My Ideal Winter Holiday in Japan

I've been in love with Japan for many years. I guess all the manga that I read had contributed for it. I always imagine how beautiful is it when the flower blooms in Spring or how fun it is to play around in Winter.

As for someone who grew in a tropical country, I wonder how does snow feel and looks like. I used to have an imagination that winter season sounds very magical. There are so many fairy tale and beautiful Christmas story happened in winter.

So, if I were asked about my dream holiday, I could never think any but spending winter in Japan. There are way too much things in my wishlist and I don't think I will do it all at once, but here are several things that stand on my top list.

1. ONSEN (Hot Springs)

Onsen is the first thing that come into my mind especially in Winter. Imagine to have a warm bath with a beautiful view on cold Winter day. <3 Wearing yukata and enjoying the ryokan (Japanese traditional inn) dishes.

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Kusatsu Onsen

Located 200 kilometers north-northwest of Tokyo, Gunma Prefecture, Kusatsu Onsen is a small hot spring town nestled in the mountain that offers different natural surroundings in each season. Kusatsu is also one of the hotspring with largest flowing water volume in Japan.

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When I see the pictures of Kusatsu Onsen, I recall it has the similar settings with 'The Spirited Away' movie by Ghibli. Feels kinda magical and surreal yet beautiful. Not only known as onsen resort, Kusatsu Onsen also provides a wide varieties of sightseeing activity, culinary outlets, and souvenir shops. 

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And of course onsen tamago! Hehehehe I am such a big fan of egg especially half boiled egg. Since Japan have a wide variety of egg dished and the best quality of raw egg, I will eat as much as possible hehehe.

2.  SNOW FESTIVAL

 One of the event highlight in winter is Snow Festival! In Japan, several snow festivals are held in winter season with various snow structure, music, and performance.

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The most famous snow festival is held in Sapporo, Hokkaido. There are plenty of snow festival at another area such as Snow festival in Tokamachi, Niigata prefecture or Zao Snow festival in Yamagata prefecture.


3. JIGOKUDANI MONKEY PARK
Jigokudani Monkey Park is a preservation facilities with outdoor hot spring bath for monkeys. This park provides a facilities to observe the Japanese macaques(snow monkeys). In winter, the monkeys can be seen bathing in hot springs to protect them against the extreme cold weather. I think it is such a rare activity to do especially so better don't miss this chance :D

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4. VISITING TEMPLE / SHRINE
If I am fortunate enough to visit Japan around New Year, it is a perfect time to do hatsumode (first visit to a temple). Besides I want to fulfil my childhood dream to draw a fortune and write my wishes on the wooden board.

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Kyoto will be the perfect destination for visiting temple or shrine. Moreover, I would like to rent a kimono and stroll around like a real Japanese girl. Since it is winter, I guess it will be a perfect time to wear kimono since I won't sweating like hell. <3

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5. JAPANESE WINTER CULINARY
Finally come to my food list. I loves Japanese food so this is the chance to experience the authentic taste of Japanese food. Sushi, hot pot, and street food are considered as must-try in my list. Bear with it since this part is gonna be a bit long.

Many people who have been to Japan told me that Japanese food in Japan has a different quality lol. Perhaps it is about the top notch class of Japan? It is definitely thing that I should try.

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YOSENABE & ODEN
Yosenabe is a huge pot with various kind of ingredients cooked in miso or soy sauce flavourings. This kind of hotpot dish are a warming dish in a colder season such as winter and can be enjoyed by many people on a table. Oden is one of Japanese winter dish consist of various kind of ingredients stewed in a light broth. Both of them are heavenly warming food especially in winter ^.^ and I love most of dishes with broth so it is just a perfect time to enjoy these kind of dishes.

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SUSHI
The next thing that I would like to eat will be sushi. There are no relation between sushi and winter anyway but Pat and I are a big fan of sushi! Therefore eating sushi is a must <3 I also heard that Japan has a really strict standard for sushi so I'm really looking forward to that quality.

GENKI SUSHI (Kaitensushi)
I read in many manga about kaiten sushi and really excited to try. ^.^ Kaiten sushi is commonly known as conveyor belt sushi restaurant. You can pick any sushi that you'd like to eat from the rotating conveyor. The price varies and usually are quite affordable especially for a budget traveller. I might want to give it a try to experience the real kaitensushi in Japan. There are many of conveyor belt sushi in Indonesia but I might have a different experience and taste lol so it is still something important in my to do list.

