Tokyo → Fuji →Kyoto → Osaka → Okayama → Kurashiki → Onomichi →Shimanami Kaido → Hiroshima → Miyajima → Shimonoseki → Fukuoka →Kagoshima → Yakushima → Osaka
From island to island, discover the complexity of Japan!
Recommended period:
Spring and autumn, when temperatures are suitable for cycling along the Shimanami Kaido route.
In May, when citrus flowers bloom, filling the entire area with their fragrance.
Recommended for:
- Travellers with several days of time off work.
- Energetic travellers who enjoy mountain trails, cycling tours and highly active vacations
- Travellers seeking to discover a deeper Japan, beyond the highly touristy areas.
Why Island hopping in Japan?
- For a comprehensive experience where you'll have the opportunity to discover both the touristy parts of Japan, photograph iconic landmarks, and delve into the heart of island landscapes.
- For a bike journey across the bridges connecting six small islands of Japan.
- For the relaxation offered by a Japanese spa called onsen and the atypical bathing experience following rituals that are 100% Japanese.
- For the paradise of the subtropical island Yakushima and its ancient cedar trees
- For cosmopolitan Osaka, whose hustle and bustle will immerse you in a Japan of lights and gastronomic delights.
*We continue below by presenting the recommended itinerary with the mention that it can be modified and personalised according to your own desires.
Day 1 Home → Tokyo
Nihon e yokoso!
- You’re boarding the flight to Tokyo. You’ll land on Japan’s main island, Honshu and spend the first week exploring the tourist side of Japan, whose value is undeniable.
Day 2 Tokyo
Tokyo, the metropolis of luxury and subculture
- A day where you get lost in Tokyo or discover it guided by our colleagues. Your list of objectives in exploring the city with crazy energy begins with a “technical” stop at Shinjuku Station to exchange JR vouchers for passes and continues with:
- Ginza, the luxury district, one of the most expensive in Tokyo. Here you can find countless restaurants, bars, art galleries and stores of the most famous top fashion and cosmetics brands. It is said that a square metre of land in the centre of the Ginza district is worth over 10 million yen (approximately 80,000 euros).
- Harajuku District – a meeting point of urban fashion trends, between eccentricity and kawaii, with dozens of cafes and clothing stores.
- Shibuya District in the evening – known for the busiest intersection in the world, where over a million people gather daily, and where the statue of the well-known dog Hachiko is located.
- Accommodation Tokyo
Day 3 Tokyo
Tokyo, cultural and futuristic
- Today you’ll discover a new facet of the metropolis. Follow the itinerary below, and your day will be perfect:
- Ueno Park is the perfect place to spend a morning dedicated to art or cultural exploration in museums. We recommend the collection of ukiyo-e at the Tokyo National Museum.
- For lunch, you can head to the bustling commercial area of Ameyoko. Sushiko restaurant will offer you a delicious sushi experience in a typical Japanese atmosphere.
- Odaiba – an artificial island created during the Edo period to protect the capital from possible sea attacks. Accessible via the Rainbow Bridge, where we can admire a beautiful sunset, or with the futuristic Yurikamome train, Odaiba offers various shopping centres, the opportunity to interact with robots at the Miraikan Science Museum, or the relaxing experience of a stroll along the waterfront and sampling local gastronomic delights.
- Accommodation Tokyo
Day 4 Tokyo → Fuji-Hakone
Art and relaxation Japanese Style
- After two days full of positive but still overwhelming excitement, you board the shinkansen, and after just an hour, you arrive near Japan’s symbol, Mount Fuji.
- If you still have energy, we suggest a sightseeing route through Fuji Hakone National Park, one of the first national parks established in Japan, where we encounter numerous hot springs, lakes, and volcanic islands. This time, we propose a sightseeing route with some fun means of transportation: from tourist trains to funiculars, cable cars and even a boat ride, a route that allows us to enjoy spectacular landscapes, and if the sky is clear, the grandeur of Mount Fuji.
- Visit the Hakone Art Museum, which showcases Japanese artworks from the Edo period, as well as a fascinating garden for a leisurely stroll. Nearby, you’ll find the Open Air Museum, where you can observe how sculptures and installations specific to contemporary art blend seamlessly with the surrounding nature of the Natural Park. Don’t miss the Picasso Exhibition!
- Ryokan and onsen – after a demanding day in nature, the experience of a traditional Japanese ryokan inn with an onsen allows you to unwind and relax in thermal water in an outdoor space while enjoying the surrounding panorama.
- Accommodation Hakone – a traditional Japanese inn with a spa
Day 5 Fuji Hakone → Kyoto
Kyoto, the ancient capital of Japan
- After a day spent in nature, you board the shinkansen once again and head to the old capital of Japan, Kyoto. This traditional city is visited by thousands of tourists who admire and take walks through temples and gardens, once meant to relax the mind and enlighten the soul. It may be the best place to experience Japanese Zen. Alone or accompanied by our colleagues, for an afternoon in Kyoto we suggest to visit Ginkakuji – the Temple of the Silver Pavilion, a Zen Buddhist temple built in 1460, which has been declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
- Higashiyama District with its narrow streets and traditional houses, is one of the best-preserved historical districts of the city.
