Self-Launched Journey Through Japan

Fly into Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport. Take the Narita Express (N'EX, ~£25) or Keikyu Line (~£10) into central Tokyo and make your way to your hostel in Nippori. Check in from 2pm. Head out for a Shabu-Shabu dinner at a local hot-pot restaurant in Nippori or Ueno — budget restaurants charge around £12–18pp. After dinner, walk to nearby Senso-Ji Temple in Asakusa (free entry, open 24hrs) — it's magical in the evening once the daytime crowds have thinned. The five-story pagoda and incense-heavy atmosphere are unmissable. Optional: Tokyo Skytree observation deck (~£15, book via Klook).

🚌Airport to Nippori: Narita Express ~£25 or Keikyu Line from Haneda ~£10. IC card (Suica/Pasmo, ~£5 deposit) recommended for all Tokyo metro journeys.

🛏Sakura Hotel Nippori or equivalent budget hostel/hotel in Nippori — dorm from £18/night, private twin from £35/night each. Book direct at sakura-hotel.co.jp or via Hostelworld.

• →Arrive at Tokyo Narita or Haneda Airport
• →Take N'EX or Keikyu Line to Nippori (~£10–25)
• →Shabu-Shabu dinner at a local restaurant (~£12–18)
• →Evening visit to Senso-Ji Temple, Asakusa (free)
• →Optional: Tokyo Skytree observation deck (~£15 via Klook)

Start the morning in Harajuku — take the metro to Harajuku Station (Yamanote Line, ~£1.50). Explore Takeshita Street's wild fashion boutiques and famous crêperies (crêpe ~£4). Grab a bento box (~£5) from a convenience store or local deli and head into adjacent Yoyogi Park for a picnic lunch. Then visit Meiji Shrine (free entry, donations welcome), the most serene and ancient Shinto shrine in Tokyo. In the afternoon, hop on the Yamanote Line to Akihabara (Electric Town) — explore multi-storey arcades (¥100 per game), manga stores and colourful anime shops. Optional: visit a maid café for an experience you won't forget (~£10–15 including a drink, no booking needed, just queue).

🚌All travel by Tokyo Metro/JR Yamanote Line. Single fares ~£1.20–2.00. Use Suica/Pasmo IC card.

🛏Sakura Hotel Nippori or equivalent (same as Day 1)

• →Harajuku — Takeshita Street street fashion & crêperies
• →Picnic lunch in Yoyogi Park (bento box ~£5)
• →Meiji Shrine (free entry)
• →Akihabara — arcades, manga stores, electronics
• →Optional: Maid café visit (~£10–15)

Head to the outer Tsukiji Fish Market in the morning (free to explore, opens ~5am, best ~7–9am) — try fresh sushi and street food stalls for breakfast (~£8–12). Book a sushi-making class in the Tsukiji/Ginza area in advance via GetYourGuide or Airbnb Experiences (~£45–60pp) — you'll learn to make nigiri, maki and miso soup and eat your creations. In the evening, take the metro to Shinjuku: visit the free Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building observation deck (free, check opening hours in advance), explore the labyrinthine Omoide Yokocho alleyway yakitori bars (~£10–15 for food and drinks), and finish at the iconic Shibuya Scramble Crossing (free, just walk through!). Optional: VR Zone Shinjuku arcade (~£15).

🚌Metro to Tsukiji (Hibiya Line) and Shinjuku (various lines). ~£1.50–2 per journey on Suica.

