Japan in 14 days, through the alps
The same fourteen days as the classic route, spent differently. Instead of running west to Hiroshima, this one turns inland through the mountains: the thatched farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, the morning markets of Takayama and Kanazawa's craft quarters. More countryside, fewer other visitors, and rail
- Duration
- 14 days
- Pace
- Moderate
- Hotel changes
- 5
- Best months
- Apr, May, Jun, Sep, Oct, Nov
- From
- $4,200 per person
Who it suits: second-time visitors, and first-timers who would rather see the country than the checklist.
Day by day
Day 1: Arrive Tokyo. Transfer, easy evening.
Day 2: Tokyo: east. Yanaka, Ueno and Asakusa with a guide, evening in Shinjuku.
Day 3: Tokyo: west. Shibuya, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine at opening. Afternoon free.
Day 4: Tokyo, free day. Kamakura, Nikko or a slow day in the city.
Day 5: Tokyo to Matsumoto. Rail into the mountains. Japan’s finest surviving castle, and a very good soba lunch.
Day 6: Matsumoto to Takayama. Over the pass. Afternoon in the Sanmachi merchant streets, hida beef in the evening.
Day 7: Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Morning market at seven, then out to the thatched farmhouse village. Back to Takayama for a second night, which saves a hotel change.
Day 8: Takayama to Kanazawa. Two hours by bus and rail. Omicho market, Kenroku-en garden, the Higashi Chaya teahouse district in the late afternoon light.
Day 9: Kanazawa. The 21st Century Museum, a gold-leaf workshop, and the samurai quarter. Kaiseki dinner.
Day 10: Kanazawa to Kyoto. Rail south, luggage forwarded. Evening walk through Gion.
Day 11: Kyoto: east. Fushimi Inari early, Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama, afternoon free.
Day 12: Kyoto: west. Arashiyama at opening, Tenryu-ji, and a tea ceremony or a garden in the afternoon.
Day 13: Kyoto to Osaka. Nara as a half day on the way if you want it, or a slow morning and an afternoon move. Evening food walk in Osaka.
Day 14: Departure.
What is included
Accommodation with breakfast throughout, one ryokan half-board night, all rail and the alpine bus legs with reserved seats, three guided days, the Kanazawa workshop, luggage forwarding, restaurant reservations, and our Tokyo office on WhatsApp.
Seasonal note
The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, the snow-wall crossing, is open roughly mid-April to November and is a spectacular addition in late April and May. If your dates suit it we build in an extra day.
Related
Shape this trip around us All Japan, at the pace you actually want to travel it trips
