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:
- 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.
- If yes to Hokkaido, what would you recommend for December 22nd (I'm not thrilled by Otaru's music box museum)?
- 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?
- Google indicates Hiroshima Peace Park + Miyajima Ferry are not closed on XMAS, can anyone confirm?
Thank you!!
December 13-14: TravelÂ
USA to Haneda arrive Saturday, December 14 and get settled in TokyoÂ
December 15-18: TokyoÂ
Day 1 (December 15): Northern TokyoÂ
- Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
- Tokyo SkytreeÂ
 Day 2 (December 16): Outlying Tokyo Â
- Studio Ghibli MuseumÂ
Day 3 (December 17): Western TokyoÂ
- Meiji ShrineÂ
- ShibuyaÂ
- Thrifting / Shopping / Pokemon Center ShibuyaÂ
Day 4 (December 18): Central TokyoÂ
- Tsukiji Outer MarketÂ
- Imperial PalaceÂ
- Akihabara
December 19: TravelÂ
Travel from Tokyo to Sapporo (still deciding between flying or Shinkansen + train)Â
December 20-22: Sapporo / HokkaidoÂ
Day 1-2 (December 20-21): Sapporo ExplorationÂ
- Explore local markets and try Hokkaido's cuisine
- Walk / Hike
- Sapporo Beer MuseumÂ
- Onsen
Day 3 (December 22): Hokkaido day trip? Otaru? Hakodate?Â
December 23: Travel
Travel from Sapporo to Hiroshima (Fly).
December 25-26: Hiroshima / Miyajima IslandÂ
Day 1 (December 25): HiroshimaÂ
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and MuseumÂ
Day 2 (December 26): Miyajima IslandÂ
- Itsukushima Shrine and the famous torii gate
- Hike or take the ropeway to Mt. Misen Â
December 27-28: BeppuÂ
Day 1 (December 27): Beppu Â
- Travel to Beppu
- Experience Hells of Beppu (Jigoku)Â
Day 2 (December 28): BeppuÂ
- OnsensÂ
December 29 – January 3: Kyoto / Osaka / NaraÂ
Day 1-3 (December 29-31): KyotoÂ
- 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)Â
Day 4 (January 1): New Year's DayÂ
- Experience Hatsumode (first shrine visit) at a local Kyoto shrine
- Gion area of Kyoto
Day 5 (January 2): Nara Day TripÂ
- Nara Deer Park
- Todai-ji Temple
- Kasuga Taisha ShrineÂ
Day 6-7 (January 3-4): OsakaÂ
- Osaka Castle
- Dotonbori
- Shitennoji TempleÂ
January 4-5: Hakone / Mt. FujiÂ
Day 1 (January 4): Mt. FujiÂ
- Visit Lake Kawaguchi for views of Mt. Fuji
- RyokanÂ
Day 2 (January 5): HakoneÂ
- Explore Hakone / Hakone Round Course
- Travel to TokyoÂ
January 6-7: TokyoÂ
Day 1-2 (January 6-7): TokyoÂ
- Explore Tokyo or revisit favorites
- Shinjuku, Harajuku
- TeamLab BorderlessÂ
January 8: DepartureÂ
by assortedfresh