17th Dec - 1st Jan

[meandyou]

Hi Guys

Initially planed to have UK trip but i don't feel comfortable with the culture there, in another word i feel more comfortable with Asia country. And so, decided to go Japan.

As i have a quite plenty of days, would like to know where to and how should i decide my point A to point B route (return flight will be from Tokyo) base on the following points:

1. Wish to have a winter snowy experience

• Ideal place to celebrate Christmas ( i dont want eat KFC though) and new year countdown

• previous trips already covered Tokyo and Nikko, so those places of interest for this 2 cities can be skip

 

[kifo]

Generally, people do not celebrate Christmas in Japan. There might be some festivities in Tokyo as there are more foreigners living in Tokyo than anywhere else. Same thing with New Year countdown, if you are thinking of those large scale street parties with fireworks. Likely place is only Tokyo. However if you want to experience real Japanese countdown at a temple with hundreds of other Japanese, then look for famous temples that offers New Year bell ringing and sweet rice wine to visitors at midnight.

 

[twosix]

Tokyo will be beautiful with the lightings and decos. enjoy!

 

[Hinana]

Hi Guys

Initially planed to have UK trip but i don't feel comfortable with the culture there, in another word i feel more comfortable with Asia country. And so, decided to go Japan.

As i have a quite plenty of days, would like to know where to and how should i decide my point A to point B route (return flight will be from Tokyo) base on the following points:

1. Wish to have a winter snowy experience

• Ideal place to celebrate Christmas ( i dont want eat KFC though) and new year countdown

• previous trips already covered Tokyo and Nikko, so those places of interest for this 2 cities can be skip

I was at Matsumoto/Hakuba, Kanazawa, Shirakawago in December 2015. There were a lot of snow in Hakuba but none/very little at other spots.

If you want a winter snowy experience maybe consider taking a domestic flight to Hokkaido. If that is not an option you have to visit places with high altitude e.g. the alps region in central Japan.

You have about 2 weeks, how far away from Tokyo do you intend to travel?
I'm sure you already have some places in mind, why not list them out and we'll help you from there.

 

[Perisher]

I have been to UK, it's not that bad. The people I met were very friendly, some cafes even play mannequin challenge with us and give us free food everytime we dine there.

I'm also planning a trip to Japan soon. Perhaps near New year. Thinking of Skiing in Hokkaido. Would be nice to know if not driving in Hokkaido is possible?

 

[meandyou]

i will visit the following:
Osaka
Kyoto
Shirakawa go
Mt. Zao
then depart from Tokyo

 

[meandyou]

Thanks for the input guys

how should my route to be arrange
SG-KIX Tokyo - SG

Osaka - kyoto - Nara - Shirakawa Go - Nikko - Tokyo
or
Osaka - Nara - kyoto - Shirakawa Go - Nikko - Tokyo

And which railway ticket should i get

 

[thwysg]

Thanks for the input guys

how should my route to be arrange
SG-KIX Tokyo - SG

Osaka - kyoto - Nara - Shirakawa Go - Nikko - Tokyo
or
Osaka - Nara - kyoto - Shirakawa Go - Nikko - Tokyo

And which railway ticket should i get

There's no difference in both, unless you intend to stay overnight at Nara.

If you're not staying over at Nara, then possible choices are -
1. Stay at Osaka and do trips to Kyoto and Nara;
2. Stay at Kyoto and do trips to Osaka and Nara.
3. Stay at Osaka and move to Kyoto and do day trip to Nara from either city.

No way for you to go direct to Shirakawa-go from Kyoto. Even with a bus or train, you'll have to make a stop either at Kanazawa (via train) or at Takayama (via bus). Switch to Nohi bus to Shirakawa-go from Kanazawa or Takayama. Would be good to stay overnight at one of the three.

You'll need to head back to Greater Tokyo Area or Tokyo to make the trains transfer to Nikko. That's like 4-5 hours train journey. But are you heading to Nikko or Mt. Zao?

 

[VD]

Thanks for the input guys

how should my route to be arrange
SG-KIX Tokyo - SG

Osaka - kyoto - Nara - Shirakawa Go - Nikko - Tokyo
or
Osaka - Nara - kyoto - Shirakawa Go - Nikko - Tokyo

And which railway ticket should i get

From Shirakawa either you make your way back to Nagoya or head to Nagano , from Nagano, you can visit and stay at Yamanouchi (Snow monkey park), then from Nagano straight to Tokyo. Can spend more time at Gifu instead of just visiting Shirakawa

you will need to get a JR pass to cover different prefectures that regional pass does not give you total coverage for your trip. Kansai pass does not cover Gifu/Tokyo. The JR East pass does not cover Kansai area.

 

[meandyou]

There's no difference in both, unless you intend to stay overnight at Nara.

