I am going to travel to japan for the first time in mid January to 3rd of February (17 days). I will be landing in Tokyo and will stay there for 5 days (4 nights). After that I will travel with the Shinkansen to Kyoto. After that I will go to Osaka and then Nara. At the end I will go back to Tokyo. I think this is a good route for first time visiting Japan and because it’s the end of January, I think there’s not much tourism like in the holiday season. Otherwise I thought of going to the north (since it’s Winter), but I think for the first time this could be a bit overwhelming to go straight to the countryside
Some things are nice, especially fish during this season. Otherwise there is endless cleaning, writing and sending New Year cards, liver-destroying end-of-year parties and kerosene heaters spewing out poisonous gases. Kōhaku Uta Gassen used to fun but I don't watch anymore ...
@@towada1066 Oh, note that I’d much rather destroy my liver at a Bonenkai than sit through Kohaku Uta Gassen. That show is so bad it gives me heartburn just thinking of all the off-key boy bands and high-pitch shrieking girls bands…I NEED to be drunk to watch that crap.
@@dyinggaul8365 hmmm,... also, I miss doing Joya-no-Kane ceremony and hearing the town elders marching through the streets warning people to not smoke in bed and leave the kerosene heater untended ...
We're headed to the Sapporo Snow Festival this winter. Super excited! ❄I'd like to add an onsen to our itinerary. That sounds like a nice contrast to the cold.🌺Heidi
Hii Heidi, i'm Ur subscriber.. I'll visit Sapporo this Feb 9th-11th but the hotel superb expensive. Can U spill the cheapest/budget hostel in Sapporo pls? Thanx alot 🙏🙏
Man.. I saw some Tokyo vlogs from last winter when it was SNOWING in Tokyo! I will be in Tokyo this January for a few weeks and am hoping to catch some snow in Tokyo even though it is very rare.
Thank you for sharing your excitement! I'm glad you enjoyed my Tokyo vlogs and I hope you have an amazing time in Tokyo this January. Wishing you all the best for catching that rare snowfall!
Hello, I will be travelling Japan for 55 days from December 23 to February 24, and I wanted to ask if you prefer the travel sim or pocket wifi ? Keep up the great content :)
Depends on what you want to do, if its simple navigating and uploading to social media there isnt much difference. If you are travelling as a family or a group a pocket wifi will allow sharing and therefore cheaper between a group. A e-sim /sim is good for individuals! use my link to help the channel out :) www.sakuramobile.jp/ninjamonkeyguy-top
Another awesome video! I was lucky enough to be there in 2019 when Tokyo had a freak snow storm in March. When we reach Hakone there was snow everywhere. It was so magical, but very cold for this tropical girl ❤
hmmm,... the worst is being in a " traditional " Japanese house ... in Winter it is a freezer ... waking up from under a kake-futon and seeing your own breath. And then lighting the kerosene heater (which spews out toxic gas) ... the only good thing are the Winter seafoods, they are the most yummy this season (... actually, there are fewer insect in Winter so that's good too!) ...
Thank you for the great info. We are going in mid March to see snow in Yuzawa, Niigata. Being from Hawaii we don’t think about seasons or weather clothing. It’s always TShirt and shorts. Keep up the great work Aloha. Also glad you are practicing more Japanese.
I'll be in Japan for New Years through mid January. I visited for the first time last April. I'll probably be spending half of my time at Hard and Book Offs looking for video games again. But I also wanna do some tourist things as well. I'm from Wisconsin in the USA, so I'm never cold lol.
Well, Winter in Japan. Cold is dependant on where you're from and what you're use to. There are a few things in this list that I definitely would want to experience. A couple of the new attractions like Toyosu Senkyaku Banrai and Immersive Fort Tokyo will be me on my list for certain. As always you got great suggestions. Even @towada 1066 had some interesting solutions that aren't on the regular tourist lists. Is it too early to be a Christmas Miracle, ya probably. I can't say I was inspired by Japan, but I have had KFC for Christmas dinner, but I just called it too lazy to cook and happened to be near a center that had KFC store.
KFC for Christmas anywhere sounds great! Yes you are right it is dependent on where you are from for me anything under 15c is cold haha .. towards always highlights some interesting things right?!
For Christmas there are also performances of 「第九」... Beethoven's 9th Symphony. It is over 100 year tradition in Japan. I'm going to a performance at Suntory Hall next month... ww! I don't expect to see any foreign tourists ! (^_^)
I’m planning to visit Japan for my third time sometime between January to March of 2025. I previously went in October 2022 and 2023. I liked that the weather was a little cooler. But I’d really like to experience the snow there. So far I’m thinking about Tokyo, Kanazawa, Niigata, and finally Kyoto (cause I didn’t really go last month). Trying to not go too far since the JR Rail Pass is overpriced now. Keep up the great videos my friend!
