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14 Days Grand Japan: Tokyo, Alps, Kyoto & Hiroshima
13 Nights / 14 Days
Tokyo · Hakone · Takayama · Shirakawa-go · Kanazawa · Kyoto · Nara · Osaka · Hiroshima
Tour Overview
This 14-day Grand Japan itinerary goes beyond the standard Golden Route by combining the country’s major first-time cities with the Japanese Alps and traditional mountain towns. Begin with three nights in Tokyo, slow the pace in Hakone, and then continue into the Alps for Takayama, Shirakawa-go and Kanazawa.
From Kanazawa, the journey continues to Kyoto, through Nara to Osaka, and finally west to Hiroshima and Miyajima. The route gives long-haul travellers a wider view of Japan while still keeping the geography logical and the pace comfortable.
The Japanese Alps section is what makes this itinerary different from a standard Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka holiday. Takayama introduces Hida-region culture, Shirakawa-go adds traditional mountain architecture, and Kanazawa brings gardens, samurai heritage and historic districts.
Three nights in Tokyo and three nights in Kyoto give the two major cities enough depth, while Hakone, Takayama and Kanazawa create a slower middle section before the route continues to Osaka, Hiroshima and Miyajima.
The itinerary can be customized around hotel category, private guiding, rail preference, food experiences, ryokan stays, family travel, cultural activities or additional nights in any destination.
Tour Highlights:
- Three nights in Tokyo for a well-paced first visit.
- Overnight in Hakone with mountain and hot-spring scenery.
- Explore Takayama and Hida culture in the Japanese Alps.
- Visit Shirakawa-go on the route to Kanazawa.
- Discover Kenrokuen and Kanazawa’s historic districts.
- Spend three nights in Kyoto.
- Visit Nara before continuing to Osaka.
- Explore Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Who Is This Tour Best For?
This route is ideal for first-time visitors with around two weeks in Japan, couples, families and long-haul travellers who want more than the classic Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka circuit without turning the holiday into a rushed nationwide trip.
Detailed Itinerary
Arrive in Tokyo and transfer to your hotel. Keep the first day light so you can recover from the international journey and adjust to the local time.
If your arrival schedule allows, take an easy neighbourhood walk or enjoy a relaxed dinner rather than committing to a long sightseeing programme.
The next two days are reserved for Tokyo, giving first-time travellers enough time to experience the capital without rushing.
Day Highlights:
- Arrival assistance and hotel transfer.
- Easy first evening after the international flight.
- Comfortable start to the Grand Japan journey.
Overnight stay in Tokyo.
Spend a full day exploring Tokyo, balancing traditional areas with the city’s modern side. A first-time route may include Asakusa and Senso-ji, the Imperial Palace area, and one contemporary district such as Shibuya or Shinjuku.
The sightseeing can be adapted around food, shopping, museums, architecture or pop culture. Tokyo is large, so the day is best organised by neighbourhood rather than crossing the city repeatedly.
Travellers who want more depth can also extend the trip with additional Tokyo tours before or after this itinerary.
Day Highlights:
- Asakusa and Senso-ji.
- Central Tokyo sightseeing.
- Modern Tokyo in Shibuya, Shinjuku or another preferred district.
Overnight stay in Tokyo.
Use a second full day in Tokyo to explore the city more personally. Options can include Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Ueno, Ginza, teamLab, food markets, museums or a neighbourhood-focused walking experience.
Families may prefer interactive attractions, while couples and repeat travellers may choose a food experience, shopping district or quieter residential area.
Keeping a third night in Tokyo makes the itinerary more comfortable for long-haul travellers and avoids leaving the capital too quickly.
Day Highlights:
- Second full day for deeper Tokyo exploration.
- Flexible sightseeing based on individual interests.
- Better pacing for first-time international visitors.
Overnight stay in Tokyo.
Leave Tokyo for Hakone, a mountain and hot-spring region known for Lake Ashi, volcanic scenery, museums and traditional ryokan stays.
Depending on weather and local operating conditions, explore Lake Ashi, Owakudani, the Hakone Ropeway or an art museum.
Clear-weather views toward Mt. Fuji are possible from parts of the Hakone region, but mountain visibility is weather-dependent and can never be guaranteed.
Day Highlights:
- Travel from Tokyo to Hakone.
- Lake and mountain scenery.
- Opportunity for an onsen or ryokan-style stay.
- Possible Mt. Fuji views when conditions are clear.
Overnight stay in Hakone.
After breakfast, continue from Hakone toward Takayama, using the most practical rail connections through central Japan.
The journey introduces the Japanese Alps and a different side of the country from Tokyo and Hakone. On arrival, settle into Takayama and take an easy walk through the old town if time permits.
