December is a wonderful time to visit Japan: crisp air, seasonal sweets, dazzling winter illuminations, and thinner crowds before New Year’s. Expect highs around 8–12°C (46–54°F) in Tokyo and Kyoto, colder at night, and occasional flurries in the mountains. Pack layers, a warm coat, and comfortable waterproof shoes.

Japan’s story stretches from samurai castles to cutting-edge robotics. You’ll feel that contrast everywhere: serene shrines hidden a turn away from neon plazas, minimalist coffee bars beside century-old kissaten, and department stores where wagashi artisans shape sweets like jewelers. Museums are excellent, food is a national pastime, and public transit is punctual down to the minute.

For this 14-day itinerary we’ll focus on three cities—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—with smart day trips. You’ll savor ramen and street eats, browse artisan markets, soak in soothing spas, and explore top museums and photogenic districts. Note that some attractions close around New Year (Dec 29–Jan 3); check hours as you go and prebook popular experiences.

Tokyo

Days 1–5: Tokyo — Neon skylines, old-town alleys, coffee culture, and winter lights

Welcome to the world’s greatest megacity for food and pop culture. Start in Asakusa at Senso-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple, then wander Nakamise’s snack stalls (try ningyo-yaki sponge cakes and hot amazake). Cross to Ueno for the Tokyo National Museum and a stroll through Ueno Park’s quiet lakeside paths.

Shift gears in Shibuya: the 1930s-era crossing is now a glowing, cinematic scramble. Nearby Shinjuku layers it all—skyscraper observatories, yakitori alleyways, and late-night jazz bars. In December, head to Roppongi’s Keyakizaka and Marunouchi for sparkling winter illuminations.

• Foodie musts: Tsukiji Outer Market for knife shops, tamagoyaki, and tuna bowls; Artisanal ramen at Afuri (yuzu shio) or Nagi (anchovy-rich niboshi); Michelin-caliber sushi is spendy—consider lunch sets in Ginza for value.
• Coffee circuit: Onibus Coffee (Nakameguro roastery), Koffee Mameya Kakeru (coffee pairing “courses”), Cafe de L’Ambre (legendary kissaten serving vintage beans), and Glitch Coffee (single-origin nerd heaven).
• Museums & unique: teamLab Borderless’s new digital art home (Azabudai Hills), the Samurai Museum Annex in Shinjuku, and Ghibli fans can browse character shops in Nakano Broadway.
• Spas: Soak at Shinjuku’s Thermae-Yu (open late) or Spa LaQua by Tokyo Dome for mineral-rich indoor/outdoor baths.

Viator picks in Tokyo (aligning to food, museums, unique activities):

1-Day Tokyo Bus Tour

Tokyo: Shinjuku Food Tour (13 Dishes at 4 Local Eateries)

Tokyo Sumo Entertainment Show with Chicken Hot Pot and Photo

Mt Fuji and Hakone 1-Day Bus Tour Return by Bullet Train

• Local bites on a budget: Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (stand-up sushi), Menya Musashi (hearty tsukemen), and Omoide Yokocho’s tiny yakitori joints for smoky skewers and sake.
• Dinner ideas: Torishiki-style yakitori (book ahead), Nabe (hot pot) at Onyasai to warm up, or a tempura counter in Nihonbashi—watch the chef fry each piece to order.
• Shopping: Ginza for flagship fashion and stationery (Itoya), Akihabara for retro games, Daikanyama and Shimokitazawa for indie boutiques and vinyl.

Where to stay (Tokyo): For the best transit access, base near Shinjuku, Tokyo Station, or Ginza.

• Search more stays: Hotels.com — Tokyo | VRBO — Tokyo
• Hotel Gracery Shinjuku — Midrange, central, with the playful Godzilla head.
• Hotel Sunroute Plaza Shinjuku — Great value by Shinjuku Station; perfect for a 47/100 budget.
• Keio Plaza Hotel Tokyo — Rooms with views and easy airport bus access.
• Splurge options if you treat yourself: The Peninsula Tokyo, The Ritz-Carlton, Tokyo, or Aman Tokyo.

