Japan Rail Discovery: 21 Days from Tokyo

On arrival at the airport, please make your way to the Japan Rail Pass counter to activate your rail pass. Once you have your pass, you can use it to travel by express train from the airport to your chosen hotel.

Japan has one of the most extensive, comfortable and modern rail systems in the world. The Japan Rail Pass offers foreign visitors the opportunity to travel on the extraordinary network of the JR Group at an economical price. The JR Pass allows travel on most JR trains, including Shinkansen bullet trains, limited express, express, rapid and local trains, as well as some local JR buses and the ferry to Miyajima island (near Hiroshima).

Today is free for you to explore Tokyo. With such a great rail system and easy access to taxi's it is a very easy city to navigate. We can prearrange a Tokyo walking tour or morning tour if you prefer, just chat with our Asia experts to add it to your program.

Today you will be using your Japan Rail pass to travel out of Tokyo. Japan has one of the most extensive, comfortable and modern rail systems in the world. Our first suggested visit is Kamakura which is a coastal town in Kanagawa Prefecture, less than an hour south of Tokyo. The town became the political center of Japan, when Minamoto Yoritomo chose it as the seat for his new military government in 1192.
Today, Kamakura is a small city and a very popular tourist destination. Sometimes called the Kyoto of Eastern Japan, Kamakura offers numerous temples, shrines and other historical monuments. In addition, Kamakura's sand beaches attract large crowds during the summer months. Top attractions include the Great Buddha, Hokokuji Temple, hiking trails and Enoshima beach just to name a few. You will return to Tokyo for your overnight.

Nikko is a town at the entrance to Nikko National Park, and only 2 hours and 40 mins from Tokyo and is most famous for Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Nikko had been a center of Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship for many centuries before Toshogu was built in the 1600s, and Nikko National Park continues to offer scenic, mountainous landscapes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs, wild monkeys and hiking trails.

Nikko and the Okunikko area around Lake Chuzenji, in particular, are well known for their beautiful autumn colors (koyo). Return to Tokyo for your overnight.

Another full day in Tokyo, a city with plenty to offer, from craft beer tours, ninja training, shopping, cooking classes or tea ceremonies. We have a full list of suggestions to discuss with you. Or keep it free and easy to explore on your own.

Early this morning depart Tokyo for Ise which is 3 1/2 hours train journey away. Here you can visit the Ise Shrines. Ise City is located on the Shima Peninsula in Mie Prefecture. The city is home to the Ise Shrines (Ise Jingu), Japan's most sacred Shinto shrines. The Inner Shrine is one of the two main shrines making up the Ise Shrines in Ise City. Formally known as Kotai Jingu, the Inner Shrine enshrines Shinto's most venerated deity, the Sun Goddess (Amaterasu Omikami), and is considered Japan's most sacred shrine.

The Inner Shrine is believed to have been established over 2000 years ago. Its main buildings resemble ancient rice granaries and are built in an architectural style that shows almost no influence from the Asian mainland because they predate the introduction of Buddhism. Both, the Inner and Outer Shrine, are rebuilt from scratch every 20 years according to an ancient Shinto tradition. The 62nd rebuilding was completed in 2013. The 63rd rebuilding will take place in 2033.

In the late afternoon continue onto Nagoya which is a 90 min trip from Ise, you will be spending the evening here. With over two million inhabitants, Nagoya is Japan's fourth most populated city. It is the capital of Aichi Prefecture and the principal city of the Nobi plain, one of Honshu's three large plains and metropolitan and industrial centers.

Nagoya developed as the castle town of the Owari, one of the three branches of the ruling Tokugawa family during the Edo Period. Much of the city, including most of its historic buildings, were destroyed in the air raids of 1945. The Toyota Motor Corporation maintains its headquarters just outside of Nagoya. Explore on your own or we can pre-arrange a walking tour for you.

