Itineraries

Most first-timers need exactly one decision made for them: how many bases, and in what order. Our answer is almost always the same — three bases or fewer, trains booked at the right moment, and no 7-hotels-in-14-days sprint. This section holds our day-by-day Japan itineraries: the classic Tokyo–Kyoto route with honest transport math, one-week plans that skip the JR Pass entirely, and second-trip routes like Kyushu or Kanazawa where the crowds thin out. Every itinerary lists real ticket prices, realistic travel times between stops, and the exact bookings you need to make before you fly — with dates, not vague advice. We don't do 6am-to-midnight schedules, and we tell you when a famous stop isn't worth the detour. Pick the plan that matches your days, check the numbers, and adjust from there. Each guide links to where to stay at every stop and to the booking windows that sell out first.