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Itinerary
Japan's Hidden Enclaves: From City Lights to Island Breezes
18 days · 38 stops · ¥300,000–¥500,000 · 2 views
Discover the hidden facets of Japan, from Tokyo's quiet corners to Hokkaido's autumn beauty, culminating in the tranquil islands of Okinawa.
Days
Kagurazaka District
Tokyo
Kamemaru2000 / CC BY-SA 3.0
Schedule
Day 01 of 18🛬
Arrive 11:00 · first activity from 13:30
2.5h customs + airport transit buffer
Land at HND · Thu, Oct 1 · from JFK · 1 traveler
Renting a car? Check the license rules
Some licenses (FR/DE/CH/BE/TW) need a JAF translation, not an IDP — 5-min guide.
Stay
Tokyo · 6 nights
Thu, Oct 1 → Wed, Oct 7 · 1 guest
17:00
EXPLORE
神楽坂
Stay ~1h 30m
Iidabashi Station
Explore the narrow cobblestone streets, which offer a blend of traditional and modern Tokyo. Enjoy an evening meal at one of the local izakayas.
Getting around, region by region
Your route mixes city and countryside — here's the best mode for each leg.
Tokyo central → Sapporo & Otaru · Days 1–8
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Hakodate area → Biei & Furano · Days 9–18
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Rental car: pick up in Hakodate area (Day 9), drop off at the end of Day 18. Skip it for the city legs.
Browse rental cars on Klook →Getting around
🚄
JR Pass
Your route spans 3 prefectures — a 7-day JR Pass (from ¥50,000) covers shinkansen and most express trains between these stops, paying for itself with 2–3 long-distance journeys.
Compare JR Pass options →🚗
Rental car recommended
Several stops on this route are in rural areas with limited rail access. A rental car from the nearest city hub gives you the freedom to reach places no bus serves.
Browse rental cars on Klook →⛴️
Ferry required
At least one destination is accessible only by ferry. Book in advance — island ferries sell out weeks ahead in peak season (Apr–May, Jul–Aug).
Browse ferry options on Klook →01 / 18
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥25,500–¥43,500 / person / day
¥460,000–¥780,000 total
💴 Carry ~¥5,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 37 travel legs, 17 hotel nights and 1 ticketed event. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
Everything you need, sorted.
Is a JR pass worth it for this trip?
Rough estimate · based on trip distances
Pay-as-you-go is likely cheaper here — your rail estimates to ~¥24,700, under the ¥50,000 JR Pass (7-day). A pass may still be worth it for convenience.
Check official coverage
Stay Connected
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Get Around
Shinkansen, regional rail passes, and city transit — sorted before you land.
Compare passes
Stay Hidden
Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
Browse ryokans
Travel Light
Ship luggage ahead on the shinkansen route. Explore every day completely hands-free.
Book delivery
Travel Safe
Insurance that actually covers adventurous travel — hiking, onsen, ski slopes.
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Save on Exchange
Spend yen at the real mid-market rate. Saves real money on a 2-week trip.
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