Places You'll See
Highlights
- Adventure & Exploration: The itinerary seamlessly blends outdoor activities such as exploring the Snow Monkey Park in Nagano to witness the monkeys bathing in the Hot Spring, and walking the historic streets of the historic post town of Narai Juku. There are many opportunities to immerse yourself in nature and history
- Cultural Immersion: By witnessing the ancient sport of Sumo, visiting the impressive Matsumoto Castle, to walking the streets used by Geisha in Kanazawa, you’ll have a deep connection with Japan’s rich history, culture, and traditions along the way.
- Breathtaking Landscapes: From walking the beautiful streets of Takayama, to witnessing the UNESCO Heritage Site of Shirakawago, this itinerary offers diverse and awe-inspiring landscapes that highlight the beauty of Japan
Description
For most people travelling to Japan, they will visit and stay in Tokyo during their trip! For this reason, Tokyo is seen as the gateway to exploring Japanese heritage and culture, but is also the perfect location to visit the other amazing regions of Japan! For any first timer’s or return visitors to Japan, we have created a number of itineraries to help inspire your travels and help you tailor your trip to suit your preferences and interests. For this itinerary we suggest a 6 day plan that showcases many of the highlights of Central Japan including Tokyo, Nagano, Shirakawago, and Kanazawa. This itinerary is perfect for anybody looking to get off the beaten tourist path a little, and explore the wonders of Central Japan, with a good balance of different regions and attractions to make any travellers happy. We hope this will help you when planning where to go and what to do on your dream trip!
For travellers who want to visit the attractions of Central Japan, this 6 day itinerary will provide just that. You will be able to enjoy the old and new in Tokyo including watching Sumo, the stunning Castle landscape of Matsumoto and Narai Juku, witness the UNESCO heritage site of Shirakawago, walk around the beautiful Kanazawa, witness the Snow Monkeys naturally bathing in hot springs, and so much more!
Day 1 TOKYO HIGHLIGHTS AND SUMO
How to Start Off Your Day
Tokyo is the perfect starting point for your journey, offering a vibrant blend of tradition and innovation that will captivate and inspire you from the moment you arrive. Whether you're drawn to its historic temples, bustling streets, or cutting-edge technology, Tokyo provides an unforgettable introduction to the wonders of Japan. Plus, the city offers a wide range of accommodations to suit every preference and budget. From luxurious 5-star hotels with stunning skyline views to cozy boutique guesthouses and traditional ryokan inns, you're sure to find the perfect place to rest after a day of exploration.
For many travellers, the areas of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Tokyo, and Asakusa are very popular as they are very central, offer great hotels and links to transport. Check out our Tokyo destination page for more information on where to stay. We highly recommend staying in the Shinjuku area. A lively hub and one of the most popular areas in the city, Shinjuku has a plethora of shops, restaurants, cafes and hotels to suit all tastes. Shinjuku is also home to the busiest station in all of Tokyo, but it offers incredible links to every part of the city
Tokyo Highlights Tour / All Year Round
This tour gives guests the opportunity to experience much of the traditional and iconic culture associated with Japan and Tokyo. You will have the opportunity to see Sumo Wrestlers train, try the freshest and best Sushi and street food in Tokyo, walk through a traditional Japanese garden and visit a tea house, walk around an historic Buddhist temple complex and park, and finally pay a visit to one of Tokyo’s most famous observation decks – Tokyo Tower.
* Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination.
How to End Your Day
The tour will conclude in Tokyo at approximately 4/4.30pm which will provide you with time to travel to your next destination at a reasonable hour. You may wish to spend another night in Tokyo and travel to Nagano the following morning. Your tour guide will happily assist you with any questions or tickets regarding your onward destination. In Tokyo you are well connected to transport options to reach your next destination. For customers heading onto Nagano from Tokyo, you will need to go to Tokyo station to get your Bullet Train. Please read our guide below for further details on how to reach Nagano from Tokyo.
Recommended Accommodation
Day 2 NAGANO, SNOW MONKEY PARK, ZENKOJI TEMPLE AND SAKE
How to Start Off Your Day
Hop aboard the Hokuriku Shinkansen at Tokyo Station for a scenic and comfortable ride to Nagano Station, where your unforgettable half-day tour of the city begins. As you travel, you’ll enjoy stunning views of the Japanese countryside, including the majestic Alps, setting the stage for the cultural adventure that awaits you in Nagano. See the 'How to Get to Nagano' page for more information about your transportation to Nagano.
