The Tokyo Tower is a famous landmark with two observation decks offering panoramic views of the city. Activities include watching the Tokyo skyline during the day, sunset or at night, and enjoying the amusement park, aquarium, and museums under the tower.
Experience a challenging but rewarding hike in Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain. The best time to hike is from July to September when hiking trails are open. The climb can take between 5-10 hrs and has accommodations and rest stations along the way.
Okinawa is a tropical paradise filled with water adventures featuring coral reefs, marine life, and crystal-clear waters. Snorkeling, diving, kayaking, and stand-up paddling are some of the activities to try out.
The Peace Memorial Park is located in the city center of Hiroshima and houses monuments dedicated to the victims of the atomic bomb. The park is also home to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, which showcases the consequences of the nuclear attacks.
Yakushima Island is a nature lover's paradise offering stunning hikes including the Shiratani Unsuikyo Gorge Trail, a lush forest trail. The island has onsen hot springs, beaches, waterfalls, and nature reserves, and is a prime location for nature photography.
The Yoshino River in Shikoku is an adventure hot spot with white water rafting and kayaking options. Novice and expert rafters are welcome to conquer the rapids in the stunning scenery of deep gorges and valleys.
Kyoto is a historic city filled with ancient temples like Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari Taisha, castles, and shrines. This itinerary highlights visiting the Kinkaku-ji Temple, Nijo Castle, and Nishiki Market.
Hokkaido is a skiing paradise with powdery snow and breathtaking views. The weather is perfect during winter and offers options for snowboarding, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.
The Snow Monkey Park is a unique experience where visitors can enjoy outdoor hot springs with wild monkeys. It’s especially scenic during winter when the snow is at its peak.
Takayama is a picturesque mountain town where the outdoor season invites tourists to hike, cycle, fish, and explore caves. Known for its traditional-style houses and wooden shops, it’s also a perfect location to indulge in street food and sake tasting.
End your trip in Tokyo with savory and sweet street food in Shinjuku's Omoide Yokocho, Harajuku's Takeshita street, and Ameya Yokocho market. Take a food tour and enjoy ramen, sushi, okonomiyaki, and sweet treats like takoyaki and mochi.
Japan has an extensive rail network including the Shinkansen bullet train, local trains, and buses, that cover most of the destinations mentioned in this itinerary. Travelers can purchase the "Japan Rail Pass" to save expenses and time, as it covers most trains except for a few special categories. Flights are also an option to move between far destinations, like Kagoshima to Kochi, and Tokyo to Sapporo.
The estimated transportation cost for this itinerary is around ¥50,000 to ¥80,000, depending on the mode of transportation and early or late bookings. Travel time varies from 2 hours to 8 hours depending on your destination, and seasonality affects pricing and availability.
If you have more time in Japan, consider visiting Nara, Osaka, or climb other mountains, such as Mount Hakkoda, Mount Nasu, and Mount Yari. Hokkaido, Niigata, and Aomori are great regions for winter activities like ice fishing and snowmobiling. For short trips, Okinawa, Yokohama, and Kamakura are excellent retreats for beaches, gardens, and scenic views.
If you have less time, you can cut out one or two destinations or activities, like skipping skiing or rafting, to suit your interests and budget.
The main airports serving Japan are Narita International Airport (NRT) and Haneda Airport (HND), both in Tokyo. Fukuoka Airport (FUK), Osaka's Kansai International Airport (KIX), and Naha Airport (OKA) are also popular gateways. Narita Airport is 66 km from Tokyo city center, and Haneda Airport is only 14 km. Nagoya Centrair International Airport (NGO) is 32 km from downtown Nagoya, and Sapporo Chitose Airport (CTS) is 47 km from Sapporo.