10 Day Ultimate Discover Japan Itinerary From Nagoya
Embark on a 10-day adventure of culture, cuisine, and captivating landmarks! Discover Japan’s hidden gems as you are led by our English-speaking guides as they take you off the beaten path. Explore ancient temples, scenic landscapes, and immerse yourself in the rich culture and traditions of this fascinating country.
This itinerary takes you deep through Central Japan and connects you to the people, history, and culture of this beautiful and diverse region of Japan. You’ll see three of the five National Treasure Castles, Japan’s most sacred shrine, the famous snow monkeys, and so much more!
AVAILABILITY: All year round
HIGHLIGHTS
— View 4 stunning castles—including 3 of Japan’s few original castles, the oldest castle in Japan, and the magnificent Honmaru Palace which was Japan’s first castle to be designated a National Treasure.
— Learn about the techniques behind crafting a Japanese sword, then test your own skills in sharpening a Japanese kitchen knife.
— Visit the famous Jigokudani Monkey Park and learn all about what makes the resident monkeys so unique.
— Learn about Geisha in a tea house where Geisha once entertained customers, and step into the backstreets of Kanazawa where Geisha still work today.
— Cruise the scenic moats on a boat tour of a town often featured in samurai movies.
— Tour picturesque castle towns—including one famous for its female samurai castle lord.
— Marvel at the UNESCO World Heritage recognized town of Shirakawa-go and step into its famous thatched roof homes.
— Taste dishes unique to the region including wagyu, matcha, and traditional sweets, and tour two distinctive sake breweries.
— Stroll along the banks of the Isuzu River, and bask in the seasonal beauty of the flowers and foliage at Japan’s most sacred shrine, the Ise Grand Shrine (Ise-Jingu).
ITINERARY
Day 7 – Shirakawa-go & Takayama
Day 10 – Hikone & Omi Hachiman
Read on to discover each day’s itinerary through vibrant cityscapes to the serene beauty of rural landscapes and the hidden gems that make Japan a truly unique travel destination.
Day 1: Nagoya / Hotel: Nagoya
Get a lay of the land and fuel up for the action packed days ahead with a food tour of Nagoya.
This walking tour provides you with a taste of the wonderful flavors of the region and introduces you to some of the most notable landmarks in the city.
As we eat our way through Nagoya, you will also be able to marvel at the gilded artwork and golden screens in Honmaru Palace, relax as you gaze upon the reflecting pond of Mirai Tower, and learn about the day’s fresh catch at a bustling fish market as you are led by an experienced, English-speaking guide through Nagoya on this full-day tour.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Eat Like a Local in Nagoya | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 8:00-16:30 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Day 2: Inuyama & Seki / Hotel: Nagoya
Explore the oldest castle in Japan, a National Treasure teahouse, and the “city of swords.” Learn about the techniques behind crafting a Japanese sword, then test your own skills in sharpening a Japanese kitchen knife. Taste matcha and Japanese sweets and learn about the art of the tea ceremony in a tranquil Japanese garden.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Samurai Swords and Japan’s Oldest Castle | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 9:00-16:30 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥21,900 ~ |
| Child Rate | ¥14,000 ~ |
Day 3: Kiso Valley / Hotel: Matsumoto
Relax and recharge in the charming countryside villages of Central Japan as you stroll down the streets of Magome-juku a post town on the Nakasendo trail, and enter Edo-era residences in Iwamura, a castle town once ruled by a powerful female samurai. Sip sake as you tour a 200-year-old brewery, and dine on a wide array of dishes at a farm-to-table buffet.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Embrace Rural Japan in the Kiso Valley and Magome | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 8:00-17:30 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥29,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥17,900 |
Day 4: Matsumoto & Narai-juku / Hotel: Nagano
Tour Matsumoto Castle—your second of the twelve remaining original castles in Japan and a registered National Treasure—before heading to the beautifully preserved post town of Narai-juku, located on the Nakasendo road.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagano and Matsumoto: Experience Matsumoto Castle and Narai-juku | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 08:15 – 18:15 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Matsumoto Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥23,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,900 |
