A traditional Japanese temple gate (torii) at night, constructed of dark wood with intricate architectural details, illuminated softly from below, with a red paper lantern hanging inside and a pathway leading inside.

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Sample Itineraries

A starting point for your perfect Japan journey

Every TokudAw journey is built around you, but these samples are a place to begin.

Browse by region, season or interest, and when something catches your eye, get in touch and we'll shape it around your group, your dates and your pace.

We believe in flexible itineraries instead of rigid templated plans.

Day trips near Big Cities

2-5 Day Japan trips

6-10 Day Japan Trips

11+ Day Japan Trips

Japan Destination Guides

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Plan your itinerary with us

How TokudAw Creates Your Itinerary

Getting to know Japan’s regions

Map of Japan with locations tourists frequent and less frequented areas for travelers on cruises, interested in crafts and culture, nature and skiing.

Japan has extraordinary places beyond the destinations most international visitors know.

TokudAw works with local communities and regional partners to help travelers discover more of Japan while spreading tourism spending beyond the country's busiest destinations.

You’ll find inspiration some of customer’s favorite destinations below, or inquire with us on making a custom plan for you.

For the latest information about TokudAw and more sample itineraries, check out our social media pages.

Day Trips from Tokyo and Major Cities

A traditional Japanese shrine surrounded by pink cherry blossom trees with a crowd of visitors gathered in front. The shrine has a wooden structure with a curved roof and a shimenawa rope hanging at the entrance. Modern buildings are visible in the background, and there is a sign with Japanese characters on the right.

Tokyo · Day trips

Cherry blooms & Early Spring: Tokyo

Manga and Anime: Day trips from regions all over Japan

Two colorful sculptures of imaginative characters from Doremon sit on a field of grass at the Fujiko F. Fujio museum in Kawasaki, Japan.

Honshu · 1 day trips

Several day-trip itineraries that bring to follow in the footsteps of your favorite Japanese media property. Some of these trips leave from regions of Japan that are not close to Tokyo. Doraemon, Evangelion, Hello Kitty, Naruto, Godzilla, Dragon Quest, Detective Conan, Pokemon lover, and for those who just love retro Japanese pop-culture.

Discover Japan’s best Anime and Manga spots

Shrines and Characters: Tokyo’s Harajuku

A fairy-tale-like high-tea table setting of blues and pastels.

Tokyo · Day trips

Explore Tokyo’s Kawaii culture home, going beyond the usual spots of Takeshita street to discover limited character cafes and shops, and practical souvenirs you will use.

View suggestions for Takeshita street

Daytime image of a snowcapped mount Fuji with branches of green leaves in the foreground.

Tokyo · 1 day trips

Nature and Museums: Day trips from Tokyo

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A view from inside Tokyo's national stadium, now MUFG stadium, from the spectator area.

Tokyo · Day trips

Architecture: 9 spots in Tokyo for buildings

Experience a mix of modern aesthetics and edo-style, along with commercial and private use properties.

Click for 9 architecture spots

Top 5 day trips from Tokyo including one of the most visited museums in the world, popular mountain and ocean destinations and famous temples all within a day’s drive from Tokyo.

Click for the top 5 day trips from Tokyo

Nature and Mt Fuji: Highlights of Hakone

Snow covered Mount Fuji in the background with a lake with a tori gate and a pirate ship in the foreground.

Tokyo · 1 day trips

This itinerary takes you to Hakone, an onsen town close to Tokyo with views of Mount Fuji, sweeping views of nature, and a peaceful shrine on the shores of a hidden lake.

Click for Hakone highlights

Or a One-day Tour

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This itinerary is for people who visit Japan early March or late February in some recent years and still want to see Cherry Blossoms. An early blooming type appears in several spots around the city.

View suggestions for early blooming cherry blossoms

Cherry blossoms: 8 spots across Japan to enjoy them

The Meguro River in Tokyo lined with cherry blooms and branches swooping over the concrete barriers into the river.

Honshu · Day trips

Where to find the famous cherry blossoms (or sakura as it is locally called) and some less famous spots, too. Find recommendation from all over Japan.

Click for 8 spots to see cherry blossoms

Book your private transportation and custom tour

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2-5 Day Trips

Snow and Culture Discovery: Niigata

People standing in water inside a tunnel, observing snow-covered mountains and a river outside.

Niigata · 3 day, 2 nights

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For those who are first discovering snow who are also curious about exploring the regions’s artisan culture, the science and taste of the regional food, and learning from a local scientist.

View Snow Discovery Itinerary

Image of temple with Cherry Blossom trees in front.

Honshu · 3 day, 2 nights trip

Flowers, matcha, and shrines: Japan’s spring highlights

Wondering what to do in Japan during the spring blossom season? This 3-day itinerary suggests the highlights that will take you from blossom hunting to the most visited destinations.

