first trip to japan itinerary

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The Ultimate Japan Itinerary for First-Timers: From 1 to 3 Weeks

I’ve yet to meet a traveler who didn’t love their time in Japan . It’s just one of those countries that everyone loves. How can you not? The food is carefully crafted and delicious; the history and culture are both rich and long; the landscape breathtaking; and the people super friendly and polite.

Japan remains one of my favorite countries. No matter how long I visit, it’s never enough. I always leave wanting more.

But the country always seems forbidding to many travelers. It definitely still has that “exotic” stereotype that makes people think it’s hard to travel around.

Where should you go? What should you include in your Japan itinerary? Should you buy a JR Pass to help you get around?

To help you out, here are a few suggested itineraries based on my years of visiting that will ensure you see the best sites on your Japan trip — as well as get off the beaten path and get a real sense of Japanese culture!

Table of Contents

Japan Itinerary: Know Before You Go

Japan itinerary: one week, japan itinerary: two weeks, japan itinerary: three weeks.

Just be sure to get one BEFORE you go as you cannot purchase them on arrival. For more information on the pass, including how much they cost and how you can get one, read this blog post . It has everything you need to know!

Mobile Data in Japan In Japan, English isn’t widely spoken (especially outside of the major cities) so having access to the internet is vital for checking addresses, using translation apps, and looking up things to see and do. The easiest way to get data is through an international eSIM for Japan .

An eSIM allows you to access mobile data via a QR code so you can have internet wherever you are, without worrying about physical SIM cards or roaming charges. This will save you a lot of time and hassle when using apps like Google Maps, Google Translate, Instagram, and YouTube. It will also come in handy for checking menus at restaurants (since they are rarely in english).  

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.

While you could easily spend your entire week in Tokyo and not get bored, here are some of the highlights:

Visit the fish market – In 2018, Tokyo’s main fish market moved to Toyosu, which is twice the size of the old one, Tsukiji, making it the largest in the world. While a lot of good restaurants moved too (Sushi Dai being the most famous), I find the place itself very stale, since you can no longer wander the floor (you look down via a walkway above; you also need a visitor’s pass to enter).

The old outer market in Tsukiji is still great though, and you can still find food and stores there too. You can wander alone and just eat and shop until you can’t anymore! Most businesses open at 6am, so it’s a perfect place to go in the morning when you wake up early because of jet lag. Food and drink tours of the Tsukiji Outer Market are available for around 13,500 JPY.

See Sensoji Temple – Sensoji is beautifully painted and sits in a scenic spot near a five-story pagoda and the famous Kaminari Gate. There’s a huge statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall. It’s always busy but is worth seeing with your own eyes. The temple is free to visit.

Drink in Golden Gai – This alleyway of back-street bars is a lively place to drink at night and has a bit of a red-light-district feel to it. It is not to be missed. Even if you don’t drink, be sure to wander about. Arigato Tours offers tours of the area where you’ll learn about the neighborhood while stopping to sample Japanese classics like sushi, yakitori, and ramen. Tours are 23,900 JPY and include a drink and dishes at four food stops.

Visit the Imperial Palace – When the emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new residence and renamed it Tokyo. Though you can’t go inside (or get very close), the building is amazing. It is surrounded by lovely grounds and a park, and there’s a moat around the stone walls. You can also see the changing of the guard, though it’s a relatively low-key and unassuming ceremony.

Watch a sumo match – Kokugikan, Japan’s most famous sumo arena, hosts tournaments three times each year. The wrestling that we see today dates to the 17th century, though its origins go back even further, and it’s still one of the most popular traditions in the country. If you’re in town at the right time, this is a must-do! Tickets sell out quickly, so act fast. 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).

If you have more time, consider taking a day trip to Kamakura to see the giant Buddha statue (Daibutsu). It is over 13 meters (42 feet) tall and dates back to the 13th century. The journey is around 90 minutes each way — and free with the JR Pass !

For delicious food, some of my favorite bars and restaurants include: Uogashi Nihon-Ichi (Standing Sushi Bar), Nemuro Hanamaru KITTE Marunouchi, Motodane, Tokyo Whisky Library, Ichiran Shibuya, and Uohama.

WHERE TO STAY IN TOKYO : Hostel Chapter Two – A small, family-run hostel not far from Skytree Station in Asakusa. I really like the shared kitchen and common room, as there’s a real social feel to them.

With its beauty come lots of crowds though, so try to visit outside of the busy summer months. Even with lots of tourists, though, the city is still magnificent and has a lot to offer. Some things to see and do that you shouldn’t miss are the following:

Visit the Golden Pavilion – This famous (and picturesque) temple dates to the 1950s, when a monk burned down the previous temple (from the 14th century) while trying to commit suicide. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most-visited destinations in the country!

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.

Wander in 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.

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.

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.

For a half-day trip, you can also visit Nara. It’s a small city just one hour from Kyoto. 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 fires, as well as World War II). But 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. A guided half-day walking tour that includes all of Nara’s highlights as well as a traditional lunch is 11,500 JPY.

While you’re here, don’t miss a visit to Todai-ji. It’s the world’s largest wooden building and is home to a 16-meter (52-foot) Buddha statue. It was built in 738 CE and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Admission is 600 JPY.

WHERE TO STAY IN KYOTO : Backpacker Hostel K’s House – A fun, social backpacker hostel in a great central location. The rooftop terrace is a cool spot to hangout and meet other travelers after a day of exploring.

Don’t miss Osaka Castle though. While it’s not the original (this version dates to 1931), it’s nevertheless an impressive sight. It’s home to a small but insightful museum and an observation deck that offers some picturesque city views.

And be sure to stroll down Dotonbori (ideally at night), the main street, which is lined with restaurants, stores, and tons of neon lights and signs. A guided walking tour that includes Dotonbori as well adjacent neighborhoods is 6,500 JPY.

Today, Hiroshima is thriving . Don’t miss the Atomic Bomb Museum, which depicts the history of the city before and after that fateful day. It has photos, artifacts, videos, and information about the effect of radiation on the population. It’s a sobering experience but one that should not be missed.

If you feel like getting out of town afterward, head to Miyajima , an island that offers a place to hike and enjoy nature. You can also take a cable car to the peak of the mountain to take in the view. A one-way ferry ride to the island takes 10 minutes and is free to JR Pass holders.

WHERE TO STAY IN HIROSHIMA : Roku Hostel – A cozy, small hostel with a rustic atmosphere and design. It feels like you’re staying with a friend here, and the beds are super comfy too.

If you like history, don’t miss the Hida Minzoku Mura Folk Village, home to a collection of traditional thatch-roof houses that you can enter to further immerse yourself in the country’s past.

This city (and region, really) is famous for its Hida beef, a high-fat variety that’s even better than any A5 Wagyu you might have. It just melts in your mouth. Be sure to have some while you are here!

The Japanese Alps are not far from here as well, so if you love hiking and want to extend your time in the region, head to Kamikochi for a day hike or overnight trip. It’s just an hour away and has both easy and moderate trails, which are open from April to November. Hiking trails can also be found in Hakusan National Park (also just one hour away by car).

One of the more unique temples in Japan is here too: Ninja (Myoryuji) Temple. While the temple wasn’t home to actual ninjas, Myoryuji was built as a defensive structure (strict laws forbade local lords from building defenses, so they were hidden in the temple to circumvent the rules). These include hidden rooms, secret tunnels, and a maze of staircases and halls to confuse enemies.

If you need a break from exploring cities, Hakusan National Park, home to Mount Haku, one of the three holy mountains, is just an hour south of town.

If you’re here in April, there are incredible cherry blossom displays that are famous in the region. And, just like Takayama, Matsumoto is close to the Japanese Alps, so you’re just a stone’s throw from some of the best hiking in the country.

There are tons of hotels (both modern and traditional) that have their own hot springs (often both indoors and outdoors). It’s the perfect place to wrap up a trip, relax, and take in the views.

In addition to getting a copious amount of R&R, be sure to ride the cable car up the mountain for even more amazing views. The area is surrounded by craters from an inactive volcano that erupted 80,000 years ago (not to be confused with nearby Mount Fuji, which is an active volcano), and you’ll find lots of vendors at the top selling eggs cooked in the sulfurous waters. It’s said the eggs prolong one’s life by seven years, so feel free to give them a try!

If you prefer to hike up instead, the trail is open between July and September, with the trek taking anywhere from 5 to 12 hours, depending on your level of fitness. Typically, hikers leave at night in order to arrive at the summit by dawn. There are little shops along the way that sell food and even beds you can rent in advance if you want to split your journey up. Just make sure you do your research and prepare in advance as it’s a tough hike!

If you really want to play tourist, you can also ride a mock pirate ship around the lake for more views of the mountains, and Mount Fuji in particular.

Full-day tours around Hakone that include all the main sights cost 14,800 JPY.

WHERE TO STAY IN HAKONE : Hotel Green Plaza – With gorgeous views of Mount Fuji, a huge buffet dinner (with both Western and Japanese options), and a private onsen where you can relax and enjoy the view, this is one of the best places to stay in Hakone if you want value but don’t want to break the bank.  

Using the suggestions above, here’s how I would organize your itinerary:

• Days 1-3 : Tokyo
• Day 4 : Mount Fuji or Hakone
• Day 5 : Takayama
• Days 6 & 7 : Kanazawa
• Days 8 & 9 : Matsumoto
• Days 10-12 : Kyoto
• Days 13 & 14 : Osaka
• Days 15 & 16 : Hiroshima

If you do want to spend a few hours in Hakodate, don’t miss the Morning Market, where you can find lots of fresh seafood. You can also visit Fort Goryokaku, the first “Western”-style fort in the country.

Be sure to stop in at the local Beer Museum too, owned by Sapporo Breweries (the oldest beer company in the country). It showcases the history of beer in Japan and how the business got its start. If you’re a whiskey fan, stop by The Bow Bar, home to some rare (and expensive) whiskeys and considered one of the best such bars in the world.

What I love about the city is its location. This region has some of the best hiking in the country. There are plenty of hills and mountains, offering options for both day hikes as well as overnight trips. Some highlights include Mount Me-akan, Mount Asahim, Mount Mashu, and Nishibetsu-dake. For the best views of the city, head to Mount Moiwayama. It’s just a 30-60-minute hike to the top, though there is a cable car you can take as well.

And if you’re visiting in the winter, hit the slopes! There are over a hundred ski resorts in Hokkaido. You can rent skis (or a snowboard) for around 10,000-18,000 JPY. Lift prices are usually 4,000-6,000 JPY per day. In the winter, don’t miss the annual Sapporo Snow Festival. It’s held every February and draws over two million visitors. There are ice sculptures, igloos, live music, and delicious local foods on offer.

Additionally, be sure to take a day trip to Otaru, where you’ll find some of the freshest uni in the whole country (this is the main area where the famed Hokkaido uni is caught). Go hungry and visit the markets, stalls, and shops around there.

WHERE TO STAY IN SAPPORO : Waya Hostel – This is a laid-back, colorful hostel with a social atmosphere that makes meeting people a breeze. It has a homey, DIY feel and is perfect for budget travelers looking for a no-frills place to crash.

There is a ton to see and do in Japan , and you could easily spend another month here and still just scratch the surface (we didn’t even get to Okinawa and the islands!). And while these itineraries are a bit fast-paced, Japan isn’t cheap, so budget travelers need to move around the country quickly to avoid breaking the bank.

But no matter how long you visit, you won’t be disappointed. Japan is an amazing, beautiful, and unique destination that I never get tired of visiting. While it’s not as affordable as its neighbors, there are still plenty of ways to save money , and it’s definitely worth spending the time (and money) visiting. You won’t be disappointed!

Just make sure to get your Japan Rail Pass before you go!  

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 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, 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.

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

last Updated: March 7, 2024 hiroshima japan kyoto miyajima nara osaka tokyo

FYI: Affiliate links may be sprinkled throughout the awesome, free content you see below. I’ll receive a small commission when you purchase from my links (at no extra cost to you), which I’ll totally blow on adult things like boba tea and avocado toast. As always, thanks for the support.

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.   

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 .

First time using AirBnB?  Sign up with THIS LINK to get $30 off your first stay!

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)

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

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!

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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Feel free to share this 10 day Japan itinerary with a friend (just copy and paste the link!), and get started planning your trip! Have you been to the country before? What were your favorite things to do in Japan?

Photos via Day 1a | Day 2 and Steam Fire at Asakusa  | cherry blossoms | Akihabara | Hakone 1 and 3 | Hakone 2 |

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September 23, 2020 at 10:18 pm

Great post! We are planning to visit Japan around cherry blossoms season next year. Your 10-day itinerary seems perfect. We might add 3 to 4 days to it as we love to follow the slow pace when we travel 🙂

September 23, 2020 at 10:47 pm

You’re gonna have the best time ever – I wish I could go back and do my entire itinerary again! An extra few sounds would be perfect; we had to rush around a lot!

April 13, 2021 at 11:26 pm

Very elaborate Japan guide! Hope to visit this wonderful place in the near future!

March 27, 2022 at 5:54 am

Thanks so much, this was very helpful, and fun to read. I’ve been once by myself and hope to return with my wife. If it’s not too personal, what was the total cost of the trip for two?

April 4, 2022 at 6:16 pm

Hi Bill! So glad the post was helpful! Unfortunately it’s really hard to say the total cost, as it greatly varies depending on what hotels you choose, activities you do, and restaurants you eat at! With that being said, the street food is absolutely phenomenal and a great way to save a bit of money! We loved it all!

April 7, 2022 at 1:22 am

such an amazing post and trip, wish i can go there very soon. thankyou for sharing 🙂

July 18, 2022 at 8:44 am

I am so very grateful for your post. I have been researching for months and this is the most helpful post I have found! We will be traveling to Japan April 2023 for my sons graduation present. We will only have 7-8 days there. If you were to take off 1-2 days which would they be. Right now I am thinking one less day in Tokyo but not sure what else to eliminate.

July 20, 2022 at 6:58 pm

So glad you found it helpful! I would cut off the day trip from Tokyo, and eliminate a day in Tokyo like you suggested. You can see the main highlights of Tokyo in 2 long, jam packed days. It’ll be a very hectic and tiring trip, but you’ll see a lot in just a week! I cannot wait to go back to Japan! Enjoy your trip — sounds like it’ll be a special one!

August 29, 2022 at 1:19 pm

I’m planning a trip to Japan and this has been super helpful! One question though, did you mainly find lodging in just Tokyo and Kyoto? And you did day trips out of those cities but would return back?

August 29, 2022 at 8:42 pm

Hi Francesca — yup, did exactly that! I stayed in Tokyo and Kyoto and did day trips! SO much to see! Have such a great trip! I cannot wait to go back to Japan!!!

October 1, 2022 at 10:40 pm

Hey! your post is SUPER helpful for my 10 day trip I want to take in April 2023! But I was curious if you visited any hot springs or passed by any while on your trip? I want to go to one with my boyfriend and have a relaxing dip 🙂 I look forward to the trip and your trip sounds like something we would follow to enjoy our time! thnk you 🙂

October 2, 2022 at 4:33 pm

Hey there! We didn’t have time for any on our first trip, but spent a few days at an onsen in Mt. Muji on our second trip! Highly recommend adding that in if you’re looking for some peace and quiet! It was incredible!

August 9, 2023 at 9:19 am

Hi! Which onsen do you recommend?

November 1, 2022 at 11:18 am

Can u suggest a place to do one day of kintsugi lesson. I love your itinerary and plan to follow it to the T. And will definitely share my experience once I am back… I have about 13 days…one last thing..anything that a vegetarian can eat

November 6, 2022 at 2:26 am

Excellent guide! May I know is the 7-day JR pass one-way only (Tokyo -> Kyoto)? Do we need to buy another ticket/pass for the bullet train from Kyoto back to Tokyo?

November 6, 2022 at 4:32 pm

The JR pass works for all directions! As long as it’s still within the 7 days if you buy the 7 day pass! You can use the pass as many times as you want within the time frame you buy it for. It’s great!

November 27, 2022 at 10:18 pm

love your itinerary! i’m planning to visit japan in december and wondered if the disneyland in tokyo was worth it?

November 28, 2022 at 7:47 pm

Hi Rama! How exciting! I’ve never been to Tokyo Disney so unfortunately cannot comment! Have a great trip! Japan is easily one of my favorite countries!

January 19, 2023 at 12:04 pm

This post is amazing! We are planning a trip to Japan and this has everything. Thank you so much for taking the time to share your experiences!

January 20, 2023 at 5:15 pm

Of course, so glad it’s helpful! Let me know if you have any questions! We loved our trips to Japan and can’t wait to go back!

February 9, 2023 at 2:03 pm

Thank you so much for sharing, this is super helpful! I was wondering, if you were to have stayed at a ryokan during this trip, when / in which city would you recommend staying? I’m currently planning a 10 day try and would like to follow your itinerary but also want to squeeze in a stay in a ryokan!

March 22, 2023 at 6:38 am

I just wanted to thank you. My wife and I returned last night from our first trip to Japan, 11 nights in total. We followed your itinerary almost to the letter, including all three day trips from Tokyo – Kamakura, Nikko and Hakone.

It was an extra special trip for us, celebrating my 50th birthday, and your itinerary made the incredibly intimidating task of knowing how to structure a short trip to Japan, manageable and endlessly rewarding.

I commend you for your excellent research and wanted you to know how valuable of a service you are providing!

March 28, 2023 at 7:06 pm

Just to be clear, you’re recommending just two home bases during the ten days in Japan: Tokyo and Kyoto? We’re going in October and are booking hotels. So – one hotel in Tokyo and one hotel in Kyoto from which we see those cities and take day trips. It’s that simple?

April 5, 2023 at 11:07 am

Yup — makes it so much easier than booking a different hotel for every night! 🙂 The train system is amazing in Japan and you can easily get to so many day trips from both major cities.

April 26, 2023 at 3:42 pm

We are planning a trip to Japan in April 2024 and I came across you blog post. Amazing post and your detailed itinerary is very helpful. I’m wondering if there is any advantage of choosing Narita vs Haneda airport. We will be flying from SFO and have options to both.

April 27, 2023 at 2:05 pm

If you can find a flight to Haneda for a decent price, I’d actually choose that! It’s much closer to Tokyo itself. However, more airlines fly into Narita. I’ll be looking into Haneda for my next trip! 🙂

May 9, 2023 at 4:22 pm

Thank you so much for this very helpful itinerary. My husband and I are planning to visit in early December to celebrate my 60th birthday. Your suggestions and recommendations were very helpful and I will definitely be using them. Thank you again.

May 9, 2023 at 5:54 pm

Glad it was helpful! That’s so exciting — what a special spot for a birthday! Have the best time, and let me know if you have any questions!

May 21, 2023 at 2:06 am

We are booked on a cruise around Japan for 10 days but coming in earlier to do some land tours and hopefully see things we will not be able to do on the cruise. All your information was so informative and will be looking more into it all. We will be leaving Sydney Australia on 23rd March 2024 specifically for Cherry Blossom time.

August 9, 2023 at 9:17 am

Hi! We are flying to HND arriving June 8th at 21:05. We depart from NRT June 20th. I haven’t booked any accommodations yet. I’m trying to follow your itinerary. How many nights would you recommend in Tokyo and Kyoto? Should we stay in another city for a few nights to reduce traveling time? Regarding the JR Pass, we fall in between the 7 day and 14 day pass. I’m thinking the 7 day pass should be enough if we start using it day 4 or 5. Thank you!

November 5, 2023 at 2:56 pm

Hi Jess. Your itinerary was the inspiration for my first visit to Japan last month with my niece. We followed the majority of the 10 days outlined including all of the daytrips except for Hakone. Your suggestions were excellent because each day trip was unique and memorable. Your tips on where to purchase the local currency, the JR train pass as well as the packing tips were incredibly helpful. We also made it a point to try every single one of your foodie recommendations. Black sesame and Sakura were definitely our favorite Japanese flavors for ice cream. Nishiki Market, Golden Pavilion in Kyoto, the floating shrine in Miyajima, the Great Buddha statues at Kotokuin in Kamakura and at Todaji in Nara, Okonomimura in Hiroshima, Fushimi Inari Shrine were absolute highlights. Thank you so much for sharing this well-researched and well-organized itinerary that helped us make the most of our truly breath-taking adventure in Japan.

November 8, 2023 at 12:16 am

So glad it was helpful and that you had an amazing trip to Japan! Every time I go back I’m already planning my next trip! Such a wonderful, diverse country!

December 18, 2023 at 4:02 pm

Hello, I want to make sure I understand your itinerary. At the beginning, does it call for 4 or 5 nights in Tokyo?

January 16, 2024 at 12:46 pm

What would you add to this itinerary if you travel with 12 and 13 year old children?

January 20, 2024 at 10:56 pm

Hi there! I don’t have kids so not sure I’m the best person to ask! There’s tons of things to do in Tokyo for people with all different interests though.

February 20, 2024 at 5:16 am

Fantastic info for a possible first time visitor. Thanks so much! Just querying the following part of your page though:

“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.”

If I move the decimal place to the right for 100.00Y that equal 10000 USD based on the above. Should that have said “move the decimal place two spots to the left (which would = 1.00)

February 20, 2024 at 5:19 am

Ignore all that.. I now see it from the US point of view – i.e. move the US decimal point two spots to the right to get JPY. Sorry! Great site, really appreciate ethe information.

March 7, 2024 at 3:50 pm

what is the latest the bullet trains operate for example taking a day trip from Kyoto to Osaka at what time do you have to head back? Is there a website were we can see this?

April 20, 2024 at 2:29 pm

Hi. My name is Jack, I live in Japan for more than 10 years and run a personal blog jackinjapan.com I would be glad if you can read my work)

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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 AILEEN5OFF 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.

My mission?  To show you how it is absolutely possible to  create a life of travel no matter the odds — and I will help you achieve that through my detailed travel hacks, guides, resources, tips, and MORE!

