Dates are flexible. This day-by-day plan is provisional until you choose exact travel dates.
Begin with your private transfer from Haneda or Narita Airport to your Tokyo hotel. Allow roughly 1.5–2.5 hours door to door, including immigration, baggage collection, traffic, and hotel check-in. Haneda is usually about 30–60 minutes from central Tokyo; Narita can take 1.5–2.5 hours depending on traffic. If your room is not ready, ask the hotel to store your luggage and keep the afternoon light after the flight.
Once settled, take a short taxi ride or train to Meiji Jingu in Harajuku. The shrine sits inside a broad evergreen forest and is a good first Tokyo walk, especially if jet lag makes a busy neighborhood feel overwhelming. Allow about an hour; the grounds generally open from sunrise until sunset, with no admission charge. From the shrine, walk toward Takeshita Street, where you can spend around 45 minutes browsing small fashion shops, character stores, and street-snack stands. It is busiest in the afternoon, so keep valuables secure and expect slow movement rather than a relaxed stroll.
Continue on foot toward Shibuya, or use the short JR Yamanote Line journey from Harajuku to Shibuya Station if you prefer to save your legs. See Shibuya Crossing from ground level, then head to Shibuya Sky for the best open-air skyline view. Reserve a timed admission slot in advance through the official ticket site; popular sunset periods often sell out, and entry can be affected by rain or strong winds. Allow about two hours including security, elevators, and time on the rooftop. Finish at a Shibuya café for coffee or a light meal—budget approximately ¥1,000–¥2,500 per person. Good café areas are around Miyashita Park and the quieter streets behind Center-gai, where you can sit down without committing to a full restaurant meal. Keep the evening flexible and return to the hotel early if you are adjusting to the time difference.
Start early at Senso-ji, ideally around 8:00 AM, before the main crowds arrive. Enter through Kaminarimon Gate, pause beneath the enormous lantern, and walk toward the temple along Nakamise-dori. The temple grounds are generally accessible from early morning, although the main hall and individual shops operate on their own schedules. Allow about an hour for the temple, including time around Asakusa Shrine and the quieter lanes behind the main complex.
Continue along Nakamise-dori for roughly 45 minutes. Most souvenir shops open later in the morning—often around 10:00 AM—so treat this as a relaxed browsing stop rather than a shopping mission if you arrive early. Afterward, walk or take a short taxi ride across the river toward Tokyo Skytree; the walk takes around 20–25 minutes, while a taxi is useful if you are avoiding stairs or carrying purchases.
Spend approximately two hours at Tokyo Skytree, including security, elevators, and time at the Tembo Deck and, if included in your ticket, the higher Tembo Galleria. A timed reservation is strongly recommended during sakura season; allow extra time if you need to collect or validate tickets. Standard observation-deck admission commonly starts around ¥2,100–¥3,100 for adults, depending on the ticket combination and date, but check the official booking site for the current price and availability.
From Tokyo Skytree, take the Tobu line or a taxi back toward Kappabashi Dougu Street—the trip is roughly 15–25 minutes depending on the exact shop and traffic. Browse the distinctive cookware, knives, ceramics, noren curtains, and highly realistic plastic food displays. Shops generally keep daytime retail hours, commonly around 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, but many close on Sundays and some smaller stores have irregular schedules. Keep fragile purchases protected, and remember that larger knives may require secure packaging for travel.
Return to Asakusa for dinner at a traditional tempura restaurant near the temple district. Allow roughly ¥2,000–¥5,000 per person, with higher prices for chef’s-course menus. Arrive before the busiest dinner period, around 5:30–6:00 PM, as smaller establishments may fill quickly and may not accept reservations in English. After dinner, take an unhurried evening walk around the illuminated Senso-ji grounds and the streets near Hoppy Street; the area feels considerably calmer after the daytime tour groups depart.
