Itinerary
Winter Wonders: From Tokyo's Lights to Beppu's Steam
10 days · 25 stops · ¥200,000–¥400,000 · 1 view
Explore the festive winter illuminations of Tokyo, soak in the hot springs of Beppu, and witness the playful snow monkeys of Nagano.
Days
掬茶 / CC BY-SA 4.0
Marunouchi Christmas Illumination
Tokyo
Schedule
Day 01 of 10🛬
Arrive 15:00 · first activity from 17:30
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 · 4 nights
Sun, Dec 6 → Thu, Dec 10 · 1 guest
17:30
EXPLORE
Event丸の内クリスマスイルミネーション
Stay ~1h 30m
Experience the stunning champagne-gold illuminations along Naka-dori boulevard. It's the perfect introduction to Tokyo's winter charm, with nearby Michelin-starred restaurants for a delightful dinner.
~18 min by taxi (or metro)
19:00
EXPLORE
Event六本木ヒルズイルミネーション
Stay ~1h
Enjoy the vibrant lights of Roppongi Hills, a seasonal favorite for both locals and visitors. Don't miss the panoramic views of the city from the nearby Tokyo City View.
Getting around, region by region
Your route mixes city and countryside — here's the best mode for each leg.
Tokyo central · Days 1–4
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Beppu & Yufuin · Days 5–7
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Nagano & Matsumoto · Day 8
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Snow Monkeys & Nozawa · Day 9
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Tokyo central · Day 10
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Rental 1: Beppu & Yufuin · Days 5–7
Rental 2: Snow Monkeys & Nozawa · Day 9
Separate rentals — you fly (or ferry) between these regions, so return each car before you leave it.
Browse rental cars on Klook →Getting around
🚄
JR Whole Japan Rail Pass
Close call — your rail estimates to ~¥45,351 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
¥22,500–¥38,000 / person / day
¥225,000–¥380,000 total
💴 Carry ~¥6,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 24 travel legs, 9 hotel nights and 3 ticketed events. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
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