Japan: Perfect Route for a 3-Week Trip

Japan - a land that touches the soul and enchants the spirit. Nowhere else in the world do ancient traditions and vibrant modernity merge into such a fascinating kaleidoscope as in the Land of the Rising Sun.

Are you dreaming of this extraordinary adventure but only have three weeks? Perfect! I'll show you what you can see and experience in 21 days on a tour of Japan.

Our three-week trip through Japan took us from Tokyo to Nikkō with its impressive UNESCO World Heritage temples. The next destinations were Matsumoto, the famous snow monkeys of Nagano and Toyama. From here, we continued to the Samurai city of Kanazawa and to Ogimachi, part of the historic villages in the Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama region. The next stops were Inuyama Castle, Nagoya Castle, Kyoto, and Osaka. Of course, we also visited Hiroshima and Himeji Castle. On the way back to Tokyo, we traveled through the Fujihakoneizu National Park with Mount Fuji.

Flights to Tokyo (round trip) range from $600 to $1000 in economy class. We paid around $650 for a business class flight. We'll reveal how that's possible in our Online Course: Travel Smart.

For many travelers to Japan - including us - the adventure begins in Tokyo. With around 40 million inhabitants, the Japanese capital is the largest metropolitan area in the world. It's clear that there's a lot to see and explore in Tokyo!

You should plan at least three full days for the main attractions in Tokyo, though you can also spend an extra day at the end of your Japan trip in Tokyo. That's what we did anyway.

The top five highlights in Tokyo for me are the famous Shibuya crossing with the Shibuya Sky observation deck atop the Shibuya ScrambleSquare skyscraper, the Tokyo Skytree (Tickets*), the Tokyo Tower (Tickets*), the Meiji Shrine, and a stroll through the lively Shinjuku district. You absolutely have to eat ramen at Ichiran Nishi-Shinjuku (Google Maps)! It doesn't get crazier than this (but it's not suitable for groups). For the most famous attractions in Tokyo, you should book tickets well in advance!

Popular attractions also include the digital art museums teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets (only until the end of 2027), Sumo wrestling (we attended a Sumo training*), the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building with its evening light show, the 'Cat Temple' Gōtoku-ji, which you can reach via the Cat Express, and the imperial gardens. You can visit parts of the Imperial Palace as part of a guided tour.

In addition to the classic sights, Tokyo offers all sorts of markets, cafes, bars, fine dining restaurants, and massive shopping centers. We found the maid cafes fascinating, where the waitresses are dressed as maids - quirky, but still somewhat a must in Japan. We visited Maidreamin Akihabara Electric Town (Google Maps).

We were overall very impressed with Tokyo. Despite the crowds, everything runs like clockwork. The mega-metropolis is clean, quiet, peaceful, and incredibly organized. For accommodation, lively districts like Shibuya (where we stayed at lyf Shibuya Tokyo*) or Shinjuku (where we checked in at La'gent Hotel Shinjuku Kabukicho*) are great options.

Here you'll find an overview of the most important sights in Tokyo and more Japan travel tips can be found on the site of the Japan National Tourism Organization.

Your Japan tour takes you to Nikkō, about two hours away in the mountains of Tochigi Prefecture. The region is known for its magnificent UNESCO World Heritage temple complexes, fairy-tale mountain lakes, and impressive waterfalls.

From the legendary Shinkyō Bridge, a popular photo spot particularly in autumn, steps lead up to the Nikkosan Rinnoji temple complex (Rinnō-ji). The mighty main hall (Sanbutsu-dō) is particularly impressive. Also worth seeing is the small Shōyō-en garden.

From here, it's just a short walk to the Shinto shrine Toshogu (Nikkō Tōshō-gū), which for us is one of the most impressive temple complexes on our entire trip to Japan.

Highlights of the 17th-century complex include the five-story pagoda and the Yōmeimon gate with its 508 intricately carved depictions of humans and mythological creatures. And of course, everyone wants a photo with the Three Monkeys, who 'see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil.' Other famous carvings in Nikkō include the Sleeping Cat (Nemuri-neko) and the Imaginary Elephants (Sōzō-no-Zō). It's also worthwhile to climb to the grave of Tokugawa Ieyasu, one of the three unifiers of feudal Japan.

A little further on is the Nikkō Futarasan Shrine, which we also enjoyed. The garden with the giant sacred trees is particularly beautiful. Next to it is the Taiyuin Temple (Rin'nōji Taiyū-in). The impressive mausoleum is the final resting place of the third Tokugawa shogun Iemitsu (1604-1651).

