14 day winter trip

Hi Jasper,

To start with your last question first, you can just cover up a tattoo and then enter a public bath, this way you can avoid any remarks or disgruntled locals.

As for your itinerary, Its a good start but I'd love to know a little more what you'd like to see and do in Japan. For instance do you want to include winter sports, or cultural sightseeing, hiking, see the nightlife and so on. This would help me better find matching spots.

Nagano for instance will be great for winter-sport but I am not sure what else you could do there in winter, maybe a side trip to the Jigokudani, the snow money park.

At the same time, if you want a little warmer, consider heading south to Hiroshima and Fukuoka. Lot's of good stuff there too.

Hope this helps,
Daniel

Hi Daniel,

First of al thank you for your quick reply.

I would like to have a little mix of cultur, history and modern Japan. but I'm open for any suggestions. The snow monkey park is something I really want to do, and weather wise I don't mind the cold.

friends of mine went last year and did:

Tokyo
Takayama
Kanazawa
Kyoto
Himeji
Hiroshima
Nagoya
Tokyo

But they had 4 weeks to work with and I onley have two. Also I really want to see the monkey's.

So any help is welcome.

Jasper

Hi Jasper,

Sorry for the delay in response this time, was busy this weekend.

Okay, so the snow monkey park is a must go. That means you'll pass through Nagano for sure as well, while there I would recommend visiting Zenkoji temple, its the pinnacle of the city. From Nagano to Kyoto, I would take the route Nagano - Matsumoto - Nagoya - Kyoto. You could make a stop over at Matsumoto or even stay there a night. Its a nice place to visit and has a variety of things to see, do and eat. The train route is also scenic.

In Kyoto I recommend visiting Nishiki Market, Kurama/Kibune, Fushimi Inari, Kyomizu Dera and Arashiyama. They are located all over Kyoto but I think they are the highlights that are most unique and worth visiting.

In Osaka I would include Shinsekai, Namba, Shinsai Bashi, Dotonbori, Umeda Sky building and possibly the aquarium.

In Hiroshima, include the peace park and museum but be sure to make a side trip to Miyajima as well.

Hope this helps,
Daniel