Japan 5-Day Trip: Tokyo & the Alps to Kanazawa
Tokyo, Japan · 5 days · 7 stops · Light
Cultural · History · Nature · Food
- Destination
- Tokyo, Japan
- Duration
- 5 days
- Travel style
- Cultural
- Interests
- History · Nature · Food
- Region
- Asia
- Best time
- Mar-May
From gateway to destination
- GatewayNRTNarita International Airport
- Day 1Tokyo — east & west1 stops · 08:30 – 08:30
- Day 2Tokyo — center1 stops · 08:30 – 08:30
- Day 3To Takayama2 stops · 09:00 – 14:00
- Day 4Shirakawa-go & Kanazawa2 stops · 08:30 – 16:00
- Day 5Kanazawa — Kenrokuen1 stops · 08:00 – 08:00
- DestinationTokyoJapan
Tokyo's core, then the alpine route north: Takayama's old town, Shirakawa-go's thatched roofs and Kanazawa's gardens.
- Multi-City
- Culture
- Rail
Journey highlights
01
The thatched gassho roofs
- 02
Kenrokuen at opening
- 03
The alpine limited express
Day-by-day itinerary
Day 01
Tokyo — east & west
1 stops · 08:30 – 08:30
- 08:30Senso-ji; Meiji and Shibuya
Next stop
Tokyo — east & westTokyo — center
Day 02
Tokyo — center
1 stops · 08:30 – 08:30
- 08:30Tsukiji, Ginza, the towers
Next stop
Tokyo — centerTo Takayama
Day 03
To Takayama
2 stops · 09:00 – 14:00
- 09:00The limited express through the Alps
- 14:00Takayama's old town & sake breweries
Next stop
To TakayamaShirakawa-go & Kanazawa
Day 04
Shirakawa-go & Kanazawa
2 stops · 08:30 – 16:00
- 08:30The thatched gassho village
- 16:00Kanazawa's Higashi Chaya at dusk
Next stop
Shirakawa-go & KanazawaKanazawa — Kenrokuen
Day 05
Kanazawa — Kenrokuen
1 stops · 08:00 – 08:00
- 08:00Kenrokuen at opening & Komatsu
Where to eat in Tokyo
Omicho Market
Kanazawa seafood bowls · $$
Takayama hida gyu
Alps beef · $$
Gold-leaf cafés
Kanazawa · $
Journey practicalities
- Gateway
- NRT · Narita International Airport
- Time zone
- Asia/Tokyo
- Currency
- USD
- Scheduled stops
- 7
- Journey pace
- Light
When to go
Mar-May
April–June and October–November are ideal; winter turns Shirakawa-go into a snow-globe.
- Best months
- Mar-May
- Climate score
- Excellent · 86/100
Journey budget
640 USD
Estimated total for 5 days covering accommodation, local transport, food and the 7 scheduled stops. International flights are not included.
- Per day
- 128 USD
- Scheduled stops
- 7
Where to stay in Tokyo
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Tokyo travel guides
- Tokyo Foodie Guide 2026: 3 Days of Culinary HeavenThree days of eating Tokyo properly: sushi breakfast at Tsukiji Outer Market, vintage-hopping lunches in Shimokitazawa, yakitori under the tracks in Omoide Yokocho, and a solo-booth ramen ritual worth planning around.13 min read
- How Many Days in Tokyo? The Honest AnswerThree days, five days, or a full week: the honest tradeoffs for Tokyo in 2026 — jet-lag math, what each length sacrifices, and when day trips to Hakone, Nikko, or Kamakura start to make sense.10 min read
- Is Tokyo Expensive? A 2026 Cost CheckTokyo's expensive reputation is a decade out of date: the food and the trains are the developed world's best value, while rooms and taxis are the honest bite. A 2026 reality check, weak yen included.10 min read
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