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Tokyo, Japan
Start your trip in Japan's electric capital. Explore Shibuya crossing, TeamLab digital art, Ginza's upscale shopping, and the vibrant arcades of Round 1. Don't miss Gyukatsu Motomura for wagyu schnitzel on arrival day.
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Kamakura, Japan
A perfect day trip from Tokyo, Kamakura is home to the iconic Great Buddha statue and peaceful Zen temples. Wander the Komachi-dori shopping street and hike the scenic Daibutsu trail through forested hills.
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Harajuku & Shibuya, Japan
Spend the day in Tokyo's most vibrant neighbourhoods. Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park offer calm before the colourful chaos of Takeshita Dori, cosplay meetups, and the iconic Shibuya Sky observation deck.
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Izu Peninsula, Japan
A scenic coastal escape south of Tokyo, the Izu Peninsula offers dramatic ocean cliffs, hot spring ryokans, and the volcanic cone of Mount Omuro. Great for a relaxing overnight before heading inland to Hakone.
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Hakone, Japan
Ride the famous pirate sightseeing cruise on Lake Ashi and take the ropeway over the volcanic Owakudani valley. Eat a legendary black egg and visit the torii gate of Hakone Jinja on the lakeside.
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Kawaguchiko, Japan
Base yourself at Lake Kawaguchi for stunning views of Mount Fuji reflected in the water. Rent a bicycle early morning for a full lake loop, and explore the charming lakeside cafes and Chureito Pagoda viewpoint.
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Kiso Valley, Japan
The Kiso Valley is home to beautifully preserved Edo-period post towns like Magome and Tsumago. Walk the ancient Nakasendo trail between towns through cedar forests, and look out for optional Ryujin Falls nearby.
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Takayama, Japan
Takayama's beautifully preserved old town Sanmachi Suji is lined with sake breweries, craft shops, and traditional inns. Don't miss the morning markets and a day trip to the otherworldly Kamikochi valley in the Japan Alps.
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Shirakawa-go & Gokayama, Japan
These UNESCO-listed mountain villages are famous for their steep-roofed gasshล-zukuri farmhouses, especially beautiful in autumn foliage season. Walk between the thatched houses, visit a local museum, and enjoy the serene rural atmosphere.
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Kanazawa, Japan
Kenroku-en is one of Japan's three most celebrated gardens and stunning in October colours. The city also boasts a well-preserved samurai district (Nagamachi) and the spectacular 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.
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Amanohashidate & Ine, Japan
Amanohashidate is one of Japan's Three Views โ a pine-covered sandbar stretching across a lagoon, best seen from the hilltop viewpoint. Nearby Ine is a tranquil fishing village where traditional boathouses line the water's edge.
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Kyoto, Japan
Japan's ancient imperial capital is packed with temples, geisha districts, and timeless culture. Arrive early at Fushimi Inari's thousand torii gates, stroll Gion, try a samurai lesson, and wake at dawn for the Arashiyama bamboo grove.
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Nara, Japan
Arrive early at Nara Park to feed the famously friendly free-roaming deer before the crowds arrive. The massive Todai-ji temple houses Japan's largest bronze Buddha, and Kasuga Taisha shrine glows beautifully in the forest.
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Osaka, Japan
Osaka is Japan's food and nightlife capital โ feast your way through Dotonbori's neon-lit street food scene. Don't miss Shinsekai, the Tombori River cruise, and a Happy Pancake breakfast to fuel your day.
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Miyajima, Japan
This sacred island is home to the iconic floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine, one of Japan's most photographed sights. Stay overnight to experience the island at dusk and dawn when the day-trippers are gone and the atmosphere is magical.
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Hiroshima, Japan
Visit the deeply moving Peace Memorial Museum and the preserved Atomic Bomb Dome, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Hiroshima is also worth exploring for its local okonomiyaki (savoury pancake) unique to the region.
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Nikko, Japan
Nikko's ornate Toshogu Shrine complex is one of Japan's most lavishly decorated, set among towering cedar trees. Drive 40 minutes to Kegon Falls and Chuzenji Lake for stunning mountain and waterfall scenery.
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Yamadera & Sendai, Japan
Climb the 1,000 stone steps to the mountaintop Yamadera temple complex for sweeping valley views โ best in autumn foliage. Sendai is Tohoku's biggest city, famous for its gyutan (beef tongue) and the stunning Matsushima bay nearby.
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Matsushima & Ichinoseki, Japan
Matsushima Bay is counted among Japan's Three Views, with hundreds of pine-covered islands dotting the water โ take a cruise to fully appreciate it. Continue to Ichinoseki, gateway to the Geibikei and Genbikei gorges.
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Geibikei & Morioka, Japan
The Geibikei Gorge offers a peaceful pole-boat ride through towering limestone cliffs โ a hidden gem of Tohoku. Morioka is a relaxed castle-town famous for its wanko soba noodle challenge and the scenic Takamatsu Pond.
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Hachimantai, Japan
Hachimantai is a volcanic plateau on the border of Iwate and Akita prefectures, with highland marshes, hot springs, and sweeping autumn colours. Nearby Lake Tazawa is Japan's deepest lake and beautifully serene.
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Towada & Aomori, Japan
Lake Towada is one of Japan's most beautiful caldera lakes, and the Oirase Gorge trail along its outflow river is stunning in autumn foliage. The Hakkoda Ropeway offers panoramic views over the volcanic mountain range before ending the day in Aomori city.
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Tokyo - Finale, Japan
Return to Tokyo for a final few days of shopping, sightseeing, and tying up loose ends. Hit Shinjuku's government observatory, Senso-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, Ueno Park, and any arcades or Disney parks you haven't managed yet.