Day 1 – Sun Dec 7 (Tokyo – Evening)
Route → Rinka/Metro to Odaiba. Primary → Unicorn Gundam light show; bay skyline promenade. Backup → teamLab moved day if needed. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Night Views.
Day 2 – Mon Dec 8 (Tokyo – Morning)
Route → Keio Line Shinjuku → Takaosanguchi (~50 min). Primary → Mt. Takao hike: Trail #1 up, chairlift down; summit soba. Backup → Hamarikyu Garden + tea house. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Must. Category → Nature/Hike.
Day 3 – Mon Dec 8 (Tokyo – Afternoon)
Route → Keio/JR back to city. Primary → Daikanyama & Ebisu stroll: Tsutaya T-Site, alley cafés. Backup → Ueno museums (Tokyo National Museum). Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Neighborhoods.
Day 3 – Mon Dec 8 (Tokyo – Evening)
Route → JR/Metro local. Primary → Ebisu Yokocho or Shimokitazawa izakaya hop. Backup → Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho (short visit only). Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Food/Night.
Day 4 – Tue Dec 9 (Tokyo – Morning)
Route → Metro → teamLab Borderless (Azabudai). Primary → teamLab Borderless timed entry (1.5–2 h). Backup → If sold out: teamLab Planets (Toyosu). Pre-book → BOOK. Value → Must. Category → Art/Tech.
Day 4 – Tue Dec 9 (Tokyo – Afternoon)
Route → JR/Metro short hops. Primary → Meiji Shrine → Harajuku Takeshita → Omotesando architecture walk. Backup → Nezu Museum garden (Aoyama). Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Culture/City Walk.
Day 4 – Tue Dec 9 (Tokyo – Evening)
Route → JR to Shibuya. Primary → Shibuya Sky sunset → Crossing → depachika dinner. Backup → Shibuya Yokocho food hall. Pre-book → Ticket optional. Value → Worth. Category → Night Views.
Day 5 – Wed Dec 10 (Tokyo – Morning)
Route → Tobu/JR to Nikko (~2 h). Primary → Nikko: Toshogu Shrine, Cedar Avenue, Shinkyo Bridge. Backup → Tokyo alt: Yanaka Ginza + Asakusa Senso-ji (early). Pre-book → Buy AM. Value → Worth. Category → Day Trip/Heritage.
Day 5 – Wed Dec 10 (Tokyo/Nikko – Afternoon)
Route → Local bus in Nikko / Metro in Tokyo. Primary → Kammangafuchi Abyss river walk (Nikko) OR Ueno Ameyoko snacks. Backup → Sumida Aquarium under Skytree. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Scenery/Food.
Day 5 – Wed Dec 10 (Tokyo – Evening)
Route → JR back to base. Primary → Yurakucho yakitori under tracks; Marunouchi lights. Backup → Ikebukuro Sunshine City indoor view. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Food/Night.
Day 6 – Thu Dec 11 (Kawaguchiko/Fuji – Morning)
Route → Highway Bus: Shinjuku → Kawaguchiko (~2 h) (reserve seat). Primary → Lake walk; Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway. Backup → If clouded: Itchiku Kubota Art Museum. Pre-book → BOOK. Value → Must. Category → Scenery/Onsen.
Day 6 – Thu Dec 11 (Kawaguchiko/Fuji – Afternoon)
Route → Local bus / on foot. Primary → Lakeside viewpoints; café with Fuji windows. Backup → Music Forest Museum. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Scenery/Café.
Day 6 – Thu Dec 11 (Kawaguchiko/Fuji – Evening)
Route → On foot. Primary → Private onsen at ryokan; stargazing. Backup → Night ropeway if clear. Pre-book → BOOK. Value → Must. Category → Onsen.
Day 7 – Fri Dec 12 (Kyoto – Morning)
Base → Gion/Kawaramachi or Station. Route → Bus Kawaguchiko → Mishima (~2 h) (reserve). Primary → Transit to Mishima; bento. Backup → Delay bus ~1 h if weather. Pre-book → BOOK. Value → —. Category → Transit.
Day 7 – Fri Dec 12 (Kyoto – Afternoon)
Route → Shinkansen Mishima → Kyoto (~2 h) (reserve). Primary → Check-in; Gion lantern lanes; Yasaka Shrine. Backup → Kiyamachi canal stroll. Pre-book → BOOK. Value → Must. Category → Old Town Walk.
Day 7 – Fri Dec 12 (Kyoto – Evening)
Route → Walk/short taxi. Primary → Kamo River walk; Pontocho dinner alley. Backup → Nishiki snack run (closes early). Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Food/Night.
Day 8 – Sat Dec 13 (Kyoto – Morning)
Route → Local JR/Keihan/taxi. Primary → Fushimi Inari at sunrise; Sannen-zaka/Ninen-zaka lanes. Backup → Tofuku-ji bridges (quiet). Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Must. Category → Iconic—timed right.