SNOW MONKEY & ZENKOJI TEMPLE TOUR FROM NAGANO / all year round
Day Tour
Best Selling
1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake in Nagano
- Spots:
- NaganoSnow MonkeyHakuba
- Pick-up:
- Nagano CityHakuba
- Drop-off:
- Nagano CityHakuba
¥17,800
Continuing further east from Matsumoto is the city of Nagano, another city with a long history as a temple town and more recently as the site of the winter Olympics in 1998. This tour is our company's most popular tour as it visits Zenkoji Temple in Nagano City and then the famous snow monkeys in the mountains nearby the city. The tour starts at Nagano Station before getting on a short bus ride to Zenkoji Temple. The city was historically a temple town and Zenkoji Temple is still visited by millions to this day. Learn about the history of the temple, the city and religion in Japan at this important religious site. Following the temple is a sake tasting where you can try many variety of sake, fruit sakes and juices. Next is lunch which is at a restaurant across the street from the temple. Enjoy a delicious modern take on traditional Japanese food.
The final part of the tour will see you headed to the Snow Monkey Park. There is a short hike before arriving at the valley where the monkeys live. Especially during the winter, the monkeys come down out of the mountains to eat, take baths in the onsen and play around. It really is a surreal experience to be around so many monkeys just living their lives in such beautiful scenery.
* Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination.
How to End Your Day
The tour will conclude back in Nagano City. The city centre is extremely convenient for travellers, and offers a wide range of restaurants outside of and inside of Nagano station. You can easily find something to eat for dinner after your busy day! The city centre also has some great shops, as well as entertainment like Karaoke and Games Arcades. Most importantly, the city centre offers many comfortable hotels which are only a short distance from the tour drop off location. Check out our Nagano City Area page for more information.
Day 3 NAGANO, MATSUMOTO AND NARAI JUKU
How to Start Off Your Day
On this day, your adventure continues as you head towards two of Japan's most iconic destinations: Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku. For those of you who stayed at Hotel Kokusai 21 the previous night, your journey begins with a convenient pickup directly from the hotel by your guide, ensuring a smooth start to the day.
1-Day Tour Of Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku / all year round
Operating year round, this tour starts with a morning visit to the historic Matsumoto Castle and a walk through the charming downtown of Matsumoto. Ranked as one of Japan's most livable cities, you will get a sense for the peaceful but fun atmosphere which pervades Matsumoto. Getting back on the tour bus, the group will head to Narai-juku, south of Matsumoto in the Kiso Valley. One of the best preserved post towns in all of Japan, there are over 1 kilometer of traditional buildings, making it feel as though you have traveled back in time. Enjoy tasty snacks, local crafts, and entry to an old home while your guide answers all of your questions.
Pick Up Location: Nagano Station, Matsumoto Station, Hotel Kokusai 21
*Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination.
How to End Your Day
The tour will conclude back in Nagano at approximately 6.15pm which will provide you with time to travel to your next destination at a reasonable hour. Your tour guide will happily assist you with any questions or tickets regarding your onward destination. In Nagano station you are well connected with transport options to reach your next destination, and you easily buy tickets before or after the tour from either the ticket counter or ticket machines. For customers heading onto Kanazawa from Nagano, please read our guide below for further details on how to reach Kanazawa from Nagano. The Bullet Train journey from Nagano to Kanazawa can take between 66 minute - 90 minutes depending on the service you book.
With a variety of accommodation options ranging from budget hotels, to traditional ryokan inns, you’ll find the perfect place to unwind and enjoy a comfortable stay in Kanazawa. For many travellers, the area around Kanazawa station is very popular as it is central, offers great hotels and links to transport. Check out our the Kanazawa station area page below for more information on where to stay.
Recommended Accommodation
Day 4 KANAZAWA AND SHIRAKAWAGO
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up fresh in Kanazawa and meet your guide to begin your day! Today you’ll be exploring the three areas of Inami, Gokayama and Shirakawa-go, all offering stunning scenery. In Shirakawa-go, the iconic gassho-zukuri farmhouses, with their steep, roofs, create a picturesque wonderland. Surrounded by mountains and peaceful fields, the village looks especially magical during the winter months, making it a perfect spot for a serene and scenic experience.
