Snow

We will be Tokyo for 3 days near Christmas. My kids would like to touch snow. Can you recommend a side trip (half day) to somewhere near Tokyo where we will be able to do so? We have the JR Pass so can take the bullet train. Thanks!

Nagano would be the best .... of maybe Nikko

If you catch the Joetsu Shinkansen to Echigo Yuzawa, or Gala Yuzawa, there will be snow there for sure. They are only around 90 minutes from Tokyo Station.

Thanks for your quick answers. I know the name of the JR station for Yuzawa please? Thanks again!

You might find snow in uribandai .You might check the ski conditions that might give you a lead.

Some easy snow destinations from Tokyo:

Yuzawa (Echigo-Yuzawa Station, 75 minutes from Tokyo by Joetsu Shinkansen):
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e7690.html

Karuizawa (65 minutes from Tokyo by Nagano Shinkansen):
Possibly not much snow in the town, but there is snow in the ski resort:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6030.html

More time-consuming:

Snow monkeys (about 3 hours from Tokyo by Nagano Shinkansen and non-JR train/bus):
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e6025.html

" Thanks for your quick answers. I know the name of the JR station for Yuzawa please? Thanks again!"

The names of the stations are as I named them:
JR Gala Yuzawa
JR Echigo Yuzawa

Is it possible to take the ropeway to Gala Yuzuwa resort and not ski or snowboard? Our kids want to play with snow and then return to the train station for the trip back to Tokyo.
Is this doable in half a day?
What are the chances there will be snow fall during the day around Christmas?
Will the train and resorts be crowded during Dec 23 which I believe is a public holiday?
Thanks in advance!

Plenty of good options above. Personally I really enjoyed going to Lake Chuzenjiko (near Nikko). You get the snow, the monkeys and the amazing waterfall (Kegontaki). Plus there's the backdrop of Mt Nantai (similar in appearance to Mt Fuji though obviously smaller). You can get the bus to Lake Chujenjiko from Nikko Station and also drop in to the temples at Nikko on the way there or on the way back. Of course many suggestions above are great, so I'm sure you'll have a great time.