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10 Days in Japan: A First-Timer’s Complete Japan Itinerary

last Updated: May 9, 2024 hiroshima japan kyoto miyajima nara osaka tokyo

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Looking for the best way to spend 10 days in Japan? You’re in the right place!

Continue reading for tons of first-hand tips, recommendations, and a complete 10 day Japan itinerary, which can easily be turned into two weeks in Japan if you’ve got a few more days. I absolutely LOVED my time in the country, and with some proper planning, I can guarantee you will too.

Heading to Japan soon?! Check out this COMPLETE 10-DAY JAPAN ITINERARY filled with exactly how I spent my 10 days in Japan, which could easily be expanded to 2 weeks in Japan.

Japan is over-stimulating and over-whelming in the best way possible. An absolute thrill to the senses.

From the shiny bright lights of Tokyo’s Akihabara District to the serene temples and zen gardens in Kyoto , Japan is a country where the past and the future collide more than you initially realize.

I can promise you that every bite of food will be better than the last, and you’ll be saying oishi (“delicious” in Japanese) during every meal.

If you can visit during cherry blossom season, you’re in for a real treat – the streets will be lined with the most beautiful bunches of white and pale pink flowers you’ve ever imagined, which in turn makes the country smell absolutely phenomenal.

Japan is quite literally the most fascinating country I’ve explored to date. (And I just hit my goal of 30 countries by my 30th birthday a few months ago!) #killingit

I’d love to spend more time in Japan, and am highly encouraging everyone I know to discover this little piece of Asia sooner than later. So today, I am sharing with you my 10 day Japan itinerary, all heavily researched (for hours!) before my trip and followed pretty much to a T.

Overview of this 10 Day Japan Itinerary

When I initially started planning my trip, I was worried that 10 days in Japan wouldn’t be enough. Thankfully, I proved myself wrong and was able to see and do oh so much , as well as stuff myself silly with all those Japanese snacks I had heard so much about. [Spoiler alert: bring stretchy pants.]

The country is filled with so many fascinating areas, but 10 days in Japan will give you enough time to see the highlights. To be completely honest, this Japan itinerary is rather jam packed, yet highly efficient (I promise!), although I suggest slightly modifying it if you’d like a more relaxed trip or are traveling with kids.

While we’re at it, check out all my travel planning tips right over here!

This Japan itinerary starts in Tokyo , makes a day trip to either Kamakura, Nikko, or Hakone, then ventures south to Kyoto , with day trips to Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Miyajima Island. Distances really depend on the mode of transport you use, with bullet trains being the fastest.

Days 1-3 : Tokyo
Day 4: day trip from Tokyo
Days 5-6: Kyoto
Day 7 : Nara and Osaka
Day 8 : Miyajima and Hiroshima
Day 9 : morning in Kyoto → Tokyo
Day 10: Tokyo in morning/afternoon → airport

Japan is a decently large-sized island country located in Eastern Asia, being slightly smaller than California . Rest assured, the entire country is connected via trains. In my experience, Japan may have the most efficient and well-connected public transportation system in the world (and that’s coming from someone who spent their childhood riding the extensive New York City subway).

Despite holding the title for the 10th most populated country in the world (aka: it’s crowded), you can still find some peace and solitude in the many gardens and temples located just about everywhere.

Pre-Travel Guide to Japan

Where to get the best flight deals to japan:.

I swear by Skyscanner and Google Flights , and always always always use these two sites when looking for airfare. The option to watch prices and get email notifications are top notch and one of my favorite features of the two.

Always check budget airlines that may not be listed, especially if you are coming from other areas in Asia with shorter flight times. A great list of budget airlines can be found here .

For reference, we flew premium economy on China Airlines with a short layover in Taipei for about $1200 round trip from San Francisco – during Easter and cherry blossom season – but I saw deals for under $800 in coach. [I’m not complaining about the upgrade that my husband insisted on buying, but know that cheaper flights are out there.]

If you’re coming from the East Coast USA, flights will be a bit more expensive but shouldn’t be more than $500 more or so.

Where to stay:

In an effort to keep things simple (and avoid changing accommodation every night or two – what a pain!), this itinerary will have you staying in 2 main areas (Tokyo and Kyoto).

I highly advise booking accommodations near centrally located train stations in each as it’ll be easiest for the day trips mentioned in the 10 day Japan Itinerary below.

I opted to stay near Shibuya Station in Tokyo, as it’s centrally located and easy to reach other districts. In Kyoto we stayed near Kyoto Station as we were taking a bunch of day trips and wanted to be able to walk to our accommodation easily after a long, busy day on the road bullet train.

Luxury: Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel
Mid-Range: Shibuya Excel Hotel Tokyo
Budget: Shibuya Tokyu Rei Hotel
Check out other hotels in Tokyo here.
Luxury: Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Mid-Range: Kyoto Century Hotel
Budget: Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto
Check out other hotels in Kyoto here.
Yado Kiramachi
Kyoto Takasegawa Bettei
Muromachi Yutone Kyokoyado

Airbnb is also a great option and a good way to save some money if you’re spending a few nights in one spot (always check the cleaning and booking fees, as these can greatly increase the price should you only need a 1-night stay).

New rules regarding Airbnb rentals were implemented in June 2018, and now listings must be registered and display a license number on their booking page. Thankfully all current listings on Airbnb are compliant (the company removed any which failed to register in 2018), so you can be sure your booking is absolutely legit.

While I’d love to recommend the Airbnbs we stayed in during our trip to Japan, they are no longer available. However, there’s tons more to choose from – just check out the Airbnb website .

When to visit:

There’s never a horrible time to spend 10 days in Japan, but each season has their pros and cons.

Spring : If you’re hoping to see the ever-so-beautiful cherry blossoms, April is your best bet. That being said, it’s also the month most people visit Japan for that very reason. I visited in early to mid-April, and while yes it was crowded, the beauty of the cherry blossoms found throughout the country was well worth it.

Fall : Autumn is another wonderful time to visit Japan, as you’ll get to experience the vibrant fall colors (bright red leaves) from September to November.

Summer (June to August) is hot, humid, and rainy (although the rain tends to dissipate in early July), while winter (Dec-Feb) is generally cool, sunny, dry and great for snow-sports in the mountains.

Note that weather varies dramatically throughout the country, so be sure to plan accordingly especially if you visit higher altitudes.

Read Next: When to Visit Japan (Weather, Seasons, Festivals, and Crowds)

Planning a trip and confused about the best month to visit Japan?! Keep on reading, because I’ll not only be dishing out info on when to visit Japan, but when to avoid the crowds, best times to see those beloved cherry blossoms, and when you can get the best bang for your buck.

How to get Japanese Yen:

I highly advise you to NOT exchange your money at a currency exchange kiosk before or after you land as you won’t get the best rates. Instead, take out local currency (Japanese Yen) at the airport via ATM machine.

If you travel quite frequently, consider applying for a Charles Schwab bank account. The company refunds any and all fees associated with foreign transaction ATM withdrawals. You’ll pay no ATM fees anywhere in the world, including your home country. It’s what I’ve been using for years and it’s saved me 100’s in unwanted pesky fees.

Surprisingly, considering it’s crazy-advanced technology and all, Japan is mostly a cash society; yes, we were exceptionally wowed by that! Expect your credit card to get rejected at most places (especially small eateries and of course street-food stands) and be sure to carry enough Yen with you.

If you’re coming from the US, an easy way to figure out USD to JY is to move the decimal point two spots to the right >> 100Y = approximately $1USD. Just for quick reference, 10,000Y = approximately 100USD.

How to Get Around Japan:

If you’re visiting Japan from elsewhere in the world (i.e. you are not a resident of Japan), you are able to purchase a JR train pass for varying amounts of time. The JR pass gives you access to all of the trains, most Shinkansen lines (bullet trains), the ferry to Miyajima, and a few other transportation lines. Options include 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day.

I used a 7-day JR pass during my trip, and I highly advise you to do the same if you’ll be following this 10 day Japan itinerary. The Green Car option, while a bit more expensive, is JR’s version of “first-class” and most definitely worth it in my opinion. Note that it does not cover all bus routes/lines and some local trains, but these only cost about 100-300Y ($1-3USD), so no biggie.

If you plan on using a JR pass, you NEED to purchase it before you enter the country . Once you arrive in Japan, there is no option to buy it. And when I say no option, absolutely NO option at all.

Once you purchase the pass (which must be done outside of Japan) you will receive a voucher in the mail (within a few days) which you will then exchange upon your arrival in Japan at a designated JR ticket booth in major train stations.

Buy your Japan Rail Pass here (it’s the company I used and our voucher arrived promptly in the mail). There was free delivery straight to our home which I greatly appreciated, and once in Japan we saved a ton of money on the Shinkansen (high-speed bullet train), and breezed through the JR rail stations like a boss.

I can’t imagine doing Japan any other way than with a JR Pass. Check out the options (standard and green pass) here.

UPDATE — Buying a JR Pass in Japan : The Japan Rail Pass be will sold at a higher price point and on a trial basis in Japan through October 1, 2023 at major stations and airports. However, if you know you’ll be using one, miiiight as well save a bit of money and purchase it beforehand from a trusted company . There’s really no reason not to.

The public transportation system in Japan is top-notch, and although extremely overwhelming (at first, trust me), it’s by far the best (and most cost effective) option for getting around throughout the country.

Electricity and Power in Japan:

Japan uses the same 2-pronged electrical outlets as found in the USA. If you’re coming from America, note that some electrical devices use a three-pronged plug.

It’s also important to understand that the amount of voltage is different and you’ll need a converter (different than an electrical adapter) to change the amount of electricity pushed to each device if you plan on bringing anything which uses an excessive amount of power (including hair dryers, curling irons, and/or straightening irons).

If you don’t want to worry about this, I suggest you invest in dual-voltage devices made especially for travel like this dual-voltage blow dryer , dual-voltage mini straightener , and this dual-voltage curling iron .

Using a Pocket Wifi Router in Japan :

If you’ve done any research on Japan, you probably came across something called Pocket Wifi . What is it exactly and why should you consider getting it for your trip to Japan?

Pocket Wifi is exactly as it sounds — a small portable device that you can keep in your pocket (or purse/backpack/day bag) that provides wifi to all your devices (cell phone, iPad, computers, etc). And the best part? One Pocket Wifi will power up to 10 devices, so you can share the same Pocket Wifi with your family and friends.

Since wifi is less common in Japan than in other countries (surprising, right?!), this handy little device does wonders! You will be able to find free wifi in your hotel/ryoken, Starbuck locations around the city, and some other restaurants, but I always recommend having your own, especially if you’re visiting any smaller cities. Do note that some ryokans and older hotels might only have LAN cable internet access, instead of wifi, so you’ll definitely want a Pocket Wifi there!

You’ll use wifi on your phone for just about everything in Japan — train schedules, getting around, translating important phrases, making FaceTime calls to family, etc. You don’t wanna be without it when you need it!

And they make it so super easy — the Pocket Wifi will be delivered straight to your hotel in Japan! Once you’re done with your trip, use the convenient prepaid envelop to return your router from any address in Japan. Couldn’t be simpler than that!

Check out the benefits and purchase your Pocket Wifi here. Honestly, a life saver!

Useful Japanese Phrases:

Hello/Good Afternoon: konnichiwa
Good bye: sayonara
Delicious: oishi
Thank you: arigatō
Please: kudasai
Where’s the toilet: benjo wa doko desu ka?
Does anyone speak English? Eigo no hanaseru hito wa imasen ka

Headed to Japan and looking for the best things to do in Kyoto? You’re in luck, because I’ve compiled a whole bunch of Kyoto sights and attractions!

Packing tips for Japan:

Clothing : Seaso ns are kind of temperamental in Japan, and you may be wishing you brought different clothing. Therefore, I highly suggest you pack layers for your trip to Japan. An umbrella (cute ones here , here , and here ) and light raincoat (like this or this one ) are recommended as well.

We encountered much more rain during our 10 days in Japan than we had originally planned for, and I’m glad I brought along a raincoat. If you don’t want to stuff a coat in your luggage, consider bringing along a poncho just in case.

Electricity and Power : As noted above, most of Japan’s electrical outlets are the 2-pronged “Type A” type (100 Volt, 50-60 Hz).

If you have a device with a 3-pronged or European/UK-style plug, you may need a travel adapter (for all devices) and power converter (for high powered devices like a hair straightener or blow dryer).

Pack comfy shoes that are easy to take off. You’ll need to slip off your shoes at various temples, at the airport, at ryokans, and some restaurants. My favorite ones here (on sale), here , and here .

I also suggest bringing along socks if you don’t want to go barefoot… These sushi socks are quite cute and perfect for the occasion… 🙂

Small throwaway bags for garbage. You won’t find many garbage cans around Japan in general, and it’s expected that you keep your trash on you until you can throw them away. Keep a small bag in your purse/backpack for this purpose. A small foldable tote is perfect for this, and can be used for spontaneous shopping trips.

Pack light. Navigating Japan is much easier when you have a small suitcase, especially since Japanese trains (and train stations) do not cater to travelers with a lot of luggage. In addition, there’s not as many elevators or escalators as you might wish, so remember, you may be carrying your luggage up and down a few flights of stairs.

I recommend traveling with a small rolling suitcase (one that fits in the overhead bin on an airplane like this one or this one ) and a backpack (I have this one and love it).

Stay organized with packing cubes , which also help you fit more into smaller suitcases (I’m able to fit about a months worth of summer clothing using packing cubes and packing strategically).

Language : If you’re up for it, you can also consider taking along a small Japanese Phrase Book . The language is quite difficult, and Google Translate (which won’t work without wifi or a cell plan) saved our butts far too many times.

Japanese written language uses characters, which you’ll see all over the place. Thankfully, most signs are written in phonetics using the alphabet we use.

We were also surprised by the low number of people who speak any English. Save yourself some frustration and pack a lightweight phrase book in your bag. Interested in learning some Japanese before your trip?

This book looks like loads of fun, and I’m actually thinking of buying it before my next trip back to the country. (The Japanese language is difficult you guys, just trust me.)

Travel Insurance for Japan

Yes, you need this. I always recommend purchasing travel insurance before your trip. You never know what might happen (flight delays, lost baggage, illness), and travel insurance definitely helps with all of those unfortunate unexpectancies.

I highly recommend the companies World Nomads and SafetyWing . I’ve recently been buying coverage with SafetyWing since they cover pandemic-related costs (which most travel insurance companies do not do).

Whenever we travel, we always buy a short term plan (depending on how many days/weeks we’ll be away) before leaving for any trip! Even if you don’t end up using it, peace of mind is 100% worth it in my opinion.

Find plan options and pricing here (and at only a few bucks a day, there’s no excuse not to!) I always say, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford your trip. It’s that easy.

Buy your travel insurance now — don’t wait until it’s too late!

10 Days in Japan: A Complete Japan Itinerary

And now, the fun part! The 10 day itinerary in Japan!

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo!

You’ll most likely be flying into Narita Airport and will need a little over an hour to get into the city center via the Narita Express. After such a long flight (with lots of time difference), it’s best not to plan much on this first day – hello, jetlag!

I suggest exploring the area you’re staying in (my suggestions: Shibuya or Akihabara) and devouring your first Japanese dinner of either ramen or pork Katsu.

During my stay, I opted for an AirBnB in Shibuya , which has an epic nightlife with tons of stuff going on, restaurants included (even if “partying” isn’t your thing- it sure ain’t mine!). Use this first afternoon/night to relax and rest up, as the rest of this itinerary will be go-go-go!

Day 2: FULL DAY IN TOKYO (West Side)

Today’s all about modern Tokyo ! You’ll be exploring the western districts of the city, including Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku – just saying these names are fun! You can either walk from district to district as they are fairly close together, or buy single use train tickets to hop between each.

DO NOT USE YOUR JR PASS YET as it will expire before you finish needing it later on during the trip. Train tickets within Tokyo are not very expensive, and you won’t be needing many today anyways!

Stop 1: Shibuya

If you opted to stay in Shibuya, you won’t need to take a train here! Shibuya is Tokyo’s version of Times Square , and with all the bright lights and massive amounts of people, it’s easy to see why. Be sure to check out the world-famous Shibuya Crossing , where 100’s of people scramble across the street at once.

For the best view above, head to Starbucks (you’ll need to order something before going upstairs), or find the Keio Inokashira Line at Shibuya Station for another perfect view.

Also say “Hello” – or Konichiwa — to Hachiko (the most loyal dog in the world statue) at Shibuya Crossing and do some shopping at Tokyu Hands .

Meiji Shrine shouldn’t be missed as well, which is the Shinto shrine that is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his wife, Empress Shōken. You’ll be seeing lots of shrines and temples during your time in Japan, and Meiji is a great one to start with!

If you’re lucky, you may even witness a traditional Japanese wedding ceremony! I, however, was not so lucky.

Stop 2: Harajuku

If you want to get a taste for Japanese street style, visit Harajuku. On Sundays, you can see traditional Harajuku Girls dressed in elaborate costumes and anime – so fun! Try and spot the girl in the photo below all decked out in costume. If you can’t make it on a Sunday, you can get a feel for Japanese street style any day of the week.

You can reach Harajuku by taking the Yamanote line to Harajuku Station, although it’s not a far walk from Meiji Shrine.

Walk down the famous shopping street of Takeshita Dori , where you’ll find a whole mess of fun stores and fun cafes. Note that most shops don’t open until 11am, but if you’re following this itinerary, you’ll probably arrive here around 1pmish or so.

Be sure to try a crepe – the unofficial street food of Harajuku, which you’ll find all over Takeshita Dori! We also visited a hedgehog café and played with them for about 45 minutes or so. A super quirky and super weird area, definitely not meant to be missed!

Read Next: Top Things to do in Harajuku

Stop 3: Shinjuku

Shinjuku is the largest neighborhood in Tokyo (dubbed the crazy entertainment district), and you’ll find thousands of restaurants, shops, entertainment, and other attractions that you could easily spend all day here.

With limited time, we spent a decent portion of the afternoon and night here and felt that was sufficient enough to see the highlights.

Many people opt to see the ever-so-popular Robot Restaurant , which I’ve heard is an other-worldly experience, but after reading reviews, we decided against it. Do your own research and decide for yourself whether this show is worthy of your time and money.

Whether you decide to spend part of the evening at the Robot Restaurant, I highly encourage you to make a visit to Omoide Yokocho , commonly known as Piss Alley.

Piss Alley is a small network of alleyways along the tracks northwest of Shinjuku Station filled with dozens of tiny eateries serving ramen, soba, sushi and yakitori. Just pick one with open seats and go in – they’re all worthy of some stomach real-estate.

Consider the free observation deck on the 45th floor of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building , visit Shinjuku Gyoen (a large public park near Shinjuku Station being a perfect cherry blossom spot – check on hours, we missed the entrance by about 20 minutes 🙁 ), and find an epic view of the area from the pedestrian overpass near the northwest corner of the Shinjuku station.

Day 3: FULL DAY IN TOKYO (East Side)

Now it’s time to experience the more traditional side of Tokyo , including Sensoji Temple and Ueno Gardens. Another bird’s eye view can be seen today, at nearby Tokyo Skytree.

If you’re staying in Shibuya like I did, you’ll need to take the train from Shibuya Station to Asakusa Station (35-45 min on train) via the JR Yamanote Line to Ginza or Asakusa Line. Make sure to purchase single tickets – do NOT activate your JR pass yet!

Asakusa and Sensoji Temple

Asakusa is the spiritual heart of Tokyo and a good place to start your day! Sensoji Temple is the main attraction here, and you’ll start your morning journey at the Kaminarimon Gate .

As you walk toward the temple buildings, check out the historic Nakamise Dori shopping street, pick out some souvenirs and grab a Japanese snack (or two!) before exploring Sensoji Temple.

Consider drawing Omikuji (written fortunes) while here. If you’re up for it and are interested, check out the surrounding old-fashioned neighborhoods around Asakusa.

Sumida Park and Tokyo SkyTree

If you’re visiting during cherry blossom season, I highly advise you to visit Sumida Park , which is an absolutely wonderful spot to see the flowers in bloom! It was one of the least crowded public parks we went to and FULL of cherry blossoms!

I cannot recommend this spot enough! Bring a snack or two and sit on a blanket for the ultimate experience. We got sakura donuts from Mister Donut (located all around), and ate our flower-themed treats amongst the cherry blossoms.

Next up – Tokyo SkyTree , the tallest tower in not only Japan, but the entire world! At 634m (2,080 feet), the complex has two observation decks with great views over the city. There’s even a glass floor for any of you brave souls! Expect a cue, so plan on spending a bit of time here. The Tokyo Skytree is about a 20 minute walk or a 5 minute train ride from Asakusa.

If you don’t wanna wait in line, I highly encourage you to book your skip-the-line Tokyo SkyTree ticket in advance. You can even upgrade to include the Tembo Galleria.

End the afternoon at Ueno Park , another large public space located in central Tokyo and another lively cherry blossom spot. There are more than 1000 cherry trees of multiple varieties lining its central pathway and lots of temples and shrines here to check out, as well as museums and a zoo if those are of interest to you.

You’ll most likely want to take the JR train from Tokyo SkyTree to Ueno Park.

Akihabara District

Wake up because we’re off to Tokyo’s crazy Akihabara District! Spend the evening perusing the many electronic shops, including Yodobashi Akiba – the world’s largest with nine stories stuffed with hi tech equipment – for geeks with money.

You’ll also find Japan’s diehard fan anime culture here, with stores devoted to anime and manga; just be sure to keep kids away from the adult-only sections (I wondered at first why all the anime was butt naked)!

You could easily fill up a whole afternoon and night in Akihabara, from its maid and Gundam cafes, gaming centers (check out Super Potato Retro Shop if you want to be transported into the 90’s), and just gazing at the bright lights.

Day 4: DAY TRIP from Tokyo — 3 Options

Today you’ll activate your JR pass and start putting it to use! Now that you’ve explored Tokyo, get out of the busy city center and explore another nearby area. There are numerous day trips you can take from Tokyo , and depending on your interests, you may want to visit more than one!

Unfortunately this ten day Japan itinerary only allows for one, but if you have another day or two to spare, you could easily do all three.

I opted for Kamakura because of the rainy and cold weather, but I would have loved Nikko or Hakone had the weather been more cooperative that day. With two weeks in Japan, you can most definitely do all three if you’d like.

Here are my three recommended day trips from Tokyo:

1) Kamakura

Don’t miss the Great Buddha of Kamakura (at Kotokuin Temple), easily the most popular attraction in the area, and literally hard to miss at 44 feet. Here you’ll find the second largest Buddha in all of Japan.

Another site not to miss, and only a few minute walk from the Great Buddha – the Hase Dera Temple , which is a beautiful temple located on a hillside overlooking the ocean.

There’s also a bamboo forest at Hokokuji Temple , similar to that in Kyoto, and it’s possible to see Mt. Fuji on a clear day from Kenchoji Temple.

Once you’ve had your fair share of temples, or are just hungry for some lunch, head on over to Komachi-dori , the busiest commercial street in Kamakura. Try the local specialty of Shirasu-don , (a Whitebait rice bowl), which you’ll easily find in numerous restaurants on the busy street.

Not interested in venturing to Kamakura alone and prefer a group tour? Looking back, I wished I booked a tour. Although it wasn’t too far away, we got a bit confused on the train and wasted a bunch of time trying to navigate our way to Kamakura, and then even more time once we arrived.

Many of the tours include other highlights like a tea ceremony and a view of the Bay, which we missed by going alone. I recommend these (from Tokyo) which cover all the top attractions:

Full Day Trip to Kamakura, Yokohama, and Tokyo Bay (from Tokyo) : Not only does this day tour from Tokyo take you to all the highlights of Kamakura, but you’ll also get to have lunch in Yokohama’s bustling Chinatown, visit the traditional Japanese-style sunken garden of Sankei-en (including tea rooms!), and admire the modern cable-stay Yokohama Bay Bridge.
5 Hour Nature and History Walking Tour: This walking tour follows a hiking route from Kita-Kamakura to Hase-dera Temple, passing many historic temples and shrines. You’ll be able to enjoy some wonderful panoramas from a hiking trail that offers views in all directions. Note that transportation is not included.

Literally sick of the city and need to get some nature into your life? Nikko may just be your answer. Full of ancient moss, stone lanterns, vermillion gates, and towering cedars, there’s a reason why this area is one of Japan’s most visited areas.

Located about two hours north of Tokyo, Nikko is the site of the famous Toshogu Shrine , the mausoleum of Tokugawa Ieyasu (VIP in Japan), and numerous other temples and shrines. Don’t miss the famous Shinkyo bridge , the beautiful Nikko National Park (on a sunny day), Kanman-ga-Fuchi Abyss, and Kegon Falls .

I’m quite bummed we didn’t make it here as all the photos look absolutely spectacular, but now I’ve got another reason to return to Japan!

Trying to fit in a lot during your one day in Nikko? Consider a group tour which gets you around easily to all of the highlights.

Day Trip Options here:

From Tokyo: Nikko World Heritage Full-Day Tour : Explore the beautiful mountain landscape of Nikko, Japan, experience the majesty of the Tamozawa Imperial Villa, bow to the three golden Buddah’s at the Rinnoji Temple, explore the surrounding landscape with a trip to Kirifuri Falls, and have a relaxed Japanese lunch at a local restaurant.
Nikko: Autumn Leaves and World Heritage Full–Day Tour : Discover the beautiful autumn leaves and world heritage of Nikko. During your full-day tour by air-conditioned coach, visit Nikko’s natural sights, Senjo-gahara and Kegon waterfalls, and Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Perfect during those autumn months!

If you have more than 10 days in Japan, check out these additional day trips from Tokyo .

If seeing Mt. Fuji is on your bucket list, then I definitely recommend making the day trip to Hakone.

Once arriving, you have a whole slew of options to fill your day, including the Hakone Tozan Cable Car for stunning views, the Hakone Ropeway for even more epic views, Owakudani with views of Mt. Fuji on a clear day, and a small Buddhist alter.

You can also take a Hakone Sightseeing Cruise and spend time at the Hakone Open Air Museum (art gallery). Brave? Try a black egg!

If you’re not up for heading to Hakone alone , there are numerous day trips from Tokyo that leave the transportation and planning up to someone else. You’re on holiday – treat yourself and save yourself the hassle! I recommend the followings tours:

From Tokyo: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Day Trip by Shinkansen : Spend a day trip traveling to Mt. Fuji, Japan’s most famous symbol and highest mountain. Enjoy the view from the 5th Station before visiting the nearby resort town of Hakone, known for its onsen hot springs. Return to Tokyo by bullet train!
From Tokyo: Mt. Fuji and Hakone Tour with Bullet Train : Get spectacular views of Mt. Fuji and its surrounding mountains on a day trip from Tokyo. Cruise across Lake Ashi by boat and take the ropeway up Mt. Komagatake. Relax in the hot springs resort of Hakone, and then catch the bullet train back to Tokyo.

However, note that seeing the mountain is never guaranteed and it’s possible you may make the trip only to be disappointed. Some months out of the year have higher chances of visibility, including the winter months. If it looks like a questionable morning with lots of clouds, I highly suggest you alter your plans and opt for either Nikko or Kamakura instead.

Day 5: MORNING BULLET TRAIN TO KYOTO then EXPLORING

First Bullet Train Ride!

*Note that you’ll be required to make a seat reservation if you have opted for the Green JR Pass. Make this reservation when you first exchange your JR voucher for a ticket, or the night before leaving for Kyoto. Don’t wait until the morning of because it’s possible the reservation desk will not be open yet.

Get up nice and early, grab some breakfast in the station/on the way to the station, and take a 7:00/7:30am bullet train from Tokyo Station (you may need to transfer at Shinagawa Station) in route for Kyoto!

If you take this early morning train ride, you’ll arrive in Kyoto around 10:30am or so, which is necessary if you want to see a bunch of Kyoto sites today. Once you arrive in Kyoto, put your luggage/bags into a coin locker (roughly 500-900 Yen for two suitcases for the entire day) and get exploring!

A note about Kyoto’s public transportation: Unlike Tokyo, Kyoto relies on large public buses. We were unaware of this and unfortunately caught off guard when we couldn’t take fast trains to get around. Give yourself some extra time as it’ll take longer to get around. Embrace it – look outside the window on the bus and take in some local Kyoto life.

Arashiyama Area

Catch the bus to the Saga-Arashiyama Station , where you’ll be hanging out for a few hours. First up, Tenyru-Ji Shrine and its accompanying zen garden. So many beautiful plants and flowers (nicely labeled in both English and Japanese) here, such as the Japanese wisteria, which you’ll never see outside of Japan.

Once you exit the garden, you’ll come across the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove/Forest . Walking through the Bamboo Grove is definitely one of the essential experiences to have in Kyoto so don’t pass it up!

The grove is much smaller than I thought, taking roughly 15 minutes to walk through, but is absolutely excellent for photography.

Walk through slowly to take it all in, and don’t forget to look up at the towering bamboo! Bring a wide-angle lens and if possible, a go pro, in order to include as much of the bamboo in your photos!

Before you head to the Monkey Park (coming up next!), you’ll most likely come across a lovely area with small eateries and a beautiful, green emerald lake. A good spot for some photos in my opinion! 🙂 We enjoyed a few vending machine coffees and teas here (you’ll be doing that everywhere in Japan too, you’ll see!).

Read Next: Top Things to do in Kyoto and Attractions

Next up, walk to the Iwatayama Monkey Park ! Yes, it’s about a 15-20 minute walk completely uphill to reach the park, but definitely worth it! Just be aware, the Google Maps directions to this attraction are wrong.

The entrance to the park is simply near the orange shrine gate at the south side of the Togetsu-kyo bridge. Look for a cartoon picture of a monkey and you’re golden!

The park is a nice change from the temples and shrines you’ll be seeing a lot of in Kyoto, and it’s so much fun to feed the monkeys for only 100Y. There’s also a wonderful view of Kyoto from up here.

Before anyone gets mad at those pictures of the monkeys “behind bars”, please know they are free to roam wherever they’d like throughout the park, and us humans are actually put in an enclosed area when feeding them. This is to protect both the animals and us.

We could have easily spent hours watching the monkeys and admiring the view, but off to the Golden Pavilion it was!

Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji)

If you’ve got more time today, take the bus to the Golden Pavilion , which is super impressive and made entirely of gold! Reflected in the lake, it’s no wonder this is one of the top things to do in Kyoto.

Make sure to try some Japanese flavored ice cream here, such as green matcha and/or black sesame, my new favorite! It’s guaranteed to be crowded, but very, very worth it in my opinion.

*Don’t forget to head back to Kyoto Station to collect your bags before heading to your hotel or AirBnb for the night!

Day 6: FULL DAY IN KYOTO

Nishiki Market

Start the day at the Nishiki Market – known for its different food stalls where you can try all kinds of Japanese cuisine and treats.

Stroll for an hour or so up and down the streets of the market, stopping whenever something tickles your fancy. The market is a great place to dive into some of the more unusual dishes – don’t be a chicken, try them!

However, absolutely don’t leave the market without trying tako tamago – the infamous candied baby octopus stuffed with a quail egg. It tastes way better than it sounds – I could have eaten three!

Want a taste of those cutesy animal donuts you’ve possibly seen all over the internet? You can try them here – at Floresta Donuts . I had a hard time eating mine as it was just too cute to bite into! Quite possibly my favorite thing I ate during our 10 days in Japan! SO cute!

After your fix of Japanese delicacies and donuts, walk on over to Gion, Kyotos famous geisha district. If you’re lucky you may spot a real true-life geisha , although they tend to walk fast to their destination and don’t like to show their face.

However, if you do spot one, but courteous and don’t obviously follow them or point your camera directly to their face. Show respect for their culture. I wasn’t so lucky and didn’t spot any on my trip.

Higashiyama District

End the day at the Higashiyama District, the world famous hub of Kyoto’s best-known shrines and temples. And let me tell me, this place is worth checking out. It’s one of my favorite areas in all of Kyoto .

Make sure to walk down Sannenzaka and Ninensaka – the two most beautiful streets in the district, with numerous souvenir shops and eateries. It can get rather crowded during the day (for good reason!), so we chose to come a bit before dusk had encountered a less cramped experience.

Still cramped, but less cramped than I imagine mid-day would be. You’ll find some eats on the walk – make sure to try a sakura cream puff !

Kyomizu-dera Temple , a listed UNESCO site, should be next on your list. Again, it’s quite busy, but the view out over a sea of trees is hard to beat – just imagine this during cherry blossom season (absolutely to die for!) And yea, try an onigiri maki – an emoji in the wild!

Finish off this (long and tiring) day by walking part of the Philosopher’s Path (found on Google Maps as Tetsugaku-no-michi) , a path that runs along a narrow river and is lined with more cherry blossom trees than you can ever imagine!

You’ll end at the Silver Pavilion, although not as fancy and intricate as the Golden Pavilion, and not even lined in silver, but still impressive nonetheless.

Day 7: DAY TRIP TO NARA AND OSAKA

It’s time for some day trips today, and we’ll be crossing off two in one day’s time! Head to Nara from Kyoto Station (via JR Nara Line – roughly 1 hour on the express train), then after seeing some of the top temples, head on over to Osaka and eat everything!

Get ready to interact with some deer in Nara Park , which can be found all throughout the area and are literally impossible to miss! And oh yea, those crackers you see being sold on the street? Those are for the deer, not us hungry humans!

