Bollywood director and choreographer Farah Khan recently shared glimpses of her Japan trip across social media, offering a window into an itinerary that balances natural beauty, cultural heritage, and picturesque small-town charm. For Indian travelers planning their own Japan journey, her route touches on three destinations that belong on most first-time lists: Nara, Mount Fuji, and the mountain village of Shirakawa-go.
The trip underscores what many Indian visitors discover — Japan rewards slower exploration. Khan’s itinerary wasn’t packed with back-to-back cities but instead lingered in places where the experience is tactile and unhurried.
Nara Park: Deer, Temples, and an Hour From Kyoto
Nara Park sits just 45 minutes by train from Kyoto and is famous for its population of over 1,000 free-roaming sika deer, considered messengers of the gods in Shinto belief. Visitors can buy senbei (deer crackers) from vendors and feed the animals, though the deer are known to bow politely — and sometimes nudge insistently — for treats.
Beyond the deer, the park sprawls across 500 hectares and contains Todai-ji Temple, home to a 15-meter bronze Buddha statue, one of the largest in Japan. The temple itself dates to the eighth century and remains a UNESCO World Heritage site. If you’re planning a side trip from Kyoto or Osaka, Nara works as a comfortable half-day or full-day excursion.
Indian travelers heading to Japan for the first time will find the visa process straightforward, as we covered earlier.
Mount Fuji: Viewing Japan’s Most Recognizable Peak
Khan’s itinerary included views of Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest mountain at 3,776 meters and a near-spiritual symbol of the country. While the official climbing season runs from early July to mid-September, most travelers visit to photograph the mountain from surrounding viewpoints rather than summit it.
Popular viewing spots include the Fuji Five Lakes region, particularly Lake Kawaguchi, and the Chureito Pagoda near Fujiyoshida, which frames the peak against a classic five-story pagoda. Winter offers the clearest views, though cloud cover can obscure the mountain at any time of year — patience and an early start improve your odds.
Access from Tokyo takes around two hours by train or bus. If you’re staying in the capital and want a day trip, the journey pairs well with a stop in Hakone, a hot-spring town with its own mountain and lake scenery.
Shirakawa-go: Gassho-Zukuri Houses Under Snow
Perhaps the most visually striking stop on Khan’s trip was Shirakawa-go, a UNESCO World Heritage village in the mountains of Gifu Prefecture. The hamlet is known for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses — steep-thatched roofs built to withstand heavy snowfall. Some are over 250 years old and still inhabited, while others have been converted into museums, guesthouses, and restaurants.
Winter transforms the village into a scene from a storybook, with roofs blanketed in snow and evening illuminations held on select nights. The contrast between traditional architecture and mountain silence makes it one of Japan’s most photographed rural destinations.
Getting there requires planning. Most visitors travel via bus from Takayama or Kanazawa, both of which are accessible by limited express train from Tokyo or Osaka. The village is small enough to walk in a few hours, though staying overnight in a farmhouse offers a deeper immersion. Book well in advance if you’re traveling during peak seasons or illumination dates.
What Indian Travelers Should Know
Japan continues to see a surge in Indian visitors, partly thanks to improved connectivity and a growing interest in East Asian culture. Recent joint ventures between airlines are making the route more competitive, and budget accommodation options like Hoshino Resorts’ OMO brand are widening choices beyond traditional business hotels.
The three destinations Khan visited — Nara, Fuji, and Shirakawa-go — can be threaded into a single 10- to 14-day itinerary alongside Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Japan Rail Pass holders will find most routes covered, though buses are necessary for Shirakawa-go.
If you’re drawn to mountain villages and quiet landscapes, Japan offers dozens of similar pockets across Nagano, Tohoku, and Hokkaido. The country’s tourism infrastructure supports independent travel well, even for first-timers, and English signage is common at major sites.
Khan’s trip is a reminder that Japan rewards those who step outside the metro hubs and spend time where the pace is slower and the views linger.
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