Travel to Far East Asia and enjoy this 5-day scenic itinerary in Japan. Japan is a narrow, elongated strip of islands forming an archipelago. The entire country is surrounded by great bodies of water – Pacific Ocean to the east, Sea of Japan to the west, Sea of Okhotsk to the north, and China Sea to the south. Japan’s archipelagic structure partnered by ranges of mountains, dense forest, and river systems make the country a scenic destination. Although tourists may need more than a week to see all the hidden secrets of Japan, this scenic itinerary tries to capture Japan’s beauty in less than one week.
Before heading to the Land of the Rising Sun, you need to check if your passport is exempted from the Japanese visa or if you need to apply for one. Japan has given short-stay visa exemptions to 67 countries around the globe. Passport holders that are exempted from securing a visa may stay in Japan from 15 to 90 days, depending on the country of residence. However, passport holder that are not exempted must apply for a Japanese visa. Here are the requirements to secure a visa:
- Completed visa application form
- Filled out letter of guarantee
- Filled out letter of reason for invitation
- Full itinerary in Japan
- List of visa applicants
- Overview of company (if invited for a business trip)
- Current passport
- Couple of passport picture
5-Day Scenic Itinerary in Japan:
This itinerary features the most efficient and fastest mode of transportation in Japan, the bullet train. Ticket prices for the bullet train may be a little expensive, but travellers need to see and experience Japanese ingenuity by riding the local bullet train. It will bring you to great distances in the shortest period of time.
Day 1: Tokyo, the Capital City
Begin your 5-day scenic itinerary in Japan in the capital city of Tokyo. It is best to choose a hotel in the Asakusa area so that you can immediately witness the historic past of the country. Soon after you have checked-in, venture out and look for one of the oldest temple in Asakusa, the Senso-ji. Senso-ji is probably the most popular and colourful Buddhist temples in Tokyo.
This temple is dedicated to the goddess of mercy as legend tells that two brothers fished in the Sumida River and found the statue of the goddess, Kannon. Spend at least an hour in the temple to witness the intricate designs of the structure as well as the traditions of the locals.
From the temple, travel southwards towards Tokyo Bay. Once you get to the port, purchase ferry tickets to see the bay and the structures built around it like the Rainbow Bridge and the island of Odaiba, a man-made paradise.
Day 2: Sagami Bay
Rise early and take a quick electric train trip to Kamakura. Kamakura is a coastal town that faces Sagami Bay. It has two famous beaches, Yuigahama and Zaimokuza, which tourists can easily access from Tokyo.
Both beaches have at least one kilometer of frontage and these are filled with beach chairs and beach huts that can be rented by transient patrons. Here, you can just sunbathe or play beach games. There are also a lot of restaurants, shops, and bars along the coast so you do not need to pack anything. You can even change or shower in one of the public locker rooms by the beach.
Day 3: From Tokyo to Odawara
Your third day in your 5-day scenic itinerary in Japan will be your first bullet train ride out of Tokyo. Just an hour from Tokyo is the town of Odawara, known as the entrance to Fuji-Hakone National Park. From the Odawara train station, take another scenic bus ride to the Hakone Hot Springs Resort. This scenic bus ride will give you fantastic views of the famous, cone-shaped Mt. Fuji. At some point, the bus will stop to give tourists some time to capture the postcard angle of the mountain.
As soon as you reach Hakone, take a quick dip in one of the many hot springs pool that is believed to have therapeutic and medicinal powers. You also need to experience staying a night in a traditional ryokan, an old Japanese inn.
Day 4: Lake Ashi
After a wonderful evening in one of Hakone’s historic ryokan, check out early and take the first cruise trip to the famous Lake Ashi. Aboard a traditional Japanese boat, take an hour of steady cruising along Lake Ashi and see all the land forms surrounding it.
What is unique about this lake is it is actually a crater of a dormant volcano, Mt. Hakone. Your romantic and scenic cruise is completed by the perfect view of Mt. Fuji. Make sure to get your cameras ready because Mt. Fuji’s peak usually hides behind thick clouds. Only lucky tourists get a chance to take a sneak peak and take a perfect shot of the mountain.
After taking the cruise on Lake Ashi, take a side trip to hike Mt. Komagatake. You need not to walk up the mountain because Mt. Komagatake has a ropeway or cable car system that will bring you up the peak in a few minutes. While on the ropeway, marvel at the fantastic view of the Hakone National Park, Lake Ashi, and even Mt. Fuji. Once you get to the top, visit the Hakone Jinja Shrine.
After your full-day trip around Hakone, take a short trip back to the bullet train station and go to Kyoto. The train station of Kyoto itself is a tourist haven. Its wonderful architecture is a must-see for travellers from all over the world.
Day 5: Kyoto
Kyoto is one of Japan’s historic cities and it has done all its best to keep the historic ambience of the city. On your final day of your 5-day scenic itinerary in Japan, take a walking tour of Gion District.
This district is filled with historic structures and temples. Entering the district will immediately take you back in time as if you are in an old Japanese movie. Notice the old wooden buildings, old teahouses, and traditional restaurants. If you are lucky, you will even see a fully made up geisha walking down the street wearing traditional kimono and wooden sandals.
After your walking tour of the district, take a trip back to the train station and go back to Tokyo. From the train station you can catch a trip back to the international airport and back to your hometown.
5-Day Scenic Itinerary in Japan – Ai Shimashou!
Excited to take that much needed break and see the great views of Japan? Then prepare your documents for your Japanese tourist visa. Should you have any questions or need any assistance is getting a visa or getting an itinerary for the visa application, you may contact us through our website or Facebook page.
See another world as you follow the 5-day scenic itinerary in Japan!
