"A Night on Mount Koya,"

First Time Visitors to Japan
(10 Day Tour Suggestions Starting from Tokyo and Osaka)

• 10 Day Tour Starting from Tokyo

• 10 Day Tour Starting from Osaka

10 Day Tour Starting From Tokyo

• Day 1 - Land at Narita Airport and take the train to Tokyo. Rest and recover from your flight (and please do not worry about rushing to your ryokan to be in time for dinner - after sitting in an airplane for 12 hours and eating the entire time  the last thing you will want to do is have more to eat. Choose the "breakfast only" or "no meals" option on your first night in Japan). Tokyo Accommodation and Ryokan Location Map of Tokyo
• Day 2 - Visit Nikko and explore its complex of temples and shrines at Toshogu. Transportation: at Tokyo train station, take the JR Shinkansen on the Yamabiko Line to Utsunomiya train station. At this station, change to the Nikko Line and go to Nikko train station. Nikko Accommodation
• Day 3 & 4 - Visit Hakone in Japan's famous Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. Transportation: Return to Tokyo train station and take the JR Shinkansen (Bullet Train) to Odawara train station. At Odawara, you can buy the Hakone Free Pass (3 days for 4,130 yen) which gives you access to Odakyu railways, cable cars, buses, and boats. Hakone Accommodation and Ryokan Location Map of Hakone
• Day 5 & 6 - Visit Takayama, a culturally rich and historic scenic mountain town. Also, Shirakawago which contains thatched-roofed houses and is one of the most picturesque villages in Japan. Transportation: take the JR Shinkansen train to Nagoya, and then at Nagoya take the Express train to Takayama. From Takayama, it is a 2 hour bus ride to Ogimachi with a bus change in Makido. (If you have a JR Rail Pass, you can use it between Makido and Ogimachi and only buy the ticket between Takayama and Makido). Takayama Accommodation and Shirakawago Accommodation
• Day 7, 8, 9 - Visit Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. This city contains hundreds and hundreds of temples, shrines, gardens, as well as the old Imperial Palace. Learn about and meet a real Kyoto Geisha! Time permitting, a one day trip to Nara is also recommended. Transportation: take the Express train from Takayama to Nagoya, and change to the JR Shinkansen at Nagoya and take it to JR Kyoto train station. Kyoto Accommodation and Ryokan Location Map of Kyoto
• Day 10 - Take the JR Shinkansen back to Tokyo train station and take the Express train to Narita Airport.

10 Day Tour Starting From Osaka

• Day 1 - Land at Kansai International Airport in Osaka and take the train or bus to Kyoto. Rest and recover from your flight (and please do not worry about rushing to your ryokan to be in time for dinner - after sitting in an airplane for 12 hours and eating the entire time  the last thing you will want to do is have more to eat. Choose the "breakfast only" or "no meals" option on your first night in Japan). Kyoto Accommodation and Ryokan Location Map of Kyoto

• Day 2, 3, 4 - Explore Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan. This city contains hundreds and hundreds of temples, shrines, gardens, as well as the old Imperial Palace. Learn about and meet a real Kyoto Geisha! A one day trip to Nara is also recommended.

• Day 5, 6, 7 - Visit Takayama, a culturally rich and historic scenic mountain town. Also, Shirakawago which contains thatched-roofed houses and is one of the most picturesque villages in Japan. Transportation: take the JR Shinkansen train to Nagoya, and then at Nagoya take the Express train to Takayama. From Takayama, it is a 2 hour bus ride to Ogimachi with a bus change in Makido. (If you have a JR Rail Pass, you can use it between Makido and Ogimachi and only buy the ticket between Takayama and Makido). Takayama Accommodation and Shirakawago Accommodation

• Day 8 & 9 - Visit Hiroshima and the world famous Peace Memorial Park. Spend a relaxing day on Miyajima Island and see the red shrine gate which guards Itsukushima Shrine. Transportation: take the Express train from Takayama to Nagoya, and change to the JR Shinkansen at Nagoya and take it to JR Hiroshima train station. Hiroshima Accommodation and Miyajima Island Accommodation

• Day 10 - Take the JR Shinkansen train from Hiroshima to JR Shin-Osaka train station. Take the train to Kansai International Airport.

• Planning Your Stay at a Japanese Ryokan
• First Time Visitors to Japan
• Second or Third Time Visitors to Japan
• Seasoned Visitors or Foreign Residents
• Japan Transportation Tips
• The Joy of Trains in Japan by David Paget
• Tokyo Treats by David Paget
• Japanese Buddhist Temple Overnight by David Paget
• A Night on Mount Koya
• Money and ATM
• Citibank ATM and bank locations
• Exchange Rates Table
• Tourist Information Offices (PDF file - download)
• Rentafone Japan