Yeah, thanks!

Kokura more like a train transfer hub to Beppu direction. so not much of attraction.
Main attraction was Kokura Castle. (Small but beautiful castle)

Mojiko more like little Otaru. Still got some old European design building + Glass & music box shop just like Otaru.
Mojiko most famous Omiyage was Minato House (Banana product) [something like Tokyo Banana]

*From JR Mojiko Station to Minato House will passing Mojiko famous bridge call Blue Wing Moji.

Beppu got a nickname, called City of Steam.
Beppu most famous attraction are Hell hot spring
My favorite spot watching Beppu city was Yukemuri Observation 湯けむり展望台 and make sure you got Telephoto Lens !!



*obervation not far away from Beppu famous hell hot spring, if you taking Taxi from hot spirng back to Train Station, can detour to Yukemuri Observation first.

We booked the Hakone Enoshima 3 day pass and stayed a night in Gora Shinanoki Ichinoyu which has a private onsen. Well worth it and we were glad we stayed the night as on the first day we did not get to see Mt Fuji. On the second day the weather was gorgeous and we had the full view of magnificient Mt Fuji, really a sight to behold. The best view was on the Ropeway and  at the Owakudani stopover. We didn't do the 'pirate ship' the second time as its just a bit gimmicky unless you want to visit the towns by the lake. After the second round to see Mt Fuji we returned to Hakone enroute to Kamakura and Enoshima. Both nice places to visit. Then back to Shinjuku on a local express train. Sit on the left side of the train to get a last view of Mt Fuji as the train leaves Odawara (I think!) From Hakone, its just another hour or so to Kamakura then another short journey to Enoshima. The trains there are quite unique. Google to find out more 

Thanks bro. will research more of that. do you meant the romantic express?

are there any free parking available at Takayama city?

I know that in kawaguchiko, there are a lot of free parking at the centre of the town.

How about takayama?

I checked google map and look around but all are paid parking

Nope. No free parking. Unless you park at convinience stores or restaurant parking. But if you are in the center of town, it is all paid parking.

Thanks

Will there be any likelihood of road closure between takayama and shirakawago in January due to snow?

Thanks

Will there be any likelihood of road closure between takayama and shirakawago in January due to snow?

You can opt to travel on either the highway and trunk road between these two areas. The snow plough goes through the highway only when there is a lot of snow on the road, so there wont be any road  closures. The snowfall around these areas are not as heavy as it can get in Hokkaido, so no worries. Just make sure you specify you want snow tires when you rent your car in Tokyo or Osaka because snow tires are considered as optional. Also get your CEP as it will be more worth it to use as tolls are pretty expensive.
If you have the time, remember to drop by at Shin HOtaka Ropeway, very nice attraction worth doing where there is lots of snow.

Snow are not deadly, deadly was black ice which usually form during morning.
If you not experience driving on winter, just avoid morning. 

Black ice almost kill me many times. seriously injured 

Snow are not deadly, deadly was black ice which usually form during morning.
If you not experience driving on winter, just avoid morning. 

Black ice almost kill me many times. seriously injured 

Thanks

Will there be any likelihood of road closure between takayama and shirakawago in January due to snow?

You can opt to travel on either the highway and trunk road between these two areas. The snow plough goes through the highway only when there is a lot of snow on the road, so there wont be any road  closures. The snowfall around these areas are not as heavy as it can get in Hokkaido, so no worries. Just make sure you specify you want snow tires when you rent your car in Tokyo or Osaka because snow tires are considered as optional. Also get your CEP as it will be more worth it to use as tolls are pretty expensive.
If you have the time, remember to drop by at Shin HOtaka Ropeway, very nice attraction worth doing where there is lots of snow.

i drive from kanazawa to shirakawago to takayama & shin hotaka ropeway (this 1 must go) on last year end of dec. yes got snow but still pretty safe to drive d. drive in safe speed & careful lo... request snow tyre when you rent your car in osaka, kyoto or tokyo la... Well the excitement i see snow totally forgot the fear of driving in snow 1st time 

Thanks for the suggestion.

I have one full day left unallocated for any activity. I thought of giving one full day to Takayama city itself and doing it away with Shin Hotaka because i read one negative review of Shin Hotaka.

That person said he can't see anything up there in the mountain during winter. 

So i guess i should put back Shin Hotaka into my itinerary.

First day - arrive at Takayama (walk around at Sanmachi Takayama)
Second day - Day trip to Shirakawago
Third day - Shin Hotaka (instead of spending another full day again at Takayama)
Fourth day - Leave for Hakuba

Tbh, there is nothing much to do around the city of Takayama. The shops closes pretty early (Japanese Standards). Hida No Sato is also an attraction in Takayama city you might want to consider. I stayed at Takayama Four Seasons Hotel and its smack right in the centre of the city with free parking. You might want to consider that. Shin Hotaka ropeway is more towards snow playing and to experience heavy snowfall by itself. There are also ski resorts nearby if you are into skiing.

Thanks!

Is Takayama city itself covered with snow in January?

Is the Hida No Sato worth to pay to enter?

I saw there is a mini snow corridor in Shin Hotaka ropeway. The mini snow corridor (very very small scale) is similar to the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine route. But I'm not sure exactly where is that mini snow corridor at Shin Hotaka.

If you don't mind, can you share your itinerary at Takayama?