Day 1
Tokyo
(Tokyo)
Senso-ji stands as Tokyo's oldest temple and is approached through the famous Kaminarimon gate with its large lantern. Nakamise-dori is a long market street leading to the temple where vendors sell traditional crafts and snacks, perfect for browsing and tasting local treats. The temple grounds include incense burners, prayer areas, and the five-story pagoda, offering both spiritual atmosphere and photo opportunities. Visitors often observe rituals like coin offerings and bell ringing, which connect the site to centuries of local practice.
Day 3
Hakodate
Hakodate Morning Market is a lively seafood market near the station where fresh sashimi bowls and grilled scallops are common tastings. Mount Hakodate offers a ropeway to a 360° viewpoint that is especially popular at dusk for cityscape photos. Goryokaku Park is a star-shaped 19th-century fort converted into a public park with an observation tower providing aerial views. Motomachi District contains Western-style churches and historic slopes from the foreign settlement era, suitable for a leisurely walk and photos. Kanemori Red Brick Warehouses are waterfront structures turned into shops and cafés, ideal for shopping and harbor views.
Day 4
Aomori
/Hirosaki
Nebuta Museum WA RASSE showcases the illuminated floats and interactive elements of Aomori's Nebuta Festival and is great for learning about festival production. A-Factory on Aomori Bay highlights local apple products, ciders, and snacks in a waterside market setting. Sannai-Maruyama Site is a major Jomon-period archaeological park with reconstructed pit dwellings and artifacts, offering insight into prehistoric settlement. Aomori Bay Bridge is a modern cable-stayed bridge with scenic waterfront views and promenades. Hirosaki Castle, reachable by train, has historic grounds and famous cherry-tree gardens, ideal for a classic castle visit.
Day 5
Muroran
/Sapporo
/Otaru
(Sapporo)
Cape Chikyu offers dramatic cliffside views of the Pacific Ocean and a coastal walk with lighthouse vistas. Muroran Fish Market showcases local Hokkaido seafood in a compact market setting ideal for sampling fresh catches. Sapporo Beer Museum traces the brewery's history with exhibits and tastings and sits near beer gardens serving local dishes. Otaru Canal features historic warehouses converted to cafés and glass shops, providing a picturesque stroll and artisan shopping. Hokkaido Shrine in Maruyama Park is a tranquil Shinto site surrounded by trees and seasonal festivals.
Day 11
(Crossing International Dateline)
Day 14
Vancouver
/North Vancouver
Stanley Park has seawall walks, Totem Poles, beaches, and forested trails offering city and harbor views, suitable for walking or biking. Granville Island hosts the Public Market, artisan studios, and food vendors, perfect for sampling local foods and browsing galleries. Gastown is a historic district with cobblestone streets, boutiques, and the Steam Clock, offering a compact walk through Victorian-era buildings. Capilano Suspension Bridge Park features a long suspension bridge, canopy walkways, and rainforest trails, with shuttle access from downtown.
Day 15
North Vancouver
/Vancouver
(Vancouver)
Grouse Mountain offers a Skyride to summit viewpoints, wildlife displays, and seasonal outdoor activities, suitable for a 1.5–2.5 hour visit. Vancouver Lookout is a 360° observation tower downtown that provides quick panoramic views and orientation for the city. The Museum of Anthropology at UBC houses extensive Northwest Coast Indigenous art and artifacts with galleries that combine historical context and contemporary voices. Queen Elizabeth Park is a landscaped hillside park with formal gardens, the Quarry Garden, and city overlooks for a relaxed walk.