Christmas & Snow in Japan: Winter Magic, Holiday Lights (Nov–Dec 2025)

Today we got a lazy late start in Tokyo, skipped the bakery temptation, and dove straight into lunch at Big Boy—those massive American-Japanese comfort plates hit different after sleeping in. Powered up for dinner at Teji Tokyo, where the flavors exploded (details on the must-try dishes coming in the vlog!), then hit the streets for a Shinjuku stroll spotting the iconic Godzilla head roaring over the city lights. Capped it at Omoide Yokocho—that legendary covered izakaya alley packed with smoky grills, cheap drinks, and neon chaos. Tiny stalls, sizzling yakitori, locals laughing shoulder-to-shoulder—pure Tokyo nightlife magic without the tourist traps. From comfort food to monster sights to alley feasts, this is how you do Shinjuku right. If you love Japan eats, street vibes, and hidden gems, like + subscribe for more! Drop your fave Shinjuku spot below.

What are the best hidden karaoke spots in Tokyo? In this Japan travel vlog, we explore hidden Tokyo karaoke gems, starting with private room karaoke in Narimasu—complete with iPad song selection, microphones, and food delivered straight to the room. We then head to Shibuya Sky, one of Tokyo’s top observation decks, for panoramic night views of the city skyline before ending the night at a hidden Tokyo speakeasy bar known for creative cocktails and neon vibes. This video covers: • Hidden karaoke in Tokyo • Private room karaoke experience • Shibuya Sky night views • Tokyo nightlife and speakeasy bars • Unique things to do in Tokyo at night If you’re planning a trip to Japan and want real, off-the-radar experiences, like, subscribe, and tell us which Tokyo neighborhood we should explore next.

How much does a local Tokyo day really cost? In this vlog, we spend a slow, neighborhood day in Tokyo and break down how far your money can go when you skip tourist traps. We start with breakfast at Timeline Bakery, our favorite neighborhood spot, where we load up on cheese-filled bread, a blueberry scone, hot dog baguette, and an avocado burger — all for about the price of one fast-food meal back home. From there, we wander our Nerima neighborhood, pass local cake shops and izakayas, explore Don Quijote, and end the day at a conveyor-belt sushi restaurant where food and drinks arrive by mini bullet train. Sushi, ramen, fries, lemon sours, and even a surprise prize — all without blowing the budget. If you’re curious what an ordinary, affordable Tokyo day looks like away from tourist areas — bakeries, bargain meals, walkable streets, and real local life — this episode shows exactly why Tokyo costs less than you think.

Step inside Sanrio Puroland in Tama City, Tokyo, for a full walkthrough of Japan’s cutest indoor theme park. In this video, we explore everything Puroland has to offer — Hello Kitty style. We cover: • Multi-floor Sanrio shopping • Restaurants and themed food courts • Game areas and photo spots • Wait times and priority tickets • The main foyer and parade area • My Melody attractions • The iconic Hello Kitty boat ride (and whether it’s worth the priority pass) From colorful sets and kawaii characters to themed food and real family reactions, this video shows what a full day at Sanrio Puroland actually feels like — from arrival to tired-but-happy kids at the end. If you enjoyed our Warner Bros. Harry Potter Studio Tour Tokyo, this is the kawaii counterpart. Join us for rides, snacks, and a complete look inside one of Tokyo’s most unique theme parks.

Step into the magic of Christmas at Hogwarts during our visit to the Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – Harry Potter. In this winter Japan travel vlog, we experience the studio tour transformed for the holidays, featuring Hogwarts in the Snow, festive decorations, and iconic movie sets dressed for Christmas. We explore the Great Hall, snowy Hogwarts Castle, Dumbledore’s office, Hagrid’s Hut, Diagon Alley, and more — all decorated for the holiday season. Along the way, we share behind-the-scenes props, costumes, and details that bring the Wizarding World to life. This episode also includes our Shinkansen ride from Nagano to Tokyo, a stop for butterbeer, a flying broomstick moment, and a look at what makes the Harry Potter Studio Tour in Tokyo so special during winter. If you’re planning a trip to Japan or you’re a Harry Potter fan wondering if the Christmas Hogwarts experience is worth it, this video gives you a full walkthrough of what to expect. 🎥 Featured in this video: Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo Christmas at Hogwarts / Hogwarts in the Snow Harry Potter movie sets & props Winter travel in Japan 💬 Comment below with your favorite Harry Potter film or magical moment!

