One-week Japan Itinerary for repeat visitors (6)
(Saitama, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Fukushima, Chiba Prefectures)
To foreign travelers who have already been to Japan many times and would like to visit more places in Japan!
We have created model routes outside the so-called “Golden Routes” such as Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto, and Osaka. Please use it as a reference for your future itineraries.
The sixth route is a tour of Saitama, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Fukushima, and Chiba Prefectures. We have created a travel route that starts and ends at Narita International Airport, takes 6 nights and 7 days, and has a budget of Yen 200,000 or less.
This itinerary includes one World Heritage Site, three national treasure buildings, two national preservation districts for groups of traditional buildings, and two gardens, allowing visitors to fully enjoy Japan’s proud culture and scenery. In particular, it is a rare opportunity to visit Nikko Toshogu Shrine and Ouchi-juku, two of Japan’s most popular sightseeing spots, on the same day.
Table of Contents
Day1（Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture）
Day2（Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture、Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture）
Day3（Mito City, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture）
Day4（Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture, Minami-Aizu County, Fukushima Prefecture）
Day5（Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture）
Day6（Minami-Aizu County, Yama County, Fukushima Prefecture）
Day7（Katori City, Chiba Prefecture）
Itinerary Model Plan Overview and Main Costs (per person)
Departure and arrival airports Narita International Airport Destinations Saitama, Tochigi, Ibaraki, Fukushima, Chiba Prefectures Overnight stay Utsunomiya City, Tochigi Prefecture, Aizuwakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture JR TOKYO Wide Pass (Yen) 10,180 Accommodation for 7 days (Yen) 62,250 Meals for 7 days (Yen) 70,000 Other Expenses(Yen) 44,730 Total trip cost for 7 days (Yen) 187,160
Note: JR TOKYO Wide Pass is calculated based on 3-day reserved seat fare and meals are 10,000 yen per day. However, half-board accommodations are suggested for nights 4-6.
Day1（Kumagaya City, Saitama Prefecture）
1, Narita International Airport
2, Menumashoudenzan Kangi-in Temple (National Treasure)
Source: Kumagaya City
Recommended meal on Day 1
Kumagaya Horudon
Himokawa udon
Botamochi
Day 1 Itinerary details 1, From Narita International Airport 2, To Menumashoudenzan Kangi-in Temple Transportation Narita Express No. 18 Limited Express to Ofuna Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Narita Airport Station Departure Time 11:44 Arrival Station Tokyo Station Arrival Time 12:44 Lunchtime Around Tokyo Station Transportation Hokuriku Shinkansen Asama No.615 to Nagano Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Tokyo Station Departure Time 14:04 Arrival Station Kumagaya Station Arrival Time 14:41 Transportation Bus (to Menumashouden-mae) Fare (Yen) 480 Departure Station Kumagaya Station Departure Time 14:51 Arrival Station Menumashouden-mae Arrival Time 15:19 Transportation 2 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 2, Menumashouden Kangi-in Temple URL http://www.ksky.ne.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 700 2, From Menumashoudenzan Kangi-in Temple To Utsunomiya Station Transportation 2 min. walk. Transportation Bus (to Kumagaya Station) Fare (Yen) 480 Departure Station Menumashouden-mae Departure Time 16:23 Arrival Station Kumagaya Station Arrival Time 16:54 Transportation Joetsu Shinkansen Toki No.330 to Tokyo Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Kumagaya Station Departure Time 17:02 Arrival Station Omiya Station Arrival Time 17:15 Transportation Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen Yamabiko No.149 to Sendai Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Omiya Station Departure Time 17:25 Arrival Station Utsunomiya Station Arrival Time 17:48 Example of Accommodations Daiwa Roynet Hotel Utsunomiya URL https://www.daiwaroynet.jp/ Standard twin 27 sq.m. 2 persons per room No meals Price per person for 3 nights (Yen) 20,250 Recommended meal on Day 1 Kumagaya Horudon Himokawa udon Botamochi
