Plan ahead with our routes and itineraries, including the best places to discover Japan while traveling by rail, how to get there and getting around with the JR Pass.
With your Japan Rail Pass, it’s easy to visit both Tokyo and Kyoto and make the most of your trip. Regular bullet trains connect the 2 cities, meaning you can make the journey in just a few hours.
This guide explains how to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto, including bullet train services and journey times. You’ll also find details on alternative ways to make the trip, including daytime coach services and night buses.
What is the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage? The term kodo means “old ways,” and Kumano Kodo refers to a network of hiking trails laced throughout the southern reaches of the Kansai region, on the Kii Peninsula. The trails have been used for more than 1,000 years and are designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Continue reading “%s”
One of the best ways to get to know what Japan has to offer is to explore the best-of-highlights route from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka. This itinerary allows you to see most of Japan’s famous landmarks and truly get a taste of the culture.
You will travel from the modern wonders of Tokyo, past the natural beauty of the Japanese Alps, all the way to the traditional and ancient Kyoto. The best thing about it? You can do it all in just 10 days!
Autumn in Japan is one of the most popular times of the year for visitors. This is when the fiery reds, oranges, and yellows of the leaves transform the landscape.
The tradition of admiring the autumn foliage is known as Momijigari (literally, “hunting red leaves”) and it has been cherished for centuries in Japan.
Visiting Japan for the first, second or even third time can be scary. It is not an easy task to get around in Tokyo or figure out what to see from the countless number of giant temples, beautiful parks, large shopping streets and fresh restaurants.
That is why we have prepared our top “7 days in Japan” itinerary and recommendations so that you can travel, see and explore the greatest sights of the country with your Japan Rail Pass.
Traditional Japanese gardens are famous the world over. These gardens highlight the beauty of nature, avoiding artificial, man-made components wherever possible. The first of these gardens began to be built on the island of Honshu around 600 A.D.
Japanese gardens also capture aspects of the traditional Shinto religion, as well as Daoism and Buddhism. The gardens speak of the unstoppable march of time, natural aspects of the Japanese landscape, such as its volcanic peaks, and often include replicas of the legendary Mount Horai.
