Japan for 12 days over December
 

Hi everyone!

I would greatly appreciate some feedback on this itinerary. This is our (2 adults) second trip to Japan and we are mainly interested in going to places that we haven't been before. Last time we went to the main attractions including Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Nara and Koya San. We are also keen to visit an onsen town due to the colder weather. We are interested in Japanese cuisine and visiting temples/gardens.

Day 1-3: Tokyo (we love this city and is the one place we could like to see more of!)
Day 4-5: Travel to Nagoya and overnight
Day 6-7: Travel to Takayama and overnight
Day 8-9: Travel to Kanazawa and overnight
Day 10-11: Travel to Nagano and overnight
Day 12: Travel back to Tokyo and fly out the next day

All suggestions are welcome! I am concerned that we might have packed a little too much in but Kanazawa and Nagano are probably higher priority. Should we cut out Nagoya or Takayama??

Thank you :)

You might want to consider giving Takayama and Kanazawa each a bit more time. I gave each only 1.5 days and really wish I'd given each of them more time, especially Kanazawa. YMMV.

When in December? Why is Nagoya on your itinerary? Nagano?

You are traveling every other day starting on day 4 and will have one full day in each of those 4 locations. What is it that you want to do there? It is a do-able itinerary but not a plan.

i'd skip Nagoya. And unless you have something specific in Nagano, I'd give it a pass in December as well.

Thanks everyone and sorry for the late reply! Based on the advice I will give Nagoya a miss. Would people have any thoughts about visiting Kobe? Apart from its famous beef, are there any other attractions?

Thanks

I skipped Kobe, but here's some information:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2159.html

BTW, japan-guide is an EXCELLENT source of information on Japan -- IMO, it is the best place to start with any question about traveling there.