Itinerary
- Day 1
Departure
Your journey starts with a night flight to Japan. As you settle in for the long haul, you'll find yourself drifting off to sleep, then waking as the sun rises and paints the sky in shades of red. It's a fitting way to arrive in the land of cherry blossoms.
- Day 2
Sapporo
Once you land, head to the train station and make your way to Sapporo, Hokkaido's capital. When you arrive, the city's energy hits you right away. Modern buildings sit next to traditional shops, and the smell of fresh ramen fills the streets as you walk around and get your bearings.
Optional Activities
- Self-guided exploration of Sapporo
- Ramen tasting at local restaurants
- Day 3
Sapporo
Start at Sapporo TV Tower, which is modeled after the Eiffel Tower. From there, wander through Odori Park with its flower displays and fountains. You can optionally wear a kimono for photos at spots like the Clock Tower, or take a cable car up Mount Moiwa to see the city spread out below you.
Included Activities
- Visit Sapporo TV Tower
- Explore Odori Park
Optional Activities
- Kimono rental for photos (payable on site)
- Cable car ride to Mount Moiwa (payable locally)
Landmarks Sapporo TV Tower Odori Park Sapporo Clock Tower Mount Moiwa - Day 4
Sapporo
There's an optional short train ride to Otaru, a charming harbor town where old warehouses have become cafes and shops. You'll stroll along the canals, grab coffee, try the famous Otaru sushi, and possibly sample the region's specialty soft ice cream with up to 12 layers of different colors and flavors.
Optional Activities
- Train ride to Otaru (payable locally)
- Stroll along Otaru Canal
- Coffee break at canal-side cafés (payable locally)
- Sushi dining at local restaurants (payable locally)
- Rainbow soft ice cream (payable on site)
Landmarks Otaru Canal - Day 5
Noboribetsu
Take the train to Noboribetsu, a hot springs town that's over 1,000 years old. The place is known for its Valley of Hell and healing hot springs with nine different mineral types. If you arrive with time to spare, look for eleven demon statues scattered around, including an 18-meter guardian at the freeway exit.
Optional Activities
- Demon statue hunting in Noboribetsu
- Hot springs experience (onsen)
Landmarks Noboribetsu Onsen 
- Day 6
Noboribetsu
Spend time in Noboribetsu's Hell Valley, a natural area in a wide crater with steaming vents and bleached rocks creating a sulfurous landscape. After that, relax in one of the town's hot springs. Each mineral type is believed to offer different health benefits, so you get both natural spectacle and wellness all in one place.
Included Activities
- Visit Hell Valley (Jigokudani)
Optional Activities
- Hot springs bathing (onsen) with various mineral types
Landmarks Hell Valley (Jigokudani) - Day 7
Tokyo
Say goodbye to Hokkaido and fly to Tokyo. After settling in, take a walk through the city to shake off the travel fatigue. You'll see the high-rise buildings and feel the organized chaos of the streets. Stop at a convenience store or ramen restaurant to get your first real taste of Tokyo's food scene.
Included Activities
- Flight from Sapporo to Tokyo
Optional Activities
- Self-guided city stroll
- Ramen dining
- Konbini exploration
- Day 8
Tokyo
Explore Tokyo's trendiest areas starting in Shibuya, where the famous Hachiko statue and Shibuya Crossing draw crowds (sometimes up to 3,000 people cross at once). Head next to Harajuku's Takeshita Street with its vibrant energy. By evening, you're in Shinjuku's neon glow where you can shop, hit mini-bars in Golden Gai, try karaoke, or check out gaming centers.
Optional Activities
- Observation Deck in Shibuya Scramble Square (ticket available on site)
- Takeshita Street exploration
- Shopping in Shinjuku
- Golden Gai bar hopping
- Karaoke
- Game Center visit
Landmarks Shibuya Crossing Hachiko Statue Shibuya Scramble Square Observation Deck Takeshita Street Harajuku Shinjuku Golden Gai - Day 9
Tokyo
Dive into Japanese pop culture in Akihabara, Tokyo's Electric Town. Neon signs and huge screens create an electric atmosphere. Check out cosplay cafes, manga stores, and game halls. For food, grab lunch at places serving tempura, ramen, or sushi, or pop into one of the many convenience stores for quick snacks and bites.