A few temples to see: Todaiji (must visit Unesco World Heritage Site with super tall Buddha), Kasaguga Taisha Shrine (the most important shrine in Nara), Kofukuiji Temple, and Gangou-ji Temple. If you’ve had enough of temples by this time, head over to Osaka and skip a temple or two.

Tip : Get the Nara Kotsu one day pass (it’s more of a wooden plague you can wear around your neck if you please) for 500 Yen. This sightseeing bus brings you around to the top attractions in Central Nara, and is good for most of the buses you see throughout the city.

Off to Osaka for the rest of the day! Many people skip Osaka as they think it’s just another large city like that of Tokyo, but we absolutely loved our few hours here! Don’t skip it!

First up, the ever-so-beautiful Osaka Castle , one of Japan’s most famous landmarks! Get off at Osakajokoen Station.

Note that the castle may very well be closed by the time you reach it depending on how long you spend in Nara (last admission is 4:30pm in April, a bit later in the summer months), but the outside alone is worth the train and short 20 minute walk!

Next up, Dotonbori Street ! It’s an absolute madhouse full of people, shops, and eateries, and an absolute must-do while in Osaka. Be sure to look up and admire the moving animal billboards found on the buildings.

Osaka is the food capitol not just of Japan, but of the entire world. Hence, you’ll want to eat everything in sight (just leave some room for a Kobe beef dinner). Try beloved regional dishes like okonomiyaki, takoyaki (fried octopus balls – tastes way better than it sounds), udon, and hiyashi ame ginger drink.

Rule of thumb: if there’s a long line, the food is out of this world. Wait and you’ll be rewarded.

If you want to get some shopping on, head on over to nearby Shinsaibashi, the city’s premier shopping district. We chose to skip the shopping and focused on stuffing our faces 😉

Great dinner suggestion: Tsurugyu. This place is all about Kobe beef , and is super fresh and decently priced. Expect to pay around 5,000Y per person, drink included. Reservations are highly recommended, although we somehow got extremely lucky and were able to sit at the bar – but don’t count on this!

Looking for the best places to go in Japan?! This Japan bucket list has you covered! Definitely saving this for my future trip to Japan!

Day 8: DAY TRIP TO MIYAJIMA AND HIROSHIMA

Get ready for another jam-packed day. Yes, it’ll take a while to get here, but trust me, on a clear, sunny day, it’s 100% worth it and absolutely beautiful.

Take an early morning bullet train to Hiroshima, which takes roughly 2 hours from Kyoto Station, then a local JR train to Miyajimaguchi Station, then finally the JR ferry to Miyajima. All included in your JR Pass .

You can choose to visit either Miyajima or Hiroshima first, but I highly recommend visiting Miyajima during high tide to see the gate “floating” in the water. Check tide schedules online.

If you opt for Miyajima first (again, tide dependent), and take an 8am bullet train out of Kyoto Station, you’ll reach Miyajima by approximately 11am.

Head straight to the tori gate (after some deer interaction of course, yes there’s deer here and they’re SUPER friendly, just watch your food).

You’ll want to snap a million photos because this place is just so damn beautiful it’s hard not to! You can also check out the floating shrine as well, which we loved and was unlike any other shrine/temple we saw in Japan!

Spectacular views your thing? Take the Miyajima Ropeway (~15 minutes, $17 roundtrip) for better-then-great views of the whole area from the top of Mt. Misen . There’s a bus at the base of Miyajima Island which will take you to the ropeway station fo’ free as well if you’re already feeling super tired from your journey.

Before heading back to the ferry, pick up some ice cream (green tea or black sesame, you are in Japan!) – perfect on a hot, sunny day.

Take the ferry back to Miyajimaguchi Station, then the JR train to Hiroshima. Note that you’ll need to either take a tram or buy a Hiroshima Sightseeing Hop-On, Hop-Off Loop Bus “Meipuru-pu” to get around in Hiroshima super easily – which is free of cost for JR pass users .

We took the sightseeing bus to Hiroshima Castle , and then to the area with the A-Bomb Dome , Children’s Peace Monument , and Peace Memorial Museum and Park . The museum was closed by the time we arrived, but we were still able to wander around at the memorials and pay our respects.

End this super long day eating okonomiyaki at Okonomimura , a humungous multi-level eatery with tiny stalls of different shops making varieties of the famous pancake. Just for reference, we made it back on a bullet train around 8:30/9pm, getting back to Kyoto around 11pm. Told you it was a long day. 😉

Day 9: KYOTO THEN BULLET TRAIN BACK TO TOKYO

Today’s your last day in Kyoto, so it’s time to do those last-minute things you missed, including the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Put your bags in coin lockers at Kyoto Station before heading out for the day (just don’t forget to pick up before the bullet train heading back to Tokyo!)

Morning/Afternoon in Kyoto

1. Fushimi Inari Shrine (Taisha): COME EARLY BEFORE THE MASSES ! No matter how tired you are, do not skip Fushimi Inari Shrine! To get here, you’ll need to take the JR Line (Nara or Keihan Main) from Kyoto to Inari Station.

The shrine is comprised of over 10,000 beautiful orange-y red tori gates arching over a scenic, possible 2-hour-long walking trail. You don’t need to do the entire circuit, but definitely make it past the initial arch as this is the most populated one due to its close proximity to the start.

Make sure to notice the numerous fox statues along the shrine grounds, as they are thought to be Inari’s messengers and hold much importance to this area. And get some inari sushi if you’re a bit hungry – look how cute they are! Definitely one of my favorite things we did during our 10 days in Japan.

Read Next: Alllll the best things to do in Kyoto

2. Nijo Castle: One of Kyoto’s most popular and impressive sights, and a wonderful place to walk around on your last official morning in the city. The grounds are large with numerous fortifications, a lovely castle, beautiful moat, and gardens.

Inari Shrine to Nijo Castle: Head back to Kyoto Station, then take the JR Sagano train to Nijo stop

3. To-Ji Garden and Temple: Depending on your groups level of tired-ness, you may choose to skip these gardens (which are a 15 minute walk from Kyoto station). We were too pooped from the week’s festivities to even think about wandering around here, and let’s face it – I saved myself an hour or so of complaints from my husband.

We both get a little grumpy when the tiredness kicks in. If you do decide to go, you’ll find the tallest wooden pagoda in Japan, a lovely garden with a koi fish pond, and some beautiful cherry blossoms. Next time for me!

Bullet Train to Tokyo

Once you’re done with your activities in Kyoto, back on the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Tokyo it is!

The bullet train from Kyoto to Tokyo takes around 3 hours or so, and with our stomachs grumbling already, we opted for a dinner of bento boxes to take on the train with us. You’ll find a handful of stalls in the train station selling a wide variety of food options, with bento boxes being absolutely perfect for the long train ride!

Since you’ll only be in Tokyo for one additional night and will need to take the train from Tokyo station to Narita International Airport the next day, I suggest staying in the Ginza area, 1 or 2 stops on the train depending on which line you take.

It also lets you explore a new area the next morning before heading off to the airport.

Recommended hotels in Ginza:

Luxury : Millenium Mitsui Garden Hotel (where we stayed and we absolutely loved it! – and less than $150 a night!)
Mid-Line : Solaria Nishitetsu Hotel Ginza (super chic upscale hotel at affordable rates in a great location)
Budget : Tokyo Ginza Bay Capsule Hotel (if you don’t know what a capsule hotel is… go check that out!)

Day 10: SUSHI BREAKFAST AND OFF TO THE AIRPORT

Before heading out for the day, it’s a good idea to check out of your hotel to avoid rushing back for the mid-morning check-out time, and be sure to ask your hotel to store your bags (which you’ll pick up later before heading off to the airport).

Sushi Breakfast at Tsukiji Market

On your last official morning after 10 days in Japan (cue the sad face), there’s nothing better than an authentic sushi breakfast! And no better place to get fresh sushi than at the Tsukiji Fish Market – the world’s largest, busiest fish market!

Note that the Tsukiji Fish Market is comprised of two parts – the inner market (the Uogashi wholesaler market) and the outer market. The inner market is where you’ll find the early-morning wholesale tuna auction (think 4am, yes, really that early), while the outer market is for all of us foodies hoping to satisfy our taste buds with some seafood goodness.

While Daiwa Sushi and Sushi Dai are two of the most common sushi shops in Tsukiji Market, the lines are astronomically long. We picked a place at random and had a wonderful experience – the fish was fresh, service was adequate, and prices were competitive.

You won’t find mediocre sushi anywhere in this area, so decide for yourself (and your hungry belly) if waiting in those long lines is worth it.

If you have a little extra time and wanna learn about Japanese food culture and the market in general, consider signing up for a Tsukiji Outer Market Food and Drink Walking Tour . You’ll sample bonito, katsuobushi, dashi stock, sushi, sake, fresh tuna, local omelets (my all-time fave) and so much more. I so wish we did this as we didn’t learn much about the market and honestly didn’t even know where to begin on our own — there’s so many stalls and we didn’t know half of the foods!

Next time we’re in Japan I REALLY wanna take this combined tour of the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market and sushi-making class! I love taking cooking classes when I travel (I’ve made macarons in Paris, egg tarts in Lisbon, and tamales in Mexico so far), so I think sushi in Japan is next for me!

Shopping in Ginza

After filling up on some sushi (and ice cream, because, why not?!), head back to Ginza for some upscale window shopping. This district is home to the most expensive shopping and real estate in Tokyo – kind of like New York’s Fifth Avenue, but with more lights!

Off to the Airport

Depending on your flight time, you may have a bit more time, but it’s always wise to get to the airport extra early for international flights.

Head back to your hotel, collect your bags, head to Tokyo Station, then to Narita Airport (takes approximately 1 hour via Narita Express), have one more Japanese meal at the airport, and say goodbye to this eclectic yet charming country.

If you have any questions on this 10 day Japan itinerary, please ask below in the comments! If you follow this itinerary (exactly what we did), I can promise you not only will you see so much in such a short period of time, but you won’t be stressed out planning either! 🙂

TRAVELING TO JAPAN SOON? Don’t forget travel insurance! I’m a big fan of World Nomads and SafetyWing when traveling abroad.

Recently, I’ve been mostly using SafetyWing since they cover pandemic-related claims (most travel insurance companies do not). Be sure to protect yourself from possible injury, lost baggage, travel delays, and theft before it happens. Learn more and Sign up here.

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The Perfect 7-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

A narrow path lined by beautiful cherry blossoms in Japan

Japan captured my heart from the moment I firs visited. The delicious food, the rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant history, and the very friendly and polite people – it all blew my mind.

But Japan often feels impenetrable, especially to first-time visitors. While I think Japan deserves a minimum of 10 days, I get that some people might only have a week, so I wanted to write this, my ideal seven-day itinerary for Japan for a first-time visitor.

With only a week, there’s not much you can see unless you really rush it. And I don’t think you should do that.

So this itinerary only focuses on Tokyo and Kyoto (the most popular destinations) as well as some day trips from each. If you wanted to rush things a little, you could add in Osaka (more on that at the end).

(Note: If you purchased a Japan Rail Pass , activate it on arrival. That way, you can take advantage of the free JR trains throughout the city.)

Table of Contents

Japan Itinerary Day 1: Tokyo

Japan itinerary day 2: tokyo, japan itinerary day 3: tokyo, japan itinerary day 4: kyoto, japan itinerary day 5: kyoto, japan itinerary day 6: nara, japan itinerary day 7: tokyo, an alternative itinerary.

The popular and colorful Asakusa Temple in bustling Tokyo, Japan

Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Markets Cure your jet lag with some food! In 2018, Tokyo’s main fish market moved to Toyosu. It is now twice the size of Tsukiji (the old one), making it the largest such market in the world. Here you can eat fresh sushi for breakfast, just a few feet from where it was hauled in from the sea, while marveling at the chaotic atmosphere.

You can still head to the old market in Tsukiji to eat, shop, and wander as well. I like it a lot, because there are more food options! Food and drink tours of the Tsukiji Outer Market are available for around 15,000 JPY.

Toyosu Fish Market is open Monday-Saturday 5am-5pm, though most shops don’t open until 7am. Admission is free, but you have to pick up a visitor’s pass when you enter. Tsukiji Fish Market’s hours vary by shop (usually 5am-2pm). Admission is free.

teamLab Planets This digital art installation is a multi-sensory and immersive experience in which you become part of the artwork, walking barefoot through the four exhibition spaces and gardens as you interact with the installations’ elements in unique ways. It’s really fun! TeamLab is generally sells out in advance, so I recommend getting your tickets online ahead of time .

Take a walking tour Walking tours are a great way to get the lay of the land while connecting with a local guide. I always go on one or two when I arrive somewhere. Tokyo Localized offers many free tours, including a classic overview and ones of both the famed Harajuku and Shinjuku neighborhoods. Its Imperial Palace tour would be the most convenient one after teamLab.

The Imperial Palace Formerly Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace was built in the 15th century, and some of the walls and moats from that time are still in use to this day. When the emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new palace and renamed it. While you can’t go inside, it is surrounded by beautiful grounds, a moat, and a park worth wandering through. You can also see the changing-of-the-guard ceremony (though it’s relatively low-key and unassuming). Admission to the grounds is free.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden This park is over 144 acres and home to some 20,000 trees. Most of the original park was destroyed in World War II but was rebuilt and reopened in 1949. During spring, it is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms. My favorite area is the landscape garden, which has several ponds with bridges and islands. It’s a peaceful oasis away from the urban hustle and bustle.

Depending on how you feel relative to your jetlag, you could fit a few more activities before you end your day. Check out this post for suggestions .

A bright and bustling street lit up at night with neon signs in Tokyo, Japan

Senso-ji – This is Tokyo’s most popular and famous temple. Beautifully painted, it sits in a scenic spot near a pagoda and the lovely Kaminari Gate. There’s a huge statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall. It’s very busy during the day, so maybe check out the grounds in the evening.
Asakusa Shrine – This nearby Shinto shrine is much more peaceful, with fewer visitors, but with people praying, meditating, or performing traditional rituals. It was built during the Edo period (1603–1868) and survived the air raids of World War II.

Afterward, head to Ueno Park . Spanning over 133 acres, Ueno Park was established in 1873 on land formerly owned by a 17th-century Buddhist temple. It gets super busy in cherry blossom season, as there are over a thousand trees here. Throughout, you’ll find various stalls and vendors selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. On weekends, there are usually cultural events or festivals showcasing traditional arts, music, and dance. Four of Tokyo’s main museums are here:

Tokyo National Museum – Established in 1872 on the north end, this massive building is the oldest and largest art museum in Japan. It houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and artifacts from Asia, particularly Japan.
Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum – This museum showcases rotating exhibitions of contemporary and traditional Japanese art.
National Museum of Nature and Science – This museum features a wide range of permanent and temporary exhibitions covering natural science and history.
Tosho-gu Shrine – This beautiful 17th-century Shinto shrine has carved gold doors and other ornate carvings. It’s worth seeing up close!

Afterward, walk down to Akihabara to explore the video game parlors, arcades, and anime shops. This very buzzy area is ground zero for all things electronic, and it’s fun to play many of the games. This is where you’ll find the famous maid cafés, where servers dress up as maids and serve you food and drinks. These range from big touristy ones to holes-in-the-wall (the girls on the street are promoting the latter, which are a lot more culturally fun). They aren’t cheap, though, as you have to buy drink packages and pay a fee, but they’re kitschy and fun.

In the evening, visit Shinjuku and then drink in Golden Gai . In Shinjuku, you’ll find a plethora of cool bars, bright lights, and tiny hole-in-the-wall eateries. Be sure to wander down Memory Lane (aka Piss Alley) for tiny izakaya joints and bars. Afterward, head over to Golden Gai, a warren of narrow alleyways with a bit of a red-light-district feel, flanked by diminutive backstreet bars. It’s quite touristy but also a lot of fun. I’ve had some wild nights here!

With Arigato Tours , you’ll learn about the neighborhood while stopping to sample Japanese classics like sushi, yakitori, and ramen. The 23,900 JPY cost includes a drink and dishes at four stops.

The sprawling skyline of Tokyo, Japan with the famous Tokyo Tower in view

Kamakura Here you can see a 13-meter (43-foot) bronze statue of Buddha that was built in 1252. It was initially constructed within Kotoku-in Temple, but that has since been washed away by several storms, so it now sits in the open air. Admission to enter the temple grounds is 300 JPY, while it’s 20 JPY to go inside the statue. The journey there — around an hour — is free with a Japan Rail Pass .

Tokyo Disneyland I’m a sucker for Disney. You’ll find many of the same classic rides from Disney World here, like Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, and everyone’s favorite teacup ride, The Mad Tea Party. But there are several unique attractions as well, like Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Ticket prices vary depending on the day and time, but full-day admission begins at 7,900 JPY for adults and 4,400-6,200 JPY for children. It’s best to book in advance .

Mount Fuji Mount Fuji is located an hour outside of Tokyo. An active stratovolcano (which last erupted in 1708) and covered in snow for almost half of the year, it stands an impressive 3,776 meters (12,389 feet) and provides one of the most iconic views in the country. One of the Three Holy Mountains of Japan, Mount Fuji is both a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a UNESCO Cultural Site. In the summer, the mountain is open to hikers, who take 5-12 hours to reach the summit (traditionally, they depart at night to arrive at the top for the sunrise).

If you don’t want to hike, you can simply visit on a day trip. There are buses that can take you partway up, where you’ll be offered sweeping vistas of the surrounding area. Guided day tours from the city cost around 12,000 JPY.

A quiet path through the famous bamboo forest in beautiful Kyoto, Japan

Wander the Bamboo Forest For a relaxing break, head to Arashiyama and let the dense and towering stands of bamboo envelop you. Located near the famous Tenryu-ji temple, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the entire country. It’s not that big, but there are some hidden areas to explore. Just make sure to arrive early if you want to enjoy it without the crowds (it fills up fast after sunrise).

While there, I would also recommend visiting the Okochi Sanso Garden, which (along with the home) belonged to the famous Japanese actor Denjir? ?k?chi (1898–1962). It’s not free (it’s 1,000 JPY), but it’s really nice and has some wonderful views.

Visit the Golden Pavilion Originally built in the late 14th century as a retirement villa for the shogun (military governor), this iconic structure was later converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The present-day edifice dates only to the 1950s, however, when a monk attempting to kill himself burned the historic original to the ground. The rebuilt temple is covered in brilliant gold leaf, symbolizing purity and enlightenment. Each of the three stories exhibits a different architectural style. Completing the scene are the serene reflecting pool and traditional Japanese gardens that contain lush foliage, manicured trees, and scenic walking paths.

1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, +81 075-461-0013, shokoku-ji.jp. Open daily 9am-5pm. Admission is 500 JPY.

Admire Ryoan-ji Temple This is my favorite temple in Kyoto. Originally established in 1450 as a residence for a high-ranking samurai, it was soon converted into a Zen temple and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a mausoleum that houses the remains of seven emperors. Its traditional rock and sand garden is considered one of the best in the country. There’s also a teahouse where you can experience the traditional Japanese tea ceremony ( chanoyu ) as you overlook the Kyoyochi reflecting pool.

There are other temples in the area to check out as well:

Daitoku-ji Temple – This massive complex dating back to 1315 covers almost 60 acres. It contains several dozen temples and is a good place to see a variety of Zen gardens and architectural styles. It’s also deeply linked to the Japanese tea ceremony, as several of the country’s most noteworthy masters studied here.
Toji Temple – This is home to Japan’s tallest pagoda (five stories high). Founded in 796, just after Kyoto became the capital, it was one of only three Buddhist temples allowed in the city.

Go on a sake brewery tour Kyoto has a sake (rice wine) brewing tradition going back 400 years and is known for some of the best in the world, due to using the area’s pure natural spring water in the brewing process. Arigato Tours offers an excellent three-hour tour of Fushimi (the brewing district) for 23,320 JPY, including stops at several breweries, a guided tour of the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, and tastings.

A winding, narrow street in historic Kyoto, Japan

See the Fushimi Inari Shrine This mountainside Shinto shrine, dating back to 711, is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and prosperity. It’s known for its thousands of vibrant orange torii gates that form a network of trails leading up Mount Inari. You can hike the trails on your own while enjoying panoramic views of Kyoto below or join a guided hiking tour , on which you’ll get off the paved paths and into hidden bamboo groves. Get here as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, +81756417331, inari.jp. Open 24/7. Admission is free.

Walk around Higashiyama Spend an afternoon walking along the narrow streets of one of the oldest and best preserved districts on your own or on a walking tour . The traditional machiya buildings (traditional wooden townhouses) are filled with small shops selling local specialties and handicrafts, as well as restaurants and teahouses. It’s a popular area in which to participate in a tea ceremony . Another nice place to stroll in this neighborhood is the Philosopher’s Path, which follows a cherry-tree-lined canal that’s beautiful and meditative even when the blossoms aren’t in season.

Visit Kiyomizu-dera One of a number of UNESCO sites in ancient Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera (meaning “pure water temple”) is located in the foothills of Mount Otowa in the eastern part of the city. It’s one of the most famous temples in all of Japan. It was established in 778, but most of the existing buildings date to the 17th century. There’s not a single nail used in the construction, which becomes all the more impressive once you see how large the temple is, which is best known for its wooden terrace that juts out over the hillside. The temple’s name comes from the nearby waterfall whose waters (from which you can still drink today) are said to have wish-granting and healing powers.

1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, +81 75-551-1234, kiyomizudera.or.jp. Open daily 6am-6pm. Admission is 400 JPY.

Explore Shorin-ji Temple This small temple dates back to the 16th century. What makes it worth visiting is its meditation classes. You’ll get to tour the temple and then be instructed in zazen , the Japanese style of meditation. It’s a very unique experience and something that I think will add a lot of depth and nuance to your visit (especially if you’ve seen a lot of temples). Just make sure to dress comfortably.

15 Chome-795 Honmachi, +81 75-561-4311, shourin-ji.org. Open daily 10am-4pm. Admission is 800 JPY.

Wander the Nishiki Market Nishiki Ichiba is now one of the biggest indoor markets in town. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen” and spanning over five blocks, it is full of vendors selling traditional dishes from the region, classic Kyoto souvenirs, and really just about anything else. There are over a hundred stalls here, many of which have been in the same family for generations. Opening hours depend on the shop but are typically from 9am to 6pm.

To dive deeper into Japanese food culture, you can take a food tour of the market . It’s the best way to learn about all the food you’ll see, as well as the market’s history.

Explore Gion Gion, the historic geisha district, is renowned as being one of the most iconic and atmospheric areas of town. It’s known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, and preservation of geisha (known locally as geiko) culture. Lining the main street are ochayas (teahouses where geishas entertain), small shops, and many restaurants, ranging from upscale kaiseki restaurants serving traditional Kyoto cuisine to casual eateries.

To really learn more about this amazing party of town and its past, take a walking tour of Gion . You’ll learn a ton and get a lot of context. They cost around 1,800 JPY.

At night, go to the Pontocho Row , a narrow street lined with restaurants, hole-in-the-wall bars, and jazz clubs. It’s one of the more lively areas in Kyoto.

A small deer eating grass in a park in Nara, Japan, with cherry trees blossoming in the background

Nara was the capital of Japan in the eighth century, so there are lots of buildings and temples here that are upwards of a thousand years old (which is rare in Japan, due to the prevalence of fires and earthquakes, as well as World War II). Some things to do:

Frolic with deer – The real draw in Nara are the deer. Since the 17th century, those in and around the city have been considered sacred. You can buy crackers to feed them or just watch them stroll around carefree.
See the Buddha – Don’t miss a visit to Todai-ji, the world’s largest wooden building, home to a 16-meter (52-foot) Buddha statue. It was built in 738 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Take a walking tour – This guided half-day walking tour for 11,500 JPY includes all of Nara’s highlights as well as a traditional lunch.

The sprawling skyline of Tokyo, Japan lit up at night with Mount Fuji in the distance

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan’s most famous sumo wrestling arena, hosts tournaments three times each year, in January, May, and September. Tickets sell out quickly, so book online in advance. Prices vary but start around 3,200 JPY for arena seats. You can book a ticket online here (you’ll be accompanied by a guide too, so you can learn more about the tradition as it unfolds before your eyes).

To learn more about the sport in in the off-season, book a tour of a sumo stable .

the historic Osaka Castle in Osaka Japan towering over the city on a sunny summer day

So, if you want to add another city to this itinerary you can follow this breakdown:

Days 1 & 2: Tokyo
Days 3 & 4: Kyoto
Day 5: Nara
Days 6 & 7: Osaka

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara are all covered above. As for Osaka, some of my favorite things to see and do:

Take a food tour Known as “the Kitchen of Japan,” Osaka boasts a diverse culinary scene. Mouthwatering sushi and sashimi, Kobe beef and Japanese BBQ, and flavorful ramen can all be found here in abundance. Plus, there are local specialties like okonomiyaki (a savory pancake with egg and vegetables) and kushikatsu (kebab skewers). You can take a food tour for around 13,000 JPY, a ramen and gyoza cooking class for 9,500 JPY, or just wander and eat.

Osaka Castle One of the most famous landmarks in the country, the castle was originally built in the late 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and played a pivotal role in the unification of Japan during the Sengoku period (1467-1615). Over the centuries, it has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times due to wars, fires, and natural disasters. The current version dates to 1931. The castle is situated amid sprawling grounds and surrounded by a moat. It’s also home to a small but insightful museum and an observation deck that offers some picturesque urban views.

Dotonbori This is arguably Osaka’s most iconic district, known for its vibrant nightlife (bars, clubs, theaters, and music venues), colorful signage, and delicious food. It’s best seen at night due to the plethora of huge neon lights and signs lining both the canal and streets, which have become symbols of Osaka’s nightlife. A guided walking tour that includes Dotonbori as well adjacent neighborhoods is 6,500 JPY.

Shitennoji Temple This temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, founded in 593. The architecture is a blend of traditional Japanese and East Asian styles, featuring impressive pagodas, gates, and shrines set amid serene gardens. Stroll through the tranquil grounds, admire the beautiful architecture, and learn about the temple’s historical and cultural significance at the museum. The temple is 300 JPY to enter, the garden is 300 JPY, and the museum is 500 JPY.

Japan is one of my favorite countries. While it’s relatively small, it offers an amazing array of things to see and do (as well as some of the best food in the world). With seven days, you can easily see a good number of the main highlights and get a taste for the incredible history and culture. It will be a busy week, but this itinerary ensures you’ll still have some time to slow down, relax, and take in the local pace of life.

Just make sure you get a Japan Rail Pass before you go. While it’s not as cheap as it used to be, it will likely save you time and money!

Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory so they are best for booking a hostel. If you want to stay in a hotel or guesthouse in Japan, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

Safety Wing (best for everyone)
Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel — and I think they will help you too!

Be sure to check out the Japan Rail Pass if you’ll be traveling around the country. It comes in 7-, 14-, and 21-day passes and can save you a ton of money!

Looking for More Travel Tips for Japan? Check out my in-depth Japan travel guide for more ways to save money, information on costs, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries and reading and packing lists, and much, much more!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

a pagoda in Japan overlooking Mount Fuji

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Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors: 4 to 21 Days or More (Ultimate Travel Guide)

by Aileen Adalid Itineraries , Japan 70 comments

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I’ve managed to travel to all 7 continents now, and from all of my adventures, one of the countries that I will never get tired of revisiting multiple times would be Japan! (Japan Itinerary)

As a timeless destination, I am forever enamored by Japan’s ancient traditions that are perfectly fused with its vibrant modernity. Not to mention the lush nature and exquisite cuisine that it has and I’m sure that I’ll still barely ‘ scratch the surface ‘ even if I spend my life exploring it in its entirety.

With that said, it does seem daunting to whip up a Japan itinerary — but then again, not really! The country may be vast but it’s totally possible to make the most of it with whatever time you have.

TRIVIA : Japan has 4 main islands: Hokkaido, Honshu (the largest where Tokyo is found), Kyushu, and Shikoku. These areas are all divided into 47 prefectures that are grouped into 8 regions (chihō). . For instance, the capital of Tokyo is within the Tokyo prefecture and under the Kantō region. Whereas the popular cities of Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara each have their own separate prefecture (under the same name) and are all under the Kansai region.

Where to Stay in Japan?

Come and check out my lists below that feature the top-recommended choices for cheap to luxurious accommodation choices in the country: Best Hotels in Tokyo Best Hotels in Kyoto Best Hotels in Osaka Best Hotels in Hiroshima

As of this date, I think I have already visited Japan more than 15 times and I still can’t get enough of it! Hopefully, with what knowledge I have, I can help you plan a great Japan itinerary trip with ease and speed.

Rest assured, the Japan itineraries in the latter section of this post is totally customizable to fit any number of days that you might be spending.

Top photo by: Shutterstock

Table of Contents

Japan Travel Guide

» quick travel planning.

Top tours & experiences
Find flights to Japan
Visa requirements
Best places to stay
Travel insurance (5% discount)
Stay connected

– – –

» Best Time to Visit

Honestly…? Any time! After all, Japan is a ‘year-round’ destination. But depending on your preference, below are the country’s seasons…

Beware though because this is high season, so do expect higher prices and bigger crowds. It’s the same as well during Golden Week (concentration on national holidays) which happens from late April to the first week of May.
Summer: Be prepared for high humidity and smoldering heat (with June being the rainy season) . If you want to escape this, head on ever to the mountains or to the northern island of Hokkaido.
★ Autumn: This is yet another great time for visiting Japan; besides, I personally love it when the trees turn into warmer hues. September though is usually the time when typhoons visit the country, so it could be best to plan your trip somewhere from late October to November (it’s also the best time for seeing the full autumn colors).
Winter: As the temperatures drop, prices and airfares also drop. Take note though that it can get very chilly; but, supposing you’re not that sensitive to the cold, this can be a fun time given all the amazing ski resorts and festive atmosphere.
WINTER: Dec to Feb
SPRING: March to May
SUMMER: June to Aug
AUTUMN: Sept to Nov

Other Japan blooms to watch out for?

See this list of the most popular spring flowers in Japan — when to see them and where to go!

» Getting in to Japan

International visitors typically arrive at Tokyo’s Narita Airport (NRT), followed by Kansai Airport (KIX) which is south of Osaka. To get to any of these points, I recommend browsing through Skyscanner to find the best flight deals from your point of origin. If you’re from the Philippines like me, Skyscanner also scans through the budget airlines such as Air Asia and Cebu Pacific in order to find which of the 2 has the cheapest rate on the dates you choose.

From Narita Airport to Tokyo, you can:

Ride an airport limousine shuttle bus that goes to key points and areas in Tokyo (around 1,000 yen = $10~).
Is it worth it to buy a JR Pass for your Japan itinerary? Read here .
Ride a taxi , which would be the most expensive at the range of 20,000 to 30,000 yen = $195~ to $295~.
Uber is also a possible option to take, but a private transfer is usually at a better price — more so if you want a bigger car. Otherwise, if you’re coming from Haneda Airport , you can book through this service .

» Visa for Japan

If you’re NOT a citizen of any of Japan’s exempted countries , you are then required to avail of a visa beforehand. (If you’re from the Philippines, you can read my guide on how to get a Japan visa in Manila here .)

Check full visa requirements here as per your nationality.

» Where to Stay (Japan Accommodations)

To search for the best hotel accommodation in Japan at the best prices, I suggest cross-checking hotel prices between Agoda and Booking.com . But if you’re rather interested in renting comfortable houses or apartments, you should search through AirBnB .

If you want particular hotel names per district, I prescribe that you read my lists below: Best Hotels in Tokyo Best Hotels in Kyoto Best Hotels in Osaka Best Hotels in Hiroshima

» Japan Currency

Japanese yen (JPY / ¥) wherein ¥100 is equal to about USD $1~ / €0.85~ / Php 45~ (this is as of March 2021). In the event that you want to exchange your money for JPY, I highly advise that you do NOT exchange your money at the airport since the rates there are not competitive.

How to best exchange your currency? Either exchange it at a bank or at a money exchanger in your home country or in Tokyo’s city center. Better yet, just withdraw from an ATM with your debit/credit card — however, you must do one big withdrawal to minimize fees with your bank. Speaking of cards, a lot of Japan’s establishments accept credit cards but it’s always advisable to have cash on hand because a lot of smaller shops do not accept international credit cards.

» Cost of Travel in Japan

A lot of people have the misconception that Japan is an expensive destination; however, it is totally possible to travel on a budget! Just take note that accommodation rates typically go up during peak season (March to April in Spring and November in Autumn) .

To give you an idea, you should expect to travel in Japan with an average daily cost of about USD $45~ per person on a budget, or at least $120~ if you want to experience more comfort in activities, tours, hotels, and more. (Values below show low budget to medium budget ranges).

Hotels: $25 to $120 USD / day
Food: $12 to $30 USD / day
Fun: $5 to $20 USD / day
Transport: US$1 per subway ride*

*FREE subway and bullet train rides if you hold a Japan Rail Pass

» How to Get Around Japan

You could flag down a taxi, an Uber , ride the bus, rent a bike or go on foot; but if you want to be efficient and fast, the trains are the way to go!

Take note that Tokyo’s train system is dense and extensive, so it can be very confusing. However, all throughout my stay in Tokyo, I’ve managed to make it less complicated by simply using Google Maps (mapping my point A and point B and then checking out the directions for the subway/train/bus. — it even has real-time walking navigation and an offline option!)

