Alps and old towns
Second-timers, or anyone who prefers small towns. Best April–May or October–early November.
- From Haneda about 30 min, from Narita about 1 hour
- Days 1–2Tokyo
Land, adjust, eat well.
One huge city made of many small neighborhoods.
- About 2h30 from Shinjuku by Limited Express Azusa
- Day 3Matsumoto
The black original castle, then Nakamachi and Nawate streets.
A black castle under the Alps.
- By highway bus over the Alps
- Days 4–5Takayama
Morning market, Sanmachi old streets, Hida Folk Village, Hida beef.
Old merchant lanes in the mountains.
- About 50 min by highway bus from Takayama
- Day 6Shirakawa-go
Thatched farmhouses — stay the night in one when the day-trippers leave.
Thatched farmhouses in a snowy mountain valley.
- About 1h20 by bus from Shirakawa-go
- Days 7–8Kanazawa
Kenrokuen garden, the Higashi Chaya teahouse street, Omicho Market.
Gardens, teahouses and gold leaf by the Sea of Japan.
- Thunderbird and shinkansen, change at Tsuruga
- Days 9–10Kyoto
Finish with the temples — early mornings, quiet lanes.
Japan's old capital of temples and gardens.
Travel times are approximate (official rail and tourism pages, checked October 2026). Prices are set when booking opens in November 2026.