This morning travel to Takayama which is a 2 1/2 hour journey by train. Takayama is a city in the mountainous Hida region of Gifu Prefecture. To differentiate it from other places named Takayama, the city is also commonly referred to as Hida-Takayama. Takayama retains a traditional touch like few other Japanese cities, especially in its beautifully preserved old town. It now ranks as one of the prime candidates among travelers wishing to add a rural element into their itineraries. The Takayama Festival, held in spring and autumn, is considered one of Japan's best festivals. Overnight in Takayama.

Spend most of the day in Takayama and leave the city in the afternoon for Kanazawa which is a 2 1/2 hour journey. During the Edo Period, Kanazawa served as the seat of the Maeda Clan, the second most powerful feudal clan after the Tokugawa in terms of rice production and fief size. Accordingly, Kanazawa grew to become a town of great cultural achievements, rivaling Kyoto and Edo (Tokyo).

During World War Two, Kanazawa was Japan's second largest city (after Kyoto) to escape destruction by air raids. Consequently, parts of the old castle town, such as the Nagamachi samurai district and chaya entertainment districts, have survived in pretty good condition.

Today, Kanazawa remains an important city in its region and serves as the capital of Ishikawa Prefecture. The city boasts many historical attractions such as restored residences and districts, as well as modern museums. But Kanazawa's unchallenged main attraction is Kenrokuen, one of Japan's "three best landscape gardens" and by many considered the most beautiful of them all. You will have the rest of today and a full day tomorrow to spend in this beautiful city.

A full day in Kanazawa to explore on your own. If you would like any pre-arranged day tours, please check with our Asia experts.

Leave Kanazawa this morning for Kyoto. Spend the afternoon and evening explore this wonderful city. Kyoto served as Japan's capital and the emperor's residence from 794 until 1868. It is one of the country's ten largest cities with a population of 1.5 million people and a modern face.

Over the centuries, Kyoto was destroyed by many wars and fires, but due to its exceptional historic value, the city was dropped from the list of target cities for the atomic bomb and escaped destruction during World War II. Countless temples, shrines and other historically priceless structures survive in the city today. Some of Kyoto's main attractions are Nijo Castle, Sento Palace, Nishiki market, Kyoto Imperial Palace, Fushimi Inari Shrine and the preserved historic district of Higashiyama. There is so much to see, it may be worth extending your stay here. Overnight in Kyoto.

Today is free for you to explore Kyoto. We can prearrange a Kyoto walking or biking tour if you prefer, just chat with our Asia experts to add it to your program.

Today we recommend you use your rail pass to visit Nara. Japan's first permanent capital was established in the year 710 at Heijo, the city now known as Nara. As the influence and political ambitions of the city's powerful Buddhist monasteries grew to become a serious threat to the government, the capital was moved to Nagaoka in 784 and a few years later to Kyoto.

Nara is located less than one hour from Kyoto and Osaka. Due to its past as the first permanent capital, it remains full of historic treasures, including some of Japan's oldest and largest temples. Some sites of interest Todaiji Temple, Horyuji Temple, Heijo Temple and Omizutori to name a few. Return back to Kyoto for overnight.

Visit Kobe today which is only 30mins west of Kyoto and the capital of Hyogo Prefecture and one of Japan's ten largest cities. Located between the sea and the Rokko mountain range, Kobe is also considered one of Japan's most attractive cities.

Kobe has been an important port city for many centuries. Its port was among the first to be opened to foreign trade in the 19th century alongside the ports of Yokohama, Nagasaki, Hakodate and Niigata.

In 1995, Kobe was hit by the Great Hanshin-Awaji Earthquake, which killed over 5000 people and destroyed tens of thousands of buildings. Today the city is completely rebuilt, and few signs of the terrible event remain. Return to Kyoto for overnight.

Today is your last full day in Kyoto, to explore free and easy. Overnight in Kyoto.

This morning travel to Mount Koya which is a 3 hour journey and overnight. Mount Koya is the center of Shingon Buddhism, an important Buddhist sect which was introduced to Japan in 805 by Kobo Daishi (also known as Kukai), one of Japan's most significant religious figures. A small, secluded temple town has developed around the sect's headquarters that Kobo Daishi built on Koyasan's wooded mountaintop. It is also the site of Kobo Daishi's mausoleum and the start and end point of the Shikoku 88 Temple Pilgrimage.