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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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Traveling to Japan for the First Time: Planning a 1-2 Week Trip Making your first trip to Japan an awesome one

May 8, 2012 • words written by Koichi • Art by Aya Francisco

Traveling to Japan for the first time can be overwhelming. I understand! There's a lot to see and do. That's why I put together a "first-timers" Japan travel itinerary, built on my 20+ years of traveling to and from Japan.

This sample trip is for people heading to Japan for 1 to 2 weeks (which seems like the standard visit time for most people). Of course, there are so many things to see in Japan besides those featured on this trip itinerary. That's why I broke the travel plan into a 2 week stint so you can customize your vacation, removing and adding things as necessary.

That said, I hope this is helpful to those of you visiting Japan for the first time.

Things To Know

There are a few important things to know that have nothing to do with the actual places. They are:

Whether you travel to Japan for one week or one-point-five weeks or two weeks, the general route stays the same. You'll do Tokyo area, then Kyoto, then Nara, then Koya, and then back to Tokyo. Throughout the route, I'll mark things as "optional" as well. If you're only staying a week, I'd recommend cutting out these things (unless you really want to go to them, then cut something else out). If you're staying for two weeks, you should be able to go to all of these places, and maybe even diverge off to other places. In fact, I highly encourage this! Go where you want – this route is merely a suggestion.

Also keep in mind that I'm just going to be providing locations. You'll have to do your own research as to how to get to them. Google and Google Maps helps a lot with this. I believe in you.

Whether you stay a week or two weeks, I'd recommend getting the JR Pass . This is like a magical golden ticket that gives you unlimited JR train rides (bullet train too) to anywhere around Japan. Not all things are free (for example, non JR trains as well as most subways), but if you take three rides on the Shinkansen that will usually make it worthwhile. You can get a JR Pass at jrpass.com (where I got my last one). Just be sure to take into account the time change when you schedule your ticket dates. Going to Japan involves traveling through both space and time.

Finding Places To Stay

I don't really cover places to stay in this article, just the places to go to. Finding someplace to stay is up to you, though there are plenty of resources out there that will help you. I recommend hostels for adventurers / students / people with no money (they're fun, cheap, and way less sketchy than other hostels I've been to). Guest houses are also great if you can find them. They tend to be a little cheaper than hotels, but the food / environments are a lot more interesting. And interesting is what you want when you travel to Japan.

Since this is a pretty standard trip, most of the places are going to be pretty bag friendly. I wouldn't bring a ton (lots of hotels have washing machines too), and would definitely recommend a backpack or something with wheels. Don't make the mistake of bringing something you're not comfortable carrying up and down long flights of stairs. You will run into a lot of these getting on and off trains, so if your biceps are tiny, only pack whatever you can lift (preferably less). Also, bring a lightweight duffel bag (or you can buy one) for the optional shopping you can do at the end of your trip.

That being said, let's get started! You have some traveling to plan.

Day 1: Fly Into Tokyo

Flying into Tokyo isn't terrible, but it isn't great either. Depending on where you're coming from, you may also be terribly jet lagged. If that's you and you're on the 2-week schedule, you get an extra day to take it easy in Tokyo. Nice. If that's not you, you better be ready to go. No rest for the weary. After getting to the airport, you'll need to go pick up your JR Pass (should be included with your ticket). If your flight comes in too late (and the ticket place is closed) I'd recommend shelling out the $30 or so to go into Tokyo without the JR Pass and get it the next day in the city.

Optional: You can also pick up a 3g hotspot / internet dongle for your computer if you'd like. Finding free wifi in Japan is a huge pain, and getting one of these will pay for itself if you need to do a lot of work, or something.

Once you've gotten your ticket, hop on the JR Narita Express (NEX) to Tokyo. When you get to Tokyo, check into wherever you're staying and scope things out. It's probably evening by now anyways, so do your best to unjetlag yourself and go to bed so you can wake up early.

Day 2, 3, & 4: Tokyo

*If you're only staying for one week, cut out days 3 and 4 and then skip to Day 7. Alternatively, you could skip Day 2 as well and choose to do Day 5 or Day 6 (then your Tokyo time will be your shopping time on your way back). If you don't really care about big cities like Tokyo, skipping this section won't be too bad! :)

For the first few days, you'll be exploring Tokyo. So many people. So many things. Hopefully by the end of your Tokyo time you'll feel so tired of it you want to go somewhere nice and peaceful (don't worry, you will!). There are various areas of Tokyo worth visiting, and they're all quite easy to get to via the subway system. As long as you're not hitting it during rush hour, you'll probably have a great time scooting around. Since there are so many different tastes out there, I thought I'd list out the main places worth visiting in Tokyo, and then you can pick and choose what you like. I'll even sort them by areas.

Central Tokyo

Akihabara: This area should be on every nerd's Japan itinerary. It's famous for its electronic shops and otaku culture. So, if you're into either of these, this is a fun place to be. Make sure you look up, too. Lots of multi-story buildings filled with all kinds of weird things. You can spend a while walking around here.

Northern Tokyo:

Asakusa: Asakusa has the feeling of an "old" Tokyo, I think. You can visit the Sensoji (famous Buddhist Temple) and Asakusa Shrine or hit up some of the various shopping lanes.

Ueno Park: Ueno Park is probably one of Japan's most well known parks. Besides being parkish, it's full of museums, shrines, temples, as well as the Ueno Zoo. Definitely the kind of place you fancier folks will enjoy. You can spend a whole day here, if you're into this kind of thing.

Roppongi Hills: Want to see Tokyo from somewhere up high? Come to Roppongi Hills. You can go up into the Mori tower and look down on all those tiny people. Pro Tip: They don't like it when you try to throw pennies off the observation deck. Also worth noting is the Mori Art Museum.

Kappabashi: Do you know how a lot of Japanese food places have fake foods outside showing you what the food looks like? There's a chance they got it at Kappabashi, the kitchen capital of Tokyo. You can buy things for your restaurant, but the best part is the fake food, I think. It's surprisingly expensive, too.

Western Tokyo

Shibuya: Shibuya is just a ward of Tokyo, but it's particularly known for all its fashion and culture. Fashionistas should put it on their Japan itinerary. A lot of shopping can be found here, but there's also the Hachiko Dog Statue as well. Scope it out but come back in the "shopping days" at the end of your trip.

Love Hotel Hill: Technically this is part of Shibuya, but it's worth noting on its own. This is just an area with a lot of love hotels. Pro tip: They won't let three people in at a time, so if you want to check one out as a group, you'll have to break up into pairs or bring a body pillow.

Shinjuku: Shinjuku's kind of the party district, though that may be because of Kabukicho (northeast of Shinjuku Station) which is Tokyo's big red light district. If you're into nightclubs, bars, pachinko, neon, and other ahem things, this will be a place you'll enjoy.

Harajuku: Love crazy outfits? You'll fit in right here. Harajuku is home to Tokyo's teen fashion and cosplay (if you visit on a Sunday). There's also plenty of shopping and crepe stands as well (yum).

Meiji Shrine & Yoyogi Park: These two places are pretty close to each other, so I'm putting them together here too. It's also a good place to go from Harajuku, since you'll use the same train station. The Meiji Shrine is just one of many shrines in Japan, but it's particularly interesting if you're into modern Japanese history. Yoyogi Park, on the other hand, is just a really big park. Both are nice, though, if you're looking to get out of the cement jungle known as Tokyo.

Day 5: Monkey Park, Jigokudani

Have you heard of those Japanese monkeys that hang out in the hot springs? This is one of those places, though depending on the time of year, they may not be spending too much time in the hot springs. I like this place in Winter, but other times are good as well. Summer means baby monkeys, after all. To get here, you'll have to go North of Tokyo to Nagano (Shinkansen it!). From Nagano Station, take Nagano Dentetsu to Yudanaka. From there, you can take a bus to the Kanbayashi Onsen, which has the entrance to the Jigokudani Yaen-Koen. It'll be a 30+ minute walk (depending on how much you stop) to get to the actual monkey area, though you may start seeing monkeys before then if you're lucky. Check out the livecam , too!

If you're going to Jigokudani, I'd maybe recommend heading up here at the end of Day 4 and staying the night in Nagano. There's some interesting things up there too (that's where they did the Winter Olympics in 1998!), so feel free to head up a bit earlier and check things out. Then, the next morning (Day 5) you can head out bright and early to Jigokudani and take your time with the monkeys and possibly hit the onsen. It's a nice place. Then, you can head on back to Tokyo the same night.

Day 6: Toshogu Shrine, Nikko

Nikko is the mausoleum for Tokugawa Ieyasu. Basically, he and his relatives ruled over Japan as Shogun for 250 years (until the Meiji Restoration). That means he got a pretty sweet shrine. There are over a dozen Shinto and Buddhist buildings here, and it's in a very beautiful setting. Need some peace from Tokyo? You'll for sure get it here.

This can be a day trip (it's really close to Tokyo) with some extra time left over. I'd recommend coming here, then either checking out other things in this area or heading straight to Tokyo in the afternoon or evening. Just be sure to give yourself 3-4 hours to travel, so don't leave too late from here. Another option would be to leave the morning of Day 7 and get to Kyoto in the late morning or early afternoon. It's totally up to you.

Day 7 & 8: Kyoto

*If you're on the 1-week plan, skip day 8 and go to Nara instead.

Kyoto's going to be your shrine and temple time while visiting Japan. Since it was the place where the emperor lived for over a thousand years, it's full of cool, historical things. Take your pick and enjoy. Also be sure to just walk around at random. You'll run into so many temple, castles, and shrines just by accident. It doesn't hurt to explore, some. Oh, and bring your walking shoes. Things are about to get… walky.

Central Kyoto

Nijo Castle: This was where Tokugawa Ieyasu lived (remember his shrine, up above?). Later it switched to an imperial palace (after the Shogunate went down), and then later opened to the public. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, which is supposedly a big deal.

Kyoto Imperial Palace: When the Shogunate was in power, this is where the imperial family lived. You can even take tours in English, here.

Northern Kyoto

Kinkakuji: Also known as the golden pavilion, this is a building covered in gold .

Western Kyoto

Kokedera: Also known as Saihoji, this is another UNESCO World Heritage Site (way to go, Kyoto). This temple is mainly known for its moss, and apparently has over 120 different varieties.

Southern Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine: This shrine is known for its thousand torii gates. They're bright orange and absolutely incredible to walk through. Highly recommended.

Eastern Kyoto

Kiyomizudera: One of the must sees, I think (and also a UNESCO World Heritage Site). This temple is high up on a hill and has a balcony that offers an awesome view.

Higashiyama District: You'll run into this on your way up to Kiyomizudera, actually. Think of this area as a "historic shopping district." Kind of touristy, but a lot of fun nonetheless. Grab something to take home!

Sanjusangendo: The building itself it's amazing, but the inside is pretty remarkable. There are 1001 statues of Kannon in here, which is… well… kinda remarkable.

Gion: Like Geisha? this is Kyoto's Geisha District. You will have to try pretty hard to get in to see a geiko, though, but good luck trying (hint: apparently some travel agencies will hook you up if you've got the yen).

Day 9: Nara

You can leave the morning of Day 9 or leave the evening of Day 10 and spend the night in Nara. Either is fine. You can even spend the night in Nara on Day 9 as well then move on early in the morning of Day 10. It all depends on how much you like temples and Deer.

While there's some neat temples, shrines, castles, and other similar things here in Nara, I'd say you're coming for deer. The deer here are pretty tame and will actually attack you if you have food (kinda fun to run from deer). Don't worry, they have their horns cut off, though (it's a religious thing), so you won't be stabbed through, most likely.

Places you'll want to go in Nara:

• Todaiji Temple: Largest wooden structure in the world with Japan's largest Buddha statues inside. Basically, think super sized. Definitely one of the best places to visit in Nara.
• Nara Park: Has a lot of deer. Go buy deer food, the deer will thank you.
• Kofukuji Temple: Basically a big temple. Very pretty, though.
• Nara National Museum: If you're interested in Japanese Buddhist Art, this will be a fun place for you. The building is also surrounded by ferocious, wild deer.

Consider this a day to walk around but not as much as when you were in Kyoto. Nara's a lot like Kyoto in a lot of ways, though, so I'd recommend mainly hitting up the deer and then hitting up Todaiji Temple. Depending on how worn out you are on temples, though, you can stay here longer or shorter, deciding where you stay this night based off of that.

Day 10: Mt. Koya aka Koyasan

You'll want to make sure you leave early this day, whether you're leaving from Kyoto or Nara. You have a ways to go to get to Koya-san, quite possibly one of the most beautiful places in Japan (just my opinion). This might be one of the best places you go in your Japan travels.

There are a hundred temples here, many of which you can stay the night at. When you spend the night, you get the best vegetarian meal you've ever had (guaranteed), a room to stay in, and even the option to wake up (really) early to go watch the monks do their morning rituals. It's so peaceful, a lot of fun, and one of my favorite places on earth. You'll want to go to the Koyasan website for more information on lodging.

I'd recommend getting here as early as you can on Day 10, dropping off your things at the place you're staying, then just walk around. You'll be able to fill a good amount of time just exploring. The best place to walk, though? Probably the giant cemetery, which also happens to be the largest in Japan. Although some may find a graveyard creepy, it really is quite peaceful.

This, I think, will be one of your best days in Japan, so don't skimp out on it if possible! Just be sure to get back to your temple in time for dinner.

Day 11: Travel Day / Osaka / Fuji

*If you're on the 1-week schedule, you'll need to get back to Tokyo. You're running out of days.

Day 11 is mostly travel. You'll want to leave Koya either late morning or early afternoon, depending on where you're going next. If you like shopping a lot, you'll want to get back to Tokyo on this day.

If you don't need the extra time, consider stopping in Osaka (it's on the way from Koyasan). You can visit the Glico Man, Osaka Tower, play some Pachinko, and eat some Takoyaki / Okonomiyaki (both famous in Osaka). It's a bit different than Tokyo, but it's still a big city. I'll leave this one up to you, though. Osaka's a lot of fun to just walk around and check out.

Alternatively, you could stop at Mt. Fuji on the way back too. I recommend the amusement park Fuji-Q Highland over climbing the mountain itself (it looks better from afar, you'll have to trust me on this one) if you do this. Definitely don't miss the horror house there, it's top notch.

Whatever you end up doing, you're reaching the end of your trip. Just make sure you're back in Tokyo in time to do your shopping before you get on the airplane to leave. Of course, if you don't shop, then you have more time to go to more places. If you do shop, get back to Tokyo.

Day 12 & 13: Shopping In Tokyo / Last Minute Visits

Hopefully you scoped out all the places you wanted to shop at, because this is your shopping time. Get the things you want for yourself and for your friends / relatives. Fill up that duffel bag you brought / bought and have fun. This is also a good time to just go around to the places you missed.

Either way, it's good to be back in Tokyo a day or two before your flight leaves, that way you won't miss your flight (unless you want to "accidentally" miss it, wink wink nudge nudge).

Day 14: Go Home

Hope you had traveling to Japan. This is only your first trip, though. Now that you've gotten all the normal / main stuff out of the way, your next trip can be filled with strange, exciting places. Be sure to check out TofuguTV for some of those, and keep reading Tofugu for more in the future. There are certainly many, many "off-the-beaten-track" locations worth visiting, but we'll save that for next time !

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Asia , Japan , Travel

Two weeks in japan – the best japan itinerary for first-timers.

This first-timer’s Japan itinerary is perfect for your first visit to this incredible country. Discover the amazing things to do, food to eat, and places to visit in Japan in this complete guide.

• The Perfect First Timer’s Japan Itinerary: The Best Places to Visit in Japan

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I’m so excited to share this Japan 2 week itinerary with you! We just booked tickets to go back to Japan again in 2024 and I’m so excited to revisit all of these places and add some new ones too! This will be our second Japan trip, and I can’t wait!

I have two good friends who live in Japan and they’ll only be there for another year, so I knew that my time to go to Japan was now! This was my first stop in Asia and I couldn’t have been more excited! While we’ve spent years in Europe, Asia has always eluded us, so I knew it was time!

Be sure to check out our Japan Trip Planner to help you get started. It’s a great step-by-step guide to help you plan your trip.

I’ll be totally honest and tell you that I was very anxious before my trip. New continent, new language, new culture, new food. Just a fear of all the unknowns to be honest. But rest assured, once I got to Japan I was feeling great about it all. It really helped to have friends who knew the culture too and I loved these tips for visiting Japan!

Did you know that Japan is one of the safest countries in the world? If you didn’t, don’t feel bad, I didn’t either. I think the number one thing I was totally shocked by was that almost none of the bikes in Japan had locks on them! I saw maybe 3 our entire time there.

The Japanese people are so kind, respectful, and helpful. I was chatting with a British ex-pat in a Japanese garden one morning and he said: “You couldn’t get mugged in this country if you tried!” I’m pretty sure he was right. I never once felt unsafe during our time in Japan.

My friend’s 5-year-old daughter goes to “Yo Chien” or Japanese Primary School and she said that the entire first year of school is dedicated to learning how to be a good person. They serve each other, clean the school, learn manners, and generally learn how to be a respectful human being and be a productive member of society. I think that is definitely more helpful than knowing their ABC’s at 5 years old! There is just so much that we can learn from Japanese culture and its definitely a country worth visiting.

There are so many amazing and unique things to do in Japan . If you’re going for the first time and looking for the perfect Japan trip, I’ve created this Japan itinerary that will explore the basic sites that are easily accessible by train or a bullet train and offer some of the best cultural, culinary, and fun experiences the country has to offer. While there is much more to explore in Japan, this is a really good starting itinerary.

• Planning a Trip to Japan?

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, let me do the work for you. This 2 week Japan Itinerary is a detailed step-by-step guide for how to visit this amazing country.

Here's a Short Cut

Getting to Japan

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Getting to Japan was fairly easy. Flying to Asia from the US can be pricey, but if you know how to get cheap flights, there are always good deals to be found. I spent quite a lot of time perfecting my cheap flight finding skills, so be sure to learn about it here . I spent $600 on tickets from San Francisco to Tokyo.

What to pack for your trip to Japan depends on what time of year you’re going and where you’ll be traveling to. I went the first two weeks of October and it was HOT! It rained on and off several of the days that we were there, but was still very warm and very humid. However, if you go to Northern Japan (great to try hot springs), the weather will be cooler. My friend lives in Misawa and they get huge snowfalls each winter. There is incredible, and affordable, skiing in Northern Japan as well.

If you’re going anywhere between April and October though, this is what I recommend taking to Japan

Here’s what I packed for our own trip to Japan in October:

• 2 sundresses
• 1 pair of jeans
• 1 pair of leggings (for the plane mostly)
• 1 jean jacket (that I hardly used)
• 1 rain jacket (I brought this one and it is great because it’s light but totally waterproof)
• 1 pair of sandals (a pair that can get wet in the rain… these are my favorite travel sandals ever )
• 1 pair of boots (I wore these only one time and regretted it)

I think if you are sticking to Tokyo and south of Tokyo, this list would be appropriate from April to October. I honestly wish I would have packed more sundresses. I felt like almost everything we did could be done in a dress and it was much cooler!

Where to Stay on your Japan Trip

We were lucky and got to stay with friends at a Military Hotel for about $50/night, but we also stayed in VRBOs around the country. They were affordable, clean, and in good locations. As always, be sure to read reviews and the fine print before booking a VRBO . We love VRBO and use it around the world.   I’ve also compiled this list of great and affordable VRBOs in Japan :

There are also some great hotels in Japan if VRBO is not your thing!

The currency in Japan is the Yen. Converting Japanese Yen to US Dollars is really simple. 100 Yen is Equal to about $0.70 USD 1000 Yen is Equal to about $7 USD Bills from the ATM or from an Airport Money Exchange come in 10000 , 5000, and 1000 increments. The coins come in 500, 100, 50, 10, 5, and 1 increments.

Most places in Japan accept cards. Just beware of any international transaction fees. We use the Chase Sapphire Card to earn double points on travel and to avoid fees while traveling. There were definitely some places that did not accept cards, so be sure to have cash on hand.

Japan is a completely different culture than what visitors may be used to. Anywhere you go in the world, it’s a good idea to learn about cultures and the best practices of your destination. You don’t want to accidentally offend anyone or make an embarrassing mistake. Be sure to read my top 20 tips for visiting Japan.

This is probably the most important information I can tell you about visiting Japan. Getting from city to city in Japan is NOT cheap! A train ticket from Tokyo to Hiroshima can cost around $180. That’s a little steep for my taste, but I knew I wanted to see more than just Tokyo.

The good news is that Japan offers an affordable “ Japan Rail Pass ” that makes traveling around the country extremely affordable for tourists. Read more about how to buy and use your JR Pass here: How to Use Your Japan Rail Pass.

Best places to visit in Japan

For your first Japan trip, it’s best to see a variety of places, but not move too quickly. For a somewhat small country, Japan packs a lot into a small geographical area. For the first time you visit Japan, I recommend seeing all the basic sites like Tokyo , Miyajima , Osaka, Hiroshima , and Kyoto. While there are many more places to visit in Japan that are just as incredible, these areas will be easily accessible using the Japan Rail Pass and are accustomed to tourists.

You can also check out some of these Japan tour packages to see what else you might be interested in. It’s a great way to see the country if you’re not up to planning your own Japan itinerary. 

You can use this interactive map to navigate the best places to visit in Japan on your first visit.

No trip to Japan would be complete without visiting the Japan’s capital city, Tokyo. As polite, respectful, and mild-mannered as the Japanese are, it can also be a fun and quirky culture. Tokyo is definitely evidence of this. This huge city is full of light, color, and craziness all around mixed in with serious businessmen and women going to and fro. If you want to learn more about Tokyo, read my guide to visiting Tokyo here: Complete Guide to Tokyo

Mount Fuji is a great place to take a day trips to from Tokyo. It’s a beautiful site and you’ll want to try to plan this on a clear day if you can, however it takes a few hours to go here from Tokyo. Be sure to read this for a complete itinerary for a day trip to Mount Fuji.