Day 8 – Sat Dec 13 (Kyoto – Afternoon)
Route → Walk/short moves. Primary → Kiyomizu-dera → Maruyama Park → tea ceremony (45–60 min). Backup → Shoren-in garden. Pre-book → BOOK. Value → Must. Category → Temples/Tea.
Day 8 – Sat Dec 13 (Kyoto – Evening)
Route → Short taxi/metro. Primary → Gion photo stroll; dessert café or craft cocktail bar. Backup → Kyoto Station Skyway view. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Night Stroll.
Day 9 – Sun Dec 14 (Kyoto – Morning)
Route → JR to Saga-Arashiyama (~20 min). Primary → Bamboo Grove at dawn; Tenryu-ji garden. Backup → Otagi Nenbutsu-ji (quiet). Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Must. Category → Iconic—timed right.
Day 9 – Sun Dec 14 (Kyoto – Afternoon)
Route → Walk/short bus. Primary → Riverside walk; Saga-Toriimoto preserved street. Backup → Nishiki Market + knife shops. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Scenery/Townscape.
Day 9 – Sun Dec 14 (Kyoto – Evening)
Route → Metro/taxi. Primary → Public bath/sauna sampler (optional). Backup → Laundry + chill. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Onsen-lite.
Day 10 – Mon Dec 15 (Kanazawa – Morning)
Base → Korinbo/Station. Route → Thunderbird Ltd. Exp. Kyoto → Kanazawa (~2 h 20) (reserve). Primary → Omicho Market seafood don; drop bags. Backup → Quick station lunch if late. Pre-book → BOOK. Value → Worth. Category → Transit/Food.
Day 10 – Mon Dec 15 (Kanazawa – Afternoon)
Route → City bus / on foot. Primary → Nagamachi samurai district; Castle Park. Backup → 21st Century Museum (indoors). Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Heritage.
Day 10 – Mon Dec 15 (Kanazawa – Evening)
Route → Walk. Primary → Korinbo → Katamachi stroll; cozy izakaya. Backup → Oyama Shrine night gate. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Food/Night.
Day 11 – Tue Dec 16 (Kanazawa – Morning)
Route → Walk/City bus. Primary → Kenroku-en Garden (winter) + teahouse. Backup → D.T. Suzuki Museum (quiet). Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Garden/Culture.
Day 11 – Tue Dec 16 (Kanazawa – Afternoon)
Route → Walk. Primary → Higashi Chaya: teahouse streets; gold leaf shop. Backup → Phonograph Museum. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Old Town.
Day 11 – Tue Dec 16 (Kanazawa – Evening)
Route → Walk. Primary → Pack for Hokkaido; rest. Backup → Dessert cafés. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Prep.
Day 12 – Wed Dec 17 (Furano – Morning)
Base → Kitanomine. Route → Bus Kanazawa → Komatsu Airport (40–60 min). Primary → Fly KMQ/ITM/KIX → CTS. Backup → If awkward, route via HND. Pre-book → BOOK. Value → Must. Category → Transit.
Day 12 – Wed Dec 17 (Furano – Afternoon)
Route → Hokkaido Resort Liner shuttle CTS → Furano (reserve seat). Primary → Arrive; rentals pick-up; orientation walk. Backup → Overnight Sapporo then bus next AM. Pre-book → BOOK. Value → Must. Category → Ski Setup.
Day 12 – Wed Dec 17 (Furano – Evening)
Route → Walk. Primary → Light onsen; ramen; early night. Backup → Konbini stock-up. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Recovery.
Day 13 – Thu Dec 18 (Furano – Morning)
Route → Walk/bus to Kitanomine lifts. Primary → Ski warm-up groomers; traverse to mid-mountain. Backup → Switch to Furano Zone if wind. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Must. Category → Ski.
Day 13 – Thu Dec 18 (Furano – Afternoon)
Route → —. Primary → Long laps across zones; coffee on-hill. Backup → Town café crawl if storm. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Ski/Food.
Day 13 – Thu Dec 18 (Furano – Evening)
Route → —. Primary → Onsen; local izakaya dinner. Backup → Early bed. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Onsen/Food.
Day 14 – Fri Dec 19 (Furano – Morning)
Route → —. Primary → Powder stash hunt (within resort rules); short trees. Backup → Technique drills on groomers. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Must. Category → Ski.
Day 14 – Fri Dec 19 (Furano – Afternoon)
Route → —. Primary → Inter-zone scenic laps; photo stops. Backup → Rental tune/wax. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Ski.
Day 14 – Fri Dec 19 (Furano – Evening)
Route → —. Primary → Soak + ramen alley. Backup → Dessert crêpe. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Food/Onsen.
Day 15 – Sat Dec 20 (Furano – Morning)
Route → —. Primary → Guided tree lines / safety intel (advanced). Backup → Solo groomers. Pre-book → BOOK. Value → Must. Category → Ski/Guide.
