Stay six nights in the city of Tokyo and go to Nikko, Kamakura and Yokohama on three day trips.

Visit Nikko, home to Toshogu, Japan's most lavishly decorated shrine and the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Kamakura used to be the political center of Japan in the 1200s. There are numerous temples, shrines and historical monuments to see all year, as well as sand beaches to go to in the summer.

Yokohama is about 30 minutes away from Tokyo, and is also Japan's second largest city. The port area is very lively with many malls, an amusement park, museums and one of the world's largest Chinatowns located nearby.

Travel to Hakone and spend the night there. The area is known for its hot springs, museums and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji.

Head to the Fuji Five Lakes area at the northern base of Mt. Fuji. There are plenty of hot springs and museums, and Fuji Q Highland, one of Japan's most popular amusement parks. Overnight in the Fuji Five Lakes area.

Leave the Fuji Five Lakes and head to Matsumoto in Nagano Prefecture, home to one of Japan's most beautiful original castles, Matsumotojo. Overnight in Matsumoto.

Head to Yamanouchi to see monkeys bathing in a natural hot spring at the Jigokudani Monkey Park. Overnight at a ryokan in one of Yamanouchi onsen towns.

Travel through the mountains to Kusatsu Onsen in Gunma Prefecture, one of Japan's best hot spring resorts. Overnight in Kusatsu. Note that shortest route between Yamanouchi and Kusatsu is closed during the winter.

Enjoy a last dip in Kusatsu's high quality hot spring water before returning to Tokyo. There is an option to drop by Karuizawa, an upmarket mountain resort, along the way.