SHIRAKAWA-GO, GOKAYAMA TOUR FROM KANAZAWA / all year round
Day Tour
Popular
1 Day Tour from Kanazawa: Shirakawa-go, Gokayama and Wood Carving Village
- Spots:
- KanazawaShirakawago
- Pick-up:
- Kanazawa
- Drop-off:
- TakayamaKanazawa
¥23,800 / 25,800
One of the most visited attractions in the region is the thatched-roof houses of Shirakawa-go and Gokayama. On this tour you will hop on one of our charter buses and on the way there stop at a hidden gem of the area, Inami. This small town is famous for wood-carving, something you can see on display throughout the main thoroughfare that lead to Inami's crown, jewel, Zuisenji Temple. The carvings on this temple were done by a master carver over 200 years ago. We will then continue on to Gokayama to see some of the thatched-roofed house and get an excellent view of the small town. A paper-making experience is also waiting for you, using materials harvested in the town and techniques perfected over centuries. The last stop is Shirakawa-go where you can see the beautiful townscape and go into one of the homes to learn about the townspeople's way of life. There are also plenty of shops and stalls to enjoy!
*Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination. However, for customers proceeding to Takayama this tour includes drop off in both Takayama and Kanazawa.
How to End Your Day
End your day staying in Kanazawa for a second night and take your time to explore more of what the city has to offer! There a good selection of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from.
Day 5 KANAZAWA
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up in Kanazawa for a second day ready to explore! Today you will venture to see what the city of Kanazawa has to offer. Your guide will greet you and take you on a memorable tour through the city’s historic and cultural highlights, including the amazing garden, Geisha and Samurai districts!
KANAZAWA MAIN SIGHTS TOUR / all year round
This tour has you walk in the same streets as those from times past. Walk the streets the samurai of the Kaga clan and see a warriors house from the Edo period. Relax and enjoy matcha in a tea house overlooking a beautiful garden next to the impressive castle walls. Stroll through the Kenroku-en garden like the daimyos of the Edo period and admire the artistry of the landscaping of not just the land but of the trees as well. Finally, walk through Higashi Chayamachi, the old geisha district, where you can shop, snack and take a tour of a former tea house that was used by actual geisha in the past.
*Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination.
How to End Your Day
The tour will conclude in Kanazawa at approximately 5.30pm which will provide you with time to travel to your next destination at a reasonable hour. Your tour guide will happily assist you with any questions or tickets regarding your onward destination. At Kanazawa station you are well connected to transport options to reach your next destination. For customers heading onto Tokyo from Kanazawa, you will need to get your Bullet Train to Tokyo station. The journey will take between 150 minutes - 185 minutes depending on the service you book. We recommend buying an ‘Ekiben’ or train bento to enjoy as a light meal during your journey! You can buy these from shops inside the station before departing. Please read our guide below for further details on how to reach Tokyo from Kanazawa.
Once you arrive into the Tokyo station / Marunouchi area, you are perfectly located to many many restaurants, bars, shops and hotels. This is one of the most popular areas for visitors to stay in Tokyo. You will also be very close to the meet up point inside Tokyo station for the final tour of this itinerary.
Recommended Accommodation
Day 6 TOKYO
How to Start Off Your Day
Wake up fresh in Tokyo for your final day of the trip! Today you will have the entire day to explore Tokyo. Upon arrival at Tokyo Station, your guide will greet you and take you on a memorable tour of the Tokyo area to enjoy the historic and cultural highlights.
TOKYO HIGHLIGHTS TOUR / all year round
You will get to visit the iconic Tokyo Station, see Tokyo Imperial Palace outer gate and grounds, and walk through neighbouring Hibiya Park. You will also get to try sake tasting ( or you can try Shochu or the non – alcoholic option of Amazake). You will have a refreshment break like no other at a cafe where Robots serve customers, before heading to a traditional Japanese garden and an Edo period museum to explore their life sized Edo townscape.
*Tour does not include transportation after the tour, and does not include accommodation. Customers will need to book their own transportation to reach their next destination.
How to End Your Day
End your day staying in Tokyo for your final night and relax! Take your time to explore more of what the city has to offer! There a good selection of restaurants, bars and cafes to choose from in the Tokyo and Marunouchi areas.
