MY IDEAL JAPANESE WINTER VACATION

MY IDEAL JAPANESE WINTER VACATION - This is my… I lost track how many times I try to go to Japan for a free vacation lol but let's try again. Then one question came to my inbox, it was like “What’s your Ideal Japanese Winter Vacation?”

When I heard a word Japan, there are 10 things that came to my mind

• 1.    Cool simple design & crazy fashion
• 2.    Great transportation
• 3.    Ramen & Sushi
• 4.    Hot Spring and traditional natural Onsen
• 5.    Snow & Mount Fuji
• 6.    Great palace & temple
• 7.    Zen Garden
• 8.    Everything in Kyoto
• 9.    Everything in Tokyo
• 10 Comme des Garcons … I can buy everything from Rei Kawakubo's creations

But I wonder what if you add word winter season on it. It’s going to be tricky because maybe there are some places that covered by snow at winter… yes it’s mean that you going to be Playing with snow, eat a delicious extra hot & spicy ramen, visiting Palace & temple, ride the great shinkansen, practice traditional way of tea drinking, enjoy yourself soaking at Onsen (natural hot spring), see the legendary snow monkey, shopping in Tokyo and etc. Is it even possible with only a couple days?

Let’s we just says that this is 5 days 3 nights itinerary

Once time you arrived at Narita or Haneda; I will go to Gala Yuzawa, Niigata at Joshinetsu Region
All you need to do is take the Narita Express to Tokyo station. This will whisk you there in only 53 minutes, or 30 minutes by the Tokyo Monorail from Haneda Station. At Tokyo station, follow signs for the Joetsu Shinkansen [Platforms 20-23] and take the train named Max-Tanigawa or Tanigawa.
Tokyo station to GALA Yuzawa station is very convenient and stress-free. *The fastest Joetsu Shinkansen will get you there in just 77 mins.* Yippie!!!

It’s all about playing snow, skiing, everything snow along with Tokamachi Snow Festival also in Niigata. For me, it’s going to be my first time and it could be all day long

Back to Tokyo and Go to Kawazu at Kamo District

I believe the night will be colder if it’s possible to stay near Gala Yuzawa, or back to Tokyo, look for Japanese style hot pot for dinner (let's say) at The Conrad Tokyo in the Shiodome area at its Japanese Restaurant, Kazahana, tam-tam ramen in Shibuya or Spicy Yuzu Ramen from Afuri in Ebisu (need extra hot and spicy because it's cold right?)  and stay for 1 night and the next morning ready to go to… Kawazu... Kawazu is a town located on the east coast of Izu Peninsula in Kamo District, Shizuoka Prefecture, Japan.

Japanese Style Hot Pot

Tokyo to Kawazu by Train
Tokyo Station (Odoriko or Super View Odoriko) - Kawazu Station approx. 2hrs 35min
Tokyo Station (bullet train Kodama: approx. 55min) - Atami Station (Ito line / Izu kyuko line: approx. 1hr 20min) - Kawazu Station approx. 2hrs 15min

For the late winter or early spring, this is the place for Onsen or Hot Spring. There are seven characteristic hot spring baths in the Kawazu area. (Imaihama Onsen, Kawazuhama Seaside Onsen, Yatsu onsen, Mine Onsen, Yugano Onsen, Odaru Onsen, Nanadaru Onsen.) Even in Japan, it is rare to have 7 hot spring baths in one area, and the fact that each hot spring bath in the area has its own characteristic makes this a popular hot spring spot even in Japan. We have hot spring baths with sea views and also hot spring baths with mountain views. Also, will explore and haunting everything about cherry blossoms and Wasabi Tororo Soba at Kadoya near to Amagisou.

Otaru Onsen

Wasabi Tororo Soba at Kadoya near to Amagisou

Back to Tokyo and enjoy the short trip back and forth

Mount Fuji is definitely a timeless destination for everyone when visiting Japan. "At 3,776 meters, Mt. Fuji is the highest peak in Japan. Perpetually covered by snow, its beautiful form has captivated people since ancient times and is revered and loved as a symbol of Japan. Among the works of notable Japanese ukiyo-e painter, Katsushika Hokusai is the series "Thirty-six Views of Mount Fuji," which capture the beautiful shape of the mountain, a symbol of Japan loved by people of all ages.

With the goal of reaching the highest point in Japan, many visits in summer to climb Mt. Fuji. During the mountain-climbing season from July 1 to the beginning of September, the slopes bustle with people from around Japan and around the world.

Around the base of Mt. Fuji are five lakes. One, in particular, Lake Kawaguchi, provides many excellent viewpoints for gazing at the mountain. In 2013, Mt. Fuji was inscribed on the World Heritage List. Enjoy the beautiful scenery that Mt. Fuji provides. It's not that far away."

I can not decide whether is enough time to visit everything in Japan in limited time, but of course, I also think about Jigokudani Monkey Park, Shirakawa-go Farm Village and another Onsen like HAKONE HOT SPRING... I think I need an extra time;p

Jigokudani Monkey Park

Jigokudani Monkey Park (地獄谷野猿公苑 Jigokudani Yaen Kōen) is in Yamanouchi, Shimotakai District, Nagano Prefecture, Japan at 36°43′58″N 138°27′46″E. It is part of the Joshinetsu Kogen National Park (locally known as Shigakogen) and is located in the valley of the Yokoyu-River, in the northern part of the prefecture.

Shirakawa-go Village in Winter

Shirakawa (白川村 Shirakawa-mura^?) is a village located in Ōno District, Gifu Prefecture, Japan. It is best known for being the site of Shirakawa-gō, a small, traditional village showcasing a building style known as gasshō-zukuri. The village is located near Takayama, in Gifu. Together with Gokayama in Nanto, Toyama, it is one of UNESCO's World Heritage Sites.

I mean so many to explore, even in winter Japan amaze me with its natural beauty and yes you can check all you bucket list during your trip in Japan, for winter you can choose which can fit your schedule and Interest. I really can't imagine because I want to visit them all, I can't even explain here because I am "write-less" seeing Japan only from pictures, I wish I can visit Japan and I would love to share my experiences; from Ski at Gala Yuzawa, all those Festival in Aomori Prefecture, and Onsen Onsen Onsen will never enough because I am Pisces;p.. But all things possible with JR East 5 Days 3 Nights (1 Night Gala Yuzawa, 1 Night Kuzawa, 1 Night Tokyo :) #DeluxshionistGoToJapan

Gala Yuzawa

Gala Yuzawa merupakan salah satu tempat yang direkomendasikan bagi para turis yang ingin merasakan kegembiraan liburan musim dingin di Jepang. Ski resort ini hanya berjarak 77 menit dengan shinkansen dari stasiun Tokyo. Mencapai “snowy wonderland” ini tidak perlu mengganti kereta karena dengan shinkansen bisa langsung tiba di Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort. Jadikanlah Gala Yuzawa sebagai salah satu tujuan wisata kamu apabila berlibur ke Jepang.

Untuk informasi lebih lengkap dapat mengunjungi:

Website resmi:            http://www.jp-rail-id.com/products/gala-yuzawa/

Facebook page:           https://www.facebook.com/id.jprail

Images via JR East, Kathleen-Ng, Japan Times, Peak Experience Japan, Wikipedia