This slower mountain stop is one of the main reasons to choose a 14-day Grand Japan route rather than a shorter Golden Route itinerary.
Day Highlights:
- Scenic journey into the Japanese Alps.
- Arrival in Takayama.
- First walk through the historic old town.
Overnight stay in Takayama.
Spend a full day in Takayama, known for preserved streets, traditional merchant houses, local crafts and Hida-region culture.
A typical sightseeing day can include the morning market, Takayama Jinya, the Sanmachi old-town district and time for local food or craft shops.
The pace is deliberately slower than in Tokyo or Kyoto, giving you time to experience the town rather than treating it only as a transit stop.
Day Highlights:
- Takayama morning market.
- Takayama Jinya.
- Sanmachi historic district.
- Time for local food and Hida-region culture.
Overnight stay in Takayama.
Leave Takayama and travel to Shirakawa-go, the mountain village area known for its traditional gassho-style farmhouses and dramatic valley setting.
Spend time exploring the village before continuing to Kanazawa. This route connects three of the most rewarding cultural destinations in the Japanese Alps and Hokuriku region.
Arrive in Kanazawa later in the day and settle into your hotel. Depending on timing, enjoy an evening walk around the city centre.
Day Highlights:
- Shirakawa-go village visit.
- Traditional mountain architecture.
- Continue directly to Kanazawa without backtracking.
Overnight stay in Kanazawa.
Spend the morning exploring Kanazawa. A balanced first visit may include Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle Park, and either the Higashi Chaya district or the Nagamachi samurai area.
Later, continue by rail to Kyoto and check in for a three-night stay.
This schedule gives Kanazawa meaningful sightseeing time while still allowing a relaxed arrival in Kyoto.
Day Highlights:
- Kenrokuen Garden.
- Kanazawa Castle Park.
- Geisha or samurai district sightseeing.
- Rail journey to Kyoto.
Overnight stay in Kyoto.
Spend a full day exploring Kyoto’s major cultural highlights. A well-paced first-time route can include Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Higashiyama and one additional temple or garden.
Kyoto is best experienced by grouping nearby sights and allowing time to walk through traditional streets rather than trying to visit every famous temple in one day.
The day can also include a tea experience, craft activity or food-focused stop if you prefer a more immersive cultural programme.
Day Highlights:
- Fushimi Inari.
- Kiyomizu-dera and Higashiyama.
- Traditional streets, temples and shrines at a comfortable pace.
Overnight stay in Kyoto.
Use the second full Kyoto day for Arashiyama and western Kyoto. Depending on your interests, visit the bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji, the river area and one additional cultural stop.
This extra day gives the itinerary much more depth than a short one-night Kyoto visit and creates space for gardens, traditional neighbourhoods and a slower local experience.
If you prefer, the day can be adapted toward Uji, a tea-focused experience or another Kyoto district.
Day Highlights:
- Arashiyama district.
- Temple and garden experiences.
- Flexible second full day in Kyoto.
Overnight stay in Kyoto.
Leave Kyoto for Nara, one of Japan’s historic capitals. Visit Nara Park, Todai-ji and the surrounding heritage area before continuing to Osaka.
Nara fits naturally between Kyoto and Osaka and adds important early-Buddhist heritage without creating a major detour.
Arrive in Osaka later in the day and, if energy allows, take an evening walk around Dotonbori or another lively food district.
Day Highlights:
- Nara Park and Todai-ji.
- Historic Buddhist heritage.
- Continue directly to Osaka.
- Optional evening around Dotonbori.
Overnight stay in Osaka.
Spend part of the morning enjoying Osaka before continuing by rail to Hiroshima.
After arrival, visit Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and related historical sites, allowing enough time to understand the significance of the area rather than treating it as a quick stop.
Keep the evening relaxed before the Miyajima excursion the following day.
Day Highlights:
- Morning time in Osaka.
- High-speed rail journey to Hiroshima.
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park.
Overnight stay in Hiroshima.
Travel to Miyajima for the island atmosphere, Itsukushima Shrine area and views across the Inland Sea.
Spend enough time on the island to enjoy the setting at a comfortable pace. Ferry and local transport timings should be checked for your exact travel date.
Return to Hiroshima later in the day for your final night in Japan.
Day Highlights:
- Miyajima island excursion.
- Itsukushima Shrine area.
- Coastal scenery and relaxed island exploration.
Overnight stay in Hiroshima.
After breakfast, check out and transfer to the airport or rail station for your onward journey.
Depending on your international flight arrangements, you may connect through Tokyo, Osaka or another major gateway.
Your 14-day Grand Japan journey ends after linking Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Day Highlights:
- Departure assistance from Hiroshima.
- Flexible onward connection planning.
- End of the 13-night / 14-day Grand Japan tour.
Tour ends in Hiroshima.
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