Japan Route: 11 Places to See from Tokyo to Mount Fuji

This route across Japan connects major cities via the Shinkansen bullet train, spanning from Tokyo through Kyoto, Osaka, and Kobe to Mount Fuji, Nagoya, Nara, and coastal destinations like Ise and Ine Cho. The route showcases Japan's most significant cultural and natural landmarks accessible by high-speed rail.

Mode
Places
Start
Shinkansen Bullet Train
End
Kobe
Stops
11
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Shinkansen Bullet Train — High-speed rail network connecting major Japanese cities at speeds exceeding 300 km/h, revolutionizing domestic travel since 1964.
  2. Kyoto
  3. Osaka — Major metropolitan area; Osaka Castle; waterfront with shopping markets; Shinkansen hub
  4. Tokyo
  5. Ise — Home to Ise Temple, the most sacred temple in Japan
  6. Ine Cho — Scenic village on west coast of Honshu facing the Sea of Japan
  7. Nara — City known for temples, shrines, culture, history; Nara Park with friendly deer
  8. Tomita Farm — Scenic lavender and flower farm in Hokkaido; beautiful in springtime
  9. Mount Fuji — Iconic volcano visible from Shinkansen between Tokyo and Nagoya
  10. Nagoya — Major metropolitan area connected by Shinkansen on central Honshu
  11. Kobe — Coastal city near Osaka and Kyoto region

Useful for your trip

Transport
Use the Shinkansen bullet train to get around Japan. It travels almost 200 miles per hour and connects Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Kyoto, Nagano, and Hiroshima. Tokyo to Sapporo takes 3 hours.
Timing
Plan for 3 to 5 days if visiting Okinawa, which is tucked away from the rest of Japan.
Tip
Download Google Translate before arriving in Japan, especially for Tokyo, as English is not widely spoken.
Avoid
Be cautious in Shinjuku's Kabukicho area at night as it's a party/nightlife district, though still safer than most world cities.
Timing
Visit cherry blossoms in spring or aim for late November for fall and autumn colors.
Food
Try takoyaki, a famous Osaka food, at the Dotonbori area. Also try Kobe beef and wagyu from Kobe.
Food
Try local sushi and fresh seafood while in Ise. Hokkaido offers fish cakes, ikura (salmon roe), and crab meat.
Tip
Visit Nara Park to see friendly deer that will eat from your hand. Nara is 1 to 1.5 hours from Osaka by train or car.
Where to stay
In Tokyo, recommended areas to stay are Shibuya, Shinjuku, Harajuku, or Ginza (most expensive). Ginza is the priciest option.
Tip
Visit Tomita Farm in spring to see beautiful flowers blooming across rolling hills.
Tip
Experience a traditional Japanese onsen (hot spring) massage in Hakone for a unique experience found nowhere else.
Tip
Plan a trip longer than 3 weeks to properly explore the 4 major islands (Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, Kyushu) and Okinawa.

Video on this route

Japan Travel Guide: Best Things To Do in Japan 2026 4K

More routes nearby

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