Three weeks in Japan allows you to go beyond the Golden Route and experience a more complete picture of the country — slower travel, the Japan Alps, Kyushu's volcanic landscapes, or Hokkaido's wilderness. This itinerary covers the classic circuit plus Kanazawa and Kyushu.
Route Overview
Tokyo (4 nights) → Matsumoto/Hakone (2 nights) → Kyoto (4 nights) → Kanazawa (2 nights) → Hiroshima (1 night) → Fukuoka (2 nights) → Nagasaki or Beppu (2 nights) → Osaka (2 nights) → Tokyo departure. JR Pass 21-day (¥100,000) covers the full route.
Days 1–4: Tokyo
Same as the 2-week itinerary for the first 4 days — cover Asakusa, Shibuya, Harajuku, Shinjuku. Day 4 addition: teamLab Borderless (Azabudai Hills) — book in advance, full afternoon.
Days 5–6: Matsumoto & Japanese Alps
Day 5: Azusa limited express from Shinjuku to Matsumoto (2.5 hrs). Matsumoto Castle (black castle, considered Japan's most beautiful original castle), old town walking. Day 6: Optional Kamikochi (alpine valley, 1 hr by bus — April–November) or continue to Hakone via Nagoya by shinkansen.
Days 7–10: Kyoto
Four full days in Kyoto — cover all major temple zones without rushing. Day 7: East Kyoto (Fushimi Inari + Higashiyama). Day 8: Arashiyama. Day 9: North Kyoto (Kinkakuji, Ryoanji). Day 10: Philosopher's Path + Nanzenji + optional Daitokuji.
Days 11–12: Kanazawa
Hokuriku Shinkansen from Kyoto (~2.5 hrs via Tsuruga connection). Kenrokuen Garden, Higashi Chaya geisha district, Nagamachi samurai district, 21st Century Museum. Omicho Market for fresh crab lunch.
Days 13–14: Hiroshima & Miyajima
Shinkansen from Kanazawa via Osaka to Hiroshima. Peace Memorial Museum, Miyajima Island overnight.
Days 15–16: Fukuoka
Shinkansen to Fukuoka (45 min from Hiroshima). Yatai food stalls, Hakata tonkotsu ramen, Kushida Shrine, Ohori Park. Day trip to Dazaifu Tenmangu.
Days 17–18: Beppu or Nagasaki
Beppu (Oita): Japan's largest onsen city — 8 "hells" (boiling hot spring spectacles), dramatic steam everywhere, excellent onsen ryokan. OR Nagasaki: Atomic bomb history (Nagasaki Peace Park), Glover Garden, Chinatown, the most European-feeling city in Japan.
Days 19–20: Osaka
Return to Osaka by shinkansen. Dotonbori, Shinsekai, Umeda Sky Building. Final night splurge dinner.
Day 21: Departure
Kansai Airport (Osaka) for international departure, or shinkansen back to Tokyo (Haneda/Narita).