Itinerary
The Bullet-Train Grand Tour: Five Cities in Seven Days
7 days · 24 stops · ¥180,000–¥250,000
Sun, Nov 8 – Sat, Nov 14
A fast-paced first visit to Japan hitting Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka by Shinkansen — packed with icons and hidden corners.
Days
Kakidai / CC BY-SA 3.0
Asakusa and Senso-ji Temple
Tokyo
Schedule
Day 01 of 07🛬
Arrive 14:00 · first activity from 16:30
2.5h customs + airport transit buffer
Land at HND · Sun, Nov 8 · from JFK · 2 travelers
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 · 2 nights
Sun, Nov 8 → Tue, Nov 10 · 2 guests
17:00
EXPLORE
浅草寺
Stay ~1h 30m
Asakusa Station
Tokyo's oldest temple and the thunder-gate — arrive as the afternoon crowds thin and the lanterns begin to glow.
~20 min by taxi (or metro)
18:50
EXPLORE
谷中銀座商店街
Stay ~1h
Nippori Station
A preserved Showa-era shopping lane with cat statues and cheap yakitori — locals' evening stroll spot.
Getting around
🚄
JR Whole Japan Rail Pass
Close call — your rail estimates to ~¥56,170 vs ¥50,000 for the JR Pass (7-day). Rule of thumb: a 7-day JR Pass usually pays off only with 2+ long shinkansen round-trips (e.g. Tokyo→Kyoto→Hiroshima). Check the official fares for your routes.
Check official coverage →🚗
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 / 07
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥19,500–¥28,000 / person / day
¥275,000–¥395,000 total for 2 travellers
💴 Carry ~¥11,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 23 travel legs, 6 hotel nights and 1 ticketed event. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
Before you go
Everything else, sorted.
Stay Connected
Japan eSIM delivered instantly to your phone — 5% off with code HIDDENJAPAN.
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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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