I've booked flights for myself and my wife from 12-31st December. I have no idea where to start with planning an itinerary so this was after playing around on chatgpt with suggestions etc. I'd just like to know if this is at all on the right track with any "must sees" or even if this seems all viable?
Japan Winter Itinerary — Dec 13–31, 2025
Day 1 – Sat Dec 13: Arrive Tokyo (midday)
Arrive around 12:00 at Narita or Haneda.
Take the Narita Express / Limousine Bus to your hotel (~1–1.5 hrs).
Afternoon: Shinjuku Gyoen Gardens walk, unwind.
Evening: Explore Omoide Yokocho or Golden Gai for izakaya-style dinner.
Stay: Shinjuku (Tokyo) – 3 nights.
Day 2 – Sun Dec 14: Modern Tokyo
Morning: Meiji Shrine → Takeshita Street (Harajuku).
Afternoon: Shibuya Crossing, Shibuya Sky, shopping.
Evening: Dinner in Ebisu or Roppongi for city lights.
Day 3 – Mon Dec 15: Old Tokyo & Culture
Morning: Asakusa → Senso-ji Temple → Nakamise Street.
Afternoon: Tokyo Skytree or Sumida River cruise.
Evening: Akihabara or Ueno’s Ameyoko market.
Day 4 – Tue Dec 16: Tokyo → Hakone (onsen & Mt Fuji views)
Travel: Shinkansen to Odawara + local line (~2 hrs).
Do: Hakone Ropeway, Owakudani Valley, Lake Ashi boat ride.
Stay: Ryokan with onsen, e.g. Yama no Chaya.
Evening: Kaiseki dinner and hot springs soak.
Day 5 – Wed Dec 17: Hakone → Kyoto
Morning: Relax in onsen, scenic check-out.
Travel: 2.5 hrs to Kyoto via Shinkansen.
Afternoon: Gion District, Yasaka Shrine, Pontocho Alley.
Stay: Kyoto (Central) – 3 nights.
Day 6 – Thu Dec 18: Temples & Shrines
Morning: Fushimi Inari Taisha (early visit).
Afternoon: Kiyomizu-dera → Higashiyama lanes.
Evening: Gion dinner, maybe spot a geisha.
Day 7 – Fri Dec 19: Arashiyama Day
Morning: Bamboo Grove, Tenryu-ji, Monkey Park (optional).
Afternoon: Nishiki Market & traditional sweets.
Evening: Local izakaya or sake tasting.
Day 8 – Sat Dec 20: Kyoto → Osaka
Travel: 1 hr local train.
Morning: Osaka Castle.
Afternoon: Kuromon Market & street food.
Evening: Dotonbori — neon lights, takoyaki, okonomiyaki.
Stay: Osaka (Namba) – 2 nights.
Day 9 – Sun Dec 21: Day Trip from Osaka
Option 1: Nara (Todaiji Temple & bowing deer).
Option 2: Universal Studios Japan (Christmas lights).
Return to Osaka for dinner in Shinsaibashi.
Day 10 – Mon Dec 22: Osaka → Kanazawa
Travel: 3 hrs by Thunderbird Express.
Do: Kenrokuen Garden (possibly snowy), samurai district, Higashi Chaya teahouses.
Stay: Kanazawa – 1 night.
Day 11 – Tue Dec 23: Kanazawa → Nagano (Hakuba ski base)
Travel: 3 hrs by Shinkansen + bus.
Arrive: Hakuba Valley (Nagano Prefecture).
Evening: Onsen & cozy dinner in the mountains.
Stay: Hakuba ski lodge – 3 nights.
Day 12 – Wed Dec 24: Skiing in Hakuba
Full day on the slopes (Happo-One or Hakuba 47).
Evening: Hot springs + Christmas Eve dinner 🎄.
Day 13 – Thu Dec 25: Skiing Day 2
Second full day skiing/snowboarding.
Evening: Relax in an onsen with snow views — magical Christmas Day.
Day 14 – Fri Dec 26: Nagano Snow Monkeys → Tokyo
Morning: Jigokudani Monkey Park (hot spring monkeys!).
Afternoon: Shinkansen to Tokyo (~2 hrs).
Stay: Tokyo (final base) – 4 nights.
Day 15 – Sat Dec 27: Shopping & Lights
Explore Ginza, Omotesando, or Nakameguro.
Evening: Winter illuminations at Roppongi Hills or Shibuya.
Day 16 – Sun Dec 28: Tokyo Day Trip
Options:
Nikko (UNESCO temples, snowy forests – 2 hrs).
Kamakura/Enoshima (coastal day, Great Buddha – 1.5 hrs).
Day 17 – Mon Dec 29: Tokyo Flex Day
Optional: TeamLab Planets, Ghibli Museum, sumo stable, or ramen crawl.
Last-minute souvenirs in Shibuya or Akihabara.
Day 18 – Tue Dec 30: Final Night in Tokyo
Morning: Chill, maybe onsen at Oedo Onsen Monogatari.
Evening: Farewell dinner in Shinjuku or Tokyo Station area.
Pack up for early flight.
Day 19 – Wed Dec 31: Fly Home (AM departure)
by Zuropia