For your second day in Nikkō, a trip to Lake Chūzenji is recommended. The mountain lake is beautifully situated. You can explore the lake on the hiking trails surrounding it or take a boat ride.

A highlight is also the Akechidaira Ropeway. From the mountain station, you have a great view of the 97 meter-high Kegon Falls with the mountain lake in the background. At the Kegon Falls themselves, there are several observation platforms, the lower one can be accessed by elevator.

If you have more time, it's worth taking a detour to the Ryūzu Falls and the Yudaki Falls, which make for great photo spots, especially in autumn.

If you stay longer than two days in Nikkō, you can climb the 2,484 meter high volcano Nantai or visit the Kirifuri Falls and the Urami Falls.

We spent two nights at the Fairfield by Marriott Tochigi Nikko*. Additionally, the Nikkō Kanaya Hotel* is also located in the city. This hotel was the first in Japan to host foreign guests in the 1870s.

From Nikkō, the journey continues to Matsumoto. The highlight is the massive Matsumoto Water Castle, one of the most beautiful in the country. The six-story tower dates back to the late 16th century and is the oldest surviving castle tower in Japan. On the way up, you will have to climb some steep steps. Given the many visitors, you will need some patience here.

I also recommend a detour to the historic post town Narai-juku, just an hour from Matsumoto. A stroll down the main street of this historic village is like stepping back in time.

You walk past centuries-old two-story wooden houses. You can find authentic souvenirs in the many small shops. For your culinary needs - soba and udon dishes are available everywhere - they cater well. Be sure to try Mitarashi Dango and Gohei-Mochi, both traditional Japanese sweets, at Kiso Narai-juku Kimura Honten (open only Saturday, Sunday, and holidays; Google Maps).

My overnight tip in Matsumoto is the Matsumoto Marunouchi Hotel*.

The next long leg takes you from Matsumoto to Toyama on the north coast. However, we're not taking the direct route, but are opting for a detour through the Olympic city of Nagano to see the bathing snow monkeys in the Jigokudani Yaen Kōen (open daily from 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM). This is the only place in the world where wild monkeys, specifically Japanese macaques, come to bathe in an onsen.

From the parking lot, it takes about 30 minutes on foot to reach the bathing pool filled with warm water. The monkeys visibly enjoy jumping into the water. You have the best chances of seeing the monkeys in the onsen in the morning. Because the pesky biting flies are around in this wooded area, you should wear long clothing and apply an effective insect repellent to exposed skin.

After this exciting excursion into nature, the journey continues the same day to the coastal city of Toyama. One of the most famous attractions is the Toyama Castle, which was rebuilt in 1954 and now houses a museum.

If you still have the desire and time in the evening, consider visiting the Amaharashi coastline (about a 40 to 50-minute drive from the city center). Right at the Roadside Station Amaharashi (Google Maps), there's a huge rock in the sea against the backdrop of the mountains, which makes for a great photo opportunity. The train that travels along the coast is also photogenic.

The next day, I recommend taking a ride on the Kurobe Gorge Railway through the Kurobe Gorge. On the train ride from Unazuki to Keyakidaira through one of the deepest canyons in the country, nestled in the Japanese Alps, you won't be able to contain your amazement! We took seats in one of the open panorama cars despite the rainy weather.

For the best views, sit on the right side of the train going into the gorge and on the left side on the return trip. At the official end station, Keyakidaira, there are various activities available. For example, a hiking trail leads to the Meiken Onsen in 15 minutes. Another 40 minutes will take you to the Babadani Onsen.

As of August 2025, the track is unfortunately only partially accessible due to earthquake damage - but it's worth it!

The Kurobe Gorge Railway (Website) operates from mid-April to the end of November. The best time to photograph the vibrant autumn colors is from about October 20 to November 10.

From Toyama, you take the Shinkansen to Kurobe-Unazukionsen Station (about a 12-minute ride). Here, you leave the Shinkansen station and board the rustic local train at the nearby Shin-Kurobe Station for Unazuki Onsen (depending on the train, 20 to 30 minutes travel time). Just a few minutes walk away is the own station of the Kurobe Gorge Railway.

We spent two nights in the elegant Hotel Vischio Toyama* right at the main station. One of the best ramen dishes we had during our entire trip in Japan was at the nearby Isshin - Toyama Station (Google Maps). The specialty is the region's typical Black Ramen.

