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AI-Livingstone
30 Nov 2025
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Japan 22-Day North-to-South Highlights

Japan North-to-South: 22-Day Cultural & Scenic Journey

This 22-day itinerary sweeps from Tokyo through northern Tohoku and Hokkaido, returns down Honshu visiting historic towns and famous gardens, then crosses to Shikoku and Kyushu before finishing in subtropical Okinawa. Expect a balance of iconic temples and shrines, UNESCO World Heritage sites, world-class museums, tranquil classical gardens, volcanic landscapes and restorative onsen. Activities emphasize cultural immersion—temple visits, museum explorations and historic districts—alongside nature experiences like coastal vistas, cedar forests and mountain scenery. The route is paced to mix sightseeing with downtime for spa and local food discoveries, offering both bustling city highlights and quieter rural charms for a comprehensive view of Japan’s diverse regions.

Recommended Activities

  • Trip Point Pin1

    Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo

    Tokyo's oldest temple, Senso-ji offers an atmospheric introduction to Japanese history and spirituality with its dramatic Kaminarimon gate, bustling Nakamise shopping street of traditional souvenirs and snacks, and a striking main hall. It's a lively cultural hub where you can observe rituals, enjoy street-food snacks, and photograph iconic temple architecture tucked into the Asakusa neighborhood.
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  • Trip Point Pin2

    Meiji Jingu Shrine, Tokyo

    Set in a peaceful forested shrine complex near Harajuku, Meiji Jingu provides a serene contrast to Tokyo's urban energy. It is dedicated to Emperor Meiji and Empress Shoken and showcases Shinto architecture, large torii gates, traditional purification rituals, and cultural events. The shrine grounds are ideal for reflective walks, experiencing Japanese ceremonial customs, and viewing seasonal displays such as iris gardens and autumn leaves.
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  • Trip Point Pin3

    Tokyo National Museum, Ueno

    Japan's oldest and largest museum houses an extensive, expertly curated collection of Japanese and Asian art and antiquities, including samurai armor, ceramics, Buddhist statues, calligraphy, and archaeological finds. Located in Ueno Park, it provides historical context across centuries, excellent temporary exhibitions, and deep insight into Japanese cultural development—making it essential for history and museum enthusiasts.
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  • Trip Point Pin4

    Nikko Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

    A lavish UNESCO World Heritage shrine complex dedicated to Tokugawa Ieyasu, Toshogu is famed for its intricate wood carvings (including the Three Wise Monkeys), ornate gilded architecture, and richly decorated gates set within a cedar forest. Visiting offers a vivid glimpse into Edo-period craftsmanship, religious ceremony, and serene mountain shrine atmosphere—especially spectacular in autumn foliage or morning mist.
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  • Trip Point Pin5

    Rokugo Manzan (Toshogu complex) — Nikko area

    Rokugo Manzan refers to the broader sacred landscape and subsidiary temples around Nikko that together create a layered spiritual and cultural experience. Exploring these complementary sites lets you see varied architectural styles, quiet pilgrimage routes, historic temple precincts and stone stairways up wooded slopes—enhancing understanding of how Toshogu fits into regional religious life and providing peaceful hiking and photo opportunities away from the main crowds.
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  • Trip Point Pin6

    Fukushima Prefectural Museum or Ouchijuku (historic street) — Fukushima area

    Fukushima Prefectural Museum (and similar regional museums) offers curated exhibits on local archaeology, folk culture, and the history of the Tohoku region, useful for contextualizing what you see around Nikko and northern Honshu. Ouchijuku, by contrast, is a preserved Edo-period post town with thatched-roof buildings, traditional shops and street food that transports you back in time. Either choice rewards visitors interested in history, local life and well-preserved architecture—museums for depth and Ouchijuku for immersive, picturesque walking and tasting local specialties.
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  • Trip Point Pin7

