Fourteen days for a first visit, with the time each place asks for and a slow morning every few days.
The great places of a first visit at an easy pace. Tokyo, Hakone, Kanazawa, the mountain villages, Kyoto and Osaka.
Day 1–3
Tokyo: Arrival and the City
Private transfer from the airport. Three days at an easy pace. Meiji Jingu early in the morning, before the city wakes. Asakusa and the old east side with a local guide. A sushi counter, a department store food hall, and an evening above the city lights.
Day 4–5
Hakone: Mountains and Hot Springs
Train from Tokyo to Hakone, under two hours. The Hakone Open-Air Museum, a boat across Lake Ashi, and the ropeway over the steam of Owakudani, with Mount Fuji when the sky allows. Two nights at a ryokan with its own hot spring baths.
Day 6–7
Kanazawa: Gardens and Gold Leaf
Shinkansen to Kanazawa. Kenroku-en, one of Japan's three great gardens, early before the tour groups. The Higashi Chaya teahouse district, lunch at Omicho Market, and a gold leaf workshop. The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art in the afternoon light.
Day 8
Shirakawa-go: The Thatched Village
Road into the mountains to Shirakawa-go, a World Heritage village of steep thatched farmhouses. Time inside one of the old houses and a walk up to the lookout above the village. On to Takayama by evening.
Day 9
Takayama: Old Town of the Hida Mountains
Morning market by the Miyagawa River. The merchant streets of the old town, where cedar balls over the doors mark the sake breweries. Takayama Jinya, the old government house. Dinner of Hida beef.
Day 10–11
Kyoto: Temples, Gardens and Tea
Limited express down the Hida River gorge, then shinkansen from Nagoya to Kyoto. Fushimi Inari at first light, when the gates are nearly empty. The lanes of Higashiyama, a private tea ceremony, and an early morning in the bamboo of Arashiyama. Dinner at a kaiseki counter.
Day 12
Nara: A Day Trip
Train to Nara, under an hour. Todai-ji and its great bronze Buddha, the deer of Nara Park, and the lantern-lined paths of Kasuga Taisha. Back in Kyoto for an evening walk through Gion.
Day 13–14
Osaka + Departure
Short train to Osaka. Kuromon Market, the lights of Dotonbori, and the city's own food with a local guide. On the last day, a private transfer to Kansai Airport timed to your flight.
Highlights
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Hakone
Hot springs and mountain air within two hours of Tokyo, with Mount Fuji on clear days.
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Kenroku-en
One of Japan's three great gardens, seen early before the crowds.
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Shirakawa-go
A World Heritage village of steep thatched farmhouses in the mountains.
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Kyoto and Nara
Two old capitals, their temples and shrines seen at the quiet hours.
This is a sample itinerary. Every STAYGO trip is written from scratch.
You pay hotels, ryokan, restaurants and guides directly, at their own rates. We add no markups and take no commissions. The Signature planning fee is USD 3,500 for your group, for a journey of 7–14 days. Longer or more complex journeys are planned as Bespoke.
During the trip, you reach us through the STAYGO app and WhatsApp. We agree our response hours with you before you leave.
