Japan during early February

[victorng]

Hi all,

I am thinking to do a solo trip to Japan during early February right after the Chinese New Year. It may not be the best season to go, but I am tempted to get some winter landscape of Japan and hence, it seems to be a right time to go.

My plan now is to visit 1 or 2 places for about a week time and will depend heavily on public transport instead of renting a car. Any advice on which place is the best for winter landscape there in Japan? This is my first time to Japan but I will skip Tokyo first for this time as I prefer a quieter place.

For now, my to-shoot-list is the Shirakawa-go houses and also the winter monkey.

Hope to hear some suggestion especially from those who have visited Japan during the winter month.

Thankss

 

[shierwin]

Where will you be landing in Japan?

 

[victorng]

Where will you be landing in Japan?

i haven't got my ticket yet as i am still at my very early stage of planning now

 

[RT9]

Which part of Japan winter monkey?

 

[shierwin]

Which part of Japan winter monkey?

http://www.yudanaka-shibuonsen.com/

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6027.html

If you only intend to visit a couple of locations over a 2 week period, a Japan Rail Pass will be an expensive option.

 

[jojoc]

If its not yet too late, here is a suggestion:

http://www.nagomivisit.com/osaka

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2265.html

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6028.html

A solo trip is very doable. People in Japan are very friendly. Just load-up a Japanese-English translator app on your smartphone and you're good to go.

Tip: You can actually live on prepared food in their convenience stores. Its tasty, filling and cheap. Good convenience stores include Family Mart and Lawson. There are also small budget restaurants which are not too expensive like Yoshinoya. Don't forget to taste their curry rice in their curry shops. Its a 180-degree different from Laksa.

 

[Redsun]

Do take note that it takes about 3 hours to get from gifu to Takayama (iirc) so i would suggest you stay in takayama if you want to go to shirakawa-go
Have fun!

 

[Eng Hoe]

Would like to go Shirakawago one day. If you plan to see the Winter Light Up, do take note of the schedule (http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5956.html, I believed the dates are supposed to be 2017 instead of 2016 as stated). There are only 2 dates in early Feb for the light up.