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SUSHI DAI (Premium Sushi)

Since I claimed myself as someone who love sushi, I think I should give a try for a premium sushi quality. Talk about the premium over the premium standard in Japan huh? My choice will be Sushi Dai at the Tsukiji Market, which is extremely famous since they only use a top grade quality of fishes. 

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I would guess the sacrifice is worth the taste since people are willing to queue around 2-3 hours to enjoy the sushi. >) Could be a challenge for a joyful dish hahahaha. The restaurant only come up with several menu selection but the highlight is the omakase menu (Chef's selection).

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6. WINTER ILLUMINATION 
I think I will spare some of my time to shop around Tokyo hehehe. As I heard and read, Tokyo has various spots of fantastic tree illuminations which is usually held during Christmas season or Valentine's Days, i.e Roppongi Hills, Shinjuku, or Ginza.

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Wearing a thick clothes is pretty much impossible in a tropical country such as Indonesia. Therefore it is also a good chance to show off your winter outfit while strolling around the beautiful illumination, taking good pictures, and enjoy your time. 

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7. SNOW SPORTS

I know I should have a guts to do this but heyyy it is snow! It should be fun although I am no good at any sports. It is about the excitement and not the competition lol. Skiing and snowboarding will be a really fun activity to do.

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Even if I failed to do skiing or snowboarding, I could manage to slide instead. I'd prepared so many attempts to enjoy snow to the fullest no matter how.

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GALA YUZAWA

TENTANG GALA YUZAWA (ABOUT GALA YUZAWA)

Gala Yuzawa merupakan salah satu tempat yang direkomendasikan bagi para turis yang ingin merasakan kegembiraan liburan musim dingin di Jepang. Ski resort ini hanya berjarak 77 menit dengan shinkansen dari stasiun Tokyo. Mencapai “snowy wonderland” ini tidak perlu mengganti kereta karena dengan shinkansen bisa langsung tiba di Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort. Jadikanlah Gala Yuzawa sebagai salah satu tujuan wisata kamu apabila berlibur ke Jepang.

Gala Yuzawa is one of recommended place especially for people who want to experience the best of winter holiday in Japan. This ski resort can be reached in 77 minutes by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station. It is way more convinient to visit this place since we don't have to change trains since Shinkansen could bring us directly to Gala Yuzawa Ski Resort. You might want to consider to put Gala Yuzawa in one of your destination when you're having a holiday in Japan. 

Gala Yuzawa also provides many facilities such as Gala no Yu Spa, ski and snowboarding class, rental area and many more. I can tell it is suitable for any trip either you're going with your family, friends, or just want to have a fun adventure trip with your beloved one. 

Untuk informasi lebih lengkap dapat mengunjungi:

For more information, please kindly visit :

Official Website :      http://www.jp-rail-id.com/products/gala-yuzawa/

Facebook Page   :      https://www.facebook.com/id.jprail

ABOUT TOKYO RAIL DAYS
Tokyo Rail Days is a short trip by train departing from Tokyo. Train-using and activity plans at destination areas are included together in any products of the brand. Easily planned and cost efficiency in the same time. It is possible to make a reservation through travel agencies in Indonesia before coming to Japan. It is another brilliant solution for a new traveler especially in Japan, since it could be quite confusing for a first-timer to travel around Japan without any guidance.

ABOUT JR PASS

In Japan, it is very common to travel by public transportation, i.e. train or bus. Train or subway is usually used when our destination is quite far. However, there is an exquisite type of train in Japan called Shinkansen. I bet it is familiar with all of you guys. Shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines in Japan.

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JR PASS is one of pass released by the JR East Railway Company. Tickets or rail pass are sold based on regionals and value. Nowadays, they'd arranged a special pass for short travel trip so you can easily travel around the region without any worry. :) You can check on their site for the pass type and maps.  

EASY BUY. EASY TRY. EASY GO.

I believe that I will make it there one day and experience Japan to the most. What about you? Do you have any dream holiday?

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JR East (Tokyo Rail Days) Official Website

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