Day2（Saitama City, Saitama Prefecture、Ashikaga City, Tochigi Prefecture）
1, Railway Museum
2, Ashikaga Gakko (Ashikaga School) (National Historic Site)
3, To Banna-ji Temple (National Treasure)
4, Ashikaga Flower Park
Recommended meal on Day 2
Shimotsukare
Chitake Soba
Source : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries web site
Utsunomiya Gyoza
Day 2 Itinerary Details From Utsunomiya Station 1, To Railway Museum Transportation Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen Yamabiko No.208 to Tokyo Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Utsunomiya Station Departure Time 09:06 Arrival Station Omiya Station Arrival Time 09:35 Transportation New Shuttle to Uchijuku Fare (Yen) 190 Departure Station Omiya Station Departure Time 09:50 Arrival Station Tetsudohakubutsukan Station Arrival Time 09:52 Transportation 3 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 1, Railway Museum URL https://www.railway-museum.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 1,330 1, From Seisonkaku 2, To Ashikaga Gakko (Ashikaga School) Transportation 3 min. walk Transportation New Shuttle to Omiya Fare (Yen) 190 Departure Station Tetsudohakubutsukan Station Departure Time 12:09 Arrival Station Omiya Station Arrival Time 12:12 Lunchtime Around Omiya Station Transportation Shonan Shinjuku Line to Utsunomiya Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Omiya Station Departure Time 13:11 Arrival Station Kuki Station Arrival Time 13:31 Transportation Tobu Nikko/Kinugawa Liberty Ryomou No.15 to Akagi Fare (Yen) 1,050 Departure Station Kuki Station Departure Time 13:35 Arrival Station Ashikaga-shi Station Arrival Time 14:06 Transportation 13 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 2, Ashikaga Gakko (Ashikaga School) URL https://www.city.ashikaga.tochigi.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 420 2, From Ashikaga Gakko (Ashikaga School) 3, To Banna-ji Temple Transportation 3 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 3, Bannaji Temple URL http://www.ashikaga-bannaji.org/ Admission fee (Yen) Free 3, Banna-ji Temple 4, Ashikaga Flower Park Transportation 11 min. walk Transportation Ryomo Line to Oyama Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Ashikaga Station Departure Time 15:43 Arrival Station Ashikaga Flower Park Station Arrival Time 15:49 Transportation 2 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 4, Ashikaga Flower Park URL https://www.ashikaga.co.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 1,200 4, From Ashikaga Flower Park To Utsunomiya Station Transportation 2 min. walk Transportation Ryomo Line to Oyama Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Ashikaga Flower Park Station Departure Time 18:14 Arrival Station Oyama Station Arrival Time 18:53 Transportation Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen Yamabiko No.217 to Sendai Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Oyama Station Departure Time 19:17 Arrival Station Utsunomiya Station Arrival Time 19:28 Recommended meal on Day 2 Shimotsukare Chitake Soba Utsunomiya Gyoza
Day3（Mito City, Hitachinaka City, Ibaraki Prefecture）
1, Kairakuen Garden（National Historic Site and Place of Scenic Beauty, one of three great gardens of Japan）
2, Hitachi Seaside Park
3, Art Tower Mito
Recommended meals on Day 3
Soboro natto
Vinegared monkfish
Source : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries web site
Kinpira lotus root
Source : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries web site
