[Itinerary Advice Needed] Best way to spend 10 days in Japan in winter as first timers
Hi everyone!
My partner and I (31 and 30) are currently on an around the world sabbatical, and we have just booked ten days in Japan during the end of January and early February.
We were hesitant at first to visit Japan during this time of year, but it is how it best fit in our itinerary and we read some great perspectives on the lower amounts of tourists and blue sky days.
I am reaching out to this group for help to finalize our itinerary given the amount of time we have and the winter season. This is a very rough sketch, and would appreciate everyone’s perspective. All in all, we like to immerse ourselves in a city and experience all aspects of its way of life, from hip neighborhood with trendy cafes to alleyways with amazing food, to traditional areas.
Initial thoughts:
January 25- arrive at HND in the evening
Jan 26- Tokyo
Jan 27- Tokyo
Jan 28- Tokyo
Jan 29- Tokyo (need advice on neighborhood for Tokyo as outlined below)
Jan 30- Train to Fuji in the AM and stay for the night – Chureito Pagoda & Lake Kawaguchi (not sure if this is worth a night but I read that views from these places is amazing and in the time of year too)
Jan 31- Train to Osaka mid morning
Feb 1 – Osaka
Feb 2- Kyoto
Feb 3- Kyoto (night train back to Tokyo)
*thinking of traditional ryokan stay in Kyoto
Feb 4- fly out in the AM
A couple of specific points I’d like feedback on:
– What would be the best neighborhood to stay in Tokyo? Have heard mixed vibes on Shinjuku. Aoyama and Ginza seem good choices, Akaska from a central perspective, and perhaps Meguro from a hip laid back area? Should we be considering Shinjuku regardless as first timers?
– Is Fuji worth spending a night in? If not, should that night be allocated to another town/winter village or Kyoto/Osaka?
– Any important dates or festivals we should be considering?
Thank you everyone in advance for their help! Japan has been a dream of mine forever and I am very excited to plan the trip, just want to make sure we are taking advantage of the time in the best way possible.
2 comments
sounds like a rad trip! .. we arrived mid January 2016 and woke the next morning to snow, it was mayhem and barring the fact we’d sent our snow/wet weather/warm gear to the lodge in the mountains, it was a real spectacle … tokyo in winter is the best
>What would be the best neighborhood to stay in Tokyo?
If you stay near Hamamatsuchō Station it’s easy access from the airport for when you arrive. Then it’s easy to get to Shinagawa station to catch the Shinkansen to Osaka.
>Is Fuji worth spending a night in?
Yes. I would do 2nights.