If you want to dodge the "latte and workshop" trap, you need guides that prioritize topography, history, and spiritual context over lifestyle blogging. Here are the best resources for a traveler who wants substance:

1. Blue Guide Japan

The Blue Guide Japan is the "PhD level" of travel books. They skip the restaurant fluff and provide exhaustive detail on temple architecture, art history, and archaeology. If you want to know exactly why a 12th-century statue is significant, this is your source.

2. The Rough Guide to Japan

Unlike Lonely Planet, the Rough Guide maintains a gritty, informative edge. It excels at:

Cultural Context: Deep dives into Shintoism, Buddhism, and history.
The Outdoors: Extensive coverage of the Japanese Alps and the Kumano Kodo pilgrimage trails.

Music: Better coverage of subcultures and niche festivals.

3. Hiking in Japan (Lonely Planet - Specific Edition)

Forget the general LP guide. The Lonely Planet: Hiking & Tramping in Japan (or the newer Best Day Walks) is strictly about mountains, volcanoes, and coastal trails. It maps out the Northern Alps, Hokkaido’s national parks, and the Shikoku pilgrimage without mentioning a single "cute cafe."

4. Moon Japan by Jonathan DeHart
The Moon Japan guide is written by a long-term expat. It’s excellent for finding off-the-beaten-path nature spots and provides strategic itineraries that avoid the "consoomer" crowds in Kyoto and Tokyo.

5. Live Resources for Music & Festivals
Print guides fail at festivals. Use these for real-time planning:

Music: Check Resident Advisor Japan for underground electronic music and Time Out Tokyo for larger gigs.

Festivals: The Japan National Tourism Organization (JNTO) provides a massive database of traditional Matsuri.

Do you have a specific region (e.g., Hokkaido, Kyushu) or time of year in mind so I can pinpoint specific mountain routes or festivals?

>>2867441
The only "itinerary" you need is the cities and towns you'll be staying in.
Everything else can be improvised