Day 3 Itinerary Details From Utsunomiya Station 1, To Kairakuen Garden Transportation Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen Nasuno No.268 to Tokyo Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Utsunomiya Station Departure Time 08:33 Arrival Station Oyama Station Arrival Time 08:44 Transportation Mito Line to Katsuta Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Oyama Station Departure Time 09:08 Arrival Station Mito Station Arrival Time 10:24 Transportation Bus (to Kencho Bus Terminal) Fare (Yen) 290 Departure Station Mito Station Departure Time 10:40 Arrival Station Senbayama Arrival Time 10:51 Transportation 1 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 1, Kairakuen Garden URL https://ibaraki-kairakuen.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 300 1, From Kairakuen Garden 2, To Hitachi Seaside Park Transportation Bus (to Senba Shimohongo) Fare (Yen) 290 Departure Station Kairakuen Departure Time 12:15 Arrival Station Mito-Eki-Kitaguchi Arrival Time 12:38 Lunchtime Around Mito Station Transportation Tokiwa No. 61 Limited Express to Katsuta Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Mito Station Departure Time 13:45 Arrival Station Katsuta Station Arrival Time 13:50 Transportation Bus (to Kaihin Koen Minamiguchi) Fare (Yen) 400 Departure Station Katsuta Station Departure Time 14:10 Arrival Station Kaihin Koen Nishiguchi Arrival Time 14:26 Sightseeing spots, facilities 2, Hitachi Seaside Park URL https://hitachikaihin.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 450 2, From Hitachi Seaside Park 3, To Art Tower Mito Transportation Bus (to Katsuta Ekimae) Fare (Yen) 400 Departure Station Kaihin Koen Nishiguchi Departure Time 16:23 Arrival Station Katsuta Ekimae Arrival Time 16:40 Transportation Tokiwa No. 76 Limited Express bound for Shinagawa Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Katsuta Station Departure Time 13:45 Arrival Station Mito Station Arrival Time 13:50 Transportation Bus (to Hachimangu Shrine) Fare (Yen) 170 Departure Station Mito Sta. Departure Time 17:00 Arrival Station Mito geijutsukan/Shimura byoin-mae Arrival Time 17:06 Sightseeing spots, facilities 3, Art Tower Mito URL https://www.arttowermito.or.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 200 3, From Art Tower Mito To Utsunomiya Station Transportation Taxi Fare (Yen) 1,000 Dinnertime Around Mito Station Transportation Joban Line to Oyama Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Mito Station Departure Time 19:30 Arrival Station Oyama Station Arrival Time 20:56 Transportation Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen Nasuno No.271 to Nasushiobara Fare (Yen) Included in JR TOKYO Wide Pass Departure Station Oyama Station Departure Time 21:12 Arrival Station Utsunomiya Station Arrival Time 21:22 Recommended meals on Day 3 Soboro natto Vinegared monkfish Kinpira lotus root
Day4（Nikko City, Tochigi Prefecture、Minami-Aizu County, Fukushima Prefecture）
1, Nikko Toshogu Shrine（World Heritage, National Treasure）
2, Ouchi-juku（National preservation districts for groups of traditional buildings）
Recommended meals on Day 4
Nikko yuba rice bowl
Mimi udon
Takato soba
Day 4 Itinerary details From Utsunomiya Station 1, To Nikko Toshogu Shrine Transportation Nikko Line to Nikko Fare (Yen) 770 Departure Station Utsunomiya Station Departure Time 07:38 Arrival Station Nikko Station Arrival Time 08:20 Transportation Taxi Fare (Yen) 1,000 Sightseeing spots, facilities 1, Nikko Toshogu Shrine URL https://www.toshogu.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 1,300 Lunchtime Around Nikko Toshogu Shrine 1, From Nikko Toshogu Shrine 2, To Ouchi-juku Transportation Taxi Fare (Yen) 1,000 Transportation Tobu Nikko Line to Minami Kurihashi Fare (Yen) 420 Departure station Tobu Nikko Station Departure Time 12:30 Arrival station Shimo-Imaichi Station Arrival Time 12:39 Transportation Tobu Nikko/Kinugawa Liberty Aizu No.119 to Aizu Tajima Fare (Yen) 2,560 Departure station Shimo-Imaichi station Departure Time 12:44 Arrival station Aizu Tajima Station Arrival Time 14:09 Transportation Aizu Railway Relay No.119 to Aizu Wakamatsu