but not by the usual route along the Pacific coast known as the “Golden Route”, which

most tourists take.

Instead we are traveling through Japan's “New Golden Route” which delves into the

country's rural interior, continues along the beautiful Sea of Japan coast, and finishes

in Kyoto.

A great way to travel along this New Golden Route is using the Hokuriku Arch Pass, a seven-day

pass exclusively available to overseas tourists that allows for unlimited use of all the JR

Lines shown on this map, including the Hokuriku Shinkansen.

In episode one we made our way from Tokyo to the Snow Monkeys before episode two saw

us traveling along the Sea of Japan coast, through Kurobe gorge and to the mountain town

of Takayama.

Now in this third and final episode, we spend the last three days exploring an historic

city, beautiful countryside spots and an old merchant town before reaching our final destination:

Kyoto.

So join me, Sam Evans, as we travel from Tokyo to Kyoto along Japan's New Golden Route.

Day 5

Here's the plan: We wake up in Takayama, where we will spend the morning at one of

its popular morning markets.

We then head to Kanazawa, where we'll have a lunch and visit the famous Kenrokuen Garden,

before staying the night at a traditional Japanese ryokan.

So we've arrived this morning at one of Takayama's two morning markets.

Now these morning markets that are open daily sell a selection of crafts, local vegetables

and street food.

I'm starving, so let's go and get breakfast.

We then head over to Toyama via the Takayama Line, before taking the Hokuriku Shinkansen

to Kanazawa.

From Kanazawa Station we make the 15 minute walk to Omicho Market.

We've just arrived in Kanazawa and first of all we're gonna get some local cuisine

for lunch and following that we're gonna take a trip to Kenrokuen, one of the three

most beautiful gardens in all of Japan.

Let's go!

Two of the things Kanazawa is most famous for are its incredible seafood and gold leaf.

Now this restaurant that we are in today in Omicho Market combines the two and it looks

absolutely delicious.

We're here in Kenrokuen, a garden that was made for the enjoyment of the local lord who

in the feudal era was the second richest in all of Japan after the Shogun.

Today this garden is opened to the public

and stands at Kanazawa's number one tourist attraction.

Following our exploration of Kenrokuen,

we make the short walk to our accommodation for the night.

I'm currently enjoying a course dinner of Kanazawa haute cuisine accompanied by some

delicious local sake.

After this it's off to bed because we've got a big day tomorrow.

Kanpai.

Day 6

We leave Kanazawa behind and head on to Fukui Prefecture, where we'll partake in a Kimono

wearing experience and visit Maruoka Castle.

After a morning of kimono fun, we head to the Hakusan Heisenji Shrine before making

our way to Shiga Prefecture and the town of Omi Hachiman,

where our day will come to an end.

We take the Hokuriku main line from Kanazawa to Awara Onsen station, before taking a bus

to Maruoka Castle, where we will make the short walk to the kimono rental shop.

We have arrived at Maruoka Castle, one of only twelve in Japan whose keep has survived

since the feudal era.

From Maruoka Castle we take a bus to Eiheijiguchi Station and then board a train all the way

to Katsuyama Station, from where a taxi will take us to the Hakusan Heisenji Shrine.

We've just arrived at Hakusan Heisenji Shrine and this place is well known for the moss,

which as you can see covers a lot of the shrine grounds.

Now the atmosphere in this place is just absolutely serene, so let's go and check it out.

To end our day of exploration we take a train back through the countryside from Katsuyama

to Fukui, where we board a limited express train to Maibara before heading to Omihachiman

via a special rapid train.

The ryokan we will be staying at is around 30 minutes' walk from the station, or around

ten minutes by taxi.

So we've made it to the end of Day 6 of this incredible journey from Tokyo to Kyoto.

And tomorrow we've got yet another amazing day planned.

But I think for now it's time for a little bit of relaxation

before getting a good night's sleep.

Day 7

For the last day of our trip, we start with a boat ride along the Omihachiman canal, after

which we'll explore the old merchant district and indulge in a local delicacy for lunch.

Following that it's off to the final stop of our journey: Kyoto's Fushimi Inari Shrine.

So the canal that we are sailing on this morning was made by the local lord some centuries

ago and later it contributed heavily to Omi Hachiman's ascendency as a commercial hub.

Only a few minutes away from where the boat ride docks is Shinmachi-dori Street, along

which many historic buildings have been well-preserved.

So we're here at a restaurant inside the old merchant district and this restaurant

specializes in Omi Beef, the local delicacy.

Today we're going to eat it Sukiyaki Style and the way you do that is by cooking the

beef in this broth before having it with a little bit of raw egg.

It looks delicious and I cannot wait to dig in.

Back at Omi Hachiman Station, we take a 35-minute train ride to Kyoto, where we take the Nara

Line a couple of stops to Inari Station.

So we finally made it to our last destination on this 7 day tour from Tokyo to Kyoto, and

what better way to end a trip like this than at Kyoto's fantastic Fushimi Inari shrine.

And that concludes our amazing adventure along Japan's New Golden Route.

If you are looking for more information about this itinerary, click the links on the screen

now, or head over to japan-guide.com, your comprehensive, up-to-date travel guide, first-hand

from Japan.

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about Japan.

Happy travels.