Itinerary
The Rice, Ramen & Sake Express
9 days · 21 stops · ¥180,000–¥280,000
Mon, Oct 5 – Tue, Oct 13
Nine days tracing Japan's best flavours by train — Tokyo's hidden ramen lanes, Niigata's legendary sake breweries, and Toyama's seafood markets, all connected by the Shinkansen.
Days
Syced / CC0 1.0
Kyu Shiba Rikyu Garden
Tokyo
Schedule
Day 01 of 09Land at HND · Mon, Oct 5 · 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 · 4 nights
Mon, Oct 5 → Fri, Oct 9 · 1 guest
14:00
EXPLORE
旧芝離宮恩賜庭園
Stay ~1h
Hamamatsucho Station (JR Yamanote/Keihin-Tohoku Line), Exit 1
A tranquil Edo-period lord's garden right by Hamamatsucho — perfect jet-lag antidote before dinner.
~26 min by train
15:26
EXPLORE
谷中銀座商店街
Stay ~1h 30m
Nippori Station
A nostalgic shopping street where cats outnumber tourists — try a freshly fried menchi katsu.
~31 min by train
17:27
EXPLORE
高円寺
Stay ~2h
Kōenji Station
Koenji's backstreets hide Tokyo's best ramen shops — hunt down a bowl of rich tonkotsu before the music bars open.
Getting around, region by region
Your route mixes city and countryside — here's the best mode for each leg.
Tokyo central · Days 1–4
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Niigata City & Yahiko → Toyama & Tateyama · Days 5–8
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Tokyo central · Day 9
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Getting around
🚗
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 →01 / 09
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥19,000–¥31,000 / person / day
¥170,000–¥280,000 total
💴 Carry ~¥6,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 20 travel legs and 8 hotel nights. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
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Get Around
Shinkansen, regional rail passes, and city transit — sorted before you land.
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Stay Hidden
Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
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Travel Light
Ship luggage ahead on the shinkansen route. Explore every day completely hands-free.
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