Itinerary
The Anti-Golden Route: Kansai to Tohoku by Train
14 days · 36 stops · ¥320,000–¥480,000
Sat, Apr 3 – Fri, Apr 16
A cherry-blossom chase from Nara's ancient temples to Tohoku's late-blooming sakura, via Hiroshima's quiet islands and Shikoku's art coast — all by train, all off the beaten path.
Days
663highland / CC BY 2.5
Hokki-ji Temple
Nara
Schedule
Day 01 of 14Land at KIX · Sat, Apr 3 · 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
Nara · 3 nights
Sat, Apr 3 → Tue, Apr 6 · 2 guests
14:00
EXPLORE
法起寺
Stay ~1h
The oldest three-storey pagoda in Japan, standing alone in a rice field — a perfect quiet introduction to Nara's UNESCO heritage.
~29 min by train
15:29
EXPLORE
奈良町
Stay ~1h 30m
Kyōbate Station
Wander Edo-era merchant lanes with wooden machiya, craft shops and tiny sake bars — Nara's hidden old town.
~18 min on foot
17:17
EXPLORE
東向き商店街
Stay ~1h
Kintetsu-Nara Station
A covered arcade perfect for an early dinner of kakinoha-zushi (persimmon-leaf sushi) and local sake.
Getting around, region by region
Your route mixes city and countryside — here's the best mode for each leg.
Nara → Hiroshima & Miyajima · Days 1–5
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Miyajima · Day 6
Small island — explore on foot, by bicycle or local taxi (ferry across).
Matsuyama & Dogo → Naoshima & Takamatsu · Days 7–9
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Fukuoka · Days 10–11
Dense rail network — trains and the metro beat driving here.
Nagasaki → Sendai & Matsushima · Days 12–14
Rural — a rental car reaches spots no train or bus serves.
Rental 1: Matsuyama & Dogo · Days 7–9
Rental 2: Nagasaki · Days 12–14
Separate rentals — you fly (or ferry) between these regions, so return each car before you leave it.
Browse rental cars on Klook →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 →⛴️
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 / 14
Journey map
Trip budget · お見積り
¥12,000–¥21,500 / person / day
¥335,000–¥600,000 total for 2 travellers
💴 Carry ~¥9,000/day in cash — many hidden spots are cash-only.
Estimated from 35 travel legs and 13 hotel nights. International flights not included. Typical prices, not quotes.
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Sleep in a centuries-old ryokan. Tatami floors, onsen, and a 7-course kaiseki.
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