5-Day Kyushu Train Itinerary with the JR All Kyushu Pass

This 5-day Kyushu train itinerary combines hot spring towns, historic cities, volcanic landscapes and some of southern Japan’s best food while traveling almost entirely by JR trains. Starting and finishing in Fukuoka, the route travels through Yufuin, Beppu, Kumamoto and Kagoshima and is designed to make practical use of the 5-Day All Kyushu JR Kyushu … Read more

5-Day Takayama-Hokuriku Itinerary: Nagoya to Osaka via Shirakawa-go

Hida Folk Village in Takayama, Gifu, Japan

This 5-day Central Japan train itinerary travels from Nagoya to Osaka through Takayama, Shirakawa-go, Kanazawa and Kyoto using the Takayama-Hokuriku Area Tourist Pass. The route combines scenic mountain rail travel, traditional towns, a UNESCO World Heritage village and some of Japan’s most rewarding historic cities—all within the pass’s five consecutive days of validity. 5-Day Route … Read more

6-Day Hokkaido Itinerary Using the JR Hokkaido Rail Pass

Lavender farm and flower beds in Furano, Hokkaido Japan

This 6-day Hokkaido train itinerary is designed for travelers who want to explore several parts of Japan’s northernmost island without renting a car. Hokkaido is much larger than many first-time visitors expect, so this route focuses on destinations that can be connected efficiently by JR trains while still allowing time to enjoy each stop. 6-Day … Read more

7-Day Western Japan Itinerary with the Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass

Map of Western Japan around Hiroshima

This 7-day Western Japan train itinerary combines Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Kobe, Himeji, Okayama, Kurashiki, Hiroshima and Miyajima while making strategic use of the 5-Day Kansai-Hiroshima Area Pass. Instead of activating the rail pass immediately, this itinerary saves its five consecutive validity days for the part of the trip where the more expensive long-distance journeys begin. … Read more

The Road Less Travelled: A 17-Day Central and Western Japan Rail Itinerary

Kanazawa castle, Japan

This 17-day Central and Western Japan rail itinerary takes a different approach to the classic Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka route, combining famous destinations with several cities and regions that many first-time visitors overlook. The journey crosses Central and Western Japan by train, with stops ranging from mountain resorts and historic temple cities to traditional districts, castles, gardens and … Read more