🛏Sakura Hotel Nippori or equivalent (same as Days 1–2)

• →Tsukiji Outer Market — fresh seafood breakfast (~£8–12)
• →Sushi-making masterclass, Tsukiji area (~£45–60 via GetYourGuide/Airbnb Experiences)
• →Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building free observation deck
• →Omoide Yokocho yakitori alley, Shinjuku (~£10–15)
• →Shibuya Scramble Crossing (free)

Check out of your Tokyo accommodation and head to Shinjuku Station to board the Romancecar (Odakyu Limited Express, ~£20 one-way, book in advance at odakyu.jp or via Klook) — a scenic express train to Hakone-Yumoto with iconic two-person seats. Drop your bags at your guesthouse then explore Hakone using the Hakone Free Pass (~£35, covers most local transport including the ropeway, mountain railway and ferry). Head to the Owakudani volcanic area for dramatic views, and on clear days catch an iconic Mt Fuji panorama from Hakone-en or Lake Ashi. In the evening, enjoy a traditional Japanese Nabe hot-pot dinner at a local restaurant (~£12–18) and relax on tatami mats.

🚌Shinjuku → Hakone: Romancecar ~£20. Local Hakone transport covered by Free Pass (~£35).

🛏Gora Kadan Annex, Gora Gaku or similar tatami-mat guesthouse in Hakone. Budget twin/triple guesthouses from £30–45pp/night. Book via Booking.com or direct.

• →Romancecar express train from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (~£20)
• →Hakone Free Pass for local transport (~£35)
• →Owakudani volcanic valley (ropeway included in Free Pass)
• →Mt Fuji viewing from Lake Ashi or Hakone-en (weather permitting)
• →Nabe hot-pot dinner at local restaurant (~£12–18)

Take the local Odakyu Line back to Odawara, then board the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Nagoya (~£45, seats bookable via Hyperdia or JR Pass). At Nagoya, change to the JR Hida Wide View limited express train to Takayama (~£25, ~2.5hrs) — a spectacular mountain route past cedar forests and river gorges. Arrive in Takayama and take a self-guided walking tour of the beautifully preserved Sanmachi Suji Old Town (free). Optional: visit a local onsen/sento (~£5–8). Try Hida beef skewers from market stalls (~£5–10) and join a sake tasting at one of the three local breweries on Sanmachi Street (free entry, tastings ~£3–5). Check into your temple stay at Zenkoji or a similar shukubo (temple lodging) — book direct or via Japanese Guest Houses (japaneseguesthouses.com). Prices from ~£45–60pp including vegetarian dinner and breakfast.

🚌Hakone → Odawara (local train ~£3) → Nagoya (Shinkansen ~£45) → Takayama (JR Hida Wide View ~£25).

🛏Zenkoji Temple or similar shukubo (temple lodging) in Takayama. From ~£45–60pp including dinner and breakfast. Book via japaneseguesthouses.com.

• →Shinkansen Odawara/Nagoya → Takayama (change at Nagoya, ~£70 total)
• →Self-guided walk of Sanmachi Suji Old Town (free)
• →Optional: Onsen visit (~£5–8)
• →Hida beef tasting from market stalls (~£5–10)
• →Sake brewery tasting on Sanmachi Street (~£3–5)
• →Check in to temple stay (shukubo)

Wake early for the Jinya-mae Morning Market (open 7am–noon, free to browse) and the Miyagawa Morning Market on the riverbank — perfect for local pickles, handicrafts and souvenirs. Grab a light lunch at a local café before heading to Takayama Station. Board the JR Hida express back to Nagoya (~£25), then the Shinkansen from Nagoya to Kyoto (~£35). Check into your Gion-area accommodation — you're right in the heart of Japan's most atmospheric geisha district. This evening, take a self-guided evening stroll through Gion's Hanamikoji and Shirakawa streets (free) — the lamp-lit wooden machiya townhouses are stunning at dusk. Keep an eye out for geiko and maiko hurrying to their appointments. Optional: book a geisha dinner performance via Gion Hatanaka or a GetYourGuide tea ceremony experience (~£30–50).

🚌Takayama → Nagoya (JR Hida ~£25) → Kyoto (Shinkansen ~£35).

🛏Ryokan Hostel Gion, K's House Kyoto or similar hostel/guesthouse in Gion. Pod/dorm from £20/night, private room from £35–50pp. Book via Hostelworld or Booking.com.

