📍 Japan

JAPAN IMMERSION: THREE WEEKS FROM METROPOLIS TO SOUTHERN SOUL

Moss gardens muffling footsteps, castles guarding centuries, ramen steam swirling through night markets. Three weeks to barely touch Japan's infinite depth.

≈ 25
Days
1643
Km
6
Stops
📖 12 min read 🔄 Last updated: 2026-01-17

Enter Tokyo and its luminous districts, then slow down in Kyoto between gardens and lanes. Taste Osaka and its flavors, discover Hiroshima and its quiet strength, then approach Miyajima from the sea. End in Fukuoka in the yatai atmosphere where steam from hot bowls draws passersby. The journey grows denser with each stage.

Your day-by-day itinerary

1
Day

Tokyo

infinite districts pulse with restless creativity

Tokyo - Photo 1Tokyo - Photo 2Tokyo - Photo 3Tokyo - Photo 4Tokyo - Photo 5Tokyo - Photo 6Tokyo - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 1
🔍

Discover

1
Asakusa & Sensō-ji (Kaminarimon gate, Nakamise-dori, 7th century temple)
2
Short cruise on the Sumida (view of Tokyo Skytree)
🎯

Activities

→
Twilight photo walk along the Sumida
2
Day

Tokyo

infinite districts pulse with restless creativity

Tokyo - Photo 1Tokyo - Photo 2Tokyo - Photo 3Tokyo - Photo 4Tokyo - Photo 5Tokyo - Photo 6Tokyo - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 2
🔍

Discover

1
Akihabara (electronics, video games, arcades)
2
Ginza (high-end boutiques, architecture)
🎯

Activities

→
Private booth karaoke in Ginza or Shimbashi
→
Sushi introduction class near Tsukiji
3
Day

Tokyo

infinite districts pulse with restless creativity

Tokyo - Photo 1Tokyo - Photo 2Tokyo - Photo 3Tokyo - Photo 4Tokyo - Photo 5Tokyo - Photo 6Tokyo - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 3
🔍

Discover

1
Harajuku & Takeshita-dori
2
Yoyogi Park (musicians on weekends, green spaces)
3
Meiji-jingū Shrine (urban forest)
4
Shibuya Crossing & Hachikō
🎯

Activities

→
Theme café (animal/otaku) in Harajuku/Shibuya
4
Day

Tokyo

infinite districts pulse with restless creativity

Tokyo - Photo 1Tokyo - Photo 2Tokyo - Photo 3Tokyo - Photo 4Tokyo - Photo 5Tokyo - Photo 6Tokyo - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 4
🔍

Discover

1
Shimokitazawa (thrift shops, small concert venues)
2
View from the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Shinjuku)
🎯

Activities

→
Martial arts discovery session in a dōjō (katana/iaido initiation)
5
Day

Tokyo

infinite districts pulse with restless creativity

Tokyo - Photo 1Tokyo - Photo 2Tokyo - Photo 3Tokyo - Photo 4Tokyo - Photo 5Tokyo - Photo 6Tokyo - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 5
🔍

Discover

1
Tokyo Disney Resort (Tokyo Disneyland OR DisneySea)
🎯

Activities

→
Nighttime show at the park (if late opening)
6
Day

Tokyo

infinite districts pulse with restless creativity

Tokyo - Photo 1Tokyo - Photo 2Tokyo - Photo 3Tokyo - Photo 4Tokyo - Photo 5Tokyo - Photo 6Tokyo - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 6
🔍

Discover

1
Hakone excursion: Lake Ashi (Mount Fuji view, Hakone-jinja torii)
2
Owakudani (fumaroles, black eggs)
🎯

Activities

→
Mini-cruise on Lake Ashi
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 160 km
Travel time: 3h
7
Day

Kyoto

moss carpets absorb temple bell echoes

Kyoto - Photo 1Kyoto - Photo 2Kyoto - Photo 3Kyoto - Photo 4Kyoto - Photo 5Kyoto - Photo 6Kyoto - Photo 7Kyoto - Photo 8Kyoto - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 7
🔍

Discover

1
Tokyo → Kyoto transfer (Shinkansen, Mount Fuji view on the right in clear weather)
2
Nishiki Market (local tastings)
🎯

Activities

→
Evening stroll in Ponto-chō and along the Kamo riverbanks
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 450 km
Travel time: 9h40
8
Day

