3-Week Japan Tour Packages

Insider tips: Recommended 3-week Japan tour itineraries

Compiled by

SteffJapan travel expert at TourRadar

• 21 Days in Japan, incl. Tokyo and Kyoto

  A vibrant 21-day tour covering 20 Japanese cities from Tokyo to Kagoshima. Marvel at UNESCO sites like Himeji Castle, wander through traditional villages like Shirakawa-go, and immerse in cultural highlights including Kyoto's tea ceremonies.

  

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  • Days 1-4

    Tokyo & Surrounds

    Start in Tokyo with airport pickup and hotel transfer. Visit Meiji Shrine early at 8AM before the crowds arrive. Explore Senso-ji Temple and Tokyo Skytree. Plan a day trip to Nikko and leave Tokyo by 8AM to avoid traffic. The 2.5-hour journey takes you to the stunning Tosho-gu Shrine. Visit the Kegon Falls platform for unique views from below the waterfall. For Mt. Fuji, leave from Shinjuku by 8:15AM. A 2-hour bus takes you to the 5th Station viewing platform.

    
  • Days 5-8

    Central Japan

    Take a 1.5-hour bullet train to Nagano to visit the snow monkeys. The 30-minute walk to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park can get slippery. Pack hiking boots and spare socks. Visit Kanazawa's beautiful Kenroku-en Garden in the early morning light. Take a bus to Shirakawa-go UNESCO village (1.5 hours from Kanazawa). A visitor tip: "The observation deck view is incredible, but go before 3PM when tour buses arrive."

    
  • Days 9-12

    Kyoto & Nara Region

    Stay in Kyoto to explore temples and cultural sites. Get to Fushimi Inari Shrine before 7AM to see the torii gates without crowds. Take an evening tour of Gion's geisha district. One visitor shared: "Walking through the lantern-lit alleys of Gion at dusk was magical. Our guide knew exactly which corners to turn for spotting geiko hurrying to appointments." Plan a day in Nara to see the deer park and giant Buddha statue.

    
  • Days 13-16

    Western Japan

    Visit Osaka's Dotonbori food district after 6PM when it's most lively. Travel to Mt. Koya for a spiritual experience. Stop in Kobe for its renowned beef. A guest noted: "The beef literally melts in your mouth, worth every penny of the splurge." Visit Himeji Castle right when it opens at 9AM for the best photos.

    
  • Days 17-21

    Southern Japan Circuit

    Take bullet trains south through Hiroshima (spend at least 2 hours at the Peace Park). Continue to Fukuoka, Nagasaki and Kagoshima. For Sakurajima volcano in Kagoshima, a traveler suggests: "Take the early ferry to beat both heat and crowds. The Yunohira Lookout offers the best views of volcanic activity."

    

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• Japan Awaits You

  This 21-day trip takes you to 30 spots across Japan, starting in Tokyo where you'll see Shibuya Crossing and Tokyo Skytree before heading to UNESCO-listed Shirakawa-go to check out traditional gassho-style houses and Nikko's Toshogu Temple. Try Zen meditation at Kongobuji Temple on Mount Koya and watch snow monkeys bathing at Jigokudani Monkey Park.

  

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  • Tokyo Japan

    422 mi

  • Hiroshima Japan

    39 mi

  • Matsuyama Japan

    62 mi

  • Kotohira Japan

    17 mi

  • Takamatsu Japan

    34 mi

  • Naruto Japan

    48 mi

  • Kobe Japan

    17 mi
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  • Osaka Japan

    33 mi

  • Koya-san Japan

    56 mi

  • Kyoto Japan

    118 mi

  • Kanazawa Japan

    23 mi

  • Shirakawa Japan

    21 mi

  • Takayama Japan

    40 mi

  • Matsumoto Japan

    30 mi

  • Nagano Japan

    21 mi

  • Kusatsu Japan

    62 mi

  • Nikko Japan

    124 mi

  • Sendai Japan

    14 mi

  • Matsushima Japan

    41 mi

  • Hiraizumi Japan

    48 mi

  • Morioka Japan

    72 mi

  • Hirosaki Japan

    21 mi

  • Aomori Japan

    65 mi

  • Hakodate Japan

    48 mi

  • Noboribetsu Japan

    45 mi

  • Sapporo Japan

    31 mi

  • Tomakomai Japan

    304 mi

  • Sendai Japan

    21 mi

  • Yamadera Japan

    62 mi

  • Aizuwakamatsu Japan

    12 mi

  • Ouchi-juku Japan

    111 mi

  • Tokyo Japan

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• Japan by Rail

  This 21-day rail trip takes you across all three main islands—Kyushu, Honshu, and Hokkaido—stopping at 22 destinations like Fukuoka, Hiroshima, Kyoto, Tokyo, and Sapporo. Stay in 3+ to 4-star places and see UNESCO sites including Himeji Castle and Shirakawago Village, then get hands-on making momiji manju on Miyajima Island.

  

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  • Fukuoka Japan

    65 mi

  • Nagasaki Japan

    65 mi

  • Fukuoka Japan

    129 mi

  • Hiroshima Japan

    12 mi

  • Miyajima Island Japan

    12 mi

  • Hiroshima Japan

    130 mi

  • Himeji Japan

    47 mi
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  • Osaka Japan

    17 mi

  • Nara Japan

    22 mi

  • Kyoto Japan

    5 mi

  • Arashiyama Japan

    5 mi

  • Kyoto Japan

    118 mi

  • Kanazawa Japan

    172 mi

  • Shirakawago Japan

    163 mi

  • Takayama Japan

    40 mi

  • Matsumoto Japan

    30 mi

  • Nagano Japan

    13 mi

  • Yudanaka Japan

    42 mi

  • Matsumoto Japan

    20 mi

  • Narai Japan

    85 mi

  • Hakone Japan

    19 mi

  • Mount Fuji Japan

    62 mi

  • Tokyo Japan

    186 mi

  • Sendai Japan

    14 mi

  • Matsushima Japan

    233 mi

  • Hakodate Japan

    94 mi

  • Sapporo Japan

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