Optional Activities
- Akihabara exploration
- Cosplay café visit
- Manga store browsing
- Game hall experience
- Tempura, ramen, yakitori, udon, or sushi dining
- Konbini snack shopping
Landmarks Akihabara - Day 10
Mount Fuji Area
Exchange your Japan Rail Pass at the station and board the Shinkansen toward Mount Fuji, Japan's most famous volcano with centuries of spiritual meaning attached to it. When you arrive, check into your accommodation, hopefully with a nice view of Fuji-san. There's an optional walk across the 400-metre Mishima Sky Walk suspension bridge through green forest if you want more views.
Included Activities
- Japan Rail Pass exchange
- Shinkansen train journey to Mount Fuji area
Optional Activities
- Mishima Sky Walk suspension bridge crossing (payable on site)
Landmarks Mount Fuji Mishima Sky Walk 
- Day 11
Mount Fuji Area
Get up close to Mount Fuji's symmetrical shape. Visit Shiraito Nature Park in Shizuoka to see the Shiraito waterfalls that look like white threads falling down the rocks. For a different angle, take an optional cable car to Mount Omuro's summit and walk around the crater of this grass-covered extinct volcano with Mount Fuji always in your view.
Included Activities
- Visit Shiraito Nature Park
- View Shiraito waterfalls
Optional Activities
- Mount Omuro cable car to summit (payable on site)
- Crater rim walk at Mount Omuro
Landmarks Shiraito Nature Park Shiraito Waterfalls Mount Omuro - Day 12
Kyoto
Board the Shinkansen toward Kyoto as Mount Fuji recedes behind you. After checking in, head straight to Nishiki Market, which is packed with food stalls and souvenirs. In the evening, walk through Kyoto's old imperial streets, then cross the Kamo River to Pontocho alley with its wooden buildings and hidden bars tucked away.
Included Activities
- Shinkansen journey to Kyoto
- Visit Nishiki Market
Optional Activities
- Stroll through Kyoto's imperial streets
- Pontocho alley exploration
- Bar and restaurant dining in Pontocho
Landmarks Nishiki Market Kamo River Pontocho Alley - Day 13
Kyoto
Visit Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine with its iconic red torii gates that seem to go on forever, creating a shimmering tunnel effect with small fox figures scattered throughout. Hike up to Yotsutsuji viewing platform for city views, then check out Kiyomizudera Temple's pagodas and wooden halls as the sun sets. Walk through the magical alleyways of Higashiyama and Gion in the evening, and you might even spot a geisha.
Included Activities
- Visit Fushimi Inari Shrine
- Hike to Yotsutsuji viewing platform
- Visit Kiyomizudera Temple
Optional Activities
- Higashiyama alley stroll
- Gion alley exploration
Landmarks Fushimi Inari Shrine Yotsutsuji Viewing Platform Kiyomizudera Temple Higashiyama District Gion District - Day 14
Kyoto
Head out early to Arashiyama bamboo forest in western Kyoto. The meter-high stalks sway in the wind, and sunlight breaks through creating an otherworldly feeling. After that, visit Tenryu-ji Temple with its Zen garden backed by mountains, then move on to the golden Kinkaku-ji pavilion. If crowds aren't your thing, head to Ginkaku-ji (the silver pavilion) instead for a quieter experience.
Included Activities
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Optional Activities
- Tenryu-ji Temple visit (admission on site)
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) visit
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) visit
Landmarks Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Tenryu-ji Temple Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - Day 15
Hiroshima
Take the Shinkansen to Himeji Castle, where the white structure towers over six floors with curved roofs and sits surrounded by beautiful cherry trees. Walk through the interior as Princess Senhime once did and head to the top for sweeping city views. There's an optional Japanese garden next door or Menme restaurant for homemade udon. Later, continue by Shinkansen to Hiroshima and explore the castle and Peace Park to reflect on the city's history.
Included Activities
- Visit Himeji Castle
- Shinkansen journey to Hiroshima
- Visit Peace Park and Atomic Bomb Dome
Optional Activities
- Japanese garden at Himeji Castle
- Menme restaurant udon noodles
- Hiroshima Castle exploration
Landmarks Himeji Castle Hiroshima Peace Park Atomic Bomb Dome Hiroshima Castle 
- Day 16
Miyajima
Set out early by ferry to Miyajima to see Itsukushima Shrine's glowing red torii rising from the water. At high tide the gate floats; at low tide you can walk right up to it. There's an optional cable car ride over maple trees to Shishiiwa viewpoint for island views, or a 30-minute hike to Mount Misen's summit. Back in town, grab street food like Momiji Manja, then watch the sunset paint the torii golden as you pass the five-storey Senjokaku Pagoda.
