If the plan is to do Kytot on the 23rd and 24th some ideas might include:
- Ramen Expo in Osaka
- Osaka Christmas Market until 12/25
- Heian Shrine in Kyoto has a cool art installation by a group called NAKED
If it the goal is take the train north during January 5-8, we might want to consider:
- Illumi Eeru Iwaki in Iwaki
Later stuff includes:
- Fire festival in Nozawa Onsen in Niigata which looks amazing but might be a bit hard to be at. Monday January 1/15
- [https://japancheapo.com/events/shittenoji-doyadoya-festival/ Naked Doya Doya festival in Osaka on Sunday 1/14
We'll miss but it seems cool:
- Maebashi Hatsuichi Daruma Festival which involves burning many daruma
