and food are very different from Kyoto (and Kansai in general) and Kenrokuen even in winter is a very, very nice place.
> Takayama sounds lovely, but maybe not in December?
Takayama is lovely regardless of the time of the year.