• →Jinya-mae and Miyagawa Morning Markets, Takayama (free)
• →Train back to Nagoya then Shinkansen to Kyoto (~£60 total)
• →Check in to Gion accommodation
• →Self-guided evening walk through Gion — Hanamikoji Street (free)
• →Optional: Geisha performance or ochaya tea house (~£30–50)

Set an early alarm and take the JR Nara Line to Inari Station (£1.50) to reach Fushimi-Inari Shrine before the crowds — arrive by 7am for an almost empty tunnel of thousands of brilliant orange torii gates. It's free to enter and open 24 hours. Walk as far up the mountain as you like (full circuit ~2hrs). Take the train back to central Kyoto and head up to Kiyomizu-dera Buddhist temple on the hillside (entry ~£4). Browse the surrounding Ninenzaka and Sannenzaka stone-paved lanes for souvenirs. Book a traditional tea ceremony in the afternoon via GetYourGuide or direct at Urasenke or En tea ceremony experience (~£20–35pp, kimono rental available for ~£25 extra). The rest of the afternoon is free — explore Nishiki Market (the 'Kitchen of Kyoto'), rent a bike (£8/day), visit Pontocho alley for dinner (budget meals £8–15).

🚌All by Kyoto city bus (¥230/ride, day pass ~£4) or JR/Kintetsu lines (~£1.50–2 per trip).

🛏Ryokan Hostel Gion or equivalent (same as Day 6)

• →Early morning Fushimi-Inari Shrine (free, open 24hrs)
• →Kiyomizu-dera Temple (~£4 entry)
• →Ninenzaka & Sannenzaka souvenir lanes (free to walk)
• →Traditional tea ceremony (~£20–35 via GetYourGuide or direct)
• →Optional: Kimono rental (~£25)
• →Nishiki Market food exploration (free to browse, tastings ~£5–10)
• →Dinner on Pontocho Alley (~£10–15)

Head to Kinkaku-Ji (Golden Pavilion) in the morning — arrive at opening time (9am) for the shortest queues. Entry is ~£4. From there, walk or take a taxi (~£5) to Daitoku-Ji temple complex (free outer grounds, sub-temples ~£3–4 each) — wander the sublime rock and moss zen gardens at your own pace. In the afternoon, book a Kendo experience class in advance via GetYourGuide or directly with a Kyoto dojo such as Mumeishi Kendo Club or Kyoto Budo Center (~£40–60pp for a 90-min session including equipment and guided meditation). This is a highlight of the trip — your instructor will guide you through the art and philosophy of Samurai sword fighting. Head back to the hostel to freshen up before a final night out in Kyoto.

🚌City bus or taxi between Kinkaku-Ji and Daitoku-Ji (~£1.50–5). Day bus pass ~£4.

🛏Ryokan Hostel Gion or equivalent (same as Days 6–7)

• →Kinkaku-Ji (Golden Pavilion) — entry ~£4, arrive at 9am opening
• →Daitoku-Ji temple complex and zen gardens (~£3–4 per sub-temple)
• →Kendo class at a Kyoto dojo (~£40–60 via GetYourGuide or direct booking)
• →Guided meditation included in Kendo session
• →Final evening out in Kyoto — Gion or Pontocho

Check out of your Kyoto accommodation and store luggage at Kyoto Station (coin lockers ~£3/day). Take the JR Sagano Line to Arashiyama (£2). Visit the iconic Bamboo Grove (free, open 24hrs — go early before 9am for best photos). Walk through to Tenryu-Ji temple gardens (£5 entry) and then head up to Iwatayama Monkey Park (£4 entry) where 120+ wild Japanese Macaques roam freely and you can feed them from inside a hut. Back in Arashiyama, rent a rowing boat on the Oi River (£7–10pp, 30 mins) for a beautiful riverside perspective. Collect luggage and take the JR Kyoto Line or Shinkansen to Osaka (~£4–15 depending on service). Check in to your Osaka hostel, then join a self-guided food tour of the Dotonbori neon district — try takoyaki (~£3), okonomiyaki (~£6) and ramen (~£7). Cap the night with all-you-can-drink karaoke at Joysound or Big Echo (from ~£8pp/hr).

