We are also planning a trip to niseko in Dec & have problem with reserving restaurants. The popular ones are fully booked like abucha.


Can anyone recommend good restaurants in hirafu village that we dun need to book in advance?

Thanks a lot!

Hi I’m planning a trip to Kansai area in Dec 16. Does anyone has recommendation of fruit picking activity in Osaka area in Dec? I’ve been searching but it seems difficult to find any in Dec.


Anyone has been to Harvest hill in Osaka? Is it worth the trip there in winter?

Thanks in advance!

Thanks! It’s a good map. I didn’t see this map though, I just read from their website that their onsen is in East building. By the way I couldn’t figure out where are the cottages from the map…

Yes! Do check out agoda uob or ocbc. I think east cottage is nicer as the onsen seems to nearer? (I read from the website).

No. Room only

To be exact, 431.33 for mid dec for 2 nights via uob agoda promo

Yes karuizawa prince east cottage. Check agoda for their east cottage for 4 persons.

It’s 400+ for 2 nights

For karuizawa, you can book a cottage for 4 persons if you have 2 adults & 2 kids.


I have already booked mine for mid dec via agoda for 2 nights. East Cottage cost about 400+ with uob credit card promo.

I emailed to Prince regarding their snow conditions & was told near Christmas has higher chance of snow…

I agree that if u travel all the way to osaka, then better spend more days. The travelling time is quite long, ie about 4 hr from Tokyo if I remember correctly & expensive shinkansen train rides.


For hakone & Gotemba, u can spend about 3 days using hakone pass. There’s also a lot to see in that area like owakudani valley, lake ashi, nice musuem like hakone open air musuem, little prince & glass musuem etc. can also enjoy hakone onsen.

Hence I suggest either u go hakone/Gotemba or osaka/Kyoto area & focus on 1.

My humble opinion. …