Traveling to Japan in January - Opinions?

Hello,

I was just wondering...Is it good or bad to travel to Japan from mid
to late January? I'd like to travel to Japan during that timeframe in
2004, but I've been hearing things like how Japan will be shut down
because of holidays, or there's a good possibility of snow. Can
anyone who's traveled to Japan during this timeframe give me a
definitive answer? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

-James

ranma79 wrote:
Hello,

I was just wondering...Is it good or bad to travel to Japan from mid
to late January? I'd like to travel to Japan during that timeframe in
2004, but I've been hearing things like how Japan will be shut down
because of holidays, or there's a good possibility of snow. Can
anyone who's traveled to Japan during this timeframe give me a
definitive answer? I'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

I'd say the snow question depends on where you're going. And I agree
with Thomas that January's not the best time to go. The main tourist
areas (such as Kyoto) are still going to have some attraction, and if
you happen to get a snowfall in such a place you'll find they're very
beautiful. But otherwise it's probably not going to be the most
pleasurable experience.

Having said that, you will probably not have a big problem with crowds
except possibly in the major onsen towns. Perhaps the best thing about
travel at that time of year is sitting in a nice rotenburo (outside hot
bath); some locations (Nagano, for example) will have baths surrounded
by snow, which is an interesting experience. Also, you can probably get
some very, very cheap plane fares and hotels should be fairly cheap as well.

John W.