Koyasan is also one of the best places to experience an overnight stay at a temple lodging (shukubo) where you can get a taste of a monk's lifestyle, eating vegetarian monk's cuisine (shojin ryori) and attending the morning prayers. Around fifty temples offer this service to both pilgrims and visitors.

We have provided moderate 3 star accommodation in the pricing for this evening as the only option for this area. We highly suggest you chat with our Asia expert to include a temple overnight here.

Spend the morning in Mount Koya and around noon make your way to Osaka which is a 2 hour journey. Osaka is Japan's second largest metropolitan area after Tokyo. It has been the economic powerhouse of the Kansai Region for many centuries. Osaka was formerly known as Naniwa. Before the Nara Period, when the capital used to be moved with the reign of each new emperor, Naniwa was once Japan's capital city, the first one ever known.

In the 16th century, Toyotomi Hideyoshi chose Osaka as the location for his castle, and the city may have become Japan's political capital if Tokugawa Ieyasu had not terminated the Toyotomi lineage after Hideyoshi's death and moved his government to distant Edo (Tokyo). Return back to Kyoto for overnight.

In the early morning, travel from Osaka to Hiroshima which is a 2 hour train journey. When the first atomic bomb was dropped over Hiroshima on August 6, 1945, the city became known worldwide for this unenviable distinction. The destructive power of the bomb was tremendous and obliterated nearly everything within a two kilometer radius.

After the war, great efforts were taken to rebuild the city. Predictions that the city would be uninhabitable proved false. Destroyed monuments of Hiroshima's historical heritage, like Hiroshima Castle and Shukkeien Garden, were reconstructed. In the center of the city a large park was built and given a name that would reflect the aspirations of the re-born city: Peace Memorial Park. We suggest you visit the Peace Park before continuing on.

Depending on the time you have left in the day, it is suggested you visit Miyajima this afternoon and if you are not able to, try tomorrow morning. It is most famous for its giant torii gate, which at high tide seems to float on the water. The sight is ranked as one of Japan's three best views. While officially named Itsukushima, the island is more commonly referred to as Miyajima, Japanese for "shrine island". This is because the island is so closely related to its key shrine, Itsukushima Shrine, in the public's mind. Like the torii gate, the shrine's main buildings are built over water.

There are also wild deer on the island that have become accustomed to people. In the day the deer wander around the same sites as the tourists, and in the evening they sleep along the walking paths. Return to Hiroshima for overnight.

If you needed more time in Miyajima or opted to visit this morning, then it's only a 40min transfer over with your rail pass. Thereafter continue onto Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu which is a 4 1/2 hour train journey. You will be spending the evening and overnight here.

Nagasaki is an attractively situated port city on the island of Kyushu and the capital of Nagasaki Prefecture. As one of Japan's closest port cities to the Asian mainland, Nagasaki has played a prominent role in foreign trade relations for many centuries and was the most important of only a very few ports open to restricted numbers of foreign traders during Japan's period of isolation. In more recent history, Nagasaki became the second city after Hiroshima to be destroyed by an atomic bomb towards the end of World War II.

Today you have a full day in Nagasaki to explore. Overnight will be in Nagasaki.

On your way back to Tokyo, a stop at Himeji which is 4-5 hours away. Here you can spend the afternoon exploring the Himeji Castle. Himeji Castle, also known as White Heron Castle (Shirasagijo) due to its elegant, white appearance, is widely considered as Japan's most spectacular castle for its imposing size and beauty and its well preserved, complex castle grounds.

The castle complex as it survives today is over 400 years old and was completed in 1609. It is made up of over eighty buildings spread across multiple baileys, which are connected by a series of gates and winding paths. Return to Tokyo in the evening which is 3-4 hours journey.

Today make your own way to the airport for your onward flight. If you would like to extend any part of your stay, please inquire with our team.