- Kiyomizu-dera – the Pure Water Temple, also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a history of over 1200 years, the temple has been burned or destroyed numerous times, but always rebuilt. With original architecture, the temple features a veranda located 13 metres above the ground, from where you can enjoy a unique view.
- Gion District – formerly known as the pleasure district, Gion still retains its former charm.
- Accommodation Kyoto
Day 6 Kyoto → Arashiyama → Kyoto
An oasis of tranquillity in the spirit of Zen
- This day is dedicated to Zen. Continue with harmony amidst nature, heading to Arashiyama, a place cherished for its mountain views since the Heian Period.
- The Bamboo Forest, whose towering height seems to extend beyond the blue sky. The experience is often described as “something out of this world, incomparable, magical, dreamlike.” The sound produced by the bamboo swaying in the wind is included in the list of Japan’s 100 heritage sounds that must be preserved.
- Tenryuji Temple – one of the top 5 Zen temples in Kyoto, where you can relax while admiring the architecture of the garden, which blends imperial elements with Zen aesthetics.
- The afternoon is dedicated to two temples, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji, in the northern part of Kyoto.
- Kinkakuji – also known as the Temple of the Golden Pavilion, has a structure that incorporates three different architectural styles: Shinden, Samurai, and Zen, one for each of its floors.
- Ryoanji Temple – located in the northern part of the city, it is also included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. One of the main attractions of the temple is its “dry” garden, consisting of 15 stones of various sizes placed atop small circles of moss on a bed of sand. An interesting aspect of this garden is that you cannot see all 15 stones at the same time from any location within the garden. The symbolism of this creation and its author remain unknown. The garden was frequented by Steve Jobs, who used to spend 3-4 hours meditating while gazing at the stone garden.
- Accommodation Kyoto
Day 7 Kyoto → Himeji → Okayama → Onomichi
Remnants of the Edo Period
- Today, you reluctantly leave one of the most Japanese cities behind, but continue your journey into history and art, uncovering increasingly profound aspects of Japan. On your way to Onomichi, you will visit:
- Himeji Castle, also known as Hakuro-jo (Egret Castle), given due to its impeccable white color. Himeji City represented a major commercial power in Western Japan during the Edo Period. Unlike other castles in Japan, Himeji-jo is the only one that has been well preserved, protected from fires that could have damaged it.
- Okayama and Korakuen Garden, which alongside Kenrokuen in Kanazawa and Kairakuen in Mito, is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan. The landscape is complete here with the nearby Okayama Castle.
- A final stop in Kurashiki, the city with well-preserved canals dating back to the Edo period (1603-1867), when the city served as an important rice distribution centre. Picturesque and now tranquil, Kurashiki inspires a journey back in time
- In the evening, after a fulfilling day, you will arrive in Onomichi.
- Accommodation Onomichi
Day 8 Onomichi
Relaxation
- A more relaxed day in Onomichi to gather energy for tomorrow’s bike route through the island-hopping adventure on the Shimanami Kaido. Taking a leisurely stroll through the quiet port town is sure to immerse you in a more patriarchal atmosphere than what you’ve seen so far. The Temple Path is a must on your walks, linking 20 temples, making it one of the city’s main attractions.
- Accommodation Onomichi
Day 9 Onomichi → Imabari (60 km by bicycle) → Matsuyama → Hiroshima
Shimanami Kaido, cycling from island to island
- A full day ahead where you’ll embark on a journey using various modes of transportation, from bicycles to ferries. You’ll start in the morning from Honshu Island, passing through six tiny islands, then crossing over to the larger Shikoku Island and in the evening, you’ll return to Honshu.
- Cycling the Shimanami Kaido is a unique experience; you can stop wherever you please because bicycles can be left at any station and you can continue your journey by train.
- The recommended route includes a brief stop in Imabari to switch bikes for a train ride to Matsuyama. Then, a ferry trip to Hiroshima. Today is more about the journey than the destination because everything you’ll see is incredibly beautiful.
- Accommodation Hiroshima
Day 10 Hiroshima → Miyajima → Shimonoseki
Altar of Peace
- You’ll spend the morning in the paradise of Miyajima Island, and then continue to Hiroshima and the Peace Park, and in the afternoon, head towards the gateway to Kyushu, Shimonoseki.
- Miyajima is one of the three traditional places designated as having the most beautiful landscapes in Japan. Known as the “Island of the Shrine,” Miyajima has been considered sacred for nearly 1500 years. Itsukushima Shrine, one of the holiest sites of Japanese Shinto religion, adds to the stunning beauty of the island. Appearing to float above the water, its giant vermilion torii gates are as important a symbol for Japan as Mount Fuji.
