Japan 22 Days - Tokyo, Kanazawa, Takayama, Kyoto & More - October 2026

Golden Gai

Kabukicho

Cross Shinjuku Vision

Omoide Yokocho

Kagurazaka

Shinjuku Gyoen

Shin-Okubo Koreatown

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Free observation deck

Senso-ji

Nakamise-dori

Kappabashi Kitchen Town

Yanaka Ginza

Yanaka Cemetery

Nezu Shrine

Cat Street

Sangenjaya

Meiji Jingu

Shibuya Crossing

Takeshita Street

Kenroku-en Garden

Kanazawa Castle

Sanmachi Suji (Takayama Old Town)

October is Takayama Festival season!

Shirakawa-go

UNESCO World Heritage thatched-roof village

Miyagawa Morning Market

21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art

Higashi Chaya District

Gion Shirakawa

Pontocho Alley

Hanamikoji Street

Kiyomizu-dera

Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka

Kodai-ji Temple

Togetsukyo Bridge

Nishiki Market

Adashino Nenbutsu-ji

Kinkaku-ji

Tenryu-ji

Otagi Nenbutsu-ji

Byodo-in Temple

Fushimi Inari Taisha

Go early morning to avoid crowds. Full summit hike.

Daikichiyama Observation Deck

Short hike with great views over Uji. Uncrowded.

Nara Park

Kasuga Taisha

Isuien Garden

Todai-ji

Kinosaki Onsen

Onsen town hopping. Wear yukata between bathhouses.

Takeno Beach

Nagoya Castle

Atsuta Shrine

Osu Shopping Street

Tsumago-juku

End point of Nakasendo trail from Magome

Magome-juku

Start of Nakasendo trail walk to Tsumago

Kirby Cafe

Reserve in advance!

Kanda Myojin Shrine

Taito Station Akihabara

Kabukiza Theater

TeamLab Planets

Book tickets online in advance

Ginza

Tsurugaoka Hachimangu

Kotoku-in (Great Buddha)

Enoshima

Nakano Broadway

Opens late morning. Great for anime/manga collectibles.

Toji Temple

東寺 It is one of the famous temples in Kyoto, particularly popular during the cherry blossom and autumn foliage seasons. The plum blossoms also bloom beautifully. More info: https://toji.or.jp/en/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cliz9eXj2RE/ #sakura #autumn #temple #flower

Nanzenji Temple

南禅寺 During the autumn foliage season, you can enjoy the vibrant red leaves surrounding the large Sanmon gate. At other times of the year, it tends to be relatively quiet and enjoyable. More info: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1175/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CzyWMZ2S1ri/?img_index=10 #temple #autumn

Seto Canal at Hida Furukawa

瀬戸川と白壁土蔵街 The sight of over 1,000 koi swimming through the town is a famous scene in Hida-Furukawa, Gifu Prefecture. This view can only be seen from mid-April to mid-November. More info: https://hida.travel/blogs/japanese-carp-in-hida-furukawa/49 IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C-nLC7gPp9q/

Mikane Shrine

御金神社 There's a small shrine with a golden torii gate known for bringing good fortune and prosperity, but if you visit during the daytime, you may encounter lines. More info: https://mikane-jinja.or.jp/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CpC0_FrS7MM/ #shrine #torii

Nagamachi Samurai District

長町武家屋敷跡 There are preserved old-style earthen walls, stone-paved alleys, and splendid samurai residences lining the area. More info: https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_10195.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct1Q9KHy_9B/?img_index=4 #architecture

Omicho Market

近江町市場 Ishikawa Prefecture is also famous for its seafood, so if you're looking to enjoy delicious seafood, be sure to visit! More info: https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/restaurants/detail_10030.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ct1Q9KHy_9B/?img_index=6 #food

Oyama Shrine

尾山神社 The gate, which uniquely incorporates Japanese, Chinese, and Western architectural styles, is one of the main tourist attractions in Kanazawa City. More info: https://visitkanazawa.jp/en/attractions/detail_50021.html IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cgwa2_Urbc_/?img_index=10 #shrin #architecture

Hida no Sato

飛騨の里 It is a place where old and valuable local houses have been relocated and restored. I recommend this place because you can enjoy the atmosphere like Shirakawa-go but without many tourists. More info: https://www.hidanosato-tpo.jp/english12.htm IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CkqMOjXy4zX/ #architecture

Suirokaku (Waterway Bridge)

This aqueduct bridge at Nanzenji Temple was originally built to transport water from Lake Biwa to Kyoto City. More info: https://biwakososui.city.kyoto.lg.jp/en/place/detail/32 IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/C4dCrHuy4g-/?img_index=2 #architecture

Yasaka Shrine

八坂神社 This is a historic shrine that has been guarding Kyoto since ancient times, even before the Heian period. The lantern illumination at night is beautiful. More post: https://www.yasaka-jinja.or.jp/en/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CfOmPVEFxPn/ #shrine

Hasedera

長谷寺 It is a famous temple in Kamakura. Inside, there is a huge 9-meter statue of kannon. More info: https://www.hasedera.jp/en/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci-CF0zrSSe/?img_index=8 #temple

Shibuya Nonbei Yokocho

#tokyobynight

Mt. Wakakusa

若草山 From the top of the mountain, you can overlook the town of Nara and enjoy spending time with deer in a different atmosphere from Nara Park. More info: https://www.visitnara.jp/venues/A00491/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/CeONUkhL_Nx/ #nature

Komachi Street

小町通り The street is lined up with numbers of restaurants, cafes and shops, which is perfect for walking around. More info: https://www.japan.travel/en/spot/1586/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci-CF0zrSSe/?img_index=7 #food

Hokokuji Temple

報国寺 You can enjoy beautiful bamboo and matcha in this temple. More info: https://houkokuji.or.jp/en/ IG post: https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci-CF0zrSSe/?img_index=2 #temple