TIPS : – Though Google Maps can be used offline, if you want routes or transportation schedules, it won’t work. So I recommend that you get a pocket WiFi or a SIM Card to stay connected online. . – Tokyo’s trains typically open around 5AM and close somewhere around midnight. If you don’t have an IC Card , purchasing local rail lines and subway tickets can only be done with cash or coins at the ticket machine. Credit cards are only applicable when buying long-distance bullet train tickets. . – If you’re traveling by train during rush hour, be wary that it can get crowded. If you’re a woman, you can ride the carriages that are designated only for females (this is only during weekdays until 9AM). . – You will notice that on escalators in Tokyo, people stand on the left side so that those who are in a hurry can pass on the right. But when you’re in the Kansai area (Kyoto, Osaka, etc.) it’s the other way around. . – When riding taxis, the left rear door is operated automatically by the driver so do NOT try to open or close it by yourself. . – There are several train etiquettes that you should remember when in Japan, number one of which is to keep the noise down to a minimum.

Speaking of which, when it comes to local train tickets in Tokyo, there are several types that you can choose from but what I would highly recommend is if you’re only planning on traveling INSIDE Tokyo, buy the prepaid IC cards (like Suica ) that can be used in any train or bus in the city.

NOTE: There is also the option of buying the Tokyo Subway Ticket which will give you UNLIMITED access to all subway lines of Toei and Tokyo Metro (but NOT JR lines, which is fine since most key places in Tokyo is accessible via Toei and Tokyo Metro). . There are options for this for 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72 hours. I only find this choice as economical IF, and only if, you are going to ride the train for MULTIPLE times in a day or a span of days. But if let’s say, you’re only going to one place or district in a day, then just use your IC card as per normal.

On the other hand, if you’re traveling outside of Tokyo, that’s a different matter since I would recommend that you consider buying a Japan Rail Pass or JR Pass for unlimited rides. To see if buying this train pass will be worth it for your Japan itinerary, go and read my explanation here .

See the whole list of available train passes that you can get in Japan here !

» Staying Connected in Japan

Japan has one of the fastest internet connections in the world so you’re assured of great connections wherever you go. Hotels and most shops (even convenience stores) offer FREE WiFi connections — but in order to stay connected online at all times during your Japan trip, I recommend getting your own pocket WiFi or a SIM Card .

» Safety in Japan

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world with very low crime rates. I have been traveling solo to this country many times now and I have never felt unsafe even in the late hours of the night — however , this is NO excuse to get too complacent. ‘Little crime’ does not mean ‘no crime’, so stay vigilant and be “street smart” by using your common sense at all times.

Nevertheless, the Japanese people are one of the kindest and most respectful people I have ever met, so solo travelers don’t have much to worry about in this amazing country.

HOW TO: Find the right travel insurance for you

» Helpful Japanese Phrases

Japan may be one of the most developed countries in the world, but a lot of the locals don’t speak English. However, this should not discourage you from traveling to this country because apart from the fact that there are a lot of translation apps that will help you understand and speak Japanese, a lot of the locals are also making the effort to learn and use the English language.

RELATED READ: Best translation apps for travel

Anyhow, below are some helpful Japanese phrases that will help you along the way! And even if you do encounter a Japanese who can speak English, it doesn’t hurt to say a word or two in their language.

Hello: Konnichiwa ( Kohn-nee-chee-wah ) Thank you (normal): Arigatō. ( Ah-REE-gah-tohh ) Thank you (less formal): Arigatō gozaimas (Ah-REE-gah-tohh goh-zahy-mahs) Thank you (informal): Dōmo (DOHH-moh) Yes: Hai (Hai) No: Iie (E-eh) Goodbye (long term): Sayōnara (Sah-yohh-nah-rah) Goodbye (informal): Ja ne (Jahh neh)

Excuse me: Sumimasen (Soo-mee-mah-SEN) I’m sorry: Gomen nasai (Goh-men-nah-sahy) Is there someone here who speaks English?: Dareka eigo ga hanasemasu ka? (Dah-reh-kah ey-goh gah hah-nah-seh-mahs kah?) Help!: Tasukete! (Tahs-keh-teh!) Cheers!: Kanpai! ( Kan-pie!)

» Other Important Tips

Here are some other helpful travel and etiquette tips to remember for your Japan itinerary:

Cars drive on the left in Japan, so be mindful when crossing the street. In this same manner, try to always walk on the left side so as not to bump into other people.
Most restaurants require customers to pay for their meals at the cash register which is usually by the entrance. (They will typically leave the bill at your table, so after eating, take it to the register and pay before leaving).
Some establishments and restaurants (and all private homes) have a sunken foyer entrance (genkan) with shelves of footwear by the door — a clear sign that you’re expected to remove your shoes before entering.
If you are sick (have a cold, are coughing etc.) , it’s considered respectful to wear face or surgical masks in public. On that same note, do not blow your nose in public as it is considered uncouth.
For more first-time traveler etiquette tips in Japan, come check out this post: [coming soon]
I bet you don’t want to miss out on the top Japanese food dishes and drinks, so here’s a list of things you MUST try: [coming soon]

Other F.A.Q.

There is NO tipping culture in Tokyo or Japan in general. If you end up giving them something, they’ll mostly be confused why, and they will surely end up giving the money back to you. Sometimes, it’s even considered rude and insulting if you tip someone.

Japan typically uses two plug types: type A (two flat parallel pins) and type B (two flat parallel pins and a grounding pin at the bottom). The country operates on a 100V voltage and a frequency of 50/60Hz.

Please check their latest travel advisories page for more details.

All visitors to Japan must have a passport that is valid for at least 6 months after the period of their intended stay (as well as have 2 blank pages).

In general, no as long as you are a non-resident staying for less than 6 months.

If you want to operate a UA/Drone, it is required to follow the conditions set by the Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport, and Tourism (more info here ) . You can also contact Japan’s Drone Counseling Service ( [email protected] ) for more information.

Japan Itinerary Guide

It can be a daunting task to plan a Japan itinerary because the country is undeniably packed with SO many interesting places, picturesque sights, good food, fun activities, and colorful culture among many others!

For starters, I will list below summarized itineraries that are typically done for X number of days, and then it will be followed by a tabbed section that shows the things you can do in each area or city in order to fill up the travel days that you have.

••• 4 DAYS It’s preferable to just stay in one place like Tokyo — especially if it’s going to be your first time in Japan. However, if you rather want to explore the Kansai region, you can stay in Kyoto or mix in Osaka with a side trip to Nara. (For other areas that you can explore are: Chubu region, or Niigata , etc. Make sure to check the ‘Extra Days’ tab below for other ideas.) TIP : If you’re only spending 4 days in just Tokyo, you don’t really need a Japan Rail Pass. But if you’re exploring Kansai, it can be cost-efficient to get a JR regional pass. It really depends on your preferred itinerary, so you should read through this article .

••• 7 DAYS If you don’t want to rush yourself, you can simply spend 7 days in Tokyo; otherwise, it is totally possible to squeeze in Kyoto and/or Osaka too if you’re willing to do a fast-paced trip. Ideally for this, you will spend 4 days in Tokyo and 3 days in Kyoto and/or Osaka. TIP : It’s a good idea to get a JR Pass for this. But then again, it really depends on your preferred stops, so you should read through this article .

••• 10 DAYS Doing 5 or 6 days in Tokyo, and 5 or 4 days in Kyoto + Osaka + Nara ( Kansai area) would be great for this number of days. If you don’t mind a fast-paced trip, you can even squeeze in a trip to Hiroshima by lessening your days in both Tokyo and Kansai. Either way, feel free to mix things up. TIP : It’s a good idea to get a JR Pass for this. Read through this article to see if it’s worth it for you.

••• 14 DAYS Consider doing 5 days in Tokyo, 5 days in Kyoto + Osaka + Nara, 2 days in Hiroshima, and 2 days in any region you want for your Japan itinerary (check ‘Extra Days’ tab below — or spend 7 days in Tokyo and 7 days in Kansai Region. Otherwise, just prolong your days in Tokyo because that city is just so massive with so many things to do! It’s all up to you). TIP : It’s a good idea to get a JR Pass for this. Read through this article to see if it’s worth it for you.

••• 21 DAYS OR MORE With this number of days, you’ve got all the time to take things easy for your Japan itinerary! So feel free to extend the days per area and make sure to check the ‘ Extra Days ‘ tab to see other destinations you can explore. When planning out your route, do make sure to check travel times and connectivity to avoid future hassles. NOTE : On my first trip to Japan I spent about 20 days there as I explored Tokyo (6), Kyoto (3), Osaka (2), Nara (1), Hiroshima (3), Takayama (2), Magome-Tsumago (1), and Kinosaki (2). For this, I only used a 14-day JR Pass since I spent 6 days in Tokyo and it was cheaper to just buy single tickets in the subway. TIP : A 14-day or 21-day JR Pass is costly at first sight — but it could totally help you save up more depending on your itinerary. Make sure to do some calculations to see if purchasing single tickets is better or not. See this article for more info.

ADDITIONAL TIP: To further save up on time when you’re visiting multiple cities, please consider booking a flight out of Japan to the nearest international airport on your last day so you don’t have to travel back to Tokyo’s Narita. . So for example, if you end your Japan itinerary somewhere in the Kansai region (Kyoto, Osaka, etc.), go and book a departure flight from Kansai Airport instead. Of course, this depends if the ticket is not more expensive compared to a roundtrip flight that’s all done at Tokyo’s Narita Airport. Either way, if you don’t mind the additional travel time and you’ve got a Japan Rail Pass, it’s absolutely fine to travel back to Narita after your trip.

IMPORTANT NOTE:

The following Japan itinerary section is in a tabbed format; so, in order to see the next day’s contents, just click the headings below.
I will mainly highlight the so-called “ Golden Route ” that comprises Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka followed by Nara and Hiroshima, and then format them under a 14-day itinerary . After all, they are the typical spots that are visited by the vast majority of first-time tourists in Japan.
Rest assured, I will also cover other regions in Japan under the ‘ Extra Days ‘ tab below so that you can consider these places if you happen to have more days for your trip, or if you simply want to see more than the typical.

Tokyo Itinerary & Side Trips

The way I see it, Tokyo can be a separate country on its own given how massive it is. That being said, keep in mind that going from one place to another within this urban city can often take 30 minutes to an hour — or even more! (Always check Google Maps to verify your travel times).

With that in mind, even if it is humanly possible to go to ALL of the attractions listed below per day for your Japan itinerary, it’s best that you don’t because you will definitely be running around. This is why I suggest that you pick out the top spots that you really like and then save the rest for later or for other days (in case you have more days in Tokyo).

RELATED READ: – Detailed Tokyo Itinerary – Top Things to do in Tokyo (Per District) – Best Hotels in Tokyo – Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Tokyo – 10 Things Foreigners Must Know About Japan

◘◘ Day #1 — West of Tokyo

The Tokyo Metropolis is composed of 23 special wards and the city’s top highlights are found in only a few numbers of these wards. For ease of discussion, I will divide Tokyo into two: the west and the east. Below are the west’s top attractions…

SHIBUYA. This is referred to as a major nightlife area but it’s also a major shopping and entertainment venue especially because of its strong youth presence in fashion and culture.

★ Shibuya Crossing: Found in front of Hachiko Exit, this is arguably the most prominent landmark of the district and the most filmed spot in the area. If you want to get a good view of it, go to the QFRONT building where a big Starbucks cafe is found. It’s best to come during rush hour to see an impressive sight but be prepared for crowds inside the cafe. Nevertheless, if you want more of a higher bird’s eye view, go to Shibuya Hikarie shopping mall’s Sky Lobby on the 11th Floor.
ALTERNATIVE : If you want less of the crowd, there’s a bigger statue of Hachiko along with his master, Professor Ueno, at the grounds of UTokyo or the University of Tokyo. .
Rainbow Karaoke in Modi is incredibly stylish yet cheap, Karaoke Kan is famed for being the location of the movie ( Lost in Translation )’s karaoke scene, or for the more standard chain, Big Echo is a good one.
Love Hotel Hill: This is where you can find the biggest concentration of love hotels in Tokyo, and though it’s not a typical item on a ‘ things to do in Tokyo ’ list, it can be an amusing thing in itself especially if you’re traveling with your loved one — largely because of how the rooms are delightfully themed. Just be warned though that some love hotels don’t accept same-sex couples or even two foreigners. Nevertheless, you can ‘rest’ in a room for 1-4 hours at around 1,500 yen ($15~) per hour or ‘stay’ in a room overnight for as low as 7,000 yen ($68~). .
For nightlife: Two of the most brilliant clubs would first be the mammoth super club ageHA with over 4 dance floors, an outdoor pool, and an outdoor dance tent; and second, the laser-filled Womb club with its identifiable giant mirror ball. Better yet, get this Tokyo Nightclub Pass that grants you UNLIMITED entry to the top 7 nightclubs in Tokyo! .
★ Don Quijote, Loft, and/or Tokyu Hands: These shops are great to include in your Japan itinerary if you’re looking for cheap souvenirs, novelty items, stationaries, and more!
Center Gai, Koen Dori, Spain Slope, and/or Shibuya 109: The first 3 are distinct shopping streets in Shibuya, whereas Shibuya 109 is a complex that you don’t want to miss out on if you want to do some serious shopping!
Shimokitazawa : This nearby district is a great ‘bohemian’ spot if you’re looking for vintage and second-hand items and clothes. .
Ichiran Ramen: A famous ramen (noodle soup dish) place that gained popularity worldwide because of its solo booth style of dining. Rest assured, the ramen tastes superb here and is worth a try so jot this down on your Japan itinerary!

HARAJUKU. Famed for its fashion scene, quirky culture, cosplay shops, and so much more!

TIP : If you want to witness a traditional Japanese Shinto wedding in which they make a procession to the temple, head here around 10AM and try your luck!
Yoyogi Park: A typical meeting place for Japanese people from all ‘walks of life’. Since it’s just near the trendy Harajuku, you will normally find crowds of band members, lolitas , cosplayers, and fashionistas in interesting clothing (they’re sometimes concentrated around Jingubashi or the bridge near Meiji Shrine). Taking photos of these people in fancy clothing is perfectly fine, but it’s best if you ask for permission first since not all of them are there to please the crowd — they’re usually just there to hang out or do practices, etc. .
TIP : Wanna do a guided tour? Take this Harajuku half-day tour that will take you through Takeshita as well as grant you access to some of the district’s top cafes!
Cat Street: If you want to stray away from Takeshita Dori’s crowd, this is the next best place to be.
TIP : Drop by Espace Luis Vuitton Tokyo which is found on the top floor of its building to find an amazing art space — not to mention that the bathrooms are really fancy.
Daiso Harajuku: This is one of Japan’s famous 100-yen variety-store shops that offer affordable housewares, toys, stationery, decorations, bento supplies, gifts, and more!
Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku: This is a multi-story shopping center that recently became even more popular because of its kaleidoscope-like entrance that’s made of dozens of tilted mirrors. Don’t miss out as well on its rooftop terrace area on the 6th floor if you want views over Harajuku. .
Maison de Jullieta: Kawaii (cute) culture is a ‘thing’ among the Japanese and one of those kawaii fashion styles would be the sweet lolita look. In Maison de Jullieta in Harajuku, you can dress up as one — complete with costume, makeup, and hair arrangement at a price of around 10,000 yen ($97~)!
Kawaii Cafe: In line with Harajuku’s colorful splash of colors and eccentric atmosphere, there exists the Kawaii Monster -themed cafe! With over 5 separately themed areas, the cafe is like a rainbowholic’s paradise where every corner is filled with kawaii decoration and Instagram-worthy scenes.
★ Purikura: Purikura runs like a photo booth — but ‘leveled up’ in a Japanese kind of way and it’s widely popular among females. Through these machines, you can take photos of yourself or your friends in a studio-esque booth; after which, you will be digitally enhanced. By that, I mean automatically Photoshopped in a kawaii manner: bigger eyes, whiter skin, and narrower face.

SHINJUKU. As a major city center, Shinjuku has the busiest train station in the world (Shinjuku Station) , it houses the administration center for the Tokyo government, and holds a plethora of amazing things to do in Tokyo!

Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building: Towering at 243m, this structure has two towers and each of these has an observatory which visitors can visit for FREE in order to get a bird’s eye view of Tokyo. I recommend the southern tower since it shows a better ‘side’ of Tokyo (closes at 5:30PM), whereas the northern tower is best for night shots since it closes later into the night (until 11PM).
Shinjuku Gyoen: Best visited during sakura and fall season, this place is just a stone’s throw away from Shinjuku station and it is surely one of the city’s largest and most favored parks. Here, you will find three different gardens, a traditional Japanese landscape garden, a French garden, and an English landscape garden.
Samurai Museum: As a Japanophile , I have also been enchanted by the culture and history of the samurai (or bushi ) — Japan’s notable military warriors. Adults can enter for a fee of 1,800 yen ($18~) in order to see the impressive exhibits; but the highlight of this place is probably the experiences that you can try: photoshoot with basic samurai gear (500 yen $5), sword battle performance with an actor (free), samurai calligraphy lesson (500 yen or $5~), and professional photoshoot with full samurai gear (starts at 32,000 yen or $320~). .
TIP : Book here for a guided tour so you don’t miss out on anything!
TIP : For your Japan itinerary, book here for a guided tour so you don’t miss out on anything!
Kabukicho: This is the entertainment and red-light district in Shinjuku which is sometimes called the “Sleepless Town”. Unlike Amsterdam which features prostitutes on the windows of their buildings, Kabukicho has a more subdued collection as it only includes hostess clubs, love hotels, massage parlors, and more. Unless you want to avail these kinds of services, as a regular tourist, I just find this as an interesting place to see in Tokyo. Rest assured, I felt entirely safe walking around here since it didn’t feel seedy. Truth be told, one particular thing about Kabukicho that I best liked to see or observe was the pachinko parlors. (Pachinko is an insanely popular game in Japan that somehow resembles pinball and since gambling is illegal there, this is the only way that locals can ‘gamble’.) .
READ : For my experience !
Godzilla: Japan’s famous giant monster and pop culture icon, Godzilla , can be seen here in Shinjuku atop Toho Cinemas. It’s a nice spectacle because he looks like he’s taking a peak from the building above — seconds away from wreaking utter havoc .
Animal Cafes: Plenty of people would recommend that you go to Tokyo’s well-liked animal cafés such as those of a cat café, owl café, rabbit café, goat café, etc. (There are lots of them found around Shinjuku such as Cat Cafe Calico, etc. ). I don’t like them though because I’m uncomfortable with the idea of keeping multiple animals in such a small space with strangers that they’re not that accustomed to — but, I leave it up to you to decide what you would do.

◘◘ Day #2 — East of Tokyo

Photo by: Shutterstock

ASAKUSA. This is said to be the center of Tokyo’s shitamachi (“low city”) — which means that it’s an ‘olden’ district where you can get a feel of how Tokyo was in the past decades.

★ Senso-ji Temple and Asakusa Shrine: Take note that a shrine is dedicated to the Shinto faith, whereas a temple is dedicated to Buddhism. These two places are the main highlight in Asakusa with Senso-ji being the oldest temple in Tokyo. There is also an impressive “Thunder Gate” called Kaminarimon (which is a symbol of Asakusa and Tokyo) in front of the temple.
Sumida River and Park: For a leisurely stroll, go over to Sumida River and lounge by Sumida Park which stretches on both sides of this body of water. Like what you’d expect, there are cherry blossoms here that come alive in spring, and then during July on its last Saturday, this becomes a great spot for viewing the Sumida River Firework. (If you see a golden building with an odd golden structure on top that looks like a teardrop, that’s the Asahi Beer Tower with its ‘Asahi Flame’.) .
Read my kimono rental guide here to learn more about the process.
Samurai Armor rental: You can take a step further and rent to wear Japan’s famous traditional warrior’s (samurai’s) armor! If you book this activity online , you can even have a professional photographer take photos of you.
Rickshaw ride: To complete your kimono look, I recommend that you rent a traditional Japanese rickshaw which will take you around key spots in Asakusa.
To be frank with you, this is a very long ceremony where you will sit motionless for hours as you follow a set of guidelines… but it is a striking example of Japan’s amazing culture that is exceptional for immersing one’s self with. For a good place to try this in, go here .
Hanayashiki: If you’re up for it, this is said to be Japan’s oldest amusement park (built in 1853). .
★ Nakamise shopping street: Stretching about 250 meters from Kaminarimon to the main grounds of Sensoji Temple is this picturesque shopping street with over 50 shops that offer local specialties and the usual array of tourist souvenirs.
Shin-Nakamise: Also called as “New Nakamise”, this runs perpendicular to the Nakamise Shopping Street and is lined with various shops and restaurants.
Asakusa Kagetsudo: This is a famous melon-pan store that has been running since 1945. Melon-pan is basically a sweet baked bread with an outer layer that looks like a melon — so it’s just named that because of its appearance and not because it tastes like a melon. When you buy from this store, it is best to eat it when warm.

AKIHABARA. Dubbed as the otaku* cultural center and tech shopping district of Japan, walking through Akihabara’s main street called Chuo-dori will already give you an idea of what this district is all about. *Japanese term for people who have obsessive interests commonly towards anime and manga. A synonymous word in English would be ‘geeks’.

You see, Japan may have an amazing olden culture, BUT it has also developed an equally amazing modern culture over the recent years, and it is in Akihabara that you can get a glimpse of this somewhat wacky ‘evolution’.

Maid cafe: A lot of people in Tokyo love to cosplay — a form of roleplaying where people wear costumes to represent a character (often found in animes and mangas). One of the good ol’ favorites of the Japanese when it comes to cosplaying or ‘dressing up’ is waitresses dressed in those frilly Victorian maid costumes. In line with their ‘character’, they will even act as if they’re servants and then treat others as their masters. Now apply that idea to a café, splash it with small games, a cutesy demeanor, brief performances, and picture-taking with customers and that’s where you get the famed maid cafes of Japan. A great place to try in Akihabara would be @Home Cafe.
★ Arcades: We have tons of video game arcades in the Philippines — HOWEVER, they’re not as insanely amazing, bright, exciting, and numerous as what Tokyo has! One of the most known gaming arcades in Tokyo would be Taito Station . (You could also do purikura inside these arcades).
★ Go Kart: Come live on the edge and explore downtown Tokyo in a cool Go Kart while you’re dressed in popular cosplay costumes! With this fun driving tour , you can opt to do a one-hour experience or a whole day affair. .
Yodabashi: If you have time to visit only 1 tech gadget store in the district, then this 9-story building is your best bet! After all, it is proven that their items are usually cheaper than in Europe or even Asia.
Mandarake or Tokyo Anime Center: Mandarake , a gigantic 8-floor complex that is full of merchandise related to anime and manga, is the best go-to space if you’re a hardcore otaku or at least a knowledgeable one at that; whereas I believe that a visit to the Tokyo Anime Center is best done first by people who have no idea of the otaku scene in order to gain a better understanding of it.

SUMIDA. The most noteworthy attraction that you should visit in this ward would have to be the following:

Tokyo Skytree: At 634m, this is the tallest tower in the world. It is primarily a television and radio broadcast site for the Kanto Region; but for travelers, you can visit the large shopping complex, aquarium, and planetarium that are located at its base. And of course, for sky-high views of the city, Tokyo Skytree has two observation decks and you can purchase your tickets here .
Try chanko nabe in any of the restaurants in the neighborhood. This is basically a hot pot dish that is a staple food of sumo wrestlers.
TIP : To reserve your sumo tickets for Japan’s Tokyo Grand Sumo Tournament, go to this link . For the months wherein tournaments are not held, you can get a close-up look at the sumo wrestlers’ morning fight practices via this tour .

◘◘ Day #3 — Mt. Fuji

It’s time to check out Mt. Fuji or ‘Fuji-san’ (it’s how the locals commonly call it).

As the country’s tallest peak, it has been considered one of the most iconic sights in Japan so it would be a good idea to dedicate this day to it. There are several ways for seeing this active volcano in all its glory (including riding a Tokaido shinkansen from Tokyo to Osaka if you sit on the right, 40min before Shin-Fuji Station, or going to Fuji Subaru Line 5th Station) but below are the best locations for viewing it.

Some people do one of the places below as a day trip, while others as an overnight trip to also experience staying in a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn). It’s totally up to you, but naturally, if you’re short on time, making it a day trip would be enough.
Clouds often block the view of Mount Fuji so you often have to consider yourself lucky if you get a clear view of it. It is said that visibility tends to be better during the colder seasons of the year than in summer. Otherwise, it’s great in the early morning or late evening hours compared to the middle of the day.
To save up on transportation costs, get a Hakone Free Pass to gain unlimited travel on eight transportation options including the Hakone Sightseeing Cruise (Pirate Ship), Hakone Tozan Train, Hakone Tozan Bus, Hakone Tozan Cable Car, and Hakone Ropeway.
For a hassle-free experience, you can take a Hakone day tour that already includes a stop at Mt. Fuji and some other interesting activities like a lake cruise and more. Or, you can also do this other Hakone tour . .
For a hassle-free experience, you can take a Mt Fuji day tour to this lake region with the inclusion of Kachi Kachi Ropeway, fruit picking, and fruit picking.
A different option is to rather go to Chureito Pagoda (pictured above) which is still part of Fuji Five Lakes but not found within Lake Kawaguchiko. This spot is a favorite among photographers, especially during spring or autumn and it’s easy to see why! (This tour includes this pagoda as a stop) .

For other options and details, you can read my Mt. Fuji tour post!

For a hassle-free experience, you can do a Kamakura + Enoshima day tour. .
Enoshima: (1hr from Tokyo) This is a touristic island that offers a variety of attractions (Enoshima Shrine), beaches, parks, an observation tower, and caves (Iwaya Caves). If I say so myself, doing a Kamakura + Enoshima day tour would be ideal if you want to check out both of these towns. .
Fuji Shibazakura Festival: (2hrs from Tokyo) This is a famous time-limited event that is usually held at Fuji Motosuko Resort from the middle of April to late May. If you have the time, I recommend doing a sakura tour of this festival as it features over 80,000 blooming shibazakura (pink, red, and white mountain phlox flowers) over 6 acres of sloping hills. Pair this off with a great view of Mt. Fuji and it instantly becomes an Instagrammable spot!

◘◘ Day #4 — Other Day Trips Outside Tokyo

Below are other interesting day trips that you must see near Tokyo!

TIP: For a hassle-free experience, you can do a Nikko day tour that includes several stopovers. .
TIP: You can avail of a ‘ Yokohama and Kamakura Enjoy Pass ‘ to enjoy the major sightseeing attractions in these cities. .
Kusatsu: (3hrs from Tokyo) This is a sound trip to make if you want to visit one of Japan’s most famous hot spring resorts. In fact, Kusatsu Onsen is blessed with large volumes of high-quality spring water which makes it popular among locals and tourists alike. You will love the atmosphere here as you find almost everyone wearing yukata/kimono on the streets. Otherwise, when winter comes, the town becomes a great ski resort to visit. .
Chichibu: (2hrs from Tokyo) This city is a great place to escape if you want to get away from Tokyo’s bustle. After all, its forested mountains provide impressive nature views and hiking opportunities. One of the most sought-after events here though is its Chichibu Night Festival in December and its Hitsujiyama Park in Spring (for its beautiful pink moss park).

◘◘ Day #5 — …or More! (Tokyo Extra Days)

Naturally, there’s more to Tokyo than the sights I’ve mentioned on days #1 and #2 above. So in order to fill up your Japan itinerary with other activities for your extra days in the capital, below are some considerations that you can make.

WEST OF TOKYO.

To enjoy the picturesque rooftop views on Mori Tower’s 52nd floor, just book an Observation Deck ticket online .
Below Mori Tower, you will find a giant spider sculpture called Maman which means ‘mother’ in French. This is made by the artist Louise Bourgeois .
Tokyo Midtown is yet another building that you can go into if you’re up for more shopping and entertainment.
During Christmas, head to the area in Mori Tower that faces Keyakizaka Street in Roppongi Hills to see a great view of Tokyo Tower being illuminated by the street lights. Whereas if you go to Tokyo Midtown, you will find the Starlight Garden which has over 280,000 lights that are magically spread out on the grounds!
★ Tokyo Tower: At a height of 333 meters, this is like a replica of the famous Eiffel Tower. Made after Japan’s post-war rebirth, this used to be the country’s tallest tower — until Tokyo Skytree was made in 2012. Despite this fact, the tower’s prime location is still a splendid place to see a panoramic view of the city. There are 2 observatories here: the main one at 150m high and the special one at 250m high. The entrance is at 900 yen ($9~) for the main observation deck and 1,600 ($16~) yen for both decks. To book your tickets, go here .
Nightlife: Clubs and bars in Roppongi can be a dizzying encounter for a first-timer; so it’s actually preferable if you visit this with a local. Otherwise, just a bit of advice: avoid the men (generally African men) who would try to push you into going to their clubs! More often than not, those are seedy ones, and later on, they might even overcharge you. For the best clubs to go to, I suggest Jumanji55 , V2 Tokyo , or Club Brand Tokyo which all have a good mix of locals and foreigners. Better yet, get this Tokyo Nightclub Pass that grants you UNLIMITED entry to the top 7 nightclubs in Tokyo! .
Hie Shrine: You don’t need to travel all the way to Kyoto to witness a Shinto shrine with multiple iconic red torii (traditional Japanese gate) because you can find this right in the heart of Tokyo! (Otherwise, there’s also a similar one called Nezu Shrine).

EAST OF TOKYO.

Imperial Palace: This is the main residence of the Emperor of Japan and it’s actually a massive park surrounded by moats. It contains buildings including the palace, private residences of the Imperial Family, offices, museums, and more.
★ Chidorigafuchi: Located just at the northwest section of the Imperial Palace is this moat section. This area is highly recommended during sakura season as it is one of the best spots for hanami (cherry blossom viewing). To add: they regularly light up the trees at night during that period and then you can even rent boats there!
Tokyo Central Railway Station: This is the busiest railway station in Japan in terms of the number of trains per day and it’s quite a sight to see! For starters, you’ll instantly find this building because of its red brick appearance — a look that survived from when it was first opened in 1914. .
DiverCity Tokyo Plaza: This is a dining, entertainment, and shopping complex which also features attractions related to the famous Gundam anime series. Truth be told, it also has a life-size Gundam statue in front of its building.
Fuji TV Area: This is called such because of how the Fuji TV Building (one of Japan’s biggest TV stations) towers above everything else. As a visitor, you could definitely go into Fuji TV’s observatory deck that’s located in the circular portion of the establishment. Other things to see around here would be the shopping mall of Decks Tokyo Beach and the scenic Rainbow Bridge (which looks dashing at night, and where you can also find a replica of the Statue of Liberty.)
TeamLab: Yet another Instagrammable attraction, this interactive museum is well-known for digital and light art, and to book your tickets, just go here .
The Soho: This is an Instagram-worthy office building that’s famed for its color-blocked hallways.
★ Oedo Onsen Monogatari: If you can’t afford to go to a hot springs resort town, this is the next best thing for your Japan itinerary! This is basically a hot spring theme park that emulates the atmosphere of the Edo Period. You can enjoy various types of indoor and outdoor baths, restaurants, massages, games, and other entertainment while wearing a yukata (traditional Japanese wear). To reserve tickets for this, go here .
★ Tsukiji Market: Fish is a big business in Japan and the Tsukiji Market is a marvelous point for observing this lively industry as well as tasting its fresh produce. To date, this market has been divided into two, one of which is still found near Tsukiji Shijo Station and the other near Odaiba. If you want a guided day tour here, book an experience here . .
TIP: Make the most of this area’s local flavors and drinking spots by doing a ‘ Tokyo After 5 ‘ tour!
If you want the best ‘festive’ experience on this street, I suggest walking through here on weekends from 12PM to 5PM (until 6PM from April to September) because it is customarily closed to automobile traffic — an event known as ‘Pedestrians’ Paradise’.
Depachika: This is a combination of the words depato (department store) and chika (basement). In Japan, most of the big department stores such as that of Mitsukoshi have their basement floor made into some sort of food market — but actually, if I have to describe it myself, I will call it a ‘food theme park’ because you can get to have a fun yet quick introduction into the VAST variety of Japanese food there — including square watermelons and insanely priced strawberries! Anyhow, the stalls are very generous with giving away samples too; so if you’re on a budget, you really don’t have to buy something (though it will be respectful to do so, naturally).

OTHERS (NEAR TOKYO)

To book discounted tickets, reserve your spot here. .
To book discounted tickets, reserve your spot here.

Kyoto Itinerary & Side Trips

Kyoto used to be the capital of Japan — nevertheless, it has retained that former glory with its great historic value alongside countless temples, shrines, gardens, imperial palaces, and traditional wooden houses among many others.

If I may add, this is also the city that is well known for its formal traditions most especially that of the geisha (or geiko ) who are Japan’s famed professional female entertainers. For these reasons and more, this is important to include in your Japan itinerary.

Looking for top sakura locations in Kyoto?

Check out this ultimate guide to Kyoto cherry blossom spots — from lesser-known locations to the most popular ones!

