My fiance and I are planning our honeymoon, with the beginning of the trip in Palau, and the other 2 weeks in Japan (hopefully it will be open then) with fully refundable tickets, etc. Below is our rough itinerary, and would love any feedback on whether it makes sense logistically (i.e. Tokyo first, then Kyoto, then Hokkaido), any suggestions in each spot, and if there’s anywhere else we could be going. Outside of Tokyo, we really want to be in nature by a lake to unwind (but without having to rent a car, and willing to pay extra for transport/drivers), and Lake Toya (even if cold) really caught our eye. Alternatively, we also like Lake Chuzenjiko if that’s better. Obviously, can’t fit everything in, but would like to stay in 3-4 cities/towns/areas across Japan, including Tokyo.
TOKYO
Wed 12/7 to 12/10
Train to KYOTO (possibly Osaka, Nara)
Sat 12/10 to 12/13
Fly & train to NISEKO – we really want to go to skiing, snow permitting
Tue. 12/13 – 12/15
LAKE TOYA
Thu. 12/15 – 12/17
SAPPORO
Fri. 12/17 – 12/19
Flying back to Tokyo for one night before departing back home. Any help or feedback would be much appreciated! Thank you!!
5 comments
Lake Toya is nice. I’m actually going camping there next week, but I’ve never been there in December. Cloudy with low visibility would make it not worth going to, but if it’s multiple days you could get lucky with a clear and beautiful day. In Sapporo, one event that’ll be happening around that time is the German Christmas Market at Odori Park. It’s touristy and the food/drinks and goods sold are overpriced, but the atmosphere is nice and the night illuminations are fantastic. If you go on a snowy night it’ll be almost magical.
Do rent a car and consider going out of the city areas, the experience is just totally different. My road trip from kanezawa to suzu, noto was one of the best things I ever did. It was a beautiful scenic drive with the ocean right beside us, we could see and hear the roar of the majestic waves . We stopped by a roadside eatery , had lunch and marvelled at the wonderful view . Sure it was expensive renting the car for 1-2 days, but in the grand scheme of things and looking back , 10/10 would do it all over again.
Might not be reasonable to get to, but another recommendation is Hakuba in Nagano. Check out Hakuba 47. Hakuba snow is so great!! and Hakuba was the location for skiing of the 1998 winter olympics.
I think your schedule is about right. Tokyo, Kyoto, skiing in Niseko, Lake Toya, Sapporo.
Lake Chuzenji is in Tochigi Prefecture, so how about another time?
By the way, Niseko ski resort will be open from Dec. 3. 13th should not be a problem for snow. The night skiing will start in the middle of the year, so why don’t you enjoy it?
To be more precise, Niseko offers a wide variety of activities. Snowmobiling, snow rafting on a big rubber boat through the snow field. You can also go mountain stream rafting down a river while admiring the snowy scenery, or take a reindeer sleigh ride. There are also famous hot springs such as Goshiki Onsen.
If you want to relax in Lake Toya, why not stay at a higher quality hotel? There are many high quality hotels, so please take your time and compare them with each other.
Of course, the quality of the hot springs in Lake Toya is very good, and all of the high quality hotels have hot springs. I think this is an important point in deciding which hotel to stay at.
Sapporo, starting with the standard Susukino area, you can visit Moerenuma Park, the Sapporo Central Wholesale Market (famous for its delicious seafood), Asahi Beer Hokkaido Factory, Sapporo Stellar Place (one of the largest shopping malls in Japan with over 160 restaurants and stores), and Night view from Mount Moiwa (there is a ropeway).
We wish you and your fiancé a wonderful trip to Japan.　　:P
Thank you all!