Japan's Finest: The Perfect Itinerary

First time visiting Japan, but looking for an itinerary beyond the Golden Triangle [Tokyo, Kyoto, & Osaka]? This itinerary efficiently combines these cities with smaller traditional villages, serene gardens, the magical nature of the Nagano and Wakayama Prefectures, and small islands. The itinerary is designed for a time span of two weeks onwards. Covering all places in two weeks, like we did, results in a packed planning. By stretching the time span, one can personalize the itinerary; while one person might decide to spend some additional time on Naoshima, others will prefer to book an additional night in the city of Osaka. Next to the diverse palette of places, this itinerary includes plenty of recommendations for tearooms, restaurants, and hotels. All pictures are taken by myself.