Japan Alps & villages · 10 nights

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

Tokyo

• Shibuya Crossing & Shibuya Sky · 2 h. Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.
• teamLab Planets / Borderless digital art · 2 h. Timed tickets sell out on weekends; at Planets you wade through water, so wear shorts or roll-up trousers.

Local tip: Sunset Shibuya Sky slots sell out — book online a few weeks ahead.

Open day 1 route in Google Maps

Day 2: Explore Tokyo

Tokyo

• Senso-ji & Asakusa old town · 2 h. Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.
• Meiji Jingu & Harajuku · 3 h. Shrine forest is calm early; Takeshita Street is packed on weekend afternoons.
• Tsukiji outer market food walk · 2 h. Go 8–10am; many stalls close by early afternoon and on Sundays/Wednesdays. Tamagoyaki and fruit work for vegetarians.

Local tip: Arrive before 9am; Nakamise snack stalls open around 10am. Lit up at night with no crowds.

Open day 2 route in Google Maps

Day 3: Explore Tokyo

Tokyo

• Akihabara electronics & anime district · 2.5 h. Carry your passport for tax-free shopping on purchases over ¥5,000.
• Ueno Park & Tokyo National Museum · 3 h. Ueno Park is a crowded cherry blossom picnic spot in early April; the museum is closed most Mondays.
• Tokyo Skytree observation decks · 1.5 h. Clear winter mornings show Mt Fuji; pair with Asakusa, one stop away.

Local tip: Carry your passport for tax-free shopping on purchases over ¥5,000.

Open day 3 route in Google Maps

Day 4: Tokyo → Kanazawa

Kanazawa · Tokyo to Kanazawa, Hokuriku Shinkansen ~2.5–3h

• Kenroku-en garden · 2 h. Opens 7am (8am in winter); go early. Snow ropes on the pines from November.
• Higashi Chaya teahouse district · 2 h. Gold-leaf soft serve is the local snack; quietest in early evening.

Local tip: Opens 7am (8am in winter); go early. Snow ropes on the pines from November.

Open day 4 route in Google Maps

Day 5: Explore Kanazawa

Kanazawa

• 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art · 2 h. The Swimming Pool installation needs a timed ticket; closed Mondays.
• Omicho market seafood breakfast · 1.5 h. Kaisendon bowls are seafood-only; vegetarians have fruit, pickles and onigiri stalls.
• Kanazawa Castle Park · 1 h
• Nagamachi samurai district · 1.5 h
• D.T. Suzuki Museum · 1 h
• Myoryu-ji (Ninja Temple) guided tour · 1 h. Reservation required; children under school age are not admitted.

Local tip: The Swimming Pool installation needs a timed ticket; closed Mondays.

Open day 5 route in Google Maps

Day 6: Kanazawa → Takayama

Takayama · Kanazawa to Takayama, Nohi highway bus ~2–2.25h

• Sanmachi Suji old town walk · 2 h. Shops close by 5pm; walk it again after dark when it empties.
• Miyagawa & Jinya-mae morning markets · 1.5 h. Roughly 7am–noon daily; pickles, miso and fruit.
• Takayama Jinya (old government house) · 1 h

Local tip: Shops close by 5pm; walk it again after dark when it empties.

Open day 6 route in Google Maps

Day 7: Shirakawa-go gassho village day trip

Takayama

• Shirakawa-go gassho village day trip · 6 h. Reserve Nohi buses ahead in peak seasons; climb to the Shiroyama viewpoint. Can be a stop on the Kanazawa–Takayama bus.

Local tip: Reserve Nohi buses ahead in peak seasons; climb to the Shiroyama viewpoint. Can be a stop on the Kanazawa–Takayama bus.

Open day 7 route in Google Maps

Day 8: Takayama → Kyoto

Kyoto · Takayama to Kyoto, Shinkansen to Nagoya + Limited Express Hida ~4h

• Fushimi Inari shrine & torii trail · 2.5 h. Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.

Local tip: Go before 8am; crowds thin out past the Yotsutsuji viewpoint. Open 24 hours, free.

Open day 8 route in Google Maps

Day 9: Explore Kyoto

Kyoto

• Kiyomizu-dera & Sannenzaka lanes · 2.5 h. Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.
• Arashiyama bamboo grove & Tenryu-ji · 3 h. Walk the bamboo grove before 8:30am; enter through Tenryu-ji's north gate to avoid backtracking.
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) · 1.5 h. Opens at 9am; it is a short loop, so pair with Ryoan-ji nearby.
• Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) · 1 h

Local tip: Seasonal night illuminations in spring and autumn; the lanes are steep and crowded by 10am.

Open day 9 route in Google Maps

Day 10: Explore Kyoto

Kyoto

• Gion evening walk & Pontocho · 2 h. Some private Gion lanes ban photography; never stop or photograph geiko and maiko.
• Nishiki market tasting · 1.5 h. No eating while walking — eat at the stall. Pickles, tofu doughnuts and soy-milk treats suit vegetarians.
• Sagano romantic train (Torokko) · 1.5 h. Runs Mar–Dec, usually closed Wednesdays; seats sell out in autumn, book online a month ahead. Return by Hozugawa river boat if you like.
• Nijo Castle · 1.5 h. Listen for the 'nightingale floors' that squeak by design.
• Tea ceremony experience · 1.5 h. Book a small-group session in English; kneeling is involved, ask for a stool if needed.

Local tip: Some private Gion lanes ban photography; never stop or photograph geiko and maiko.

Open day 10 route in Google Maps

Day 11: Depart from Kyoto

Kyoto

• Philosopher's Path walk · 1.5 h. Canal-side cherry trees peak early April; walk south from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji.

Local tip: Canal-side cherry trees peak early April; walk south from Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji.

Keep a buffer before your flight; check-out is usually noon.

Open day 11 route in Google Maps