This island’s name literally means “island of shrines,” and is Japan’s third most popular site. On Miyajima Island, you will be greeted by friendly deer and beautiful scenery. Read more about this UNESCO World Heritage site in my article here: What to do on Miyajima Island

Famous for being the tragic first target of the nuclear bomb during WWII, Hiroshima is a city full of history and new beginnings that is worth seeing when you visit Japan. It is heartbreaking and heartwarming at the same time. Visiting Hiroshima was hard, but I think it’s so necessary. Read about my time in Hiroshima here: Complete Guide to Hiroshima Japan

Kyoto, known as the old capital of Japan is beautiful and unique for a reason. It is one of the only places in Japan that was saved from bombing during WWII and therefore has much preserved older architecture that is not seen in other areas of the country like Hiroshima, Nagasaki, and Tokyo. Kyoto is also home to some of the last remaining Geisha in Japan. Many visitors like to come to Kyoto and rent Kimonos and walk the city. The prefecture of Kyoto is large and there is much to do. Plan at least a few days here. Learn more about what to do in Kyoto with kids here and what to do in Kyoto as a solo traveler here. 

There is much to do and see in the city of Nara, including the Himuro Shrine, and Isuien Garde, but it is famous for Nara Park where wild deer roam free and are unafraid of humans. Nara is a really easy day trip from Kyoto or Osaka and a favorite with kids! You can read more about visiting Nara here .

Osaka is a great place to base yourself in Japan with Kids if you plan on visiting both Nara and Kyoto. It’s central to both and an easy train ride away. Osaka is also a great place for kids with Universal Studios, Legoland, Osaka Aquarium, Omigachi Park, Tennoji Zoo, and plenty of animal cafes around the city! You could definitely spend   several days in Osaka  and still not see it all.  Learn more about  Osaka for kids here. 

Blending many influences from the east and west along with ancient traditions, Japanese cuisine is some of the tastiest in the world. After visiting Japan for several weeks and eating my way through the country, I compiled this list of 25 foods you must try in Japan  Don’t skip foods that might seem different or strange to you, especially their street food, you may just find something that you love. Be brave and have fun!

I absolutely loved my first time in Japan and grew to have a deep respect for the country and its people. I can’t wait to get back and bring the whole family next time. With so many things to do and places to visit in Japan, I think a trip back is definitely necessary, but I think this is a great first timer’s Japan itinerary to get you started.

To start, you near to specify your date of arrival, flights, and any other information required on your itinerary. Once you have that, you can then add details such as the duration of stay in each city, transportation options, and the attractions and activities planned. Make sure to include important contact information (such as your hotel address or phone number) so that it is easy to find if needed. Additionally, it’s a good idea to list any applicable fees and schedules, as well as the items you plan to bring with you. Finally, make sure to double-check all details for accuracy before submitting your itinerary so that your trip is uninterrupted.

Just like traveling to other countries, you need to make sure of your Visa requirements, have a travel insurance, and check the local customs. It is also important to research the currency exchange rates to budget properly as well as understand Japan’s language and culture. There are certain laws, such as no smoking indoors or in public spaces, which you should be aware of before travelling. Finally, it’s always best to have an itinerary ready for your trip so that you can make sure everything runs smoothly.

If you’re traveling for the first time, 7-10 days will provide you with enough time to get a feel for the country. You can take in some of the must-see attractions, visit popular cities, and explore other regions too. Of course, if you want to fully immerse yourself into Japan’s culture then it might be worth planning a longer trip with 14 days or more. That way you’ll have enough time to take in more sights and have a relaxed, enjoyable experience.

Currently, there’s no need to present a vaccination certificate upon entering Japan. However, it is important to take into account all the safety measures and regulations in place for visitors. You should also be aware of Japan’s laws regarding certain activities such as underage drinking and smoking before you arrive. Additionally, you should make sure to double-check your travel plans (including any visa requirements) before departing for your trip.

25 Foods You Must Try in Japan Guide to Miyajima Japan Guide to Hiroshima Japan Guide to Tokyo Japan Guide to Nagoya Japan Guide to Osaka Japan

Wanderlust Crew

4 thoughts on “ two weeks in japan – the best japan itinerary for first-timers ”.

This is a great overview! Thanks heaps. Japan is on my travel list but I need to convince my hubby (mainly because of the food is his reason I think). I love love love the first year of primary school! We have lots of learn from Japan (and Finland I think) for schooling. My son is going into grade 1 so I don’t think we’ll see any changes in his schooling life x

Oh man, read this for the food in Japan. It might change his mind. I was a little worried about the food as well but ended up loving it so much! https://wanderlustcrew.com/japan-food/ My friend’s kids go to a Japanese school and it’s so cool! All of kindergarten they just learn manners and how to serve each other. It’s such an amazing approach to education!

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Japan Trip Planner [2024]: How to Plan Your First Trip to Japan

Home » Blog » Japan » Japan Trip Planner [2024]: How to Plan Your First Trip to Japan

This information-packed Japan trip planner has the answers to all your questions. Find out the best places to visit, which Japanese foods to try, and how to ride the bullet trains. All the research is done for you to assist in planning a trip to Japan.

If you have been dreaming of traveling to Japan and want to get serious about planning your vacation, this Japan travel planning guide is packed with all the tips and information that you’ll need to know before your trip to the land of the rising sun.

We’ve traveled to Japan 3 times (and counting!) and have picked up plenty of insider tips. From which foods to try, to how much money to budget, to what travel gear to pack, to the best things to do in Japan . 

In this guide, we’re showing you exactly how to plan a trip to Japan by covering everything. And I mean everything! 

We’re even answering your embarrassing questions like, “ What are the toilets like in Japan? ”

We’ll also share exactly how much it costs to travel to Japan, plus we’re throwing in some money-saving budget tips! This is the ultimate resource with everything you need to know to get started planning a trip to Japan. 

Japan Travel Planning Guide

Wondering how to plan a trip to Japan? You’ve come to the right place!

Important info about Japan

• How long should you spend in Japan
• Best time to visit Japan

Booking timeline: Know what to book when

• Top places to visit in Japan
• Top things to do and see in Japan
• Budget for Japan

Transportation in Japan

• Practical information for visiting

Food in Japan

• Japan trip ideas based on interests

Our experience in Japan

• What to pack for Japan
• Things to buy in Japan
• Japan travel resources

If you’re planning a trip to Japan, we have the ultimate resource for you!

This  FREE   PDF download  includes  everything  you’re going to want to pack for your Japan trip, including what NOT to bring, plus tons of insider tips!

Sign up for our  ultimate Japan packing list  now and get a copy sent straight to your inbox.

Why should Japan be on your travel bucket list?

Japan is a country that we wholeheartedly believe has something for every type of traveler. Yes, even you . Whether you’re into history or pop culture, cities or nature, wild nightlife or absolute zen, you’ll find it all in Japan.

While Kyoto, Tokyo, and Osaka make it onto most first timer’s itineraries, you’ll quickly see that there is so much more to this country beyond the main attractions.

Once you travel here, it becomes kind of addicting — you’ll see! — because you’ll realize just how much this country has to offer. 

• Incredible foodie experiences
• Epic (and off the beaten path) hikes
• Unique hotel stays you can’t find anywhere else in the world
• Temples and shrines that are shrouded in history
• Beautiful cultural experiences, like tea ceremonies and geisha performances
• Rural villages that few tourists see
• Some of the world’s biggest and safest cities
• Impeccable Japanese zen gardens

I could truly go on and on and on…

We have personally traveled to Japan 3 times and will certainly be back many, many more times. 

Read next: We’ve rounded up all the things Japan is most famous for in a guide that’s also packed with practical travel tips. Plus, we’re sharing a few things we personally think Japan should be famous for, but most foreign tourists are surprised to know.

Here is a general overview of some of the high level important info and things to know before traveling in Japan. We’ll go into more detail about specifics in the rest of this article. 

• Location: Island nation in Asia, located in the North Pacific  ( view on Google Maps )
• Capital city: Tokyo
• Language: Japanese
• Currency: Yen (JP¥ / ¥)
• Japan uses the same plugs as in the U.S. but they have a different voltage (100 vs. 120 in the U.S.)

Visa requirements

There are 66 countries in total whose citizens do not require a visa to enter Japan, but the time you can stay depends on which country you’re from.

• Citizens from many countries (including the U.S.A., the U.K., Canada, and Australia) get a visa exemption (aka FREE) 90-day tourist visa, provided they will not be working in Japan.
• Other countries get a temporary tourist visa for a period of 15 days or less.

To find out the specifics for your country, check out the Japan National Tourism Organization , which explains the requirements for each country. 

Language in Japan & useful phrases

The language in Japan is, quite obviously, Japanese. But many people in big cities, like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka also speak English. Signs are written in Japanese characters, and in the cities most have their Roman counterparts.

When traveling, we always try to learn a couple important phrases. It shows locals you are trying to learn about their country and it can be fun too!

These phrases are ones we have found to be the most useful in any location we visit:

• Hello: Kon’nichiwa
• Thank you: Arigato
• Thank you very much: Domo Arigato
• Beer, please: Biru kudasai
• Cheers!: Kanpai
• Bathroom: Basurumu
• How much?: Ikura
• Delicious: Oishi
• Beautiful: Kireina

Interested in learning more? We’ve got a list of Japanese words and phrases that will be useful to know for traveling in Japan.

Helpful Japanese Words & Phrases to Know for Traveling in Japan 

We’ve rounded up some practical Japanese words and phrases (that you can actually use!).

Manners and customs in Japan

When traveling in a country other than your own, it is always a good idea to do a little research on what is polite so that you don’t accidentally offend people like this.

Here are couple manners to keep in mind when traveling to Japan:

• Eating while you walk is considered sloppy. Instead, find a place to sit and enjoy your snack.
• Pointing is considered rude. Instead, use an open hand to make gestures.
• Blowing your nose in public can be considered rude. Japanese people often go into the bathroom to blow a stuffy nose.
• On a crowded subway or train, it is polite to take off your backpack and hold it in your hands.
• Slurping noodles not only cools them down as you eat, but it indicates that the meal is delicious. So slurp away, it’s the polite thing to do!
• Taking off your shoes is common courtesy before entering many places. If the floor is raised at the doorway, it is an indicator that you should remove your shoes.

If you want a full run-down, check out our article on Japanese etiquette!

Japanese Etiquette: Dos and Don’ts When Traveling in Japan

Don’t get caught doing something embarrassing in Japan! We’ve compiled some important Japanese etiquette and manners to keep in mind while eating, riding trains and other common activities. 

Tipping culture in Japan

Should I tip at restaurants in Japan? This is a question we always ask ourselves once we reach a new country, and it is never fun being caught off guard, unsure of what to do.

In Japan, tips are not expected, and can even be considered rude. And even if the server is not offended, they will likely be confused.

So in other words, NO , you should not tip in Japan. 

Religion in Japan

Buddhism and Shinto are the main religions in Japan, though they don’t play a huge role in the lives of many Japanese people today.

All throughout the country, you can visit temples and shrines to get a better understanding of the religions and culture. You can even do a temple stay in order to really delve in and learn about Buddhism. 

Read this before visiting a temple or shrine in Japan.

Fun facts about Japan

These facts will be good conversation starters with other travelers or even locals. So break that ice and let them in on some fun facts about Japan!

Interesting Facts About Japan (that may surprise you!)

Japan is an exciting country packed with things to do and places to see. In this article, we’re sharing all sorts of interesting facts about Japan. Plus advice and tips that’ll help you appreciate your time there even more!

How many days do you need in Japan?

There’s so much to see and do in Japan that it can be overwhelming trying to decide how long your trip should be. Ideally, 2-3 weeks  will give you enough time to see iconic and lesser-known sights as well as recover from a long travel day and potentially a big time difference.

But the ideal duration for your trip depends on several factors, including destinations you want to visit and your travel style. Our guide to how many days to spend in Japan will help you figure out how much time you need based on what you want to do.

Best times of year to visit Japan

If you’re considering a trip to Japan, you’re probably wondering what time of year is best to visit. 

The wonderful thing is every season is a great time to visit Japan , and you will have a completely unique experience. 

We’ve laid out what to expect in each season, as well as the pros and cons of visiting during these times in our article: Best Time to Visit Japan: When to Go & When to Avoid! .

Here’s a quick breakdown of the seasons in Japan and why you might want to visit during each.

Summer in Japan

Summer in Japan is the time for festivals and celebrations. The summer spans from June to August, with August being the busiest travel month because school is out and many Japanese people travel over the Obon holiday (August 13-15).

Be prepared for ways to beat the humidity because it can get pretty sticky. Also it’s rainy season and the start of typhoon season, so don’t forget your rain jacket and umbrella!

Summer in Japan: Ultimate Seasonal Guide

Summertime in Japan is a great time to hit the beach or cool off in the mountains. We’re sharing the best places to visit and things to do during summer in Japan, as well as lots of insider tips for planning your trip!

Autumn in Japan

With typhoon season peaking at the beginning of September, the start of fall in Japan is typically rainy depending on where you are. However, the weather starts to clear up in October and by November the leaves are changing.

We visited Japan in November 2023 and put together this guide to autumn in Japan that’s full of useful info.

Autumn in Japan: Where & When to see Fall Foliage

With spectacular foliage and nice weather, we think fall is one of the best times to visit Japan. We’re sharing the best places to experience autumn in Japan as well as lots of insider tips for planning your trip!

Winter in Japan

During the winter months, major cities like Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto tend to enjoy mild temperatures, but you can find snow and colder temps in the mountains and on Hokkaido (the northernmost island in Japan).

While winter may not be the first season you think of traveling, there’s actually a ton to do, and we think it is a great time to visit Japan .

Winter in Japan: Things to Do + Why It’s a Great Time to Visit

There is something truly special about winter in Japan! We think you’ll be surprised by all the exciting things to do in Japan in winter. Plus, we’ll let you in on average winter temperatures around the country, as well as what to pack for the winter months.

Spring in Japan

With stunning sakura (cherry blossoms) popping up all around the country and temperatures warming, it should come as no surprise that spring is a popular time to visit Japan. A very popular time, indeed. If you travel to Japan in the spring , you’ll be rewarded with comfortable temperatures, beautiful blossoms, and lots of crowds.

Spring in Japan: When & Where to See Cherry Blossoms 

Witnessing the cherry blossoms in Japan is a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience. We’re sharing the best places to experience spring in Japan as well as lots of insider tips for planning your trip!

Before you book your Japan trip in the spring, know this…

Spring is considered by many as a great time to visit Japan for its comfortable temperatures, cherry blossoms and little chance of rain.

One thing you should be aware of is the so-called “Golden Week” which happens in the springtime and is made up of 4 national holidays which fall into a 7-day span. During this week many Japanese people will also be traveling around the country and accommodation and tours are often booked far in advance. 

Dates of Golden Week in Japan:

• 2024: April 29 – May 5
• 2025: April 29 – May 5
• 2026: April 29 – May 5

It’s not every year the holidays fall on exact same dates, but for the next 3 years, they just so happen to. This site has more information about Golden Week in Japan .

Best Time to Visit Japan: When to Go & When to Avoid!

Choosing the best time of year to visit Japan can be downright overwhelming. Each of Japan’s 4 distinct seasons has its draws and drawbacks. We’re going to break down exactly what to expect during each season so you can choose the best time to visit Japan based on your travel style and interests.

Traveling in Japan is a little different than many other places in the world.

By nature, we tend to be somewhat last-minute travelers, but not when planning a trip to Japan. If possible, we recommend planning your trip to Japan well in advance.

Now, this isn’t to say you can’t plan a trip to Japan at the last minute, but your options for great accommodation (especially in popular areas) will be limited. Plus, you may miss out on some of the most popular attractions because many require advanced booking and tickets go quickly. 

We’ve laid out our recommended timeline for planning a trip to Japan so you can ensure you’re able to secure some incredible accommodation and do all the things on your bucket list.

This timeline is a suggestion, but you can certainly adjust dates a bit. Hopefully this gives you a better idea of how far in advance to plan your trip to Japan.

1 year before your trip

• Start researching and draw up your dream itinerary
• Make a note of how far in advance the ryokans you like open up reservations 
• Flag any attractions that are “must dos” for you
• Check out our Japan budget article to get started
• Here are our favorite tips for saving money for travel
• Insider Tip: Sign up for a mistake fare newsletter and set Tokyo as an “alert city” so you can get notified of any really good deals departing from your home airport.

The research phase should be fun and you don’t want to feel rushed. We recommend recording all the hotels and attractions you want to prioritize in a Google Doc so you don’t lose any of your research. 

Coming up with a budget will help you determine which accommodations you can realistically book and it will help you start saving for this trip.

Want the perfect itinerary planned for you? 

If you don’t have a ton of time to spend planning your Japan itinerary (or you just don’t find travel planning fun!), we’re working on something you might be interested in… 

We are in the process of creating done-for-you Japan itineraries that are packed full of all sorts of tips we’ve gathered from 3 trips to Japan as well as literally hundreds of hours of research (no exaggeration). 

We will have both off-the-beaten path routes as well as a classic itinerary that hits the top attractions. 

If you want to be the first to know when our Japan itineraries are on sale, get on the waitlist !

6 months before your trip

• Flights: If you are flying from afar, aim to book your flights around 6 months prior to your trip. We’d recommend keeping an eye on them for a couple of months (starting 10 months before your trip).
• Ryokans: Many ryokans only release booking dates 3-6 months ahead of time. Really great ryokans fully book up quickly after dates are released.
• Accommodation in small towns (like on the Nakasendo Trail)
• Hotels near any major attraction or popular area (at DisneySea, or near Mount Fuji)
• Special hotels that you really want to stay at (like the Park Hyatt in Tokyo , or a temple stay at Koyasan)
• Accommodations that fall over festival dates or popular tourist seasons, like Golden Week (which falls during Japan’s cherry blossom blooms )

It can feel a little overwhelming to make these big bookings all at once, but it will ensure you are able to stay where you’d like and secure good prices on flights. 

Booking tips: When possible, we like to use Booking.com since many hotels offer free cancellation via this platform (often up until just days before your stay). Also, you often don’t have to pay at the moment of booking, which makes the commitment a little less scary. We typically like to compare the price on Booking.com to Agoda , as they sometimes differ. We also stayed at a couple of Airbnbs in Japan , which was a good option in the more rural areas.

2-3 months before your trip

• All accommodation not yet booked: the sooner the better for the best locations and prices
• Japan Rail Pass : You can purchase this pass up to 3 months before the date you’ll use it . We personally got ours 2 months in advance so it wasn’t left until the last minute.
• FYI: we have lots of advice and info about renting a car in Japan
• Tickets go on sale 3 months in advance
• If you want best available times slots (we recommend the first one at 9-9:30 a.m. ), book at least 2 months ahead of time
• Compare availability on the teamLab website (tickets available further in advance) and on GetYourGuide
• Tickets go on sale roughly 5 months in advance. We recommend booking at least 2-3 months in advance for the best availability of time slots.
• Compare availability on the Warner Bros Studio website and on Klook
• This will mean you don’t have to wait in crazy long lines, and we’ve heard it’s very worthwhile at this notoriously crowded theme park. Purchase it here .

1 month before your trip

• Tickets go on sale on the 10th of each month for the following month
• We recommend setting an alarm to purchase tickets as they become available on the 10th of the month before your trip so you don’t miss out.
• You cannot purchase tickets onsite (you must have advance reservations)
• Tickets go on sale 1 month in advance
• The most popular time slot is right before sunset and those times go quickly
• Compare availability on the Shibuya Sky website and on Klook
• Popular theme restaurants like Ninja Restaurant (Tokyo) or the Pokémon Café (Tokyo & Osaka)
• Insider tip: For the restaurants on your “must” list, research and write down how far in advance reservations are available (some may even require booking further than 1 month in advance). Set alarms in your calendar so you can be sure to snag a spot right away. Popular places fill up very fast!
• Sumo stables
• Cooking class
• Tokyo dinner cruise
• Photoshoot in Tokyo
• Tokyo Go-Karting
• Tea ceremony

Download the PDF version of our Japan booking timeline so you can print it out at home and keep track of your Japan trip planning process! Enter your email and we’ll immediately send the booking timeline to your inbox (totally FREE). 

Japan Booking Timeline

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We’ll also be sending you bonus tips on all things Japan, like how to travel cheaply, where to go and the best places to stay. 

Top places to visit on your Japan trip

Japan is a huge country, and it would be an extensive list if we went through all the notable cities to visit. But if you are visiting Japan for the first time, these cities are a good place to start as they will give you a good taste of the country’s culture.

Another thing that’s important to keep in mind when planning a trip to Japan is the destinations’ proximity to one another and all of these suggestions are relatively easy to get to and from.

• Tokyo : This huge metropolis is likely where you’re flying in and out of, and it is one of the most interesting cities we’ve visited anywhere in the world. From quirky experiences, to amazing foods, Tokyo is definitely worth some time on your itinerary. 
• Kyoto : Considered the “cultural capital of Japan”, Kyoto is packed with history, important temples, gorgeous architecture and a charming atmosphere. If you are traveling with your little ones, there are tons of things to do in Kyoto with kids .
• Osaka : Another major hub to fly in and out of Japan, Osaka is worth a visit . Known for lively nightlife and endless street food, there’s a lot more to discover beyond Osaka’s neon-lit facade. 
• Hakone: At the footsteps of Mt. Fuji, Hakone is a peaceful retreat from the big cities of Japan and a chance to relax in an onsen and sleep in a ryokan. 
• Hiroshima : This historical significance of this city draws tourism from all over the world, but you can enjoy the lighter side of this beautiful place too. 
• The ‘Roof of Japan’ : The Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route is a single day mountain traverse where you take 8 different modes of transportation over what’s known as the Roof of Japan .

