A not so cold Japanese winter.

[rbjhan]

We stayed a few nights in Hakodate when we were on the way to Sappora - a lovely town though probably wouldn't go back again this time. So hard - so many places, so little time. Will only have a couple of weeks this time. We ;like to stay a few nights in each place at least.
Love Kanazawa but have been a few times. Up north maybe???
Thanks for the ideas though as gives me things to consider.

Not a fan of onsen? Otherwise Nyuto is hard to beat!
Ginzan onsen as well.

 

[love_the_life]

Not a fan of onsen? Otherwise Nyuto is hard to beat!
Ginzan onsen as well.

MrLtL isn't though I don't mind them. Been a bit busy at work this week but will get onto it soon I hope.

 

[rbjhan]

MrLtL isn't though I don't mind them. Been a bit busy at work this week but will get onto it soon I hope.

Ah I'm an onsen lover so my kind of winter travel might not be for you then.... for example other than ski and/or onsen, can't see why anyone would go to Myoko.

 

[love_the_life]

Ah I'm an onsen lover so my kind of winter travel might not be for you then.... for example other than ski and/or onsen, can't see why anyone would go to Myoko.

True - maybe somewhere that is less ski oriented might be a better option.

 

[Cossie]

Haven't booked flights yet - will be $$ not awards so have some flexibility. Probably will be in and out of Tokyo - or in KIX and out Tokyo. Didn't spend much time in Hokkaido but sort of agree - would like somewhere else though it needs to be cold. Suspect not much snow going to be around in Dec though I suppose as long as it's cold MrLtL will be OK (he is the one who hates the heat).

I can recommend Wakayama and area, it's close to Osaka.

 

[rbjhan]

True - maybe somewhere that is less ski oriented might be a better option.

Well you are going in Dec and you want cold, but no ski no onsen....that's gonna increase the difficulty level!

Sure you can go to Kyoto and Lake Biwa maybe, but that can be done any time of the year...how about crab? Winter is the snow crab season along the Sea of Japan coast.

 

[k_sheep]

Great TR. I'm looking for little tips for our trip next year - have a reward ticket booked from CTS (panic booked before the 'enhancement' announcement!) but looking for somewhere to go before that. Hmmmmm. *jots down several of the places you went to*

 

[rbjhan]

Great TR. I'm looking for little tips for our trip next year - have a reward ticket booked from CTS (panic booked before the 'enhancement' announcement!) but looking for somewhere to go before that. Hmmmmm. *jots down several of the places you went to*

Indeed I panic booked my Feb 2020 trip as well!
Good to hear this TR is useful

 

[drron]

Here are some things to research LTL.

Japan Festivals - December

December in Japan offers a captivating blend of traditional festivals, winter illuminations, and seasonal celebrations that showcase the country's rich cultural heritage and winter charm. From grand night-time events to unique New Year's customs, this month provides visitors with diverse...

www.japanvisitor.com

Top 10 Things to Do in Japan in December

Best things to do and places to visit in Japan in December

jw-webmagazine.com

 

[k_sheep]

Indeed I panic booked my Feb 2020 trip as well!
Good to hear this TR is useful

I'm taking a chance and going March - did that this year (only time our travel buddies could find a suitable time) with tales of woe about how bad the snow was. But it was wayyyy cheaper, and we got a massive dump of fresh snow while we were there!

It was funny, there were signs all around the resorts saying "sorry for the bad snow, do not hurt yourselves". It was wayyyy better than the best ZQN could offer!

 

[Black Duck]

Thanks for a very interesting and useful report. Its great to hear from a frequent visitor about so many things -especially the bits that are not the "normal" loop.

 

[Black Duck]

Ikyu seems a great booking site - I checked out the Mitsui Gardens in Kanazawa and its far far better than other sites for price. Is this your preferred booking site and are there any things to watch out for on it because its a Jaoanese language site? I am translating it as I don't read or speak Japanese. I would be grateful for any advice.

