Collect your rental car at Narita Airport and complete paperwork; confirm GPS/sim and ETC toll card. Most car rental counters open from 7:00am–22:00, check your company booking.
Light Japanese-style breakfast or coffee at a café on Omotesando street near Naritasan; good introduction to local snacks and easy on arrival. Shops typically open 8:00am–18:00.
Historic, atmospheric temple complex with gardens and traditional buildings—great first cultural stop to stretch legs. Grounds open ~6:00am–5:00pm; main buildings accessible during daytime.
Try a trusted unagi (eel) shop or soba on Omotesando for a filling local lunch; many shops open 11:00am–2:00pm for lunch service. Unagi is regional favourite and hearty for a day of driving.
Enjoy a relaxed izakaya meal near your hotel with grilled fish, tempura and local sake to recover from travel. Many izakayas open from 5:00pm to late evening.
Scenic highway drive north into Fukushima Prefecture; expect about 3.5–4.5 hours depending on traffic and stops—ETC tolls apply. Plan one comfort stop en route.
Iconic red-tiled castle with a museum about samurai and the Boshin War; climb the keep for panoramic views. Castle/museum hours typically 8:30am–5:00pm (last entry earlier in off-season).
Stroll preserved streets with merchant houses and samurai residences; Sazaedo pagoda (if visiting) is unique. Most heritage areas are open all day; specific museums vary 9:00am–5:00pm.
Calm stroll through a historic medicinal herb garden with a tea-house; garden typically open 9:00am–5:00pm and tea ceremonies can be arranged in advance.
If staying at a ryokan, enjoy a kaiseki dinner showcasing local seasonal produce and seafood; many ryokan meals require reservation and are included in the stay.
Large villa and gardens showing the lifestyle of rich landowners, with exhibits and seasonal gardens open typically 9:00am–5:00pm (check seasonal changes).
Explore riverside views, local markets and Furusato Village (folk museum) for a taste of regional culture; many attractions open daytime hours (9:00–17:00).
Drive to Yahiko for a classic shrine experience and cable car to panoramic viewpoints; shrine open dawn–dusk, cable car hours ~9:00am–5:00pm (seasonal).
Choose the aquarium for family-friendly exhibits (hours usually 9:00am–5:00pm) or explore local museums; check each attraction’s weekly closed days (often Mondays).
Early breakfast and a longer drive south to the Fuji Five Lakes area—expect 4–5 hours of driving with tolls on expressways. Plan one rest stop en route.
Scenic cross-country drive heading past mountains toward Mt. Fuji region; keep camera ready for changing scenery and check traffic near metropolis areas.
Check into your hotel/ryokan and then head to Chureito Pagoda for iconic Fuji + pagoda photos, best in late afternoon; viewpoint is open all day but expect stairs and a short walk.
If staying in a ryokan, enjoy a multi-course kaiseki meal highlighting local produce and spring seasonality—dinner usually served 6:00pm–8:30pm and may require reservation.
Drive to Asakusa as a good base for exploring old Tokyo; traffic near Tokyo can slow you, so allow buffer time for check-in and parking arrangements (pick hotels with parking).
Stroll Ueno Park and visit museums—note Tokyo National Museum hours are typically 9:30am–5:00pm but many museums close Mondays so confirm in advance. Ueno Park is open all day.
Visit the Imperial Palace East Gardens for peaceful walks and historical ruins—gardens are usually open 9:00am–4:30pm and closed on certain days; check the schedule.
Treat yourself to a higher-end sushi or tempura dinner in Ginza—advance reservations recommended for popular spots; dinner service usually from 6:00pm onwards.
Experience the iconic Shibuya scramble crossing and visit Hachiko statue; surrounding malls and cafes are open throughout the day, perfect for photos and people-watching.
Visit Odaiba for modern attractions like teamLab Planets (book tickets in advance; typical hours 10:00am–7:00pm) and bayfront views. teamLab timed-entry strongly recommended.
Quick breakfast at the hotel or grab-and-go at a convenience store; confirm flight check-in and traffic time to Haneda (allow extra time for morning traffic).
Drive to Haneda Airport and return rental car at the airport counter or nearby depot—allow extra time for paperwork and airport shuttles if needed. Rental counters typically open early for morning flights.
Proceed to airline check-in and security; for international flights arrive at least 2–3 hours before departure and confirm terminal location (Haneda has international Terminal 3 services).