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Planning a trip to Japan with friends? This 8-day itinerary fits perfectly! Explore the hidden gems of Hokuriku, the fairy-tale houses of Shirakawa-go, visit the thousand torii gates, get close to the deer in Nara, enjoy views of Mt. Fuji from Miho no Matsubara, plus two free days to plan as you like—relaxing and fun at the same time
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✨Itinerary:
D1: Osaka Castle Park > Shinsaibashi > Dotonbori
D2: Free day in Osaka. You can plan your own schedule or join a 1-day tour with lunch and transportation for 600 CNY per person
D3: Nara Park > Kinkaku-ji > Fushimi Inari Taisha > thousand torii gates. Interact with deer and visit ancient temples and the famous torii gate scenery
D4-5: Eiheiji Temple > Higashi Chaya District > Shirakawa-go > Kurobe Gorge > Senso-ji > Nakamise Shopping Street. Deep dive into Hokuriku’s hidden gems, stroll through fairy-tale Shirakawa-go and historic streets, and explore Tokyo’s shopping districts
D6: Free day in Tokyo. Plan your own schedule
D7: Mt. Fuji 5th Station > Oshino Hakkai > Miho no Matsubara. Enjoy spectacular views of Mt. Fuji, visit charming villages, and beautiful coastline
D8: Fly from Nagoya Airport back to Shanghai, ending your wonderful trip to Japan
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Attraction recommendations:
Osaka Castle Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Address: 1-1 Osaka Castle, Chuo Ward, Osaka
Opening hours: Open all day
Recommended visit time: 1–3 hours
From mid-February to early March, over 1,200 plum trees of 100+ varieties bloom across the park, creating stunning photo opportunities with Osaka Castle’s main tower. A leisurely and comfortable visit
Dotonbori ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Address: 1 Chome Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071 Japan
Opening hours: Open all day
Recommended visit time: 3–5 hours
Explore Hozenji Yokocho Alley and touch the lucky stone, take a river cruise to see the neon signs on both sides, and enjoy a variety of Osaka’s famous foods—easy and satisfying
Nara Park ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Address: Nara, Japan
Opening hours: Open all day
Recommended visit time: 1–3 hours
Take your time to pet the deer, visit Todai-ji and Kasuga Taisha, and in late winter to early spring, enjoy plum blossoms with the deer for a truly Nara experience
Shirakawa-go ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Address: Ogimachi, Shirakawa, Ono District, Gifu 501-5627 Japan
Opening hours: 8:00 AM–5:00 PM
Recommended visit time: 3–5 hours
A UNESCO World Heritage site featuring traditional gassho-zukuri houses. In autumn, the red and yellow maple leaves contrast beautifully with the thatched roofs, like stepping into a vintage manga
Kurobe Gorge ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐
Address: Utsuzuki Town, Kurobe City, Toyama Prefecture
Opening hours: Open all day
Recommended visit time: 3–5 hours
Ride a retro red train through the gorge, enjoy the healing red maple scenery along the valley, relax in hot springs midway, and take it slow—perfect for a trip with friends
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✈️Travel checklist:
📋 Always bring your passport + Japan tourist visa. Print copies in advance and store separately to avoid trouble if the original is lost
🔌 Japan uses two flat-pin plugs. Bring a universal adapter. Digital travelers should pack extra charging cables and power banks
📱 Buy a Japan SIM card or eSIM in advance for internet, navigation, and guide access. It’s more cost-effective than roaming
👚 August in Japan is hot and rainy. Pack quick-dry short sleeves, a light jacket, a folding umbrella, and a comfortable pair of sandals
💊 Bring your usual medications and mosquito repellent. Convenience store repellents aren’t as handy as your own
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That’s it for this Japan group tour guide. Feel free to leave questions anytime. Have a great trip 🥳