City BuddyCityBuddy
English
Panoramic view of Tokyo cityscape with Mount Fuji looming in the background, under cloudy skies.

13-Day Active Explorer's Journey Through Japan

⛰️Hiking & Outdoors⚖️Balanced Mix🏛️Culture & History💎Hidden Gems & Local Spots
13 dayssummer

Embark on an unforgettable 13-day active adventure through Japan, seamlessly blending Japan's iconic landmarks with hidden cultural gems and breathtaking natural landscapes.

Our #1 travel tip

Book a FREE walking tour in Japan

Free walking tours. Yes, actually free. No credit card needed. No catch.

  • Local guide, 2-3 hours
  • 100% tip-based
  • You tip what feels right
Browse FREE walking toursAdrijana, founder of City Buddy

Loading

Getting around

Start in Tokyo using the Tokyo Metro and JR Yamanote Line to reach Shinjuku, Asakusa, and Sumida; walking is best around Senso-ji and Kappabashi. From Tokyo, take the JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Odawara for Hakone, then the JR Thunderbird to Kanazawa, and JR trains onward to Takayama and Shirakawa-go via bus. Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto, then to Nara and Himeji on JR local lines, and the JR Sanyo line plus ferry from Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima. Finish in Osaka using Osaka Metro and walking in Dotonbori and America-mura. Taxis via JapanTaxi, Uber, or DiDi cost about $1.2 per kilometer for short hops or late nights.

Budget Breakdown

$1,950Trip total · $150 per day

Where to stay tonight

Hotel in Shinjuku (major commercial and administrative center) $50-75/night

Shinjuku offers excellent transport links and a wide range of dining and entertainment options.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Hotel in Shinjuku (bustling entertainment and government district) $50-90/night

Shinjuku offers excellent transport links, diverse dining, and entertainment, making it a convenient hub for exploring Tokyo.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Hotel in Shinjuku (entertainment and shopping district) $50-150/night

This area offers a wide range of accommodation and dining options, and is a major transportation hub, making it convenient for exploring the city on Day 3.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Bed & Breakfast in Hakone-Yumoto (central hub for Hakone) $50-70/night

This area offers a variety of traditional ryokan and guesthouses, providing a charming stay close to transportation links for exploring the region.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Hotel in Kanazawa Station (central transport hub) $50-100/night

Stay near Kanazawa Station for convenient access to Shinkansen lines and local transport for exploring the city and its surroundings.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Bed & Breakfast in Takayama (historic town center) $50-70/night

Stay in the heart of the historic district to easily access the morning markets and old town streets.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Hotel in Nara (central Nara city) $100-130/night

Stay in central Nara for easy access to gardens, parks, and historical sites.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Hotel in Kyoto Station Area (convenient transport hub) $150-200/night

This area offers excellent transport links for exploring Kyoto and surrounding sights, with a wide range of dining and shopping options.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Airbnb in Gion (historic geisha district) $50-100/night

Gion offers a charming and central location with easy access to many of Kyoto's historic sites and traditional streets.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Hotel in Himeji (convenient for castle access) $50-100/night

Stay in Himeji for easy access to the castle and gardens, with plenty of dining options nearby.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Hotel in Miyajima Island (island in Hiroshima Bay) $50-100/night

Stay on Miyajima Island for convenient access to all attractions and a unique overnight experience.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Hotel in Namba (entertainment and nightlife district) $150-200/night

Stay in Namba for its vibrant atmosphere, entertainment options, and easy access to Dotonbori and public transport.

Search hotels in this area

Where to stay tonight

Hotel in Namba (entertainment district) $50-100/night

Namba offers easy access to diverse dining, shopping, and entertainment, making it a convenient base for exploring Osaka.

Search hotels in this area

Must-try traditional foods & drinks

What to order in Japan, with a fun fact for each

Traditional Savory Dishes

Sushi

Sushi

Sushi began as a method to preserve fish in fermented rice, and the hand-pressed nigiri style was invented in Edo in the early 19th century as fast street food.

Ramen

Ramen

Ramen arrived from China and evolved into dozens of regional broths and noodle styles, and slurping loudly is both polite and helps bring the aroma to your nose.

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki

Okonomiyaki literally means 'grill what you like', it is a customizable savory pancake that people often cook together on communal griddles in Osaka and Hiroshima.

Traditional Sweet Dishes

Mochi

Mochi

Mochi is made by pounding glutinous rice until it becomes a smooth, elastic mass, and the communal mochitsuki ceremony at New Year brings neighbors together to pound and shape it.

Wagashi

Wagashi

Wagashi are delicate confections crafted to reflect the season, their designs often mimic flowers, leaves and landscapes to complement tea ceremonies and moments of mindfulness.

Dorayaki

Dorayaki

Dorayaki pairs two fluffy pancakes with sweet red bean paste, and its name 'dora' means gong after a legend that batter was once cooked on a discarded gong.

Traditional Beverages

Green tea

Green tea

Green tea, especially powdered matcha used in tea ceremonies, contains L-theanine and caffeine that together promote calm alertness, and it became central to Zen practices.

Sake

Sake

Sake is brewed with koji mold that converts rice starch into sugar, and it has been used in Shinto rituals for centuries as a sacred offering and celebratory drink.

Shochu

Shochu

Shochu is a distilled spirit often around 25 percent alcohol by volume, and it can be made from ingredients like sweet potato, barley or rice giving each region a distinctive flavor.

Export Your Trip

Get your trip plan as a PDF with maps and a CSV spreadsheet.

Download PDF

Selected based on proximity to your itinerary attractions and guest reviews

Search all hotels in Japan

Powered by agoda

Create another trip plan