From Toyama, our tour first leads to Kanazawa. The city is known for its original Samurai district with former samurai villas. Some of the rustic houses can be visited - and it's really worth it! One of the most famous is the Nomura-ke Samurai Heritage Residence. A hit in the area is the matcha soft serve ice cream topped with gold leaf.

The next highlight is the rebuilt Kanazawa Castle. On a tour of the castle, you'll learn a lot about the original wooden construction of the buildings that have stood up to storms and earthquakes for centuries. Although it's just a replica, we found the building incredibly interesting.

Another well-known attraction in Kanazawa is Kenroku-en, which is regarded as one of the three most beautiful gardens in the country. You can easily spend half a day on the expansive grounds with ponds and shrines. We didn't have quite that much time, after all, our journey continues.

A must-see in Kanazawa is also the two adjacent Geisha districts, Higashi Chaya and Kazuemachi Chaya, with their picturesque streets and historic townhouses. For visiting the main attractions in Kanazawa, plan at least five to six hours.

From Kanazawa, the journey leads to the Gasshō-zukuri village of Ogimachi. Since you will likely arrive in the evening, the exploration of this village will take place the next morning.

Ogimachi is one of the three historic villages in the Shirakawa-gō and Gokayama region, which have been UNESCO World Heritage sites since 1995. The other villages are Suganuma and Ainokura. Ogimachi is the largest and most famous of the villages and is ideal for a visit if you're short on time, as you are on this three-week tour of Japan.

We stayed at the Onyado Yui no Sho*, one of the most beautiful and impressive hotels on our entire Japan trip. You also have the option of staying in a centuries-old farmhouse directly in historic Ogimachi. However, accommodations are usually fully booked long in advance and can be quite expensive.

An early departure is advisable as Ogimachi will be overrun by thousands of tourists throughout the day. Early in the morning, you can still feel the original Japan here.

In the historical center, dozens of houses built in the Gasshō-zukuri style await you, which translates to 'hands folded in prayer.' The thatched roofs of the wooden houses are steep at angles of up to 60 degrees. The entire place feels like a fairy-tale world. However, the shape serves another purpose besides pleasing tourists: only through this construction method can the houses, which are built entirely without nails, withstand the extreme snow loads in winter.

You can visit four of the houses for a small entry fee: the Myozenji Museum, the Nagase house, the Kanda house, and the Wada house, with the Wada house being the most famous. We visited all four houses and were fascinated by them all. You have a great view from the observation platform at Ogimachi Castle above the village. Nothing of the castle itself is left to be seen.

On the way to Kyoto, it's worth stopping at Inuyama Castle, one of the oldest surviving castles in the country. If you're already excited about the interior of the castle, just wait until you're on the top floor - without a net or double floor!

Another stop worth considering is Nagoya Castle. The fortress, built in the early 17th century, was destroyed in World War II and rebuilt in the 1950s. After an earthquake in 2018, the castle itself is closed to visitors. There are plans to demolish the steel-reinforced structure in the coming years and reconstruct it in a traditional style.

However, you can visit the adjacent Hommaru Palace, which was faithfully reconstructed using traditional materials and construction methods from 2009 to 2018. We were extremely impressed by the more than 30 rooms with their opulent decorations.

From Nagoya, it's on to Kyoto. If you still have the desire and time, you can explore the old town on your first stroll.

For many travelers to Japan, Kyoto is the city that must not be missed. The former capital charms with imperial palaces, traditional wooden houses, Buddhist temples, Shinto shrines, and beautiful gardens. Moreover, you have a good chance of seeing geishas in Kyoto.

The main attractions in Kyoto include the old town districts Gion and Higashiyama with their traditional tea houses and cherry trees, the Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine, Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji), the Silver Pavilion (Ginkaku-ji), the Arashiyama bamboo grove, the 400-year-old Nishiki Market, the quaint Pontocho alley, Kiyomizudera temple with its spectacular view, Kifune Shrine with many restaurants right by the Kibune River, Kyoto Tower with the highest observation deck in the city, and a bit outside the renowned Byodoin Temple (Byōdō-in), which is depicted on the 10 yen coin.

A must-do in Gion is a guided geisha tour*, where you'll learn all sorts of exciting information and might even see geishas or maiko in their colorful kimonos if you're lucky. However, you can also discover a lot on your own in Gion around Hanami-koji street and the Shirakawa Canal.