 

[rbjhan]

Ikyu seems a great booking site - I checked out the Mitsui Gardens in Kanazawa and its far far better than other sites for price. Is this your preferred booking site and are there any things to watch out for on it because its a Jaoanese language site? I am translating it as I don't read or speak Japanese. I would be grateful for any advice.

Yes IKYU is my preferred site, generally speaking they offer very good price, more plans and more clarity in terms of room specifications etc compare to booking, agoda...As you noted it's in Japanese only, I've been to Japan enough times that I can read the most important words but google translate is always very helpful. One thing might be useful is for most plans you can choose to pay on arrival, but pay online offer higher rebates (depends on your level) - I'm platinum so I get 2% pay on arrival and 4% pay online.

Another one you can try is Jalan, similar site but has more options - IKYU is geared towards more high end hotels.

 

[rbjhan]

I'm taking a chance and going March - did that this year (only time our travel buddies could find a suitable time) with tales of woe about how bad the snow was. But it was wayyyy cheaper, and we got a massive dump of fresh snow while we were there!

It was funny, there were signs all around the resorts saying "sorry for the bad snow, do not hurt yourselves". It was wayyyy better than the best ZQN could offer!

It is all very much luck I'm afraid....pretty much everywhere I went this year was warm
Hoping for better next Feb! And you too

 

[zenyattamondatta]

we are looking at going in December this year and tossing between somewhere in Hokkaido or maybe where you were. We don't ski, just like the cold weather,

I would also just consider going places you might want to see under less crowded conditions... the last couple of times I’ve been in Kyoto (for work) during anything like peak season, the hordes have been just out of control.

Heard a funny story just now about an Aussie couple who went to see the “snow monkeys” and ended up surrounded by other Aussies... there does seem to be quite a lot of group think these days.

 

[rbjhan]

I would also just consider going places you might want to see under less crowded conditions... the last couple of times I’ve been in Kyoto (for work) during anything like peak season, the hordes have been just out of control.

Heard a funny story just now about an Aussie couple who went to see the “snow monkeys” and ended up surrounded by other Aussies... there does seem to be quite a lot of group think these days.

Sadly very true...I was in Kyoto late Nov 2017, peak Koyo season.
A picture is worth a thousand words...this was Nanzenji by the way.


I vowed not to be in Kyoto during peak season ever again!

 

[Black Duck]

Yes IKYU is my preferred site, generally speaking they offer very good price, more plans and more clarity in terms of room specifications etc compare to booking, agoda...As you noted it's in Japanese only, I've been to Japan enough times that I can read the most important words but google translate is always very helpful. One thing might be useful is for most plans you can choose to pay on arrival, but pay online offer higher rebates (depends on your level) - I'm platinum so I get 2% pay on arrival and 4% pay online.

Another one you can try is Jalan, similar site but has more options - IKYU is geared towards more high end hotels.


Thank you so much. Thats very helpful. i use similar sites in Korea to find hotels even if I don't necessarily book.
Despite not reading japanese I expect I can manage just translating. I have really preferred using a country's own site as it always seems to be better and have more hotels on offer. I will check Jalan as well thanks.

 

[love_the_life]

I would also just consider going places you might want to see under less crowded conditions... the last couple of times I’ve been in Kyoto (for work) during anything like peak season, the hordes have been just out of control.

Heard a funny story just now about an Aussie couple who went to see the “snow monkeys” and ended up surrounded by other Aussies... there does seem to be quite a lot of group think these days.

We visited the snow monkeys last year and fortunately we were there fairly early before it got too busy. We were with a private guide and driver so not constrained by a bus or group tour. On the other hand when I was at Inari shrine in Kyoto June 2018 it was wall to wall people! Being December we will be outside the peak seasons for things like sakura and autumn colour.

 

[rbjhan]

We visited the snow monkeys last year and fortunately we were there fairly early before it got too busy. We were with a private guide and driver so not constrained by a bus or group tour. On the other hand when I was at Inari shrine in Kyoto June 2018 it was wall to wall people! Being December we will be outside the peak seasons for things like sakura and autumn colour.

Bottom of Inari Shrine is always packed...however I went all the way up to top and not too many people around.