A few questions for a december trip

Right now we are in the very basic stages of planning a trip to Japan in December and I have a few questions.

When should reservations be made for most hotels, ryokans, etc.?

What are the best places to visit in the winter? We are thinking of perhaps a 10 day trip +/- 3-4 days. Perhaps a good sample itinerary for a winter visit? Most of the itineraries on the web are just generic trips but we want to get the most out of the season we are visiting in.

Thanks in advance

When should reservations be made for most hotels, ryokans, etc.?

If you have some specific hotels or ryokan in mind, I would make reservations as soon as you have fixed your plans. If you don't mind where you will be staying, then you could delay making reservations until just a few days before your trip, because December tends to be low season until around December 23, when school holidays start and until around December 27, when it gets extrenely busy due to the New Year holidays.

What are the best places to visit in the winter?

This fully depends on your interests. Cities don't differ much between winter and other seasons unless you go to the far north.

About skiing:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2262.html

using this itinerary what area do you recommend shorting in order to spend a little time in the mountain area, most likely Nagano?

Day 1: Arrive at Narita Airport, and spend the remaining day in Tokyo.

Day 2-4: Spend two full days in Tokyo and one day in nearby Kamakura. Kamakura is an easy day trip from Tokyo.

Day 5: From Tokyo, make a day trip to Nikko.

Day 6: Travel by shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (3 hours) and spend the afternoon and evening exploring Kyoto.

Day 7-10: Spend two full days in Kyoto and one day each in nearby Nara and Osaka. Nara and Osaka are easy day trips from Kyoto.

Day 11: In the early morning, travel from Kyoto to Hiroshima (2 hours) and visit the Peace Park. In the afternoon, continue to Miyajima and overnight there.

Day 12: Get up early and spend a few more hours on Miyajima. Leave the island around eleven for Himeji (2 hours). Spend the afternoon exploring Himeji Castle. Return to Tokyo in the evening (3-4 hours).

Day 13: Depart Japan from Narita Airport.

I always tell people who visit Kyoto to also try visiting Nara. The budda statue is definitely worth seeing and they have other cool temples and traditional stuff there. Himeji castle is definitely a good choice. Hope you enjoy your trip.

hai Kyoto and Nara are defo worth a visit, lovely places but i also really enjoyed Ueno park and zoo however maybe in the winter the animals might be in bed ^^

Would nagano be a feasible day trip from tokyo instead of nikko?

Also out of that trip, where would be the best place to stay at a ryokan for a night or two?

Would nagano be a feasible day trip from tokyo instead of nikko?

Yes.

Also out of that trip, where would be the best place to stay at a ryokan for a night or two?

Iwanoyu at Seni Onsen:
http://www.hikyou.jp/nagano/seni/seni.htm

If you plan on Kamakura don't bother with Nara its pretty much the same old buddha stuff. Sometimes you can get templed, old stuffed - out lol...means you can get sick of the same old stuff quickly. Not saying those areas recommended are bad, because they are not by any means!

3 days in Tokyo see: imperial gardens, odaiba, shinjuku, museums along with a lot of other cutlure. With a day trip to Kamakura to see the big buddha and the temples there (and to get out of a big city)

2 days in Kyoto gold/or silver pavilion, castle, geisha show, and neat gardens and a really nice rock garden

3 days in Hiroshima/Miya Jima/Iwakuni seeing the Atomic bomb museum, castle and neat shopping district ... iwakuni the famour kintai bridge and iwakuni castle ... miya jima, you will want to spend a full day there

as for nagano, there isnt too much there but the history from the olypics and great snowboarding!! been there its nice!

If you plan on Kamakura don't bother with Nara its pretty much the same old buddha stuff. Sometimes you can get templed, old stuffed - out lol...means you can get sick of the same old stuff quickly. Not saying those areas recommended are bad, because they are not by any means!

3 days in Tokyo see: imperial gardens, odaiba, shinjuku, museums along with a lot of other cutlure. With a day trip to Kamakura to see the big buddha and the temples there (and to get out of a big city)

2 days in Kyoto gold/or silver pavilion, castle, geisha show, and neat gardens and a really nice rock garden

3 days in Hiroshima/Miya Jima/Iwakuni seeing the Atomic bomb museum, castle and neat shopping district ... iwakuni the famour kintai bridge and iwakuni castle ... miya jima, you will want to spend a full day there

as for nagano, there isnt too much there but the history from the olypics and great snowboarding!! been there its nice!

sounds like a decent itinerary. We are looking to spend a little longer then 8 days so why not head up to the mountains. Nagano was just thrown out there. Is there a better place to visit for the seeing the japanese mountains and snow?

Of course more than 8 days lol! Remember leave 1 or 2 for rest and travel times! Planning is key! The itinerary was just a general idea to get what I think is the best out of your time here.

Well Hakone is a nice place that has a some great views. Shirakawa-Go (I stayed there once, its gorgeous). MAYBE Sapporo would be a nice place to visit (northern regions) but kind of far.

http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e5950.html for shirakawago

Though you mentioned it to be in December, in February Sapporo has a awesome Snow Festival. The Japan Sea side of Honshu can get particularly cold with vast amounts of snow arriving from China and Russia. Yuzawa Town is just an 80 minute journey from Tokyo Station on the Joetsu Shinkansen, that might make a good day trip from Tokyo! As for Nagano, Hakuba is arguably the most popular winter sports region in Honshu and is home to a number of snow resorts set against an impressive mountain backdrop.

http://www.snowjapan.com/e/index.php

Might give you some more incite