Hi guys!

Heading to Japan early next month and would love some advice on our current itinerary, particularly whether some days are too ambitious or unrealistic time-wise.

Most of our bookings are already locked in (flights, Tokyo/Osaka, Kiroro), although some accommodation is still refundable if tweaking the plan would make things smoother. Niseko is the main flexible part — I know it’s pretty overcrowded these days and often a big avoid on Reddit, but we’re still keen to experience ski-in/ski-out at least once (looking at Hilton Niseko). We’re doing Kiroro first to hopefully enjoy quieter, more peaceful snowboarding before heading there.

We’d especially love help with:

• Whether certain days are overpacked
• Additional activity ideas (especially in Tokyo & Day trip from Otaru)
• Food recommendations we shouldn’t miss

If anyone has done a similar route (Tokyo → Osaka → Hokkaido in winter), we’d really appreciate your insight. Thanks so much!

📍 Tokyo (Feb 10–14) – Staying in Shinjuku East

Feb 10 – Arrival

• Arrive in the afternoon at Narita Airport
• Train to Shinjuku East
• Easy dinner + rest

Feb 11 – Shibuya / Harajuku

• Meiji Jingu Shrine
• Shibuya 109
• Shibuya sky in the evening

Feb 12 – Ginza & Tokyo Bay

• Tokyo Bay go-karting (Unsure whether to still do this based upon reviews/upsetting locals)
• Ginza Six

Feb 13 – DisneySea

• DisneySea (full day)

📍 Osaka (Feb 14–17)

Feb 14 – Travel to Osaka

• Early Shinkansen (hoping to see Mt Fuji on the way)
• Check in to Hotel Monterey Le Frere (~11am)
• Nara Deer Park for the afternoon
• Todaiji and Kasuga Taisha temples
• Back to Osaka to explore in the evening

Feb 15 – Universal Studios

• Universal Studios Japan (full day)

Feb 16 – Osaka & Nara

• Osaka Temple
• Osaka Aquarium
• Shopping/Explore

📍 Hokkaido – Otaru / Kiroro / Niseko (Feb 17–25)

Feb 17 – Otaru

• Fly Osaka → Sapporo (arrive ~12pm)
• Train to Otaru (arrive ~1pm) and check in to Granbell Hotel
• Otaru Canal
• Explore town + dinner

Feb 18 – Day Trip

• Asari Station (early 7:30am)
• Unsure what would be best to do for the day here before evening Ice festival
• Lake Shikotsu Ice Festival late afternoon

Feb 19 – Kiroro

• Early transfer to Kiroro – Hopi hill Farmstay
• Snowboarding – Day 1

Feb 20 – Kiroro

• Snowboarding – Day 2

Feb 21 – Kiroro

• Snowboarding – Day 3

Feb 22 – Niseko

• Transfer to Niseko
• Snowboarding – Day 4

Feb 23 – Niseko

• Snowboarding – Day 5

Feb 24 – Niseko

• Snowboarding – Day 6

Feb 25 – Departure

• Afternoon flight home from CTS ✈️