12-Day UNSECO and Japanese Alps Tour

Follow the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Cross the Japanese Alps !

This 12-day journey will take us to visit the most popular natural and cultural attractions around Tokyo, including Hakone, Nikko, and Mt. Fuji. And we will also embark on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, crossing the Japanese Alps, known as "the roof of Japan", to capture the breathtaking alpine natural scenery. Meanwhile, our travel route also connects two historical and cultural cities, Kanazawa and Hida - Takayama, as well as the World Heritage Site of the historical village of Shirakawa-go, forming a travel plan that is both rich in content and diverse in layers.

If you are seeking a deep travel in Japan, this meticulous customized private tour is definitely worth your serious consideration. Certainly, you can adjust the pace of this Japanese exploration journey. A thoughtful journey always brings us unexpected gains!

Itinerary Sketch

Tour Highlights

1. Visit three UNSECO World Cultural Heritage Sites, Toshogu Shrine, Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple and Shirakawa-go Village.

2. Meander around the beautifully preserved old town of Takayama, admire the picturesque wooden houses.

3. Enjoy exquisite landscapes in Kenroku-en Garden, one of the top three gardens in Japan, and elegant Higashi Chaya District.

4. Follow the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Cross the Japanese Alps !

5. Full private car service, convenient and comfortable.

Itinerary Overview

This is a personalized custom itinerary for a deep trip to Japan. Enjoy a private driver and guide throughout your personalized journey in Japan, with each day's sightseeing itinerary tailored to your needs. The trip starts from the southern coast of Tokyo and reaches the northern coastline, crossing the Japanese Alps. Whether you are exploring historical sites or immersing yourself in local culture, we will ensure your journey is smooth and unforgettable.

Day 1:   Tokyo Arrival

When you arrive at the Airport, marking the beginning of your trip to Japan, enjoy our seamless and personalized private transfer service. Upon your arrival, your dedicated driver will greet you and take you to your hotel in Tokyo in a comfortable manner.

Day 2:  Approaching to Mount Fuji.

Let this trip to Japan begin with the beautiful Mount Fuji.

It takes only one and a half hours by car from Tokyo to reach Lake Kawaguchiko, which is the first of the Five Fuji Lakes to be developed for tourism and the most accessible. There are many picturesque spots along the lake, and the northern shore is ideal for photographing the majestic Mount Fuji.

Arakurayama Sengen Park is one of the best spots to enjoy Mount Fuji. At the highest point of the park, you can capture the perfect shot of the mountain. During the cherry blossom season, you can take pictures of the three iconic symbols of Japan at the same time.

Oshino Hakkai vallige is famous for its beautiful rural scenery. The shimmering lake water blends perfectly with the reflection of the magnificent Mount Fuji, creating a breathtaking view. Many photographers come here to capture the natural beauty of the mountain and the well-preserved village.

Day 3:  Hakone: the Other Side of Mt. Fuji. 

Today, we will head to the beautiful Hakone, take a cable car to enjoy the mountain views, and board a cruise on Ashi Lake to admire the distant view of Mount Fuji, its peak covered in snow. After a day of sightseeing, we will relax and unwind in the hot springs at a hotel in Hakone.

The Hakone Open-Air Museum successfully attempts to create a harmonic Balance of nature and art by exhibiting various sculptures on its spacious grounds in combination with views of the surrounding valley and mountains.

Before boarding the cruise ship on Lake Ashi, we first visit the Hakone Shrine located by the lake. One of its major features is that the torii gate of the shrine stands in the lake water, and it also becomes a major scenic spot of Lake Ashi.

Lake Ashi is a picturesque lake with a circumference of about 40 kilometers. It was formed as a result of volcanic activity when Mount Hakone erupted, causing a landslide that dammed a river, creating the lake we see today. Lake Ashi offers an opportunity to view the majestic Mount Fuji. On clear days, visitors can catch a stunning vista of the snow-capped peak of Mount Fuji.

Provides a scenic view of Hakone and surrounds, the Hakone Komagatake Ropeway runs from the edge of Lake Ashi to the summit of Mt. Komagatake. On the rapeway and the top of the mountain, you can capture a panoramic view of Lake Ashi and surrounds.

We'll spend the night in Hakone tonight and enjoy the famous Hakone hot springs.

Day 4:  Hakone - Odawara - Tokyo.

Today we visit Mishima Skywalk and Odawara Castle, and then drive back to Tokyo, getting ready for an even more exciting trip tomorrow.

Mishima Shywalk is the longest pedestrian-only suspension bridge in Japan with a length of 400 meters. Magnificent views of Mt. Fuji and Suruga Bar can be enjoyed from the bridge.

Odawara Castle was originally built in 1417 and in the late 15th century fell into the hands of the Hojo Clan, one of the most powerful clans during the Warring States Era, who used it as a stronghold to control the region around modern day Tokyo. This castle is not large in scale, but thanks to its well-built fortifications, it became one of the most famous military strongholds in the Tohoku region and even throughout all of Japan at that time.