🚌Kyoto to Arashiyama: JR Sagano Line ~£2. Arashiyama to Osaka: JR Kyoto Line ~£4 (or Shinkansen ~£15). Osaka metro day pass ~£4.

🛏Hostel 64 Osaka, The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi or equivalent. Dorm from £18/night, private twin from £30pp. Book via Hostelworld or Booking.com.

• →Arashiyama Bamboo Grove (free, arrive before 9am)
• →Tenryu-Ji temple garden (£5)
• →Iwatayama Monkey Park (£4)
• →Rowing boat on Oi River (£7–10pp)
• →Self-guided Dotonbori food tour — takoyaki, okonomiyaki, ramen (~£15–20 total)
• →All-you-can-drink karaoke at Joysound or Big Echo (~£8–12pp/hr)

Enjoy a leisurely morning exploring Osaka independently. America-Mura (Amemura) is Osaka's youth culture hub — great for vintage shopping and street art (free to wander). Hit the Shinsaibashi shopping arcade for retail therapy. Spa World (entry from ~£8) offers incredible themed public baths if you want pampering. Den-Den Town is Osaka's answer to Akihabara for electronics and anime. In the evening, head to Osaka Castle (entry ~£5, grounds free) — the castle is beautifully illuminated at dusk. Afterwards, make your way to Shinsekai, one of Osaka's most characterful retro neighbourhoods, for a kushi-katsu dinner (deep-fried skewers, ~£10–15 — remember: no double-dipping the sauce!). Wrap up the night with drinks in Namba.

🚌Osaka metro — day pass ~£4. All key sights within metro reach.

🛏Hostel 64 Osaka or equivalent (same as Day 9)

• →America-Mura — street art and vintage shopping (free)
• →Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade (free to browse)
• →Optional: Spa World (from ~£8)
• →Optional: Den-Den Town electronics and anime shopping
• →Osaka Castle at sunset (£5 entry, grounds free)
• →Kushi-katsu dinner in Shinsekai (~£10–15)

Take an early JR Yamatoji Line train from Osaka to Nara (~£5, 45 mins). Spend the morning in Nara Park (free entry) where over 1,000 wild sika deer roam freely — buy deer crackers (~£1.50) for a magical feeding experience. Visit Todai-Ji Temple (entry ~£5), home to Japan's largest bronze Buddha. Back in Osaka by midday to collect luggage, then embark on the scenic journey to Koyasan: Nankai Line from Namba to Gokurakubashi (~£8), then a short cable car (included in Nankai Koyasan World Heritage Ticket, ~£12 return), then a short bus to Koyasan village (~£2). Walk through the extraordinary Okunoin Cemetery — 200,000 moss-covered tombstones beneath towering cedar trees lit by lanterns at dusk (free, open 24hrs). Check into your shukubo (temple lodging) — dinner is a traditional Buddhist vegetarian multi-course 'shojin ryori' meal, and breakfast is included.

🚌Osaka → Nara: JR Yamatoji Line ~£5. Osaka → Koyasan: Nankai Line + cable car (~£12 via Koyasan World Heritage Ticket) + local bus ~£2.

🛏Daimyo-In, Ekoin or similar shukubo (temple lodging) in Koyasan. ~£60–80pp including vegetarian dinner and breakfast. Book direct via koyasan.org or Booking.com.