Click for the Spring highlights

Explore mountainside landscapes full of local blooms and experience the highlight of Japanese summers, matsuris, or festivals. The sample showcases specific festivals, but if late July doesn’t work, contact us to learn about the festivals happening on the dates that do work for you.

Click for Late July itinerary

Festivals and Nature galore: Late-July in Tokyo, Gunma, and Nagano

Girl walks down path in the middle of a field of sunflowers.

Tokyo · multi-day trip

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Rows of rocks extend from the shoreline out to sea with faint outline of mountains in the background shown at sunset.

Kyshuu · 3 day, 2 nights

Culture, tea, and Food: Kyushu (Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Oita, Miyazaki)

Discover one of the best night views in all of Japan, castles, ocean views, modern art museums and onsens all in one. Visiting this region also will also support areas impacted by earthquakes.

Click for the best of Kyushu

Textile, craft, and art lovers: Tokyo, Gunma, Nagoya, Kyoto

Closeup of a textile Yuzuen painter paints white paint on a kimono dyed black. Image of type of factory visited on tour.

 3-4 day, 2-3 nights

Travel the silk road and experience local textile factories, manufacturers, artisans, and museums that contributed to the kimono and textile industry over generations and the modern pop-culture scene. Broken into segments for those who prefer a shorter trip. This itinerary takes you from end-to-end across Japan visiting museums and working studios.

Discover Japan’s artistic side

Book a short multi day trip

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6-10 Day Trips

Best of the Golden Route: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka

Mutli-story red pagoda at dusk with could covered Mount Fuji in the background.

Honshu · 7 days, 6 nights

A first-timers guide to the most iconic places in Tokyo, Osaka, and Kyoto with a few lesser-known stops and locations. Note: this Itinerary is jam packed, and best for car travel. Things may need to be cut if you prefer mindful travel or are traveling with kids.

View the Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto Route

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A large white cruise ship docked at a port under a clear blue sky, with small flags hanging from the top of the ship.

Cruise Extensions: Each Port of Call

Japan · 10 ports of call

Cruise itineraries should be custom to your specific itinerary, however, this itinerary gives an idea of the type of extension possible through hiring a private driver through TokudAw at each port.

View Cruise itineraries

If you’re a high-performance gear lover, this itinerary helps you craft bespoke gear to your specs while shredding with knowledgeable local guides and going deep into local craft heritage.

View itinerary to shred and build winter gear

Japanese mountain village of Shirakawa known for its gasho style houses with thactched roofs and the history of raising silk worms.

Hokuriku · 6 days, 5 nights

Seafood and Mountains: Hokuriku region

Romantic and relaxing: Tokyo, Kanagawa, and Shizouka

A large white sculpture of a sleeping face surrounded by greenery, with a blue tile fountain in the foreground and leafless trees and a blue sky in the background.

Honshu · 7 days, 6 nights

An itinerary designed for slow-travel and relaxation, populated with onsens, nature, and art. Perfect for honeymooners, celebrating a milestone anniversary, or people who want to just experience the Zen-side of Japan. Split into 3 phases, which can also be experienced individually or as a set.

Plan the perfect couple’s getaway

Japow shreds, High-Performance Gear, and Culture: Niigata

A workshop with two ski bases mounted on a workbench, surrounded by tools and equipment for ski tuning and repairs.

Niigata · 6 days, 5 nights

Japow and culture: Niigata, Nagano, Gunma and Tokyo

Two marmots sitting on a rocky surface near a hot spring with steam rising, snow-covered trees and rocks in the background.

Niigata · 6 days, 5 nights

For those who want to hit the slopes, but don’t want to miss out on some culture too. Discover the gems in route to or from the slopes that can immerse you in all things Japan.

Explore Japan’s onsen towns and quieter ski slopes

Winter and castles: Aomori, Iwate, and Yamagata

Frozen waterfall with snow covered rocks in Aomori's Oirase Gorge in northern Japan perfect for photographers.

Aomori · 6 days, 5 nights

Discover enchanting winter scenes perfect for photographers and cultural art museums specific to the region in Northern Japan.

Click to learn more about the Winter and Castles itinerary

Textile, craft, and art lovers: Tokyo, Gunma, Nagoya, Kyoto

8 day, 7 nights

Mountains and Art: Chiba, Fukushima, Tohoku, Yamagata, Niigata

A snowy landscape with snow-covered ground in the foreground, green trees on the left, a rock with a small traditional building on top on the right, and mountain ranges with snow-capped peaks in the background under a clear blue sky.

Tohoku · 9 days, 8 nights

Visit historic edo-style villages and onsen towns, a castle, famous temple nestled in the mountains, the Zao ropeway, scenic river and coastline views, along with art galleries nestled in the mountains and sake breweries to experience the finest sake.

