Japan's Golden Route & the Alps: A Two-Week Loop from Tokyo

Arrive in Tokyo at any time. Most international flights land at Narita or Haneda, both well-connected to the city center by train. Drop your bags in a central district like Akasaka and head out for a first look. The city is a dense network of public transport, so a day pass and a good map are your first priorities.

The first major leg of the journey begins with activating your Japan Rail Pass. From Tokyo Station, the shinkansen (bullet train) covers the 400km to Kanazawa in about three hours. You'll arrive in the afternoon, leaving the evening free. Kanazawa, a beautifully preserved 17th-century castle town, was once one of Japan's wealthiest cities and a hub for arts and culture. The area around the station has plenty of small restaurants for a first taste of the region.

A full day on foot exploring Kanazawa's historic districts. Start in the Higashi Chaya district, one of the city's preserved geisha areas with its traditional wooden houses. From there, it's a walk to Kenroku-en, consistently ranked as one of Japan's three most beautiful landscape gardens. The sprawling grounds sit next to Kanazawa Castle. The day can be rounded out with a visit to the Nagamachi samurai district, where the city's warrior class once lived in mud-walled residences.

Travel from Kanazawa into the Hida Mountains, arriving in the small, traditional city of Takayama. The journey is by train, delivering you to a town known for its preserved Edo-period streetscapes. The afternoon is free to settle in and start exploring. This is a good opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese inn, or ryokan, which often features tatami-mat floors, sliding paper screens, and communal baths.

The morning is dedicated to the Hida no Sato Folk Village, an open-air museum of dozens of traditional farmhouses moved here from across the region. The steep, thatched roofs are a classic image of old Japan. Afterwards, wander through Takayama's old town, a grid of narrow streets lined with sake breweries, craft shops, and miso stores. The rest of the day is free to rent a bike and cycle into the surrounding countryside or visit a local hot spring.

A full travel day connects the mountains to the coast. A series of trains, including the shinkansen, will take you from Takayama to Hiroshima. Upon arrival, the city's somber modern history is the focus. A local tram ride leads to the Peace Memorial Park, a large, quiet space in the city center. Here you'll find the Peace Memorial Museum and the skeletal frame of the Gembaku Dome, the only structure left standing near the atomic bomb's hypocenter.

A short ferry ride from the mainland takes you to the sacred island of Miyajima. The island is most famous for the Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic 'floating' torii gate, which at high tide appears to hover on the water. The day is free to explore the island's many shrines and temples, interact with the tame deer that wander the streets, and sample local snacks like grilled oysters and maple-leaf-shaped cakes. For panoramic views, a hiking trail leads to the summit of Mt. Misen.

A two-hour bullet train ride connects Hiroshima with Kyoto, Japan's former imperial capital. The first stop is one of the city's most recognizable landmarks: Fushimi Inari Taisha. This shrine is known for its pathways covered by thousands of vermilion torii gates that snake up a mountainside. After walking the paths, head into the city proper. The evening offers a chance to explore the Gion district, Kyoto's famous geisha quarter, with its traditional wooden teahouses.

Today is about Kyoto's imperial power. Start at Nijo Castle, built in 1603 as the residence of the first shogun of the Edo Period. Its main fortifications are surrounded by impressive gardens and 'nightingale floors' designed to chirp underfoot to warn of intruders. From there, travel to Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion. The top two floors of this Zen temple are completely covered in gold leaf, casting a brilliant reflection in the surrounding pond. It's a popular site, so expect crowds.

A full day is left open to explore Kyoto's vast collection of temples, gardens, and shrines. You could focus on the city's famous Zen gardens, like the stark rock garden at Ryoan-ji. Another classic route is to walk the Philosopher's Path, a canal-side trail that links the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji) with the Nanzen-ji temple complex. Or, simply get lost in the city's backstreets, markets, and craft shops.

It's a long travel day from Kyoto to the Fuji Five Lakes region. The journey involves multiple train changes and takes up to six hours, ending with a short taxi ride to Kawaguchiko. You'll arrive mid-afternoon with time to check into your hotel and visit a traditional Japanese onsen, or hot spring bath. The day concludes with a kaiseki dinner, a formal, multi-course meal that is a work of art in itself, showcasing seasonal and local ingredients.

The morning is for exploring the area around Lake Kawaguchi on foot. On a clear day, this area offers classic, unobstructed views of Mt. Fuji's snow-capped cone. After the walk, a three-hour train ride takes you back to Tokyo, completing the main circuit of the trip. You'll settle into a hotel for the final nights, providing a base to explore a different part of the sprawling metropolis.

A final, full free day to tick off anything missed in Tokyo. This is the chance to dive into a specific neighborhood, whether it's the high-fashion of Harajuku, the electronics markets of Akihabara, or the crowded scramble of Shibuya Crossing. Alternatively, Ueno Park is home to several of the city's best museums, including the Tokyo National Museum. It's also the last chance for souvenir shopping or a final bowl of world-class ramen.

The trip concludes this morning in Tokyo. There are no planned activities, leaving you free to depart at any time. Given the scale of the city, booking extra nights to continue exploring independently is highly recommended.