RELATED READ: Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Kyoto Best Hotels in Kyoto

Take note that it takes around 3 hours by bullet train (shinkansen) to get to Kyoto from Tokyo. With that said, the ‘things to do’ for this day of your Japan itinerary should be fewer, but depending on your arrival time, it’s still possible to do a lot. Go and pick from my suggestions below…

Nijo Castle: Also called Nijojo , this is the former residence of the first shogun (military dictator) in the Edo Period during his stays in Kyoto. Today, this castle is divided into 3 areas: the Honmaru (main circle of defense), the Ninomaru (secondary circle of defense), and the gardens. What’s great about the castle grounds too is that there are over 400 cherry blossom trees so it is quite a sight during the spring season. (Admission is 600 yen).
Nishiki Market: Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen”, this is a long yet narrow shopping street that features over 100 lively shops and restaurants. This is a great spot to visit for your Japan itinerary if you want to buy any fresh produce or Kyoto specialties. As a market with a long history, this is also a great place to mingle with the locals.
Kyoto Imperial Palace: This great expanse used to be the residence of Japan’s Imperial Family until 1868, when the capital was moved to Tokyo. Given that this is within the Kyoto Imperial Park, it makes for a leisurely stroll to go through the space which is full of ponds, gardens, and weeping cherry trees. (Admission is FREE).
Manga Museum: If you’re fascinated by Japan’s manga (comics) culture and history, this could be a quaint stopover for your Japan itinerary. Sometimes there are even artists who set up exhibits and offer sketches or portrait drawings of the visitors. (Admission is 800 yen).
For a hassle-free experience, you can do a guided Fushimi-inari tour that includes a Sagano Train ride and a visit to Arashiyama.
Pontocho: This is a dining area that’s packed with restaurants offering a wide range of choices from local to foreign cuisines. Take note though that most establishments open from around 5PM to 11PM only. If you come in the warmer seasons, most of the places build temporary platforms over the river for open-air dining (called kawayuka ).

TIP : If you want a hassle-free experience for your Japan itinerary, you can take a guided Kyoto morning tour or afternoon tour to key places in the city.

Time to make full use of this day in exploring Kyoto’s other important sights!

In my opinion, though it is possible to do all of the sights below in one day, it’s still a good idea to pay heed to the time especially if you plan to do a Kyoto kimono rental too because it will lessen your hours of exploration (given that putting on a kimono takes some time).

Kiyomizudera: This is a famous temple in Kyoto that’s listed under the UNESCO World Heritage and it is best known for its wooden stage that stretches out to the hillside as it offers great views over the cherry and maple trees below it — so imagine how the site will be like during spring or autumn! (Admission is 400 yen).
Other streets to check out in the district are Sannenzaka / Sanneizaka and Ninenzaka.
★ Kinkaku-ji: Lauded as the ‘Golden Pavilion’, this is — indeed — a structure that’s mostly covered in gold leaf. This Zen temple actually used to be the retirement villa of a shogun. Today, you would absolutely enjoy its impressive architecture as it overlooks a picturesque pond. Before leaving, don’t forget to go through the gardens and check out Sekkatei Teahouse to enjoy some matcha tea and sweets. (Admission is 400 yen).
Ginkakuji: On the other hand, though this is referred to as the ‘Silver Pavilion’, it’s not really in silver — it never was. Many believed that it garnered its name after the building was built to contrast the Golden Pavilion. Either way, this remains to be a popular spot for many.
Philosopher’s Path: This is a pleasant stone path (near Ginkakuji ) that is a must to visit during cherry blossom season . Its name was derived from Nishida Kitaro, one of Japan’s most famous philosophers, who used to practice meditation while walking this route.
Hanami-koji Street and Shirakawa Area: The most popular places within Gion, so don’t forget to wander around here.
★ Gion Corner: Ideally, one of the ultimate experiences in Kyoto is to dine with a maiko or geiko, but since this is often expensive and exclusive, the next best thing you can do to ensure that you witness a real maiko or geisha is to visit Gion Corner. Aimed at foreign visitors, this place offers cultural shows that introduce traditional Japanese arts such as the tea ceremony, ikebana, bunraku, Kyogen comic plays, and maiko dances.
Shijo Avenue: Bisecting Gion district is a popular shopping area that sells local souvenirs and gifts.
Gion Matsuri: This is the festival of Yasaka Shrine and it is said to be the most famous festival in Japan! Therefore, if you happen to be in Kyoto in the month of July, you’re in for a treat because they celebrate during the whole month (with the highlight being July 17 as they do a grand procession of floats called Yamaboko Junko).

TIP : Wanna join a guided tour to the geisha districts for your Japan itinerary? Click here !

Kimono rental: Much like Tokyo, Kyoto has a lot of kimono rental shops too. If you only have the budget to do one kimono experience, I highly recommend doing it in the unique atmosphere of Kyoto than in Tokyo’s Asakusa! Another option is to do an oiran ( courtesan ) rental or photoshoot at Studio Esperanto .

◘◘ Day #8 — …or More!

Arashiyama is particularly popular during the spring and autumn season — nevertheless, it’s a year-round destination due not only to its close proximity to Kyoto but also to its natural setting! In order to make the most of your Japan itinerary, don’t forget to check out the following Arashiyama highlights…

Bamboo Groves: I’m sure you’ve seen photos of this place and it is famous for a reason: it really makes for a nice scenic walk or bicycle ride! If you happen to have the budget to rent a kimono in this area as well, then it is a must to take photos on this path. To avoid the crowd, I recommend coming in the early morning.
Togetsukyo Bridge: Translated to ‘Moon Crossing Bridge’, this is an iconic landmark within Arashiyama due to how it is backdropped by the forested mountains. There is even a park by the river which is speckled with cherry trees.
Monkey Park Iwatayama: The entrance to this park is found south of the Togetsukyo Bridge. Be wary that it’s a bit of an uphill climb — but which only spans for about 10 minutes. In this place, you will love the fact that there are over a hundred monkeys roaming freely in the open area. I particularly loved my experience here as I also fed the monkeys from a designated area. To add, this is also a great vantage point for panoramic views over Arashiyama. (Admission is 550 yen).

The center of the district is quite compact so I suggest taking your time strolling around. Other places of interest that you can check are Tenryuji Temple and Saga-Toriimoto Preserved Street. (Want a guided Arashiyama tour packaged together with Nara for your Japan itinerary? Check out this tour . Otherwise, you can also just take a half-day tour that will only focus on the top sights within Arashiyama.)

Or, you can also do this other Arashiyama tour from Kyoto with a Nara stopover for your Japan itinerary.

If you still have some more time, there is an option of doing the Sagano Scenic Railway which is a sightseeing activity on an old-fashioned train. Most people usually take a guided tour for this which is partnered together with a tour around Arashiyama. If not, you can just simply buy a one-way ticket .

◘◘ Extra or Substitute Activities in Kyoto

Got some more time for your Japan itinerary? Check out these other places…

★ Daigoji Temple: A designated UNESCO World Heritage Site that is hugely popular especially during autumn or springtime due to its picturesque surroundings. Sure enough, with its beautiful grounds, landscaped gardens, hiking trails, and so much more, it instantly makes for a worthy destination for your Japan itinerary.
Toji Temple: This is yet another one of Kyoto’s many UNESCO World Heritage Sites and what’s notable about this temple is its 5-storied pagoda which is said to be the tallest pagoda in Japan.
Shojuin Temple: This has risen to popularity among young females in Japan primarily because of its Instagrammable heart-shaped window called an ‘ inome ‘ window in its guest hall. What’s more, the temple’s ceiling has beautiful pieces of splendid patterns. (Admission of 400 yen).

Osaka Itinerary (including Nara)

Osaka has the 2nd largest metropolitan area after Tokyo and as a part of the Kansai region, it is best known not only for its grand shogunate castle but also for its nightlife and street food. Truth be told, this is a quintessential stop for your Japan itinerary!

RELATED READ: Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Osaka Best Hotels in Osaka

◘◘ Day #9 (Nara)

For your Japan itinerary, take note that it only takes about 1 hour by train to get to Osaka from Kyoto. After you check in to your Osaka accommodation , venture out on a day trip to the nearby district of Nara (which only takes less than an hour). If you’re not up for that, you can interchange this with day #10.

Nara is the first permanent capital of Japan, after which it was moved to Nagaoka, later to Kyoto, and then to Tokyo. Today, this district is famous for its historic treasures and adorable deer park.

TIP : Try bowing down to the deers and oftentimes, you will find that they bow back! It is said that back in the olden times, the locals bowed down to them as they were (like I said) regarded as messengers of God. For generations, they have retained this Japanese custom especially when they expect some food.
★ Todaiji Temple: Found adjacent to Nara Park, you’ll first enter this temple’s towering Nandaimon Gate with fierce-looking statues that represent the Nio Guardian Kings. This is followed by the main hall, the Daibutsuden (Big Buddha Hall) which is the world’s largest wooden building housing one of japan’s largest bronze statues of Buddha.
Horyuji Temple: This is one of the world’s oldest surviving wooden structures and a designated UNESCO World Heritage.

TIP : It’s possible to take a guided tour to Nara from Osaka (with a stop to Arashiyama included in it too). Alternatively, if you want to focus on this city only for your Japan itinerary, you can also just take a focused Nara tour .

If there’s still time, head on over to the nearby Mount Yoshino — even more so if you’re in Japan during its sakura season. Besides, this is regarded as the country’s most famous cherry blossom spot given the 30,000 cherry trees found on its slopes! Truth be told, Mount Yoshino together with the nearby Mount Koya and Kumano have been designated as a cultural UNESCO World Heritage Site since 20014.

Wanna stay a night or more? Check out these top best hotels in Nara grouped from budget to luxury places to stay.

◘◘ Day #10+ (Osaka)

For this part of your Japan itinerary, t’s time to explore Osaka’s top wonders, namely…

Beside it is the Nishinomaru Garden with over 600 cherry trees with an admission of 200 yen.
TIP : Don’t miss out on the cool photo opportunities on the long escalator that leads to this observatory! In the basement of the building, you’ll also find a restaurant floor that emulates the early Showa Period of Japan.
If you see a long line, don’t hesitate to line up too because most of the time it means that it’s a pretty good place! (Of course, if you don’t mind waiting).
Shinsaibashi Shopping Arcade: This nearby area is Osaka’s premier shopping center that combines retail stores, boutiques, department stores, etc.
Hozenji Yokocho Alley: This narrow path has a number of interesting restaurants and izakaya (informal Japanese pubs) that are somewhat reminiscent of Kyoto’s Pontocho alley.
Shinsekai: If you want a less crowded version of Dotonbori, this is the place to go to for your Japan itinerary. Notable here is the Tsutenkaku Tower (the symbol of the district) and the kushikatsu (an Osaka specialty of various battered deep-fried foods)

TIP : Want to save time for your Japan itinerary? Take a guided Osaka walking tour or a food tour !

Are you rather looking for a fun and quirky way to explore Osaka? Then come and join a Go Kart experience and race through the city!

◘◘ Extra or Substitute Activities in Osaka

For greatly discounted tickets, book online : ( standard E-ticket /+ express pass 3 , express pass 4 , or express pass 7 ).
Hirakata T-SITE: This is a commercial complex near Hirakatashi Station that has beautiful architecture. Inside it is the famous Tsutaya Bookstore which has over 150,000 books and which also has become a recent hit on Instagram for its charming interiors.
Osaka Aquarium: This is an incredible aquarium that displays over 15 tanks, each representing specific regions of the Pacific Rim. For instance, the central tank that represents the Pacific Ocean is 9 meters deep and is home to a whale shark which is the main attraction of the aquarium! ( Reserve your tickets here ).

Hiroshima Itinerary & Side Trips

This is the city that was largely destroyed back when an atomic bomb was dropped over it during World War II. Great efforts were taken to rebuild the city and today, Hiroshima is well known for its aspirations of tranquility with its Peace Memorial Park and if I must say so myself, this is a must for your Japan itinerary.

RELATED READ: Best Cherry Blossom Spots in Hiroshima Best Hotels in Hiroshima

◘◘ Day #11 (Hiroshima)

Please take into account in your Japan itinerary that it takes more or less 3 hours to get to Hiroshima from Osaka. Once here, below are landmarks that you can include on your…

Peace Memorial Museum: Comprises of 2 buildings that go through the history of the city and the events that happened after the nuclear bomb. When I visited here, most of the exhibits were upsetting — and for good reason because they wanted to serve as a reminder of how we should never take peace for granted.
A-Bomb Dome: This is what remains of the former Prefectural Industrial Promotion Hall. When the bomb exploded, this is one of the few buildings that still stood and remains so today. (This is also a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site).
Cenotaph: This is an arched tomb dedicated to the A-Bomb Victims who died. Underneath it is a stone chest that holds the register of their names that number over 220,000. On the anniversary of the bombing, a ceremony is held at the park every year along with an observed silence at 8:15AM (the exact time of the bombing).
Hiroshima Downtown: This is a bustling downtown area with Hondori Street as its main feature. As you venture about this place, do try the city’s specialty which is the Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki — a delicious savory pancake containing various ingredients.
Hiroshima Castle: This was destroyed by the atomic bomb in 1945 but it was rebuilt and nowadays, it holds exhibits about the castle’s history as well as Japanese castles in general.

TIP : If you don’t intend to stay a night in Hiroshima, you can take a day tour to this city — which will already include a trip to Miyajima. (Starting points for your Japan itinerary can be from either Kyoto or Osaka ).

◘◘ Day #12 (Miyajima)

Just a 1-hour ride away by train and ferry from Hiroshima is the small island of Miyajima. It’s particularly famous for its giant torii gate that seemingly floats on the water during high tide — making it one of Japan’s best views. Most people do this as a day trip for their Japan itinerary but you could also stay overnight to experience a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn).

If you want the best view, be mindful of the timings of the tides during your visit. High tide is obviously when it is most picturesque, but the low tide has its charm too because then you can walk up to the gate and see it up close.
Momijidani Course: shortest but also the steepest and goes mostly through the forest.
Daisho-in Course: offers the nicest views and is not as steep as the other two.
Omoto Course : any of these 3 hiking trails takes about 1 to 2 hours to reach the summit.
Daisho-in Temple: Found at the base of Mount Misen. There is an interesting Buddha ritual here wherein as you walk up the temple steps, you spin the metal wheels with inscribed sutra as it is believed to have the same effect as reading them.
Omotesando: This shopping street is the busiest place in Miyajima where you can find souvenir shops, food stalls, and restaurants. Why not do some shopping here while doing your Japan itinerary!

Other Destinations & Trips

Obviously, there is more to Japan other than the famous destinations of Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, and Hiroshima. So if you have more days on your Japan itinerary, consider filling it up with any of the following destinations!

TIP : For a complete list of amazing tours and activities to do for your Japan itinerary, see here ! When booking, use code AILEENKLOOK to get 5% off!

Niigata Itinerary

Chubu Itinerary

Shirakawa-Go

Tateyama Kurob Alpine Route

◘◘ Day #13 and Onwards

(My favorites are marked with a ★).

NORTH OF JAPAN.

See here for a list of things to do in Hokkaido . .
READ : Niigata Prefecture: A New Japan Foodie Destination! .
Nagoya: Also found within the Chubu region is Nagoya which is known for its towering castle. Other notable sites are as follows: Korankei, City Science Museum, Atsuta Shrine, and Railway Museum. For food, check out Sekai no Yamachan , a famous izakaya (Japanese pub) in the city that serves flavorful “legendary chicken wings”. .
Kanazawa: This is the capital of the Ishikawa prefecture and it boasts historical attractions as well as its ‘ Kenrokuen ‘ — said to be one of the 3 best landscape gardens in Japan. .
Kiso Valley: Nestled within Nagano prefecture is this valley that holds an ancient 70km trade route called Kisoji which was later on combined with other routes forming the 500km long Nakasendo . Today, nearby post towns of Magome, Tsumago, and Narai are flocked by visitors not only to hike through the Nakasendo but to also revel in the traditional stone paths and wooden buildings of these quaint towns. Truly an interesting addition to your Japan itinerary! .
READ : Things to do in Matsumoto .
For more info, read here . .
READ : Things to do in Takayama
Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route: If you’re up for incredible and unique nature activities in Japan, it’s a MUST to visit the stunning mountain sightseeing route that’s commonly referred to as the “Roof of Japan”. A crowd favorite as of late is its grand ‘Snow Wall’ that’s open from mid-April to late June! For more info, read here . .
You can do this as a day tour from Nagano .
Shibu Onsen: An old-fashioned hot spring town
Shiga Kogen Resort: The largest ski resort in Japan.

Wanna see cute and fluffy foxes? Then go and visit the famous fox village in Miyagi Zao’s city of Shiroishi for your Japan itinerary! . Check out this blog post to find out more: The Fluffiest Place on Eart: Miyagi Zao Fox Village!

SOUTH OF JAPAN.

★ Kinosaki: Located about 3 hours away from Kyoto, this is a pleasant onsen town that has a great atmosphere. I stayed here before for 2 nights and I loved strolling around the town in my yukata and geta (wooden clogs), feeling like a local! After all, everyone (locals and foreigners alike) who visit the town almost always wears the same attire when going about the place onward to the public baths. .
See here for a list of things to do in Okinawa . .
Himeji: This place is most famous for its Himeji Castle which is typically considered to be Japan’s most beautiful surviving feudal castle. Because of this, it is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a national treasure that you must see for your Japan itinerary. .
See here for a list of things to do in Kobe .

Booking Essentials

TIP: It’s a good idea to crosscheck the prices with other popular travel insurance providers like World Nomads and HeyMondo (as my reader, you get 5% off)! . However, take note that a travel insurance’s affordability typically means lesser coverage; so please always ensure that you read the fine print in order to decipher which travel insurance company is the right fit for you and your trip!

The Best Tours in Japan?

Come and check out this list of the top things to do in Japan which features the best activities and tours to do in Tokyo, Okinawa, and more!

There really is SO much to see in Japan! …But I believe that my travel guide here is already a good start. Please feel free to tweak this itinerary and make full use of my extra activity suggestions in order to make your trip shorter or longer and better fitting for your travel style.

Enjoy and do let me know how your trip goes!

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Hey there! I am Aileen Adalid. At 21, I quit my corporate job in the Philippines to pursue my dreams. Today, I am a successful digital nomad (online entrepreneur, travel writer, & vlogger) living a sustainable travel lifestyle.

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How to start a successful blog, 70 comments.

I want to go back there so much! Loved it

This really is a comprehensive guide to Japan. It has everything you would need to know about Japan and how to plan the perfect itinerary.

we are planning to visit Japan next year and this is very helpful

Thanks for sharing this useful article about Japan itinerary, it will so great holiday :)

Do I need JR Pass if I travel to Hakone? My whole trip is just 5 days.

I guess that would mean you’ll mostly base yourself in Tokyo? If so, I don’t think you’ll need a JR Pass — but to be more precise you can read my article here: https://iamaileen.com/japan-rail-pass-guide/ . It has a link to a calculator site there that can calculate if having a JR pass is worth it or not for your route. Hope that helps!

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Unbeatable 2 Week Itinerary In Japan For First Timers

Posted on May 31, 2024

Categories Asia , Japan , Travel

If it’s your first time visiting, two weeks in Japan is the perfect amount of time .

You’ll be able to see all the highlights , some hidden gems, eat delicious local food, and be completely enthralled in Japanese culture. All without over staying your welcome!

This is my recommend 2 week itinerary in Japan!

Psst! This blog post contains affiliate links in it which sends me a bit of extra money if you use them… at no extra cost to you!

Is Two Weeks In Japan Enough?

Yes! Two weeks in Japan is more than enough time to travel to all the main highlights without over staying your welcome… which is what I did.

There is so much to see and do in Japan, but you have to accept that your first time in Japan, you won’t be able to do it all!

Focus on the fundamentals your first time in Japan , and if you fall in love, you’ll just have to come back.

Don’t try and stay longer or do too much all at once, Japan can be quite overwhelming. You’ll end up both mentally and physically exhausted.

the sunset over gion kyoto in japan. The sky is still blue at the top of the photo, slowing turning more golden yellow, becoming orange as the sun hits the side of the buildings. Soaring above the neighbourhood is the iconic five story pagoda.

I Stayed For 3 Weeks And I Overstayed My Welcome…

If you’re considering staying for three weeks in Japan… don’t!

I was actually in Japan with my partner for three and a half weeks , and it was WAY TOO LONG.

My partner was at a conference in Yokohama so we weren’t touring for the first few days ( and p.s. you don’t need to visit Yokohama ).

After about 10 days, we both looked at each other and wished we were going home in a few days rather than to continuing our trip to Hiroshima and Tokyo.

the streets of tokyo in shinjuku , it's bustling after it rained, there's a reflection of the streets in the puddles

We were tired of eating out, translating everything, and tired of not being able to have a proper conversation with anyone except each other (and we spend a lot of time together on a regular basis).

It was also very long to be disconnected from our families back home (the time difference was a whopping 13 hours for us!).

My 2 Week Itinerary In Japan Minimizes Movement

My 2 week itinerary in Japan prioritizes staying in the same hotel for as long as possible, so you’re not constantly moving around.

So I tried to stay in both Kyoto and Tokyo for around five nights each. In between, I had some travel days where I stayed at a hotel for a night or two, to explore some further destinations.

a woman sits on a concrete bench at a bus stop, her back is to the camera and she has a pink umbrella open to shield herself from the hot japan summer sun. This isn't a very popular area, there aren't any cars on the street and only a handful of older buildings across from the bus stop

For those travel days, we shipped our luggage to our next base to travel suitcase free in Japan .

During our longer stays, we still went on day trips to explore more areas in Japan, but we didn’t have to worry about checking in and out of hotels every day.

What You’ll Need For My Japan 2 Week Itinerary: Weekender Travel Bag

My two week Japan itinerary works because you can ship your large luggage and travel lighter for a few days at a time.

You do that by delay shipping your luggage to your final destination a few days later with Yamato Transport.

a hand holding the door open to a coin locker in japan. Inside the coin locker are two packable duffel bags and a backpack

To do that, you’ll need either a larger backpack (I wish I had my Allpa 35L Cotopaxi for this !), or a packable duffel bag ( like this one on Amazon ) to pack in for two to four days at a time.

If you follow my 2 week Japan itinerary, you’ll have to do this twice : when you first arrive in Japan, and about halfway through your trip (in Kyoto).

But shipping luggage is a very popular thing to do in Japan, and a very common way to travel the country. Read my full guide on how to travel luggage free in Japan .

a complete example of a two week itinerary in japan showing the map of japan and where you'll travel in two weeks, signified by different coloured dotted lines and pins on the map highlighted cities to viist.

It does take some extra planning to ship your luggage, so use my travel planner to stay organized!

Week 1: Travel Back In Time Japan Travel Itinerary

Week one of my 2 week itinerary in Japan is all about going back to traditional Japan .

It’s all about visiting older cities, towns, and having traditional Japanese experiences.

Arrival In Japan

Depending on when you arrive in Japan, I recommend booking a hotel near the train station in Tokyo for one night (like the Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi ).

Take it easy, get some rest for the night, and this is when you should ship your luggage to your next base destination (if you’re following my Japan itinerary, have it arrive in Kyoto 3 days later, always confirm this with your hotel first!).

yamato-transport-label-on-suitcase-luggage-delivery-japan

You can actually ship your luggage when you arrive at the airport , this way you don’t even have to travel with it to Tokyo… but you will need to be prepared with a second bag of belongings to tide you over for the next few days!

Alternatively, you can ask your hotel in Tokyo if they ship luggage, or find a Yamato transport near your hotel ( there are many locations !).

Staying in Tokyo for the night near the train station also makes the following day of travel easier, and shorter!

Japan Travel Itinerary Map for the first week. It's black and white outline of tha map of japan, zoomed in on one area. There's a dotted line showing the root from Tokyo, Nagano, Shibu Onsen, Kanazawa, and Kyoto. Those cities are written and pin pointed on the map.

Day 1: Onsen Town & Ryokan Stay

An essential Japan experience is to visit an onsen town ( hot spring town ) and stay in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese hotel). So, why not kill two birds with one stone!?

On your first full day in Japan, make your way to a relaxing onsen town and stay in a ryokan there.

This is the perfect way to start your two weeks in Japan, giving you time to relax in a bath town and maybe try to adjust to the time difference a bit!

There are a few onsen towns you can visit near Tokyo, we opted to go to the traditional Shibu Onsen town in the Nagano prefecture.

shibu onsen japan at night: traditional japanese buildings line a narrow stone street. people in traditional bathrobes (yukata) are walking to public baths in japan

If you are interested, you could stop in either Nagano city or Snow Monkey Park on your way from Tokyo.

You don’t need that much time in Shibu Onsen, or any onsen town. One evening is plenty , giving you time to enjoy the ryokan and hot spring baths experience. We also opted for a traditional Kaiseki meal with our stay, crossing another vital Japanese experience off our list.

You might also be interested in reading How To Book A Private Onsen: Japan’s Best Kept Secret

Where To Stay In Shibu Onsen?

We stayed at Kanaguya Ryokan , but I have some regrets as it was a little too traditional for us! Let’s just say the building and the facilities were old, and a little creepy!

In retrospect I think I would have been happier booking the more modern (but still traditional) ryokan, like the Kokuya hotel across the street (and you can easily book it on Booking.com , unlike Kanaguya which you have to go through an English travel agent in Japan).

futon beds on the floor at a traditional japan ryokan in shibu onsen at the kanaguya hotel. There are sliding paper doors surrounding the room and wood framings. The floor is a traditional tatami

Day 2 to 3: Kanazawa

After checking out of your ryokan in Shibu Onsen, make your way to Kanazawa by train.

You should be able to have an entire day and a half to explore Kanazawa, but it will depend on when you leave Shibu Onsen and want to arrive in Kyoto the following day ( spoiler alert! you’re going to Kyoto next !).

Kanazawa is an even more traditional city than Gion in Kyoto, and WAY less touristy that it’s really worth exploring. In fact, I enjoyed it more than Kyoto !

Depending on when you arrive, drop your luggage off at your hotel or keep them in the coin lockers and start exploring Kanazawa ASAP!

Enjoy lunch at the Omicho Market . Then head to the old tea district ( Higashi Chaya District ) to tour a traditional tea house and enjoy a matcha tea ceremony (I recommend the ceremony at SOYU ).

higashiyama ward old tea district in kanazawa japan. Stone street with old red wood buildings lining the street. A tree with droopy leaves frames the top left side of the image, adding a vibrant pop of green to the photo. Not a single person is walking in the streets, it's empty!

Kanazawa is also known for producing 99% of Japan’s Gold Leaf, so head to the Gold Leaf Museum and even try your hand at making your own gold leaf souvenir !

The following day, check out of your hotel but leave your bags.

This day, take some time to explore the oldest and last remaining samurai districts ( Nagamachi District ) and tour the last samurai house ( Nomura-ke Samurai Residence ), and Kanazawa Castle grounds and Kenroku-en gardens.

Then head to the train station to make your way to Kyoto!

Read my full guide to visiting Kanazawa !

Where To Stay In Kanazawa For The Night

You need to stay at least one night in Kanazawa, we booked Hotel Zoushi . It’s halfway between the train station and Higashi Chaya district, with a bus stops at the corner of the street.

The hotel was a modernized traditional Japanese room, with a raised tatami floor for the bed but up to date amenities! We absolutely loved our stay and the hotel staff were beyond helpful!

gold leaf experience in in kanazawa japan, making your own gold leaf chop stick. A very very thin sheet of gold rests on an art cutting board, it's being rolled into a chopstick, covering the top half.

Days 3 to 7: Kyoto Japan Itinerary

Kyoto is the main destination in Japan for tourists, so it’s time to finally settle down for a few days! Kyoto has some of the most spectacular views and brings you back to traditional Japan.

While in Kyoto, you’ll not only explore the city itself, but there are some nearby cities and attractions that you can easily take the train to.

Must-sees in Kyoto are the Gion district . I recommend going on a walking tour, and even watching a Geisha performance ( this tour does both a walking tour of Gion with a Geisha perfomance!).

In the Gion district walk along Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka , and all the way up the hill to Kiyumizu-dera shrine (if you can time it for sunset, the views are out of this world!).

Around Kyoto taste local food at Nishiki Market , visit Nijo Castle , and Toji Temple . We also had a lot of fun at the Samurai and Ninja Museum .

vertical image. A bright blue sky with some whispy light clouds, as though the were painted on a diagonal across the sky to show movement. Against the sky sits the 5 story japanese pagoda - toji temple. In front of it is lush green trees and bushes with pink flowers. There's a small pond with the reflection of the temple and rocks in the water, creating a makeshift path across. Which a woman is trying to make her way jumping from stone to stone, her arms are flailed out for balance. She's wearing a black long dress and a bright blue long sleeve coverup on top, it matches the sky perfecltion.

Further outside the city centre, points of interest are the Golden Pavilion , Arashiyama District ( with Monkey Park and Bamboo Forest ), the Silver Pavilion and walking the Philosopher’s Path to Nanzen-ji Temple.

P.S. Make touring Kyoto a bit easier by booking organized tours with Viator .

As I mentioned, from Kyoto you can also spend some time visiting nearby attractions and cities like the Fushimi Inari Shrine, Nara, and Osaka.

If you have more time in Kyoto, you can also go on a day trip to Uji or a tea farm (I booked this tea tour and tasting at Obubu Tea Farm ).

a long dirt path leading all the way to the centre of the photo in the distance. People are walking near the end of the path, you can barely see them. On either side of the path are tall bamboo trees, completely shading the path below, the sun tries to sneak through, you can barely see the sky above in a small crack in the trees above you.

While In Kyoto: Day Trip To Fushimi Inari Shrine & Nara

One of the top things to do in Kyoto is to see the Fushimi Inari Shrine.

If you’re visiting Japan in the summer time you’ll want to come here as early as possible . First to beat the crowds, but also to beat the heat !

This is a hike up the mountain through thousands of orange torii gates. There’s a lookout at the halfway point (which was as far as we made it!), but you can continue on to the top.

a couple are walking through the fushimi inari shrine on an easy day trip from kyoto japan. the up hill path is finished, long stone steps. Lining the path are bright orange tori gates, there's barely a gap between each one. The couple walks forward as they make their way up the hill

After you’ve made it back down, jump back on the train to Nara.

Nara is where you’ll find the famous deer park ! Deers have been living here for centuries and have become somewhat of an icon of Japan.

You can buy crackers to feed to the deer, but do so at your own risk, once you run out they can become quite aggressive. Walk through the park to the Buddhist temple and the Shinto Shrine, passing by deer as you go!

While In Kyoto: Day Trip To Osaka (Japan Travel Itinerary)

Instead of staying in Osaka, I just went on a day trip from Kyoto and saw everything I needed to in one day!

engaging deer in nara park japan is a must visit on a two week itinerary. On the path towards the buddhist temple, a gate sits in the distance. Blocking your path are two deers. On eis lying on the stone walkway with it's back to you, but his ears are titled backwards, showing that he's listening. Another baby deer, is looking directly at you, interested to see if you have crackers for them. People are walking through the gates, along the path, stopping at the deer in the way.

Depending on how early you arrive to Osaka, I actually recommend skipping the city centre until a bit later in the day (it’s a tad… quiet in the morning).

So visit Osaka Castle and enjoy a brunch at the Blue Birds Roof Top Terrace.

Then in the afternoon head to downtown Osaka for some shopping, and to see the famous Glico Sign!

You will want to wait until it’s dark in Osaka for the city to really come to life. After sunset the lights from all the ads turn on and the street is PACKED!

P.S. If you wanted to, you could easily stay the night in Osaka instead of going back to Kyoto… see hotels in Osaka on Booking.com .

osaka dotonbori area at night. Its packed with people, you can't even see between everyone its so packed. above everyone are the giant lit up signs including the glico sign with a man running

Where To Stay In Kyoto

I stayed at the Rinn Gion Yasaka ( see it on Booking.com ). Although I did enjoy our stay, the area had some pros and cons to it.

It was in the Gion District, which was perfect for early mornings and late evening strolls without any crowds! But, although there were a few bus stops in the area, it would have been more convenient to stay closer to the train or even a subway station.

See more hotel options in Kyoto on Booking.com .

P.S. It’s hard to plan the perfect 2 week itinerary in Japan, make it easier for yourself with my digital and printable travel planner on Etsy . I used it when planning to visually see where we’d be every day and night. This was important for trains, and to not double book any hotels (which I’ve done in the past!). Use my code ATRLOVE at checkout for an extra $1.00 off!

hotel room in rinn gion yasaka kyoto. you see the large queen size bed eating up the right side of the image. In front of the bed is a platform with tatami floors and a small table. There are two large windows overlooking gion, you can even see the 5 story pagoda and the mountains surrounding kyoto

Week 2: Travel To Modern-Day Japan Travel Itinerary

The first week in Japan was all about immersing yourself in traditional Japanese culture, going to temples and shrines, and witnessing geisha and tea ceremonies.

The second week in Japan, is starting to bring you back to the modern day, and maybe even the future!

On your last day in Kyoto, you have to ship your luggage, taking out what you’ll need for the next few days in a smaller duffel.

This time you want your luggage to arrive in Tokyo in three days . Once again, you can either ask your hotel if they offer pick up service, or bring it yourself to a Yamato location .

