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Week 1: Tokyo and Tohoku
- Day 1 to 4: Tokyo with day trips to Nikko and Kamakura.
- Day 5: Tohoku shinkansen to Sendai.
- Day 6: Matsushima Bay day trip.
- Day 7: Continue north on Hayabusa to Aomori or Shin Hakodate Hokuto.
Itinerary
21 day JR Pass itinerary across Japan
A 21 day JR Pass is the ultimate way to see Japan from north to south. This itinerary balances big cities, mountains, hot springs and coastlines with every shinkansen leg included.
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Week 2: Hokkaido and back south
- Day 8 to 9: Hakodate including the night view.
- Day 10 to 11: Sapporo and Otaru.
- Day 12: Noboribetsu onsen.
- Day 13: Long shinkansen back to Tokyo with a Sendai stopover.
- Day 14: Hakone for hot springs and Mount Fuji.
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Week 3: Kansai and Kyushu
- Day 15 to 17: Kyoto with day trips to Nara and Osaka.
- Day 18: Hiroshima and Miyajima.
- Day 19: Sanyo shinkansen to Hakata.
- Day 20: Beppu or Yufuin onsen.
- Day 21: Back to Tokyo or fly out from Fukuoka.
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Pricing and tips
A 21 day ordinary JR Pass costs 80,000 yen, around the price of one round trip Tokyo to Sapporo with side trips. The pass pays back easily on this itinerary and the green car upgrade adds comfort on long rides.
Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to common questions.
Is a 21 day JR Pass worth it?
Yes for travellers going from Hokkaido to Kyushu. Single shinkansen tickets for this route easily exceed the pass cost.
Can I split the 21 days?
No. Once activated the pass runs for 21 consecutive days.
Should I upgrade to green?
Often yes on long itineraries. Wider seats and quieter cars matter when you ride often.
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