Our top 4 train itineraries with the JR Pass 21 days in Japan
Use the JR Pass (or Japan Rail Pass) for your entire itinerary during your trip to Japan and enjoy the convenience of JR lines!
The JR Pass, which comes in 7, 14 and 21-day versions, is a pass that offers travel on the entire national JR train and bus network, including the high-speed Shinkansen 🚅 lines.
The JR 21-day pass can quickly prove necessary when your several-week trip spans the entire territory and therefore includes long distances to cover. With 21 days of travel, you can easily discover the must-see places of the archipelago thanks to JR train lines that lead everywhere! This pass can also be used to take themed itineraries, if you wish to explore one of Japan's many facets in depth during your trip.
Route 1: Crossing Japan
From Sapporo to Fukuoka, cross Japan in 21 days with the Shinkansen included in the Japan Rail Pass! With this itinerary, Japan's major cities will hold no secrets for you. Refresh yourself in the north of the archipelago, exploring Hakodate and Sapporo, the major cities of Hokkaido and Sendai, Hachinohe and Morioka in Tohoku. You can then head off to Japan's landmarks, including Mount Fuji and the magnificent city of Kyoto. Between your stops in Hiroshima and Osaka, you'll catch some sun in Kyushu with a day in Fukuoka. Temples, sanctuaries, electric districts, gardens and lakes - you'll be spoilt for choice during these 21 days!
Day 1: Tokyo → Sendai = ¥11,000 (1 h 30)
Day 2: Sendai → Hakodate = ¥18,000 (3 h 50)
Day 3: Hakodate
Day 4: Hakodate → Sapporo = ¥9,440 (3 h 45)
Day 5: Sapporo
Day 6: Sapporo → Hachinohe = ¥18,900 (5 h)
Day 7: Hachinohe → Morioka = ¥4,000 (30 min)
Day 8: Morioka → Odawara (Hakone) = ¥17,980 (3 h 10)
Day 9: Hakone
Day 10: Hakone → Kyoto = ¥12,000 (2 h)
Day 11: Kyoto
Day 12: Kyoto*
Day 13: Kyoto → Hiroshima = ¥12,000 (2 h)
Day 14: Hiroshima
Day 15: Hiroshima → Fukuoka = ¥8,500 (1 h)
Day 16: Fukuoka
Day 17: Fukuoka → Okayama = ¥12,000 (2 h)
Day 18: Okayama
Day 19: Okayama → Osaka = ¥5,600 (1 h)
Day 20: Osaka
Day 21: Osaka → Tokyo = ¥13,800 (3 h)
= ¥143,400 (JR Pass: ¥100,000) 43.4% savings 💴
*Day-trip possible to Nara or Kobe
Some places to see:
- Kyoto: Gion district, Fushimi-Inari taisha, Arashiyama bamboo grove
- Sapporo: Susukino, Sapporo TV tower, Buddha hill
- Morioka: Morioka Hachimangu, Morioka Central District, Hoonji temple
Route 2: In the mountains
This route is for lovers of hiking and winter sports! Everyone knows Mount Fuji, Japan's highest mountain, but 80% of Japan's territory is also mountainous! Here, you'll discover both volcanic landscapes in the north, with Daisetsuzan and Jigoku-dani, and mountain ranges, with the Japanese Alps between Tokyo and Kyoto. Each destination has nearby hiking or winter sports resorts, making this itinerary suitable for all seasons! And if you want to relax between hikes, stop off at an onsen or in one of the big cities (Kyoto, Sapporo) for a stroll and a change of scenery!
Day 1: Tokyo ↔ Miitake = ¥2,000 (1 h 30)
Day 2: Tokyo → Hakodate = ¥24,160 (4 h 45)
Day 3: Hakodate → Usu = ¥5,920 (3 h)
Day 4: Usu → Sapporo = ¥5,500 (2 h 15)
Day 5: Sapporo → Asahikawa = ¥5,000 (1 h 30)
Day 6: Asahikawa → Sounkyo = ¥4,500 (2 h 10)
Day 7: Sounkyo
Day 8: Sounkyo → Sapporo = ¥6,300 (3 h 20)
Day 9: Sapporo
Day 10: Sapporo → Noboribetsu = ¥4,780 (1 h 15)
Day 11: Noboribetsu
Day 12: Noboribetsu→ Aomori = ¥14,480 (3 h 50)
Day 13: Aomori
Day 14: Aomori → Sendai = ¥11,800 (2 h 10)
Day 15: Sendai → Nagano = ¥17,400 (2 h 30)
Day 16: Nagano → Toyama = ¥7,600 (45 min)
Day 17: Toyama ↔ Kurobe Gorge
Day 18: Nagano → Komoro = ¥3,000 (50 min)
Day 19: Nagano → Kyoto = ¥14,500 (3 h 30)
Day 20: Kyoto
Day 21: Kyoto → Tokyo = ¥13,000 (2 h)
= ¥139,940 (JR Pass: ¥100,000) 39.9% savings 💴
Some mountains to see:
Sounkyo → Daisetsuzan crater
Komoro → Mount Asama
Tokyo → Mount Miitake
Usu → Mount Usu
Tips:
- Note that the JR Pass can be used on JR train lines in major cities such as Tokyo or Osaka to allow you to navigate more easily within the metropolises!
