OK, an off-topic question for our friends who are familiar with Japan.

Suppose one was making a Christmas visit to Tokyo with a Thai boy who was anxious to see snow for the first time. Where would be the closest place and easiest to go from Tokyo for a good roll in the snow?

Thanks.

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A few years ago I went with a partner to an onsen (hot spring) in the mountains in Nikko called "Kani something " (Kani meaning crab, and there was a crab in their logo...).

The onsen tubs are exposed to the outdoors, but with an awning overhead, and facing up a snow covered forest slope that's brightly lit at night. There are parts of the tub that are divided into small sections just big enough for two, and private enough for two to get romantic. The view is awesome at night: cuddled up in hot steamy water, cold wind blowing snow around your head, slightly woozy from sake the view up the mountain slope is surreal!

Sorry I can't be more specific with how to get there. Nikko is not too far from Tokyo, and you can get there by train or tourist bus. Another mountain hot spring area somewhat near Tokyo is Hakone. Your hotel should be able to help you get reservations at an onsen and for the train/bus. My partner had booked the onsen online somehow, but I think it was a Japanese web site.

Oh, wait, I remember now that the name is something like "Kani Yuu" (the kanji for Yuu is the kanji for hot water)

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The BEST PLACE for very romantic WHITE ( guaranteed ) Chiristmas is
SAPPORO in HOKKAIDO .

Sapporo is the 5th biggest city ( population of 1.8 million ) in Japan . Well known as its lively night life and fresh , inexpensive delicious foods ( Yes ! seafood too ! ) and good hospitality .

There are about 50 flights from Tokyo Haneda airport a day !!!!
The most of all are B747 super jambos ( curry more than 500 passengers at once )
The average flight time is just about 1 hour and 15 minutes .

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I totally agree that Hokkaido is THE place to romp in the snow. It's such an easy trip from Tokyo. Get out into the countryside and enjoy it. The scenery is what postcards are made for.

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Thanks for all the advice.

I'm thinking we might take the bullet train up to Nagano. I'm guessing as a previous winter Olympics site that snow is pretty much a given. Also, it would be fun to take the Shinkansen and it is much cheaper than flying to Hokkaido.

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MT Fuji is only a few hours from Tokyo by bus. An imposing sight

The bus depot in Shinjuka is just near the railway station so quite central You buy reserved seats

There is a railway station at the foot of Mt Fuji that I was told was for the Shinkansen

You have to catch a bus to go up the mountain

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Nagano is certainly the best bet if you want to try the Shinkansen but I would not rule out Hokkaido. Domestic flights are not as expensive as they used to be (and the Shinkansen is not cheap.) A new regional airline called AirDo (for Hokkaido Airways) has regular flights from Tokyo-Haneda to Sapporo for not much more than a bullet train ticket. Worth checking out.

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You can fly to SAPPORO ( HOKKAIDO ) , I hope .

HOKKAIDO INTERNATIONAL AIRLINES ( AIR DO ) in Japanese

SAPPORO is a host city of 1972 Winter Olympic games .
White virgine POWDER snow guranteed .

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Thanks for all the advice.

We ended up going to Nagano, a quick and easy 1.5 hour ride by Shinkansen from Tokyo Station. About $75 each way.

A nice, friendly small city with all the fluffy, white snow we could handle. My Thai guy was ecstatic. Yes, the weekend was full of white stuff!

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Dear Icon ,

Nice to hear you had WHITE Christmas with your BF .

That's right ! You were in Japan .
That's WHY I didn't see you in any naked sauna here in BKK last week .

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