Should I travel to Japan or Thailand in January?
January and February are the slowest months in Japan. Not really much going on at all. Which is why it’s the perfect time to find a little onsen town and soak in a hot spring for a week. And there’s some great skiing and snowboarding. Much of Japan doesn’t get that cold. Hardly ever snows in Tokyo for example. I once rode roller coasters on Christmas day in the shadow of Mt Fuji and don’t remember being cold. You can go to Okinawa, which stays in the 60’s in the winter. If you think this is your only chance you’ll ever have to go to Japan, then go. It’s still Japan and still very nice. But if you think you’ll have another chance to go, I would pick just about any other time of year to really see the country in its best light. My favorite time of year in Japan is August, despite the oppressive heat. The festivals, celebrations, parties and fireworks are amazing.
I love Japan, but it is very blah in January, especially after New Years celebrations are over. It will be chilly in Tokyo. You’ll need gloves and a scarf to be comfortable walking around. That said, Bangkok is awesome and it is absolutely one of my favorite cities in Asia. It’s cheap, the food is fantastic, there is plenty to do and there are lots of potential side trips. For the price of one night in a decent hotel in Tokyo you’ll be able to have one custom suit made in Thailand. Plus, for the price of a pack of gum in Japan you can have two amazing fresh fruit smoothies at the Chatuchak Market. The only drawbacks compared to Japan: 1. Thailand is 100 times more chaotic than Japan 2. People will follow you around and try to sell you things. Many will not go away even if you say ‘no’. 3. You’ll need to be a lot more careful about what you eat and drink.
I sense from your question that you have more of an interest in Japan than Thailand. If that’s the case, go, despite the price, weather, and language barrier. All of what the above posters have said about Thailand is true, and I had a wonderful time in Bangkok and Chiang Mai. But Japan absolutely blew me away with its beauty and style. Every meal and subway ride was like a little puzzle to solve (as was Onsen-etiquette), but it’s all logical, once you figure it out. The Japanese expect foreigners to make little mistakes and are quick to help you with a little demonstration and pantomime, even though they tend not to speak English. I’ve traveled a lot, and Japan just might be my favorite place I’ve been.
Budget will probably heavily bias your choice; Tokyo hotels typically cost about $200 US a night, though there are some lower priced options, while throughout Thailand you can stay at a hostel for around $5-20/night and a real hotel in the thirties to forties. Food is also five to tenfold as expensive in Japan, and the price of getting around is extremely high. Both countries are a blast, in different ways, but if I were doing this I’d rather save Japan for a trip where I’ve had time to put a dedicated budget aside. A nice side effect of going to Bangkok is that it’s also relatively easy to arrange side trips around the country (or to the neighboring ones) for relatively cheap; after a week or so in Bangkok you’ll probably be a little overstimulated, and a change to a more relaxing venue might be desirable. Bangkok Air has flights to a range of destinations, and there is also train and bus transportation. P.S. If you decide on Bangkok, get the Nancy Chandler map. I have seen no better
The big advantage Thailand would have is that during your two weeks you could easily spend a few days or more on one of the beatiful islands doing a beach holiday in addition do doing Bangkok as a city, for shopping and cultural stuff. As others have said, Thailand is cheap, easy to travel, and I’d go back just for the food. Concering the political situation, I doubt that would keep me from going. A friend was there when the military took power 2 or so years ago, and while there was the occasional tank in Bangkok, he did not have any problems. The country can’t afford to scare the tourists away.