If money is no object, you can even participate in a private tea ceremony or a dinner show with a real geisha - here's more information. An alternative in summer includes 'beer gardens' like Kamishichiken Kabukai (Google Maps), where geishas and maikos will join you for a short chat.

Highlights in the Higashiyama district include the Hōkan-ji Temple (also known as Yasaka Pagoda), the pedestrian zone Ninenzaka, and the already mentioned Kiyomizudera temple. Oh, and matcha fans shouldn't miss the Gokago Café (Google Maps).

You can see that there's so much to see in Kyoto. These are just the top highlights, for which you should plan at least three to four full days. However, you could also spend a whole week in Kyoto and keep discovering new things.

We stayed centrally at the Hotel Rings Kyoto* and can only recommend it! The luxury hotel Four Seasons* even offers private geisha shows for its guests.

The next stop on your Japan tour is Osaka, a stark contrast to Kyoto. The metropolis was almost completely destroyed by the US Air Force during World War II. Therefore, there's not really a historical center. However, Osaka is well-known for its vibrant nightlife.

An experience is an evening stroll through the crazy district of Shinsekai. We have never seen so many colorful neon signs. When you're in Shinsekai, make sure to throw some ninja stars and check out Kushikatsu Daruma (Google Maps), Osaka's most famous kushikatsu restaurant. These are deep-fried skewers with meat, fish, or vegetables.

The observation platform on the Tsūtenkaku is also worth it. The tower, built in 1956 - now one of the city's landmarks - is only 103 meters high, but still provides an amazing view over Osaka. Make sure to buy the ticket for the smaller upper platform to get great photos!

Nearby towers the 300-meter-high Abeno Harukas into the sky. It has a fantastic observation platform and an open floor with a restaurant and café. The perfect place for sunset!

You'll also go high on the futuristic Umeda Sky Building (Tickets*) in the northern part of the city. The glass escalator that takes you the last few meters up to the observation platform at 170 meters high is famous. A tip is the Sky Lounge Stardust. The cocktails taste much better with the view from the 39th floor.

Another Osaka highlight is the pedestrian bridge Ebisu in the Dotonbori district, which is located between busy shopping streets, offering a great view of the well-known Glico Man advertisement. This huge advertisement for a Japanese food company was first installed in 1935.

Nearby, it's worth stopping by the Don Quijote Dotonbori with its giant Ferris wheel on the facade. Don Quijote is Japan's largest discount chain - and definitely the craziest!

The most important historical attraction is Osaka Castle. The structure is particularly impressive from the outside. Inside there is a museum. The upper floor also has an observation platform. Other cultural highlights include the Shitennō-ji Temple, the Namba Yasaka Shrine, which is shaped like a lion's head, and the historical Kuromon Ichiba Market.

Also popular is Nara Park, known for its 'tame' Sika deer, about 40 minutes from the city center. However, the deer aren't as tame as we thought. Especially small children can become frightened here quickly!

We managed to see the main highlights in Osaka well in two and a half days. We stayed centrally at the Centara Grand Hotel Osaka*.

On a three-week road trip, you'll hardly make it to Hiroshima by car. Luckily, the Shinkansen takes only 1.5 hours for the approximately 330 kilometers from Osaka to Hiroshima - perfect for a day trip.

Hiroshima is likely familiar to everyone. On August 6, 1945, at 8:15 AM, the Americans dropped an atomic bomb for the first time in history, almost completely destroying the city. The second atomic bombing took place on August 9, 1945, in Nagasaki. It's estimated that the number of fatalities in Hiroshima alone was between 100,000 and 180,000.

The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is one of the places that everyone should see at least once - especially given the renewed arms race between the great powers. We were deeply shocked and will never forget the images we saw here.

The nearby Peace Memorial, also known as the Atomic Bomb Dome, is very impressive. The building, of which only a ruin remains, served as an exhibition hall until August 6, 1945. You can get a good view of the area from the observation deck in the Hiroshima Orizuru Tower.

Additionally, there's also Hiroshima Castle nearby. What you see here today is, of course, a reconstruction of the 16th-century structure.

On the way back to Osaka, a stop in Himeji is worthwhile. From the train station, you can easily reach Himeji Castle (Himeji-jō) in just a few minutes by bus.

