Explore the Beauty of Japan with your Family by Rail in 7 Days

Popularly known as the Land of the Rising Sun, a trip to Japan would take you away from the familiar and encourage you to embrace a new culture, a new way of life. Train travel is an ideal mode of transport, especially when the length of the itinerary is long and the length of the holiday is short.

We recommend this 7-day Japan itinerary to see the most of this Asian island nation on a tight schedule and budget.

Day 1 and 2 in Tokyo

After getting your Japan rail passes and unpacking your suitcases, visit the Meiji Shrine in Shibuya on Day 1. You could spend the evening in Roppongi, which has many upscale restaurants, bars & clubs, and shopping spots. Start your second day by visiting the Buddhist temple Senso-ji and spend a few hours in the Tokyo National Museum. People traveling with kids should also go to the Tokyo Disneyland or Ueno Zoo.

Day 3 – day trip to Nikko

A 2.30-hour train ride away (approximately) from Tokyo, Nikko is a beautiful quaint city nestled in the mountains of the capital city. You could visit the Ryuzu Falls and/or Kegon Falls, followed by a trip to a Shinto shrine, Futarasan jinja and Buddhist temple, complex Rinnoji.

Day 4 in Hakone

Take an early morning train to Hakone, which is only 2 hours away from Tokyo. As the town is blessed with an abundance of natural beauty and hot springs, you could start your day by going to the Hakone Open-Air Museum. After a peaceful stroll in the Sengoku area, head down to Owakudani, a volcanic hot-spring valley.

Day 5 in Kyoto

You’ll be in Kyoto in 3 hours after you hop on the train in Hakone. Kinkaku-Ji, Fushimi-Inari-Taisha, Ginkaku-ji Temple, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove are the top four tourist attractions that you must visit when you are in Kyoto.

Day 6 – day trip to Hiroshima

A trip to Japan would be incomplete without visiting Hiroshima, which is a 4.30-hour train ride away from Kyoto. You could fill your day with visits to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial, the adjacent museum & park, and the Hiroshima Prefectural Art Museum.

Day 7– day trip to Osaka

Set aside the last day of your trip to unravel the magic of Osaka. You could divide the day between the Osaka Castle, Kita District, Shi-Tennoji Temple, and Hozenji Yokocho.

Starting from just £193 with a 7-day continuous validity, the Japan Rail Pass would let you enjoy uninterrupted and unlimited travel within Japan. As one can’t buy a Japan rail pass within the country, travelers are advised to buy it online in advance and get it validated at the railway travel centre upon arrival.