    Hiraizumi — Chuson-ji (Golden Hall), Iwate

    Chuson-ji's Konjikidō (Golden Hall) is a UNESCO World Heritage jewel—its lacquered and gold-leaf interior preserves a rare, beautifully decorated Buddhist sanctuary from the Heian period. The temple complex and surrounding gardens convey the political and spiritual sophistication of medieval northern Japan, offering serene atmosphere, fine religious art, and a compact, highly photogenic site ideal for history and temple enthusiasts.
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  • Trip Point Pin8

    Matsushima Bay (island views), Miyagi

    Matsushima is celebrated as one of Japan's three most scenic views: hundreds of pine-clad islets scattered across a calm bay create striking coastal vistas. Boat cruises, viewpoint walks, and nearby temples let you enjoy changing light and seasonal colors—especially pine silhouettes at sunrise or sunset—making it a must for landscape photography, relaxed sightseeing, and experiencing classic Japanese coastal scenery.
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  • Trip Point Pin9

    Aomori Museum of Art, Aomori

    The Aomori Museum of Art combines contemporary art with strong local connections—exhibits often highlight regional artists and themes, including works inspired by Aomori’s landscape and festivals. Architecturally distinctive and set near scenic Hakkoda foothills, the museum provides thoughtfully curated modern exhibitions, multimedia installations, and occasional family-friendly displays that complement historical sites in the region with a contemporary cultural perspective.
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  • Trip Point Pin10

    Aomori Nebuta Museum (Warasse), Aomori

    Wa Rasse celebrates the spectacular Nebuta Festival year-round with life-size illuminated floats, hands-on exhibits, and multimedia displays that explain the festival’s history, craftsmanship and dance traditions. Visiting lets you appreciate the artisanship behind the massive papier-mâché floats up close, try festival drumming or dancing demonstrations, and gain cultural context for one of Tohoku’s most exuberant summer events.
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  • Trip Point Pin11

    Hakodate Goryokaku Fort, Hokkaido

    Goryokaku is a rare Western-style star fort in Japan with extensive grounds, historical significance from the late Edo period and a handsome central tower offering panoramic views. The formal gardens and seasonal cherry blossoms are especially beautiful from the observation deck, while the adjacent Hakodate Magistrate’s Office reconstruction provides insight into the region’s Meiji-era history—ideal for history buffs and scenic photography.
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  • Trip Point Pin12

    Niseko (mountain/scenic area), Hokkaido

    Niseko is famed for world-class powder skiing in winter and lush hiking, hot springs and alpine scenery in summer. Outdoors enthusiasts will find extensive trails, spectacular mountain vistas, onsen to soothe tired muscles, and a relaxed international resort atmosphere. It's perfect for combining active mountain pursuits with wellness (onsen) and enjoying Hokkaido’s dramatic natural landscapes year-round.
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  • Trip Point Pin13

    Otaru Canal and Historical District, Hokkaido

    Otaru’s canal district evokes a nostalgic maritime past with preserved brick warehouses, gas-lamp promenades and glassware shops. Stroll the scenic waterfront at dusk, visit local music box and glass studios, and sample fresh seafood and street snacks—great for relaxed sightseeing, photography and experiencing a charming port-town atmosphere close to Sapporo.
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  • Trip Point Pin14

    Shirakawa-go Historical Village, Gifu

    Shirakawa-go’s UNESCO-listed gassho-zukuri farmhouses with steep thatched roofs are a striking example of vernacular architecture adapted to heavy snow. The village’s preserved homes, small museums and panoramic viewpoints immerse visitors in rural Edo-period life, offering exceptional photo opportunities, seasonal contrast (lush summers vs. snow-covered winters) and a rare glimpse of traditional Japanese mountain farming culture.
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  • Trip Point Pin15

    Kanazawa — Kenrokuen Garden

    Kenrokuen is one of Japan’s three great landscape gardens, renowned for its balanced combination of spaciousness, seclusion, scenic views, artificial hills, ponds and teahouses. Meticulously maintained year-round, the garden showcases seasonal beauty—cherry blossoms, irises, maples and snow-covered pines—making it a must for garden lovers, history enthusiasts and anyone who appreciates tranquil, classic Japanese landscape design.
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  • Trip Point Pin16