Kyoto

moss carpets absorb temple bell echoes

Kyoto - Photo 1Kyoto - Photo 2Kyoto - Photo 3Kyoto - Photo 4Kyoto - Photo 5Kyoto - Photo 6Kyoto - Photo 7Kyoto - Photo 8Kyoto - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 8
🔍

Discover

1
Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
2
Nijō-jō (castle and gardens)
3
Gion & Hanamikoji (geisha district)
🎯

Activities

→
Tea ceremony (chanoyu) in tea house
9
Day

Kyoto

moss carpets absorb temple bell echoes

Kyoto - Photo 1Kyoto - Photo 2Kyoto - Photo 3Kyoto - Photo 4Kyoto - Photo 5Kyoto - Photo 6Kyoto - Photo 7Kyoto - Photo 8Kyoto - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 9
🔍

Discover

1
Kiyomizu-dera (terrace overlooking the city)
2
Heian-jingū & large torii
3
Fushimi Inari Taisha (path of 10,000 torii)
🎯

Activities

→
Twilight walk around Yasaka-jinja
10
Day

Kyoto

moss carpets absorb temple bell echoes

Kyoto - Photo 1Kyoto - Photo 2Kyoto - Photo 3Kyoto - Photo 4Kyoto - Photo 5Kyoto - Photo 6Kyoto - Photo 7Kyoto - Photo 8Kyoto - Photo 9
9 photos
Day 10
🔍

Discover

1
Arashiyama: bamboo grove
2
Iwatayama Monkey Park (view over the valley)
🎯

Activities

→
Walk on Togetsukyō bridge and Katsura riverbank
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 15 km
Travel time: 40min
11
Day

Osaka

neon-lit alleys serve bold umami

Osaka - Photo 1Osaka - Photo 2Osaka - Photo 3Osaka - Photo 4Osaka - Photo 5Osaka - Photo 6Osaka - Photo 7Osaka - Photo 8Osaka - Photo 9Osaka - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 11
🔍

Discover

1
Excursion to Nara: Tōdai-ji (Great Buddha)
2
Kasuga Taisha (bronze lanterns)
3
Mount Wakakusa (panorama over Nara)
🎯

Activities

→
Walk in Nara-kōen with the deer
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 55 km
Travel time: 50min
12
Day

Osaka

neon-lit alleys serve bold umami

Osaka - Photo 1Osaka - Photo 2Osaka - Photo 3Osaka - Photo 4Osaka - Photo 5Osaka - Photo 6Osaka - Photo 7Osaka - Photo 8Osaka - Photo 9Osaka - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 12
🔍

Discover

1
Dōtonbori & Namba (neon signs, Glico Man)
2
Osaka-jō (castle, museum)
🎯

Activities

→
Food tour of specialties (okonomiyaki, takoyaki)
13
Day

Osaka

neon-lit alleys serve bold umami

Osaka - Photo 1Osaka - Photo 2Osaka - Photo 3Osaka - Photo 4Osaka - Photo 5Osaka - Photo 6Osaka - Photo 7Osaka - Photo 8Osaka - Photo 9Osaka - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 13
🔍

Discover

1
Minoh Park (hike to the waterfall)
🎯

Activities

→
America-mura district and Shinsaibashi-suji (shopping)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 20 km
Travel time: 1h10
14
Day

Osaka

neon-lit alleys serve bold umami

Osaka - Photo 1Osaka - Photo 2Osaka - Photo 3Osaka - Photo 4Osaka - Photo 5Osaka - Photo 6Osaka - Photo 7Osaka - Photo 8Osaka - Photo 9Osaka - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 14
🔍

Discover

1
Universal Studios Japan (Harry Potter, Jurassic, Minions areas)
🎯

Activities

→
Night show / parade at USJ (according to schedule)
15
Day

Hiroshima

memorial gardens bloom beside healing waters

Hiroshima - Photo 1Hiroshima - Photo 2Hiroshima - Photo 3Hiroshima - Photo 4Hiroshima - Photo 5Hiroshima - Photo 6Hiroshima - Photo 7
7 photos
Day 15
🔍

Discover

1
Himeji-jō (white castle, UNESCO)
2
Kōkō-en (castle gardens)
🎯

Activities

→
Mount Shosha (Engyō-ji) if time available
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 340 km
Travel time: 8h20
16
Day

Miyajima

sacred island where deer wander freely

Miyajima - Photo 1Miyajima - Photo 2Miyajima - Photo 3Miyajima - Photo 4Miyajima - Photo 5Miyajima - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 16
🔍