Want more info? We have an entire article with a round up of the most beautiful places in Japan , including some top things to do and see. 

Most Beautiful Places in Japan You Need to See for Yourself

With storybook villages, forested mountain ranges and white sand beaches that rival the tropics, there are some incredibly diverse and beautiful places in Japan. This bucket list is full of places you’ve never heard of, and after reading it, we bet you’ll be ready to book a flight to Japan!

Top things to do in see in Japan

Just as with places to visit, there are seemingly endless sights to see in Japan. Here is a quick list of our top recommendations for your first visit to Japan.

• Mount Fuji : The most famous mountain in Japan, you can get a glimpse of this beauty when traveling in Hakone. 
• Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine :  Known to tourists as the “Orange Gates”, there are thousands of majestic orange gates covering a maze of paths leading up to the shrine. 
• Arashiyama: Located on the western edge of Kyoto, Arashiyama is an area that is filled with temples and shrines, but the main attraction is the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
• Temples in Japan: Of course temples will be on your list of things to see in Japan. The Golden Pavilion in Kyoto is stunning with the garden setting and reflection off the pond. 
• Shibuya Intersection: Famously known as the “busiest intersection in the world” crossing the street here is quite an experience. 

These places all make for great pictures! If you want to take better travel photos, we wrote up some easy and creative tips to improve your travel photography skills ! 

Psst! We have a list of must-see landmarks in Japan that’s sure to give you some inspiration for your itinerary!

Unique experiences to have on your Japan trip

One of the many reasons Japan is such a wonderful place to visit is there are so many unique experiences that can only be had in this country. Here are just a few of the things that are quintessentially “Japanese”. 

Quintessential cultural experiences

• Soak in an Onsen: Strip down to your birthday suit and soak in a hot tub until you get pruney. Don’t worry, they are gender separated and some are even private. The best one we dipped in was in the Hakone region .
• Stay at a Ryokan: Experience a traditional Japanese-style inn and stay in a ryokan to enjoy Japanese hospitality and relaxation.
• Take a Japanese cooking class: Learn how to make proper sushi or traditional ramen to impress your friends at home. (Read why we LOVE taking cooking classes on our travels !) Or take a food tour, like this Kyoto food tour from Magical Trip.
• Sleep in a Temple: Usually taken as retreats to refresh your body and mind or deepen understanding of religion, temple stays are an unique experience you won’t forget.
• Go Geisha spotting: On the old street of Kyoto, Geisha scurry from one event to the next. Try to get a glimpse of them, or better yet try to get a picture.
• See the fish auction each morning: Show up around 3 a.m. (yep, that early) as the fishermen come into port and sell their fish at the Tsukiji Fish Market . Then find a shop and have the freshest sushi you’ll ever eat.
• Take a Sumo wrestling tour in Ryogoku and learn about Sumo culture.

Get personalized recommendations for where to save and splurge during your trip when you use ViaHero —a trip planning platform that will connect you with a local in Japan.

Quirky Japanese experiences

• Take your picture in a photo booth: Pop into one of these with your friends and take a few snaps. Then, edit your photos instantly, enhancing your eyes, adding blush, or slimming your cheeks. It takes the word selfie to a whole new level.
• Responsible Travel Tip: Be cautious about animal tourism. Domesticated animal cafes (like dog or cat cafes) seem to take care of their animals. But for non-domesticated animals cafes, like owl cafes, we would just be a little hesitant to visit.
• Theme restaurants: We went to the Robot Restaurant in Tokyo (unfortunately now closed) and it was one of the craziest dinners we ever attended! For more theme restaurants, check out our guide to the best things to do in Tokyo at night .

Unique experiences in nature

• See the Nara Deer: Just a little ways outside of Osaka in the city of Nara , there is a park (and part of the city) literally flooded with cute spotted deer. They’re used to being around humans, but make sure you read these tips before visiting the Nara deer.
• Jigokudani Snow Monkeys: A few miles away from Nagano, there is a park where the local macaques monkeys soak in a spring-fed hot tub and play around in the snow.
• Hike the Kumano Kodo Trail : If you’re feeling adventurous, this is quite literally, off the beaten path. The Kumano Kodo Trail is a historic pilgrimage through the mountainous Kii Peninsula that has been trekked for thousands of years.

Need more inspiration? We have an entire article with a round up of the best things to do in Japan , including all the info you need to make it happen during your visit!

Crazy Fun Things to Do in Japan

If you’re looking for unique things to do on your trip to Japan, you’ve come to the right place! From super quirky, only-in-Japan experiences to must-see sights and the best food to try, we’ve rounded up the top things to do in Japan on your first visit.

Wanna take a tour?

We recommend taking a tour with the highly-rated tour company, Magical Trip . They specialize in small group tours led by local guides all over Japan, from Tokyo to Osaka. 

Click through to browse all small group Japan tours they offer.

Best Things to Do in Tokyo

Best Things to Do in Kyoto

Best Things to Do in Osaka

Budgeting for Japan

I’ll be straight to the point: Japan is not cheap.  

Contrary to many other destinations in Asia, like Thailand or the Philippines , Japan is not an ideal location for budget travelers. That said, it is unlike any country in the world and totally worth visiting. 

Typical daily budget for Japan

Below is an estimated breakdown of (about) how much money you should plan to budget for a trip to Japan based on your travel style. 

*Note: These are estimations for one person and do not include flights.

• You’ll stay in hostel dorm beds, grab breakfast from one of the many 7-Eleven’s or Family Marts, and do as many free activities as possible.
• You’ll be staying in comfortable, though not fancy, hotels or Airbnbs . You’ll want to try lots of Japanese food—both budget meals and a couple nicer ones too. You will use public transportation to get around and you want to see as much as possible, but you’re willing to make some sacrifices to save money.
• Budget isn’t too much of a concern for you. This isn’t necessarily luxury travel, but you are willing to pay more money for convenience and comfort; and splurging on unique, once-in-a-lifetime experiences is not a problem for you. 

Japan travel planning tip: This article breaks down the exact cost of a trip to Japan . Based on our own experiences traveling in Japan, we share the costs associated with each portion of our Japan trip — from transportation to food to accommodation to entertainment. 

Japan Travel Cost: Exactly How Much is a Trip to Japan?

In this article, we’re breaking down the cost of a trip to Japan — from food and hotels to trains and entertainment. We get super detailed so you can work out your perfect Japan travel budget.

Psst! If you want to know how we afford to travel (& how you can too!) , we think you’ll love this article!

Are credit cards accepted in Japan?

Yes, but hold up… 

Major credit cards will typically be accepted at big hotel chains, nice restaurants or shops in large cities, but you’ll want to have cash on hand to use in small restaurants, markets or in more rural towns. 

There are still many places where credit cards are not accepted, so it is a good idea not to rely on plastic alone.

Should I get money from my bank before my trip to Japan?

This is a question we get all the time. The answer really comes down to your personal preference, but we never get money out in advance before international travel.

Whenever we enter a new country, we walk right past the Currency Exchange counters (they are a huge rip off most of the time!) and we go to an ATM to withdraw cash. You will get the best exchange rate by withdrawing foreign currency from an ATM.

If the thought of showing up in a new country without cash on hand makes your hands sweaty, then by all means ignore this advice and grab some yen from your home bank before you leave.

But I will say that airports always have ATMS, and they are easy to find in train stations as well as in 7-Eleven’s and Family Marts in most big Japanese cities. 

Before heading to a rural town though, be sure to take out cash just in case you can’t find an ATM.

Credit card travel tips

• Turn on travel notification: Be sure to alert your bank ahead of time that you will be traveling, and where, so they know your transactions aren’t fraud.
• Have a backup card: It’s a good idea to carry more than one card in case you have an issue with one of them. Remember to always pack them in two different places within your luggage — for example, one in your wallet and another in your backpack so if one gets lost or stolen, you still have access to the other.
• Invest in a debit card with no fees: We have a checking account with Charles Schwab , and they reimburse every single ATM fee. This means we never have to take out more money than we feel comfortable with carrying at a time. Try looking into accounts with similar benefits. It will save you so much money on your travels. 
• Check out which travel credit cards we personally recommend.

Money-saving tips for Japan

While it’s not a cheap country to visit, there are certainly ways you can save money while traveling in Japan.

• This article breaks down how much the Japan Rail Pass costs and how to purchase it .
• Get your breakfasts and snacks at 7-Eleven or Family Mart (they are everywhere around the country!). While you might never consider eating at a convenience store in your home country, the fresh food options are surprisingly good at these stores in Japan. I’m not joking. You’ll see many locals doing the same.
• Have your biggest meal midday and take advantage of “lunch sets” which often consist of a large meal (sometimes with a dessert) and are typically between $5-7 USD.
• Conveyor belt sushi is a good way to try all the types of sushi your little heart (and stomach!) desire without a huge price tag. Plus, it’s a fun experience in itself!
• Use an app to record your spending and see how well you’re staying on top of your budget! We find it’s much easier to overspend when you don’t know how much it’s all adding up to. We love Trail Wallet for recording our expenses. (We’re not affiliated with them, we just love using it ourselves!)
• Download a converter app on your phone like this one to see the exact exchange rate for your selected currency at the time of your trip, so you always know exactly what you are spending. 

The trains and metros in Japan are some of the cleanest and most efficient in the world , and the rail system covers almost the entire country making it a very efficient way to get around. 

However, transportation is one of the biggest expenses to factor into your Japan travel budget . 

Travel by train in Japan

We have an entire guide to navigating the Japan Rail system and whether or not getting a J Rail Pass is worthwhile for your trip, depending on your itinerary.

Japan Rail Pass: Where to Buy a JR Pass & Is it Worthwhile?

If you’re traveling to Japan, the Japan Rail Pass can be a huge money saver. We’ll explain exactly when you should purchase the JR Pass and if it is worthwhile for your route. This is everything you need to know including where to buy the rail pass.

Likewise, if you are just planning to spend your time in Tokyo and trying to figure out how to navigate the metro, you can find that info in our Tokyo article . 

Renting a car

While we love the ease and efficiency of Japan’s public transportation system, we rented a car during our most recent trip to Japan and we absolutely loved it.

Having our own car was really convenient, especially now that we’re traveling with a toddler . Plus, it gave us the opportunity to get off the beaten path and explore places with very few tourists that would be difficult to visit via public transportation. 

I think we will forevermore be renting cars when we visit Japan, even if just for part of our trip. We have a guide to renting a car in Japan (packed with lots of driving tips you won’t want to miss!).

Renting a Car in Japan: Essential Driving Tips You Need to Know!

Renting a car in Japan is the best way to get off the beaten track and see parts of the country most tourists miss. We’re sharing our top tips to help you get a car rental and feel comfortable driving in Japan.

What are the trains like in Japan?

Overall, the trains are clean, comfortable and efficient. The rail system covers almost the entire country, making it a wonderful way to get around. This article goes into detail with everything you’d ever want to know about the Shinkansen Japanese Bullet Trains .

Practical information for visiting Japan

Traveling in Japan for the first time can be overwhelming to plan if you aren’t sure what to expect. A lot of questions can arise that you may not think about with other travel destinations. 

We have an article with our top Japan travel tips and advice. This article goes over all the do’s and dont’s for traveling in Japan.

Expert Tips for Visiting Japan (Do’s and Dont’s!)

In this article we’re covering essential tips for visiting Japan, plus helpful advice we learned from personal experience that’ll ensure you enjoy your time in the  Land of the Rising Sun  even more!

We’ve done our best to narrow down some of the more practical information and answer some specific questions about traveling in Japan. 

Do I need travel insurance for Japan?

While it’s not required to enter the country, we always recommend purchasing travel insurance before any trip. It is a small price to pay for the peace of mind you’ll have knowing you will be covered in case of an emergency or if anything is stolen. 

For a trip to Japan, we’d recommend getting a plan with Safety Wing insurance . They make it easy to get a quote for the exact duration of your trip and offer the most comprehensive coverage at the best rate.

Check out our travel insurance comparison article for more information on how to pick a policy and what we look for in travel insurance.

How safe is Japan?

Japan is overall very safe and crime is low. 

I once met a girl who was an English teacher in Tokyo, and she said she left her wallet in a train station. It sat there, untouched, and the next day when she retraced her steps it was in the same (heavily trafficked) place she had left it. 

But even though theft isn’t common in Japanese culture, that doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you. As with any place in the world, always be aware of your surroundings and use common sense. 

This is another reason we always recommend getting travel insurance to make sure you’re covered in case anything gets stolen or you run into other emergencies.

Do I need a power converter in Japan?

In Japan the standard voltage is 100 V and the power sockets are type A and B (pictured below). The socket is the same used in North America, but the voltage is lower, so yes you will need a power converter for electronics that don’t already have a converter. 

This website is a super helpful resource when it comes to electricity all around the world. Simply select your home country and it will tell you if you need a converter and/or plug adapter for your visit to Japan. 

We recommend this all-in-one converter-adapter that works in any country. This means you only need one item no matter where your travels take you!

What are the bathrooms like in Japan?

This might be an embarrassing question to ask out loud, but I promise you aren’t the only one thinking it. If it’s your first time visiting Japan, you likely have no idea what to expect when it comes to bathrooms. 

The good news is, many bathrooms around the country are very nice and quite… luxurious . 

In nicer restrooms, you’ll find toilets equipped with a built-in bidet to spray your bum. And some toilets even have buttons that will play music or rainforest sounds to cover up, well, you know…

Be warned though that in some train stations or in more rural parts of the country, you may find squat toilets similar to ones you’d find in many places around Asia. 

How to get cell phone service in Japan

There are two common options for staying connected to data while traveling in Japan: pocket Wifi and local SIM card. This article does a great job of comparing the two and giving our honest opinions about which worked best for us.

Japan Pocket WiFi vs. Japanese SIM Card: Review & Comparison

Staying connected in Japan is super important for navigating trains and translating menus. But how do you access the Internet in Japan? In this guide, we share our experience using a Japanese SIM card and a Pocket Wifi and tell you which is best for your travels in Japan.

Helpful (& free!) apps for travel in Japan

We have an entire list of the most useful apps for traveling in Japan that you should check out, but here are some of our favorites:

• Google Translate : This is a go-to app for us while traveling in Asia because you can take a photograph of the characters on a menu or label and it will translate for you. Be warned that some things don’t quite translate into English all that well…
• Google Navigation : Can give you the best routes for the metro and trains and even has live updates on delays.
• Hyperdia : The go-to train scheduling app/website in Japan. Plug in a route and it will tell you the times throughout the day and the prices, including each seating class.

Best & Most Useful Japan Travel Apps

Traveling in Japan is made so much easier (and less confusing!) with a few handy apps. Before packing your bags, be sure you have these helpful Japan travel apps downloaded to your phone to make transportation a cinch and the language barrier practically non-existent.

Japanese cuisine stretches far beyond the sushi rolls we’ve come to associate with this country. (Though of course you must try sushi from the source while you’re in Japan!) This article lists the foods you should definitely try in Japan !

What to Eat in Japan: Foods to Try + Tips for Eating in Japan!

If you’re wondering what to eat in Japan, we’ve got you covered! We’ve put together a list of foods and drinks to try — from famous dishes to those you’ve never heard of. Plus, we’re going over important information everyone should know about eating in Japan.

And if you’re traveling to Japan with food allergies and wondering how that’s going to work. We have a whole section dedicated to dietary restrictions which walks you through what you need to know about Japanese cuisine and how to accommodate your allergies/restrictions in Japan. 

Consider doing a food tour

If you want to try as much Japanese food as possible and learn about the cuisine on a deeper level, a food tour is where it’s at!

There are two companies that we trust above the rest for highly-rated food tours throughout Japan:

• We did this Old Town Tokyo Food Tour and really enjoyed it because it was off the beaten path in a neighborhood we would never have explored otherwise.
• Magical Trip is our go-to for unique night time tours like bar and Izakaya hopping. One tour that looks particularly interesting is their Shinjuku food tour in Tokyo.

Japan trip ideas based on your interests

Japan is more than just Tokyo. If it’s your first time traveling to the Land of the Rising Sun , we’d definitely recommend a visit to its capital city as well as some of the other more well-known places like Kyoto and Osaka.

But, if you have been-there-done-that , or you have a lot of time to play with, check out our unique Japan itinerary ideas to get some inspiration.

Unique Japan Itinerary Ideas Based on Your Interests

If you’ve been wondering where to start when planning your Japan itinerary, we’ve got some inspiration for you! These unique Japan itinerary ideas are based on your personal travel interests.

We are in the process of creating  done-for-you Japan itineraries  that are packed full of all sorts of tips we’ve gathered from 3 trips to Japan as well as literally hundreds of hours of research (no exaggeration). 

We will have both off-the-beaten path routes as well as a classic itinerary that hits the top attractions. If you want to be the first to know when our Japan itineraries are on sale,  get on the waitlist !

If you’re curious to see more about what traveling in Japan is like, we made a video after our first time visiting.

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What to pack for your Japan trip

When deciding what to pack for your trip to Japan, a big thing to consider is the time of year you will be visiting. In the wintertime, for instance, you will encounter cold temperatures and will need warm clothing, whereas in summer the temperatures can be quite hot. 

We created a whole guide to  all the things you need to pack for Japan . Plus, we even have a (totally free!)  packing list you can download !

This  FREE PDF download  includes  everything  you’re going to want to pack for your Japan trip, including what NOT to bring, plus tons of insider tips! Click the image below and fill out the form to get the packing list PDF sent straight into your inbox:

For more tips, check out our packing list for long term travel or the eco-friendly packing list full of travel gear that will minimize your footprint around Japan. 

Here are some other items you’ll want to consider packing for your trip to Japan:

• Universal travel adapter : This adapter can plug in to Japanese outlets (and over 150 other countries outlets) safely.
• Away luggage : We recently jumped on the bandwagon and purchased our first Away bags and were not disappointed. These durable hard-sided roller bags come in lots of different sizes and with a lifetime guarantee, they are likely to be the last bags we ever need to purchase!
• Packing cubes : A backpacking staple, these cubes help keep your clothes organized in your bag.
• Power bank : It’s the worst when you arrive in a new city and your phone is dead. Keep it charged with an Anker Battery Pack, this one can charge your phone up to 7 times.
• Travel tripod : If you’re into photography…(if you want some travel photography tips, we’ve got you covered !)

Wondering what to wear in Japan ? We have a guide that goes over exactly what clothing items to pack for each season , including lists for both women and men. We’ll help you build a capsule wardrobe for your trip and let you in on some cultural taboos you should be aware of.

What to Wear in Japan: Packing List + What NOT to Wear!

If you’re wondering what to wear in Japan, this is the guide you need! We’re going over what to wear in each season and how to create a perfect capsule wardrobe. We’re also divulging some items you should  not  wear in Japan.

What to buy in Japan

If you’re anything like us, you enjoy bringing back mementos from your travels to remind you of the places you’ve been. We have a great round up of things to buy in Japan , including plenty of unique ideas for Japanese souvenirs.

Things to Buy in Japan: Ideas for Unique Japanese Souvenirs

When traveling to Japan, you’ll have no shortage of shopping opportunities. We are going over the best Japanese Souvenirs to buy so you don’t end up filling your suitcase with unnecessary purchases.

More resources for traveling in Japan

We have TONS of resources on travel in Japan and destinations throughout the country. Check out our  Ultimate Japan Travel Guide  for all the answers to your most burning questions, or read some of our favorite articles below!

• Best Time to Visit Japan
• Is the Japan Rail Pass Worthwhile?
• Best One Week Japan Itinerary for Your First Visit

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We want to hear from you!

Now that you’ve read through this extensive Japan trip planner, do you feel more prepared for your trip?! Is there anything we didn’t cover that you still have questions about? Comment below and we’ll try our very best to find the answer if we don’t know ourselves!

Comments (161) on “ Japan Trip Planner [2024]: How to Plan Your First Trip to Japan ”

Wow! This IS the ultimate Japan travel guide – complete with what to do during what season, costs, and some Japanese words. Thank you for this!

Such great content. Loved your content. Looking forward to more such content.

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The Best Japan Itinerary for First Time Visitors (2024)

• Post author By Project Gora
• Post date January 7, 2024
• 21 Comments on The Best Japan Itinerary for First Time Visitors (2024)

Just booked a trip to Japan and don’t know where to start your planning? Then, you have come to the right place! There’s a sample 10-day Japan itinerary for first time visitors in this post so please read on!

In 2015, my friends and I booked round-trip tickets to Japan. It was a trip of a lifetime but I was hesitant to take because I know Japan is an expensive destination. I know there are ways to stretch my budget but it will still be expensive compared to other Asian countries I visited. However, the thought of celebrating my birthday in my dream country and seeing cherry blossoms for the first time was so tempting, I could not resist.

Since that trip, I visited Japan once a year. I have covered 6 out of 8 regions and over 10 cities, and I don’t think it will end there! I still have a lot of places that I want to see so I might start planning my next trip soon! Now that the borders have finally opened, I hope this travel guide will help you plan your own dream Japan trip.

PS: Get ready, this is quite a long read!

Table of Contents

How to get a Japan Tourist Visa

How much does it cost to travel to japan, from the us, from europe, from the philippines, hokuriku arch pass, shinkansen (bullet trains), best places to stay in osaka, the best places to stay in kyoto, best places to stay in tokyo, mt. fuji day trip from tokyo, breakfast tour in tsukiji market, visit osaka castle, tokyo disneysea, self-guided walking tour in kyoto, food trip in osaka’s dotonbori, maiko transformation in kyoto, kimono rental in kyoto, universal studios japan, where to shop in japan, where to eat in japan, osaka and kyoto (days 1-4), shirakawa-go (day 5), tokyo (days 6-10), with this itinerary, is a japan rail pass worth it.