    Kiyomizu-dera, Kyoto

    Perched on a hillside with a large wooden veranda, Kiyomizu-dera offers sweeping views over Kyoto and a dramatic example of traditional temple architecture without nails. The complex includes the Otowa Waterfall (where visitors drink for health and longevity), beautiful seasonal colors in spring and autumn, and nearby historic streets—making it essential for panoramic photos, cultural atmosphere, and classic Kyoto temple experience.
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  • Trip Point Pin17

    Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto

    Fushimi Inari is iconic for its thousands of vermilion torii gates forming atmospheric tunnels up Mount Inari. The shrine combines Shinto ritual, picturesque hiking routes, fox-statue symbolism and varied small sub-shrines along the trail. Visit early morning or evening for evocative light and fewer crowds—ideal for photography, a meditative walk, and experiencing a uniquely visual aspect of Japanese spiritual culture.
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  • Trip Point Pin18

    Nijo Castle, Kyoto

    Nijo Castle showcases feudal power and Edo-period architecture with ornate sliding doors, painted panels, and the famous ‘nightingale’ floors that chirp when walked upon to warn of intruders. The extensive gardens, restored palace interiors and informative displays deliver historical context about samurai governance and Tokugawa-era aesthetics—perfect for history lovers and those interested in castle design within an urban Kyoto setting.
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  • Trip Point Pin19

    Himeji Castle, Hyogo

    Himeji Castle is Japan’s finest surviving feudal fortress and a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site, celebrated for its pristine white plastered walls, complex defensive design and elegant multi-storied keep. The castle’s well-preserved architecture, panoramic views from the top, and extensive grounds including seasonal cherry blossoms make it essential for history and architecture enthusiasts.
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  • Trip Point Pin20

    Okayama Korakuen Garden, Okayama

    Korakuen is one of Japan’s three great gardens, offering a spacious, carefully composed landscape with ponds, tea houses, lawns and scenic views of Okayama Castle. Its open layout encourages strolls, seasonal displays (plum blossoms, irises, autumn colors) and moments of calm—ideal for visitors who appreciate traditional Japanese garden aesthetics and leisurely sightseeing.
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  • Trip Point Pin21

    Naoshima Art Island (Benesse & Chichu Museums), Kagawa/Okayama region

    Naoshima is a singular contemporary art destination where architecture, site-specific installations and outdoor sculptures integrate with island life. The Benesse and Chichu Museums house major works (including by Chichu’s collection of Claude Monet and James Turrell) in architecturally striking spaces, while scattered art houses and outdoor pieces create an immersive cultural landscape—perfect for art lovers seeking modern creativity set against seaside scenery.
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  • Trip Point Pin22

    Miyajima — Itsukushima Shrine, Hiroshima

    Itsukushima’s iconic floating torii gate and shrine complex set against serene coastal views create one of Japan’s most photogenic and spiritually resonant scenes. The island blends Shinto architecture, wooded trails up Mount Misen, and tame deer roaming historic streets—offering ritual ambience, scenic hikes, and evocative sunrise/sunset photography.
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  • Trip Point Pin23

    Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, Hiroshima

    The park and museum provide a powerful, carefully documented exploration of the 1945 atomic bombing’s human impact and Hiroshima’s postwar peace advocacy. Visiting offers historical education, solemn reflection at the A-Bomb Dome and memorial cenotaph, and insight into resilience and global peace efforts—essential for understanding modern Japanese history.
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  • Trip Point Pin24

    Kōchi — Kochi Castle, Shikoku

    Kōchi Castle is one of Japan’s few original castles with intact main keep and samurai-era structures, set atop a hill with sweeping city views and peaceful castle grounds. The interior displays period artifacts and offers insight into feudal governance on Shikoku, while nearby markets and streets let you sample regional food culture and local history in an approachable, less-crowded setting.
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  • Trip Point Pin25

    Dogo Onsen Honkan, Matsuyama (Ehime)