Leave Tokyo around 8:00 AM in your private car, allowing approximately 2–3 hours to reach Hakone, depending heavily on expressway traffic. Keep luggage in the vehicle, but confirm in advance that your Hakone accommodation can accept early bag drop or arrange parking; some smaller properties have limited parking. Once in the area, head directly to Hakone Open-Air Museum in Gora. Allow about two hours for the sculpture gardens, indoor galleries, and mountain views. Admission is roughly ¥2,000–¥2,500 per adult, and arriving before late morning helps you avoid the busiest tour groups.
Continue by car toward Owakudani, the volcanic valley created by the last major eruption of Mount Hakone. Spend around an hour on the designated walking paths and viewpoints; sulfur fumes can be strong, and some areas may close temporarily depending on volcanic conditions. The ropeway is weather-dependent, so check operating status before setting out. From there, drive down to Moto-Hakone and take the Lake Ashi cruise, allowing about an hour for the crossing and boarding time. If you are using a rental car, check the boat timetable carefully and confirm where you will disembark so the driver can meet you without a rushed transfer.
After the cruise, visit Hakone Shrine, reached through the cedar forest from the Moto-Hakone waterfront. Set aside about an hour; the lakeside torii is photogenic, but queues can form, particularly during sakura season and on clear weekends. From the shrine, walk back toward the waterfront for coffee and a light meal at a Moto-Hakone café, budgeting roughly ¥1,000–¥2,500 per person. This is a good point to slow down rather than add another attraction. If your accommodation is elsewhere in Hakone, retrieve the car and allow 30–60 minutes for the local mountain roads, which are narrow, winding, and slower than the map suggests.
Leave Hakone around 8:00 AM in your private car or rental car for Matsumoto, allowing roughly 3.5–4.5 hours with traffic, fuel, and a short service-area stop. The Chuo Expressway is the most practical route; keep some flexibility in case of congestion around Tokyo’s western outskirts or the mountain approaches. Confirm in advance that your Matsumoto accommodation has parking, and ask whether you can leave the car and luggage before check-in. After arrival, head into the city center for Matsumoto Castle. Allow 1.5–2 hours, and expect a possible queue to enter the keep, particularly during cherry-blossom season. The steep internal staircases can be challenging, so wear comfortable shoes; admission is generally around ¥700–¥1,000, depending on the current combined-ticket arrangements.
From Matsumoto Castle, walk about 10 minutes toward Nawate-dori Street, a compact riverside lane lined with small craft shops, traditional sweets, and local souvenirs. Give yourself around 45 minutes here rather than treating it as a quick photo stop. For an easy meal break, choose a casual soba shop or café around Nawate-dori; budget approximately ¥1,000–¥3,000 per person, with no reservation usually necessary, though smaller shops may close between lunch and dinner or sell out of popular items. Afterward, continue on foot for roughly 5–10 minutes to Nakamachi Street, where dark-and-white kura warehouses now house galleries, folk-craft stores, and small boutiques. Allow about an hour to browse at an unhurried pace, and look down the side lanes toward the river for quieter photographs.
Keep the evening relaxed after the long drive. The area around Nakamachi Street and the central shopping arcades is pleasant for a slow walk before returning to your hotel, but many independent shops close by around 5:00–6:00 PM. If you still have energy, revisit the castle area after dark for exterior photographs; access inside the keep will be closed, but the illuminated surroundings can be atmospheric when evening lighting is operating. A car is unnecessary within central Matsumoto, so leave it parked and use the compact center on foot.
Leave Matsumoto around 8:00 AM in your private car, allowing approximately 2.5–3 hours for the mountain drive to Takayama. The route is scenic, but roads are slower and can be affected by spring weather, so keep extra time for photo stops and possible delays. Confirm that your accommodation has parking; central Takayama has limited spaces, and some hotels require advance reservation or direct you to a nearby paid lot. On arrival, leave your luggage at the hotel if the room is not ready.