Hey Kanazawa is great! did you check out my two videos featuring Kanazawa? .. also the Hikuriku arch pass might be more affordable regional pass to get you to most of those places!
hmmm,... so many important Winter things missing here,... for light display, the Kobe Luminarie is beyond compare (although it's actually a death memorial for the victims of the Hanshin Earthquake). Matsubagani and buri are in season now but they live in the Sea of Japan so the freshest will be in the Tottori and Hyogo Prefectures I think. For New Year there is osechi-ryori (it is extremely traditional but I don't like it so much) and on New Years Eve there is toshi-koshi soba (it is really good). This year I have to be in Tokyo and Osaka, but otherwise I would visit Yuzawa in Niigata Prefecture again. I really like the Kawabata Yasunari novel Snow Country so Yuzawa-machi is especially important to me (and skiing is really good).
@@NinjaMonkeyguy After the New Year there is also Hatsumode (first temple or shrine visit),... but if you are not Buddhist or Shinto I think it is utterly silly and meaningless ...
@@towada1066 Towada-san, I am visiting Tokyo with my wife for Christmas and New Year. What would you recommend we do for Christmas day and New Year's Eve? Thank you in advance 🙏
@@brittanyburnturner1631 hmmm,... since we are strangers it's difficult to give advice. However, I guess I can share my plans or places I like,... Christmas is kind of a romantic holiday so I think if you go to the restaurant floor of Mitsukoshi department store in Ginza you can find someplace yummy to eat together. There is also Ladurée Tokyo Ginza in the store for French macarons and tea. If this is too expensive, I really like Ginza Kimuraya across the street. Um, also next to Mitsukoshi is Ginza Motoki; I go here to buy my shirts and they always have something on sale. Meiji Shrine will be open and even though it is full of tourists I really like it (Yasukuni Shrine and nearby museum are important too I think). If you want to explore and see lots of mom-and-pop shops, Yanaka Ginza is really nice. When film directors want to show " real Tokyo " they use this neighborhood. I think for your New Year Eve,... maybe it will be fun to eat something VERY traditional,... Toshi Koshi Soba. I'm sorry, we always make at home but I'm sure any soba shop will make it for you. I've only read about this but the New Year's Eve countdown at Yokohama Hakkeijima Sea Paradise seems fun. Also, in Yokohama is the Yokohama Foreign General Cemetery. It was created by the Bakufu government in 1859 for foreigners in Japan and looks really interesting! I want to visit !
I'm glad you found the winter update helpful! Have an amazing trip to Hong Kong in December! Hope to catch you for a little longer than 2 minutes next time soon!
I tried to go to Kanazawa on New Year's Day last year using the JR East Tohoku pass. I had never had any trouble booking a seat same day before, willing to accept that I might have to wait for an evening train, but all seats on all trains were booked. Travel tip, if anyone is planning to go to Kanazawa by shinkansen on/around New Year's Day, don't try to book same day tickets. Of course with travel restrictions lifted, it will be different this year than last year, and I only have last year to draw on for reference. I decided to go north that day instead. No problems getting to Shin Aomori Station. It was not crowded. Then I went to Akita Station, and it was a little crowded. Note also: Akita Shinkansen (from Morioka) doesn't use a special track, they use the normal tracks, so there were constant delays on this trip. I couldn't understand the announcements at that time, so I found this very frustrating. I couldn't tell if the delays were due to the heavy snowfall, high winds, or local trains and congestion. I'll probably never know. Pro tip: The Komachi, red train, often runs between Tokyo and Morioka, almost always attached to a green train. The Hyabusa/Yamabiko, green train, has a wider wheel base, and can't run on the local lines, but the Komachi was built to accommodate both the local train lines and the Tohoku Shinkansen elevated track. The Komachi will always be the higher numbered cars. So, the Komachi has a slightly narrower cabin in which they could not fit the standard 2+3 seats. So the Komachi uses a 2+2 configuration and the seats are wider. If you're booking a seat/using the Tohoku Pass, I always recommend booking in the Komachi section if possible and if it's an option, because it's more comfortable. Like I said, the seats are wider (but I think they might be older/from some older model train, because they do look older).
We are heading to Japan from Australia and will be in Tokyo on New Years Eve. Any tips or recommendations for celebrating the new year? I understand it is often quiet as everyone goes away to the countryside for holidays.
Yes! I think new years you'd need to really really plan new years even and new years day very carefully and perhaps book a restaurant at a hotel etc. My recommendation is to do NYE the Japanese way, head to a temple/shrine about 45-60 min before midnight and you can experience a different kind of NYE . I'd prob plan a nice early dinner/drinks before and then do that and maybe be a little more adventurous and follow up with more drinks but you'll need to find out where is open and available: Check out this video from my experience! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-OrPILqGbFuY.htmlsi=3xv8PHsBtfjTDnVL (on my second channel!)
Hi! We are planning to visit Hakuba in the last week of January next year. Can you please recommend an affordable Ryokan place, and what's the best ski resort for beginners? Thank you.