Getting in and around: Fly into HND/NRT with Kiwi.com or Trip.com flights. Use Suica/PASMO on your phone, and the JR Narita Express or Keikyu/Monorail from airports. For intercity trains, book seats via Trip.com trains.

Transfer to Kyoto (morning of Day 6): Tokaido Shinkansen Nozomi from Tokyo Station to Kyoto Station in ~2 hr 15 min; expect about ¥14,000–¥15,000 (≈$95–$105) for a reserved seat. Buy snacks (ekiben) at the station; it’s part of the fun.

Kyoto

Days 6–10: Kyoto — Temples, tea, artisan alleys, ramen class, and a Nara day trip

Kyoto is a living museum: thousands of temples and shrines, wooden machiya townhouses, and lanes scented with incense and roasted tea. Start east: Kiyomizu-dera’s veranda views, Sannen-zaka’s stone lanes, and Yasaka Pagoda at dusk. Evenings in Gion feel cinematic; tread softly, admire respectfully.

Rise early for Fushimi Inari’s vermilion torii tunnels before the crowds, then cross west to Arashiyama for the bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji’s gardens, and a riverside stroll. In December, mountain air is crisp and photogenic; warm up with matcha and wagashi in a traditional tea house.

Viator picks in Kyoto (hands-on food, guided highlights, geisha culture):

Ramen Cooking Class at Ramen Factory in Kyoto

PERFECT KYOTO 1-Day Bus Tour

Kyoto Gion Geisha District Walking Tour - The Stories of Geisha

• Nara day trip (Day 9 or 10): JR from Kyoto to Nara in ~45 min. See Todai-ji’s giant Buddha, stroll Nara Park with its famously bowing deer, then watch the lively mochi-pounding at Nakatanidou near Sanjo-dori.
• Foodie stops: Nishiki Market for yuba, pickles, and sesame croquettes; Ippodo Tea for centuries-old tea craftsmanship; obanzai (Kyoto home-style small plates) at local izakaya in Pontocho Alley.
• Coffee: Weekenders Coffee hidden by a parking lot near Karasuma, Kissa Zou (retro kissaten vibes), and %Arabica by the Katsura River in Arashiyama.
• Spa/Onsen: Funaoka Onsen (art deco sento, tattoo-friendly hours vary); foot bath at Arashiyama Station’s Randen for a quick warm-up.
• Shopping: Teramachi/Kawarama­chi arcades for crafts; Kiyomizu-yaki ceramics near Gojozaka; sake tasting in Fushimi district.

Where to stay (Kyoto): Karasuma–Shijo area is central for subways and buses.

• Search more stays: Hotels.com — Kyoto | VRBO — Kyoto
• Hotel M's Plus Shijo Omiya — Stylish, wallet-friendly, steps from Hankyu line.
• Piece Hostel Sanjo — Design-forward hostel with great common spaces for meeting travelers.
• Kyoto Tokyu Hotel — Calm, modern, with shuttle access to Kyoto Station.
• Splurge if desired: The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto riverside suites.

Transfer to Osaka (morning of Day 11): JR Special Rapid Service from Kyoto to Osaka in ~30 min for about ¥580, or Hankyu from Kawaramachi to Umeda in ~45 min for roughly ¥400. Save the shinkansen for longer hops.

Osaka

Days 11–14: Osaka — Street food, retro neighborhoods, castle views, and steamy spas

Osaka is Japan’s kitchen—louder, funnier, and proudly casual. Base yourself near Namba or Shinsaibashi to be a short walk from Dotonbori’s neon canal, takoyaki stands, and the famous Glico Runner sign. Daylight is short in December, but nights come alive with lights along Midosuji Avenue.

Spend a morning at Osaka Castle and its museum, then ride to Umeda Sky Building’s rooftop for sunset views. Explore Shinsekai’s Showa-era glow, and duck into kushikatsu shops for skewers you dip once (house rules!). Warm up at Spa World’s themed baths or the rooftop baths at Naniwa no Yu.