Begin at Miyagawa Morning Market, beside the Miyagawa River. Stalls usually wind down by noon, so aim to arrive by late morning at the latest. Allow about an hour to browse local produce, pickles, crafts, and small snacks. From the river, it is a short walk to Takayama Jinya, an exceptionally preserved Edo-period government office. Plan roughly an hour here; the tatami rooms, administrative halls, and gardens give a clear sense of how the town was governed under the shogunate. Admission is generally around ¥440, with opening hours commonly from 8:45 AM to 5:00 PM, though seasonal hours can vary.
Continue into Sanmachi Suji, the atmospheric Old Town area of dark wooden merchant houses, sake breweries, craft shops, and narrow lanes. Spend about 1.5 hours wandering rather than trying to cover every shop. The main streets are compact and easily walkable, but they become busy around midday; stepping onto the quieter side streets gives a more relaxed experience. This is also a convenient area to collect small provisions for tomorrow’s journey.
Later, follow the Higashiyama Walking Course toward eastern Takayama. The route takes about 1.5 hours through wooded paths and temple grounds, with much less bustle than Sanmachi. Wear comfortable shoes, as some sections are uneven and gently uphill. Finish back in the Old Town with a Hida beef dinner at a restaurant of your choice; budget approximately ¥3,000–¥8,000 per person, and expect popular places to stop taking walk-ins during the evening. Keep the next morning easy, since you will be heading onward to Toyama.
Leave Takayama around 8:30 AM in your private car, allowing roughly 2–2.5 hours for the mountain drive to Toyama. Confirm ahead of time that your hotel has parking; central hotels may charge approximately ¥800–¥1,500 per night or direct you to a nearby public garage. After checking in or leaving your luggage, head to the Toyama Glass Art Museum, about a 10–15-minute drive from most central hotels. Its contemporary glass collection is housed in the architecturally striking TOYAMAキラリ building, and 1–1.5 hours is enough for a relaxed visit. Check the museum’s current opening day and exhibition schedule before setting out; admission is commonly around ¥200–¥1,500 depending on the galleries.
From the museum, walk or drive for about 10 minutes to Toyama Castle Park. The compact grounds are especially pleasant in the sakura season, when the trees around the moat provide an easy city-center stroll. Allow approximately 45 minutes, including photographs and a look at the exterior of Toyama Castle. The castle museum may have separate hours and admission, so treat it as optional rather than something to build the afternoon around.
Continue by car or on foot toward Fugan Canal Kansui Park, roughly 10 minutes from central Toyama by taxi and about 15–20 minutes from Toyama Station on foot. The park is best enjoyed slowly: follow the waterfront paths, pause by the bridges, and stay for the changing light around sunset. Allow about an hour, though in spring it is worth adding extra time if the blossoms are out. The nearby Toyama Prefectural Museum of Art and Design is a useful rainy-day alternative, but avoid trying to fit it in if you want an unhurried canal walk.
Finish at Toyama Station, where the station’s food hall and seafood counters make an easy self-guided dinner stop. Look for local Toyama Bay seafood, sushi, and trout sushi; plan approximately ¥2,000–¥5,000 per person. If you are driving the next morning, return to the hotel early enough to confirm the car route and parking arrangements—Toyama is compact, but station-area roads can become busy during the evening.
Leave Toyama at around 6:00 AM in your private car or taxi for Ogizawa, allowing approximately 2.5–3 hours. The mountain roads become narrower as you approach the trailhead, and spring conditions can still include snow or ice, so allow extra time rather than relying on the minimum driving estimate. At Ogizawa, park the car and carry only a small day bag; large luggage is inconvenient on the route and should ideally be sent ahead or left with your accommodation. Confirm the parking arrangement and reserve your Alpine Route tickets through the official Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route website, especially during the busy snow-wall season.