Read my tips on using Yamato Transport in Japan for shipping your luggage.

week two of a two week japan itinerary. A graphic map showing a cropped filled in shadow of the map of japan. Pin points are highlighted in white and a dotted line attached hiroshima, to himeji to tokyo. There's a second set of pink dotted lines connected hiroshima to miyajima, and tokyo to hakone and fuji

Day 8: Hiroshima

Unless there are some last minute things you want to do in Kyoto, leave as early as you can to travel by train to spend the day in Hiroshima. You’ll actually be staying in Hiroshima for the next two nights, but one day is a day trip out of the city!

Hiroshima (or Nagasaki) is such an important city to visit your first time in Japan, to see the destruction of war and atomic bombs.

So the main attraction in Hiroshima is the Atomic Bomb Dome and the Peace Memorial Museum . It’s not a very happy day, but it’s a must-do.

And you can’t forget to try Hirokonomiyaki – the rival to Okonomiyaki, from Hiroshima!

hiroshima atomic bomb dome across the river leading off into the distance. It's a completely overcast day, looking like it's about to rain - the perfect setting for seeing hiroshima in japan

We didn’t have anything to do at night in Hiroshima so actually ended up at the baseball game . If they’re playing when you’re visiting, I can’t recommend going to a Japanese baseball game enough! Check the baseball schedule when you’re in Japan.

Where To Stay In Hiroshima

We booked our stay at the Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel and highly recommend it ( see it on Booking.com ).

It was a two minute walk to the train station, which made it VERY convenient to get anywhere!

It’s also within walking distance to the baseball stadium if you’re interested in going to a game!

Or check out more hotels in Hiroshima .

Related 10 Fundamental Things To Do In Japan Your First Time Visiting

a hand in the middle of the frame holding up up two room keys. They're grey and white pattern with Shertaon Grand written on them. Behind the room keys is a bed, and a comfy looking armchair

Day 9: Miyajima Island

While staying in Hiroshima, go on a day trip to Miyajima Island to see the famous floating shrine, it’s really incredible!

On top of the floating shrine and torii gate, take the Miyajima Ropeway to the top of Mount Misen. Again, if you’re traveling in the summer in Japan , be prepared with a lot of water and sun protection.

For a unique culinary treat from the Island, try Momiji Manjū along Omotesandō Shopping Street.

Read my full guide to visiting Miyajima Island .

As I said, we went back to Hiroshima for the night, but you could technically stay at one of the few hotels on the Island instead.

the magnificent torii gate in the middle of the water. A beautiful bright red gate standing tall in the water. The photo was taken with a long exposure so the water is perfectly smooth below, allowing for an almost perfect reflection, you can only see the pillars. Behind the gate is the Hiroshima prefecture mountains.

Day 10: Himeji Castle En Route To Tokyo – Japan Itinerary

On your way back from Hiroshima to Tokyo, stop in Himeji to see the coolest castle in Japan : aptly named, Himeji Castle (but nicknamed the White Heron!).

Himeji Castle is one of the oldest and best preserved original castles in Japan that you can actually go inside. And it’s all within walking distance from the train station, making it a very quick on and off stop on the way back to Tokyo!

P.S. So that you’re not walking around with your luggage throughout the castle, store it in one of the many coin lockers at the train station. Although it’s called coin lockers, you can also used your Pasmo (IC) card to pay.

At the end of the day, we opted to hop back on the train and continue our way to Tokyo for the night. But you could technically stay in Himeji instead, see hotels in Himeji on Booking.com .

himeji castle in japan sneaking through the trees. It looks like it's towering above the world, it's the only building meeting the bright blue sky. There are stone walls leading up to the castle. Dark green bushes and trees frame the castle below and on the left, with a few branches towering over the castle on the top of the photo

Day 10 to 14: Tokyo!

And finally you’ve made it to Tokyo, the final destination on your 2 week itinerary in Japan.

P.S. If you find it weird to leave Tokyo for the end of your two weeks in Japan, you could alternitavely tour Tokyo at the beginning of your trip.

I always like touring the city I’m flying out of at the end of my trip to make travelling to the airport less stressful.

Four days in Tokyo gives you more than enough time to explore all the different and unique neighbourhoods the city has to offer.

If the weather permits, you can plan a day trip or stay a night in Hakone to see Mount Fuji. But I recommend just riding the Shinkansen on the Nagoya line to Osaka to see it instead (you’ll save a lot of time this way!).

Related Popular Things NOT To Do In Japan Your First Time (& What To Do Instead!)

seeing mount fuji from the shinkansen. You can barely see that you are looking through a window seeing the edges of a frame. But the back of a womans head blocks the right side, she's holding a phone in her hand, photographing what's outside: across a field, with some clouds covering the middle, is the iconic mount fuji

In Tokyo you can’t miss the Shibuya neighbourhood, which is famous for the Shibuya Scramble Crossing .

And Shinjuku where you’ll want to see Goldain-Gai and the Godzilla Head . We also enjoyed a fun karaoke night at Karaoke Pasela Shinjuku .

Another popular neighbourhood is Akihabara , for anime and manga shopping and themed cafes.

I also recommend going to Sensō-ji to see both Kaminarimon (the giant lantern) and shop along Nakamise-dorii street .

And I suggest going to the Tokyo National Museum , seeing a Sumo tournament or practice , and watching a single Kabuki act .

kaminarimon giant lantern at the senso-ji shrine in tokyo japan. People are crowded underneath, you can barely make it through. The lantern is red with kanji printed on it in black. It hands from the shrine gates, that are also painted a bright red

Where To Stay In Tokyo?

We stayed at the Mitsui Garden Hotel Jingugaien Tokyo Premier , and although we didn’t have any complaints about our stay, the location wasn’t the best.

The hotel is near two train stations , but there wasn’t anything else in the area (no restaurants or shopping!). I would suggest either staying near a train station in Shinjuku if you want to stay in more of the action.

We actually originally booked the Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (Godzilla Head), based on my cousins recommendation, and I think it would have been a better location in the end.

You could also stay at Tokyo Station for easy train access that will take you anywhere, like at the Hotel Metropolitan Tokyo Marunouchi .

Or see more hotel options in Tokyo on Booking.com .

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roof top view at night of tokyo from the mitsui garden hotel in Japan. The Buildings cute the image into thirds. The bottom third is a large, dark park with the street encircling it. The buildings in the distance light up the night sky so it's no black, but a gradient of yellow to dark navy

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The Ultimate Itinerary for a Trip to Japan: Unforgettable 7, 10 and 14 Day Journeys (Updated 2024)

Some destinations reward spontaneity – in Europe, cheap flights and rail passes give you the freedom to wake up in the morning and choose your next destination on a whim. Japan, on the other hand, rewards forward planning.

The country’s abundance of both natural and manmade attractions, combined with its high standard of living and general efficiency, make it a fairly pricey destination. The more you plan, the better you can mitigate the damage to your wallet, and get the most out your trip – no matter how long you plan to stay.

These itineraries are designed to inspire you to build your own trip. Based around a few key highlights that represent both modern and ancient, they’re crafted to give you a rich and satisfying experience of Japan in 7, 10 or 14 days. Let’s jump right in!

Psst: want more tips for planning a trip to Japan? Check our rail pass guide and cheap eating tips .

1 Getting Around
2 7 Day Itinerary: Tokyo and Mt Fuji (Fuji Five Lakes)
3 7 Day Itinerary: Osaka, Kyoto and Nara
4 10 Day Itinerary: Tokyo, Mt Fuji and Kyoto
5 10 Day Itinerary: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima
6 14 Day Itinerary: Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima

Getting Around

Before we get to the itineraries, there's one important piece of planning to keep in mind – whether or not to get a JR pass . A Japan Rail (JR) pass is exclusively available to tourists, and grants you unlimited travel on JR trains within Japan, including the world-famous bullet trains. Depending on your itinerary, this will save you time and money vs buying individual train tickets within Japan. But importantly, you must purchase the pass before you arrive in Japan . We recommend ordering from Klook for their low prices and 10-day global delivery.

We've marked the itineraries that we recommend the JR pass for below, but for a more in-depth guide, be sure to read our full guide The Japan Rail Pass: Is It Worth The Cost?

7 Day Itinerary: Tokyo and Mt Fuji (Fuji Five Lakes)

Get the essentials of urban and rural Japan with four days in the unforgettable capital, followed by three days of reflection and recovery under the shadow of Mt Fuji.

Tokyo: 4 Days

Highlights: Go crazy in Japan’s frenetic, eclectic and incomparable capital. Live out a manga fantasy in Akihabara , drink shoulder to shoulder with locals in Roppongi , and see the world’s largest metropolis in 360 degrees from the top of the Tokyo Tower . And for an immersive digital art experience, check out the popular teamLab Planets TOKYO Museum .
Where to stay: Public transport is comprehensive, so search far afield. Roppongi neighborhood if you like nightlife, Shinjuku to be close to the beating heart. Use TripAdvisor to compare hotel and hostel deals across all booking sites along with thousands of reviews.
What to eat : Chains like Sushiro ($1 / plate train sushi) and the ubiquitous Gyudon houses like Yoshinoya can get you a delicious local meal for a budget price. Check out a Maid Cafe for an authentic (if risque) local experience!

Mt Fuji: 3 Days

Tip: If you don't have 3 days to spend in Fuji, you can book a full day tour from Tokyo .

Highlights: See why this 3776 meter high mountain has inspired artists, writers and pilgrims for countless centuries. Soak up the volcanic waters in the Five Lakes District , a major tourist destination since the 1920s, it’s still possible to get away from the crowds and immerse yourself in nature.
Where to stay: The Five Lakes Region contains a wealth of hotels and resorts. If you’re striking out, try a bit further away from (but still in plain view of) the mountain in Hakone district. Compare across booking sites with TripAdvisor's hotel search.
What to eat: Try the regional speciality: udon noodles, often served cold in a delicate, flavorful sauce.

7 Day Itinerary: Osaka, Kyoto and Nara

Osaka: 3 Days

Highlights: Japan’s second biggest city is a microcosm of everything that magnetizes visitors to the country. Gaze in awe at giant plastic sea creatures and effusive street vendors in Dōtonbori , wander among the tuna merchants at the fish market, and connect with history at the 16th century Osaka Castle . Get to know Osaka like a local with a highly-rated walking tour .
Where to stay: Try AirBNB and trust the train network if you find a good option a little outside of town. For hotels and hostels, compare across booking sites using TripAdvisor .
What to eat : The same budget chains in Tokyo will serve you well here (I practically moved in to my nearest Sushiro!), but you really must try the street food on Dōtonbori .

Kyoto: 2 days

Highlights: After the urban grunge of Osaka, it’s time to embrace the Japan’s spiritual side at the ancient seat of empire. It’s still possible to see Geisha in the historic Higashiyama District, which you can even explore by rickshaw , and the subtle beauty of temples like Kinkaku-ji is simply too much to put into words. Make sure you catch everything there is to see with a custom-made walking tour with a local . Go!
Where to stay: Downtown Kyoto is the most convenient spot for sightseeing and will allow you to cover much of the historic town on foot. Try Airbnb or compare hotels and hostels across booking sites with TripAdvisor .
What to eat : Restaurant prices can be steep so take a trick from the locals and stock up on tasty (and filling) instant meals at chain stores like the ubiquitous 7/11

Nara: 2 days

Highlights: Stick with the theme of history but swap the Geisha for sacred deer in Nara , Japan’s capital from AD 710 to 794. In Nara park you can sip green tea in a traditional “Chaya” tea house and watch the deer frolic over 700 year old ground. Hire a local guide to make sure you catch it all!
Where to stay. While it’s possible to day trip from Osaka, the town is well worth staying overnight – guest houses are abundant and there are even hotels in the historical park! You can compare all your options and find the best price using TripAdvisor .
What to eat . Vegetarian food and pickled delicacies are the local specialities, due to the surrounding mountains and buddhist communities.

10 Day Itinerary: Tokyo, Mt Fuji and Kyoto

Got 10 days? Let’s do it right. Take a deep dive into the capital, cleanse yourself with nature in Mt Fuji and the surrounding 5 Lake District, and transport yourself back in time in Kyoto – a rich overview that will leave you feeling refreshed, satisfied and exhilarated.

For this itinerary, we recommend a JR pass . It will save you precious travel time on the bullet train, and save you money on train fares between, and within, Tokyo and Kyoto. Remember to order your pass BEFORE you enter Japan (we recommend Klook ). If you're still unsure, be sure to check out our in-depth guide on whether the JR pass is worth it .

Highlights: Lose yourself among the neon lights of Shibuya and have a drink at the Monster Cafe . Watch locals transform themselves into Manga characters on an anime/gaming tour in Akihabara , drink hot sake with locals in Roppongi, and let digital art completely immerse your senses in Japan’s unforgettable capital.
Where to stay: Public transport is comprehensive so search far afield. Roppongi neighborhood if you like nightlife, Shinjuku to be close to the beating heart.
What to eat : Tokyo has unlimited dining options – if you’re on a budget, try Gyudon and brave the budget chains where it’s still possible to order with ancient vending machine located by the kitchen!

Highlights: Make all your instagram followers jealous as you soak up the steamy volcanic waters under the shadow of Japan’s largest and most famous mountain.
Where to stay: The Five Lakes Region near the mountain contains a wealth of hotels and resorts. If you’re striking out, try a bit further away from (but still in plain view of) the mountain in Hakone district.

Kyoto: 3 days

Highlights: The twin temples Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji (gold pavilion and silver pavilion) have been carrying out an architectural and spiritual debate for centuries. It’s still possible to see Geisha in the historic Higashiyama District, which you can even explore by rickshaw . Make sure you catch everything there is to see with a custom-made walking tour with a local .
Where to stay: Downtown Kyoto is the most convenient spot for sightseeing and will allow you to cover much of the historic town on foot.
What to eat : Live out a warrior fantasy at the Samurai Restaurant . It’s a bit kitsch and definitely designed for the tourists, but so what – you’re on holiday!

10 Day Itinerary: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima

Get the best of Japan today and yesterday in racey Osaka, tranquil Kyoto and serene Nara, before coming face to face with perhaps the darkest period of Japan’s history at Hiroshima.

For this itinerary, we recommend a JR pass . It will save you tons of travel time on the bullet train to Hiroshima, and save money on train fares within the Osaka/Kyoto/Nara area. You need to order your pass BEFORE you enter Japan (we recommend Klook ). If you're still unsure, be sure to check out our in-depth guide on whether the JR pass is worth it .

Highlights: “Forget Tokyo,” I was told when I planned my first trip to Japan, “Go to Osaka!” While the capital is awesome, Japan’s second city more than holds its own. Here you can gaze in awe at giant plastic sea creatures and effusive street vendors in Dōtonbori, wander among the tuna merchants at the fish market, and connect with history at the 16th century Osaka Castle. Get to know Osaka like a local with a highly-rated walking tour .
Where to stay: Try AirBNB and trust the train network if you find a good option a little outside of town.
What to eat : Try the street food on Dōtonbori! A nightfood tour will help you find the best spots and eat where the locals eat!
Highlights: Say goodbye to the furious pace of modern Japanese city life, and embrace the tranquil, spiritual and ancient in Kyoto. Believe it or not, but it's still possible to see Geisha in the historic Higashiyama District, even from a rickshaw . The gentle beauty of temples like Kinkaku-ji is simply too much to put into words. Make sure you catch everything there is to see with a custom-made walking tour with a local . Go!

Highlights: In Nara park you can sip green tea in a traditional “Chaya” tea house and watch the deer frolic over 700 year old ground. Hire a local guide to make sure you catch it all!
Where to stay. While it’s possible to day trip from Osaka, the town is well worth staying overnight – guest houses are abundant and there are even hotels in the historical park!
What to eat . Thank the Buddhist communities in the surrounding mountains for the abundance of local vegetarian food.

Hiroshima: 2 days

Highlights : Infamous for its more recent history (which you can learn from a local on a cycling tour ), the rebirth of Hiroshima from ashes into a vibrant modern city is reason to visit in itself. In addition to haunting museums and poignant relics to the nuclear attacks, Hiroshima is the gateway to rural Chūgoku , a chance to tip your toes into Japan’s unspoiled wilderness.
Where to stay : Hiroshima is drenched in hotels. Stay near the train station for convenient access to the city center and surrounding attractions.
What to eat : Try the local okonomiyaki, a delicious, savory grilled pancake smothered in sauces and toppings.

14 Day Itinerary: Tokyo, Mt Fuji, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, and Hiroshima

This is an itinerary for people who want it all! You’ve got two weeks, you’ve got your rail pass , and you’re going to jolly-well make the most out of your time. Well, if you’ve got the energy, then here’s how it could be done. It’s everything you see above, rolled into one epic itinerary for the bold and brave.

For this itinerary, we definitely recommend a JR pass . With the distance being covered from the east to the west of country, the amount of time and money this will save is a no-brainer. You must order your pass BEFORE you enter Japan (we recommend Klook ). But if you're still unsure, be sure to check out our in-depth guide on whether the JR pass is worth it .

Highlights: Start with the blast of energy, neon, weirdness and glamour that is Japan’s capital. Opportunities for entertainment are virtually unlimited – feel the awe of the emperor at the imperial palace, indulge in a retail fantasy in Ginza, and finish the day with a well needed pint of Asahi in Roppongi.
Where to stay: Public transport is comprehensive so search far afield. Roppongi neighborhood if you like nightlife, Shinjuku to be close to the beating heart. Use TripAdvisor to compare hotel and hostel deals across all booking sites along with thousands of reviews.
What to eat : The real question is what NOT to eat. You could go to a different restaurant in Tokyo everyday for 20 years and still not run out of options. If you’re on a budget, look to the local fast food chains – if you’re on a tight budget, trust to the 7/11!

Mt Fuji: 2 Days

Highlights: Hear a rumble? Fuji-san isn’t just a stunning, snow capped mountain, it’s still an active volcano! Soak up the volcanic waters and watch Fuji’s towering form from the Five Lakes District , a popular spot for locals and and travelers.
Where to stay: The Five Lakes Region contains a wealth of hotels and resorts. If you’re striking out, try a bit further away from (but still in plain view of) the mountain in Hakone district. Compare across booking sites with TripAdvisor's hotel search.
What to eat: Try the regional speciality: udon noodles, often served cold in a delicate, flavorful sauce.

Osaka: 2 Days

Highlights: Japan’s second biggest city is a microcosm of everything that magnetizes visitors to the country. Gaze in awe at giant plastic sea creatures and effusive street vendors in Dōtonbori , wander among the tuna merchants at the fish market, and connect with history at the 16th century Osaka Castle .Get to know Osaka like a local with a highly-rated walking tour .
Where to stay: Try AirBNB or TripAdvisor and trust the train network if you find a good option a little outside of town.
What to eat : The same budget chains in Tokyo will serve you well here (I practically moved in to my nearest Sushiro!) but you really must try the street food on Dōtonbori .
Where to stay: Downtown Kyoto is the most convenient spot for sightseeing and will allow you to cover much of the historic town on foot. Try Airbnb or compare hotels and hostels across booking sites with TripAdvisor .

Where to stay. While it’s possible to day trip from Osaka, the town is well worth staying overnight – guest houses are abundant and there are even hotels in the historical park! You can compare all your options and find the best price using TripAdvisor .
Where to stay : Hiroshima is drenched in hotels. Stay near the train station for convenient access to the city center and surrounding attractions. Check both Airbnb and TripAdvisor for the best prices.

With the abundance of incredible places to visit in Japan, the only trouble you'll have with planning a trip here is which itinerary to follow. Tell us, what are your must-visit's on a trip to Japan?

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Shinkansen rolling past Mt Fuji in Japan

Two weeks in Japan: the ultimate rail itinerary for first-time visitors

Got two weeks to explore Japan? Lucky you. Here’s how to spend your time in the island nation using the 14-day Japan Rail Pass

Photograph: jiratto / Shutterstock.com

It’s cliché to say you could spend forever in Japan and not get bored. What I will say is that two weeks in Japan will never feel like enough, but makes for a great introduction to this endlessly fascinating country. Using the Japan Rail pass, you can take in the lights and buzz of Tokyo before experiencing the country’s rich local culture.

This two-week Japan itinerary takes you on a round-trip from Japan’s delightfully disorienting capital, whisking you from castle towns in the north to the cities of Osaka , Kyoto and Hiroshima in the south – and finishing off with a relaxing break in the hot spring town of Beppu. You’ll travel the length of Japan’s main island of Honshu and experience the onsen island of Kyushu, visiting craftspeople, rolling through rice paddies, marveling at mountain temples, feasting on local specialties like okonomiyaki – and much, much more.

Spoiler: some of the best places in Japan are the ones that you stumble upon in between hitting the major attractions. Do treat this as a guide and feel free to go your own way – that’s the flexibility the Japan Rail Pass can offer (more on that below).

How to travel around Japan

There’s no more natural way to travel in Japan than by train. I’ve traveled extensively from north to south using Japan’s famously efficient, modern rail system, which reaches nearly every corner of the country.

For maximum freedom and flexibility, a rail pass is a great way to go. The best pass for visitors is the Japan Rail Pass or JR pass, an all-inclusive ticket covering almost any Japan Rail train in the country – including most high-speed trains.

The current price for a 14-day adult pass purchased outside of Japan is ¥47,250 (£275, $341); ¥52,960 (£302; $380) if purchased inside Japan. Note that the price will rise in October 2023 to ¥80,000 ( £457; $575) for a 14-day pass. Before the increase, the pass is excellent value; after the hike, the pass is still a good choice if you want to travel all over Japan, visit several different places, and plan to spend no more than a few days in each location.

You should order your passes well in advance of your trip, as shipping can take a while. Note that passes are only open to foreign visitors, and cannot be purchased by residents of Japan or those with Japanese passports.

If you’d rather concentrate on seeing one area, a regional pass is a good bet. Choices include the JR East Pass (Tohoku), the JR Tokyo Wide Pass (Area surrounding Tokyo), the JR West All-Area Pass (Western Honshu), as well as passes covering Kyushu , Shikoku , and Hokkaido .

The following itinerary uses the nationwide Japan Rail Pass.

Selena Takigawa Hoy is a Japanese-American writer based in Tokyo. A t Time Out, all of our travel guides are written by local writers who know their cities inside out. For more about how we curate, see our editorial guidelines and check out our latest travel guides written by local experts.

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🇯🇵 The best things to do in Japan 🏨 The best hotels in Japan

Been there, done that? Think again, my friend.

The ultimate two-week Japan itinerary

Days 1-3: tokyo.

Welcome to Tokyo! It’s time to start your trip with a few days in Japan’s exhilarating capital. Most of central Tokyo is accessible by the metro – this is a separate system from Japan Rail and does not fall under the pass, so we recommend you don’t activate your rail pass yet (more on that later).

Shop your way through bustling Shibuya , stroll through Yoyogi Park , visit Meiji Shrine , look for toys and anime goods in Akihabara , and eat and drink your way through the city, from Michelin-starred restaurants to cheap noodle stands and quirky street food (make sure to snap a photo of the crazy cotton candy from Momi & Toys ).

Where to stay in Tokyo

The Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel is spacious by Tokyo standards, close to the famous Sensō-ji (temple), and loaded with delightful design details. On a tight budget? The Toyoko Inn chain has locations all over the city. Quarters are on the smaller side, but rooms are clean and serviceable, and there’s a basic free breakfast.

Next stop… Hirosaki

It’s time to activate your rail pass! Take it to the ticket office of a major Japan Rail station to activate, then book a seat on your northbound train. You can travel from either Tokyo Station or Ueno Station. Reservations (free) are required on the Tohoku Shinkansen, so be sure to secure a booking as soon as you validate your pass.

Ride the Tohoku Shinkansen to Shin-Aomori Station, then switch to the limited express Ou Line to Hirosaki Station. The journey takes four hours.

Days 3-4: Hirosaki

Hirosaki is a castle town in Aomori Prefecture, the northernmost prefecture in Honshu. Once there, stroll the grounds of Hirosaki Castle and the adjacent park, and visit the Neputa Village to learn about the fascinating culture of neputa : huge paper lanterns covered with depictions of gods and warriors that grace the summer Neputa Festival floats. Don’t leave without sampling the city’s famous apple pastries and hard cider.

Where to stay in Hirosaki

The Good Old Hotel , in the heart of the drinking and nightlife district, is a row of tiny former ‘snack’ bars converted into accommodation. The Dormy Inn is an efficient chain known for its on-site hot spring baths and free late-night instant ramen.

Next stop… Akita and Sendai

Train enthusiasts will want to reserve a seat on the scenic Resort Shirakami , running between Hirosaki and Akita. The one-way trip takes under five hours, spent gazing out at the ocean and enjoying some of the onboard interludes, such as a Tsugaru-jamisen performance and a puppet show. Change in Akita , where you can spend a few hours visiting Akita Museum of Art and Senshu Park , adjacent to the station, before boarding a southbound shinkansen (don’t forget your reservation) to Sendai , the capital city of Miyagi Prefecture. The Akita-Sendai train takes two hours 20 minutes.

Days 4-5: Sendai

Delve into Sendai’s samurai history, learning about the exploits of Masamune Date and the Date Clan, whose mausoleum and statues dot the city. Spirits fans will enjoy visits to the Nikka Whisky Distillery or touring some of the many local sake breweries. In the hot spring enclave of Sakunami Onsen , you’ll find traditional artisans making carved wooden kokeshi dolls and other crafts.

Where to stay in Sendai

A fun choice in Sendai is the Hen-na Hotel (literally ‘Strange Hotel’) featuring a high-tech, hologram-driven check-in.

Next stop... Kanazawa

You’ll need two shinkansen to get to Kanazawa on the west coast of Honshu: the Tohoku or Akita Shinkansen from Sendai to Omiya (just over an hour) and the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Omiya to Kanazawa (about two hours).

Days 5-7: Kanazawa

The capital of Ishikawa Prefecture, Kanazawa has loads of traditional charm and well-preserved areas with a fraction of the tourists of Kyoto or Tokyo. There’s a lot to pack in here. Stroll around Kanazawa Castle and the colourful Edo-era gardens of Kenroku-en , admire the handsome wooden buildings in the teahouse districts of Higashi Chaya and Nishi Chaya , browse the stalls at Omicho Market , learn about the art of gold leaf and its history in the region, and check out the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art .

Where to stay in Kanazawa

A new(ish) opening in May 2023, Omo5 Kanazawa Katamachi is a boutique mid-range option not far from the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art.

Next stop... Kyoto

You have a few options to get between Kanazawa and Kyoto; the most direct is the Thunderbird Express, taking about two hours 15 minutes.

Days 7-10: Kyoto, Osaka and Nara

There’s so much to see in Kyoto – and everyone else wants to see it too. If possible, visit during the week for slightly fewer crowds. Highlights include Kinkaku-ji (the Golden Pavilion), the pagoda and shopping street at Kiyomizu-dera , and the Zen garden at Ryōan-ji . Use Kyoto as a base to visit nearby cities as well: head over to Osaka (30 minutes by shinkansen) to explore foodie neighborhoods like Dotonbori , Shinsekai , and Kuromon Market . You might also want to visit the ancient capital of Nara to see the enormous Buddhist temple Todaiji and its accompanying tame deer.

Where to stay in Kyoto

For a nice midrange hotel right near Kyoto Station, try the Rihga Royal Hotel Kyoto , which has an indoor swimming pool and several dining options onsite. For something more classic, there’s Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura Urushitei , with futon bedding, tatami mats, and traditional furnishings. Do opt in for the excellent Japanese breakfast.

Next stop... Hiroshima

Time to board the Tokaido Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima; 1 hour 40 minutes. Reservations are recommended, but not required.

Days 10-12: Hiroshima

The focus of any Hiroshima visit is of course Peace Park , the A-Bomb Dome , and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum . Hiroshima is also a beautiful, resilient, and thriving city.

Spend at least half a day visiting the island of Miyajima ; with a moderate hike, you’ll catch sight of roaming deer and monkeys, as well as Itsukushima Shrine , a Unesco World Heritage Site famous for its ‘floating’ torii (the red shrine gate that rises from the sea off the coast).

Don’t forget to get your fill of okonomiyaki , Hiroshima’s most famous food, a thick savory pancake made with batter, noodles, vegetables, meat or seafood, and more. Vegan versions are available at several locations including Okonomimura .

Where to stay in Hiroshima

The Knot Hiroshima is a stylish, affordable option near Peace Park; or if you don’t mind tight spaces, why not try a budget capsule hotel? The Sejour Inn Capsule offers pods for all genders (some capsule hotels only accept men), with compact sleeping quarters, lockers, and shared bathing facilities.

Next stop... Beppu

Take the Tokaido Shinkansen to Kokura Station, then change to the Sonic Nichiren Express to Beppu Station; 2 hours 30 minutes.

Days 12-14: Beppu

The island of Kyushu generally has a more laid-back vibe than much of Honshu (Japan’s main island), and in the hot spring resort town of Beppu , relaxation is the name of the game. Check out the sulfuric pools and geysers called the ‘Hells’ of Beppu and soar over the active volcano of Mt. Tsurumi on the Beppu Ropeway – then unwind in the region’s famous hot spring baths. Each has different mineral properties that are believed to soothe various ailments.

Where to stay in Beppu

When in a hot spring town, staying at a ryokan is a must. Try Beppu Nagomitsuki or Ryokan Sennari , both of which offer sumptuous multi-course meals and on-site open-air hot spring baths.

Next stop... back to Tokyo

Use the last day on your pass to return to Tokyo . Take the Sonic Nichiren Express back to Kokuro, then the Tokaido Shinkansen all the way back to Tokyo; about 6 hours. Don’t forget to pick up a bento at the station or buy one on the train.

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Japan 2 Week Itinerary: The TOP Destinations for First-Timers

Japan. Shinto shrines and temples, skyscrapers and Shinkansen high-speed trains, sushi and ramen. Also known as the land of the rising sun , Japan is hard to describe in words. It’s different, yet mysterious, sometimes strange or even disturbing, often surprising and always fascinating.

In this travel guide, we will share with you our itinerary through Japan . This itinerary is perfect for those who are travelling to Japan for the first time and want to get a glimpse of the best highlights in the country. We use the word “glimpse”, because Japan is so diverse that not even a lifetime would be enough to see and know everything there is to offer.

Our itinerary for Japan took us a good two weeks. Give or take a few days, it would also take you roughly 14 days to do this itinerary. Our flight to Japan was thanks to a collaborative invitation by All Nippon Airways (ANA). You’ll find our detailed review further down in this article.

1. Top Destinations for Two Weeks in Japan: Our Itinerary

2. map overview: our 2 weeks itinerary in japan, 3. flying with ana: direct to tokyo, japan, 4. transport in japan: the japan rail pass.

Our itinerary will take you right through Japan’s largest and most significant island – Honshu . On this island, you will find the capital of Tokyo, as well as Mount Fuji. We spent 14 days travelling around Honshu, which is just one of four large main islands in Japan. Harbouring thousands of smaller islands around the country, it just goes to show how incredibly diverse and vast this seemingly small country is.

In order to get around between the cities, we took advantage of Japan’s well-developed train network . We will share more information about the Railway and Train passes further down in this travel guide.

Let’s start the itinerary in the City of all Cities : Tokyo. This city simply has so much to offer that there’s no way you can see everything – in fact, you hardly scratch the surface. But the good news is that there is nothing this city does not have. In Tokyo, you can find everything you can think of – plus the crazy, unimaginable things you never knew existed.

Tokyo city was the perfect first stop for us on our itinerary in terms of adjusting to the new culture and to the time difference after our long flight. Although, what we found most surprising, was how most of the districts in Tokyo were actually much cosier and quieter than we had expected.

Speaking of districts, the main city attractions or highlights in Tokyo are not your typical touristic landmarks, but rather the collection of the numerous diverse districts within the city. For example: Akihabara – the crazy electronics district; or Harajuku – the main district of Japan’s cosplay scene. On top of that, there are also the classic tourist highlights, such as: The Tokyo Skytree – the second tallest building in the world; the Sensō-ji Temple; and of course the Shibuya Crossing – one of the most famous intersections in the world. There are endless things to keep you on your feet in Tokyo.

We decided to split our time in Tokyo with 2 nights at the beginning and another 4 nights at the end of our 2 week Japan itinerary. Definitely an arrangement we would do again.

Our accommodation in Tokyo: OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka

Our detailed blog article: Tokyo Travel Tips Recommended stay: 5-6 nights in total (we stayed 2 at the beginning and 4 at the end of our trip to Japan)

Hakone (Lake Ashi)

About 100 kilometres west of Tokyo, located on the Lake of Ashi is the next stop of our 2 week Japan itinerary: the town of Hakone. This region is well known for two reasons: firstly, Hakone is one of the most popular places in Japan to bathe in the hot springs (the so-called Onsen ); secondly, you get a nice view of Mount Fuji from Hakone when the weather is good.

Unfortunately, it’s not always the case that you get good weather and during our visit, Mount Fuji was hidden behind clouds. The opportunity to actually see Mt Fuji is less than you think, so if you are only coming here to get a view of Mt Fuji, then we would rather recommend a trip to Kawaguchi Lake. However, it appears that visibility is supposedly better in winter than in summer.

Fortunately, Hakone has much more to offer than the distant view of Mount Fuji – such as the Onsen Hot Pools, which we mentioned before. Perhaps the most popular photo spot in Hakone is the famous Red Torii down by the lake shore. It belongs to the Hakone Shrine, which is the main Shinto shrine in this region.

