Beyond Tokyo: Nikko, Karuizawa & Mt Fuji in 6 Days: Day-by-Day Itinerary
Base yourself in Tokyo for day trips to Nikko’s shrines and waterfalls and leafy Karuizawa, then head to Shizuoka for Mt Fuji views.
JapanBy trainNatureCulture & historyBlossom & foliage
Length6 days / 5 nights
CitiesTokyo, Nikko, Karuizawa, Shizuoka
CurrencyJPY Japanese yen
Best time to goMid-Oct to Nov for foliage; clear winter days give the best Fuji views; Karuizawa is a cool summer escape.
Day-by-day overview
Day 1 Arrive in TokyoDay 2 Nikko day tripDay 3 Karuizawa day tripDay 4 Shizuoka: Nihondaira × MihoDay 5 Fujinomiya × back to TokyoDay 6 Fly home
Day 1Arrive in Tokyo
11:00🚗 Transport
14:00🏨 Stay
Check in (add your hotel)
Type / platformHotel
Check-in / out15:00 / 11:00
LocationUeno or Tokyo Station 🧭
Ueno or Asakusa are handy for the Nikko trains.
16:00📍 Sight
18:30🍽 Food
Day 2Nikko day trip
07:30🚗 Transport
Tobu Limited Express to Nikko
Type / No.Train
LocationAsakusa Station 🧭
About 2 hours; consider the Nikko area pass.
10:00📍 Sight
Nikko Toshogu Shrine
Suggested time2.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationNikko Toshogu 🧭
Look for the Three Wise Monkeys and the Sleeping Cat carvings.
📸 Photo spot
12:30🍽 Food
13:30🚗 Transport
Bus to Lake Chuzenji
Type / No.Bus / coach
LocationLake Chuzenji 🧭
The Irohazaka road jams badly in foliage season.
14:30📍 Sight
Kegon Falls & Lake Chuzenji
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationKegon Falls 🧭
Much colder up here — bring a jacket.
📸 Photo spot🌸 Seasonal
17:30🚗 Transport
Day 3Karuizawa day trip
08:30🚗 Transport
10:00📍 Sight
Kumoba Pond
Suggested time1 hr
TicketsFree
LocationKumoba Pond 🧭
Stunning autumn reflections.
📸 Photo spot🌸 Seasonal
11:00📍 Sight
Old Karuizawa Ginza
Suggested time2 hrs
LocationKyu-Karuizawa Ginza 🧭
Jams, sausages and old-school cafés.
🍜 Must-eat
13:00🍽 Food
14:30📍 Sight
16:30📍 Sight
Karuizawa Prince Shopping Plaza
Suggested time2 hrs
Right by the station — shop, then hop on the Shinkansen.
🛍 Shopping list
19:00🚗 Transport
Day 4Shizuoka: Nihondaira × Miho
08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
08:30🚗 Transport
Tokaido Shinkansen to Shizuoka
Type / No.Train
LocationTokyo Station 🧭
1–1.5 hours; sit on the right (seat E) for a chance of Fuji.
10:30📍 Sight
Nihondaira Yume Terrace, Fuji views
Suggested time2 hrs
TicketsFree
LocationNihondaira Yume Terrace 🧭
📸 Photo spot
12:30📍 Sight
Nihondaira Ropeway & Kunozan Toshogu
Suggested time1.5 hrs
TicketsBuy on site
LocationKunozan Toshogu 🧭
14:00🍽 Food
15:30📍 Sight
18:00🏨 Stay
19:00🍽 Food
Day 5Fujinomiya × back to Tokyo
08:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Check your ID, phone and belongings; most hotels will hold luggage.
09:30📍 Sight
11:30📍 Sight
12:30🍽 Food
14:30🚗 Transport
17:30📍 Sight
19:30🏨 Stay
Day 6Fly home
09:00🏨 Stay
Check out
Type / platformHotel
Double-check passports, power banks and valuables.
10:30🚗 Transport
Head to the airport and fly home
Type / No.Flight
Aim to reach the airport 2.5–3 hours before an international flight.
🎟 Book these before you go
- Day 2｜Tobu Limited Express to Nikko: About 2 hours; consider the Nikko area pass.
🌦 Monthly temperatures: Tokyo, Nikko, Karuizawa, Shizuoka
| City / month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Tokyo High / low | 10° 2° | 11° 3° | 14° 6° | 19° 11° | 24° 16° | 26° 19° | 30° 23° | 31° 25° | 27° 21° | 22° 15° | 17° 9° | 12° 4° |
| Nikko High / low | 6° -5° | 7° -4° | 11° -1° | 17° 5° | 22° 10° | 24° 15° | 28° 19° | 29° 20° | 25° 16° | 19° 9° | 14° 3° | 9° -2° |
| Karuizawa High / low | 1° -9° | 2° -9° | 6° -5° | 13° 1° | 18° 6° | 21° 11° | 25° 16° | 26° 17° | 21° 13° | 15° 6° | 10° 0° | 4° -6° |
| Shizuoka & Mt Fuji High / low | 12° 2° | 12° 3° | 15° 6° | 19° 11° | 23° 15° | 26° 19° | 30° 23° | 31° 24° | 28° 21° | 23° 15° | 18° 9° | 14° 4° |
(typical averages — check the forecast before you go)
FAQ
How many days does Beyond Tokyo: Nikko, Karuizawa & Mt Fuji in 6 Days take?
It’s planned as 6 days / 5 nights with 34 stops (13 sights and 6 meals). Copy it and add or remove stops to suit your pace.
What should I book in advance?
We recommend booking or buying ahead: Tobu Limited Express to Nikko.
How do I make this template my own?
Tap “Use this template”, enter a name and start date, and an editable copy is created. Add your flights and hotels, adjust times and stops, then export a PDF or image to share.
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Note: opening hours, prices, timetables and entry rules change often — check official sources. This page offers general suggestions, not bookings or professional travel advice.