Begin the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route from Ogizawa, using the electric bus, cable car, and ropeway connections toward Murodo. Although the actual rides are efficient, allow 3–4 hours for transfers, platform queues, and sightseeing stops. Keep your ticket and belongings accessible, and wear warm layers: temperatures at Murodo can be much colder than in Toyama, with deep snow still covering parts of the plateau during the sakura season. The famous snow corridor may be open only during its official seasonal period and can vary with weather, so treat it as a bonus rather than the sole reason for the day.
At Murodo, follow the walking route around Mikurigaike Pond for roughly 1.5–2 hours. The pond and surrounding peaks are particularly striking when the landscape is still snow-covered, but paths may be buried, icy, or partially closed. Follow staff instructions and do not leave marked routes; proper waterproof shoes, gloves, sunglasses, and sun protection are genuinely useful here. Afterward, continue through the Alpine Route toward Kurobe Dam, allowing about an hour for the dam viewpoints and the impressive crossing over the structure.
Retrace the route back toward Ogizawa, allowing approximately 1–1.5 hours plus any waiting time for the connecting services. From the parking area, drive or take your arranged transfer to your Omachi accommodation. Have a regional soba meal at one of the town’s Omachi soba restaurants—many close relatively early after the daytime service, so check hours before starting the Alpine Route or ask your accommodation to call ahead. Expect roughly ¥1,000–¥2,500 per person. This is a demanding mountain day, so keep the evening quiet and prepare warm clothing and luggage for tomorrow’s onward journey.
Leave Omachi at around 8:00 AM in your private car, allowing approximately 3.5–4.5 hours to reach Kanazawa via the Hokuriku Expressway. Spring mountain weather can still slow the drive, so keep a little flexibility and use a service area for a short break. Before setting out, confirm whether your Kanazawa hotel offers parking and whether the vehicle must be returned or relocated today; central parking is limited, with paid lots commonly costing roughly ¥800–¥1,500 per night.
After check-in or luggage drop-off, head to Kenrokuen Garden, ideally arriving by about 1:00 PM. Allow around 1.5 hours to wander between the ponds, stone bridges, seasonal plantings, and famous Kotoji-toro Lantern. Sakura timing varies by year, but the garden is particularly attractive in spring; admission is usually around ¥320, with seasonal opening hours generally beginning early morning and ending around 5:00 PM. A short walk across the road brings you to Kanazawa Castle Park, where you can spend another 1–1.5 hours exploring the reconstructed gates, white wooden storehouses, and broad gravel courtyards. Entry to the park grounds is free, while some restored buildings charge a small admission fee.
Walk or take a short taxi ride—about 10 minutes—from the castle area to the Nagamachi Samurai District. Its narrow earthen-walled lanes feel much quieter than Kanazawa’s main sightseeing streets, and the former residences provide a glimpse of how samurai families lived. Allow about 1.5 hours, including time to visit one of the preserved residences if open. The district’s small lanes can be uneven, so comfortable shoes are useful; taxis are practical if you are carrying luggage or traveling with older family members.
Continue toward Omicho Market, roughly 15 minutes on foot from Nagamachi or a few minutes by taxi. The market is best treated as an early-evening browsing stop rather than a late-night attraction: many stalls begin closing in the late afternoon, although some nearby counters and restaurants remain open into the evening. Allow about an hour to look around the covered arcades and pick up local sweets, fruit, or packaged seafood.
For dinner, choose a casual seafood counter near Omicho Market, where a simple seafood bowl, sushi set, or grilled fish meal generally costs around ¥2,000–¥5,000 per person. Individual businesses vary considerably in opening days and closing times, so check on the day or ask your hotel to confirm; queues are common at popular counters. After dinner, return to your hotel on foot if it is nearby or take a short taxi, keeping the evening relaxed after the long drive.
Leave Kanazawa Station in the morning on the Hokuriku Shinkansen to Tsuruga, then change to the Limited Express Thunderbird for Kyoto. The journey takes roughly 2–2½ hours including the transfer; allow extra time for finding your platform and collecting luggage at Kyoto Station. Reserve seats through JR West’s online reservation system or at a JR ticket office, especially during cherry-blossom season. On arrival, leave larger bags at your hotel or a Kyoto Station locker before continuing into the city.