Although we've seen many castles on our Japan tour, Himeji Castle impressed us even more. The castle dates back to the 17th century and is still original. You can feel history in every step as you walk through its dark levels. The view from the observation platform on the top floor is spectacular. If we had to choose just one castle, it would be Himeji Castle!

Our Japan trip is slowly coming to an end. However, there's still one of the most famous highlights left on the agenda: the Fujihakoneizu National Park with Mount Fuji.

From Osaka, it takes about five hours by car to reach the national park. By train, it takes around four hours to the city of Fuji. Thus, even on the day of arrival, you can see and experience quite a bit. And always at the center is the 3,776-meter high Fuji, one of the country's landmarks.

You can climb Fuji between July and September, but we didn't do it. Time-wise, it wasn't possible. However, there is so much to discover around it that we didn't miss the climb at all.

Some of the most beautiful places in the region include the five lakes Motosu, Shōji, Saiko, and Kawaguchi - a must-see here is the Fuji Panoramic Ropeway - and Yamanaka, known for its swan population - to the north of the most beautiful volcanic cone in the world.

A cultural highlight near Lake Saiko is the traditional Japanese village of Saiko Iyashi-no-Sato Nenba.

Not only for photographers is the Chureito Pagoda above Fujiyoshida a must. From the observation platform, you'll have one of the most spectacular views of Fuji. The best photos are taken in the morning and evening - and especially during cherry blossom season. However, hundreds or even thousands of spectators often gather here during that time.

In Fujiyoshida, you'll also find Japan's most famous supermarket: the Lawson Kawaguchiko Station with Fuji in the background.

In the southeast, you have a great view of Fuji from Lake Ashi (Ashi-no-ko). Boat rides and the Hakone Shrine are very popular here. On clear days, the cable car ride to Mount Komagatake is worthwhile as well.

To explore the Fuji region and its highlights, you should plan at least three days. We stayed at the beautiful Shoji Lake Hotel* directly at Lake Shōji with a view of Fuji.

From the Fujihakoneizu National Park, it's only about two more hours to Tokyo. For safety, you should plan a buffer day before your departure. This is also perfect for exploring the last Tokyo highlights and reviewing the trip.

On our interactive map, you'll find all the highlights of our three-week trip to Japan in a handy overview:

The tour presented here can indeed be completed in three weeks thanks to Japan's excellent transportation infrastructure. However, very early rising is a must if you want to see everything. If our itinerary feels too stressful, you can certainly skip one or the other location, or if you have enough time, take four weeks to do the tour.

We traveled the route presented here by rental car. If you're okay with driving on the left side, driving in Japan is really easy. We only used the Shinkansen for the trip to Hiroshima and Himeji Castle. We wouldn't have made it by car in time.

To rent a car in Japan, you need, in addition to a credit card (be mindful of the deposit!) and your US driver's license, an official Japanese translation of your driver's license. The international driver's license is not accepted. I had the translation done in advance at the ADAC (costing 65€ on-site in Munich or 70€ by mail). You can find affordable rental cars to explore Japan on your own via Check24*.

However, you can also use trains and buses for our tour. For journeys to the more remote places, you need to plan a bit more time, and of course, you're not as flexible there.

Overall, you can explore Japan excellently with public transport thanks to the extremely fast and always punctual Shinkansen trains. The cities that are connected to the Shinkansen network can indeed be reached fastest and most comfortably by train.

For foreign tourists, the Japan Railway Pass (JR Pass) is a great deal, allowing you to use almost all JR trains (including the high-speed Shinkansen), buses, and ferries for 7 days (from $300), 14 days (from $480), or 21 days (from $600) - including free seat reservations. The Super Express trains Nozomi and Mizuho carry an additional fee.

In the USA, you can purchase the JR Pass from Japan Specialist and H.I.S. as early as three months before your planned trip to Japan. It pays to compare prices as agencies may offer different rates. Additionally, there are discounted regional passes.

In principle, Japan is worth visiting all year round. The cherry blossom (Sakura) in spring is especially popular, occurring regionally differently from mid-March to early May. But during this time, flights and hotels are particularly expensive.

Autumn (September to November) transforms Japan into a colorful sea of colors - ideal for great photos.

It can get very hot in the summer months from June to August (35 degrees or more). Furthermore, June to early July is the rainy season. We traveled in Japan from mid-June to early July and had hardly any rain but a lot of lovely weather.

Winter is a highlight for all winter sports enthusiasts in Japan. The Japanese Alps have numerous ski resorts. However, winter is not my favorite time for a road trip.