Hi, I cannot specifically recommend an affordable Ryokan however the tools in this video are transferrable: ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-LUfFIvZ2U1o.html
Near Tokyo, places like Nagano, potentially places like Tochigi and even Gunma are 'not too far' thanks to the amazing public transport! Here's a vlog from my second channel that you might like! ru-vid.com/video/%D0%B2%D0%B8%D0%B4%D0%B5%D0%BE-YQQHysmiC_g.htmlsi=9Fz77XXifUmwT_7E
How long do you all normally spend in an onsen? I enjoyed them, but after like 15 - 20 minutes I was ready to get out. They were amazing when your muscles are sore 🤤
Ah, the onsen struggle! It's like a battle between relaxation and overheating. 15-20 minutes sounds about right though. Just enough time to soak up the benefits without turning into a prune! I tend to get in and out of an onsen and might spend up to an hour going in and out! Sometimes going in the morning and then in the evening :)
in Tokyo i had a 'light' puffy jacket during the day and layered it up with that. however during the night i switched to a bigger puffy one (which i bought whilst i was there from Uniqulo)
Hey all. Going to Japan with a friend and we plan on staying around end of Jan or early February for about 9 days (1 day for traveling). Atm Were thinking of landing in Tokyo and visiting Hokkaido first for a couple days and then finishing our trip in Tokyo. Would that be the most efficient way to spend the week during that time frame or should we rearrange the route and/or add in another city? Also maybe worth noting we would be returning sometime next year to experience a different season the southern half of Japan with a larger friend group.
There really isn’t a bad way to visit, however in your case i would be tempted to try to get to Hokkaido first via domestic flight and leave Tokyo for the end. I booked my flight all the way straight to hookaido from my country and then worked my way back to Tokyo on one trip and it worked well.. starting and ending in Tokyo with a Hokkaido trip in the middle might waste a lot of time
hmmm,... I love Hokkaido for all the Russian culture and Meiji Era style. Hakodate is my most cherished city instead of ugly Tokyo. The seafood here is the best. Noboribetsu is really nice for hot spring water but I'm always worried because Hokkaido is so infested with bears and I worry when hiking. People here eat bear meat but I haven't tried it. For another city,... this is utter tourist place but, very historical and beautiful ... Kamakura ... if I ever win the lottery I will buy a place in Zushi !!!
I will be traveling in japan through the new years holiday. Would you know what will be open on the 1st of January? Also will tsukiji outer market open on the 2nd? Love the channel. Thank you.
Thats an interesting question, Im actually not too sure, regarding things open on the 1st its prob the day where most things close especially tourist sites. I'd take the day and explore areas and places that dont require tickets.. Tsujiki outer market might be more limited in stalls betwen 31 December to 3 January is my guess
@@NinjaMonkeyguy that's what I was worried about. We fly out on the 3rd. Hoping to be somewhat productive on the 2nd and 3rd before heading out. Any idea if nakano broadway will be open on the 2nd?
When it comes to these questions things do close down but not everything closes down, there it can be a mixed bag.. You need to approach your trip slightly differently so that you are not disappointed or waste time. My suggestion is you go with the mindset that you might need to find alternatives during that specific period and if you are staying at a hotel you can ask the receptionist which will be able to assist. Usually bigger shopping malls and central areas are mostly open, especially chain stores and restaurants. Apart from the 1st which is def much quieter, But then again even on the 1st I managed to go up on a ropeway! so its not like everything is shut, there might also be reduced times!
I just booked a business trip to Tokyo on the first week of February. It's going to be my 3rd time in Japan (first time for work) but first time in a cold month. I was wondering if at night open izakayas in omodie yokocho are still open or if it's really cold to sit outside. Is there anything in particular you would recommend beginning of February in Tokyo? It will be just me and a friend.
Ah, the dilemma of wanting to enjoy the open izakayas in Omodie Yokocho but not freeze in the cold! It's a tough one. many locations have outside heating if the weather is right. It will likely be coldest in the late afternoon / night and you'll prob need a warmer / bigger jacket. The great thing about big cities in Japan is you'll be able to find anything you need from heated pads to thermals! And while you're there in February, don't forget to try some delicious hot sake to warm you up!
@@NinjaMonkeyguy thanks for your suggestion! I definitely wanna try amazake. I’ll be going with a good friend so I’m sure alcohol at night and some kairos will keep us warm!
as we approach December it will get colder, best bet is look at the forcast one week in advance and also checking out other streamers live streams gives you an idea of what to wear!
With so many onsen its difficult to keep track of which are and which are not, dont for get Kinosaki onsen is an area with many onsen bath houses so you'd need to check individual ones
I got the advice to avoid eating raw food in winter since your body immune system is a weaker with the cold weather and you don't want to spend some of your days in Japan with belly cramps and having to go the bathroom often right?
Oh, I've heard about that too! It's a good idea to be mindful of what you eat during the winter, especially when you're traveling. Don't want to ruin your trip by spending all your time in the bathroom, right? Thanks for the reminder!
Thanks! Can you please also make a video for VEGETARIAN tourists? Like the best places to get vegetarian food, famous japanese vegetarian dishes, and how to ask someone in Japan for a vegetarian food (without meat, fish and eggs). This will be very helpful, as I am vegetarian and it was very difficult to find Veg food in Japan. Thanks👍