- If your plane lands in Tokyo and departs from Kansai airport, don't return to Tokyo for the last day, and use this day in a region where you'd like to deepen your visit!
Route 3: From beach to beach
Travelling in Japan doesn't have to be all about cultural and urban tourism. A number of beautiful beaches are easily accessible by train with the JR Pass, each with its own unique scenery. On the Sea of Japan coast(Matsue, Tottori), the beaches are similar to those in Southeast Asia, surrounded by mountains and lush vegetation. Around Shikoku(Hiroshima, Takamatsu to Shimoda), beaches with fine sand and clear water await you. Miyazaki and Katsuura are Japan's favorite surfing spots. For a change from salt water, Lake Biwa also offers heavenly beaches not far from Kyoto, where you can relax in the sun. Finally, Miho no Matsubara beach near Shizuoka is one of the few beaches with a magnificent view of Mount Fuji. Of course, there's always more to discover in every location! Check out our articles on each city to find out more!
Day 1: Tokyo → Katsuura = ¥3,500 (1 h 30)
Day 2: Katsuura → Kamakura = ¥4,600 (2 h 50)
Day 3: Kamakura
Day 4: Kamakura → Izukyu-Shimoda = ¥4,800 (2 h 30)
Day 5: Izukyu-shimoda → Shizuoka = ¥5,100 (2 h 20)
Day 6: Shizuoka → Kyoto = ¥9,900 (1 h 30)
Day 7: Kyoto ↔ Omimaiko
Day 8: Kyoto → Okayama = ¥7,100 (1 h 20)
Day 9: Okayama → Takamatsu = ¥1,600 (55 min)
Day 10: Takamatsu
Day 11: Takamatsu → Hiroshima = ¥6,900 (1 h 40)
Day 12: Hiroshima
Day 13: Hiroshima → Fukuoka = ¥8,500 (1 hr 40)
Day 14: Fukuoka → Miyazaki = ¥11,800 (4 h 20)
Day 15: Miyazaki
Day 16: Miyazaki → Fukuoka = ¥11,800 (4 h 20)
Day 17: Fukuoka → Matsue = ¥11,800 (5 h)
Day 18: Matsue
Day 19: Matsue → Tottori = ¥3,500 (40 min)
Day 20: Tottori
Day 21: Tottori → Kyoto = ¥11,000 (4 h)
= ¥103,900 (JR Pass ¥100,000) 3.9% savings 💴
Some beaches and places to see :
Tottori → Iwami beach / Tottori dunes
Miyazaki → Aoshima beach / Aoshima Shrine
Takamatsu → Chichibugahama beach / Takamatsu castle
If you'd like to explore the magnificent beaches of Lake Biwa, not just on the Kyoto side, but all around it, don't hesitate to check out our excursion: The Lake Biwa Bike Tour !
Cycling around Lake Biwa!
Route 4: At the heart of spirituality
In this itinerary centered around temples and shrines, explore Buddhist and Shinto architecture throughout the country! The archipelago is brimming with places of worship, each more different than the last. Learn more about Japan's history and visit cities like Kyoto, home to several thousand temples and almost 400 shrines. Many of the temples and shrines are located in the countryside, whether by the sea, in the mountains or in the forest. This route therefore allows you to visit both the rural and urban sides of the places of worship.
Day 1: Tokyo ↔ Nikko = ¥10,000 (2 h)
Day 2: Tokyo ↔ Utsunomiya = ¥5,000 (3 h)
Day 3: Tokyo → Kamakura = ¥1,000 (50 min)
Day 4: Kamakura → Shizuoka = ¥6,000 (1 h 45 min)
Day 5: Shizuoka → Ise = ¥7,000 (3 h)
Day 6: Ise
Day 7: Ise → Kii-Katsura = ¥5,200 (3 h)
Day 8: Kii Katsura → Kyoto = ¥8,450 (4 h)
Day 9: Kyoto ↔ Nara = ¥1,500 (40 min)
Day 10: Kyoto ↔ Uji = ¥1,200 (20 min)
Day 11: Kyoto → Hiroshima = ¥10,000 (2 h)
Day 12: Hiroshima ↔ Miyajima = ¥1,500 (1 h)
Day 13: Hiroshima → Fukuoka = ¥8,500 (1 h)
Day 14: Fukuoka
Day 15: Fukuoka → Matsue = ¥11,800 (5 h)
Day 16: Matsue
Day 17: Matsue → Okayama = ¥6,100 (2 h 50)
Day 18: Okayama → Takamatsu = ¥1,600 (50 min)
Day 19: Takamatsu → Kyoto = ¥8,800 (2 h 30)
Day 20: Kyoto → Tokyo = ¥13,000 (2 h)
Day 21: Tokyo
= ¥106,850 (JR Pass: ¥100,000) 6.8% savings 💴
Some temples and shrines to see:
Fukuoka → Tocho-jo, Nanzo-in, Joten-ji
Utsunomiya → Oya-ji, Utsunomiya Futaarayama-jinja
Okayama → Kibitsu-jinja