Day 5: Nagano Snow Monkeys / Hotel: Nagano
Your journey into Central Japan wouldn’t be complete without a visit to Nagano, famous as the site of the winter Olympics in 1998. This tour is our company’s most popular tour as it visits the expansive Zenkoji Temple before taking you into the nearby mountains to view the famous snow monkeys.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Snow Monkeys, Zenko-ji Temple & Sake in Nagano | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:35 – 17:35 |
| Meeting Place | Nagano Station Hakuba (winter only) |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Day 6: Kanazawa / Hotel: Kanazawa
Once one of the wealthiest domains in old Japan, Kanazawa still boasts a rich cultural heritage and is famed for its scenic avenues, roasted green tea, and numerous historical sights. Visit the Nagamachi Samurai District, Kanazawa Castle, Kenroku-en Garden, the Higashi-chaya Tea District, and enjoy your time in this amazing city.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Kanazawa: Samurai, Matcha, Gardens and Geisha | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:00 – 17:30 |
| Meeting Place | Kanazawa Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Day 7: Shirakawa-go & Takayama / Hotel: Takayama
Step back in time as you visit the mountainous retreats of Takayama and Shirakawa-go. Takayama is sure to mesmerize with its beautiful woodwork and traditional streets while Shirakawa-go offers scenic vistas and images of village life in ages past.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Takayama: Explore Scenic Old Japan in Takayama and Shirakawa-go | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 09:00 – 18:30 |
| Meeting Place | Takayama Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥20,800 / 22,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥12,000 / 14,000 |
Day 8: Nagoya / Hotel: Nagoya
From automobiles to AI, learn how Nagoya became Japan’s center of industry as you tour the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology and glimpse into Nagoya’s industrial past while exploring its dreams for a technological future.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour: Nagoya’s Industrial Legacy and Toyota’s Innovation | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 10:00-17:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥17,800 |
| Child Rate | ¥11,000 |
Day 9: Ise Grand Shrine / Hotel: Nagoya
Take a breath of the ocean air and head to the stunning coast of Ise. The region is also home to Japan’s most sacred shrine, Ise-Jingu. Touring these sacred grounds is a special opportunity to understand the heart and soul of the Japanese people.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Ise’s Sacred Shrines and Captivating Coastlines | |
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| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 9:00~18:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥24,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥19,900 |
Day 10: Hikone & Omi Hachiman / Hotel: Nagoya
Discover two distinctive castle towns, Hikone—your third and final of the original castles in Central Japan, and Omi Hachiman—known for its charming canals. Taste Matcha, relax in peaceful gardens, and soak in the scenery as you travel along the coast of Japan’s largest lake, Lake Biwa.
That concludes your exciting journey through Japan’s hidden gems and scenic countryside. Please keep in mind as there are so many exciting places in this region, any of the tours listed in this itinerary can be switched out with other tours we offer from the same starting point.
1 Day Tour
| 1-Day Tour from Nagoya: Castles and Canals in Hikone and Omi Hachiman | |
| Period | All Year Round |
| Time | 9:00-18:00 |
| Meeting Place | JR Nagoya Station |
| Adult Rate | ¥28,900 |
| Child Rate | ¥24,000 |
HOW TO BOOK
If this itinerary sounds interesting to you, please book each of the above tours individually, or contact us via the booking inquiry button.
PRIVATE TOURS AND CHARTERS
PRIVATE CHARTERS
If you are looking for transportation to/from major destinations, our company is happy to help! Our buses and vehicles are suitable for single travelers, couples, families and groups of up to 45 people. Click the button below to browse some of our popular charters and to inquire directly.
PRIVATE TOURS
In addition to providing transportation, we can also accommodate your tour needs by providing guides with the itinerary of your choice. If there are tours that you want us to conduct or if you want to adjust our current tours to your needs, feel free to contact us. There are a number of private tours already on our website that allow you to enjoy our tours without the stress of having to worry about other guests, so check those out, too. Click on the button below to make an inquiry.