Our accommodation in Hakone: Ryokan Yoshimatsu

Our detailed blog article: Hakone Travel Guide Recommended stay: 1-2 nights (we stayed 1 night)

Modern Osaka is the next stop on our 2 week travel itinerary through Japan. Upon first impressions, the third largest city of Japan reminded us of Tokyo with its skyline. But in reality, they couldn’t be more different. You’ll find that Osaka is less organised, people are more relaxed and you don’t run into as many business people wearing suits, as you would do in Tokyo.

One place that you should absolutely visit is the lively district of Dōtonbori . At night, there are so many flashing neon lights and neon signs, that you don’t even know where to look. The most important historical attraction in Osaka is the photogenic Osaka Castle.

Our tip: We did a little day trip from Osaka to Nara , which fit perfectly with our travel plans. You will find our tips and highlights for Nara in the next section below!

Our accommodation: Moxy Osaka

Our detailed blog article: Osaka Travel Tips Recommended stay: 3 nights (same length of stay as us)

Ever seen photos of those deers in front of a Japanese Temple, that just seem completely at ease being in front of cameras and people? Those photos will most likely have been taken in Nara, where there are more than 1,000 sika deer roaming around freely.

However, the deer are actually not the main nor the most important attraction in Nara. That title goes to the countless temples and shrines scattered around the city. Nara was the capital of Japan in the 8th century and is home to an abundance of cultural gems . The highlight of Nara is the gigantic Tōdai-ji Temple, which is the largest wooden building in the world. Our personal favourite out of all the attractions in Nara is the Shinto Shrine by the name of Kasuga-Taisha.

Nara is perfect for a day trip on your Japan itinerary and can be reached in about an hour from both Osaka or Kyoto. We ourselves decided to visited Nara as a day trip from Osaka and felt like we came way with a good feel for the place. Of course, there’s also nothing wrong with spending a night or two in Nara.

Our detailed blog article: Day trip to Nara Recommended Stay: Day trip from Osaka or Kyoto

The traditional and charming city of Kyoto is the highlight of a Japan itinerary for many people. The city is a temple hopping paradise: there are so many temples and shrines , it’s hard to get around them all!

Kyoto is unbelievably photogenic and many of the places are exactly how you’d imagine Japan to look like. The district closest to that ideal sense would be Gion , also known as the Geisha Quarter. The name is no coincidence: the chances of seeing a real geisha is certainly up there. (We lucky people can confirm that such an encounter is truly so unique!)

One of the absolute highlights and a place that nobody should miss when it comes to Kyoto is the Fushimi Inari-Taisha : the reward of hundreds, if not thousands, of Red Torii will make your hike up that mountain very worthwhile. We have never seen anything like it before. Kyoto also has the famous bamboo forest , which is very popular on Instagram – all in all, there is so much to discover in Kyoto.

Our accommodation: The General Kyoto Bukkouji Shinmachi

Our detailed blog article: Kyoto Travel Tips Recommended stay: 4-5 nights (we stayed 4 nights)

At the end of our trip to Japan we spent another 4 nights in the crazy city of Tokyo, which made it a total of 6 nights in Tokyo. As we mentioned before, we found this break worked really well for us.

If you want to do some day trips from Tokyo, then the last few days of your travels would be the perfect time to do it. Some well known and popular places for day trips are Kamakura, Nikko or Yokohama. Originally, we had also considered doing a day trip somewhere, but decided to put all our energy and time in truly exploring what Tokyo had to offer.

Our accommodation: OMO5 Tokyo Otsuka

To give you a better geographical sense of all our destinations in Japan, we have pinned the exact locations of our stops on the map below. If you’re wondering now how long the distances actually are, you’d be surprised to find that it’s much shorter than you think! For example, Kyoto and Tokyo are just 2.5 hours apart by train – that’s impressive!

On the flight from Vienna to Tokyo, we kicked back and let ourselves relax in the Dreamliner (Boeing 787-9) with All Nippon Airways (aka. ANA). Some of you will know how much we love non-stop flights! Especially when you have a long journey ahead of you there is nothing better than getting on a plane in your hometown and arriving directly at your final destination. Therefore, when All Nippon Airway reached out to us, we were thrilled to receive an invitation to test out their new Vienna-Tokyo direct flight.

As of February this year, All Nippon Airways flies the Dreamliner (Boeing 787-9) direct from Vienna to Tokyo daily . One of the biggest advantages of flying with All Nippon Airways is arriving at the Haneda airport . It would be useful to note that there are two airports in Tokyo – Haneda and Narita. Since the Haneda airport is much closer to Tokyo, its location makes it the more favourable option.

By the way, the flight from Vienna to Tokyo takes about 11 hours. That sounds like a lot, but time passes much faster than you think. And for those of you who are coming from Germany, All Nippon Airways also flies to Japan from Frankfurt, Munich and Dusseldorf.

There are several ways to get around Japan and this is something we cover more of in our other article here: Japan Travel Tips . For us, we decided to travel by train, more specifically with the Japan Rail Pass.

What is the Japan Rail Pass?

The Japan Rail Pass is a train ticket that allows unlimited use of Japan National Railway (JR) trains within a set period of time. One great thing about this pass is that you can literally travel across the entire country without having to fuss about further costs or buying last minute train tickets. The Rail Pass is available for 7, 14 or 21 days .

Does the Rail Pass mean I can travel with ANY train?

Unfortunately no, there are a few restrictions as to the ‘type’ of trains you can take with the Rail Pass. It goes without saying that the world famous Shinkasen high-speed trains, such as the “Nozomi” (which operates between Tokyo and Osaka) and the “Mizuho” , are excluded from the Rail Pass. (An extra fee is required when using those trains.) However, other (“normal”) Shinkansen trains also run along the same routes as the Nozomi and Mizuho – the slower trains simply make a few more stops, therefore extending the journey a little longer.

You should perhaps also note that this Japan Rail Pass is a special deal offered by Japan Railways (JR) themselves. This means that the pass only entitles you to travel with trains operated by Japan Railways – we say this because there are also quite a few private rails in Japan. However, JR has a huge network and in addition to the Shinkansen trains (aka. ”Bullet Trains”) you can also use the Express and Local Trains run by JR.

Can I also use the City Subways with this Rail Pass?

No. The city subways (or metro) are excluded, since they are not operated by Japan Railways. However, there does exist a few JR lines within the city of Tokyo, as well as in Kyoto and Osaka, which you can use. In Tokyo, there is something called the Yamanote Line , which does a loop around the city and passes by some important tourist highlights.

The whole thing sounds a little complicated at first, but don’t worry – once you get there, you’ll find your way around rather quickly.

How much does the Japan Rail Pass cost?

Unfortunately, the prices were increased in October 2023. Currently (as of November 2023) the prices for the Standard Japan Rail Pass (2nd class) are:

7 days: 50,000 Yen (about 308 Euros)
14 days: 80,000 Yen (about 494 Euros)
21 days: 100,000 Yen (about 617 Euros)

Important to know: The actual price in your home currency depends on the current exchange rate. So the prices quoted in Euros are only estimates.

Where can I buy the Japan Rail Pass?

The option to buy the pass directly in Japan will be discontinued in October 2023. Apparently there is a transition period, but we would still recommend you buy the pass from home. What happens, is that they will send you a voucher/slip, which you will then hold on to and exchange for the real Pass when you arrive in Japan.

To do this, you need to go to the Japan Railways exchange counters and show your passport in addition to the voucher.

You can order your Rail Pass (or voucher) here: www.jrailpass.com

Is it worth getting the Japan Rail Pass?

Good question, because since the price increase in October 2023, we unfortunately have to say that the Japan Rail Pass is no longer worthwhile for all travelers. You need to travel a lot so that you can get off cheaper with the Japan Rail Pass than with individual tickets.

Our tip: You can work out for yourself, whether or not the Rail Pass is worthwhile getting for your trip. Hyperdia is a great website you can use to search for train connections and their prices. (Important: Seat reservation is included in the Japan Rail Pass – you should take that into account.)

However, you should also take into consideration the additional benefits such as: getting around for free in cities that have JR connections. You can also take advantage of the rather expensive Narita Express , which runs between Narita Airport and Tokyo, if you have the Japan Rail Pass.

We do have to say, that it’s really nice not having to think about the price and the stress of buying individual tickets every time you want to go somewhere. It certainly makes the travelling experience smoother and more pleasant.

How do I use the Japan Rail Pass?

Super straightforward! At the platform entrance by the train tracks, there are usually a number of electronic barriers and switches. You put the Japan Rail Pass in there and it comes out the other side.

Seat reservations with the Japan Rail Pass is free, so we recommend you make the most of this benefit because having seat reservations just makes the journey that little more pleasant, especially as you will know which section you’re on and can rest assured that you actually have a seat.

Seating reservation is very easy: Just go to a ticket counter and tell them your destination. They will search up the train connection and you will receive your reservation in the form of a ticket. We always did our seat reservations pretty late – about half an hour before departure and it worked pretty well for us.

Disclaimer: Invitation & Affiliate Links

This trip to Japan was a collaborative invitation by All Nippon Airways (ANA) – thank you so much for this amazing opportunity! For full disclosure of this collaboration: ANA covered the financial costs for our return flights, plus the first five days worth of activities and accommodation (in Tokyo, Hakone, Osaka). However, we had the freedom to design our own program and schedule. Since we were also travelling on our own the whole time, we decided to extend our stay in Japan at our own expense – after the collaboration period.

This blog article contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or buy something through these links, we will receive a small commission. For you, this does not change the price at all. A million thanks from the both of us!

Have you been to Japan before? Which places did you visit and what were some of your highlights? We look forward to reading about your itinerary in the comments below!

You might also be interested in this

Japan Travel Tips: How to prepare and plan your Trip

Best of Kyoto: The Ultimate Travel Guide

Nara Day Trip Travel Guide: The Perfect Itinerary

The Perfect One Month Japan Itinerary And Travel Guide (2024)

By: Author Lotte

Posted on Last updated: June 21, 2024

Categories Japan

the-ultimate-one-month-japan-itinerary-lotte-travels.com (3)

Japan is a beautiful country with a history of emperors and samurai, unique culture and religion, ancient temples, impressive castles, and stunning nature.

Japan never ceases to amaze and it's one of my favorite countries in the world. Over the years, we've made quite a few trips to Japan; the last one was in October 2023.

Altogether we've spent almost two months exploring Japan and I'd love to go back for another trip.

This Japan itinerary gives you several options to explore this truly unique nation, depending on your preference and the amount of time you have available.

It includes some of the most popular places to visit and things to do in Japan, but also several off-the-beaten-path destinations .

Japan itinerary

Disclosure: Some links in this post are affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you!). We're very grateful when you use our links to make a purchase:-).

Itinerary for Japan and Japan travel map

You can find our itinerary of Japan on the map below, as well as our accommodation and the highlights we visited during our trip to Japan.

Click here for the interactive map

The perfect one month itinerary in Japan

Day 1-7: Eat your way through Osaka and enjoy the city’s streets and tranquil shrines. Then, pay a visit to Universal Studios .
Day 7-9: Try the world-famous wagyu beef in Kobe, visit the museums in Hiroshima and explore the lovely island of Miyajima .
Day 9-11: Visit the magical Kyoto . Stroll around historic neighborhoods, learn about Japanese culture, and admire beautiful temples and the famous Fushimi Inari-Taisha Shrine. After that, explore ancient temples in Nara and hike the Koyasan pilgrimage trail .
Day 11-18: Take a road trip around Hokkaido , Japan's wild and untamed northernmost island with stunning scenery. Alternatively, stay in Sapporo and enjoy little daytrips to the nearest fun locations (like Asahiyama Zoo or nearest port town of Otaru).
Day 18-28: Explore Tokyo . Visit ancient temples, marvel at modern buildings, relax in one of the many parks and eat your way around this bustling city.
Day 28-33: Go off the beaten track in the Japanese Alps and visit Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go , Takayama , Kamikochi , and Matsumoto.

One-month Japan itinerary

Our recent trip to Japan in fall of 2023 was the most epic one: We spent 10 days in Osaka, then an entire week in Sapporo, before polishing off our stay with 10 days in Tokyo. Taking into account all the new and old information, we’ve created this perfect masterpiece — our extended and improved itinerary for an entire month in Japan!

I have written extensive guides for the majority of all the places we visited in Japan, with more information about our day-to-day activities, transportation, and accommodation.

You can find the links to those detailed posts in the itinerary below. If you don't have that much time available to explore Japan, don’t worry, I’ve got you covered.

Further on in the post, I also suggest shorter options (7 and 10 days, plus 2 and 3 weeks) for your Japan travel itinerary.

Day 1 – 7: Osaka

✔️Osaka cheat sheet:

How to get around Osaka? Get an ICOCA IC Card (it comes with Kansai Thru Pass, perfect for moving around the cities). If you plan on being Osaka-bound for a few days in a row, without peeking outside city limits, then Osaka Metro Pass will be fine.
Where to stay in Osaka? 4* Miyako City Osaka Hommachi (from $130 a night) is a great option for travelers. The hotel is located close to the train station, and the nearest tourist attractions are only a stop away!
What to book in advance for your time in Osaka? A ticket to teamLab Botanical Garden and a Universal Studios pass .
Where to learn more about Osaka? Our 1-Day Osaka itinerary is a treasure trove of things to do and see in this marvelous city.

Osaka is a great first stop on our 1-Month Japan Itinerary, and here’s why: The city has the best balance between tradition and modernity. Here, you can ease into the culture that is so different from the ones you’ve experienced before. If you get easily overwhelmed by neon-lit loud main streets, take a step back into nature — thankfully, Osaka has got the best of both worlds!

Apart from having the best time by eating your way around Osaka (after all, the proud title of the Nation’s Kitchen didn’t come from nothing), there are a few places that you absolutely must visit to get the most well-rounded experience of the city:

📍 Tsutenkaku Tower: Osaka’s very own Eiffel Tower, this landmark is a crown jewel of the bustling Shinsekai district and the city in general. The structure lights up at night but it's not the only feature that attracts crowds of visitors daily. The tower is home to a viewing deck (¥900 / $6) which is great for enjoying bird’s-eye view panoramas of Osaka, in all its dazzling glory.

📍 Osaka Castle: After getting demolished and rebuilt again and again, the construction now stands as the epitome of traditional Japanese architecture. A visit to the castle grounds doesn’t stop at the main structure though, as there’re so many other things to marvel at here: Giant stone walls, moats (!), cherry blossoms… The mind reels at the sheer thought of seeing all of this for the first time. I recommend you booking tickets to Osaka Castle (¥600 / $4) in advance as the lines at the gates are HUGE.

📍 teamLab Botanical Garden Osaka: When nature and technology come together, something beautiful appears. This installation (¥1800 / $12) set in Nagai Botanical Garden, is nothing you’ve ever seen before: Walking through moving fields, under lit-up trees, and surrounded by shapes out of a ski-fi movie is a once-in-a-lifetime experience you simply cannot miss when in Osaka.

Tickets to teamLab Botanical Garden >>

📍 Dotonbori: A great foodie destination by day, the street comes alive with lights at night! Rendezvous with your travel buddies by the Glico running man and go explore this Adventureland-esque area of Osaka till the early hours.

Universal Studios

Most people travel to Osaka just to get the experience of Universal Studios Japan (USJ), and who can blame them: This world-famous theme park is the ultimate fun capital of the country! With areas ranging from Harry Potter to Nintendo World (Jurassic Park, Jaws, Minions, and other themes to boot), this place has something for everybody.

There are a few Universal Studios passes you can choose from. You can get a simple 1-Day Studio Pass (¥8600 / $58,5) or an Express Pass (from ¥12,800 / $87) that lets you cut the line on a number of rides, depending on the package. Nintendo World requires a ticket with a separate access, you can reserve your spot in the USJ app in the morning of your visit.

Note that exploring Universal Studios usually takes no less than a full day, so plan your itinerary accordingly! After all, there’s so many things to accomplish once inside: Take a ride on the Flying Dinosaur, drink butterbeer, help Mario save the Princess, hug minions, and eat your weight in themed snacks… You will need lots and lots of energy to experience anything and everything at Universal Studios Japan.

🔹 Side note : Based purely on our experience, we’ve come to a conclusion that you will have a great time at Universal Studios if you spend extra to fast-track everything. Huge lines for virtually all rides (with wait times starting at one hour) and giant crowds in general will dampen your mood if that’s all you’ll get to look at once inside.

Day 7 – 9: Kobe, Hiroshima, Miyajima

After you’ve explored everything that Osaka has to offer, it’s time to broaden your horizons! Kobe, Hiroshima, and Miyajima are perfect day trips you can take and still come back to your hotel in Osaka for a nightcap.

Personally, that’s exactly what we did: With just day packs on our backs, we perused the fast and furious services of the Japanese bullet trains and got to discover these fantastic cities, each so unique and different.

✔️Kobe cheat sheet:

How to get around Kobe? Just like in Osaka, the same ICOCA IC Card will make your movements to and around the city much easier (it works in all of the greater Kansai area). You can take a short but sweet shinkansen (bullet train) ride from Osaka to Kobe — just 15 minutes and you’re here! Another option you can look into is taking a small detour in Kobe on your way back from Hiroshima — just remember to keep your original ticket, and then you can top it off with some cash to finally reach your base in Osaka.
Where to stay in Kobe? 4* The Royal Park Canvas Kobe Sannomiya (from $70 a night) — a perfectly located hotel, close to the train station and set right in the city center. But to tell you the truth, it’s much better to use Osaka as your base and go to Kobe purely in search of new experiences.
What to book in advance for your time in Kobe? Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway and Kobe Animal Kingdom . Besides these experiences, the best things to do in Kobe are walking and eating!

A beautiful city not too far from Osaka, Kobe is world-famous for being the place where the finest beef — Kobe Wagyu beef — comes from. However, that’s not all that Koby’s wrapped up to be! Because of its rich history as a port, Kobe is also home to some unique tourist attractions and landmarks worthy of your time and money. It’s as multicultural as Japan can get!

Sandwiched between the sea and the mountains, this small town can be explored in just a few hours (at least its main sights, since it's pretty much impossible to get to know the place in such a short amount of time). So, when in Kobe, try and diversify your experiences (thankfully, the city has many sides to it) and visit the following attractions:

📍 Kobe Port Tower : Referred to as “Steel Beauty”, this spectacular hourglass-shaped red structure is an iconic city landmark. The site is currently closed for seismic restoration, set to open in spring of 2024. Until then, the stunning views that open up from the tower’s viewing deck are unavailable to the public. The waiting’s going to be worth it, trust us!

📍 Nunobiki Herb Gardens and Ropeway : One of the largest herb gardens in Japan, Nunobiki is a standalone, super aesthetically-pleasing and relaxing destination in Kobe, perfect for a chill afternoon. Take a 10-minute ride on the ropeway and enjoy the lush greenery (lavender and lily gardens were the highlights of our visit). Ticket to Nunobiki is ¥1440 / $9,7.

📍 Kobe Maritime Museum : A cross between Sydney Opera House (the shape) and Louvre Abu Dhabi (the pattern), Kobe Maritime Museum is an architectural marvel and a true eye-candy set right by the water. At night, the structure is a stark contrast from the Kobe Port Tower: The swooshing strokes of green-illuminated roof construction of the museum are set against the tall and bright red tower complex. Inside, Kobe Maritime Museum is a wonderland of exciting maritime trivia — exhibitions are perfect for kids and adults alike! Admission is ¥900 / $6.

📍 Akashi Kaikyo Bridge : World’s second largest suspension bridge (it was the first for more than 20 years, until 2022; when the newly opened Turkish 1915 Çanakkale Bridge took the title), it connects Kobe to Awaji Island. The sight of the bridge itself is great enough: Just think about the efforts it took to create such a monstrous structure! However, if you’re more of a doer than an observer, there are tours you can book that let you climb to the very top of the bridge’s towers (adrenaline junkies unite!).

✔️Hiroshima cheat sheet:

How to get around Hiroshima? If you’re serious about covering lots of ground in Japan, maybe start looking into a JR Pass. It makes sense to invest in it if you move around a lot, otherwise we would stick to single-trip tickets.
Where to stay in Hiroshima? 2* WeBase Hiroshima — one of the more budget-friendly hotel options in Japan ($80 a night!) that we were lucky enough to experience during our last trip. Great location, as well as clean light rooms and spacious communal spaces make for a fantastic stay in Hiroshima.
What to book in advance for your time in Hiroshima? A guided bike tour of the main tourist attractions is a great idea for the city where history is literally palpable when you’re exploring its streets. If you decide to kill two birds with one stone and explore both Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day, then a bus tour would be a perfect choice.
Where to learn more about Hiroshima? Our detailed guide to Hiroshima should be more than enough to guarantee you have the best time in the city.

For me, visiting Hiroshima was a very moving experience. It felt strange to wander around streets that were completely and utterly destroyed when the A-bomb was dropped during WWII in 1945.

An entire city lost…

I couldn’t, and still can’t, grasp the enormity of that tragedy. When in Hiroshima, there are several places you must visit, to learn about the history of the city:

📍 The Atomic Bomb Dome : The atomic bomb dropped by the United States Army detonated about 600 meters above this building, which is why it's still (partially) standing. It's a vivid reminder of the tragic history of Hiroshima.

📍 The Children’s Peace Monument: This monument is dedicated to the children who died in the atomic bombing of Hiroshima.

📍 Hiroshima Castle : The original castle was also destroyed by the atomic bomb, but has been reconstructed perfectly (like you could expect anything less in Japan). Explore the museum inside (¥370 / $2,5), wander the gardens, and admire the view from the top of the caste.

Check out my Hiroshima itinerary .

Miyajima island floating Torii gate in the water Japan

✔️Miyajima cheat sheet:

How to get around Miyajima? First, you get on the island by ferry: From Hiroshima, take a train to the station nearest the pier — Miyajimaguchi Station, and then proceed onto the ferry. Both of these modes of transport are covered by JR Pass , so think about making this investment for your trip to Japan. While on the island, you can either rent a bike, walk, or hail a taxi — most of the sights are located quite close to each other, so you can see them in one day, easy.
Where to stay in Miyajima? Accommodation options on the island are pretty out there, price-wise. However, you can find something affordable, if you look hard enough: Miyajima Guest House Mikuniya (from $70 a night) is a great choice for spending the night on the island.
What to book in advance for your time in Miyajima? Apart from an obvious guided tour option, try and diversify your travel portfolio by booking a one-of-a-kind Kimono experience that comes clad with a tea ceremony and a calligraphy lesson.
Where to learn more about Miyajima? Our Miyajima itinerary will make you want to start your Japan exploration with the island, but pace yourself: Good things come to those who wait!

From Hiroshima, we traveled to Miyajima Island (also called Itsukushima). Miyajima is a beautiful green island and a great place if you love outdoor activities like me.

Things to do are:

📍 Itsukushima Shrine and the ‘floating’ Torii gate : This is definitely the most popular tourist attraction on Miyajima Island. The shrine is built over the water and supported by pillars. If you can, time your visit with high tide and the sunset for an unforgettable view.

📍 Hike to the top of Mount Misen : Mount Misen is a 535 meters tall ‘mountain' on Miyajima Island. Three official trails lead to the summit, though you can also do part of the ascend by ropeway .

📍 Daisho-in Temple: This ancient temple was founded in the year 80. Don’t miss the multicolored sand mandala, the beautiful lanterns hanging from the ceiling of the Henjokutsu Ichigandaishi cave and the many little statues found all around the complex.

Check out my Miyajima Island guide .

Day 9 – 11: Kyoto, Nara and Koyasan

Both Nara and Koyasan are very interesting places to visit.

While Nara offers some of the most famous temples in Japan, Koyasan is considered a sacred place and remains a popular pilgrimage destination even today.

Moving on to a more “traditional” city in Japan (after all, it has been the country’s capital for more than a thousand years), we made our way to Kyoto.

✔️Kyoto cheat sheet:

How to get around Kyoto? First, you need to know that the short trip from Osaka to Kyoto doesn't have to be by Shinkansen. You can get to Kyoto from Osaka station by train for 30 minutes and ¥580 / $4. When in the city, we did a lot of walking and occasionally hopped on the local trains to get to the shrines.
Where to stay in Kyoto? Although during our last trip we still decided to keep Osaka as our home base and use Kyoto as one of our daytrip destinations, we can’t help but mention that there are great accommodation options in the city, and some of them pretty budget-friendly. Take 3* Tune Stay Kyoto (from $40 a night), for example, — it’s the best value hotel for the humble price tag in Kyoto! Clean rooms, great location, and excellent service will make you believe you’re paying hundreds of dollars for the experience.
What to book in advance for your time in Kyoto? Exciting (and romantic) train (!) tour of Kyoto’s best sights , as well as a ticket to Kyoto Tower should be good enough to start your Kyoto adventure with.
Where to learn more about Kyoto? Also known as the mother of all shrines, it’s easy to get lost in the myriad of sightseeing options of Kyoto (its “modern” side is pretty diverse as well). That’s why we encourage you to check out our Kyoto guide before commiting to the itinerary.

Kyoto with its many temples and other highlights was another great place to visit in Japan.

We strolled around the busy streets for two days (three nights) and didn’t nearly see everything there is to see in Kyoto…

🔹 2024 Update : Another trip to Japan meant a well-overdue overhaul of all things we’ve first experienced in Kyoto. Our daytrip from Osaka to Kyoto (this time we opted against moving our luggage back and forth between the cities) was full with sights and experiences! Remember though, that Kyoto’s landmarks are pretty scattered, so you will spend quite a bit of time commuting between them. Because of that, we recommend you try and shake things up with some sort of activity; kimono rental should do the trick!

I liked the vibe of this beautiful city and the gorgeous weather didn’t hurt either. And again, the food… Oh Japanese cuisine, I would travel back to Japan today for a bowl of abura soba or ramen!

In any case, when in Kyoto, definitely visit these places:

📍 Gion: Gion is the historic district of Kyoto, a maze of narrow streets and alleys lined with old (wooden) buildings, restaurants, cafes, and traditional teahouses. If you are lucky, you may even spot a real geisha!

📍 Kinkakuji (the Golden Pavilion): Possibly the most famous construction in Kyoto, this temple was originally the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu. Later it became a temple and with its golden exterior and splendid architectural style, it's highly worth a visit (¥500 / $3,5).

📍 Inari Fukushi shrine: For me, this was the highlight of our trip to Kyoto. You probably have seen many photos similar to the one pictured above (on the right), however, actually walking this famous path below the Torii gates yourself is a very special experience.

📍 Kyoto Tower : The best way to get the feel for the city you’re visiting is looking at it from above! We have no idea why a lot of people consider the tower tacky and “ugly” (maybe it has something to do with the way Kyoto is advertised: Its not all historic districts and shrines like the internet makes it out to be), since we quite enjoyed looking at this tall structure and going up to its observation deck (¥900 / $6). A bird’s-eye view of Kyoto is like nothing you would expect; it’s a perfect way to finish your day in the city with: All the lights of the bustling city streets paired with shaded mountainous horizon make for a mind-boggling picture!

Check out my Kyoto itinerary .

1 Month In Japan: A Complete Itinerary And Travel Map

✔️Nara cheat sheet:

How to get around Nara? First, consider investing in some sort of travel pass for a more hassle-free experience: An ICOCA IC Card with Kansai Thru Pass should do the trick.
Where to stay in Nara? Nara is a mere half-hour ride away from Kyoto by Shinkansen, so you don’t have to look for accommodation here unless you really want to explore the area in detail (a daytrip is more than enough for Nara, at least it was in our experience). Still, it’s nice to know that should you decide to spend the night in Nara, there would be some appropriate accommodation options: 3* Centurion Hotel Classic Nara (from $50 per night) and 4* Henn na Hotel Nara (from $40 a night) are both amazing and budget-friendly choices!
What to book in advance for your time in Nara? A day tour of Nara is a great way to get to know the city without doing too much planning yourself.

Nara, while far from a big city, is home to about 400.000 people and is most well-known for its temples and deer. And we saw plenty of both during our one-day visit to Nara.

Some of the main attractions in Nara are:

📍 Naramachi District: In the former merchant district of Nara, you can find traditional wooden houses, pretty little shops, art galleries, and much more. When strolling around this beautiful neighborhood, you will feel like you have stepped back in time.

📍 Todaiji : Todaiji roughly translates into the Great Eastern Temple, a fitting name for this huge and impressive temple. Housing the world's largest bronze Buddha statue, a visit to this temple should definitely be on your Nara itinerary (¥600 / $4).

📍 Nara Park : Go for a stroll in Nara Park, one of the oldest parks in Japan. Nara Park is home to hundreds of deer, which have become a symbol of the city. Several of Nara's highlights are located in the park as well, such as the aforementioned Todaiji, but also Kofukuji, and the Nara National Museum.

📍 Nara Kingyo Museum : If you enjoyed Osaka’s teamLab experience, then you will absolutely love this museum in Nara! However, it's not so much a museum per se, the exhibitions inside are all goldfish-themed (!) and are better described as backdrops for stunning Instagram pics. Get your Alice-in-Wonderland fix and leave with tons of content for your socials!

Check out this great guide to Nara for more details!

✔️Koyasan cheat sheet:

How to get around Koyasan? You’ve probably gotten your ICOCA IC Card already (about time, you’ve spent more than a week in Japan as of right now!), so use it to get to/around Koyasan.
Where to stay in Koyasan? Accommodation options are few and far between in Koyasan; and most of them are pretty expensive. Still, there’s a fantastic opportunity here if you want to spend the night — a temple stay experience! For a price of around $100, you can stay at a real functioning Buddhist temple — Mitsugonin.
What to book in advance for your time in Koyasan? There’s not a lot of “bookable” activities in Koyasan, so make do with simply walking around and enjoying the scenery, free of charge!
Where to learn more about Koyasan? We go into more detail about the area in our guide to hiking the Koyasan Chōishi-Michi trail .

From Nara, we traveled to Koyasan, or Mount Koya, to be exact.

We hiked the 24km Koyasan Chōishi-Michi pilgrimage trail, definitely a highlight of our trip. The fog drifting through the forest made the entire experience magical and mysterious…

And if our trip to Koyasan wasn’t perfect enough already, the next day was sunny with a clear blue sky.

Vermillion Kongobu-ji temple Mount Koya Japan

Some of the places in Koyasan you must visit are:

📍 Okunoin : The oldest graves in this cemetery date back to the year 816. Okunoin is a UNESCO heritage site, with over 200.000 tombstones, many of them covered by thick layers of moss, and the Kobo Daishi's mausoleum.

📍 Garan: This is Koyasan's central temple complex. Pictured above is the 45-meter-high vermilion Konpon Daito Pagoda, one of the most impressive buildings within the complex (¥1000 / $6,8). Another notable building is the Kondo Hall, a large wooden temple used for important ceremonies.

📍 Daimon Gate : A magnificent two-story wooden gate that marks the end of the 24km Koyasan Chōishi-Michi pilgrimage trail. You'll be very happy to see this gate, it means you've finished your hike and made it all the way to Koyasan!

Check out my detailed guide to hiking the Koyasan Chōishi-Michi trail .

Day 11 – 18: Hokkaido (with and without a car)

Hokkaido is the northernmost island of Japan, and, in our opinion (though we may be biased), it's the most beautiful of the bunch. Famous for its flowering fields in the summer and the kick-ass slopes in the winter, it is a year-round destination that attracts tons of visitors from all over the world to the area.

Speaking of tourists, maybe it's because the sights in question are quite remote or because they’re mostly set in vast natural landscapes, we didn’t feel suffocated by crowds, which is a fear many travelers have when visiting Japan.

Hokkaido is also every foodie’s dream: Their produce (particularly melons), seafood (crab and sea urchin), and milk-based foods (soft-serve ice-cream is the best in the biz on Hokkaido) will leave you full and happy!

The island, as naturally beautiful as it is in real life, can seem daunting to an unexperienced traveler: It’s not as “modern” as the rest of Japan. Even bullet trains go only as far as Hakodate (Hokkaido’s southernmost city, one of the few large cities on the island), and then it’s good old slow trains all the way to Sapporo.

Because of that, there are a couple of ways to enjoy Hokkaido: First, to set up camp in Sapporo and make use of the bus and train system to make day trips to notable locations in the vicinity, and second, to rent a car and have more freedom of choosing your destinations and change your plans on the go, depending on the weather.

Hokkaido without a car (Sapporo and daytrips from the city)

✔️Sapporo cheat sheet:

How to get around Sapporo? Use the extensive Sapporo metro system and local trains.
Where to stay in Sapporo? 3* Sapporo Tokyu REI Hotel (from $50 a night) — a perfect choice of a hotel that provides great value for the money. In Hokkaido, you won’t be spending too much time inside anyway: There’s so much waiting for you outside!
What to book in advance for your time in Sapporo? All the day trips, obviously: We chose a tour to Noboribetsu and Lake Toya .
Where to learn more about Sapporo? Our Hokkaido road trip itinerary has some unique insight into the city of Sapporo, so make sure to check it out before you go!

Most of you must have heard of Hokkaido’s capital through Sapporo Snow Festival (held each February, the ice sculptures of Sapporo are unlike anything we’ve ever seen) and the eponymous brand of beer — Sapporo. However, in true Japanese fashion, the city is practically teeming with possibilities to have the best time — high-end and vintage shopping, thousands of restaurants, and exciting landmarks.

Because of the time limits, we will focus more on the day trip destinations you can explore on the island — the city will still be waiting for you when you get back!