Fare (Yen) 740 Departure station Aizu Tajima Station Departure Time 14:14 Arrival station Yunoue Onsen Station Arrival Time 14:43 Transportation Saruyu-go Fare (Yen) 1,100 Departure station Yunokami Onsen station Departure Time 14:45 Arrival station Ouchi-juku Arrival Time 15:05 Sightseeing spots, facilities 2, Ouchi-juku URL https://ouchi-juku.com/ Admission fee (Yen) Free of charge 2, From Ouchi-juku To Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Transportation Taxi Fare (Yen) 2,000 Transportation Aizu Railway to Aizu Wakamatsu Fare (Yen) 1,050 Departure station Yunokami Onsen Station Departure Time 17:09 Arrival station Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Arrival Time 17:57 Example of Accommodations Oyado Toho URL Deluxe Twin Room 21.9 sq.m. 2 persons per room 1 night with 2 meals Price per person for 3 nights (Yen) 42,000 Recommended meals on Day 4 Nikko yuba rice bowl Mimi udon Takato soba
Day5（Aizu-Wakamatsu City, Fukushima Prefecture）
1, Aizu Sazae-do（National Important Cultural Property）
2, Tsurugajo Castle (National Historic Site)
3, Oyakuen（National Place of Scenic Beauty）
4, Aizu Buke Yashiki
5, Nisshinkan
Recommended meal on Day 5
Kozuyu
Source : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries web site
Pickled Herring in sansho
Sweetened boiled carp
Source : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries web site
Day 5 Itinerary Details From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 1, To Aizu Sazae-do Transportation 2 min. walk Transportation Bus (to Oyakuen nishiguchi) Fare (Yen) 180 Departure Station Wakamatsueki-mae Departure Time 09:15 Arrival station Iimoriyama-shita Arrival Time 09:20 Transportation 4 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 1, Aizu Sazae-do URL http://www.sazaedo.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 400 1, From Maruoka Castle 2, To Tsurugajo Castle Transportation Bus (to Higashiyama Onsen Station) Fare (Yen) 210 Departure station Iimoriyama-shita Departure time 10:20 Arrival station Tsurugajo San-no-Maruguchi Arrival time 10:44 Transportation 6 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 2, Tsurugajo Castle URL https://www.tsurugajo.com/ Admission fee (Yen) 500 2, From Tsurugajo Castle 3, To Oyakuen Transportation Bus (to Higashiyama Onsen Station) Fare (Yen) 210 Departure station Tsurugajo San-no-Maruguchi Departure time 11:52 Arrival station Oyakuen Arrival time 11:59 Lunchtime Around Oyakuen Sightseeing spots, facilities 3, Oyakuen URL https://www.tsurugajo.com/ Admission fee (Yen) 330 3, From Oyakuen 4, To Aizu Buke Yashiki Transportation 15 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 4, Aizu Buke Yashiki URL http://bukeyashiki.com/ Admission fee (Yen) 850 4, From Aizu Buke Yashiki 5, To Nisshinkan Transportation Bus (to Wakamatsueki-mae) Fare (Yen) 590 Departure station Aizu Buke Yashiki-mae Departure time 15:10 Arrival station Kogai-jinja-mae Arrival time 15:18 Transportation Bus ([10] to Kosaka [kyudou]) Fare (Yen) Included in the fare from Aizu Bukeyashiki Mae Departure station Jikuyo-jinja-mae Departure time 15:38 Arrival station Hayama Danchi Arrival time 16:04 Transportation 1 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 5, Nisshinkan URL https://nisshinkan.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 620 5, From Nisshinkan To Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Transportation 16 min. walk Transportation Bus (to Yonedai 2-chome) Fare (Yen) 350 Departure Station Hirota Ekimae Departure Time 17:29 Arrival Station Wakamatsu Ekimae Bus Terminal Arrival Time 17:44 Recommended meal on Day 5 Kozuyu Pickled Herring in sansho Sweetened boiled carp
Day6（Minami-Aizu County, Yama County, Fukushima Prefecture）
1, Tou-no-hetsuri（National Natural Monument）
2, Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum
3, Lake Inawashiro sightseeing（Lake Inawashiro belongs to Bandai-Asahi National Park）
Recommended meals on Day 6
Cabbage mochi