- The Peace Park is located in the heart of the city and is itself a symbol erected in honour of the city. The park features various monuments, with the most significant being the Atomic Dome, the only building that survived a large part of the structure. This was the epicentre of the explosion and has been preserved to become a monument.
- Shimonoseki is the gateway to Kyushu, known for its pufferfish or fugu. Spending a few hours in Shimonoseki will introduce you to Kyushu and reveal much of what you can discover here.
- Accommodation Shimonoseki
Day 11 Shimonoseki → Fukuoka
Entry into Kyushu
- Begin your morning with a brief visit to Karato Market to witness the renowned auction of the pufferfish, known as Fugu. It’s advisable to eat this fish only at restaurants recognized for their expertise in preparing it. Remember that Fugu is a poisonous fish, and only certain parts can be consumed safely. Shimonoseki is famous for its large catch of Fugu.
- After the fish market experience, it’s time to board the shinkansen again for the next destination: Fukuoka.
- An afternoon and evening in Fukuoka will take you to:
- Seaside Momochi Park, an attractive area built along the seaside for the 1989 Asia Pacific Expo.
- Shofukuji Temple, the first Zen temple in Japan.
- In the evening, don’t miss the Yatai experience, food stalls in Nakatsu located along the water’s edge.
- Accommodation Fukuoka
Day 12 Fukuoka → Kagoshima
Kyushu sayonara!
- Your last day in Kyushu will complete your impression of this island. You’ll leave Fukuoka and head to Kagoshima, often compared to Naples due to its similar climate and the Sakurajima volcano. An afternoon in Kagoshima will lead you to:
- Sengan-en Garden, which impressively incorporates the Sakurajima volcano and Kagoshima Bay as borrowed scenery. It is, of course, a Japanese-style garden.
- Sakurajima, the volcano accessible by ferry. After a walk around the base of the volcano, we recommend spending the afternoon at Magma Onsen to enjoy the benefits of the hot springs and the view.
- Accommodation Kagoshima
Day 13 Kagoshima → Yakushima
Yokosou Yakushima!
- After a three-hour ferry journey to Yakushima, you’ll be greeted by the subtropical paradise of the island. Yakushima is renowned for its vast cedar forests, some of which are among the oldest on the planet. The oldest cedar is over 7000 years old.
- An afternoon spent in Yakusugi Land will be your first encounter with the cedars for which the island is famous. Yakusugi is a natural park populated by numerous yakusugi, cedars over a thousand years old, easily accessible with a well-organised network of trails
- Accommodation Yakushima
Day 14 Yakushima
Jomon sugi, the oldest cedar on the island
- Today, we recommend dedicating your day to the trail that will lead you for ten hours to the island’s oldest cedar. The trail is a unique experience, but it’s crucial to start early in the morning to complete it as a round trip on the same day.
- Accommodation Yakushima
Day 15 Yakushima
Yakushima by car
- Even though most visitors come to Yakushima for its cedar forests and mountain trails, it’s important to uncover as many secrets of the island as possible. The best way to do this is with a car tour of the island. You can look forward to snorkelling, waterfalls, museums and hot springs, all accompanied by the stunning landscapes of the coast and mountains.
- Accommodation Yakushima
Day 16 Yakushima → Osaka
Yakushima Sayonara!
- After a short flight you will land in Osaka and dedicate the rest of the day to exploring the city of Osaka, the second largest city in Japan.
- Dotonbori District – a commercial area, popular for its colourful lights and neon signs, is the ideal destination to taste the best local culinary specialties.
- Abeno Harukas Building – considered a symbol of the city, with a height of 300 metres, it offers the opportunity for an impressive panoramic view of the surroundings.
- Shinsekai District – the most picturesque district of the city, is the perfect place to discover Osaka’s nightlife ambiance
- Accommodation Osaka
Day 17 Osaka → Home
Sayonara, Nihon!
- With your suitcase filled with unforgettable memories, you bid farewell to wonderful Japan and head to Kansai Airport to board the flight home. Safe travels!
For this itinerary, you can choose one of our consultancy and services packages!
Ideal for a journey you’ll remember as the most spectacular, well-organized and balanced, we recommend the JBM PREMIUM package, which includes:
Dedicated consultation meetings for crafting the program down to the smallest detail.
All tourist services: flight tickets, accommodation, travel passes, transfers, local guides, restaurant reservations, portable WiFi device.
A personalised travel guidebook with information to guide you throughout the entire experience.
A WhatsApp group where we communicate daily and send you audio information about the next day to ensure you have a smooth journey without any unpleasant events and make the most of your time and the Japanese experience.
A customised itinerary based on your interests and passions.
24/7 consultancy at the destination.