📍 Hill of the Buddha : A marvelous Buddhist temple set in the most picturesque of places. Surrounded by lavender fields, with Easter Island-esque statues and a Bond-villain-ey pond in the vicinity, the temple is a must-see if you love to be surprised and aesthetically pleased by what you’re witnessing.

📍 Lake Toya : Located about two hours away from Sapporo, Lake Toya is one of the largest caldera lakes in Japan (lakes formed in the hollowed out volcano). The scenery of the area is simply breathtaking; it helps to know that plenty of tours have the lake in their itinerary.

📍 Otaru : A quaint port town set within an hour’s drive from Sapporo. Famous for its charming canals and historic fishermen’s mansions (also called Herring Mansions), Otaru is a perfect daytrip destination for people who enjoy exploring a new city at a leisurely pace. Sometimes referred to as the Venice of Japan, Otaru is the town with the right amount of fun and history, without the crowds.

📍 Jozankei Onsen : A very popular destination in Hokkaido. The hot springs and autumn foliage create a unique setting for a day trip from Sapporo. Trust me, if you want to lose your onsen innocence, let your first time be at Jozankei Onsen: These hot springs will help you alleviate all the travel stress and long days spent exploring the country thus far.

📍 Asahiyama Zoo : A perfect answer to the question of what to do in Hokkaido with children — pay a visit to Asahiyama Zoo ! An activity that includes watching animals like penguins and polar bears is a win in our book.

Hokkaido road trip

During our very first trip here, I was already sold on Hokkaido when I was still on the plane (from Tokyo to Sapporo). From my window seat, I could see nothing but nature. And nature is what I love the most.

Cities are nice, but nature is best…

I loved our time on Hokkaido, the island is wild and untamed and completely blew me away with its natural beauty.

There are impressive volcanoes, extensive forests, and vast lakes. Also, it was cold! And I mean cold…

Hokkaido is a place where you'll be in awe but also grow healthy respect for nature.

The wind can be fierce and freezing, and we endured snow and hail but also got to enjoy days of sunshine and admire the famous cherry blossoms ( sakura ).

We explored Hokkaido by car, which in my opinion is the best way to get around this island.

We discovered places we wouldn’t have been able to visit if we didn’t have a car and each of those places was absolutely incredible.

A couple of the highlights of our Hokkaido trip were:

📍 Matsumae Castle: A beautiful traditional Edo-style castle surrounded by thousands of cherry blossom trees. Matsumae Castle is worth a visit during any time of the year but is particularly stunning during sakura.

📍 Furano: My favorite small town on Hokkaido with a myriad of things to do. You can visit a cheese or wine factory (or both), go for a hike, admire the vivid Blue Pools, and much more. Stay here for at least two nights if you have time!

📍 Shikisai no Oka : The most Instagrammable destination on the island, with vast rolling hills covered in a patchwork rotation of flowers. Amsterdam’s tulip fields don’t stand a chance in front of Shikisai no Oka! Don’t believe me? Come here and decide for yourself!

Check out my Hokkaido road trip guide .

Day 18 – 28: Tokyo

✔️Tokyo cheat sheet:

How to get around Tokyo? There are quite a few pass options you can look into: Tokyo Subway Ticket for unlimited rides, or a Welcome Suica Pass .
Where to stay in Tokyo? We chose 3* Almont Inn Tokyo Nihonbashi (from $55 a night) — a great hotel within walking distance of Ginza , one of our favorite neighborhoods in Tokyo. From Pokémon to Godzilla, early morning fish markets, and high-end shopping, — Ginza will always leave you wanting more!
What to book in advance for your time in Tokyo? Tokyo Sky Tree and Shibuya Sky admission tickets, as well as possible day outings to Warner Bros. Studio ( The Making of Harry Potter ) and Mt Fuji .
Where to learn more about Tokyo? Our 7-day itinerary is the ultimate guide for all things Tokyo, check it out!

Of course, no visit to Japan is complete without exploring Tokyo.

The city of flashing neon, Lolita dresses and other quirky looks , hidden alleys, ancient temples, the famous Tokyo Sky Tree , and the most Michelin stars of any city in the world. Tokyo offers days (or should I say months) of activities.

Tokyo is the most populous metropolitan area in the world. While the city center can be extremely busy at places like Tokyo Station and Shibuya Crossing, there are also much more quiet areas, like lovely Ueno Park.

We've visited Tokyo several times, twice for several days and once during a stopover. During our last visit we were lucky enough to spend an entire week in Tokyo, which was definitely the highlight of our entire Japan experience! With each trip, we discover more to see and do in this unique capital, mixing ultramodern and ancient traditions!

Some of the top things to do are:

📍 Asakusa and the Senso-Ji Temple: Don't miss this beautiful historic neighborhood in Tokyo. Here you can find quaint little streets, boutique shops, and the impressive Sensō-Ji temple.

📍 TeamLab Digital Art Museum: This amazing interactive museum creates a fairytale world filled with light and colors. Be sure to buy a ticket online (¥3800 / $25) as they often sell out! It’s also good to note that the neighborhood adjacent to the museum — Odaiba — is definitely worth a detour during your visit to the area.

📍 The Tokyo Sky Tree: The Tokyo Sky Tree is currently the third-tallest building in the world (after Burj Khalifa in Dubai and Merdeka 118 in Kuala Lumpur). It is still, however, the tallest tower in the world! There are two observation decks, one at 350 meters and at 450 meters high, offering impressive views over Tokyo city. Book your ticket online (¥1800 / $12 ) to save money and skip the queue .

📍 Shibuya Sky : Another viewpoint with stunning views of Tokyo. Come here if you haven’t secured the very sought-after Tokyo Sky Tree ticket and enjoy your time with less crowds and more open city panoramas. Book your ticket here (¥2200 / $15) and don’t forget to learn more about Shibuya neighborhood in this article .

📍 Daytrips from Tokyo : After you’ve exhausted all the main city attractions (although it’s quite an impossible task, just look at our week in Tokyo itinerary here , it’s time to look outside Tokyo limits! Warner Bros. Studio Harry Potter (¥6300 / $42), Tokyo Disney Resort Park (¥8400 / $56,5), and Mt Fuji are the top choices that you can start with. Although we doubt you’ll have the time or energy for more — each of these locations requires an entire day to experience!

Check out my Tokyo itinerary and what to do in Tokyo with kids .

Day 28 – 33: The Japanese Alps

View from top of Mount Yakedake Japanese Alps Kamikochi

✔️The Japanese Alps cheat sheet:

How to get around the Japanese Alps? Bus passes (some with add-ons like a ropeway ticket included) are the most obvious transportation options, in our opinion.
Where to stay in the Japanese Alps? Depending on how much of your travel budget is left after an entire month in Japan, you can either treat yourself to a luxurious stay in 4* Takayama Green Hotel (from $120 a night) or resort to spending the night at 3* Alpico Plaza Hotel (from $40 per night). What will it be?
What to book in advance for your time in the Japanese Alps? If you’re unsure how to navigate the many towns and locations that make up the Japanese Alps, an organized day tour will be the perfect way to go about it!
Where to learn more about the Japanese Alps? Our Japanese Alps itinerary will make even the idlest homebodies into avid hiking enthusiasts in record time, that’s a guarantee!

Though our entire trip around Japan was amazing, the Japanese Alps were definitely one of my favorite areas. After all, getting outside city limits is one of the crucial tips to enjoying your time in Japan to the fullest (what are other things you should know before traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun?)

I love mountains, though unfortunately, we don’t have any near my home town. I also love hiking and this is something we did a lot in the Alps.

Kenruko-en garden Kanazawa - Japan itinerary

We started our journey through the Alps in Kanazawa to stroll around the lovely Kenruko-en garden.

Shirakawa-go

The next day we got on a bus to Shirakawa-go, famous for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, some of which are more than 250 years old!

Old shops in Takayama village Japanese Alps

The next city on our Alps itinerary was Takayama, where we explored the old neighborhoods and Hida Folk Village.

The absolute highlight of our Japan trip was Kamikochi, one of the most beautiful places I have ever seen.

I spent three days in Kamikochi. We were surrounded by stunning mountains and scaled a volcano (Mount Yakedake).

We slept in our little tent at a very well-managed campsite and wandered around the valley. Suffice it to say, I was completely and utterly happy.

One month Japan itinerary - Matsumoto Castle

Last but not least we visited the beautiful castle in Matsumoto, one of Japan's most famous and well-preserved historic castles.

During our second trip to Japan, we spent 3 nights in Matsumoto, it's a very convenient hub to explore the Japanese Alps and a nice city as well.

Check out my Japanese Alps itinerary and Kamikochi camping and hiking guide .

Day 34: Goodbye Japan…

Our flight back home was from Tokyo, so we changed the snowy mountain peaks for bustling city streets for our last day here. I was sad to leave because we had such an amazing month in Japan…

From the wilds of Hokkaido with its hauntingly beautiful nature and its bitter cold to the tragic and terrible history of Hiroshima.

From the floating Tori gate of Miyajima to the peaks of Kamikochi, the temples in Kyoto , and the mysterious forest of Koyasan, it was a wonderful trip. And that’s not even taking into account all the delicious Japanese food!

Japan is an amazing country and I highly recommend adding Japan to your travel bucket list, you won't regret it.

Alternative Japan itineraries (7 and 10 days + 2 and 3 weeks)

Japan itinerary 7 days.

If you just have 1 week in Japan, don’t worry! While you cannot see everything the country has to offer, you can get a taste and feel of the country. Here is my suggestion for a 7-day Japan itinerary:

Day 1-2: Explore Tokyo
Day 3: Make an easy day trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji (one of the most popular destinations in Japan), Kamakura , or Nikko
Day 4: Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto (2 hours and 15 minutes) and explore Kyoto
Day 5-6: Explore Kyoto
Day 7: Return to Tokyo and fly home (you can also fly out from Osaka)

10 day Japan itinerary

This Japan 10-day itinerary includes big cities such as Tokyo and Kyoto, but also the beautiful nature of Koyasan and the famous temples (and deer) in Nara.

This Japan 10 days itinerary isn't too fast-paced, however, you will get to visit five very different places in Japan:

Day 3: Make a day trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji , Kamakura , or Nikko
Day 5-6: Explore Kyoto
Day 7-8: Hike the Koyasan Chōishi-Michi pilgrimage trail and explore sacred Koyasan
Day 9: Visit Nara
Day 10: Fly home from Osaka

Japan 2 week itinerary

This 2 week Japan itinerary includes the major highlights of Japan, without rushing around the country.

During your 2 weeks in Japan, you'll visit the major cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hiroshima and get to enjoy some beautiful nature (and temples) in Koyasan and on Miyajima island.

Day 1-3: Explore Tokyo
Day 4: Make a day trip from Tokyo to Mount Fuji , Kamakura , or Nikko
Day 5: Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto (2 hours and 15 minutes) and explore Kyoto
Day 6-7: Explore Kyoto
Day 8-9: Hike the Koyasan Chōishi-Michi pilgrimage trail and explore sacred Koyasan
Day 10-11: Travel to Hiroshima and learn about the tragic history of the city
Day 12-13: Go hiking on Miyajima island and admire the famous floating Torii gate
Day 14: fly home from Osaka

Japan 3-week itinerary

With this 3 week Japan itinerary, you get to experience very different sides of Japan. You’ll explore several interesting cities, spend a night in Koyasan, and hike around the Japanese Alps.

When you have 3 weeks in Japan, I suggest the following route:

Day 10-11: Visit Nara
Day 12-13: Explore Osaka
Day 14-20: Travel around the Japanese Alps (Kanazawa, Shirakawago, Takayama, Kamikochi, and Matsumoto)
Day 21: Fly home from Tokyo

Houses with gassho-zukuri roofs in Shirakawa-go Japanese Alps

Plan your Japan trip like a pro with these tools: ✅ Get a Japan Railpass to save lots of time and money. ✅ Rent a car for your Japan road trip via Rentalcars.com . ✅ Stay connected with Airalo Japan offer . ✅ Plan your journey with the Japan Lonely Planet . ✅ Find the best hotel deals on Booking.com . ✅ Join the best tours in Japan via Klook . ✅ Travel safely and get reliable travel insurance from Safety Wing .

Important things to know when planning a trip to Japan

What is the best time to visit japan.

While Japan is a year-round destination, the best and most popular times to visit are March – May and September – November .

Sakura (the famous cherry blossom season) is very important in Japan and there is even a daily Cherry Blossom report with up-to-date information on where the flowers are at their most beautiful.

The changing color of the leaves in Autumn is almost equally popular, there is a daily report to monitor this as well.

We visited once in late April-May and once in October and had very comfortable temperatures and mostly sunny weather.

The winter months can be extreme with freezing temperatures and lots of snow, especially in the Alps (Honshu) and on Hokkaido. That being said, if you want to go skiing or visit the famous Sapporo snow festival, consider planning a winter trip to Japan .

The summer months are hot and humid and not the most comfortable time to visit Tokyo or Kyoto. Be sure to pack appropriately !

Which currency is used in Japan?

The official currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen (¥). Here you can find the current exchange rates, at the time of writing €1 is approximately ¥160 and $1 is around ¥150.

How to travel around Japan?

Japan has an excellent public transport system and is famous for the shinkansen , also known as the bullet train (pictured below).

During both our trips to Japan, we mostly traveled by public transport (train, bus, MRT, and ferry).

Travel by train in Japan

If you plan on covering large distances in Japan within a short period of time, I highly recommend buying the Japan Rail Pass .

This pass gives you unlimited trips on all JR trains, JR buses, and several other lines. You can choose a pass valid for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days.

While the Japan Rail Pass offers great value for money it may not always be the most economical option for your trip. It's worth calculating the costs of your itinerary to Japan with and without the rail pass to see which option is best for you.

You can use Hyperdia to check the costs of your intended Japan itinerary and decide whether or not the JR Pass is worth the money for your trip.

Rent a car in Japan

Michi no Eki road station Hokkaido Japan

If you plan to visit the more remote areas in Japan, public transport isn't your best bet. For our road trips to Hokkaido and Shikoku, we rented a car .

The public transportation network on these islands isn't as great as on Honshu, plus, driving on these islands is an awesome experience. Read more about driving on Hokkaido here .

Which car rental service is the best? If you're looking for a car rental service for your trip, I recommend Rentalcars . I've used this international car rental booking service myself many times and you'll definitely find the most appropriate car for your Japan itinerary. >Click here to rent your car .

Where to stay in Japan on a budget

I have to admit I was slightly worried about finding affordable accommodation before traveling to Japan , the country of the rising sun.

This is why I searched Agoda , Booking , and Tripadvisor meticulously to find the best possible options.

While we definitely spend more on accommodation during our Japan family trip than when we were backpacking Japan as a couple (with a tent), I can say from personal experience that it is possible to find (relatively) cheap places to stay in Japan.

But let's also face the fact that prices in Japan are not like in Southeast Asia, you won't be able to find a pretty pool villa for €25 a night…

Read more about our Japan travel budget here.

The best budget tip to save on accommodation in Japan

Go camping! During our first Japan trip, we brought a small tent and stayed at several campsites around Japan, which were only $10-$15 a night.

Another advantage is you get to wake up with views like the one in the picture below.

Here is a list of all the places we stayed during our travels around Japan.

* Read more about our stay at Cando Hotel Shimbashi here .

** Unfortunately the accommodation we stayed at in Furano during our Hokkaido trip is no longer available. While we didn't personally stay at the Shin Furano Prince hotel we did visit their spa twice during our time in Furano.

Note: Prices for the hotels, campgrounds, and guesthouses depend on the time of year and how far in advance you book. Click ‘book here’ to see the latest prices on Booking and book ahead to get the best deal.

Golden Week

Golden Week is the period from the 29th of April to early May and includes a number of Japanese holidays.

During this week many Japanese people go on holiday and accommodation can be extremely difficult to find.

If you are traveling in peak season and Golden Week in particular: book your accommodation in advance !

During our first trip to Japan, I was looking for accommodation for a night during Golden Week. I have never seen Agoda and Booking come up with only 2 available hotels in an entire city, the cheapest one was €400 a night…

I was very happy to have our tent and car as backup options!

Japan recommended itinerary: in conclusion

I hope this post has given you an idea of what to see in Japan, you can download the map of our Japan one-month itinerary below.

If you have any questions, leave a comment or send me a message .

Planning a trip to Japan? This perfect Japan itinerary includes Tokyo, Hokkaido, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Nara, Koyasan, Kyoto, the Japanese Alps (Kamikochi) and Matsumoto. Read about the best things to do in Japan and check the included map to see where to find all the Japan highlights. #Japan #Asia #Travel #Itinerary

This post was updated in February 2024 .

Friday 27th of October 2023

Well it’s now 2023, ( what happen to 2020 - 2022, I wonder, little virus, unfortunately ? ) and we are thinking October 2024, I hope nothing has changed . Great article .

Sunday 4th of September 2022

Is there anything to consider when renting a car in Japan? Or something you have to do in advance that you are allowed to rent a car at all? I am planning to go on a road trip with my friends.

Tuesday 6th of September 2022

Hey Cedric,

Thanks for reading! Regarding your question, you may want to check out my guide to driving on Hokkaido: https://www.phenomenalglobe.com/driving-on-hokkaido-japan-road-trip/. Many of the tips mentioned here are applicable for entire Japan. Most importantly: don't forget to bring a Geneva Convention International Driver’s Permit. You must have one in order to rent a car.

Have a great trip and let me know if there's anything else you need help with! Lotte

Wednesday 6th of January 2021

Fantastic itinerary. I will keep this in mind for the next time I travel:-)

Thursday 7th of January 2021

Thank you Daniel, let's hope we can travel (safely) again in the near future:-)

Sunday 8th of September 2019

Did you get any vaccinations for your trip to Japan? Specifically, for Japanese Encephalitis?

Cheers, Brendon

Monday 9th of September 2019

Hi Brendon,

Thank you for your email and we didn't get any vaccines specifically for Japan. However, we already had many vaccines (Hep A&B, MMR and tetanus etc). We did not get the Japanese Encephalitis vaccines, though I'm no medical expert so I don't feel qualified to give any advice regarding health issues. I recommend to check with your doctor and discuss the pros and cons with him/her:-). Have a great trip to Japan!

Thursday 13th of June 2019

Hello! I am wondering how you contacted the campsite in Miyajima. Thank you so much for this blog! It’s really helped a lot!

Very welcome! I actually didn't contact the campsite, we just showed up:-) Sorry I can't be more help. Have a great trip!

Two Weeks in Japan: A Super Efficient Itinerary for 2024

Before you start to read this itinerary, there’s a very important question you have to ask yourself: Are you a “do it all, see it all” traveler? Or do you prefer to take things slow and steady? If the first describes you: perfect , you’re going to LOVE this itinerary for two weeks in Japan . If you you fall into the second camp, allow me to explain why you might still enjoy this whirlwind tour of Japan without getting overwhelmed…

Why visiting 12 locations in 14 days is completely doable in Japan

The key to see Japan in an affordable and efficient way is the Japan Rail Pass . This pass allows you to take unlimited super fast “bullet trains” between locations, which is critical in a country that is surprisingly big (150% the size of the UK!). Here’s why the bullet train makes it work:

You can make it between huge stretches of Japan in relatively little time.
The train is so comfortable, that traveling to your next destination feels relaxing .
Every train station has coin lockers, where you can store your backpack while you explore a city and haven’t checked into your Airbnb or hotel yet. This means you can pop into a new place, store your stuff, and get going.

Let’s look at the awesome experiences packed into these two weeks, and then you can tell me if you think it’s crazy or kinda clever 😉

Recommended accommodation in Japan

I stayed a lot of places in Japan, but out of those can only recommend a few. Here are the two specific spots I stayed in that I absolutely loved during my time in Japan.

Sumiyoshi Ryokan (Takayama) – Absolutely the best place we stayed in Japan . Such friendly hosts, amazing traditional Japanese ryokan, and it’s entrancing to see your in-room breakfast get cooked before your eyes. It does get completely sold out at times so booking in advance is advised!
Nikko Backpackers Nikkoriso (Nikko) – Technically a hostel, we booked a private couples room, which was beautifully decorated. But what made this place special is that the hosts happened to recognize us at the train station and gave us a ride! That was so lucky and so kind.
Airbnb or Booking.com (any large city: Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto) – We mostly stayed in Airbnb in large cities. That said, It can be hard to find the location because of the complex Japanese address system, the fact that the addresses are often in Japanese and the hosts sometimes don’t speak much English, so be prepared to improvise 😉

Eating our in-room breakfast at a ryokan in Takayama, Sumiyoshi Ryokan , in the Japan Alps!

At least once during your trip in Japan, I do recommend staying in a ryokan , which is a traditional Japanese inn. You can read my entire post about staying in a Ryokan in Japan to learn what to expect and how to find a ryokan that fits your budget!

How to prepare for a trip to Japan

Here are a few ways I really recommend being prepared before you actually travel to Japan. In a lot of places you can “wing it”, but I think Japan really favors the prepared! Some things are a lot easier (or mandatory) to do before you land in the country.

Buy a Japan Rail Pass , as they can only be purchased OUTSIDE the country . They’ll mail you a voucher which you can redeem in the airport. I later calculated that the JR Pass saved me more than $450 in train tickets. You can use this super helpful website to compare different Japan Rail Passes to see which one makes the most sense for your trip – both financially and in terms of the areas you want to visit.
Plan your train travel with Hyperdia – Hyperdia is an amazing English-language timetable tool for Japanese trains. You can also use it to calculate whether the Japan Rail Pass will save you money based on your Japan itinerary by looking at the standard train costs.
Get an offline-friendly Japan guidebook – It can be very useful in Japan to have a guide available offline. I personally don’t like to rely on my phone to get around! I tried 3 different travel guide books for planning my trip, and this travel guide book was the best one (and was just updated).

2 weeks in Japan

Here is what you’re going to see in this incredible two week Japan itinerary! One important thing to note is that this itinerary is optimized for seeing cherry blossoms in Hirosaki , in northern Japan. If you are not visiting during the later part of the cherry blossom season, you can swap out Hirosaki for another destination. I would’ve loved to spend more time in Osaka or Nikko, so those are great options for extending your trip!

Where to go for two weeks in Japan (especially during cherry blossom season!)

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo

Day 2: take the train to kyoto, day 3: enjoy the highlights of kyoto, day 4: day trips to fushimi inari shrine & nara deer park, day 5: remember the history of hiroshima.

Day 6: Miyajima, Himeji, Osaka

Day 7: Take the train to Takayam in the Japan Alps

Day 8: day trip to shirakawa-go, day 9: travel to aomori in northern japan, day 10: spend the day at the hirosaki cherry blossom festival, day 11: experience beautiful nikko.

Day 12-13: Tokyo
Day 14: Mt. Fuji

Today is about getting adjusted. About realizing: OMG I am in Japan right now , and my universe is in chaooooos! There’s no pressure to do anything in particular besides finding your hotel or Airbnb, try to order food in Japanese for the first time, and experience a

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target=”_blank">complicated Japanese toilet .

No pressure, right?

Tokyo’s Ginza , an upscale shopping district. Streets are lined with shops carrying Chanel and Prada. This area in the heart of Tokyo is very close to the Tsukiji fish market , where my top Tokyo restaurant recommendation is located!

That said, depending on when you arrive you might have some time to really spend exploring Tokyo. We’re going to come back to Tokyo at the end of the trip, so our first day is really just about getting faimiliar with the city. Here are a couple of ideas of things to do in Tokyo

Things to do in Tokyo for first-time visitors to Japan

Go to Tokyo’s famous Robot Restaurant. It’s just one of those things that is “so Japan” you have to see it to believe it. During this 90-minute show robots in costumes sing and dance while you eat dinner and down Japanese beer. Book Robot restaurant tickets in advance because as weird as it sounds, this is a super popular thing to do.
Enter an immersive digital art museum. This limited, interactive art show is one of the most popular things to do in Tokyo. There may literally not be a better place in the city for instagram photos than this. Book tickets to the teamLab Borderless Digital Art Museum (children 3 years old and younger can enter free!).
See Tokyo by night from its tallest building, Tokyo Skytree. Last admission is at 9:00PM, and you can even buy skip the line tickets before you go. We didn’t have skip-the-line tickets and ended up waiting almost an hour to get to the top. If you want to make it even more memorable, you can have dinner overlooking Tokyo at the Skytree’s Panorama restaurant 😱
Just explore your neighborhood. It’s pretty much guaranteed that no matter where you stay, there’s going to be an awesome point of interest right in your vicinity. Go outside, pop into a totally overwhelming electronics store, accidentally go into the “adult” section of the comics shop , pass by noisy pachinko parlors. There is nothing like people-watching in Japan.
Get your first sushi meal! I had the best sushi of my life at Sushi Zanmai (すしざんまい本店) which is located in the super famous Tsukiji fish market . You can also try out conveyer-belt sushi , which is an experience of its own. Indulge in some sake while you’re at it!

The delicious, unique, and sometimes strange regional dishes and street foods of Japan that you simply won't find anywhere else.

After your first night in a probably miniscule Japanese hotel, the next morning is time to hit the road for Kyoto, where we’ll spend three nights!

Kyoto is considered the cultural capital of Japan. Why not? It was Japan’s official capital for nearly 700 years. Here you’re going to get a real taste for what traditional Japan was like, by visiting shrines and temples erected hundreds of years ago (or more!). Besides architecture, Kyoto also has an incredible food scene. Here is where you can try Japan’s famous multi-course meal, called kaiseki .

But we’ll get to all that later!

For now, store your stuff in a coin locker at the Kyoto train station and catch the bus or train to the Saga-Arashiyama Station . Getting from there to our first stop, Tenryu-Ji is as easy as following the flow of people. After that, we’ll visit the neighboring Arashiyama bamboo forest . The final stop of the day is the super shiny Golden Pavillion .

For more details, you can read my in-depth Kyoto itinerary , but the main points are all mentioned here in this post!

Get ready to start taking off your shoes! Every shrine or temple you visit will require that you remove your shoes to enter. Luckily these places have soft wooden or tatami floors, so removing your shoes feels like a relief after long days of walking. And don’t worry – no one will steal your shoes. This is Japan ✌️

Here you’ll wander around the shrine. Starting with the building and its many exterior halls. Afterwards, venturing into the zen garden, which is the real star. There are many beautiful plants and flowers, such as the Japanese wisteria, which you never see outside Japan. They’re all labeled in English and Japanese. It was also here that I saw my first cherry blossom tree in Japan! Even though we were way too late for cherry blossoms in Kyoto, this late bloomer stuck around. It was pretty special to see it just chillin’ in the garden.

Tenryu-Ji is conveniently located right next to the Arashiyama bamboo forest . You can simply follow the signs and you’ll find yourself at its entrance.

Bamboo Forest

Let me be the first to tell you: this bamboo forest is kinda small . At least, I was expecting something much more massive! That said, it’s clearly one of the essential experiences to have in Kyoto so I wouldn’t pass it up. You’ll walk through in 10-15 minutes (depending on how determined you are to take a photo with no people in them). Be sure to bring a wide-angle camera lens in order to really capture the super tall bamboo. I was severely lacking one and my photos reveal that!

From the Bamboo forest, take the bus to the Golden Pavillion (Kinkaku-ji) . The bus ride takes a little under an hour and involves a transfer, but you’ll get to see a bit of the city of Kyoto on the way!

Golden Pavillion

The Golden Pavillion was probably the place where I realized: holey moley, there are a LOT of tourists in Japan . It was so incredibly crowded, and getting a decent view of the pavillion was pretty difficult! People just tend to bunch up at the best photo spots, taking what feels like a dozen pictures, and then sticking around to chat!

That said, the pavillion is obviously super impressive and beautiful. Reflected in the lake, it’s no wonder this is securely in the top 3 things to see in Kyoto! From the vantage point of the photo, you can wander around the pavillion’s surrounding gardens.

I also have to say that this is the place where I had my first ever Japanese-flavored ice cream . Gernot had the green matcha, and I took the black sesame. It was actually some of the best ice cream of the trip, so even though it’s expensive and touristy, it was perfect!

Which brings me to another thing about Japan: walking and eating is considered grossly uncivilized in Japan. We realized this was true, for the first time, when everyone was sitting in a room to eat their ice cream instead of walking around.

After the pavillion, it’s time to come back to the train station, grab your stuff, and check into the hotel or Airbnb where you’re staying. At this point, it’s well and duly time for dinner! Kyoto is famous for haute cuisine , so you can get an extremely fancy multi-course meal in Kyoto.

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Today is the main day to discover Kyoto, so be sure to start early! Your most efficient path would be to start your morning at the Nishiki Market , take the bus to Gion , and then spend the day in East Kyoto in the Higashiyama area. After following that path and seeing tons of temples, shrines, and beautiful streets, you’ll end up close to Philosopher's Path , where you can walk a long the stream and enjoy some solitude!

Nishiki Market

If you’re set on trying all the weird foods you can find in Japan, Nishiki Market is an absolute goldmine. This relatively small market hall spans several streets, and offers snacks and produce which you can pick up to sample some traditional Japanese food. Here is where I tried tako tamago , the infamous candied baby octopus stuffed with a quail egg. It’s not for the faint of heart, but it’s the only place I saw it while in Japan!

Gion is Kyoto’s famous geisha district . This is really the epicenter of geisha culture in Japan, and the place which has the most traditional rules regarding who can become a geisha. Outside Kyoto, there have been very few non-Japanese geisha, whereas in Kyoto it is completely not allowed.

Can you see the geisha (or more likely, geisha-in-training) hustle down the street in her red kimono?

From Gion, we’ll walk towards the world famous hub of Kyoto’s best-known shrines and temples: Higashiyama . Southern Higashiyama is the place to be for the very best the area has to offer!

Higashiyama

Chances are if you’ve looked up photos of Kyoto, you’ve seen mostly pictures of Higashiyama. The rest of the city is very modern and, I must say, not so beautiful in comparison to the historic Higashiyama district.

Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka – The two most beautiful streets in Higashiyama. The former is the location of the famous stairs. Most of the houses have been converted into souvenir shops. It can get pretty crowded at mid-day, so come either first thing in the morning or around dusk for a less cramped experience.

Besides the beautiful streets, there are loads of shrines and temples for you to visit. Here are a selection of my favorites:

Kyomizu-dera – This area is one of the busiest and best known in Kyoto for a reason. The view out over a sea of trees is hard to match – and in cherry blossom season, they’re also in bloom.
Kodai-ji – This place has got a yuuuge zen garden. Come here for one of the nicest zen gardens you can find in Kyoto.
Shoren-in – An oft-skipped but totally majestic Buddhist temple at the end of the Higashiyama route. Not crowded, gorgeous gardens, many winding corridors for you to explore. This place will make you want to live in your own Japanese villa one day! Read more about Shoren-in

After Shoren-in, you can walk to the Philosopher’s Path (2.3 km, found on Google Maps as Tetsugaku-no-michi ). This path along a narrow river is lined with cherry blossom trees in Spring. If you decide to talk this walk, you’ll end up near the Silver Pavillion . If you’ve still got energy, you can check it out! Otherwise, I recommend grabbing dinner at Asian Cample Foods Goya for a taste of delicious Okinawan food .

Here are the best things to do in Kyoto that deserve a place on your two or three-day itinerary. From world-famous food to ancient temples and interesting day trips.

Imagine this: a capital city full of thousands of docile, free-ranging deer. If this sounds like your idea of paradise, you can’t miss Nara, Japan .

But first, it’s time to visit one of Japan’s most famous landmarks.

Fushimi Inari Shrine

These dizzying rows of red Torii are a photographer’s dream: if you can manage to capture an empty shot. I saw some of the thickest crowds of the whole trip when visiting these shrines, so be sure to give yourself some extra time if you want to focus on photos!

To get here, you’ll need to take the JR Line from Kyoto to Inari . After your time at the shrine, pop back on the train and continue to Nara.

The very first capital of Japan, Nara is humble by today’s standards. The city center is small, and the population a mere 360,000 inhabitants. But don’t let that fool you: Nara has some of the most unique experiences to offer on the Japanese itinerary:

Todai-ji – The world’s largest wooden building. Inside, a massive Buddha. You can try to climb through its nostril (a sign of good fortune).
Isui-en – One of the best gardens we saw in Japan. That, plus a personal tour from a member of the staff, made the story behind the garden really come alive.
Nara Park – Over 1,200 free roaming deer. Keep your map close, they will eat anything. Note that if you buy biscuits in Nara, those are for the deer , not you.

Sadly my camera died in Nara so I have very few photos to share. You’ll have to see for yourself!

Left, Isui-en Garden, Right, Deer 😂

Plan a solid half-day for Nara, if not more. We spent a lot of time walking around Nara Park, there is a lot to explore and hiking paths if you want to speak more time walking around!

Spend your last night in Kyoto and wake up early to catch the train down to the southernmost post on our itinerary: Hiroshima .

I will start by saying that Hiroshima is simply not a beautiful city. It was hastily rebuilt after the tragic events of World War II and the destruction of the atomic bomb. As a result, you won’t find charming alleys or old merchant districts. Instead, you come to Hiroshima to get a glimpse into the lives of the people who both died and survived as a result of the bomb, and the effects it’s had on the community.