• →Nara Park — wild deer feeding (~£1.50 for deer crackers)
• →Todai-Ji Temple (£5 entry)
• →Return to Osaka to collect luggage
• →Nankai Line + cable car to Koyasan (~£12 via Koyasan World Heritage Ticket)
• →Okunoin Cemetery lantern walk (free)
• →Check in to shukubo temple lodging — shojin ryori vegetarian dinner included

Wake to the sound of monks chanting for early morning prayers — guests are welcome to observe (typically 6–7am). Enjoy your traditional temple-style breakfast (included). Take a final morning walk around Koyasan's main Kongobu-Ji temple and the lantern-filled Okunoin before departing. Reverse the journey back to Osaka (bus + cable car + Nankai Line, ~£12), then board the Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima (~£50, ~1hr). From Hiroshima Station, take a 20-min streetcar/tram to the city centre (~£1.50) and check in. In the evening, walk to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (free, open 24hrs) — the A-Bomb Dome, Peace Bell and Flame of Peace are profoundly moving at any hour. Reflect and pay your respects at a truly important place.

🚌Koyasan → Osaka: reverse Nankai route ~£12. Shin-Osaka → Hiroshima: Shinkansen ~£50. Hiroshima city streetcar ~£1.50.

🛏We Base Hiroshima or equivalent hostel. Dorm from £18/night, private twin from £30pp. Book via Hostelworld or Booking.com.

• →Early morning monks' prayer ceremony (included in temple stay)
• →Traditional temple-style breakfast (included)
• →Final walk around Kongobu-Ji and Okunoin
• →Return to Osaka (cable car + Nankai Line ~£12)
• →Shinkansen Shin-Osaka → Hiroshima (~£50)
• →Streetcar to city centre (~£1.50)
• →Evening walk through Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park (free)

Take a relaxed morning start and visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (entry ~£2) — allow 1.5–2hrs. It's one of the most important museums in the world. Afterwards, take the JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station (~£2.50) and board the short JR Ferry to Miyajima Island (~£2 return, covered by JR Pass if you have one). Explore the stunning Itsukushima Shrine (entry ~£3) and its iconic giant floating torii gate — the sight is unforgettable, especially at high tide. Stroll the island, encounter the friendly wild deer (smaller than Nara's!), try the local specialty momiji manju (maple-leaf shaped cakes, ~£2), and hike up to the pagoda viewpoint. Return to Hiroshima for a final group dinner out — try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki (layered with noodles, ~£7–10) in the Okonomimura food hall.

🚌Hiroshima → Miyajimaguchi: JR Sanyo Line ~£2.50. JR Ferry to Miyajima ~£2 return. Hiroshima city streetcar ~£1.50.

🛏We Base Hiroshima or equivalent (same as Day 12)

• →Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum (£2 entry)
• →JR train to Miyajimaguchi + JR Ferry to Miyajima Island (~£4.50 total)
• →Itsukushima Shrine and floating torii gate (~£3 entry)
• →Explore Miyajima Island — deer, pagoda, momiji manju (~£2)
• →Return to Hiroshima
• →Farewell okonomiyaki dinner at Okonomimura food hall (~£7–10)

Enjoy a final morning in Hiroshima — take a last walk through the Peace Memorial Park and along the Ota River, or revisit the A-Bomb Dome in the morning light. Pick up some local snacks and souvenirs (momiji manju makes a great gift) before heading to Hiroshima Station. From here, Shinkansen connections serve Osaka (~£50), Tokyo (~£100) and Fukuoka (~£25) — or fly internationally from Hiroshima Airport. Your epic self-guided journey through Japan is complete!

🚌Hiroshima Shinkansen to onward destination. Hiroshima → Osaka ~£50 | Hiroshima → Tokyo ~£100 | Hiroshima → Fukuoka ~£25.

🛏N/A — trip ends today

• →Final morning walk through Peace Memorial Park (free)
• →Souvenir shopping — momiji manju and local crafts
• →Shinkansen from Hiroshima onwards — Osaka ~£50, Tokyo ~£100, Fukuoka ~£25