If you're not staying over at Nara, then possible choices are -
1. Stay at Osaka and do trips to Kyoto and Nara;
2. Stay at Kyoto and do trips to Osaka and Nara.
3. Stay at Osaka and move to Kyoto and do day trip to Nara from either city.
Most Likely will stay at Osaka and move to Kyoto and visit Nara park.

No way for you to go direct to Shirakawa-go from Kyoto. Even with a bus or train, you'll have to make a stop either at Kanazawa (via train) or at Takayama (via bus). Switch to Nohi bus to Shirakawa-go from Kanazawa or Takayama. Would be good to stay overnight at one of the three.
noted on this

You'll need to head back to Greater Tokyo Area or Tokyo to make the trains transfer to Nikko. That's like 4-5 hours train journey. But are you heading to Nikko or Mt. Zao?
Decided not to go Mt.Zao but re-visit Nikko instead, my wife seems to love Nikko very much. lol

10chars...

 

[meandyou]

From Shirakawa either you make your way back to Nagoya or head to Nagano , from Nagano, you can visit and stay at Yamanouchi (Snow monkey park), then from Nagano straight to Tokyo. Can spend more time at Gifu instead of just visiting Shirakawa
Mind to share why do u suggest to visit Gifu?

you will need to get a JR pass to cover different prefectures that regional pass does not give you total coverage for your trip. Kansai pass does not cover Gifu/Tokyo. The JR East pass does not cover Kansai area.

Updates on the route and realize i dont have enough time to travel so many places
Osaka (17,18,19) - kyoto (19,20,21) - Shirakawa Go (21,22,23) -Yamanouchi (24,25) - Nikko (26,27,28,29) - Tokyo (29,30,31,1)

will this be too rush?

 

[twosix]

if u have not been to either places, i'd suggest u spend more time to understand the place, then move on. i'd be going around same period, 10 days, all in osaka, kyoto and nara.

 

[archlover]

I was visiting Shirakawago & Yamanouchi few years back, also around end of december, there is probability it will be snowing...
But if you want 100% chance of snowy experience, from Yudanaka (station nearest to Monkey Park) you can take half an hour bus ride to Shiga Kogen, it's ski resort area.
As for New Year in Tokyo, Zojoji temple will be quite interesting, beside the usual prayers there, you can get a "wish" balloon for you to write your New Year message, then people will release thousands of balloons in the same time on 00.00..

 

[thwysg]

Updates on the route and realize i dont have enough time to travel so many places
Osaka (17,18,19) - kyoto (19,20,21) - Shirakawa Go (21,22,23) -Yamanouchi (24,25) - Nikko (26,27,28,29) - Tokyo (29,30,31,1)

will this be too rush?

Without knowing your full itinerary, it seems alright.

Kyoto - only 1.5 days and yet you wish to visit Nara as a day trip? Does that mean only 0.5 day for Kyoto city?
Shirakawa-go - 2.5 days with an overnight stay at Shirakawa-go or Takayama?
Yamanouchi - 2 days at an onsen town?

 

[VD]

i can't help to wonder why 4 days in Nikko. Yamanouchi only require 1 night, not unless you wish to visit all of the public onsen, which is available to hotel guest within Yamanouchi. Similarly, a night at Shirakawa-go is sufficient. I would put more days in Kyoto.

 

[thwysg]

i can't help to wonder why 4 days in Nikko. Yamanouchi only require 1 night, not unless you wish to visit all of the public onsen, which is available to hotel guest within Yamanouchi. Similarly, a night at Shirakawa-go is sufficient. I would put more days in Kyoto.

Actually it's only 3 nights there. I think it's still alright. OP might be staying in 2-3 onsen towns. He had mentioned that his wife liked Nikko very much. Plus the Nikko All Area Pass is good for 4D3N.

 

[meandyou]

quick reply+rant.. i still haven't book accommodation due to busy with work.
wife keep nagging nagging.. walao eh

 

[meandyou]

Usually which area u guys stay in Kyoto?

 

[kifo]

Usually which area u guys stay in Kyoto?

this map is a bit optimistic.... some of those red and green areas are a long way from any train stations... you will have to walk a long way to and back from the hotel each time you go out... and dragging the luggage if you did not takyubin it ahead...

i would say stay no further than a 10 mins walk from a train station. depending on your rail pass, prioritise it this way...

JR pass... near any JR lines... as near to Kyoto station as you can...

Kansai thru pass... near any hankyu / kintetsu / keihan lines... preferably on the same line that goes all the way to Osaka... look out for major stops as there are more train services

ICOCA... any train stations... look above for JR Pass and Kansai Thru Pass as well...

 

[meandyou]

Hi Guys

I'm at Kyoto now, will head to Yamanouchi day after tml then from there to Nikko.

I don't have any passes with me. So wondering how should I go to Yamanouchi from kyoto. I don't want take night bus.