Depending on your passport, it might be necessary to obtain a visa and other essential travel documents to enter Japan. Visit the official website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Japan for detailed requirements and the visa application process, if applicable.

For Philippine passport holders, getting a Japan Tourist Visa is pretty easy and cheap. First, you must complete the requirements set by the Japanese Embassy. Second, choose among the accredited travel agencies to lodge your application. I chose Universal Holidays Inc. and paid PHP 1,200 (USD 25). If this is your first time in Japan, check out my detailed post about  Japan Visa Application .

I’ve been asked this question many times. So, let’s talk money. The currency in Japan is called Japanese Yen (JPY). Like other countries, prices depend on the season. The type of travel has a huge impact to your budget as well.

Based on my previous trips, I created this estimate for various budget ranges. If you are a budget traveler, you can manage with around 5,000-10,000 yen per day . This covers all essentials like budget hostels, meals, and public transport.

For a more comfortable experience, consider a budget of 20,000 yen per day . This allows for business hotels, mid-range hostels or ryokans, more dining options, and paid activities.

For those seeking luxury, plan for 50,000 yen or more per day. This includes top-notch hotels in the city centers, diverse dining options, private transport, and activities.

The photo on the right was my actual travel expenses when I first visited Japan in 2015. Exchange rates have gone up and down the fast few years so this might not be relevant anymore. However, this can be useful if you want to see where the huge chunks of budget go in planning a trip to Japan.

How to get to Japan

For travelers from the United States, direct flights to major cities in Japan, such as Tokyo and Osaka, are readily available from various international airports. Major airlines like Japan Airlines (JAL) and All Nippon Airways (ANA) operate frequent flights, offering convenience and accessibility.

Travelers from Europe can reach Japan through direct flights from major European cities, including London, Paris, Frankfurt, and Amsterdam. Airlines like British Airways, Air France, Lufthansa, and KLM provide efficient connections to cities like Tokyo and Osaka. Connecting flights are also available through various hubs, offering flexibility in travel options.

Travelers from the Philippines can choose from several airlines that operate direct flights to Japan. Airlines like Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific, Jetstar, and All Nippon Airways (ANA) offer direct connections to popular Japanese cities such as Tokyo and Osaka.

Japan round-trip tickets can go for as low as PHP 5,000 (USD 100) during seat sale promos. To get these cheap flights, check any airline’s website (Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Jetstar and AirAsia) during holidays (on or before 12 midnight). Make sure to follow their social media pages and sign up for their newsletter for seat sale announcements. I have also found cheap flights just by scouring Skyscanner whenever.

For my first trip in Japan, I got my tickets from Jetstar, which costs PHP 13,183.85 (USD 230) round-trip without baggage allowance. It was expensive, but worth it because the travel date was just in time for the sakuras . For my trip in 2024 ( Eras Tour in Tokyo ), I got my tickets again from Jetstar, which costs PHP 15,000 (USD 270) round-trip with baggage allowance and seats selection.

How to get around Japan

Japan’s railway map with god-knows-how-many different colored lines looks intimidating. However, the railway and bus systems in Japan are remarkably easy to master. And because it is so well-connected, there are very few places in the city that are not located close to a train station. Tokyo’s JR Yamanote line is a good example. 

Japan Official Travel App is definitely useful to figure out your route. It’s covers all sorts of public transportation including Japan Rail (JR), subway lines, airlines, taxis and ferry service.

If this is your first time in Japan, you should know about the JR Pass. Minna , this is your ticket to see the entire country. This pass can be purchased outside/inside Japan and need to be exchanged in one of the JR offices upon your arrival. The ordinary 7 day JR pass is currently priced at JPY 50,000 (PHP 19,800 or USD 350).

Hokuriku Arch Pass is a rail pass similar to the JR pass. It also provides unlimited travel on JR trains (Hokuriku Shinkansen, limited express trains and local trains) between Tokyo and Osaka but via the less traveled Hokuriku Region . This pass won’t pay off for a one-way trip between Tokyo and Osaka and several train rides within these cities. However, it would be of great value if you will do a round trip between Tokyo and Osaka via Kanazawa.

The pass is valid for seven consecutive days. For only JPY 24,500 (almost half the price of the JR pass), it stands out as a budget-friendly alternative for hassle-free travel in Japan. Recent news say that there will be a price increase after Spring 2024, so take advantage of Hokuriku Arch Pass while it’s cheap.

Traveling between Osaka and Tokyo, you should consider the unique experience of riding a bullet train. The Tokaido Shinkansen, covering over 500 km, is the most popular among the network’s 9 lines, connecting Tokyo to Nagoya, Kyoto, and Osaka at speeds up to 285 km/h. If you are not going to get a JR pass, opt for an individual Shinkansen ticket , granting access to the bullet train, including Nozomi (the fastest bullet train). For just $100, enjoy a swift 2-hour, 20-minute journey from Osaka to Tokyo.

Travel Tip: Book your bullet train tickets with Klook and get up to 5% off when you use my code PROJECTGORA .

• For Solo and Budget Travelers: Hostel Mitsuwaya Osaka is just a brief 6-7 minute walk from the metro station. Aside from providing easy access to the city’s most famous attractions, it also has plenty of dining options around. Notably, this hostel boasts a small rooftop where you can bask in the fresh air and sunlight. Highly recommended for those seeking an affordable and solitary escape.
• For Couples: Hotel Cordia Osaka Hommachi   is one of the newest hotels in Osaka. The hotel is centrally located, just a short walk from Dotonbori and Hommachi Subway Station. While the hotel lacks onsen facilities, the impressive bathtub more than made up for it.
• For Families and Groups: Mimaru Osaka Namba Station offers easy access to numerous attractions and dining options, all within walking distance from Namba Station and Nippombashi Station. I particularly enjoyed the thoughtful amenities, such as the drink station, a warm welcome after a day of exploration. There’s an in-room games where kids can be entertained. Without a doubt, I highly recommend this place, especially for those traveling with kids.

• For Solo and Budget Travelers: Piece Hostel Sanjo is located between Sanjo and Karasuma Oike stations. There’s a PiPPA bike rental, which is located right out front for those looking to explore Kyoto by bicycle, all at an affordable daily rate of just 1,100 yen. Having stayed here before, I can say it’s one of the best places to stay in for exploring Kyoto.
• For Couples: Sowaka is a luxury ‘ryokan’ located in Gion, one of Japan’s most enchanting locales. This hotel seamlessly blends the timeless traditions of a Japanese guesthouse with contemporary luxury. It is the epitome of romance, a dream destination for couples and a perfect spot for special occasions like anniversaries.
• For Families and Groups: Mimaru Kyoto Station is one of the best hotels in Kyoto. This Mimaru property offers immediate access to diverse dining options, as well as effortless rail and bus connections to neighboring regions, making day trips to Osaka and Nara a breeze. Their rooms provide ample space compared to typical Japanese hotels.
• For Solo and Budget Travelers: Almont Hotel Nippori is just a short walk from JR Nippori Station, the station with direct airport access (Skyliner). Having stayed here before, I can say that it offers superb value at less than 13,000 yen for two. Their breakfast buffet is great!
• For Couples: Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu is nestled in the heart of Shibuya, the hub of business, fashion, and entertainment. This hotel provides direct access to JR Shibuya Station (3-minute walk), connecting you to Tokyo’s major attractions. If you’re taking the airport bus from Narita or Haneda Airport, you can get a free taxi transfer from Cerulean Tower Tokyu Hotel to Shibuya Stream Excel Hotel Tokyu.
• For Families and Groups: Mimaru Tokyo Shinjuku West is a 10-minute walk from Shinjuku Station and 2-minute walk from the Washington Hotel airport limousine bus stop. What sets it apart is the spaciousness of its rooms, a rarity in typical Japanese hotels, making it an excellent choice for families. My previous stay with friends (a group of four) was nothing short of fantastic so I highly recommend this hotel.

What Activities to do in Japan

I highly recommend visiting Mt. Fuji to first-time visitors in Japan. Aside from the Fuji Five Lakes region, don’t miss the awe-inspiring view from Tenku-no Torii (Torii gate in the sky), a serene spot built for prayers to Mt. Fuji. Accessible by a short drive or a scenic 30-minute walk from Kawaguchi Asama Shrine, it offers a unique perspective of Japan’s highest peak.

As a frequent traveler in Japan, I highly recommend this immersive experience for first-timers. Indulge in the freshest sushi, savor unique Japanese flavors, and witness the lively market atmosphere. It’s a culinary adventure that captures the essence of Japanese culture and sets the perfect tone for your day of exploration. Don’t miss the chance to start your morning with a delightful journey through Tsukiji’s culinary wonders.

If you’re a first-time visitor to the Kansai region in Japan, Osaka Castle is an essential stop. While the castle stands as a marvel, the surrounding parks are worth visiting especially during cherry blossom season or autumn. It’s a perfect blend of historical richness and natural splendor.

One of the best things to do on your trip to Japan as a first time visitor is to spend a day or two at Tokyo DisneySea . I wasn’t a big fan of theme parks until I got to visit DisneySea in 2017 with my friends. The dialogue in performances, pre-show videos and such were in Japanese, so it might be confusing at first. Still, every attraction is worth going into!

Kyoto is an absolute must visit for any first time visitors in Japan. If you have limited time, 2-3 days will give you a glimpse of the city’s timeless beauty and cultural richness. Lots of tourists flock Kyoto daily so make sure to start really early, or better yet, book your hotel so you have more chances to explore when the day trippers depart.

I am pretty sure you’ve seen all those TikTok videos about Osaka’s Dotonbori street. Some will probably say it’s too touristy, but for me, it’s a great introduction to Osaka’s food culture. If you book you hotel in Osaka, I suggest to spend all your evenings here. There are lots of food choices and shopping options here!

One of the most memorable things I did in Japan was becoming a Maiko for a day. If you are curious to know what’s it like being one, then experience the traditional maiko makeover process inside a Maiko studio in Kyoto ! Stroll through the streets of Kyoto in style while getting your picture taken. Channel your inner Sumire from The Makanai: Cooking for the Maiko House (Netflix) or Chiyo from Memoirs of a Geisha!

If Maiko Transformation is a bit too much for you, then wear a kimono while strolling around the historic streets of Kyoto! Most of the rental shops in Kyoto are near the temples or shrines so it won’t be a problem to get around on foot. You can avail a basic kimono package or go all out and have your hair and make up professionally done too.

If you are a Potterhead, then you should definitely include Universal Studios Japan in your itinerary. The Wizarding World of Harry Potter is inside USJ, so you should spend a whole day here. Tickets are from JPY 7,315 (JPY 7,900 with tax) per adult and JPY 5,000 per child ages 4-11 (JPY 5,400 with tax). A timed-entry ticket may be necessary for the Wizarding World of Harry Potter during peak season.

Despite having a reputation as an expensive destination, Japan offers tax-free shopping for foreigners. Don Quijote, aka Donki , amazed me with its wide range of stuff from pharmacy supplies to costumes. Daiso , with most items priced at 100 JPY, is a treasure trove spanning food, skincare products, and more. My personal favorite, Seria , offers a classy 100 Yen Shop experience with skincare, accessories, ceramics, and scrapbooking materials. For skincare and cosmetics, Japanese pharmacies are a must-visit, and thrift stores hold vintage treasures.

The average food budget per meal is JPY 500 – 1,000. We decided to splurge on authentic Japanese meal once a day only. My usual breakfast is Onigiri which costs around JPY 100 per piece. Surprisingly, it was more than enough. If you are on a tight budget, Bento boxes from 7 Eleven, Family Mart and Lawson are also pretty good. 

Sample 10-day Japan Itinerary for First Time Visitors

Here’s a sample 10-day Japan itinerary for first time visitors. This assumes you’re flying in Osaka and flying out in Tokyo. If you will be flying in and out of Tokyo/Osaka, make sure to allocate some time for traveling back to the city.

Osaka’s Tennoji and Abeno Area (Day 1)

• Arrival in Osaka
• Dotombori Area
• Hozenji Yokocho
• Den-Den Town and Amerika Mura
• Abeno Harukas 300 Observation Decks ( ¥1,500 )

Osaka Castle and Osaka Bay Area or Universal Studios Japan (Day 2)

• Osaka Castle
• Tempozan Marketplace
• Umeda Sky Building & Kuchu Teien Observatory ( ¥1,490 )
• Osaka Tenmangu Shrine
• Whole day at Osaka Universal Studios Japan ( ¥8,400 )

Kyoto’s Southern Higashiyama District and Fushimi-Inari (Day 3)

• Kiyomizu-dera Temple
• Sannen-zaka Hill
• Ninnen-zaka
• Maruyama-koen Park
• Chion-in Temple
• Nishiki Market
• Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine

Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Downtown Kyoto (Day 4)

• Kinkaku-ji Temple
• Downtown Kyoto (Pontocho Alley)

Osaka to Shirakawa-go then Tokyo (Day 5)

• Take the earliest limited express train from Osaka to Kanazawa (6:30 AM)
• Bus ride from Kanazawa Station to Shirakawa-go
• Explore Shirakawa-go
• Travel from Shirakawa-go back to Kanazawa then to Tokyo

Western Tokyo (Day 6)

• Meiji Jingu or Yoyogi Park
• Harajuku Takeshita Street
• Shopping at Omotesando
• Shibuya Scramble and Hachiko Statue
• Sunset at Shibuya Sky or Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building

Tokyo Disneyland or DisneySea (Day 7)

• Whole day at Tokyo DisneySea or Tokyo Disneyland ( ¥7,700 1-day Disney Passport )
• Late night ramen fix at Ichiran Ramen (Shibuya Branch) or any 24-hour ramen restaurant near your hotel

Mt. Fuji day trip from Tokyo (Day 8)

• Join a Mt. Fuji Group Tour from Tokyo or a do-it-yourself Mt. Fuji day trip
• Dinner at Golden Gai or Omoide Yokocho (northwest of Shinjuku Station)

Central Tokyo (Day 9)

• Breakfast Tour at Tsukiji Fish Market ( ¥12,900 )
• Imperial East Gardens and Imperial Palace
• Chidorigafuchi Park (great for cherry blossom or autumn foliage viewing)
• If you’re a Potterhead, go Warner Bros. Studio Tour Tokyo – The Making of Harry Potter Ticket ( ¥7,100 ) > book ahead of time!
• Or, Asakusa Half Day Tour (Kaminarimon, Nakamise Dori and Sensoji Temple)

Departure (Day 10)

• Check out early and leave your luggage in the hotel reception/coin locker at the station (if you plan to do some last minute shopping or sightseeing)
• Ameyoko Shopping Street for omiyage shopping
• Take a train or airport limousine to Narita or Haneda International Airport (if you booked an open jaw ticket)
• Take a bullet train back to Osaka (if you booked a roundtrip to Osaka)

Travel Tip: Book your activities with Klook and get up to 5% off when you use my code PROJECTGORA .

If you are going to follow this itinerary (arriving in Osaka and departing in Tokyo or vice versa), then  JR pass will not pay off . If you are going to different prefectures within a week (multiple bullet train rides), then it may be worth it. I highly suggest coming up with an itinerary first then calculate your train ticket costs using the JR pass calculator. Get your  JR Pass for Whole Japan (7, 14, or 21 Days)  here.

There you have it guys! I hope this Japan Itinerary for first time visitors will help you when you plan your trip to Japan!  Let me know if you have questions and I will try to answer as soon as I can.

Pin for future reference!

By Project Gora

Hey there! My name is Milet Miranda, and I'm a full-time corporate employee during weekdays and a traveler during weekends (and holidays...you get the picture). I'm a foodie at heart and I love joining food tours. When I'm not traveling, you'll find me walking my dogs or biking around my neighborhood.

21 replies on “The Best Japan Itinerary for First Time Visitors (2024)”

Japan is a beautiful country

Thanks so much for sharing this article, I enjoyed reading, Japan is beautiful country.

Waah! Mommy you found my blog! 🙂 Download nyo po yung excel kasi nandun lahat ng expenses namin. Also, use Hyperdia to calculate transpo costs. PM nyo lang po ako if you have questions. Miss you mommy! ^_^

Milet! We're planning to go there next spring. Good thing you have this blog as my guide from expenses to practically everything!

You definitely should visit Japan soon! It's a different world out there! You'll find lots of places to do #OOTD pose, which I think you will love! ^_^

I’m loving you blog. Beautiful pictures and you look super cute in that outfit. Gah. Japan. I haven’t seen it. 🙁

Aww sayang naman! Why not try this coming autumn? I bet it would be magical with all the maple leaves 🙂 And they say autumn season is less crowded compared to spring 🙂

nakakainggit! we were suppose to travel to japan too with my inlaws but unfortunately, we were unable to make it in time, we lacked time with the preparation of docs. I love your harry potter adventure! im a fan too but im more excited to see hp than the cherry blossoms. hehehe

Great post, very informative! Thanks for sharing this helpful info.

I’m glad you find it very informative 🙂

Watch out for it! ^_^

hope to see your blog post of shirakawa-go soon 🙂

Glad this will help Edelweiza! 🙂 It's actually best to go now or just reserve Japanese yen because the exchange rate favors PHP compared to previous years. Last year, 7-day JR pass costs around 13-14K and now it only costs 11K. 🙂

Thank you for this! I want to go to Japan also (but not in the very near future) and this very detailed and informative budget guide will surely help me plan for it. 🙂

Wow that’s great! Though there are so many tourists in the Wizarding World of Harry Potter, I bet you will still have a wonderful time! 🙂

sis! super helpful! we’re planning our japan uss too for harry potter haha! 🙂

I love the graphic detailed of the budget! Galing! Cute ng mga keychains! So kawaii!

Wow! Very detailed! Bookmarked for future reference. 🙂

Shirakawa-go is one of the highlights of our trip. I actually had no idea this village existed if not for Japan Guide website. And when I saw your pictures of the Winter Light-up, I got excited and determined to include this in our itinerary. This part was the most challenging to plan but it was easier than I expected when we got there. 🙂

Hi Milet! 80K for the whole trip is not bad at all, considering all the places you’ve visited! Looking forward to reading your travel entries! 🙂

Hello Milet! I’m so happy that you included Shirakawa-go and Takayama on your itinerary. Not a lot of travelers visit those places! I can’t wait to see you post soon!

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Japan in 10 Days: The Ideal Itinerary For A First-Timer

Our first-time favorite 10-day Japan itinerary aims to inspire you and serve you as an outline. It’s not written in stone. We encourage you to customize this based on your interests and needs that you’ve identified. Every person’s claims and requirements will vary, so it’s essential to focus on your main travel goal rather than merely copying someone else’s itinerary. It’s also impossible to see everything in Japan. To create an itinerary with a realistic pace, narrow down your destination wish list and Japanese experiences vital to you.

We designed our itinerary based on “The Golden Route of Japan” as it traces the  Old Tokaido Road  that connected Edo (modern Tokyo) with Kyoto and Osaka. This is why Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka are the ideal cities for first-timers to feel associated with ancient times. Unlike other active and rushed itineraries, ours is to keep you at a leisurely pace. We limit 1-2 areas per day with authentic and culturally immersive activities, making this itinerary perfect for first-time visitors.

If you’re looking for a stuffed itinerary that you’ll have to rush from one to the next to see them all, this is not it. Japan is such a diverse country filled with regional experiences and cuisine that are far better enjoyed if you travel slower and take the time to connect with locals. Even the most meticulously planned itinerary won’t allow you to see even a fraction of what Japan has to offer. Be it 14 days, 21 days, or more, it’s simply isn’t enough. In Tokyo alone, it’s easy to spend two weeks! We’ve lived in Japan for over ten years, and we feel like we haven’t scratched the surface.

Use our itinerary as a way to knock out the significant destinations during your first trip to Japan. On your next trips, expand your reach and include other goals you want to discover! Put merely, visit Japan as many times as possible. If you find yourself still looking for help, we can handcraft this itinerary to suit your Japan wish list.  Contact us here .

Why visit Japan?

Japan is a strange mix of traditionalism and modernity. And the only country that gives you the ability to go from historic castles, shrines, and temples to robot greeters at several hotels. The Japanese people are incredibly polite, the cities are exceptionally clean, and the transportation system is second to none. Remarkably, a major train company  issued a public apology  for leaving 20 seconds early! I can’t think of a better example of Japanese politeness and transportation efficiency. Another area that sets Japan apart from all other countries is how far they accommodate tourists, the  omotenashi  culture (Japanese hospitality). This is surprising considering that Japanese tourism is still heavily dominated by in-country tourists.

The Japanese government stated their  2020 foreign tourism goal  of 40 million people! But this isn’t to say it’ll be necessarily easy to navigate or ask for directions. The Japanese are taught English in school, but it’s similar to when Americans learn French or Spanish, a compulsory class took that is soon forgotten by most. So brush up on your charades skills and download a translator app. You’re going to need them both! More than anything, though, you’re going to need a well thought out itinerary due to the incredible amount of activities and attractions vying for your attention in Japan. This is what we believe makes Japan so unique and the reason it’s one of the most traveled to countries in the world. There’s just so much to see and do! You may also be concerned about budgeting. We’ve personally found that having a mid to high-range budget ($$$-$$$$$) gives you the right balance of experiencing Japan and its culture overall.

You might also find these articles helpful to prepare for your trip to Japan:

• The Complete Japan Packing List
• Do’s and Don’ts In Japan
• The Best Time To Visit Japan

What you won’t find in this itinerary

• We don’t promote activities that disrupt the Japanese way of life and animal welfare . You won’t see us suggesting the  city go-karting tours or visiting animal cafes . Instead, we’ll be encouraging cultural activities like attending a tea ceremony or  sado , watching a sumo tournament, or taking a cooking class to immerse yourself fully.
• You won’t find an active or backpacking-style itinerary here . Such as an overnight stay at temple Koyasan in Wakayama or cycling the Shimanami Kaido bridge in the Setouchi region. Those destinations and activities deserve a specialized itinerary of their own.
• You won’t find seasonal activities here . You can enjoy Japan year-round. But some places and activities are extraordinarily beautiful during certain times of the year. Such as  cherry blossom viewing , Shirakawa-go illumination, Nikko in autumn, and seeing the snow monkeys in Jigokudani Monkey Park are a few that come to mind. This is why we created an itinerary based on the destinations that are not dependent on the time of year. We don’t want to set limits on when you should visit.

