Itinerary
Snow Monkeys & Steaming Springs: A Winter Arc from Nagano to Beppu
10 days · 24 stops · ¥160,000–¥280,000
Sun, Dec 6 – Tue, Dec 15
A solo winter journey from Tokyo up to the snowy mountains of Nagano to meet the famous snow monkeys, then down to Kyushu's steamy Beppu for a volcanic onsen immersion, returning to Tokyo for one last luminous night.
Days
Maarten Heerlien / CC BY 2.0
Ameyoko Market
Tokyo
Schedule
Day 01 of 10🛬
Arrive 9:00 · first activity from 11:30
2.5h customs + airport transit buffer
Land at HND · Sun, Dec 6 · from JFK · 1 traveler
Renting a car? Check the license rules
Some licenses (FR/DE/CH/BE/TW) need a JAF translation, not an IDP — 5-min guide.
Stay
Tokyo · 2 nights
Sun, Dec 6 → Tue, Dec 8 · 1 guest
11:30
EXPLORE
アメ横
Stay ~1h 15m
Okachimachi Station
A lively market street under the Yamanote line tracks in Ueno — perfect for a first wandering lunch. Try the fresh seafood skewers or a bowl of standing soba.
~14 min by taxi (or metro)
12:59
EXPLORE
谷中銀座商店街
Stay ~1h 30m
Nippori Station
A quieter, old-Tokyo shopping street where cats outnumber cars. Wander the lane of traditional shops and bakeries, then duck into the cemetery of Tennoji Temple.
~26 min by train
17:00
EXPLORE
Event六本木ヒルズイルミネーション
Stay ~1h 15m
The 400-metre Keyakizaka street lined with 1.2 million blue and white LEDs — one of Tokyo's most iconic winter light displays, running through December 25. Free to walk.
~18 min by taxi (or metro)
18:33
EXPLORE
皇居東御苑
Stay ~1h 30m
Otemachi Sta.
The East Gardens occupy the former inner citadel of Edo Castle, and are the only part of the Imperial Palace grounds open to the public without a booking.
~0 min on foot
20:03
EXPLORE
東御苑
Stay ~1h 30m
Otemachi Sta.
Higashi-Gyoen, the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace, offers a serene escape in the heart of Tokyo.
Getting around, region by region
Your route mixes city and countryside — here's the best mode for each leg.
Tokyo central · Days 1–2
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Beppu & Yufuin · Days 3–5
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Tokyo central → Yokohama & Kamakura · Days 6–10
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Getting around
🌊
Enoshima–Kamakura Free Pass
Round-trip from Shinjuku + unlimited Enoden along the coast — ¥1,640 / 1 day.
View Enoshima–Kamakura Free Pass →🚄
JR Kyushu Rail Pass — Northern Kyushu (5-Day)
Close call — your rail estimates to ~¥49,620 vs ¥50,000 for the JR Pass (7-day). Rule of thumb: a 7-day JR Pass usually pays off only with 2+ long shinkansen round-trips (e.g. Tokyo→Kyoto→Hiroshima). Check the official fares for your routes.
Check official coverage →🚗
Rental car recommended
Several stops on this route are in rural areas with limited rail access. A rental car from the nearest city hub gives you the freedom to reach places no bus serves.
Browse rental cars on Klook →01 / 10
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥24,500–¥40,500 / person / day
¥245,000–¥405,000 total
💴 Carry ~¥6,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 23 travel legs, 9 hotel nights and 1 ticketed event. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
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Get Around
Shinkansen, regional rail passes, and city transit — sorted before you land.
Compare passes
Stay Hidden
Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
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Travel Light
Ship luggage ahead on the shinkansen route. Explore every day completely hands-free.
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Travel Safe
Insurance that actually covers adventurous travel — hiking, onsen, ski slopes.
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