Day 15 – Sat Dec 20 (Furano – Afternoon)
Route → —. Primary → Free-ski or café crawl; rest legs. Backup → Short town walk. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Recovery.
Day 15 – Sat Dec 20 (Furano – Evening)
Route → —. Primary → Private onsen hour. Backup → Public bath. Pre-book → BOOK. Value → Worth. Category → Onsen.
Day 16 – Sun Dec 21 (Furano/Biei – Morning)
Route → Tour/taxi. Primary → Rest; pack light day bag. Backup → Half-day ski if dumping. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Recovery.
Day 16 – Sun Dec 21 (Furano/Biei – Afternoon)
Route → Tour/taxi. Primary → Transfer to Biei; café stop. Backup → Stay Furano if roads icy. Pre-book → BOOK (tour). Value → Worth. Category → Scenery.
Day 16 – Sun Dec 21 (Furano/Biei – Evening)
Route → —. Primary → Blue Pond illumination; return to Furano. Backup → Local onsen evening. Pre-book → BOOK (tour). Value → Must. Category → Night Scenery.
Day 17 – Mon Dec 22 (Sapporo – Morning)
Base → Odori/Susukino. Route → Bus/train Furano → Sapporo (~2–2.5 h). Primary → Check-in drop; Odori Park winter lights. Backup → Underground Pole Town (warm). Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → City Walk.
Day 17 – Mon Dec 22 (Sapporo – Afternoon)
Route → Subway/walk. Primary → Former Hokkaido Govt. Office; coffee; shopping. Backup → Sapporo Beer Museum. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Culture/City.
Day 17 – Mon Dec 22 (Sapporo – Evening)
Route → Subway/walk. Primary → Susukino neon + Miso Ramen Alley dinner. Backup → Jingisukan lamb grill. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Food/Night.
Day 18 – Tue Dec 23 (Sapporo/Otaru – Morning)
Route → JR Rapid to Otaru (~35–45 min). Primary → Otaru canal stroll; LeTAO sweets; glass workshops. Backup → Teine/Kokusai ski (if dumping). Pre-book → Buy return at station. Value → Worth. Category → Scenery/Shop.
Day 18 – Tue Dec 23 (Sapporo/Otaru – Afternoon)
Route → JR back to Sapporo. Primary → Sushi/kaisendon lunch; shopping around Odori. Backup → Warm cafés. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Food/Shopping.
Day 18 – Tue Dec 23 (Sapporo/Otaru – Evening)
Route → Subway/walk. Primary → Lights photo walk; pack for flight. Backup → Sauna/spa to recover. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Worth. Category → Night/Prep.
Day 19 – Wed Dec 24 (Tokyo Transit → Flight – Morning)
Route → Rapid Airport train Sapporo → CTS (~40 min). Primary → Fly CTS → NRT (aim to land ~12:00). Backup → If delayed, stay CTS area. Pre-book → BOOK (flight). Value → Must. Category → Transit.
Day 19 – Wed Dec 24 (Tokyo Transit → Flight – Afternoon)
Route → N’EX Tokyo Station round-trip (reserve seat). Primary → Last-minute shopping; ekiben lunch. Backup → Stay near NRT and relax. Pre-book → BOOK (seat optional). Value → Worth. Category → Transit/Shopping.
Day 19 – Wed Dec 24 (Tokyo Transit → Flight – Evening)
Route → N’EX back to NRT T2. Primary → QF62 dep 20:00 → BNE. Backup → Lounge time. Pre-book → Flexible. Value → Must. Category → Flight.
Picture version below
Hey all,
I've put together an itinerary for my first solo trip to Japan from December 6th to 24th, and I'd love some feedback or suggestions.
What I'm Aiming For
- Cultural experiences – temples, traditional towns, local life (not just tourist hot spots).
- Relaxation – scenic towns, cozy stays, maybe an onsen (but preferably not fully nude, I'm not quite ready for that).
- Skiing in Hokkaido for the second half of the trip – I'm an experienced skier but haven't gone in years, so I'm hyped to get back into it. I am used European skiing in the Austrian Alps and in NZ.
- Food + second-hand fashion scene — I've heardJapan's thrift culture is amazing?
- Light bit of anime + car culture – I own a Type R, so visiting Honda could be cool, but is it even worth it as a tourist?
Furano vs Other Ski Resorts in December?
- I've heard Furano is quieter and more traditional, which I like — but also that snow in early/mid December can be hit or miss, and that runs might be too easy? Would I get bored staying there too long?
- Should I split my ski time across two locations?
- Avoiding Niseko? Sounds like it's overrun by Aussies and feels like a western resort. I'm not into party towns or resort nightlife — would I hate it even if the skiing is good? 8. Best Onsen Experience for Someone Not Comfortable Being Fully Naked?
- Is Renting a Car in Hokkaido Worth It for Exploring Smaller Towns?
by AutistWeaponized