10 Day Japan Itinerary Overview

Day 1: arrival in tokyo.

YOKOSO! (Welcome). I bet you’re happy to be off the plane after that long-haul flight! This day is yours to do with as you see fit. You can use it to recover from jet lag or explore Tokyo independently at your leisure. If you choose to stay at one of our recommended hotels, our suggestion would be to explore the area around it because they are all located in sightseeing districts. These hotels are all strategically located in central Tokyo and are all within a short walking distance to major train stations. All of these hotels also offer breakfast options.

• High-end:  Imperial Hotel ,  The Peninsula ,  Four Seasons Marunouchi Hotel ,  Andaz Tokyo
• Mid-range:  Tokyo Dome Hotel ,  Hotel Mystays Premier Hamamatsucho
• Budget:  Dormy Inn Akihabara ,  Super Hotel Akihabara Suehirocho

Day 2: Tsukiji, Ginza, and Shibuya

Tsukiji and Ginza are Tokyo itinerary mainstays. That’s because Tsukiji is an essential piece of Tokyo’s history due to its famous tuna auctions, as well as being where you’ll find the freshest sushi possible. The other, Ginza, has a fascinating history and is one of Japan’s finest high-end fashion districts. Conveniently, both are within a short walk from each other, making them completely contrasting atmospheres even more fascinating.

Closest Station : Tsukijishijo Station. Meet your tour guide for the Tsukiji Fish Market. Tsukiji is a fantastic district filled with an assortment of culinary delights. Although the main tuna auction has moved to Toyosu in Odaiba, the outer market is alive and kicking. It’s still filled with unique retail shops, sushi restaurants, chefs gathering, and restaurant supplies. All things food! We recommend this professional and licensed guide known as the “Tsukiji King”. He has extensive knowledge about the Tsukiji fish market.  Make sure to reserve your spot in advance .

After your Tsukiji tour, it’ll be time to explore Ginza’s neighboring district, which is just a short walk from the famous fish market. On your way to Ginza, we suggest taking the small detour to pass by Tokyo’s primer kabuki theater, Kabuki-za. Use Google map to find your way. If you are interested in Kabuki Arts, you can watch a performance which runs every day.

Other alternative activities in Tsukiji are:

• Experience a ramen & gyoza cooking class (made from scratch!) in Tsukiji, a Certified Sake Sommelier conducts this class; or if you have children, they will love this fun and cute bento box making .

Moving on, Ginza itself is such a feast for the eyes, living up to its nickname “Ginza Pedestrian Paradise.” It has numerous boutique, upscale shops, and local and international flagship stores. UNIQLO Ginza is the most famous flagship store here with 12 floors in total! You can also walk into department stores, such as Ginza SIX, Mitsukoshi, and Matsuya. Or explore the underground world of  depachika , a Japanese term for the basement floor, a dazzling maze of food halls and gourmet shops ranging from wine salons, tea shops to cake & chocolate cafes. Best of all, there are several food tastings available here! After Ginza, you can head back to your hotel to continue recovering from jetlag and recharge for Shibuya or head straight there since it’s only a 15-min train ride from Ginza. It’s totally up to you.

Closest Station : Meiji-Jingumae Station (also known as Harajuku Station). Next is the trendy Harajuku district, the shopping complex of Omotesando Hills, the famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing, and see the famous Hachiko statue. All of which are part of the Shibuya ward (city-level municipality of Tokyo). Behind Harajuku Station is Meiji Shrine, which you might have heard often from travel websites or blogs. You will see more shrines in Kyoto, so Meiji Shrine is omittable. However, there are often traditional Japanese weddings taking place here. If you’d like a chance to see the bride and groom making their way through the grounds, it may be worth the detour. Some people hire a tour guide in Harajuku to cover its backstreets and hidden shops and cafes, but it’s unnecessary in this case. Instead, we’ve created a Harajuku-Shibuya walking tour map here for you to follow. Shibuya’s whole area is an absolute sensory overload, so you might not even pay attention to the tour guide at all. An exception to this is at night, where joining an izakaya or bar-hopping tour is an experience not to be missed in Shibuya. If you’re looking for the most authentic izakaya experience, hire a local guide to take you to the hideaways. Click to see bar-hopping tours in Tokyo  or  walking food tours here .

Day 3: Asakusa and Neighborhoods

Closest Station : Asakusa. Asakusa has Tokyo’s ancient and oldest Buddhist temple, Senso-ji, dating back to 628 AD. As you enter the temple grounds, you’ll see a massive gate called Kaminarimon (lit. “Thunder Gate”) with a giant lantern in the middle and golden statues on either side. As you approach Senso-ji you’ll walk along the long Nakamise-dori, and you’ll see another massive structure, a 2-story “house gate” called Hozomon. Since Senso-ji is a vital temple, be prepared to tackle the grounds with the crowd. The Tokyo Skytree, the world’s tallest tower, is also visible from the temple grounds of Senso-ji, so you might want to take a few photos of it! There is a free insightful guided tour in Asakusa that you might consider joining for the best experience. It’s a free tour, so tipping is encouraged. These are local volunteer guides who work hard to give tourists the best experience. Since it’s free, it can fill up fast, so you  must book at least 10-14 days in advance .

After your Asakusa tour, you can head back to your hotel and rest or continue exploring. Should you decide on the latter, here are our suggested sightseeing neighborhoods around Asakusa for your afternoon excursion. All of which are only short train rides away from Asakusa. The choice is yours, but just choose one!

Option 1: Imperial Palace

Closest Station : Nijubashimae. The old Edo Castle now serves as the primary residence of the Imperial Family. They only open their gates publicly twice a year, New Year and the Emperor’s Birthday. Even if you cannot enter the inner grounds, the surrounding moat and its spectacular bridge are just as visually appealing. A sight that’s hard to come by even when exploring other castles throughout Japan. You can go around to the castle’s east entrance and visit the Imperial Palace East Garden, which is open to the public but closed on Mondays.

Option 2: Yanaka and Nezu Districts

Closest Station : JR Nippori. Yanaka is the only old quarter town in Tokyo where the Shitamachi (downtown Tokyo) atmosphere from the Edo period still resonates. Just by strolling around, you’ll be fascinated by its rustic ambiance and feel like you’re back in Old Tokyo (Edo). One of the attractions here is the Yanaka Ginza, a cute shopping street filled with locally-owned shops and coffeehouses. Many tourists enjoy having a  tour guide here as it’s slightly off-the-beaten-path . If you’d like to have one, do this in the morning and make your visit to Asakusa in the afternoon.

Option 3: Akihabara

Closest Station : Akihabara. Akiba’s epicenter of electronics and otaku culture is a must-see for fans of anime, manga, video games, maid cafes, and Japan’s geek culture. The only thing I would recommend against is choosing to eat here. The food is drastically overpriced and made more for Instagram pictures than flavor.

Option 4: Tokyo Skytree

Closest Station : Tokyo Skytree. Tokyo Skytree is skippable. But the Tokyo Solamachi shopping mall right at the foot of Tokyo Skytree is worth checking out (than the Skytree tower itself). If you’re interested in seeing the view from the top, go on a clear day only. Click to get discounted tickets for Tokyo Skytree

Day 4: Welcome to Hakone

Hakone, part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, is a charming small  onsen town (hot spring town) with lots of art museums and nature. It’s a perfect place to unwind and soak in the mineral-rich onsen (hot spring) and escape from the hustle and bustle of Tokyo. In Hakone, your accommodation choice will play a huge role. It is not the attractions and things to do that you’re after here. But your immersion in the traditional Japanese inn that’s known for its top-notch  omotenashi  (Japanese hospitality)—something you must experience. Many Tokyoites come to Hakone to seek relaxation first, and sightseeing is just secondary. We believe that should be your goal as well. To achieve this goal, we highly recommend staying at a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn, for an authentic experience. We suggest finding one that offers full  kaiseki  meals (conventional Japanese set meals) and has an onsen bath. If you have tattoos or can’t be bothered with being naked in public, choose a ryokan with private onsen (hot spring bath).

How to get to Hakone : Activate your JR Pass on this day! The easiest and fastest way to go to Hakone is via the bullet train from Tokyo Station (or Shinagawa Station) to Odawara Station. This is covered by your JR Pass and you will activate it before you take the train. Once you arrive at Odawara Station, purchase the 2-day Hakone Freepass. This discount excursion ticket will cover unlimited rides for all sightseeing transportation in Hakone, such as the ropeway, cable car, Lake Ashi cruising, and buses. Then from Odawara Station, transfer to Hakone Tozan Line Local (covered by your Hakone Freepass) towards Hakone-Yumoto Station. With your Hakone Freepass, you can start sightseeing using the recommended sightseeing course in your pamphlet that comes with your Hakone Freepass. Or just check-in your ryokan.

Many of the accommodations in Hakone have  onsens  (hot springs). Since Hakone is within the border of Fuji’s volcanic regions, having a hot spring bath in your ryokan is almost a guarantee. There is a Hyatt Regency in Hakone, but you won’t feel the omotenashi  culture here. So it’s best to stay at a traditional ryokan in Hakone. When selecting your ideal accommodation, the best location depends entirely on what you want to achieve. If you’re visiting for views of Mt. Fuji, the hotels and accommodations around Lake Ashi are your best choice. It’s also near the walking trails of the peaceful and beautiful Hakone shrine. If sightseeing is your goal, then we recommend staying in the Gora area. From here, it’s also easy to reach top attractions such as the Hakone Open Air Museum and Owakudani Valley “Valley of Hell.”

If you’re looking to do a little bit of shopping or want quick access to great food options, then you are to love staying near Hakone-Yumoto Station. There are many rows of stores around here. The number of restaurants in the area outnumbers what’s found in the other parts of Hakone. Hakone-Yumoto Station also has a rich history. It opened in 1888 and is a significant part of the old Tokaido Road.

Here are the ryokans and accommodations we recommend in Hakone:

• High-end:  Gora Kadan ,  Hakone Kowakien Ten-yu ,  Yamagaso
• Mid-range:  Hakone Suimeisou ,  Hakone Yumoto Onsen Tenseien ,  Gyokutei ,  Gora Saryo
• Budget:  Emblem Flow Hakone ,  Onsen & Garden -Asante Inn- ,  K’s House Hakone – Onsen Hostel

Day 5: Hakone Attractions

With your Hakone Freepass, you can cover pretty much every Hakone attraction, but which to go to is totally up to you. Again, the goal in Hakone is to relax and breathe the fresh air of Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park. From our experience, 2-3 attractions are enough to see in Hakone. Here are some ideas for you to see in Hakone. We’ve arranged in the order in a matter of easy sightseeing.

• Surrounding areas of Hakone-Yumoto Station . Hakone-Yumoto Station itself is an attraction to those who love to shop and for those who love quick bites. It has rows of stores of food, souvenirs, street food, and some sweet treats worth checking out. Also, check out the red bridge across from it.
• Hakone Open Air Museum . Admission fee ¥1,400. Definitely skippable unless you like art. It’s quite huge, so this museum might consume your time.
• Owakudani . A geothermal valley with hot springs famous for its black eggs cooked in its sulphuric hot springs. Legend has it that eating these eggs will prolong life.
• Lake Ashi . If you’re lucky and get a clear day, you can see the beautiful Mt. Fuji from here. The Pirate Ship Cruising is included in your Hakone free pass so take advantage of it. Note that depending on the weather, the cruise will not operate.
• Hakone Shrine . Where the famous giant floating torii gate stands. This is an excellent photo spot! The main shrine is nestled in nature, and going to the massive torii gate is a bit of a hike.

Day 6: Welcome To Kyoto!

After breakfast, check out of your hotel in Hakone early and head to Odawara Station for Kyoto’s bullet train. Travel time is about 3 hrs. We also suggest that you get lunch or a meal in the Shinkansen (yes, they serve food! And yes, it’s surprisingly good!)

Here are some of our pre-arrival notes about Kyoto:

• Stand on the right side of escalators . Kyoto follows Osaka’s rule. It forces people to walk on the left and stand on the right when riding escalators, the opposite of Tokyo. It is insulting to stand on the walking side.
• Not all railways here are covered by JR Pass . Just like Tokyo, you’re going to use your IC Card here to ride the trains. You also have the choice to buy a Kyoto Pass with unlimited rides via Kyoto’s subways and buses. For this itinerary, we don’t recommend getting it. It can make you feel obligated to cram in as much travel as possible and is only valid for a certain number of days, so it’s not really worth it.
• Expect attractions in Kyoto to be very crowded . Kyoto has become overcrowded over the years because Japan has relaxed the visa requirements for neighboring Asian countries such as China, Thailand, Indonesia, and Malaysia. Besides, Kyoto has gotten a lot of attention from Western foreigners because it’s cheaper than Tokyo. So consider hitting significant attractions during the weekdays to avoid some of the crowd.
• You are going to walk a lot in Kyoto . If you walked a lot in Tokyo, expect even more walking in Kyoto. While still boasting a very efficient transportation system, there are a lot fewer train stations in Kyoto. So the activities require more walking to reach. This is why we recommend staying at accommodation with an onsen, to rest your sore feet after a long day!
• You don’t have to see each and every attraction here . Just like in Tokyo, only prioritize interests that are important to you. I actually have a friend who got sick of seeing shrines and temples in Kyoto after following a specific travel blog’s itinerary. He expressed that it wasn’t only tiring, but it was repetitive and expensive due to paying entrance fees. Another friend also said that she wasn’t that impressed because she’s seen temples in places like Cambodia and Thailand, where the temples are extraordinary. So really think about what to include in your itinerary. But of course, to each their own.
• Rent a kimono . Many tourists visiting Kyoto rent a kimono to experience a bit of traditional Japanese culture while sightseeing. Think carefully about which day you’d like to rent your kimono, and be sure to consider here the rental location. It should be convenient and easily accessible from the train station and near where you will start and end your tour. It’s also essential to make your reservations online. This is a prevalent activity for both foreign and local tourists.

Here are our recommended ryokans and hotels in Kyoto:

• High-end:  Suiran Luxury Collection Hotel – Marriott ,  Sumiya Ryokan Kyoto ,  CAMPTON KIYOMIZU ,  The Ritz Carlton
• Mid-range:  Sakura Urushitei ,  Cross Hotel Kyoto
• Budget:  Gion Ryokan Q-Beh ,  Rin Rokujo Horikawa

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Upon arrival at Kyoto Station, Fushimi Inari Shrine is very convenient to reach via a short 5-min train ride (Inari Station covered by JR Pass). Home to Senbon Torii (Thousands of Torii Gates), Fushimi Inari is Japan’s most important shrine to Inari, the Shinto God of Rice. The shrine has very ancient roots, dating back to before 794 AD. It has a peaceful hiking trail offering some fantastic views of the city. Take some time and try some kitsune udon (fox udon; don’t worry, it’s not made of a fox) and inari sushi! Want to visit Fushimi Inari in a kimono?  Make an advance reservation through this shop . It’s only a few minutes from Inari Station.

Day 7: Walking Tours or Cultural Experience

You have plenty of options here so think carefully on which activity you’d like to experience the most.

Option 1: Higashiyama Area

After breakfast, head to Kiyomizudera temple, one of Japan’s most important and ancient temples, founded in 780 AD. It has massive temple grounds and is also a  UNESCO Heritage site . The entrance fee is ¥300. After your visit to Kiyomizudera, head down to the famous shopping streets of Sannen-zaka and Ninen-zaka. The area has an ancient town feel as all the shops are wooden and built very traditionally. The shops sell various goods, including local treats, tea, wooden dolls, and other crafts. So be sure to bring an extra bag along if you’re interested in picking up any souvenirs!

Other notable sightseeing streets in the area are:

• Yasaka-no-To pagoda . One of the iconic sites of the city featured on most Kyoto postcards.
• Ishibe-koji . An attractive stoned street lined with a wooden corridor and narrow entrances to traditional Japanese restaurants and ryokans.
• Nene no Michi . Stretching from Gion to Sannen-zaka, this area retains the look and feel of old Kyoto.

Please note that the Higashiyama area is minimal. So the sightseeing areas here are relatively compact. Even though we’ve listed many notable attractions here, don’t become overwhelmed. It’s easy to see them all, mainly if you are guided by a map!  Click to use our walking route map . You’ll definitely spend time stopping here for photos. Be wary though, these route is often crowded, especially on the weekends. You’ll most likely end your walk at Hanamikoji Street. From there, the Gion-Shijo train station is just a 4-min walk. You can take the train to your hotel to relax or continue exploring on your own.

Option 2: Walking Tour With The “Last Samurai”

An excellent alternative to the Higashiyama area is the one of a kind walking tour led by “The Last Samurai” Joe Okada, the oldest licensed English-speaking tour guide in Japan! This is a genuinely insightful tour as Joe knows every corner of Kyoto, but he won’t take you to touristy places. Part of the time is a mini-show, “Cutting Apple in the Air.” Note that samurais in Japan were abolished a long time ago, in 1868. So Joe Okada is not actually a samurai. The title is honorary and given to him after he mentored two American students who rapidly cut apples in the air within 60 seconds. This led to both ending up in the Guinness World Records book. In 2011, he was also  appointed by the Kyoto City  to be the city’s Omotenashi Ambassador.

→ Book this tour here.

What to do in the evening of option 1 or 2 itineraries : Explore downtown Kyoto, an excellent place for shopping. A perfect place to start is the Shijo Kawaramachi Intersection near Kawaramachi Station , then walk your way towards Pontocho Geisha Alley and Gion Tatsumi Bridge.

Option 3: Experience a Traditional Japanese Culture

Experience an authentic traditional tea ceremony performed by a tea master. In the evening, enjoy a spectacular dinner with a Maiko (a geisha apprentice). With this experience, you’ll enjoy a fantastic dinner at the famous Yasakadori Enraku restaurant along with a Maiko. You’ll watch an elegant dance, play some traditional parlor games, chat, and enjoy a rare photo session. It’s truly an unforgettable experience.

Option 4: Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest is a full day trip itself as there are plenty of things to see and do here aside from just the Bamboo Forest. However, you absolutely need to hit the trail very early to really enjoy its pristine beauty as it suffers from enormous crowds after 8 a.m. So if you think you can get there before 8 a.m., do it. If not, you can skip it or try and visit around 5 p.m. after the crowd has died down. There are 3 train stations around the Bamboo Grove. Since you have JR Pass, take the JR Line to Saga-Arashiyama Station . From there, the Bamboo Grove Forest is only a 5-10 minute walk.

Day 8: Day Trip To Nara Or Osaka

Option 1: nara.

Closest Station : Kintetsu Nara. Nara is only an hour away from Kyoto. Nara offers another out of this world temple, Todaiji-Temple, the world’s largest wooden temple. Oh, and the entire town is filled with deer! Please be wary of the deer here and don’t abuse them. Also, don’t feed them too many deer cookies as they will chase you! Please be careful not to catch any ticks here. Although Japan has declared that deer in Nara are free of Lyme borreliosis, you should still be careful and protect your skin with long clothes and tick repellant.

Option 2: Osaka

Best Station to Start : Namba. Osaka is just like a smaller version of Tokyo, only older and cheaper. But the food scene here is extraordinary, earning the nickname “Japan’s Kitchen.” Should you decide to visit Osaka over Nara, make sure to join a walking food tour to elevate the experience and eat where the locals eat. The tour starts at 11 a.m. and Osaka is only 30-40 minutes from Kyoto Station. So it’s not difficult to arrive on time. There’s also an evening bar-hopping tour here. The remainder of the day is your own. Explore whichever city you’ve chosen and then return to Kyoto.

Day 9: Back To Tokyo

From Kyoto to Tokyo are about 2 hours and 40 minutes. Once you’re back in Tokyo and freshened up in your hotel, we recommend heading out to do a little sightseeing. We’ve got a few suggestions for this day as well. Only choose one!

• Explore Shinjuku . Walk around and feel small in Shinjuku’s business district with towering skyscrapers surrounding you, then make your way to the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Tower. It’s free to enter and offers a nice view of the entire Tokyo Metropolitan area. End your evening at either another food and drink tour to izakayas in Shinjuku. If you’re looking to experience Tokyo’s nightlife, explore the “Sleepless Town” of Kabukicho, which is filled with many night clubs and bars, loves hotels, shops, and restaurants. Or visit the Don Quijote store near the Giant Godzilla statue hiding behind the Hotel Gracery and Toho Cinema.
• Explore Roppongi . Roppongi is both a significant business and entertainment area, as it transforms from a family-friendly location of art, shopping, and culture into an ‘expat playground’ at night. This place is costly for food and drinks, so be prepared to spend. Be careful in Kabukicho and Roppongi and  avoid talking to foreign men that are trying to scam you .
• Visit the Studio Ghibli Museum in Mitaka . For fans of Studio Ghibli, this is a must-see. The museum makes you feel like you’ve walked into the world of animation creation. Just be sure to book ahead and choose a convenient time after you arrive in Tokyo.  You can click here to learn how to buy your tickets . Afterward, either take a stroll through Inokashira Park or explore Kichijoji, an exciting area like a mini-Shibuya, but cozier.