From Kyoto Station, take the Karasuma Subway Line to Shijo, then walk about 10 minutes to Nishiki Market. Spend around 1–1½ hours browsing the covered arcade, sampling small snacks and seeing Kyoto specialties such as pickles, yuba, grilled seafood, and seasonal sweets. It is narrow and very busy, so keep bags close and avoid stopping in the center of the passage. Many stalls open around 10:00 AM, but individual hours vary and some close on Wednesdays.
After the market, walk or take a short taxi ride toward Nijo Castle, allowing roughly 15–20 minutes by taxi or 25–30 minutes on foot. Set aside about two hours for the Ninomaru Palace interiors, famously marked by “nightingale floors,” and the surrounding gardens. The castle generally closes in the late afternoon, with last admission earlier than closing time; check the official schedule before setting out and allow time for the entrance queue. Standard admission is usually around ¥1,300, with additional charges possible for special exhibitions or palace entry.
Return toward central Kyoto by subway or taxi and stroll through Pontocho Alley, continuing toward the Kamo River. The lane is especially atmospheric after dusk, though it is narrow and quieter on side streets than on the main approach. Walk south or north along the riverbank for views of the city and the illuminated bridges, then choose a café or casual dining spot around Kawaramachi for an unhurried dinner. Budget approximately ¥1,500–¥4,000 per person; no reservation is necessary if you remain flexible, but popular small establishments may have queues. Keep the evening light after the intercity transfer, as Kyoto’s central streets are easy to explore on foot from here.
Start early in northern Kyoto, ideally reaching Kinkaku-ji shortly after opening. The Golden Pavilion is best seen before the tour groups arrive; allow about an hour to follow the garden path and viewpoints. Admission is approximately ¥500, and the grounds usually take cashless visitors by surprise, so keep some yen with you. From there, walk or take a short taxi ride to Ryoan-ji—the walk takes roughly 20 minutes, while a taxi is more practical if you want to stay on schedule. Spend about an hour with the famous rock garden and its quieter surrounding grounds.
Continue to Ninna-ji in Omuro, around 10–15 minutes by taxi or local bus from Ryoan-ji. Allow 1–1½ hours here; the broad temple precinct feels much less compressed than the earlier stops, and in sakura season the temple’s late-blooming Omuro cherry trees can be a highlight, though flowering varies by year. Check the official bloom and opening information before setting out, as some garden areas may have separate seasonal admission.
After Ninna-ji, take a taxi toward Arashiyama, allowing roughly 20–30 minutes depending on traffic. Head first to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, where arriving before midday makes a noticeable difference. The main path is short—about 45 minutes at an unhurried pace—but it becomes crowded quickly, especially during cherry-blossom season. Continue directly to Tenryu-ji, entering through the garden route rather than treating it as only a temple visit; the landscaped pond garden and mountain backdrop are the real draw. Allow around 1½ hours. Combined admission for the garden and temple buildings is typically around ¥1,000–¥1,500, depending on the areas open that day.
Finish with your planned tofu or vegetarian restaurant in Arashiyama, keeping the meal around ¥2,000–¥5,000 per person. Arashiyama restaurants can stop seating earlier than expected and queues are common, so aim for an early dinner or confirm last seating before committing to a place. Afterward, leave time to wander the quieter lanes near the river rather than adding another attraction. If returning to central Kyoto, the JR Saga-Arashiyama Station is useful for Kyoto Station, while taxis are more comfortable after a full temple day; allow roughly 30–45 minutes overall, depending on your hotel and evening traffic.