Included Activities
- Ferry ride to Miyajima
- Visit Itsukushima Shrine and torii gate
Optional Activities
- Cable car to Shishiiwa viewpoint (payable on site)
- Mount Misen hike
- Street food on Omotesando Street (payable locally)
- Senjokaku Pagoda stroll
Landmarks Itsukushima Shrine Miyajima Torii Gate Shishiiwa Viewpoint Mount Misen Senjokaku Pagoda - Day 17
Nagasaki
Head south to Kyushu, Japan's lesser-known region and an insider tip for travelers. First stop is Tosu where you can stretch your legs before heading to Ochozu Falls. Then take the train to Takeo Onsen, a 1,000-year-old spa town surrounded by lush gardens, impressive architecture, and magnificent shrines. The final train leg takes you to Nagasaki.
Optional Activities
- Ochozu Falls visit
- Takeo Onsen exploration
Landmarks Ochozu Falls Takeo Onsen - Day 18
Nagasaki
Start exploring Nagasaki at Suwa Shrine, the port city's most important shrine where bright stone torii create a spiritual atmosphere as you walk through. Try the local specialty Nagasaki Castella (a rectangular sponge cake) if you want. Visit Nagasaki Peace Park which commemorates the 1945 atomic bombing and now displays hopeful artworks from around the world. End at Glover Garden where impressive architecture sits surrounded by nature and colorful flowers with city views.
Included Activities
- Visit Suwa Shrine
- Visit Nagasaki Peace Park
Optional Activities
- Nagasaki Castella tasting (payable on site)
- Glover Garden visit
Landmarks Suwa Shrine Nagasaki Peace Park Glover Garden - Day 19
Kagoshima
Travel early by train to Kagoshima where wild nature and vibrant city life meet. After dropping off your luggage, head to Sengan-en, a beautiful Japanese garden offering a nice view of Sakurajima, the active volcano. Cool off at Iso Beach where you might spot dolphins with the volcano as your backdrop. In the evening, head to Tenmonkan district in the city center to dine with locals at excellent restaurants known for Kagoshima's strong food scene.
Included Activities
- Visit Sengan-en Japanese garden
- View of Sakurajima volcano
Optional Activities
- Iso Beach visit
- Dolphin spotting
- Tenmonkan district dining
Landmarks Sengan-en Garden Sakurajima Volcano Iso Beach Tenmonkan District 
- Day 20
Sakurajima
Take a short ferry from Kagoshima to see Sakurajima, the active volcano, up close. The volcano towers over the sea as your boat crosses through glistening water in the sunshine. Visit the Sakurajima Visitor Center then hike the well-marked Nagisa Lava Trail through impressive lava fields. Pass several viewpoints with views of Kagoshima Bay and surrounding mountains where nature is slowly reclaiming the rugged landscape.
Included Activities
- Ferry to Sakurajima
- Nagisa Lava Trail hike
Optional Activities
- Sakurajima Visitor Center visit
Landmarks Sakurajima Island Nagisa Lava Trail - Day 21
Fukuoka
Take one last look at Sakurajima before boarding the Shinkansen north to Fukuoka. Your first stop is Canal City, an impressive shopping complex with colorful stores, green wall gardens, interesting architecture, and waterways flowing through. As evening arrives, explore the yatai food stalls in Tenjin and Nakasu where you can try hakata ramen, grilled skewers, fresh seafood, and local specialties.
Included Activities
- Shinkansen journey to Fukuoka
- Visit Canal City
Optional Activities
- Yatai street food experience (payable on site)
- Hakata ramen tasting
- Grilled skewer dining
- Fresh seafood meals
Landmarks Canal City Tenjin District Nakasu District - Day 22
Return Home
Take time to stretch and prepare for your departure. Make a final stop at a convenience store to pick up onigiri and favorite snacks before heading to the airport. Reflect on everything you've experienced and seen over the past weeks as you board your flight back home.
Included Activities
- Flight from Fukuoka
Optional Activities
- Konbini snack shopping
- Day 23
Arrival Home
You arrive home with a suitcase full of memories. Unpack your souvenirs and stories, sharing them eagerly with loved ones about what you experienced, where you traveled, what you tasted, and your favorite moments. Japan turned out to be truly unforgettable.
