We meet at Kansai International Airport (KIX), which is a landmark in its own right, as it was built right in the sea on an artificial island. Then we will head by train to Osaka and check into our hotel.

Osaka is a bubbling, lively metropolis, second in importance perhaps only to Tokyo. The locals have raised food to a true cult, which is described by the expressive word "kuidaore" — literally "eat until you drop." We will definitely try the local street food: the famous octopus dough balls (takoyaki) and hearty Japanese pancakes (okonomiyaki).

In the evening, we will go up to the observation deck to see the shining sea of neon signs from a bird's-eye view. And after that, we will go down to wander around Osaka on foot: lively quarters with numerous shops and cafes, as well as ancient quiet alleys hidden from prying eyes, await us.

If you want to supplement your trip with a visit to Kyoto and Nara, we advise you to arrive in Osaka 1–2 days earlier. The cities can be easily reached on your own — the journey from the center takes only 30–50 minutes, so you will have the opportunity to quietly see the famous temples of Kyoto and the tame deer of Nara even before the start of the tour.

In the morning, we will head to the Kaiyukan Aquarium — one of the largest in the world. Its special feature is a unique circular structure. We will go up to the very top and then smoothly descend in a spiral around a giant 34-meter tank. It creates a complete feeling that we are diving to the ocean floor. During this walk, we will have time to "visit" both icy Antarctica and the Great Barrier Reef. Along the way, we will see more than 600 species of animals: from tiny mollusks to huge rays and the main stars of the aquarium — impressive whale sharks.

After lunch, we will head to the mountainous part of the country. On the shinkansen — the famous Japanese high-speed train — we will reach Nagoya in just one hour. Then we will transfer to a regional train, which will take us to Takayama in about 2,5 hours. The road will pass among the picturesque mountain landscapes of the Japanese Alps, and in the evening we will check into our hotel and rest before the next day of the journey.

Today we will travel back in time and see a completely different Japan — quiet and hidden in the mountains. Takayama has preserved this appearance thanks to centuries of trade in elite timber: local merchants were so wealthy that they built houses to last for centuries. Our walk will begin in the historic Sanmachi Suji quarter. We will walk past Edo-period estates, visit family-run artisan shops and look into ancient distilleries where sake is still made according to old recipes.

Then we will visit Takayama Jinya — the only administrative building of this type in Japan that has survived to this day. In the 17th–19th centuries, the region was governed and taxes were collected from here. Here you can examine the austere tatami rooms where officials received petitions and calculated taxes. And nearby are the remains of a samurai castle, reminding of the city's feudal history.

The next stop is the Hida no Sato folk village. Authentic gassho-zukuri peasant houses were brought here and carefully restored. You can easily recognize them by their huge, steep thatched roofs. The daily life of peasants has been recreated inside, their tools are on display, and master craftsmen often hold open classes.

The final chord of the day will be the Showa Era Museum, which will transport us to the recent past — into the 1950s–1980s. This is a real portal to post-war Japan at the peak of its economic miracle. Looking at vintage toys, the first color televisions, old advertising signs and apartment interiors, you will see how rapidly the daily life of the Japanese changed just a couple of generations ago.

In the morning, we will head out for a dose of pure drive to an unusual attraction — Gattan Go! The organizers converted an abandoned railway line in the mountains into rail mountain bikes. You will ride through dark tunnels, across old bridges and deep canyons. Physical fitness does not matter: electric motors are installed on the structures, so pedaling on uphills will be easy and comfortable, while stunning mountain views flash around you.

Having ridden to our heart's content, we will make a stop in the secluded town of Furukawa. Its calling card is quiet canals, in the clear water of which the whitewashed walls of ancient quarters are reflected. Here, time seems to have stood still.

In this town, we will visit a workshop where traditional Japanese warosoku candles are made by hand. This rare craft has lived here for almost three hundred years. Unlike paraffin ones, these candles are created exclusively from plant materials — rice wax and oils, thanks to which they look almost smokeless and burn with a special, soft flame. We will see the whole process from the inside, and in the shop at the workshop, you can choose an authentic souvenir to remember.

Closer to evening, we will return to the hotel in Takayama.

Today we will head to the Kamikochi Valley — one of the most picturesque corners of the Japanese Alps. The path runs past transparent rivers and lakes, in which, as in a mirror, the mountains are reflected. One of the most photogenic places on the route is the flooded Dakesawa forest, where the silhouettes of dried trees rise from the crystal water. Wildlife here is very close: along the way, it is easy to meet local macaques or timid deer. And to avoid encountering the owners of these places — bears, special bells are installed on the route. It is enough to ring them to warn wild animals of your presence.

