Get ready to experience the buzz of Tokyo, the world's most populous metropolis with a population of over 13 million. A perfect first day to start off would be visiting Tsukiji Fish Market which provides a glimpse into the vast Japanese seafood diet. Then, head over to Asakusa and visit the Sensō-ji Temple and the evening at Shibuya Crossing, a famous intersection that sees more than a million people crossing on a daily basis.
An easy day trip from Tokyo is the beautiful coastal city of Kamakura, well known for its ancient temples and shrines. Start off the day with a train to Kamakura Station to visit the famous Great Buddha of Kamakura followed by the Kōtoku-in and the beautiful Hasedera Temple.
Mount Fuji is Japan's highest mountain at 3,776 meters and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. The mountain itself has a range of sights and adventures to offer, whether you wish to climb to the top or just enjoy the view from the base. Make a note NOT climbing the mountain itself during Winter holidays.
Hakone is a mountainous region just southeast of Mount Fuji and is renowned for hot springs, natural beauty, and the stunning sculpture park Open Air Museum. A boat cruise is a great way to explore hot springs like Ōwakudani and Lake Ashi by allowing you to take on breathtaking sights.
Japan's cultural capital, Kyoto, has no shortage of inspiring sights. One of Kyoto's most famous temples is the famous Kiyomizu-dera Temple, dating back to 1633. Then, head over to Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine, at the base of Mount Inari with arced rows of thousands of vermillion torii gates. Finally, enjoy a stroll through the charming Higashiyama district for souvenir shopping and street food.
Another easy day trip from Kyoto is to the ancient city of Nara. A compact city famous for its traditional Japanese architecture and deer. Start with the UNESCO World Heritage sites, Tōdai-ji Temple and the Kasuga-taisha Shrine. The star of the show here, are the friendly deer roaming freely throughout the park.
Head over to the next most significant city in the Kansai region, Osaka. Start with a visit to the magnificent Osaka Castle, then onto the Shitennō-ji Temple, one of the country's oldest Buddhist temples, and finish off with a stroll along the lively Dōtonbori Street dotted with huge billboards and neon lights.
Take a day trip from Osaka to the historical and sad chapter of World War II at Hiroshima. Most notable sites include the UNESCO World Heritage sites Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, including the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. Visiting the places within the park would take up the entire day.
A day trip from Hiroshima; this scenic island Miyajima offers stunning views and much to see. The main site on the island is the Itsukushima Shrine, dedicated to the Shinto goddess of the sea. The shrine is most famously known for the Floating Torii gate, a Japanese iconic symbol; expect crowds. After that, you can climb to Mount Misen via the cable car and feast on the breath-taking views from the top.
Experience another day at the historical beauty of Okayama, known for the Korakuen Garden, a masterpiece of Japanese garden design dating back to the Edo era. Afterwards, head to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter which features original houses from the Edo era, quaint shops selling traditional sweets and a range of local delicacies.
Next, head to the traditional town of Takayama, located in the untouched mountains of the Hida region. Visit some of the local shrines and temples, including the Sakurayama Hachiman Shrine and the Takayama Jinya, which is renowned for its Edo period wooden architecture.
Further travel from Takayama on a day trip to the picturesque village of Shirakawago, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and a masterpiece of Gassho-style architecture. The preserved traditional houses from the Edo-era that have thatched rooftops, adds a unique charm to the village.
Travel from the main island of Japan to Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido and its capital, Sapporo, known for its ramen and the famous Snow Festival that takes place annually in February. Some notable locales are the Sapporo TV Tower, Odori Park, famous for its summer fireworks, and the Hokkaido Shrine, a serene Shinto shrine known for its fall colors.
An indispensable experience located in the scenic beauty of the Japanese Alps, Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park. Here, one can find Japanese macaques, also known as snow monkeys, thriving in the snowiest regions of Japan. Capture incredible images of the baby monkeys taking a dip in warm hot springs, which they've learned to use over a few generations.
End your Japan adventure with a day trip to Noboribetsu Hells Valley. It is famous for its sulphuric hot springs and access to the Jigokudani Hell Valley, a volcanic site that features geysers, hot streams and several walking trails; be prepared for the strong smell of sulphur.
Japan has a dense rail network; efficient travel can be accomplished using the Japan Rail Pass. The JR Pass is ideal for those hoping to travel extensively throughout the country. The Hokkaido-shinkansen, Akita-shinkansen, Yamagata-shinkansen, Joetsu-Shinkansen, Hokuriku-Shinkansen, Tokaido-Shinkansen, San'in-Sanyo Shinkansen and the Kyushu Shinkansen lines are included in this pass. For local travel, a Suica Card or Pasmo Card is an excellent option.
The major airports in Japan are Narita (NRT) and Haneda (HND) in Tokyo and Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka.
If you can stick around in Tokyo longer, head to Tokyo Skytree, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku, or Ginza for extra days. Osaka can also offer extra days around neighboring cities such as Kobe, Kyoto, or Hiroshima. Hokkaido, Japan's northernmost island, is ideal for skiing enthusiasts. Japanese hot springs (onsen) can provide ultimate relaxation from weary travel.
The primary airports in Japan are Narita International Airport (NRT) serving Tokyo and Kansai International Airport (KIX) serving Osaka. Just a few miles south of Tokyo, Haneda Airport (HND) is yet another option. Sapporo's Chitose Airport (CTS) serves the island of Hokkaido.