Hi, all! I'd love to hear your thoughts on this rough itinerary that I made yesterday. My partner and I are going to Japan in December for a "pre-honeymoon" trip. Our office closes during the holiday season. I will only need to take a seven-day leave but we'll be able to get three weeks out of this vacation (compared to doing our honeymoon in January and only getting a week’s worth). The plan is to, of course, make it a romantic getaway but not necessarily a relaxed holiday. We're thinking lots of snowy onsen, good food, and seeing cool places while walking.
| DATE | LOCATION | NOTES |
|---|---|---|
| December 16 | KIX to Kyoto | |
| December 17 | Kyoto/Uji/Wazuka | We've been to Kansai before. We're going to Uji and Wazuka mainly to do matcha and food tours for business ideas. I don't really want to lessen our days here. |
| December 18 | Kyoto/Uji/Wazuka | |
| December 19 | Kyoto/Uji/Wazuka | |
| December 20 | Osaka to Sapporo | |
| December 21 | Sapporo | We have never been to Sapporo. I'd love to explore the island more but my mind is clouded right now with ambitious ideas lol |
| December 22 | Sapporo | |
| December 23 | Sapporo | |
| December 24 | Sapporo to Akita | |
| December 25 | Akita | We have never been to the Tohoku region. Main reason for going to Akita is because of the Tsuru no Yu onsen. It would be nice to spend a Christmas at a ryokan with an outdoor onsen, seeing lots of snow. Could we forego this? |
| December 26 | Akita to Niigata | |
| December 27 | Niigata | I have only been to Niigata as a day trip back when the JR Pass was cheaper. I'd love to explore this place more, but should we forego this instead? |
| December 28 | Niigata to Nagano | |
| December 29 | Nagano | We *really* want to go to the Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. I also see that there's a lot to do in Nagano. Perhaps just go straight to Nagano from Sapporo or Akita? |
| December 30 | Nagano to Yamanakako | |
| December 31 | Yamanakako | This is a bit of a weird route, I know, but I saw this really cool accommodation with a full view of Mt. Fuji and I just had to take it. These are the only days left that it's available. We'd love to spend our New Year with Mt. Fuji in sight. |
| January 1 | Yamanakako to Tokyo | |
| January 2 | Tokyo | We've been to Tokyo before, but with my parents. It was constrained, dietarily speaking. We're also going to do some shopping and relaxing before we leave. |
| January 3 | Tokyo | |
| January 4 | Back home |
- Initially, I'm thinking of extending Kyoto (for one day) and Sapporo, spending Christmas there. How is Christmas in Sapporo? There's also so much to see in the island. Perhaps we should take the Hokkaido regional pass? and then just go straight to Nagano?
- We really want to stay at a ryokan with a snowy outdoor onsen, preferably one that won't break the bank. I already have a couple on my list, but it seems like Akita and Nagano have the most options? I'm also thinking of staying at the Jigokudani Onsen Korakukan.
by Silvermaine-