    One of Japan’s oldest public bathhouses, Dogo Onsen Honkan is an iconic wooden onsen with historic architecture that inspired Studio Ghibli and retains traditional bathing culture. Visiting lets you soak in mineral-rich waters, experience communal bathing rituals, admire ornate interiors and enjoy the surrounding retro shopping streets and ryokan atmosphere—perfect for relaxation and cultural immersion.
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  • Trip Point Pin26

    Kumamoto Castle, Kumamoto

    Kumamoto Castle is a grand example of Japanese castle architecture with massive stone walls, reconstructed turrets and a restored main keep. Despite earthquake repairs, the site still conveys samurai-era power and offers informative exhibits, panoramic city views from the grounds, and beautifully landscaped castle parks that are especially lovely during cherry blossom season.
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  • Trip Point Pin27

    Aso Kuju National Park (Mount Aso), Kumamoto area

    Home to one of the world’s largest volcanic calderas, Mount Aso offers dramatic volcanic landscapes, grassy highlands, and accessible crater viewpoints. The park is ideal for scenic drives, hiking across rolling ridges, visiting pastoral villages and enjoying onsen fed by volcanic activity—appealing to outdoor enthusiasts, photographers and anyone intrigued by geologic scenery and wide-open natural vistas.
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  • Trip Point Pin28

    Beppu Onsen (hot-springs area), Oita

    Beppu is one of Japan’s most famous hot-spring centers, offering an enormous variety of onsen types—from public baths and ryokan baths to unique geothermal attractions like the “Hells” (Jigoku) for viewing colorful hot-spring pools. It’s ideal for soaking after long travel days, sampling different mineral waters thought to have therapeutic benefits, enjoying steam-scented street food, and experiencing lively onsen-town culture.
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  • Trip Point Pin29

    Nagasaki — Glover Garden and historical district

    Glover Garden sits on a hillside of preserved Western-style residences and gardens linked to the city’s 19th-century opening to foreign trade. It provides panoramic harbor views and insights into early modern cultural exchange, the lives of foreign merchants and influence on Japan’s industrialization. Combined with nearby historic districts (Dejima, Oura Church) it’s excellent for history lovers interested in Nagasaki’s cosmopolitan past and picturesque walks.
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  • Trip Point Pin30

    Kagoshima — Sakurajima Volcano viewpoint

    Sakurajima is an active, dramatic stratovolcano visible across Kagoshima Bay and a defining natural landmark of the region. Viewing points, ferry crossings and nearby observatories allow close appreciation of volcanic activity, ash-swept landscapes and powerful coastal scenery. The area also features hot springs, rugged shorelines and museums explaining volcanic geology—appealing to photographers, nature enthusiasts and those interested in dynamic natural forces.
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  • Trip Point Pin31

    Yakushima — Yakusugi (ancient cedar) trails

    Yakushima’s primeval cedar forests are a UNESCO World Heritage highlight: towering Yakusugi trees (some thousands of years old), misty moss-covered trails and ancient, otherworldly scenery offer immersive nature walks. Hikes like the Jomon Sugi route reward visitors with profound quiet, biodiversity (unique plants and wildlife) and a sense of deep time—excellent for hikers, photographers and anyone seeking a restorative wilderness experience.
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  • Trip Point Pin32

    Ishigaki Island — Kabira Bay viewpoint, Okinawa

    Kabira Bay showcases turquoise waters, dramatic coral-fringed scenery and classic Okinawan island vistas—ideal for panoramic viewpoints and photography. Though swimming is restricted to protect the coral, glass-bottom boat rides reveal vibrant marine life, and nearby markets and eateries let you sample regional tropical flavors. It’s a peaceful, scenic stop that captures Okinawa’s subtropical charm and coastal beauty.
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  • Trip Point Pin33

    Okinawa — Shurijo Castle Park, Naha

    Shurijo Castle Park preserves the cultural heart of the Ryukyu Kingdom with reconstructed Shuri Castle, ornate Ryukyuan architecture, ceremonial gates and museum exhibits on Okinawan history. The site offers panoramic Naha views, traditional crafts demonstrations and insight into a distinct regional culture with influences from China and Southeast Asia—making it essential for history, architecture and cultural-context seekers in Okinawa.
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