Day 10: Departure

Some people like to do a bit of last-minute shopping and sightseeing in Tokyo if their flight is in the evening. This is why forwarding your luggage to the airport the day before your flight makes your final day far more enjoyable. Just don’t forget that spare duffle bag that you packed to up stock on last-minute souvenirs. Upon boarding the airplane, I guarantee that you’ll already be thinking about your next trip to Japan. Japan is addictive! The best thing about our 10-day itinerary is that it covers many of the highlights of Japan in-depth. When planning for your next trip, it’ll be easier for you to focus on a more specialized itinerary. Giving you more freedom with other destinations in Japan you have yet to discover. Maybe on your second trip, you just want to stay in Kyushu or do the Nakasendo route. How about Hokkaido? Many people only stay in Tokyo, and that’s robbing yourself of some incredible experiences! I can guarantee you, you are going to want to come back and see more of Japan.

A Few Notes On When You Should Activate The JR Pass

Our itinerary starts in Tokyo, where most trains are not covered by JR Pass. Thus, we recommend activating it on Day 4 before you head out to Hakone. To activate it, look for the JR East Travel Service Center in Tokyo Station or Ueno Station and exchange your JR Pass eVoucher for the actual JR Pass. Don’t activate your JR Pass upon arrival because you’ll just end up wasting it. Instead, use any of the other transportation options listed in the resources below:

• How to transfer from Narita Airport to central Tokyo
• How to transfer from Haneda Airport to central Tokyo

Pre-Travel Tips and Information

• JR Pass is not a requirement . Get the JR Pass that is valid for 7 days should you decide to get it. The JR Pass can only be bought online and while outside of Japan. Buy your JR Pass at least two weeks before your trip. The JR Pass Exchange voucher will be mailed to you, usually overnight.  Click here to order yours .
• Hotel & accommodations . To save time, pick a hotel near a train station. A 15 to 20-minute walk from the train station is quite far and will be very inconvenient. Most hotels in Japan listed mention the nearest train station, so make sure they are 10 min or less walk from the train station. We recommend  Booking  to book all your accommodations as they have the largest database of hotels and accommodations in Japan. If you’re not a fan of the platform,  Agoda  is also an excellent booking site for Japanese accommodations.
• Book your room with breakfast . Restaurants that open as early as 6 a.m. are rare in Japan. So make sure your hotel reservations come with breakfast. That way, you’re ready to tackle the day instead of spending half an hour searching for “breakfast near me” and wasting another half an hour walking to the place. An exception here is if your hotel happens to be near a breakfast buffet restaurant, then that’s worth trying.

Must-not miss: Sumo Grand Tournament

The  Sumo Grand Tournament  in Tokyo takes place 3x a year and 1x in Osaka, and each tournament event lasts for 15 days. Sumo is an essential sport in Japan. Watching the wrestlers do their rituals inside the ring is quite an experience.  Please see this link for the sumo schedule .

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2 Week Japan Itinerary Perfect For Your First Trip to Japan!

Categories Asia , Itinerary , Japan

How much of Japan can you see with 2 weeks in Japan? Actually, quite a lot if you follow this 2 week Japan itinerary!

It is so easy to get around Japan that you can visit many of the best places to visit in Japan with two weeks in Japan!

I guess you’re reading this because it is your first trip to Japan ! Based on my 2.5 weeks travelling around Japan, I have condensed the best of my trip and the things I learned into this 2 week Japan Itinerary and Japan travel guide so you can see as much of Japan as possible during just 2 weeks annual leave.

This Japan itinerary is perfect for people visiting Japan for the first time because it includes all of the iconic and popular places in Japan that you need to visit and see on your first trip to Japan.

2 Week Japan Itinerary

In order to see the most places in Japan you can on a 2 week Japan itinerary, I think that it is best to fly into one airport and out of a different airport so you don’t have to go back on yourself and waste time.

Therefore, this Japan itinerary for 2 weeks is based on arriving in Osaka and ending in Tokyo. With that said, you can adapt it to fit a 2 week Tokyo to Tokyo itinerary too by reversing it and on your last day travelling from Osaka to Tokyo to fly out!

Day 1 – Arrive in Osaka

How to get from kansai airport to osaka .

Buy a train ticket in Kansai Airport Station for the train that goes to Namba Train Station which is in the Centre of Osaka.

I got the 1000Yen ticket which covered my train from Kansai Airport to Namba plus one subway ride which took me to my accommodation.

Where To Stay in Osaka ?

The Best Area of Osaka to stay in is Central Osaka I think. Accommodation near Namba Station is perfect for your 2 week Japan itinerary as Namba is very central making it easy to get around Osaka as well as leave Osaka, and it’s next to the neighbourhood of Dotonbori which has a lot going on for tourists.

There are lots of hostels in Osaka close to Namba Station,  have a search on Hostelworld here .

Or, search for Hotels & Hostels in Osaka on Booking.com here.

I use Booking.com and Hostelworld for all of my bookings and I did whilst I was in Japan so I am recommending these two sites to you in this post.

Day 2  – Explore Osaka

Things to do in osaka.

• Osaka Castle and Castle Grounds
• Abeno Harukas Observation Deck (Free View of Osaka)
• Walk around the cool and unique areas of Shinsekai and Dotonbori.
• Dotonbori Ferris Wheel

Day 3 – Train to Hiroshima & Explore Hiroshima

How to get to hiroshima from osaka .

A Bullet Train / Shinkansen Train leaves from Shin Osaka Station to Hiroshima Station regularly throughout the day taking just 2 hours. This Train is included in your JR Pass if you have one (and I recommend you do, here’s my full blog on the JR Pass to help you decid e .)

Hiroshima is such an interesting place in Japan and although it may seem out of the way on the map, it is quick to get to and a must-visit on your 2 week Japan itinerary!

Buy your JR Pass here now while you think about it:

Things To Do in Hiroshima

• Peace Memorial Park
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Hiroshima Orizuru Tower (View of Hiroshima)
• Hiroshima Castle
• Eat Okonomi Yaki (it was created in Hiroshima!)

Where to Stay in Hiroshima ?

I stayed at Kawate Ya Hostel   in Hiroshima which I enjoyed, it’s in a great location just a few stops on the tram from Hiroshima Station. The dorm rooms are big but it’s well designed and because the rooms are so big it’s a budget-friendly place to stay in Hiroshima for backpackers.

If you want a Hotel in Hiroshima, look for one close to the Peace Park and you’ll be in a good central location.

Search for all accommodation in Hiroshima on Booking.com here.

• For more of my posts on Japan see:
• How to Use Japan Rail Pass To Get The Most Out Of It!
• Pro’s & Con’s of Visiting Japan During Cherry Blossom Season.
• 16 Tips for How To Save Money in Japan!
• ALL JAPAN POSTS

Day 4 – Day Trip to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima

Miyajima island is definitely one of the best places to visit in Japan but you only need a day there so a day trip from Hiroshima on your 2 week Japan itinerary is best. It’s full of temples, deer, street food and the iconic floating Tori gate!

Book this 1 day tour from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island and visit many other places like Itsukushima shrine, Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Hiroshima-style Okonomiyaki lunch.

How to get to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima?

If you have a JR Pass, from Hiroshima Station take JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi Station which leaves regularly and takes about 30 minutes, you don’t need to buy a ticket, just show the inspectors your JR pass at the gate. Then head towards the Ferry Port and get on the JR Ferry, again no need to buy a ticket, just show your pass.

Alternative ways to Miyajima Island from Hiroshima which are not included in the JR Pass, are to get a boat from the Peace Park in the Centre of Hiroshima or take Tram / Streetcar 2 to Miyajimaguchi.

Things To Do in Miyajima Island:

• See the Great Torii Gate
• Itsukushima Shrine
• Hike or Get the Cable Car to Mount Misen
• Five-Story Pagoda
• Daishoin Temple
• Taste all of the local Street Food

Make sure you’re fully prepared for your trip to Japan by reading this great post on Essential Travel Tips for Japan .

Day 5 – Train to Kobe via Himeji Castle

How to get from hiroshima to himeji castle.

Book or get on a train from Hiroshima Station to Himeji Station.

Visiting Himeji Castle is a popular thing to do on the way to or from Hiroshima seen as it’s on the route there and there is nothing else (touristy) to do in this area. For more details on how to visit Himeji Castle on a stopover on the train including what to do with your luggage, have a read of this post I wrote with all the details.

Related Post: Himeji Castle Day Trip via Hiroshima 

Things To Do in Himeji

• Himeji Castle
• Koko-en Gardens
• Tea Ceremony in Koko-en Gardens Cafe

How to get from Himeji to Kobe ?

Get on the next train to Kobe after seeing the Castle.

JAPAN SIM CARD

Stay connected in Japan by ordering a sim card in advance and picking it up at the airport you land in. There a huge range of sim card options in Japan which you can see and buy here !

If you prefer eSIM’s these days, here’s a great option for an eSIM Mobile Data Plan in Japan so you’re connected as soon as you land without the hassle of swapping sims and waiting for connection.

JAPAN RAIL PASS

I’m sure you know, or have heard, that the Japan Rail Pass is the best value for getting around Japan!

There are many providers for the JR Pass but this is the official provider and the one I used.

You need to get your JR Pass ordered BEFORE your trip and sent to your home address, so look into buying one here !

Not sure how the JR Pass works and wondering if it will save you money?

Read my JR Pass guide here!

Where To Stay in Kobe ?

I stayed in   Maya Guesthouse in Kobe which I really liked. It has private rooms and dorm rooms and a very personal feel to it. It’s in the neighbourhood of Nada just outside of Central Kobe and it was so nice being able to experience a quiet Japanese neighbourhood on my  2 week Japan itinerary  that I wouldn’t have seen if it wasn’t for this hostel.

For more Hotels and Hostel in Kobe have a look on Booking.com here. Keep in mind that there is not a huge amount of accommodation in Kobe so I recommend booking in advance.

Day 6 – Explore Kobe

Kobe is a great city to visit in Japan as it’s not visited by as many tourists yet but it offers so much as the City is sandwiched between the Ocean and Mountains which means you can see all 3 sides in just one day in Kobe.

Things To Do in Kobe

• Eat Street Food in Chinatown
• Go down to Kobe Harbour
• Go on a Sunset Cruise
• See Views of Kobe and the Kansai Region from Mount Maya

Related Post: My Complete Guide to Kobe & Why You Should Visit!

Day 7 – Explore Kobe & Train To Kyoto

Finish off exploring Kobe doing more of the things to do in Kobe during the morning before going to Kyoto.

How to get from Kobe to Kyoto?

Get the Shinkansen Train from Shin Kobe to Kyoto Station, or get a local JR line train from one of Kobe’s many JR Stations to Kyoto Station.

Where To Stay in Kyoto ?

Accommodation in Kyoto will probably be your most expensive accommodation on this trip as Kyoto is a very popular place to visit . Kyoto’s attractions are all very spread out too so there’s not one central area that is best to stay in.

Search for Hotels and Hostels in Kyoto on Booking.com here.

If you cannot find accommodation to suit your budget in Kyoto you could choose to stay in Osaka and do a day trip to Kyoto instead which is what I did on my 2 week Japan itinerary.

Related Post: How to do a Day Trip from Osaka to Kyoto!

Related Post: If you want to spend longer in Kyoto here’s a full Kyoto Travel G uide .

Day 8 – Explore Kyoto

Things to do in kyoto.

• Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
• Geisha Spot in Gion
• Walk along the Canal’s & River’s
• Golden Temple
• Kyoto Castle and Palace

Day 9 – Day Trip to Nara from Kyoto

From Kyoto or Osaka if you decide to stay in Osaka, head to Nara for the day or for a few hours which is one of the most popular day trips to do in Japan and a must-visit on your 2 week Japan itinerary!

Book this guided day trip from Kyoto to Nara with Lunch and explore western Japan

Things To Do in Nara

• Walk around Nara Park
• Feed the Deer
• Visit the Temples in Nara Park

Day 10 – Train from Kyoto to Hakone

How to get from kyoto to hakone.

There is not a direct route from Kyoto to Hakone but you can get there by getting on 2 or 3 trains. I suggest using HyperDia to check train times in advance.

Where To Stay in Hakone ?

Accommodation is quite spread out in this area but it is well connected by train. The main train station is Odawara, so this is a good area to stay, or you can stay in Hakone town .

For Hostels and Hotels in Hakone have a look on Booking.com here

Day 11 – Day Trip to See Mt Fuji from Hakone

The reason for going to Hakone is because it’s a great place to see Mount Fuji from . You can do a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone but it does involve quite a journey to get there and if the weather isn’t good you have today and tomorrow as chances for a clear day to see Mount Fuji on your 2 week Japan itinerary so it is better to stay overnight!

Discover Mt. Fuji and Hakone on this guided day trip from Tokyo. Climb Mt. Fuji, take a refreshing cruise on Lake Ashi, and admire views of the stunning Owakudani valley on a cable car ride.

There is a Hakone Freepass which gives you access to all sorts of transport in this area including a boat, ropeway, cable car and the trains so you can do the full Hakone loop and this pass is valid for 2 days.

JAPAN ON A BUDGET

Japan isn’t the cheapest country to travel but you can save money in Japan, here are my budget tips for Japan:

How to Save Money in Japan!

Free Things To Do in Japan!

Save Money with the JR Pass!

JAPAN ITINERARY Here’s my 2 week Japan itinerary for first time visitors which will help you plan yours and you can adapt it whether you’re in Japan or longer or less time.

Day 12 – Train from Hakone to Tokyo

How to get from hakone to tokyo.

There are several trains which can take you from the Hakone area to Tokyo. Be sure to look into where you are staying in Tokyo so you go to the right area of Tokyo. Many trains from Odawara go to Shinjuku but if you are not staying near in West Tokyo you may want to go to Tokyo Station in the Centre of Tokyo.

Where To Stay in Tokyo?

I stayed at Grids Hostel Nihombashi East which I recommend. The dorm rooms are big but it’s very well set up.

There are so many hostels and hotels in Tokyo. Many of them are in East Tokyo however if you can, I suggest staying in West Tokyo as you’ll be closer to more of the area’s you’ll probably spend a lot of your time in like Shibuya and Shinjuku at the end of your  2 week Japan itinerary.

Search for Hotels and Hostels in Tokyo on Booking.com here.

Day 13 – Explore Tokyo

Things to do in tokyo.

• Explore the cool area’s of Harajuku, Shibuya & Shinjuku
• Eat Cool food in Harajuku
• Play in the Arcades in Shinjuku
• Electric Town
• Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building for a Free Observation Deck
• Senso-ji Temple
• Walk around the many Parks in the City

Day 14 – Leave Japan from Tokyo

This is the perfect 2 week Japan itinerary for those visiting Japan for the first time as you’ll visit all of the most popular places and you can see a lot in this time too because of how good the trains are.

To SEE Japan and follow my route around Japan, have a look at my YouTube videos here .

• Tokyo 2 Day Itinerary to See Best Places in Tokyo – DETAILED Guide

Remember you’ll need a 14 Day JR Pass and you need   to get it in advance, you can purchase it here !

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Tuesday 21st of May 2019

We’re just starting to plan our Spring 2020 trip so this is SO useful! Loving all your Japan content and vlogs ?

TheWanderingQuinn

Wednesday 22nd of May 2019

Yay that’s so good to hear!! If you have any other questions just let me know!! :)

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ASIA , DESTINATIONS , JAPAN

The best 2-week japan itinerary for first-time visitors.

Japan seduces you with its seamless blend of the ancient and modern.

Shinto shrines are shoehorned between skyscrapers; traditional teahouses co-exist with coffee shops. Japanese people cling as firmly to their ancient rituals as their smartphones.

The so-called Golden Route is a good start if you are visiting Japan for the first time. Following in the footsteps of samurai along the old Tokaido Road, this route along the Pacific Coast is the perfect introduction to Japan’s landscape, history and modern culture.

Some articles on this website contain affiliate links. This means that I may earn a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases . Read the full disclosure here .

IN THIS ARTICLE

2-Week Japan Itinerary at a Glance

Two weeks in Japan will allow you to experience the country’s highlights as a first-time visitor. You will use Japan’s two most famous cities: Tokyo and Kyoto .

Using the country’s high-speed shinkansen, you will take day trips to the historic cities of Nikko, Kamakura, Nara and Kanazawa . You can experience the landscape immortalised in colour woodblock prints by Hokusai by visiting Mount Fuji and the Hakone region

• DAY 1: Arrive in Tokyo
• DAY 2 & 3: Tokyo
• DAY 4 : Day trip to Nikko
• DAY 5: Day trip to Kamakura
• DAY 6 : Day trip to Hakone
• DAY 7: Travel to Kyoto
• DAYS 8 – 10: Kyoto
• DAY 11: Day trip to Nara
• DAY 12: Day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima
• DAY 13: Day trip to Himeji and Osaka
• DAY 14: Day trip to Kanazawa

Eat the best meal of your life in Osaka and marvel at Himeji Castle , one of Japan’s finest. Finally, visit Hiroshima followed by Miyajima Island , for a sombre remembrance and to see the bright red Tori gate ‘floating’ in the sea, one of Japan’s biggest tourist attractions.

My Experiences in Japan

Make no mistake. A Google search will churn out hundreds of Japan itineraries for first-time visitors, so why should you trust this one?

I have visited Japan twice and at the time of updating this guide, I am about to go for the third time. Being an utter travel geek I planned very hard for my first trip to Japan, spending weeks researching destinations to ensure that I would have the best time possible.

I didn’t get it all right the first time around. But I did learn from my mistakes and this itinerary has been tweaked to reflect that. I made the mistakes so that you don’t have to.

As a self-confessed flashpacker, I travelled independently on a mid-range budget with splashes of luxury. To avoid wasting precious time changing hotels when travelling, I stayed in two hotels only.

On each occasion, I travelled solo and Japan is an ideal destination if you are travelling alone for the first time .

Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo

I’ve learned from my mistakes and don’t have lofty sightseeing ambitions just after stepping off a long-haul flight.

Be kind to yourself. Check into your Tokyo hotel and start to acclimatise to Japan. Tokyo will be your base for the first six nights in Japan.

How to get from Narita Airport

The easiest way to get from Narita Airport is on the Narita Express , connecting the airport to Tokyo. The train departs from beneath Terminal 2 and stops at Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya, Shinagawa and finally Tokyo.

The Narita Express is included in the JR Pass. Seat reservations are compulsory, but if you are activating your Japan Rail Pass at Narita Airport, the clerk there will take care of this for you.

How to get from Haneda Airport

From Haneda airport, take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho station, from where you can continue your journey on the Yamanote line.  All three terminals of Haneda Airport are served by the monorail.

Again the Japan Rail Pass is valid on this service.

Day 2 & 3: Tokyo

Your Japan itinerary starts in the nation’s capital, the ultra-modern yet historic city of Tokyo. Its brightly spangled cityscape is one of the things that Japan is famous for .

Swirling with people and brimming with densely packed buildings lit by garish neon, this home to 14 million souls has it all. World-beating cuisine, traditional shrines and temples, first-rate (and sometimes downright quirky) museums and galleries, sublime Zen gardens and, of course, that Blade Runner cityscape.

I’ll level with you. However long you spend in Tokyo, it won’t be enough. However, two full days will allow you to scratch the surface of the city’s highlights.

Here are my recommendations for what to see and do in Tokyo.

SHINJUKU AT NIGHT

After the sun goes down, head to the neon lights of Shinjuku.

Test your skills at one of the pachinko (vertical pinball machine) parlours or channel your inner Celine Dion in a karaoke bar. Then, for a glimpse of old Tokyo, dive into the narrow alleys of Golden Gai and Memory Lane that are unchanged since the Second World War.

SHIBUYA CROSSING

For an iconic Tokyo experience, head to vibrant Shibuya, home to the world´s busiest pedestrian crossing. Each time the light turns green hundreds of people come from all directions at once, skilfully avoiding bumping into each other with graceful agility.

For a bird’s eye view, take a seat in the Starbucks café on the 2 nd floor of the building across the street and watch the never-ending show.

TSUKIJI FISH MARKET

Famous for its tuna auctions, Tsukiji Central Fish Market was Tokyo’s top sight. Sadly, it closed its doors in 2018 and moved to a new site in Toyosu, reopening as Toyosu Market.

The good news is that Tsukiji’s outer market, with its many shops and restaurants, remains in business.

For the freshest sushi in the world, combine a visit with breakfast or lunch at one of its restaurants. Restaurants are typically open from 5 am until lunchtime or early afternoon.

TOKYO SKY TREE

Enjoy a panoramic view of the Tokyo skyline from the observation deck of the Tokyo Sky Tree. Visit at sunset for the best views.

MEIJI SHRINE

Don’t leave Tokyo without visiting this Shinto shrine dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken.

Surrounded by a tranquil forest, Meiji-jingu feels worlds away from the city outside its walls.

TAKESHITA STREET (TAKESHITA DÕRI)

In the same district as the Meiji Shrine is Takeshita Dõri, where Tokyo’s goths and Lolitas come to shop. Teenagers from all across Japan make a pilgrimage to this fashion subculture bazaar.

IMPERIAL PALACE

Although the palace is usually closed to the public, its free garden is a peaceful respite from the city.

This Buddhist temple in Asakusa is one of the most popular and lively temples in Tokyo. Completed in 645 AD and dedicated to Kannon, the goddess of mercy, it is also the city’s oldest temple.

A 200-meter-long shopping street, brimming with stalls selling tacky souvenirs and snacks, connects the outer gate to the temple’s second gate. The heady mix of secular and sacred may not be to everyone’s taste – it wasn’t my cup of tea – but it is undeniably vibrant.

HAMA RIKYU GARDENS

Sitting alongside Tokyo Bay, Hama Rikyu is a large landscape garden in central Tokyo, featuring seawater ponds that change level with the tides and a traditional teahouse.

If it wasn’t for the coronavirus pandemic disrupting travel plans, I would have based myself in Ueno on my second visit to Japan. This northern Tokyo neighbourhood is home to several museums, including the Tokyo National Museum, art galleries and Ueno Park.