Explore one of Japan’s most fascinating forgotten places — the abandoned 1998 Winter Olympic bobsled and luge track in Nagano. In this Japan travel vlog, we visit the Olympic “Spiral” course nearly three decades after the Games to see what remains in 2025. We start the day with an over-the-top Japanese hotel buffet breakfast, then head into the mountains to walk the deserted track. Along the way, we pass eerie Olympic remnants including the finish line, brake ramp, torch memorial, and nearby ski jumps — and even encounter some unexpectedly aggressive wildlife. This video takes an honest look at why massive Olympic venues like this bobsled track can be left behind after the world moves on, and what it feels like to explore them today. We wrap up with a full Korean barbecue feast and share why we love traveling off the typical tourist path. If you’re interested in abandoned places in Japan, Olympic history, hidden gems, and real travel experiences, this episode is for you. ⏱ Chapters 00:00 Nagano arrival 01:12 Japanese hotel buffet 04:30 Into the mountains 07:15 Abandoned Olympic bobsled track 12:40 Torch memorial & ski jumps 15:55 Korean BBQ 18:20 Why we travel this way

What is Nagano like for the first time? In this Japan travel vlog, we ride the Shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Nagano and spend our first full day exploring Japan’s Olympic city. After arriving by bullet train, we check into our hotel and head straight out to explore Nagano’s Olympic Park and Museum, visiting iconic venues like M-Wave and Big Hat. Inside the museum, we see Olympic torches, medals, cauldrons, and exhibits from the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics through Tokyo 2020, along with video footage from the opening and closing ceremonies. We wander between stadiums, watch local kids playing sports under the Olympic flame, share Suica card tips, grab vending-machine snacks, relax in a massage-chair hotel suite, and end the day with a packed izakaya dinner — experiencing Nagano the way locals do. If you’ve ever wanted to visit an Olympic host city in Japan, ride Japanese trains like a local, and see what Nagano is really like on your first visit, this episode is for you.

How easy is it to eat yourself into a meat coma in Tokyo? In this Japan travel vlog, we kick off the day with an all-you-can-eat Brazilian barbecue feast and break down what it actually costs for two people in Tokyo. We start at Rio Grande Grill, loading up on carved-at-the-table meats, jumbo prawns, salad bar plates, and guava and açaí drinks — then walk it off through Harajuku’s Takeshita Street, revisiting the area for the first time in nine and a half years. The night continues with a nostalgia stop at Tower Records Shibuya, seven floors of CDs and vinyl, a quick run through Shibuya Scramble, and a quiet train ride back “home” with Chinese takeout as we plan our bullet-train trip to Nagano. If you love real food prices, long Tokyo walks, music nostalgia, and classic city moments without the tourist gloss, this episode shows exactly how a full Tokyo day can turn into a very real meat coma.

How much can you really do in Tokyo for under $100? In this Japan travel vlog, we spend a full day exploring Tokyo on a budget — using trains, local restaurants, and neighborhood spots to see how far $100 can go. We start with a slow walk from our Narimasu neighborhood, ride multiple trains to Kasai Station, and visit the Tokyo Metro Museum for just 440 yen for two people. It’s an easy, budget-friendly stop packed with subway history and interactive exhibits. Between train rides, we eat our way through Tokyo — sushi, tempura, ramen, clams, tofu skin, and drinks — all for around $25. We also check out the Ghibli Clock near Shiodome, grab dinner at a neighborhood Chinese restaurant with an English-friendly QR menu, and finish the night with snacks from a local grocery store. At the end of the day, we break down the real costs — trains, museum tickets, two restaurant meals, kombini runs, and snacks — all still under $100, without expensive hotels or tours. If you’re looking for honest Japan travel on a budget with real numbers and local vibes, this episode shows exactly what a Tokyo day under $100 looks like.

What does quiet, everyday Tokyo really feel like? In this Japan travel vlog, we spend a calm neighborhood day starting with a private onsen-style bath at home — perfect if you have tattoos and can’t use public baths — and keep things intentionally slow with a one-thing-a-day plan. Our main stop is a rare find in Tokyo: a cozy Greek tavern in Azabu-Juban, one of only a few Greek restaurants in the city. We take the train from Nerima, enjoy Greek salad, shrimp saganaki, pasta, gyros, and house Greek wine, then wander Roppongi Hills for seasonal lights, Tokyo Tower views, and relaxed evening vibes. Back in our quiet Nerima neighborhood, we end the night local-style at a tiny izakaya, using translation apps, sharing plates of chicken, steak, gyoza, and chili sauce, and meeting new friends who help us shop the neighborhood grocery store. If you want to see real Tokyo life away from tourist areas — small streets, local food, and staying in a Japanese home instead of a hotel — this episode shows exactly what that looks like. Our Itinerary: https://plannin.com/en/guide/8c24215d...