Guide Map to the Goldent Route + options

The classic trip to Japan have long been, I and think still is, what people call the “golden route”. Quickly, the itinerary would be to visit Tokyo, take the shinkansen to Kyoto/Osaka with the optional detour to Hiroshima.

One thing is sure, this route is still highly popular, but a lot of people are trying to customize their experience of this classic route. The aim of this guide map is to offer an highlight of the different transport options between the different regions and possible stops and daytrips that are in distance of the golden route.

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[MAP AVAILABLE HERE](https://www.google.com/maps/d/drive?state=%7B%22ids%22%3A%5B%221yscusZ_Iw_ZT_t3EoRUUvBjuPf0t5Ufn%22%5D%2C%22action%22%3A%22open%22%2C%22userId%22%3A%22102236763575830555205%22%7D&usp=sharing)

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**How to use it**

The general idea is to start in Kanto or Kansai and reach the other regions, or loop back to your point of origin. There is several options on how to plan your trip. You can decide to have a limited number of “hub” that you will use to do day trips or overnight trip, follow a route and change accommodation frequently, make a stop on the way between two location, or even a mix of all. The main routes on the map are to show what are the easiest option when planning your next move.

All the points and routes are divided in 5 groups. City and routes include links to Japan-Guide, Japantravel and other relevant links for transportation options when available.

1. Kanto – Centerer on Tokyo
2. 5 main routes between Tokyo and Chubu (4 of them could be split in 2 routes from Tokyo to Nagano/Matsumoto, then 4 routes from there to Chubu)
3. Chubu – Centered on Nagoya and Toyama as transport hub
4. 4 main routes between Chubu and Kansai
5. Kansai – Centered on Osaka and Kyoto, this include route to Hiroshima.

**Legend**

* Shape
* Star : Top 5 (classic Golden Route)
* Big square : Most popular location
* Small square : Lesser know location
* Color
* Blue : Transport hub or day trips and detour inside the 3 main regions
* Various color : Main routes and stop on each of the routes between the different regions
* Black : International airport and extra routes (to show more options) or to reach “daytrip” destination

**Transport**

This map is centered on the use of public transportation. Obviously, JR does offer access to many of these location, so the JR Pass or one of the regional pass can be a good option, however, some routes would require to use private railway, bus or other method of transportation. Highway bus are also available between several of these locations. Look at city and routes, they includes links to train/bus pass. Here are other links not in the map

* [Japan Guide Rail Pass list](https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2357.html)

**Note / Tips**

Several locations can be done as day trips, but many would benefit from an overnight stay to have more time to visit or or even better, to enjoy a ryokan with onsen.

Not all possible railway and bus lines are indicated here, you can research a bit more the transport options for each points, Japan Guide is a good start as they have access pages for most location.

When looking at rail pass, compare different scenarios and try to be creative. For example, even if you can use the JR Pass to go to Nikko, look at Tobu Nikko pass in addition, this can allow you to be more relax on your schedule for the trip to Nikko, give you more time on your JR Pass to go to Kansai and it also include local bus. Similarly, if you want to stop by Hakone on the way to Kansai, you might want to start the JR Pass when you leave Hakone, so you can have one extra day of JR Pass to spend in Kansai for the price of the transport from Tokyo to Hakone.

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Note: Doing some major additions

1. Add Prefectures outline
2. Will move all city in the region group and only keep the main routes in the routes group
3. Add more location (7-8 by prefecture)
4. Add more information, major attraction and local dish
5. Adding emoji for some major highlight (Onsen, shrine/temple, nature, garden, castle, sakura, autumn color, great view).

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To help you can

* Send links to add to the transport list or to any point/route
* Suggest more points
* Any other comment
* Should I add extra links when available, such as JNTO and regional tourism websites ?