Day 5:  Nikko, a place of UNSECO World Cultural Heritage.

Nikko is about 100 kilometers away from Tokyo in a straight line and holds an important place in Japan's history and culture. The shrines and temples in Nikko City, including the Futarasan jinja Shrine, Toshogu Shrine and Nikkozan Rinnoji Temple, were inscribed on the World Heritage List as cultural heritage by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee in 1999.

In the morning, we will visit the Toshogu Shrine and the Ruriden Temple. In the afternoon, we will go to Lake Chuzenji and the Kegon Waterfall. Lake Chuzenji is surrounded by mountains and has beautiful scenery. It is the core of the Nikko National Park and a symbolic tourist destination of Nikko. At one end of the lake is the Kegon Waterfall, which plunges down from a 97-meter-high cliff, presenting a magnificent spectacle.

Day 6:  Tokyo to Toyama, visit Ashikaga Flower Park.

We will depart from Tokyo to Toyama City today. Along the way, we will visit Ashikaga Flower Park first.
One of the best places to view wisteria flowers is the Ashikaga Flower park. The park is home to an ancient wisteria tree that boasts an age of around 160 years, taking you to a world that almost looks like the colorful jungle from the movie Avatar, and an 80-meter-long white wisteria tunnel.

The flowering period of wisteria is generally from April to May.

Day 7:  Follow the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route, Cross the Japanese Alps !

Sightseeing along the Alpine Route begins in the Ogisawa Station. Park with the charter bus here, which will proceed to Tateyama Station.

Kurobeko Station is a funicular station located nearby the Lake Kurobe and the dam. At 186 meters high and 492 meters long, the Kurobe Dam is the largest dam in Japan.

Keep going up and we will reach Daikanbo.

There is a rooftop observation point with a terrace above the clouds, where you can relax in a chair and look out across a vast panorama including Lake Kurobe and the Ushiro-tateyama Ranges.

Keep going forward and reach Murodo at 2450 m, this is the highest point on the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route. Towering 3000 meter-tall mountains including Mt. Tsurugi, the most distinctive peak of Japan Alps, and Mt. Tateyama are visible from this spot.

Kurobe-daira is the transfer station between the Tateyama Ropeway and Kurobe cable car. The station offers a restaurant, souvenir shop and beautiful views of the surrounding mountains.

Day 8:  Immersive cultural experiences in Kanazawa.

In Kanazawa Castle Park, you can step back in time to the domain of a powerful local feudal family.

Stroll through the charming Kenrokuen Garden, a masterpiece of Japanese landscape design and one of the three most famous gardens in Japan.

Delve into the world of Kanazawa's gold-leaf craftsmanship at a local gold-leafing workshop, exploring this handcraft tradition that has amazed generations. Practical courses are designed for people of all interests and skill levels, allowing you to experience the joy of transforming an ordinary object into a dazzling masterpiece with your own hands.

Immerse yourself in the charming atmosphere of Higashi Chaya District, a historic geisha district that retains the timeless allure of Japanese geisha culture.

Step into the world of refinement and elegance at the famous Shima Teahouse, where the traditions of Japanese tea ceremony have been passed down through generations.

Day 9:  Toyama to Takayama, Explore Shirakawa-go Village.

Head to the charming Shirakawa-go in the picturesque mountainous area of Gifu Prefecture, where the traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses are perfectly preserved, a sight to behold. In 1995, the historical village of Shirakawa-go was inscribed on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a cultural heritage site.

In winter, when the ground is blanketed in snow and the houses are lit up in the stillness of the night, it feels like stepping into a fairy tale!

Day 10:  A Free day in Hida-Takayama.

Hidden in the scenic mountains of Central Japan, Takayama offers a timeless journey through Japan’s past with its beautifully preserved Edo Period streets.

Take a leisurely stroll in the Sanmachi History Houses Preserved Area, experience the rich Edo atmosphere. Besides, Miyagawa Morning Market, Takayama Castle Ruins, and well-preserved Hida Takayama Jinya, which served as the administrative center during the Edo period (1603 - 1868), all of them are worth your taking a slow pace and paying more attention to.

Certainly, if you prefer to have a guided tour, we’re also very willing to provide assistance for you.

Day 11:  Takayama to Matsumoto, Back to Tokyo.

The renowned Matsumoto Castle is a medieval fortress and a national treasure of Japan. It is the premier historical castle in Japan. If you are passing through the Nagano region, you must not miss it.
Climbing the steep stairs of Matsumoto Castle and passing through its original wooden interior is a unique experience. The view from the top observation deck of the entire city and the Northern Alps is breathtaking.

Visit the historic Zenkoji Temple, where the bell that was rung at the opening ceremony of the 1998 Nagano Winter Olympics is located.
Experience the rich food culture of Nagano, savor the local specialty "Okonomiyaki" and taste sake.

Day 12:  Tokyo Departure.

As your time in Japan is coming to an end, we will be dedicated to arranging your departure with meticulous and considerate service. Our team has carefully arranged a private transfer service to ensure your journey from the hotel to the airport is smooth and comfortable.