Our Japan winter trip was all about enjoying the fun things to do in Japan during winter. On this 12-day trip, we were able to do certain things that we could only experience during a Japan winter season, such as marvelling at the biggest winter illuminations in Nagoya, watching a winter show at the Osaka castle, visiting snow monkeys in their natural habitat, enjoying  the Hakone hot springs and playing with snow at a ski resort.  

Below is our 12-day itinerary.

Planning for this trip

As this trip was our second trip to Japan, planning was comparatively easier this time round.  I hope that you find the tips below useful for your planning.

Accommodation

For our trip, we stayed at different types of budget-friendly and family-friendly accommodations:

• Hotel Empire in Shinjuku – We stayed overnight in this budget-friendly family accommodation that is a 3-min walk from JR Okuba station, 1 stop away from Shinjuku. 
• Hakone Gora Kanon – We stayed overnight at this traditional family ryokan up the Hakone mountain resort with private hot spring baths. They were also able to order for us dinner (tempura prawn udon) from a nearby restaurant.
• Wafu Ryokan Uehonmachi – We stayed in this budget-friendly Japanese-style accommodation in Osaka for 4 nights.  It is within walking distance to Uehonmachi station, just 1 stop away from the lively Namba area. 
• Hotel Mystays Nagoya – We stayed overnight here after visiting the illuminations. We chose this because it was only 3 stops from Nagoya station, from where we were to depart for Hakuba the next . near a restaurant with halal food (Taxim). We couldn’t find a family room in Nagoya, so we booked 2 rooms. 
• Hakuba Sun Valley – We chose this accommodation because it had an option for a muslim-friendly menu, was close to Hakuba Goryu Ski resort and there was snow right outside the accommodation.  
• Haru Hotel – We stayed 3 nights at this budget-friendly accommodation that is within walking distance from JR Okuba station and 1 stop away from Shinjuku

Tickets and Tours

You can get attraction tickets, tours and even restaurant bookings for Japan through Voyagin.com.

Getting around with Luggage

Baggage delivery service

Transportation

Buy your JR Pass from  Klook (JR Pass)

• Day 1: Tokyo
  • Express train from Airport to Shinjuku
  • JR Yamanote from Shinjuku to our hotel in Shin-Okubo
• Day 2: Tokyo – Hakone
  • RomanceCar from Shinjuku at 09:27am and arriving at Hakone-Yumoto at 11:04am. 
  • Hakone Free Pass – Tozan railway to Gora (39 min), cable car to Sounzan (10min), ropeway to Togendai and bus to Gora (see bus schedule) and cable car to accommodation at Naka-Gora.
• Day 3: Hakone – Osaka
  • Hakone Free Pass – cable car, ropeway to Owakudani, ropeway to Togendai, pirate ship cruise across Lake Ashi (40 min) and a bus back to Odawara. 
  • We activated our Japan rail pass and took the bullet train from Odawara at 14:08, arrived at Shin-Osaka at 16:26 and changed to the Osaka Loop Line and a local Kintentsu line to our accommodation at Osaka-Uehonmachi. Refer to the Osaka Train Map.
  • Train to Kintetsu-Nipponbashi to have dinner at the Dotonbori area.
• Day 4: Osaka Aquarium and Castle
  • Train to Osakako to visit the Aquarium using the Osaka Kaiyu Ticket which included entry to the Aquarium and unlimited rides within Osaka city for the day.
  • Train to Osaka station, then to Osakajokoen to see the castle
• Day 5: Universal Studios Japan
  • Train on JR Yumesaki line to Universal City
  • Universal Studios Japan tickets
• Day 6: Kyoto
  • Train to Shin-Osaka, Shinkansen train from Shin-Osaka to Kyoto (15 min), then took the JR Nara Line to Inari (1 stop)
  • Travelled by bus around Kyoto, and took Shinkansen back to Osaka.
• Day 7: Osaka to Nagoya
  • Shinkansen to Nagoya (about 1 hr)
  • Two-way shuttle bus from Meitetsu Bus Centre (near Nagoya station) to Nabana No Sato (each way about 1 hr) (1,780 Yen) or train from Nagoya to Kuwana via JR Kansai Line (24 min) and shuttle bus from Kuwana station to Nabana No Sato 
  • Nagoya City Subway from Nagoya to Sakae(Aichi) for dinner and hotel
• Day 8: Nagoya to Hakuba
  • Nagoya City Subway from Sakae(Aichi) to Nagoya 
  • Limited Express (Wide View) Shinano from Nagoya at 08:00, change at Shiojiri at 10:15 and Limited Express Azusa train to Hakuba, arriving at 11:28
• Day 9: Hakuba to Nagano to Tokyo
  • Bus from Hakuba to Nagano (1hr 5 min)
  • Nagano Dentetsu Bus to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park and return, by purchasing 1-day Snow Monkey Pass from Nagano station (2,900 Yen per adult)
  • Shinkansen from Nagano at 17:55 to Tokyo (79 min)
• Day 10 and 11: Tokyo
  • 1-day Metro line pass (paid at station). See Tokyo Metro map. – Note that there are 3 types of day pass (1) Metro line only (2) Metro + Toei Line (3) Metro + Toei + JR.  Decide your route before buying the pass.
• Day 12: To airport
  • Train to Airport (fastest at 36 min), Private shuttle van to Airport  or  Shuttle bus (cheapest).

• You must purchase the JR pass and receive the Exchange Order before entering Japan.  You can purchase it online at klook.com.  At the airport, there is a JR pass exchange office where you can turn in the Exchange Order and show your passport to get the JR pass.
• You can make seat reservations for free at the JR stations.
• You can check train schedules on hyperdia.com.

Other Useful Tips

• Cost saving tips
  • There are many great bakeries and Japanese snacks around Japan that are reasonably priced.  You can find some of them at the basement level of shopping malls or at train stations.
  • There are many souvenir shops at Narita Airport selling Japanese snacks in nicely-wrapped boxes.  You can save on taxes when buying them from the airport.

• Getting connected
  • You may wish to consider getting a sim card to be used during your Japan trip, but you need to use it on a handset that supports 3G.
  • Rental of Wifi devices are also available at the airport. You can book it online at Voyagin.com.

• Communications
  • It is useful to install an English-Japanese language translator on your mobile phone for communication with a local who might not be well-versed in English.

•  Electronic Products
  • If you have to bring electronic products like kettles or irons, get the travel ones that can be adjusted to 100V.  Those that are fixed at 230V will not work properly in Japan.

• Halal Food
  • Last but not least, muslim travellers can find a number of halal food or muslim-friendly restaurants around Japan.  Read more about Must-try Halal food in Tokyo, Must-try Halal food in Kyoto and Must-try Halal food in Osaka.
  • In Nagoya, Taxim restaurant, near where we stayed (Hotel MyStays Nagoya), serves halal Turkish and Italian cuisine.
  • Our accommodation in Hakuba, Hakuba Sun Valley, also serves muslim-friendly breakfast and dinner with advance request.
  • At Jigokudani Snow Monkey, the ramen at Enza Cafe uses halal chicken.  Other halal food around Nagano area are listed in the Nagano Muslim Guide.

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