21 days in Japan, the grand tour

D1Arrive at Haneda or Narita; Asakusa and Senso-ji in the evening.

D2Shibuya and Harajuku, Meiji-jingu shrine, SHIBUYA SKY.

D3Shinjuku: Shinjuku Gyoen, the view from the Government Building, Omoide Yokocho at night.

D4Day trip to Nikko on the Tobu train (+ 200 ¥ on busy days) or Kamakura; your suitcase leaves for Kyoto.

D5Romancecar and the Hakone loop; a night in a ryokan, with a small bag.

D6Hikari from Odawara to Nagoya, then the Hida train: about 4 hr in all.

D7The morning market along the Miya River, the old Sanmachi district.

D8Bus to Shirakawa-go, 3 hr in the village, then a bus to Kanazawa.

D9Kenroku-en garden, the Higashi Chaya district, Omicho Market.

D10Change at Tsuruga, 1 hr 43 to 2 hr 07; Fushimi Inari in the afternoon.

D11Kiyomizu-dera, Higashiyama and Gion.

D12Day trip to Nara: the deer, the Great Buddha of Todai-ji.

D13Arashiyama and the Golden Pavilion.

D14Shinkansen, about 1 hr 40; the Peace Memorial Park and Museum.

D15Miyajima, by JR train and ferry, timed with the tide.

D16Shinkansen, about 1 hr 05; the Nakasu yatai stalls at night.

D17Dazaifu, half an hour away on the Nishitetsu train, then Fukuoka.

D18Kumamoto (38 min by Shinkansen) or Nagasaki (1 hr 25 to 1 hr 51, one change).

D19Nozomi from Hakata, 2 hr 31; Dotonbori at night.

D20The castle, Kuromon Market or Universal Studios Japan.

D21Departure: train to Kansai Airport.