19 Day Japan Tours & Trips

Hokkaido is the place to begin; with grand national parks and nature scenes that delight travelers in any season. Spring cherry blossoms and summer lavenders make for some of the prefecture’s prettiest scenes, but winter makes Hokkaido truly magnificent, with snow festivals celebrated in Sapporo, Otaru, and other large cities. Continue to Tokyo, Japan’s greatest metropolis, full of amazing landmarks ancient and modern, unforgettable experiences, and the finest in Japanese cuisine. Tokyo is also the destination of choice for anime lovers, who flock to Akihabara Electric Town and Odaiba. Continue down to Nikko: an old temple town. The biggest must-see is undoubtedly the palatial Nikko Toshogu Shrine, a monument to Japan unifier Tokugawa Ieyasu. Lined in rows of cedar trees and richly decorated, Nikko Toshogu is one of the country’s most impressive shrines. Next, discover the natural wonder of Hakone and the region around Mount Fuji. The Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park presents countless opportunities for a retreat into nature. Take a refreshing cruise on a pirate ship around Lake Ashi, taste local foods cooked in volcanic steam, and perhaps even see Japan’s most celebrated mountain up close. Journey into the Hida mountains in Gifu Prefecture, stopping in the charming town of Takayama. Strolling through Old Town Takayama feels like a step back to the more traditional Edo period, where streets are lined with classical wooden residences, shops, and cafes. Not far from Takayama is the UNESCO village of Shirakawago, inscribed on the list for its farmhouses built in the time- honored Gassho-zukuri architectural style, with broad thatched roofs “folded like hands in prayer”. Then continue on to the coastal city of Kanazawa, which invites you to enjoy Kenrokuen – one of Japan’s greatest landscape gardens, and to explore their unique local culture centered around gold leaf production. Take in the sights of Kyoto, the center for Japanese imperial culture for over a thousand years, with classical history, art, and architecture represented in hundreds of temples including Kiyomizu Temple and the Golden Pavilion. The city of Nara is nearby, also worth visiting for its rich historical sites, with the added delight of meeting hundreds of cute, friendly Sika deer wandering around Nara Park. Then visit Osaka, which welcomes travelers with its easygoing, down-to-earth culture and its eccentric yet delicious street cuisine. Wrap up the tour in Hiroshima, Japan’s city of peace, calling all visitors to take a moment to relax and reflect on a world without war at the Peace Memorial Park. Make time for a visit to Miyajima Island, where the picturesque torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine presents one of the Three Views of Japan.