Discover

1
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
2
Genbaku Dome & Peace Memorial Park
🎯

Activities

→
Guided bike tour of downtown Hiroshima
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 26 km
Travel time: 45min
17
Day

Miyajima

sacred island where deer wander freely

Miyajima - Photo 1Miyajima - Photo 2Miyajima - Photo 3Miyajima - Photo 4Miyajima - Photo 5Miyajima - Photo 6
6 photos
Day 17
🔍

Discover

1
Itsukushima-jinja & great torii (high/low tide)
2
Daishō-in (temples on the slopes of Mount Misen)
🎯

Activities

→
Mount Misen ascent (or cable car + walk)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 249.6 km
Travel time: 3h07
18
Day

Fukuoka

yatai ramen steam under starlit canals

Fukuoka - Photo 1Fukuoka - Photo 2Fukuoka - Photo 3Fukuoka - Photo 4Fukuoka - Photo 5Fukuoka - Photo 6Fukuoka - Photo 7Fukuoka - Photo 8Fukuoka - Photo 9Fukuoka - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 18
🔍

Discover

1
Transfer Miyajima → Fukuoka (Miyajimaguchi→Hiroshima ferry+train, Shinkansen to Hakata)
2
Stroll in Tenjin (shopping district)
🎯

Activities

→
Evening yatai (street stalls) to discover Hakata ramen
🚗
Next stop
⏱️ Long drive (5h+)
Distance: 285 km
Travel time: 5h50
19
Day

Fukuoka

yatai ramen steam under starlit canals

Fukuoka - Photo 1Fukuoka - Photo 2Fukuoka - Photo 3Fukuoka - Photo 4Fukuoka - Photo 5Fukuoka - Photo 6Fukuoka - Photo 7Fukuoka - Photo 8Fukuoka - Photo 9Fukuoka - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 19
🔍

Discover

1
Ohori Park & Fukuoka castle ruins (Maizuru Park)
2
Canal City Hakata (architecture, fountains)
🎯

Activities

→
Themed ramen tasting (Hakata-style)
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 6 km
Travel time: 12min
20
Day

Fukuoka

yatai ramen steam under starlit canals

Fukuoka - Photo 1Fukuoka - Photo 2Fukuoka - Photo 3Fukuoka - Photo 4Fukuoka - Photo 5Fukuoka - Photo 6Fukuoka - Photo 7Fukuoka - Photo 8Fukuoka - Photo 9Fukuoka - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 20
🔍

Discover

1
Excursion to Dazaifu Tenmangu (shrine dedicated to studies)
2
Kyushu National Museum (if open)
🎯

Activities

→
Stroll in the historic alleys of Dazaifu
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 16 km
Travel time: 50min
21
Day

Fukuoka

yatai ramen steam under starlit canals

Fukuoka - Photo 1Fukuoka - Photo 2Fukuoka - Photo 3Fukuoka - Photo 4Fukuoka - Photo 5Fukuoka - Photo 6Fukuoka - Photo 7Fukuoka - Photo 8Fukuoka - Photo 9Fukuoka - Photo 10
10 photos
Day 21
🔍

Discover

1
Nanzoin (giant reclining Buddha, Sasaguri)
🎯

Activities

→
Last stroll and shopping in Hakata/Tenjin
🚗
Next stop
Distance: 20 km
Travel time: 1h

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🛡️ Travel advice - Japan

Check official recommendations

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❓ Frequently asked questions

What weather should you expect?

Spring (March-May): Cherry blossom season, perfect weather, mild temperatures, iconic sakura viewing, peak tourist season, advance booking essential, magical atmosphere.

Fall (September-November): Autumn colors, comfortable weather, clear skies, beautiful foliage, excellent touring, fewer crowds, ideal photography, pleasant conditions.

Summer (June-August): Hot humid weather, rainy season, festival season, vibrant atmosphere, mountain hiking, beach activities, air conditioning essential.

Winter (December-February): Cold weather, snow sports, illuminations, onsen season, fewer crowds, winter festivals, cozy atmosphere, skiing opportunities.

How many days should I plan?

We believe you will enjoy this itinerary best by dedicating between 20 and 30 days. The next step will allow you to adjust the duration of your stay.

What to discover in Japan?

Unique culture with ancient traditions, modern innovation, and incredible attention to detail. Experience temples, technology, and authentic Japanese lifestyle. The country offers cultural immersion with natural beauty and culinary excellence. Japan provides transformative cultural experiences with historical depth and modern sophistication.