The Atomic Bomb Dome

This is the singular building that was left standing after the atomic bomb devastated Hiroshima. You should absolutely visit the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum . The museum really toes the line between giving a realistic look at the consquences of the bomb, while also shielding you away from some of the more gruesome details (meaning, it is still suitable for children).

Hiroshima Castle

This is the first castle on our trip to Japan, and to be honest, it’s a bit underwhelming. The interior has been completely gutted to turn into a museum (on the up-side: you can get your photo taken in a samurai outfit!). Don’t worry, we’ll end up at the mother of all Japanese castles later.

Here are some more ideas for things to do while you’re in Hiroshima, after you’ve visited the museum, the Peace Park, and seen the flame that remains lit until the last nuclear weapons on earth are destroyed.

Things to do in Hiroshima

Hiroshima is the birthplace of

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target=”_blank">Okonomiyaki , and the city does it like nowhere else. Combine that with

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and you’re eating the most quintessential regional dish. Be sure to visit Okonomi-mura (Okonomiyaki Village) for the epicenter of Oko-eating in the city.

Hiroshima is also famous for its nightlife. If you’re looking for a wild night, Hiroshima might just be the place to have it.
Mitaki-dera is a very special and unique shrine in the northwest of Hiroshima.
Ride the vintage tram. Hiroshima prides itself on having a super old-fashioned tram system, complete with cars from the 70s! Blast from the past, yoo.

Spend the night in Hiroshima and wake up early, we’re going to Miyajima!

Day 6: Miyajima, Himeji, & Osaka

This is our crazy day. Start in Hiroshima, take the JR Ferry to Miyajima. Spend some time on the island, catch the ferry back, connect to a train to Himeji. Spend the rest of the day exploring the castle and grounds until it closes. Wind up in Osaka to start binging on street food.

Are you ready?

I’ll start with this preface: If you’re not set on exploring Hiroshima by night, I’d encourage you to spend the night on Miyajima instead. This island in Hiroshima bay is home to one of the top 3 national sights in Japan, and is one of the most visited locations in the entire country. You can beat the first boat ride in and have a Miyajima at sunrise all to yourself!

Things to know about visiting Miyajima

I’ve already written a bit about things to do on Miyajima besides seeing the shrine so I won’t duplicate the information here. Here is a quick summary of things you need to know when visiting Miyajima:

Don’t take the “scenic boat ride” around Hiroshima’s harbor, just go for the JR Ferry. As I mentioned, Hiroshima is not very scenic and its harbor is no exception. It costs more and takes longer.
Take the ropeline to the top of the mountain for a view over the bay. Along the way you’ll see many treasures ^__^
If you’re collecting souvenirs, buy a rice paddle in Miyajima. It’s the essential Miyajima souvenir!
Skip paying to go out onto the dock in front of the shrine – the best photos can be taken from the shore anyways, and you can just walk around to the other side without paying.
Be sure to plan your visit in tune with high tide! At low tide, the water recedes and you miss the “floating Torii ” illusion.

Did I mention there are also deer on Miyajima? They’re more aggressive than the Nara variety. Guard your map!

Anyone and everyone who goes to Japan has probably seen the famous floating Torii on Miyajima Island – but far fewer see Mt. Misen for sweeping views over Hiroshima bay.

After taking the ferry back from Miyajima to the mainland (you want the Hiroden-miyajima-guchi station ), hop on the train to Himeji. We’ll spend the rest of the day here until the castle closes at 5PM. Upon arrival, lock your backpack in a coin locker and catch the bus to the castle from the train station.

For the uninitiated: Himeji Castle is perhaps Japan’s most famous and best-preserved castle. It’s meant to resemble a bird in flight, and is known as the “White Heron Castle.” It has survived extensive bombing of the surrounding city during World War II as well as a massive earthquake in the mid-nineties. Himeji is here to stay.

If you have time, there are also samurai quarters to explore in the vicinity. You can buy a combination ticket for the castle and the quarters at the entrance. Unfortunately we couldn’t make time to see those before leaving, but they’re reportedly really interesting.

Important! Check the train times to make sure you’ll be able to catch a train to Osaka shortly after the castle closes.

If there’s one place I feel I didn’t get enough time, I’d have to say it was Osaka. It’s got such a cool, alternative vibe when compared to high-heels-and-Prada Tokyo. It’s most famous for its street food, and it considered the foodie capital of Japan . If you’re here to eat everything in sight, Osaka is a wonderfully dangerous place to end up.

Where to stay in Osaka

If you have just one night in Osaka, there’s no other place to stay than Dotonbori . The neighborhood’s eponymous street is THE definition of the loud and chaotic Japan. The first thing that happens as you approach is that you smell SO much food. Street vendors cook takoyaki in giant, metal trays filled with fried balls of dough and minced squid. If you don’t come hungry to this street, you are making a huge mistake!

Besides food, this street is also famous for its moving, animal billboards. Cows, crabs, and pufferfish are just a few of the giant electonic puppets looming over the heads of pedestrians.

Things to do in Osaka

See the famous Glico Man sign at Ebusu-bashi bridge. This is perhaps the most recognizable landmark in Osaka (that’s right: a giant illminated sign).
Go to the Osaka Castle , one of the prettiest in Japan with its teal and gold coloring.
Eat Honetsuki-dori ! This was one of my most memorable meals in Japan. You basically get two choices of chicken (young chicken or old chicken) and then you can choose from sides, which are mostly also chicken.
As mentioned, eat the takoyaki!
If you’re feeling adventurous (and spendy), you can splurge on a plate of Fugu (pufferfish, which can be deadly if not cooked by a licensed expert).
Osaka also has a huge aquarium, which you can visit if you decide to spend more than a night in this city.

Don’t get too comfortable: after a lazy breakfast and a sobering view of Osaka by day, it’s off for a culture shock on top of your existing culture shock. We go from always-on Osaka to sleepy Takayama in the Japan alps.

You read me right: Japan has got its very own range of alps. It contains three mountain ranges: Akaishi mountains, Kiso mountains, and Hida mountains. We’re going to the latter, to the Hida region.

Absolutely do not forget to book the Wide View train for your ride through the mountains! You’ll get a train with enormous glass windows, perfect for day dreaming about your imaginary life in the Japanese countryside a la My neighbor Totoro .

For us, Takayama seemed the perfect place to check in to a traditional Japanese inn, called Ryokan . This has got to be one of the top experiences to try in Japan , and if you’re not in a big city like Kyoto, you can do it for a bit of a better price.

Why you should stay in a Ryokan in Japan

You get to dress up in Japanese dress. You can put on a Yakuta (a summer kimono) while you eat your delicious, amazing, unidentifiable Japanese breakfast.
Experience Japanese hospitality. Our hosts were so kind and hilarious. At times it was a challenge to communicate, but with patience and humor anything is possible.
Onsen minus public nudity. If you aren’t familiar with the Japanese concept of onsen , it’s basically a super hot public bath where head-to-toe nudity is mandatory. You shower off before getting in, and they’re divided by gender. Our ryokan had a private onsen you could visit with your partner. It’s awesomeeee.

Be sure to consider Sumiyoshi Ryokan when you go to Takayama! Room rates start around 150 EUR so it’s not cheap, but it’s absolutely going to be the most memorable place you stay on your trip!

Staying in a Ryokan in Japan is supposed to be one of the top ways to experience authentic Japanese culture. But is it worth all the extra money, which can run up to a thousand dollars per night? Let's see!

All checked in and cozy? Here are some ideas of what to do during your time in Takayama.

Things to do in Takayama

Stroll around the Edo-era merchant district . The houses are very well preserved, although many have been converted into souvenir shops.
Try Hida beef , the local variant similar to Kobe beef. You can go to various grill-your-own joints for a fancy experience, or get a skewer for a couple bucks at the morning market.
Visit the morning market for handcrafted souvenirs. There are two markets, but the one along the river is far better for souviners. You can get wooden carvings made from the Japanese Yew, chopsticks in all configurations and price ranges, and of course a lot to eat.
Indulge in a box or two of sake! Takayama has a prominent sake industry, and you can recognize sake spots around town by the dried cedar balls that hang in front of the front door.
Buy your Japanese souvenirs, period. This is where we bought our one serious souvenir from Japan, which is a gorgeous black and gold teapot. It cost around 80 EUR (which is a pretty standard price for teapots, believe it or not!)
Visit “Little Kyoto”. Now that you’ve been to Kyoto, you’ll realize: Takayama’s temple district is nothing like that of sprawling Higashiyama in Kyoto, but there is one distinct difference: you have the place to yourself.

Enjoy breakfast in your Ryokan , check out the morning market, and in the early afternoon, hop on a bus to Shirakawa-go.

Shirakawa-go, is one of the tiny tiny villages where people still live in thatch-roof houses. Every 30-40 years the roofs are replaced by 200 community members and volunteers working quickly over two days. The town itself is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and you can go inside several of the thatched houses and learn more about life in the village.

What to know before visiting Shirakawa-go

Shirakawa-go is visited by massive tourist crowds. No one in the blogosphere seems to admit this, but it’s a simple fact: Shirakawa-go experiences hit-and-run by tons of tourist groups.
That said, your best option is to spend the night in Shirakawa-go in order to get a more authentic and private experience.
Shirakawa-go’s scenic overlook is not accessible in winter. If you’re traveling to Japan in Winter, the location where you can see the entire valley at once is not accessible when the path is snowed in.

After visiting Shirakawa-go, spend your last night in Takayama. Enjoy breakfast the next morning, because it’s time to hit the road and head north.

I will start with this: If you’re not visiting Hirosaki during cherry blossom season, I’m not sure it’s worth it . The town itself is pretty lackluster, and it’s the park filled with 2,500 cherry blossoms which makes this location truly spectacular and yet under-the-radar for western visitors.

That said, Hirosaki is probably one of the few places where we really felt like we weren’t just one of thousands of western tourists. Almost everyone in the city was either Japanese, or traveling to Japan from a neighboring country in Asia. For that reason, it was really cool to visit somewhere that felt a little undiscovered by people like us.

The trip from Takayama to Hirosaki takes about 8 hours, so most likely, you’ll arrive in the early evening, with enough time to see Hirosaki’s cherry blossoms illuminated by night.

After spending the night in the park, grab dinner at

<a href="http://www.kadare.info” class="place” onclick="ga(‘send’, ‘event’, ‘Affiliate Link’, ‘Click’, event.target.getAttribute(‘href’));”

target=”_blank">Kadare Yokochō . This food hall is a favorite with locals, and offers a ton of options. You can read more about what to try here in my guide to Hirosaki.

Few Western visitors ever experience northern Japan, but Hirosaki's immense Castle Park bursting with blossoms, bridges, and moats is an unbeatable reason to come north during Cherry Blossom Season. It's even illuminated at night. Come see for yourself!

The next day, it’s time to enjoy the park in all it’s bright and blooming glory. The park is overflowing with flowers, idyllic Japanese-style bridges, petal-filled moats, and one of the coolest sights: Sakura Tunnel .

I imagine this place also looks spectacular in Autumn, but I can only tell you: it’s gorgeous in Spring, and perfect if you’re making a late Spring trip, where the cherry blossoms in more southerly locations will have already gone.

Catching a glimpse of sakura in Japan is more than a matter of timing and luck. When and where to see cherry blossoms all throughout Spring!

Tonight, take the train to Nikko, Japan, a town a short way from Tokyo but packed full of historic locations and natural wonders!

I made a critical mistake when coming to Nikko. I came during Golden Week, which happens at the beginning of May. During this time, the entire country of Japan is basically on vacation, and of course, where do they go on vacation: why, Nikko!

And it’s no wonder: Nikko was once a favorite retreat for the emperor, once he had moved his residence from Nara to Tokyo. As a result, Nikko has some of the most concentrated famous sights in Japan. In fact, a huge swath is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. For a small town, this place has got a lot going on.

Things to do in Nikko (AKA more shrines 😄)

Shin-kyo – The most famous bridge in Nikko (pictured above). There’s a fee if you want to cross it, but perfectly good photos can be taken fo’ free.
Tosho-gu – This group of buildings that comprise the Tosho-gu shrine comprise several buildings. Each structure offers something different. Here are a few of them:
Yomeimon (Gate of Sunlight) – Perhaps the climax of Nikko’s temple district, this gate is unique because it’s just so gaudy . Gold everywhere, super ornate. The only problem is that it’s currently under rennovation until March 2019.
Naikiryu (Crying Dragon) – Enter the Yakushi Hall at Tosho-gu and see, painted on the ceiling, an enormous dragon. It’s believed that the sound of wooden blocks clapping together in this room sound like the dragon is crying (depends on how imaginative you are if you ask me!)
Kegon Waterfall – I didn’t have time to see this myself, but if you stay a little longer in Nikko, you can take the trip here. Nikko has a few other waterfalls, but Kegon is easily the most popular.

Now, after all of this, I was honestly left pretty overwhelmed by Nikko. 99% because the crowds were so dense, it was totally uncomfortable to view some of these places. The other 1% was probably actually being underwhelmed because of some of the construction that covered the coolest structure, Yomeimon .

Actually, I wanted to LEAVE. Luckily, Nikko still had something waiting for me…

Kanmangafuchi Abyss

After a tasty and expensive slice of cheesecake and coffee at Nikko Coffee , we embarked on a walk to the Kanmangafuchi Abyss . This natural canyon in Nikko is like the polar opposite of Tosho-gu . Somehow no one else knew that there was this natural treasure just a kilometer away from the popular shrines. It turned out to be one of the most beautiful places in Japan .

On your way in, these statues line the path to the gorge. It’s said that it’s not possible to count the name number of Bake-jizo on your way in as on your way out. You’ll just have to try for yourself! (Spoiler: I failed, but I don’t blame any inanimate objects for that).

With UNESCO World Heritage sites galore, Nikko is a popular day trip from Tokyo. But the best part of Nikko just a little over a kilometer away from the most popular shrines, in a small gorge with its own shrines, whirlpools, and waterfalls called Kanmangafuchi Abyss.

Enjoy your time in Nikko, because after this it’s back to the big city! Pick up your stuff from the hostel, hop on a train, we’re going to Tokyo…but for real this time.

Day 12 and 13: Time for Tokyo

A lot of people who come to Japan spend a lot of time in Tokyo. I mean, it makes sense: it’s got the most restaurants per capita in the world, you could spend a lifetime exploring every conceivable experience this city can offer. That said, I didn’t try to do Tokyo hardcore. For one, I actually visited friends while here, which tends to make everything a little less go-go-go. On the other hand, there is just so much there, your chances of “making a dent in Tokyo” are miniscule, so why try!

Ideas for what to do in Tokyo

Ascend the Tokyo Skytree. If you’re scared of heights (like me), this place is going to make you SO NERVOUS. The highest point in the city, on a clear day you can see Mt. Fuji which is 100 kilometers away.
See the faithful Hachiko statue at Shibuya station. Perhaps you’ve heard the story of the faithful dog that waits for years at the train station, even 9 years after his owner has passed. If you want to see this world famous symbol, head here – also a popular meeting place!
Take a walk through the Yoyogi Park. You’ll see buskers, groups of friends, maybe even the famous

<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLl9GERTMYg” onclick="ga(‘send’, ‘event’, ‘Affiliate Link’, ‘Click’, event.target.getAttribute(‘href’));”

target=”_blank">Tokyo rockabilly dancers .

See the Shibuya Crossing. One of the most famous sights in Tokyo, this crosswalk is the busiest in the whole world. If you’re in the area, be sure to check it out – you can get a view over it from a 2-storey Starbucks across the street.
Visit the Tokyo National Museum. Learn more about the culture and history associated with Japan in this museum. It’s got art, statues, scrolls, outfits, armor, pottery – so many things you can see develop over time with the Japanese people.
Eat a meal at the Tsukiji Fish Market . If you missed it on your first night, now’s the time to come back! Wake up at the crack of dawn to see the daily haul of tuna, or come by in the evening to grab some dinner.
If you haven’t gotten enough of shrines, check out Meiji Shrine. Easily the most popular shrine in Tokyo! Unlike so many shrines, admission here is free.
Do some luxury shopping in Ginza. Essentially every world famous fashion brand has a flagship store in this shopping district. If you’re a luxury traveler, this might be the perfect place to pick up your Tokyo souvenir.
Go to Harajuku and feel extra ordinary. This area has some of the most eccentric people you’ll see in the city, with the very best outfits and hairstyles. It’s a must-see area if you love people-watching!
Stock up on electronics in Akihabara. Known affectionately as Electric Town, Akihabara is a bright and loud neighborhood and home to the largest electronics store in the world, Yodobashi Akiba .
Got more time in Tokyo? Find more things to do in this Tokyo 5-day itinerary or go to one of many amazing day trips from Tokyo .

After your last day in Tokyo, take the train to Kawaguchi-ko and sleep at the base of Mt. Fuji. Wake up early the next morning to enjoy the mountain!

Day 14: Spend the day at Mt. Fuji and fly home in the evening

It’s the last day, you can do it! Get up as early as you can muster to see Mt. Fuji in the morning light, reflected in Lake Kawaguchi. Conventional wisdom states that your best viewing of Mt. Fuji happens first thing in the morning, but for us, the mountain became more visible as the day went on. By the end of the day, it was clear and big and blue.

I’ve gone in-depth about the best places to view Mt. Fuji , especially if you’re going in Spring, but one thing I can’t help but mention here is the Pink Moss Festival ! You can take a bus here from the main station in Kawaguchi-ko, and travel to a spot closer to the mountain that is just covered in pink flowers.

In terms of booking tickets to the festival, I just happened to discover it thanks to a brochure in my hotel. Check the website for admission tickets. There’s also tons of different ways to get to the location by bus, just check on the website’s “Access” page.

In 2019, the Pink Moss Festival is happening from April 13th - May 26th ! That means you can still visit this year if you’ll be arriving between now and the end of May.

How cute is this? There’s even a mini-Fuji made out of flowers! After you’ve had your fill of flowers and too-perfect shots of Mt. Fuji, take a bus back to down and spend any free time you have walking around the lake and walking around town. Get your last matcha ice cream or any last-minute Fuji-themed souvenir.

Spring is one of the best, most magical times to see Mt. Fuji of the whole year. Here are several vantage points that offer the most impressive view of "Fuji-san", plus tips on predicting Mt. Fuji's visibility.

Alas! It’s time to take the train back to Tokyo, transfer to transport that’ll take you to your airport, and start the long journey home.

And that’s a wrap!

Have you ever been to Japan? Or are you planning a trip RIGHT NOW? Would love to know about anywhere I missed in my itinerary or what you would do differently! Leave a comment with your thoughts!

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About the author

Hi there! I'm Monica, an American expat living in Germany for over six years and using every opportunity to explore the world from my homebase in Berlin. My goal is to capture my memories in photos and posts that show how easy it is to start from scratch and travel the world by working abroad.

Follow along on Instagram , Twitter , Bloglovin , & Facebook .

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Exploring Japan in July: A Comprehensive Guide to Summer Delights

July in Japan is a season of vibrant festivals, natural beauty, and cultural experiences that captivate both locals and visitors. From traditional celebrations to modern spectacles, here’s a detailed guide to the best ways to enjoy Japan in July.

1. Tanabata Festival (Star Festival)

Date: July 7

The Tanabata Festival, or Star Festival, celebrates the legendary meeting of deities Orihime and Hikoboshi, represented by the stars Vega and Altair. Streets are adorned with colorful decorations, and bamboo branches are festooned with tanzaku (paper strips) bearing people’s wishes. Major festivities take place in cities like Sendai, with parades, traditional dances, and spectacular fireworks, offering a magical atmosphere.

2. Gion Matsuri in Kyoto

Date: Throughout July

Gion Matsuri, one of Japan’s most famous festivals, spans the entire month of July in Kyoto. Dating back to the 9th century, it was originally held to appease the gods during an epidemic. The festival features magnificent yamaboko floats, traditional music, and lively street stalls. The highlight is the grand procession on July 17 and July 24, where intricately designed floats parade through Kyoto’s streets, showcasing the city’s rich cultural heritage.

3. Climbing Season for Mount Fuji

Date: July 1 - September 10

July marks the beginning of the official climbing season for Mount Fuji, Japan’s highest and most iconic peak. Thousands of climbers take on the challenge of reaching the summit to witness the breathtaking sunrise, known as Goraiko. The Yoshida Trail is the most popular route, offering a mix of challenging terrain and stunning vistas. For those not inclined to climb, the surrounding area provides scenic hikes, hot springs, and picturesque views of Mount Fuji.

4. Spectacular Fireworks Festivals

Date: Various dates in July

Hanabi (fireworks) are a quintessential part of the Japanese summer experience. Throughout July, spectacular fireworks displays light up the night skies across the country. Notable events include the Sumida River Fireworks Festival in Tokyo and the Tenjin Matsuri in Osaka. These festivals often feature traditional music, dance performances, and food stalls, creating a festive and memorable atmosphere.

5. Beach Escapes

July is the ideal time to explore Japan’s stunning beaches. Okinawa, with its turquoise waters and white sandy shores, offers a tropical paradise perfect for snorkeling, diving, and relaxation. On the mainland, popular beach destinations like Kamakura and Enoshima attract sunseekers with their beautiful coastlines and cultural sites. These beach spots become lively hubs of activity with summer festivals, water sports, and beach parties.

6. Local Festivals and Cultural Events

In addition to the major festivals, numerous local events and natsu matsuri (summer festivals) take place across Japan in July. These include Obon dances, temple fairs, and food festivals, offering an authentic taste of Japanese culture and community spirit. Each region has its unique traditions and specialties, making it worthwhile to explore beyond the well-known cities.

7. Nature Escapes and Hiking Trails

Japan’s natural beauty is at its peak in July, making it an excellent time for outdoor activities. Explore the lush greenery of national parks such as Nikko and Hakone, or embark on scenic hiking trails like the Nakasendo Trail, which offers a glimpse into Japan’s historical past. Enjoy the serene landscapes, picturesque waterfalls, and tranquil hot springs that provide a refreshing escape from the summer heat.

8. Summer Cuisine

July is also a time to savor Japan’s seasonal cuisine. Indulge in refreshing summer dishes like somen (thin wheat noodles served cold), unagi (grilled eel), and kakigori (shaved ice desserts). Local markets and food festivals offer a variety of fresh seafood, regional specialties, and delicious street food, providing a delightful culinary journey.

July in Japan offers a diverse array of experiences that blend tradition, nature, and modern festivities. Whether you’re witnessing the enchanting Tanabata decorations, climbing the majestic Mount Fuji, or indulging in summer cuisine, there’s something for everyone to enjoy. Embrace the vibrant summer spirit and discover the rich cultural tapestry of Japan in July.

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There’s no need to tip in Japan. Here’s what else travelers should know.

The Land of the Rising Sun has fascinated travelers for centuries, and this summer is no exception.

Tokyo is among the top five international cities Americans are visiting this summer, according to Expedia and Google Flights. And with the exchange rate currently so strongly in Americans’ favor, it’s an especially good time to visit if you can take the hot and humid weather .

Before you book your flight though, there are some things you should know. From cultural customs to customs and immigration, here are 10 things to do when visiting Japan.

1. Learn basic Japanese

Some people, particularly in Tokyo, may speak English, but it’s best to learn a few basic phrases in Japanese like “hello,” “excuse me,” “where is the restroom?” and “thank you.” There are free tutorials available across social media and language apps like Duolingo or Babbel.

You’ll also want to download a free translation app like Google Translate that can handle both verbal and written translation.

2. Fill out the Visit Japan Web form

U.S. citizens don’t need a visa to visit Japan for stays under 90 days, but you will need to fill out a Visit Japan Web immigration and customs form . Save time by doing this in advance online instead of at the airport when you arrive.

What to know about Tokyo Disney Resort: Why Disney fans will travel all the way to Japan for its theme parks

3. Get a transit card

A prepaid Suica or PASMO transit card isn’t just for public transportation. It can also be used to pay for things at vending machines, convenience stores and some shops.

You can download a digital version through Apple Wallet or get a physical card once you arrive in Japan. Just keep it loaded with as much money as you want to spend.

4. Keep cash on hand

Cash is still king in some places, including food stalls and small shops that may not accept credit cards or digital payments.

You can withdraw cash for low fees and fair exchange rates from ATMs at Japanese convenience stores like 7-Eleven. A Suica or PASMO card can tide you over until you can get to an ATM.

5. Skip the tip

There’s no tipping culture in Japan. In fact, some servers have been known to follow customers out and return tips like they were accidentally left behind. Instead of tipping at restaurants, offer thanks.

Before eating, it’s customary to say “ itadakimasu ” like a quick prayer to show appreciation for the food and those who grew it. When you leave, you can say “ gochisousama deshita ” to staff to show gratitude for the meal.

6. Stand aside on escalators

In Tokyo, people stand to the left of escalators and keep the right side open for others walking up or down the moving steps. In Kyoto, like in most U.S. cities, people stand on the right. Don’t worry about trying to remember which side to stand on. It will be immediately clear once you’re there. Just do what everyone else is doing and don’t block foot traffic.

7. Keep the noise down on trains

It’s considered rude to talk on your cell phone or play music or videos out loud on subways and trains. You may hear some small groups of friends chatting, but many commuters keep quietly to themselves.

8. Wear or carry socks

Some places, like temples or restaurants with tatami mats, may require you to remove your shoes. If you’re not wearing socks, you may want to carry a clean pair with you, just in case.

9. Prepare to bare all at onsens

If you’re not comfortable sporting your birthday suit around others, you may want to skip public hot springs. Swimsuits and other garments aren’t allowed in the communal water. Some onsens may also bar tattoos or ask guests to cover them up with a patch. However, there are some tattoo-friendly onsens as well as private onsens available.

Additionally, it’s customary to shower before entering the springs to keep the water clean.

10. You’ll have to wait to open some souvenirs

If you plan to load up on Japanese beauty products, snacks and other consumables to take home, you can buy them tax-free at stores like Don Quixote, but they’ll seal them in a bag indicating they were purchased without paying tax. You can’t open the bag until you leave Japan.

Bonus: Eat all the things, including at convenience stores or vending machines

From egg salad sandwiches to fresh onigiri rice balls, there’s so much good, affordable food in Japan. Don’t miss the delicious and cheap treats at Japanese convenience stores like 7-Eleven, Lawson and Family Mart. The same goes for the wide variety of readily available vending machines selling cold and hot drinks, depending on the season.

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12 Days in Japan: Top 4 Itineraries for First Visit 2024/2025

A 12-day duration is ideal for you to explore Japan's highlights at a more relaxed pace. It would allow you to visit the top cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka as well as popular nearby places, such as Hakone, Nara, or Mount Fuji. You could also explore traditional villages, such as Takayama and Kanazawa, or other close-by places that interest you.

In this article, we've handpicked four 12-day Japan itineraries to help you plan a beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime-special, and stress-free journey. We would customize any itinerary based on your preferences.

Itinerary 1: Classic Japan (Most Chosen)
Itinerary 2: For Family with Teenagers

Itinerary 3: Classical Japan with Himeji

Itinerary 4: Essence of Japan with Okinawa

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Itinerary 1: Classic Japan (Grand Cities and Traditional Villages)

3 nights in Tokyo
1 night in Takayama
2 nights in Kanazawa
3 nights in Kyoto (side trip to Nara)
2 nights in Osaka

This 12-day itinerary is excellent for a first trip to Japan, with plenty of authentic experiences and activities. Not only could you explore the best of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but you could also delve into the less-crowded towns of Takayama and Kanazawa to see picturesque rural views and unique farmhouses.

Start your journey in Tokyo. Wander along the wide stone path lined with tall trees at wooden Meiji Shrine in the downtown area, and immerse yourself in the atmosphere of Tokyo's most spiritual Buddhist temple, Senso-ji. You could also try your hand at making sushi for lunch to discover a prominent element of Japanese culinary tradition.

Then, take the efficient Shinkansen (bullet train) to explore serene Takayama, Shirakawa, and Kanazawa. These three cities have well-preserved sites and picturesque countryside views.

Takayama: Wander around the well-preserved old town to soak up the Edo vibe, hold delicate handicrafts, such as lacquer and ceramics, and sample some representative Hida beef.
Shirakawa: The unique gassho-zukuri farmhouses, which have steep thatched roofs that are named after 'praying hands'. These farmhouses are extremely charming when covered in snow and illuminated at night during January and February.
Kanazawa: Stroll through one of the three most celebrated Japanese gardens — Kenroku-en — to admire the manicured landscapes, relax and enjoy a cup of matcha at a traditional teahouse, and experience attaching gold leaf to chopsticks.

Contiune your trip to tradition Kyoto. Immerse yourself in the Fushimi Inari Shrine to see amazing sight of thousands of orange-red torii gates. Spend a night at a Japanese ryokan for a cozy night. And feed and enjoy close interactions with the deer in nearby Nara.

Osaka is your final stop. You'll experience highlights like unique ukiyo-e printmaking, sample local snacks in the Dotonbori district, and watch an impressive Japanese sporting event — a sumo wrestling match.

Our Japan travel expert would tailor-made a private tour for you based on your preferences and requirements.

Itinerary 2: For a Family with Teenagers Including Hands-On Activities

2 nights in Hakone
3 nights in Kyoto (side trip to Uji and Nara)
3 nights in Osaka

This 12-day Japan itinerary is the perfect choice for families with teenagers. It satiates kids' love for anime and games, offers abundant family-friendly activities, and you won't have to change hotels frequently.

Start your trip from Tokyo. Discover some Japan-exclusive products at the most popular Pokémon Center, enjoy coffee and desserts at an anime café, and immerse yourself in interactive experiences at high-tech museums, such as TeamLab.

Next, travel to Hakone for its onsens (hot spring baths) and charming rural views. Don't miss experience at a traditional ryokan (inn) with a family room (accommodating 3–5 people). A ryokan typically has 5–15 rooms, and they easily become fully booked, so you're advised to book at least 3 months in advance to ensure a wider range of options. Our Japan travel advisors would help you to select a family-friendly ryokan based on your preferences .

Take the comfortable Shinkansen to Kyoto. You'll wear kimonos to explore the Gion district and take memorable family photos, engage in a matcha-making experience to savor the refreshing taste of tea, and feed the lovely deer in Nara.

Finish your wonderful family trip in Osaka. Here, you could try on ninja outfits to learn about ninja weapons and techniques from a ninja master. Interact with cute farm animals and participate in hands-on activities, such as cheese-making and horseback riding, at Rokkosan Farm. Alternatively, you could spend a day fully immersed in the magical world of Mario at Super Nintendo World.

Our Japan travel expert would carefully design each private tour to cater to your unique interests and requirements .

1 night in Hakone
4 nights in Kyoto (side trip to Nara)

With this 12-day itinerary, you would visit the highlights of Japan in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Indulge in the enchanting sights of shrines, experience a traditional tea ceremony or wear a kimono (or both), stay at a ryokan for a memorable night, and feed the deer in Nara.

You would visit the well-preserved castle in Himeji, which is located near Osaka. Himeji Castle is particularly enchanting during the cherry blossom season when it's adorned with beautiful cherry blossoms. The castle's white exterior walls and magnificent structure amaze many at first sight, and you would have the opportunity to explore the castle's interior.

If you have other requirements, contact us and our Japan travel expert can make it happen.

Itinerary 4: Essence of Japan with Beach Time in Okinawa

2 nights in Okinawa

With this 12-day itinerary, you would explore the essence of Japan in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka . You would immerse yourself in traditional shrines, enjoy delicious cuisine, visit world-class theme parks, stay at a traditional ryokan, and experience authentic activities, such as making cup noodles or creating Kyoto pottery.

Moreover, you could head to Okinawa to delve into the long history of this small island. Okinawa possesses some of the most stunning beaches in Japan and you could enjoy exciting outdoor sports, such as snorkeling, diving, and surfing, and take a leisurely walk on a sandy beach to see a beautiful sunrise or sunset.

Okinawa also boasts its rich and unique Ryukyu culture. Visit Ryukyu Mura to gain insights into the ancient Okinawan culture. You could see a variety of traditional Ryukyu performances, experience the traditional Okinawan musical instrument called a shamisen, taste authentic Ryukyu cuisine, and interact with the local people.

US$350-500 per person per day is the typical cost for a private tour with 4-star hotels, based on a family of 3–5 people. This includes a private guide, private car, full-day itinerary, tickets for attractions, all intercity transport within Japan, and hand-picked 4-star hotels. Thus, the total cost for 12 days in Japan is about US$4,200-6,000 per person (international flights not included).

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Japan Itinerary: One Week. Day 1 & 2: Tokyo. Chances are you'll be starting your trip in Tokyo, since it's home to the country's biggest international airport. If your trip is seven days long, activate your JR Pass right away, so that you can take advantage of the free JR trains that run through the city.
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Day 4 - Tokyo to Hakone. Travel to Hakone and spend the night there. The area is known for its hot springs, museums and the view of nearby Mt. Fuji. Day 5 to 7 - Kyoto. Travel from Hakone to Kyoto and stay for four nights. Consider our suggested Kyoto itineraries. Day 8 - Side trip to Nara. On a side trip from Kyoto, visit Nara, home of Japan's ...
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These itineraries can be used as a foundation to craft a journey that suits you, from the remote reaches of Hokkaido, the central Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park on Japan's Golden Route, down to tropical Okinawa. Into the Wild—The Shiretoko Peninsula. Unspoiled nature awaits. Spirituality in the Mountains of Koyasan. Daimon.
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