Explore ultimate of Mountains and aArt

Culture, tea, and Food: Kyushu (Nagasaki, Fukuoka, Oita, Miyazaki)

Kyshuu · 7 day, 6 nights

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Close-up of a traditional Japanese building with ornate wood carvings, dragon sculptures on the roof, and decorative tiles, surrounded by green trees and a clear blue sky.

Volcanic onsens and nature: Tohoku region

Tohoku · 7 days, 6 nights

Discover the magic of Nikko, Aizu Wakamatsu, Ginzan Onsen, Tsuruoka and Niigata — a journey that inspired poets and perfect for history lovers and fall travelers.

Click for more about the Volcanic onsens and nature itinerary

Visit Kanazawa, one of the most celebrated regions for food, visit the beautiful coastline of Ishikawa, and explore the Japanese Alps of Niigata, Nagano and Toyama.

Click to learn more about the seafood and mountains itinerary

Samurais, nature and food: Tohoku and Yamagata

Woman stands in front of a wooden 5-story Japanese pagoda nestled in a forest of green towering trees.

Tohoku · 7 days, 6 nights

Explore the regions that enchanted the samurai is rich in ancient architecture set in abundant nature scenes and rich in culinary delights.

Click to learn more about the samurai, nature, and food itinerary

Book transportation for a week-long itinerary

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11+ Day Trips

This itinerary is the ultimate Japan experience, from anime hotspots like Akihabara and Ghibli park, to filming locations nestled in nature and postcard-worthy scenes of pagodas and mountains. You’ll also enjoy a few museums and castles along the way.

Click for the Honshu Manga and Anime itinerary

Image of the outside of a thatched-roofed home in an open air museum in Kawasaki, Japan nestled in a forest.

Honshu · 19 day, 18 nights

Ancestry History: A month long journey

Manga and Anime: Tokyo, Hakone, Mount Fuji, Niigata, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka

Front of an old wooden 2-story building in one of the samurai districts of kanazawa taken in the day light with a lamp post in the front.

Honshu · 15 days, 14 nights

Explore castles and nature, old Edo-style towns and castles that have been well-preserved to museums related to the overseas migration of the population.

Click for the ancestry journey

Book a longer journey's transportation

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Destination Guidance and Spots to Visit

A scenic view of a Japanese village at dusk with traditional buildings illuminated by warm lights, a small river flowing underneath the bridge, snow on the rooftops and trees, and a mountain with trees in the background.

Honshu · Any

Onsens and relaxation: Ishikawa, Yamagata, Nagano, Niigata, Hokkaido and more

The ultimate relaxation for locals is to retreat to a Japanese style hotel or Ryokan and soak in the healing waters of an onsen, or hot spring. Take a trip through some of the best onsen stays across the country.

Explore the top ryokans and onsens in Japan

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Older man reads to a child sitting in their lap on a blanket on top of the ground.

Honshu · Any

Mutli-generational entertainment: Tokyo and Kyoto

Explore destinations that will keep multiple generations engaged, from cultural activities to museums and theme parks.

View suggestions for multi-generational travel

Ancestry History: Tokyo, Osaka, Hiroshima, Hokkaido

Honshu · Any

Wonder what life was like for your ancestors? This is a collection of historic destinations that help you travel the paths your ancestors might have.

Click for the ancestry plan

Japanese garden in the fall with red / orange / yellow maples surrounding a still lake.

Honshu · Any

Japanese garden: Top 10 fall gardens in Japan

Fall is a special time of year, where leaves in Japanese gardens turn vibrant yellows and reds. Explore gardens handpicked all over the country.

View for the fall garden itinerary

Sustainability visiting nature: Tokyo, Osaka, Hokkaido

People in a small round boat floating on blue water near a rocky shoreline with a bright orange bridge overhead and lush green trees on the right side.

Honshu · Any

Support eco-friendly tourism to quieter destination including food harvests, rescued homes, and nature walks.

Click for eco-friendly travel destinations

Relaxing and celebratory: Throughout Japan

A couple holds hands during the cherry blossom season as they walk down a path.

Honshu · Any

From long walks, luxurious meals, boat experiences and cultural activities, this plan gives you ideas on how to celebrate anniversaries and major milestones in life at destinations friendly to guests with mobility challenges.

Click for ideas on how to celebrate an anniversary

Japanese villages: Gunma, Nagano, Niigata, Hokkaido, Kyoto and more

TokudAw recommendations of villages that have preserved Japanese architecture in the past including the pictured fishing buildings showing a glimpse of the Ine harbor between two buildings.

Honshu · Any

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The picturesque places that transport you back into time with narrow streets and wooden or stone architecture.

Explore authentic Japanese villages

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