After an active day, relaxation in a traditional Japanese ryokan awaits us. We will settle into rooms with tatami and futons, swim in onsen hot springs and end the day with a kaiseki dinner. Local chefs will prepare dishes from seasonal farm products and local delicacies, paying special attention to the beautiful presentation of each dish.

In the morning, we will head to Matsumoto to see one of the best-preserved medieval castles in Japan. Because of its black walls and elegant outlines, it is poetically called the Black Crow Castle. The main tower has practically not changed since the end of the 16th century, so today we can see the fortress almost exactly as it was several centuries ago.

Then our route will lead to Nagano. This city has an unusual history: unlike standard trade or castle settlements, it was formed around the Zenko-ji Buddhist temple, built back in the 7th century. A most valuable relic is hidden within its walls — one of the first Buddhist statues in the country, which is hidden from the eyes of ordinary visitors. However, every guest can take part in a mystical ritual. We will go down into the underground labyrinth Okaidan Meguri and try to walk through it in absolute darkness. The task is to move by touch along the wall and find a hidden metal lock. It is believed that touching this "key to paradise" grants a person spiritual cleansing.

After a full day, we will check into a modern hotel in Nagano, where we can fully rest.

In the morning, we will set out along a picturesque mountain serpentine — Route 292, which will lead us to the Shibu Pass at an altitude of more than two thousand meters. From here, a view opens up to the giant Kusatsu-Shirane volcano, recognized as one of the most active in Japan.

Our main goal is the summit of the volcano. We will reach the central crater, at the bottom of which lies an acid lake, whose water has a turquoise hue due to a high concentration of minerals. Nearby is a crater whose last eruption occurred in 2018. Traces of volcanic activity are clearly visible here: frozen streams of slag, a young volcanic cone, and areas of forest affected during the eruption.

By evening, we will return to Nagano, where you can quietly rest after a day spent in the mountains.

Attention! Since Kusatsu-Shirane remains an active volcano, seismic services sometimes block access to the summit for safety reasons. In this case, we will go on an alternative trekking lasting about three hours. The route will pass through volcanic marshes and small lakes surrounded by mountain forest-tundra. Along the way, we will see multicolored mineral deposits and picturesque ponds in which the surrounding peaks are reflected.

In the morning, we board the shinkansen high-speed train and in a couple of hours reach Tokyo — the bustling and multifaceted Japanese capital.

First, we will head to the Hamarikyu Landscape Park. Several centuries ago, shogun clans hunted on these lands, but today it is a quiet oasis in the middle of a noisy business center. Here, ancient ponds, elegant wooden bridges, and an authentic tea pavilion spread out right at the foot of glass skyscraper towers.

Then the silence of nature will be replaced by the Ginza district — the hub of fashion, expensive shops, and modern architecture. We will walk past futuristic buildings, boutiques, and conceptual art galleries. Shopping lovers can look into the famous 12-story Uniqlo department store, which has become a cult place in the district.

We will put the final point in our journey in a completely different location — the atmospheric Yurakucho quarter. This is a real-life frame from cyberpunk movies: dozens of tiny bars and eateries are hidden right under the overpasses of the rumbling railway. It is the perfect place to order traditional street food, raise glasses, and say "Kanpai!" together in honor of the completion of the trip.

Today our journey through Japan comes to an end. You can choose a flight for any convenient time and get to the airport on your own. From Tokyo Main Station, it is easy to reach both Haneda and Narita.

If your flight is scheduled for the evening, or if you have decided to extend your vacation in the capital for a couple more days, use this time to walk around two of the city's most contrasting points.

If you have a few free hours left before your departure or if you decided to extend your trip, it is worth walking around the capital a bit more. We recommend visiting the Meiji Shrine complex, surrounded by a large forest park. Despite the popularity of this place, it is easy to feel the silence here and temporarily forget that you are surrounded by one of the largest cities in the world.

After that, you can look into Harajuku — a district that has long become a symbol of modern Japanese pop culture. On its streets, you can find the most unusual outfits, bright shops, and fashionable cafes. Here you can take memorable pictures in traditional purikura photo booths, find original souvenirs, or just observe the atmosphere of one of the most unusual districts in Tokyo.