Source : Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries web site
Horse-meat sashimi
Shingoro
Day 6 Itinerary Details From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 1, To Tou-no-Hetsuri Transportation Tadami Line Rapid Relay No.130 to Aizu Tajima Fare (Yen) 1,150 Departure Station Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Departure Time 09:37 Arrival station Tou-no-hetsuri Station Arrival Time 10:17 Transportation 6 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 1, Tou-no-hetsuri URL https://www.aizu-concierge.com/ Admission fee (Yen) Free 1, From Tou-no-hetsuri 2, To Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum Transportation 6 min. walk Transportation Aizu Railway Rapid AIZU Mount Express No.1 to Aizu Wakamatsu Fare (Yen) 1,150 Departure Station Tou-no-hetsuri Station Departure Time 11:12 Arrival station Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Arrival Time 11:56 Lunchtime Around Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Transportation Ban-Etsu-Sai Line to Koriyama Fare (Yen) 510 Departure Station Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Departure Time 12:20 Arrival station Inawashiro Station Arrival Time 12:50 Transportation Bus (to Kin-no-hashi) Fare (Yen) 300 Departure Station Inawashiro Station Departure Time 13:05 Arrival station Noguchi Hideyo kinen-kan Arrival Time 13:11 Sightseeing spots, facilities 2, Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum URL https://www.noguchihideyo.or.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) 800 2, From Hideyo Noguchi Memorial Museum 3, To Lake Inawashiro sightseeing Transportation Bus (to Kin-no-hashi) Fare (Yen) 500 Departure Station Noguchi Hideyo kinen-kan Departure Time 14:23 Arrival station Nagahama Arrival Time 14:27 Transportation 2 min. walk Sightseeing spots, facilities 3, Lake Inawashiro sightseeing URL https://i-kankousen.co.jp/index.html Admission fee (Yen) 1,500 3, From Lake Inawashiro sightseeing To Aizuwakamatsu Station Transportation Bus (to Inawashiro Station) Fare (Yen) 500 Departure Station Nagahama Departure Time 17:32 Arrival station Inawashiro Station Arrival Time 17:45 Transportation Ban-Etsu-Sai Line to Aizu-Wakamatsu Fare (Yen) 510 Departure station Inawashiro Station Departure Time 17:58 Arrival Station Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Arrival Time 18:30 Recommended meals on Day 6 Cabbage mochi Horse-meat sashimi Shingoro
Day7（Katori CIty, Chiba Prefecture）
1, Historic area of Sawara（National preservation districts for groups of traditional buildings）
Recommended Meals on Day 7
Namerou (Miso based fish tartar)
Sanga-yaki (grilled sardines)
Sardine dumpling soup
Day 7 Itinerary Details From Aizu-Wakamatsu Station 1, To the historic area of Sawara Transportation Ban-Etsu-Sai Line Rapid Aizu No.2 to Koriyama Fare (Yen) 1,170 Departure Station Aizu-Wakamatsu Station Departure Time 08:30 Arrival station Koriyama Station Arrival Time 09:34 Transportation Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen Yamabiko 52 to Tokyo Fare (Yen) 8,340 Departure Station Koriyama Station Departure Time 09:34 Arrival Station Tokyo Station Arrival Time 11:16 Lunchtime Around Tokyo Station Transportation Bus (to Choshi Station) Fare (Yen) 1,900 Departure Station Bus Terminal Tokyo Yaesu Departure Time 11:55 Arrival Station Sawara Station Arrival Time 13:28 Sightseeing spots, facilities 1, Historic area of Sawara URL https://www.city.katori.lg.jp/ Admission fee (Yen) Free 1, From the Historic area of Sawara To Narita International Airport Transportation Narita Line to Chiba Fare (Yen) 680 Departure Station Sawara Station Departure Time 12:48 Arrival Station Narita Station Arrival Time 13:03 Transportation Narita Line Rapid Narita Airport Fare (Yen) Included in the fare from Sawara Station Departure Station Narita Station Departure Time 15:32 Arrival Station Narita Airport Station Arrival Time 15:43 Recommended Meals on Day 7 Namerou (Miso based fish tartar) Sanga-yaki (grilled sardines) Sardine dumpling soup