Viator pick in Osaka (foodie favorite):

Osaka Food Tour - 13 Delicious Dishes at 5 Local Eateries

• Food crawl: Try okonomiyaki at a teppan counter, takoyaki with pickled ginger and bonito flakes, and motsunabe (beef offal hot pot) for a winter warmer. For dessert, fluffy cheesecake at Rikuro’s.
• Cafés: Lilo Coffee Roasters (specialty beans), Takamura Wine & Coffee Roasters (vast selection), and Cafe Tachibana (kissaten vibes near Namba).
• Museums & shops: National Museum of Art (underground gem), Cup Noodles Museum in Ikeda (DIY cup), Shinsaibashi-suji arcade for fashion and cosmetics, and Den Den Town for electronics and anime goods.
• Optional day trip: Himeji Castle from Osaka Station in ~1 hr by JR Special Rapid; Japan’s most spectacular feudal castle looks atmospheric in winter light.

Where to stay (Osaka): Namba for nightlife and food; Umeda for transport links.

• Search more stays: Hotels.com — Osaka | VRBO — Osaka
• Hotel Sunroute Osaka Namba — Steps to Dotonbori, excellent value.
• Swissotel Nankai Osaka — Directly above Nankai Namba Station; airport trains downstairs.
• Hotel Taiyo — Budget basic near Shin-Imamiya, good for frugal travelers.
• Splurge option: The St. Regis Osaka on Midosuji Boulevard.

Flying out: Consider an open-jaw ticket: into Tokyo, out of Osaka (KIX). Compare on Kiwi.com or Trip.com flights. From Namba, Nankai’s Airport Express or Limited Express rapi:t reaches KIX in ~45–50 min.

Suggested Multi‑Day Flow

• Days 1–2 (Tokyo): Asakusa and Ueno museums; evening in Akihabara or Ameyoko Market. Dinner in Nihonbashi for tempura.
• Days 3–4 (Tokyo): Shibuya/Harajuku/Omotesando triangle, Meiji Shrine, coffee hopping; Shinjuku night food tour. Spa soak at Thermae-Yu.
• Day 5 (Tokyo): Hakone and Mt. Fuji day trip with lake cruise and ropeway, then bullet train return to Tokyo via the Viator tour above.
• Day 6 (Tokyo → Kyoto AM): Shinkansen to Kyoto; afternoon in Gion and Kiyomizu-dera; lantern-lit lanes at blue hour.
• Days 7–8 (Kyoto): Fushimi Inari sunrise; ramen cooking class; Arashiyama bamboo grove and Tenryu-ji; soak at Funaoka Onsen.
• Day 9 (Kyoto): Guided highlights day (Perfect Kyoto Bus Tour) or DIY temples and tea; evening geisha district walking tour.
• Day 10 (Kyoto → Nara day trip): Todai-ji, Nara Park, mochi-pounding; izakaya dinner back in Pontocho.
• Day 11 (Kyoto → Osaka AM): Train to Osaka; Dotonbori canal, takoyaki crawl; Spa World soak.
• Day 12 (Osaka): Osaka Castle, Umeda Sky Building, specialty coffee in Umeda; street eats in Shinsekai.
• Day 13 (Osaka): Food tour in Namba/Shinsaibashi; shopping along Midosuji and Shinsaibashi-suji arcade.
• Day 14 (Osaka): Optional Himeji or Kobe day trip; last-minute gifts (depachika food halls) before flight.

Practical Tips for a 47/100 Budget

• Transit: IC cards (Suica/PASMO/ICOCA) and individual Shinkansen tickets are usually better value than a nationwide rail pass for this route.
• Eating smart: Lunch sets at top restaurants are cheaper than dinner. Department store food halls (depachika) are excellent for gourmet picnics.
• December perks: Seek out winter illuminations in Marunouchi (Tokyo) and the Festival of Lights around Nakanoshima (Osaka). Check exact dates and times as they can vary year to year.

Fourteen days in Japan during December means crisp mornings at shrines, cozy evenings over hot pots, and glittering city nights. With Tokyo’s energy, Kyoto’s elegance, and Osaka’s appetite, this itinerary balances food, museums, coffee culture, shopping, unique activities, and well-earned spa time.

Book a few key tours and trains ahead, keep an eye on holiday hours, and bring your curiosity—Japan rewards it daily.