Japan Travel Itineraries

Day 1: Asakusa and historic Tokyo. Day 2: Harajuku, Omotesando, and Shibuya Crossing. Day 3: Akihabara and a digital art experience. Three days, three faces of Tokyo.

Day 1: Arashiyama, bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji. Day 2: Philosopher's Path, Ginkaku-ji, Gion evening. Day 3: Fushimi Inari at dawn, then Nishiki Market. The quintessence of the ancient capital.

Mountain cog railway, ropeway over Owakudani, Lake Ashi cruise with Fuji views. Ryokan night with private hot spring bath. The best onsen experience within 1 hour of Tokyo.

One of Japan's most beautiful gardens, an intact geisha quarter, and the freshest kaisen-don market in the country. Kanazawa is the city hurried visitors miss — and regret.

Two days devouring Osaka (street food, castle, Kuromon market), one day with the deer and giant Buddhas of Nara. The perfect long-weekend combination.

Beppu's boiling "hell" springs and the nostalgic village of Yufuin with its misty lake. The sand onsen burial, unique in the world, is an experience you won't forget.

The classic circuit in compact form. Tokyo for modernity, Hakone for onsen and Fuji views, Kyoto for temples, Osaka for food. This route summarises Japan better than any other.

Base yourself in affordable Osaka, take a day trip to Nara (30 min by train), then move to Kyoto for 2 nights. This loop lets you see three of Japan's richest cities.

Leave Tokyo for the mountains. Hakone for onsen, Matsumoto Castle for history, then Takayama's preserved Edo-period town for sake and Hida beef. An off-the-beaten-path favourite.

Fukuoka for Hakata ramen, Nagasaki for history, Kumamoto for the castle, and the active crater of Mt. Aso. Kyushu is overlooked by visitors — their loss.

From Nikko's golden shrines to Matsushima's pine-covered islands and the mountain temple of Yamadera. Japan's most authentic and least-known region.

Japan's most-visited circuit for a reason — it delivers the best temples, best onsen, best street food, and a Fuji view. Perfect for a first-time visit.

The favourite circuit for travellers who've already done the Golden Route. Edo-era Takayama, UNESCO Shirakawa-go villages, gold-leaf Kanazawa, then Kyoto.

The northern island at your own pace: Hakodate's squid traps, Noboribetsu's hell baths, Sapporo beer, Furano lavender (July). Hokkaido's food alone justifies the trip.

A complete circuit of Japan's third-largest island — castles, colonial history, active volcanoes, onsen, and ramen. Kyushu offers surprising diversity for its size.

From Nikko's golden shrines to Matsushima's pine islands, Yamadera temple, Aomori's nebuta, and the samurai district of Kakunodate. One week beyond Japan's tourist trail.

The extended classic — with Kamakura, a Hakone overnight, a full day in Nara, and a Hiroshima-Miyajima side trip. The most complete circuit for a first long trip.

From Aomori's nebuta festival to Sapporo's sea urchin miso soup, via Matsushima's pine islands. The often-ignored Japanese North is also its most authentic.

From Nikko's shrines to the Alpine medieval towns. This circuit follows Japan's mountain spine without doing the same thing twice.

Japan's culturally richest region explored in depth. Koyasan for temple sleeping, Yoshino for cherry blossoms, and Ise Jingu for spiritual Japan.

An itinerary organised entirely around Japan's finest food — sushi in Tokyo, kaisendon in Kanazawa, kaiseki in Kyoto, street food in Osaka, ramen in Fukuoka, wagyu in Kagoshima.

Japan's most popular 14-day circuit, timed for cherry blossoms — late March to mid-April. From Tokyo's parks to Yoshino's forest, following the bloom front westward.

Follow autumn colours from north to south — Hokkaido in red and gold in October, Kyoto in deep crimson in November. The country's most visually spectacular itinerary.

From Tokyo to Kagoshima's volcanoes, via the Japanese Alps, Kanazawa, Kyoto, and Hiroshima. The most complete circuit possible in 14 days, north to south.

Two weeks in Northern Japan — the least touristy, most authentic part of the country. Nikko pagodas in forest, Aomori nebuta festivals, Hokkaido landscapes, and Hakodate dawn seafood.

Tottori's sand dunes, Izumo Grand Shrine, Yamaguchi caves, Shikoku's pilgrimage trail, and Setouchi lemons. The Japan 99% of tourists never see.