Winter in Tokyo: for a family vacation?
January 11th, 2012
“Konichiwa!”
Greetings,
We’re citizens of Dubai, United Arab Emirates and here holidays are longer in January and in the summer. So, that’s when we get the chance to travel.
As I read, Japan is best at spring, but for spring all I have is like 9 nights. I thought since I’m going all the way to Japan on a 9-hour flight, I should stay quite more, maybe around 20 days around the Tokyo Region. And I also heard that Japan is hot & humid in the summer, and that’s exactly what we don’t want coming from one of the hottest countries in the world!
So, basically, around January 6 till the 26th, is the weather acceptable?
We’ll be around 6 adults, 3 children, and 1 toddler.
We like to move around a lot; from downtown shopping to mountains and landscapes!
* Any relevant suggestions about places to go to will be great.
“Arigato” in advance! 
Sara
Categories: Uncategorized | Tags: Family Vacation, Holidays, United Arab Emirates
Ryine
Yes, it’s OK in the winter. Snow is possible, but it usually melts quickly in Tokyo. I guess the usual spots would be good, Asakusa, Shibuya, Kamakura, etc. I would also suggest Nikko, because it’s really spectacular when it’s snowy. With your large group you might want to go to a place like Karuizawa and rent a villa for a few nights. In Karuizawa you can have good shopping and dining, and mountains at the same time.
James
Check this blog for a Japan trip.
Paula
As described above, the climate in Japan in January is quite Winter.
You need to wear overcoat and muffler if you **** cold outside. Otherwise prepare heavy undershirts for adjustment enough particularly for children. The tour detail must be consulted with Japanese travel agency in Dubai. There are many agents like Nettours,
Because of small ages hard schedule is not for happy experience. You’d better to take enough time to move to and fro. you need big room for Japanese Ryokan style hotel for one group or split rooms for western style hotel so that early reservation for good room must be recommended.
Osaka, local food, witty and thrift street shopping, Universal studio. Try public transportation for feeling safe and convenient Japanese traffic there.
Kyoto, classic culture of Japan but somehow boredom for young might be. famous spot but expensive. Rent a reserved van-taxi for group moving for sightseeing rationally.
Shinkansen takes you within comfort 2hours to Tokyo. Before getting there, enjoy scenic view of Mt. Fuji on left side. You can ask JR ticket counter clerk to have the window side for reserved seats.
Tokyo, modern essential of Japan and so many people and things. It may be surprised. Disney resort welcome on you. Akihabara electric city is must to visit. If you are interested in Japanese culture, museums are helpful indeed. I think mid-January, O-zumoh, professional smo wrestling tournament, it will be held at Kokugikan stadium in Tokyo too.
Harajuku is female teenager’s Paradise. Odaiba venus fort is handy shopping mall. There are many department stores for high quality products too in Tokyo there.
Japanese food is awesome even for muslim. You may enjoy variety of Japanese non-alcholic beverages sold at vending machine a lot even outside is so cold because inside is pretty warm all over there.
As it is Winter time, I think climbing big mountain is not easy for family group or rather dangerous. Takao-san picnicking might be fine though.
I don’t know if your culture allow you to take spa but Hakone hot spa is popular even for foreigners. It runs even in Winter because of indoors.
If you are devout muslim, there is seldom mosk in Japan instead of Christian church so that you’d better study where exists your religious repose where you will be before going.