This concludes the itinerary if you plan to return to Tokyo the same day. The best way to get back is by shuttle bus, and the last one departs at 17:40. If you miss it, you’ll need to take multiple trains to return.

However, if you have a half-day to spare during your trip in Japan, you could stay overnight in Sawara and explore the extra area listed next in the itinerary. It’s primarily a large shrine complex—nice, but nothing extraordinary. When deciding whether to stay or head back to Tokyo, consider this: If your Japan itinerary is already packed, I’d recommend returning to Tokyo the same day and skipping the next stop. But if you have some extra time and aren’t sure how to spend it, staying overnight in Sawara could be a good option.