The Grand Circuit

Japanese Breakfast at Hotel

📍 Shinjuku, Tokyo

Fuel up with a traditional Japanese breakfast—grilled fish, miso soup, rice, pickles, and tamagoyaki.

Hokuriku Shinkansen to Kanazawa

📍 Tokyo Station

Board the bullet train for a scenic 2.5-hour journey through mountains and tunnels to the Sea of Japan coast.

Early Checkout & Bus to Shirakawa-go

📍 Kanazawa Station

Board the Nohi Bus for a scenic mountain journey to the UNESCO World Heritage village.

Shirakawa-go Village Arrival

📍 Shirakawa-go

Step into a fairy-tale village of steep thatched-roof farmhouses (gassho-zukuri) designed to withstand heavy snowfall.

Miyagawa Morning Market

📍 Miyagawa River, Takayama

Join locals at this riverside market selling fresh produce, pickles, crafts, and street snacks.

Takayama Jinya

📍 Takayama

Tour Japan's only remaining Edo-period government building, where the shogunate administered the region.

Fushimi Inari Taisha at Dawn

📍 Fushimi, Kyoto

Beat the crowds to experience the mystical tunnel of 10,000 vermillion torii gates in near-solitude.

Breakfast near Fushimi

📍 Fushimi, Kyoto

Refuel at a local kissaten (coffee shop) or convenience store after the hike.

Early Train to Himeji

📍 Kyoto Station

Take the Shinkansen west for a morning stop at Japan's greatest castle.

Walk to Himeji Castle

📍 Himeji

Stroll down the wide avenue from the station with the castle framed perfectly ahead.

JR Train to Miyajimaguchi

📍 Hiroshima Station

Take the JR Sanyo Line along the coast to the ferry terminal.

JR Ferry to Miyajima

📍 Miyajimaguchi Ferry Terminal

Short ferry ride to the sacred island, with views of the famous floating torii gate.

Train to Nara

📍 Osaka Namba Station

Quick train ride to Japan's first permanent capital, home to friendly deer and giant Buddha.

Nara Park Deer

📍 Nara Park

Meet the 1,200 sacred deer that roam freely and bow for treats.

TeamLab Planets Tokyo

📍 Toyosu, Tokyo

Wade barefoot through water and light in this immersive digital art museum—a multisensory experience unlike anything else.

Lunch at Toyosu Market

📍 Toyosu Market, Tokyo

The new home of the famous Tsukiji fish market—enjoy the freshest sushi in Japan.

Meiji Jingu Shrine

📍 Harajuku, Tokyo

Begin your final day with a peaceful walk through the forest to Tokyo's most important Shinto shrine.

Harajuku Takeshita Street

📍 Harajuku, Tokyo

Walk down Tokyo's famous youth fashion street—colorful shops, crepes, and street style.