Leave Kyoto around 8:00 AM for Kintetsu Nara Station, allowing approximately 45–60 minutes door to door. The Kintetsu line is the most convenient because the station is closer to Nara Park than JR Nara Station; use an IC card or buy a ticket at the station. From the station, walk or take a short taxi ride toward Todai-ji, arriving early enough to avoid the largest tour groups. Allow about 1½ hours for the Great Buddha Hall and surrounding temple grounds. Admission is usually around ¥800, though fees can change, and the main hall generally opens from around 7:30 or 8:00 AM depending on the season.
Walk through Nara Park after visiting Todai-ji, keeping to the quieter paths rather than lingering only around the deer-populated central lawns. Allow roughly an hour for the open parkland and viewpoints, and avoid feeding the deer unless you are comfortable with them approaching quickly. Continue east through the forest to Kasuga Taisha, where the stone lanterns, mossy paths, and spring greenery make the walk especially atmospheric. Plan about 1½ hours; the shrine grounds are generally open during daytime, with the inner paid area often costing approximately ¥500–¥700. Wear comfortable shoes, as the route is uneven and shaded.
From Kasuga Taisha, walk back toward Naramachi, roughly 25–35 minutes depending on your pace, or take a short local bus or taxi if everyone is tired. Spend about 1½ hours wandering its narrow lanes, traditional wooden merchant houses, small craft shops, and old temples. This is a good place to browse independently rather than follow a strict route. Many small businesses close by late afternoon or have irregular hours, so visit shops as you pass them rather than leaving everything until the end.
Head to Kintetsu Nara Station around 4:30–5:00 PM for a direct train to Osaka-Namba, allowing approximately 45–60 minutes including the walk back to the station and any wait for the next service. If you have luggage, leave it at your Kyoto hotel before departing or arrange forwarding in advance; carrying large bags through Nara Park is inconvenient. On arrival, check in and keep the evening around Namba relaxed. Explore Dotonbori, Hozenji Yokocho, and the covered Namba Walk shopping arcades, then choose a casual local dinner independently—takoyaki or okonomiyaki typically costs about ¥1,500–¥3,500 per person. Expect the Dotonbori area to be busiest after 6:00 PM, so the quieter lanes around Hozenji are better for a slower evening.
If your international flight leaves in the afternoon or evening, begin at Osaka Castle Park around 8:30–9:00 AM. The broad park grounds are especially pleasant during sakura season, with cherry trees around the outer moats and open views toward the castle. Allow about 1½ hours for an unhurried walk; the park is large, so wear comfortable shoes and keep your luggage at the hotel or arrange hotel storage.
Continue to the Osaka Castle Museum inside the castle tower, allowing another 1½ hours including the queue and elevators. The museum covers Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Osaka’s castle history, while the top floor gives you a useful city panorama. Opening times and timed-entry arrangements can change, so check the official ticket information before leaving your hotel; admission is usually around ¥600, with special exhibitions sometimes costing more.
From the castle area, take the Osaka Metro toward Nippombashi—usually about 25–35 minutes depending on the station and connection—and arrive at Kuromon Ichiba Market around late morning. Spend roughly an hour browsing the covered arcade, where you can buy small portions of seafood, fruit, grilled items, and other Osaka specialties as you prefer. The market is busiest around lunchtime, so keep moving to one side when stopping at stalls, and carry cash as some smaller vendors may not accept cards. Individual stalls keep their own hours, and the market atmosphere can be quieter later in the afternoon.
Walk from Kuromon Ichiba Market toward Dotonbori and Ebisu Bridge, taking approximately 10–15 minutes through the Nippombashi and Namba streets. Allow about an hour for the canalfront atmosphere, famous illuminated signs, and a final stroll through Namba. For a comfortable international departure, arrange your private transfer to Kansai International Airport to leave Osaka roughly 4½–5 hours before takeoff: the drive normally takes around 1½–2 hours, but allow extra time for expressway traffic, luggage loading, and the airport’s check-in and security process. Aim to arrive at the airport at least 2–3 hours before an international flight; confirm the pickup point and vehicle size with your transfer company the evening before.
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