Day 4: Day Trip to Nikko from Tokyo

Your first day trip from Tokyo is to Nikko, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Nikko’s cluster of Sinto shrines and temples, set amongst towering cedar trees, dates from the Edo period (1603-1868). The most famous of these is the Toshogu Shrine , built in 1617 as a memorial for Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Be warned; Nikko is not exactly a well-kept secret and visitors descend in their hordes.

To avoid the worst of the crowds, tweak your itinerary to visit early on a weekday. Whilst Nikko’s main attractions can be covered on foot in the space of a morning or afternoon, it’s worth factoring in a few more hours to explore the less-visited smaller sights scattered in the hills.

From Tokyo Station or Ueno Station, take the shinkansen to Utsunomiya Station and transfer to the JR Nikko Line to JR Nikko Station. The journey time is around 100 minutes.

From Nikko train station, walk uphill for about 30 minutes to the Futarasan Jinja Shrine at the far end of the shrine area. If you don’t fancy the walk, catch a bus 1B from the train station.

Day 5: Day Trip to Kamakura from Tokyo

Formally the seat of the Shoguns and Japan’s first feudal capital, Kamakura is a small coastal town 30 miles south of Tokyo. Graced with dozens of temples – a legacy of those glory days – it is easy to visit on foot.

Its most iconic sight is the Daibutsu , an 11.4 m bronze statue of Amida Buddha, which dates from the 13 th Century. Second only to the Daibutsu is the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine , founded in 1180 and dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war.

Take time also to visit the numerous smaller temples and shrines off the beaten path.

There are several options for travelling between Tokyo and Kamakura. Although there’s not much in it, the easiest option is not necessarily the quickest.

There are direct services between Tokyo and Kamakura that cover the journey in just under an hour.

• JR Yokosuka Line service from Tokyo Station
• JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku Station

For a slightly faster journey (45 – 50 minutes) you will need to change trains.

From Tokyo Station, take the JR Ueno-Tokyo Line to Ofuna Station and transfer to the JR Yokosuka Line to Kamakura Station. Alternatively, change trains at Totsuka Station and take the JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from there.

You can also take an indirect route from Shinjuku Stati

Day 6: Day Trip to Hakone from Tokyo

On Day 6 of your Japan itinerary, you are faced with a choice.

You can check out of your hotel and spend the night in Hakone, in the heart of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, and travel onwards to Kyoto the following morning. Alternatively, you can visit Hakone and Mount Fuji on a day trip from Tokyo.

I didn’t stay overnight but given the choice again, I think that I would do so.

This area is very popular and it’s a busy day trip. There’s a lot to be said for experiencing this scenic place at a more relaxed pace and taking advantage of the onsen (hot spring baths) that Hakone is known for.  

Highlights of this region are Mount Fuji , one of Japan`s three sacred mountains, and Ashino-ko Lake with its red Torii gate. There are also Odawara Castle, Hakone Open Air Museum, Hakone Shrine , and Choanji Temple.

To make the most of your day in Hakone, follow the so-called Hakone Loop , which brings you to most of the main attractions in one day. Completing the circuit takes between six and eight hours if you don’t linger too long at the sights along the way.

How to get to Hakone from Tokyo

If you are travelling around Japan on the JR Pass, this will limit your choices for getting to Hakone unless you are prepared to spend more money. Here are your options.

Using a JR Pass to get to Hakone from Tokyo

From Tokyo Station, take a shinkansen on the JR Tokaido line to Odawara Station. From Odawara Station, it’s a four-minute journey on the private Hakone Tozan line to Hakone-Itabashi Station (not included in the JR Pass).

Alternatively, you can hop on a bus from Odawara Station to Hakone. This journey from Tokyo to Hakone will take just under two hours.

Take the Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar

The faster route from Tokyo to Hakone is via the Odakyu Electric Railway.

The direct Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar departs from Shinjuku Station in Tokyo to Hakone-Yumoto Station. However, as this is part of the Japan Railways network it is not covered by the JR Pass.

It takes the Romancecar train 80 minutes to travel between Tokyo and Hakone. To ride the Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar you need both a regular ticket and a limited express (surcharge) ticket.

It costs 2,420 yen for a one-way journey (December 2022 price). There is a small discount for booking online.

Make seat reservations at the Odakyu Sightseeing Service Center (near the West Exit of Shinjuku Station), at Odakyu Line ticket machines or  through the website of the Limited Express Romancecar .

Visiting Hakone on an organised day trip from Tokyo

If you want someone to take care of the arrangements for you, it is easy to join an organised excursion from Tokyo to Hakone. Here is a selection of Hakone day trips that will fit the bill.

How to get around Hakone

There is an efficient network of trains, buses, cable cars, ropeways and sightseeing boats to get around the Hakone and Fuji Five Lake (Mt Fuji) area. If you are just in Hakone for one day, your best bet is to buy a Hakone Free Pass .

This two or three-day pass provides unlimited use of all Odakyu-affiliated trains, buses, boats, cable cars, and ropeways in the Hakone area.  Even if you are in the area for just a day, you are still likely to save a small amount of money.

As the Hakone Free Pass includes the regular return ticket from Shinjuku, it will also save you money on the Odakyu Limited Express Romancecar.

>>> BUY YOUR PASS HERE

How to travel from Hakone to Kyoto

Make your way back to Odawara station and then catch the infrequent direct Hikari shinkansen to Kyoto. The journey time is just over two hours.

Although the Kodama bullet train travels the same route, it will take you an extra hour to complete the journey.

Day 7: Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto

It’s time to leave the neon lights of Tokyo behind you and make the journey to Kyoto on the Hikari shinkansen . This journey should take you just under three hours.

If you keep your eyes peeled, you’ll be treated to further views of Mount Fuji from the comfort of your window seat.

Exploring this Imperial capital begins in earnest tomorrow, but today check in to your hotel and get your bearings.

Day 8 – 10: Kyoto

Kyoto is Japan’s historical, cultural and spiritual heart.

Home to 400 Shinto shrines, more than1,600 Buddhist temples and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kyoto is a feast for the senses. Prayer chants echo across manicured Zen gardens; clouds of incense waft from temple complexes; geishas scurry along dimly lit streets to their next appointment.

Here are my recommendations for what to see and do in Kyoto, based on my 3-Day Kyoto itinerary . However, if you only have two days in town, take a look at this two-day Kyoto itinerary instead.

GINKAKU-JI (HIGASHIYAMA JISJO-JI)

Ginkaku-ji, or the Silver Pavilion, was once the home of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa (1436 – 1490). It owes its name to the silver leaf encasing its roof made from native cypress trees.

PATH OF PHILOSOPHY (TETSUGAKU NO MICHI)

The Path of Philosophy is an ancient stone path that runs alongside the Lake Biwa Canal, connecting Ginkaku-ji to Nanzen-ji. Without stops, it takes 30 – 40 minutes to walk its 1.8km length.

This is a spectacular spot in sakura season when the banks of the canal are an explosion of white and pink blossoms.

To appreciate Eikan-do’s varied architecture, gardens and works of art, follow wooden walkways around the temple’s buildings. These are home to elaborate gold leaf silkscreens from the Edo and Momoyama periods and to painted sliding doors.

Don’t miss Eikan-do’s showstopper, the famous  Amida Statue , with his face turned to look over his shoulder.

This complex of Zen temples and sub-temples has it all: a scenic location, an imposing two-storey entrance gate, a serene zen garden, a magnificent main hall and secluded sub-temples. Nanzen-ji is also home to a striking red-brick aqueduct, built in1890.

KIYOMIZU-DERA

Occupying a commanding position overlooking Kyoto, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kiyomizu-dera is one of the most celebrated temples in Japan.  Founded at the end of the 8th Century, it is best known for its immense wooden veranda, jutting out from the temple’s main hall.

The geisha district of Gion is synonymous with Kyoto itself. Starting life as home to the teahouses catering to those visiting the nearby Yasaka Shrine, Gion grew to be Kyoto’s prime entertainment district. 

Gion’s wooden-fronted teahouses, understated townhouses, temples and shrines are best explored in the evening when its narrow streets take on a dimly illuminated beauty.

ARASHIYAMA BAMBOO GROVE

Welcome to one of my favourite places in Japan. Whilst it is not exactly a well-kept secret, not even the most enthusiastic Instagrammers can detract from the serenity of the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.

KINKAKU-JI (GOLDEN PAVILION)

Formally the retirement villa of the shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the UNESCO World Heritage site of Kinkaku-ji became a Zen temple upon his death in 1408. Trust me; you will never forget the sight of the temple’s shimmering reflection in a large pond, fringed by pine and cherry blossom trees, with a lush bamboo forest as a backdrop.

FUSHIMI-INARI-TAISHA SHRINE

The Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine is Kyoto’s superstar.

Dedicated to Inari, the Shinto God of Rice, the complex houses five shrines that are sprinkled across the wooded slopes of Mount Inari. From the main shrine, hundreds of vermillion  torii  (Shinto shrine gates) line the 4km pathway that winds its way to the summit.

Day 11: Day Trip to Nara from Kyoto

Nara is a rewarding city to include in your 2-week Japan itinerary.

Japan’s first permanent capital is stuffed full of historic treasures and is home to no less than three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, some of Japan’s oldest temples and the world’s friendliest deer.

As Nara is a small city and all the sights are located within walking distance of each other, you won’t need to use public transport. Make sure that you pick up a copy of the free map at the Nara City Tourist Information Centre at Nara Station. Mine was excellent until a passing deer fancied it for lunch.

The main draw of Todai-ji , a massive temple complex, is the daibutsu ( Great Buddha ) housed within the Daibutsu-den, the largest wooden building in the world. Nara’s most beautiful garden, Isui-en , which dates from the Meiji era, is nearby.  

From Kyoto, the JR Nara Line Rapid Service will take you to Nara in 45 minutes. There is also a JR Nara Line Local service which takes over 70 minutes to make the journey.

The private Kintetsu Limited Express service is the fastest way to get from Kyoto to Nara (35 minutes) but it is not covered by the JR Pass.  

Day 12: Day Trip to Hiroshima & Miyajima from Kyoto

Hiroshima and Miyajima are a long day trip from Kyoto and you will need to make an early start. But it will be so worth it.

Start your day in Hiroshima, a modern city that is the site of the world’s first atomic bomb. The Peace Memorial Park and Peace Memorial Museum are moving reminders of the events of August 6th, 1945.

Hiroshima’s eight tramlines connect Hiroshima Station with the city’s main attractions. You can pay with cash or use an IC card, including Suica and Icoca. One-day passes are also available.

From here, head to Miyajima Island (Itsukushima ). This small island is another UNESCO World Heritage site and home to one of Japan’s most popular tourist attractions, the red Torii gate of Itsukushima-jinja shrine which appears to be floating in the sea.

From Kyoto Station, take the Shinkansen Hikari to Shin-Kobe and then change to the Shinkansen Sakura to Hiroshima. The journey time is a little under two hours. 

There are alternative routes via Osaka and Okayama but these are slower services.

At the time of updating this article (January 2024), the only direct service between Kyoto and Hiroshima Station was on the Nozomi train which is not covered by the JR Pass.

Catch the JR Sanyo line to Miyajima-guchi Station. From here, the JR ferry takes about 10 minutes to reach Miyajima Island.

Day 13: Day Trip to Himeji & Osaka from Kyoto

You’re nearing the end of your two weeks in Japan and today you’ll visit two great cities in one easy day trip from Kyoto.

Start your day in Himeji , home to Japan’s most magnificent castle.

After exploring Himeji Castle, make your way to the adjacent Koko-en garden. Comprising nine separate walled gardens, each with a different theme, this modern reimagining of an Edo-period samurai residence is a delight.

After trying some l ocal sake ( nihonshu) , take the train back to Osaka .

Although this modern city has a castle, it’s not a patch on the one in Himeji. Instead, head to the Minami neighbourhood and the Tombori Riverwalk and step into Osaka’s past in Hozenji Yokocho.

Before you head back to Kyoto, visit Yakizen  on Hozenji Yokocho okonomiyaki , a sublime savoury pancake.

From Kyoto Station take the direct Shinkansen Hikari to Himeji, a journey time of 55 minutes. The Nozomi train does this journey in 43 minutes but it is not covered by the JR Pass.

To get from Himeji to Osaka, jump back on the Hikari train to Shin-Osaka, a journey time of 37 minutes. The JR Special Rapid Service also travels along the same line but takes over an hour.

When you are ready to return to Kyoto, simply hop back on the train at Shin-Osaka. The Hikari will get you back in under 15 minutes; the JR Special Rapid Service takes ten minutes longer.

As Himeji Castle and Koko-en Garden are within easy walking distance of the train station you shouldn’t need to use public transport in Himeji.

Getting from Shin-Osaka station to Minami is easy using the city’s subway system. The closest subway station is Namba.

Day 14: Day Trip to Kanazawa from Kyoto

During my most recent trip to Japan, I spent two days in Kanazawa . However, with a little planning, you can easily explore the city’s highlights in just one day.

On arrival at Kanazawa’s extraordinary station, make a beeline for Kenroku-en , considered one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens (and there’s stiff competition!). 

From this Edo-period strolling-style landscape garden there are panoramic views over Kanazawa. It features crystal-clear streams, crisscrossed with graceful stone bridges, majestic ancient pine trees and an abundance of cherry and plum blossom trees.

Don’t miss Kanazawa’s traditional entertainment districts, which rival those in Kyoto. Higashi Chaya (East Chaya), the largest of these, is the most seductive with its narrow streets and Edo-period houses.

From Kyoto Station take the direct Limited Express Thunderbird service to Kanazawa, a journey time of just over two hours.

If you have less than two weeks in Japan or want a more relaxed itinerary

If you have fewer days or want to take the pace down a notch or two, you can tweak this 2-week Japan itinerary accordingly.

You will visit your fair share of temples and historic cities, so consider cutting a few of these from your schedule. For example; choose between Nikko or Nara (but I would keep Kamakura).

As lovely as Kanazawa is, I would be tempted to remove this from your itinerary if you are tight on time. Not because it doesn’t deserve it, but you can visit when you next go to Japan, including it in an itinerary that takes in destinations in Central Honshu. 

It’s tempting to also put Hiroshima and Miyajima in this category as it would be easier to include them on a second-time itinerary that includes places like Fukuoka and Kagoshima on Kyushu. That said, Hiroshima and Miyajima are so important that I would omit them from a first-time Japan itinerary with a heavy heart.

I wouldn’t recommend sacrificing days in either Kyoto or Tokyo to the altar of time. Although it is possible to see many of Kyoto’s highlights in two days, this will feel rushed.

Suggestions for extending your 14-day Japan itinerary

If you have more than two weeks in Japan, the sky’s the limit. My priority would be to travel at a slower pace, giving you more time to savour each place and enjoy an onsen or two.

But if you are looking for other places to visit, Kyushu is a worthy addition to your itinerary. For example; base yourself in the lovely city of Fukuoka and take a day trip to Kagoshima , visit the pottery towns of Arita and Imari or soak in the hot springs at Beppu.

Is it a beach that you’re dreaming of? If so, you could end your trip to Japan by relaxing on Anami Oshima Island , located between Kyushu and Okinawa, or far-flung Miyako-jima .

The Best Time to Visit Japan

Although Japan is a year-round destination, the best time of year to visit depends on where in the country you’re headed and your interests. However, generally speaking, spring and autumn are considered the best times to visit Japan.

Visit in  April and May  for temperate weather and to welcome the  cherry blossom . My most recent visit took place in  March  when sightseeing conditions were perfect and prices moderate. Although the cherry blossoms hadn’t come out to play, it was peak time for the weeping cherry and plum blossom in Imperial Palace Park.

Given the choice again, I would visit Kyoto in  autumn. Although a busy time of year, the fall foliage is a kaleidoscope of vibrant colours, from the deep russet of the city’s maple trees through to vibrant reds, oranges, and yellows. 

Getting Around Japan by Rail: The JR Pass

Thanks to Japan’s excellent railway network, it’s easy to travel around the country independently and a Japan Rail Pass (JR Pass) is a convenient and flexible way of travelling by train.

This golden ticket gives you unlimited access to all JR trains, as well as some partner railways, buses and ferries for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days. Private trains and a handful of high-speed shinkansen (bullet trains) aren’t covered.

If you want the lowdown on how the pass works, take a look at my JR Pass explainer . However, the JR Pass is not the bargain it once was.

To decide whether a JR Pass is worth it , it pays to do your research. Unless you are travelling long distances over a short space of time, the Japan Rail Pass is unlikely to be good value.

Where to stay in Tokyo

As Tokyo is an enormous and sprawling city, you need to stay somewhere convenient. Transport links are all-important. If you can, try to stay near a Yamanote Line (Tokyo loop line) station. Failing that, make sure that you’re near a subway station.

As a first-time visitor, I stayed in Shinjuku, which I recommend due to its excellent transport links and lively nightlife.

Newsflash! Tokyo hotels don’t come cheap and price may be your deciding factor.

Hotel Gracery Shinjuku

I stayed at this 4-star hotel, a 5-minute walk from Shinjuku Station, which was an excellent standard for its price point. The room was comfortable, the service was gracious and the location was excellent.

>>> FIND OUT MORE HERE

Nohga Hotel Ueno Tokyo

I was all set to stay here in March 2020. However, Covid-19 had other ideas.

Located in the heart of Ueno, a 5-minute walk from the station, this boutique hotel has garnered great reviews.

Hotel Gracery Asakusa

This 4-star hotel is located close to Senso-ji temple and offers good value rooms for its central location. Some rooms have a view of the Sky Tree.

>>> None of these places take your fancy? Search for other great places to stay in Tokyo here .

Where to stay in Kyoto

I recommend staying near Kyoto Station or in the downtown area.

Kyoto Station is the city’s main transport hub and a convenient location if you are taking day trips by train. The disadvantage of staying near the train station is that this area is not flush with good restaurants.

Although not so convenient for travelling out of Kyoto by train, the downtown area is within walking distance of the restaurants of Pontocho Alley and Gion and is on many of the main bus routes.

I have stayed in both of these areas and have stayed in all of these recommended hotels. They will suit a traveller on a mid to high-end budget (like Tokyo, accommodation in Kyoto is not cheap).

KYOTO STATION AREA

Hotel Granvia Kyoto

This 5-star hotel was my base during my first trip to Kyoto.

Located within the railway station, Hotel Granvia has spacious rooms are spacious (unusual for a Japanese hotel), service is top-notch and it has an indoor swimming pool.

>>> CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

KYOTO DOWNTOWN AREA

Cross Hotel Kyoto

This superb hotel was my base on my second visit to Kyoto.

The Cross Hotel is in a perfect location and, in terms of luxury, the hotel punches well above its 4-star rating with stylish and comfortable interiors and stellar service.

Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo

Whilst not as luxurious as the Cross Hotel, this is a great choice of comfortable accommodation in the same convenient area at a lower price. Free coffee is available in the guest lounge.

Is Japan Safe for Solo Travellers?

It’s easy to understand why Japan is one of the favourite destinations for solo travellers. Japan is one of the safest solo travel destinations in Asia, if not the world. This is a country that takes pride in its safety, uniformity and order and has a very low crime rate . Whilst you shouldn’t be complacent, you don’t have to be as concerned about pickpocketing or walking alone at night as you would in other countries. Safety as a solo traveller  is a particular concern of women travelling alone. Use your common sense. Share your itinerary with someone back home, keep an eye on your belongings, drink alcohol in moderation and, your trip to Japan should be trouble-free. Whilst it is highly unlikely that you will be subjected to the catcalling experienced in other countries, women have been the recipients of unwelcome male attention when riding the subways in Japan. Chikan , or public groping, has been a dark cloud hovering over the country for many years. This has led to railway companies introducing designated women-only cars. In Kyoto and Tokyo, there are cars reserved for women on commuter trains. One of my least favourite aspects of travelling alone is solo dining. As eating out alone is more culturally acceptable in Japan, you don’t need to fear the dreaded table for one!

Enjoy your first visit to Japan!

Whichever way you tweak it and wherever you end up, I hope that this 2-week Japan itinerary helps you plan an unforgettable trip to the Land of the Rising Sun.

If you have any questions or comments, please feel free to ping me an email and I’ll do my best to help. Finally, if you have found this article useful, please share it with your friends or on your favourite social media channel.

• What is Japan Famous For? 30 Reasons to Visit Japan
• Is The Japan Rail Pass Worth it?
• The Ultimate 3-Day Kyoto Itinerary
• Kyoto 2-Day Itinerary: Highlights of Japan’s Cultural Heart
• Best Things To Do in Kagoshima, Japan in One Day: Itinerary & Guide
• 2-Day Kanazawa Itinerary: Best Things to Do in Japan’s Samurai Town
• One Day in Osaka, Japan
• The Best Things To Do in Himeji in One Day

About Bridget

Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.

Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.

To get in touch, email her at [email protected] or follow her on social media.

The Travel Sisters

7 days in japan: the perfect itinerary for first time visitors.

by Patti | Jun 23, 2018 | Destinations | 5 comments

7 Days in Japan Itinerary for First Time Visitors

With 7 days in Japan, we recommending focusing on Tokyo and Kyoto .  If you like to pack in a lot on your travels, we recommend adding a few day trips.

Disclaimer: This article contains affiliate links. We may make a small commission if you make a booking using our links  at no extra cost to you . See our  Disclosure page  for more information.

Day 1 – Tokyo

Tsukiji Fish Market

If your body is on a different time zone, your first day in Tokyo might be the best day for an early morning visit to the  Tsukiji Fish Market , the biggest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world.  Make sure to catch the tuna auction – spots are limited so you need to arrive at 3:00 am in the morning! After watching the tuna auction, make sure to enjoy some fresh sushi for breakfast. If you want to guarantee catching the tuna auction it might be easier to  sign up for a tour here .

Sensōji Temple (or Asakusa Kannon Temple)

Visit the famous  Sensōji (or Asakusa Kannon Temple)  in Asakusa. Although the temple and surrounding area is very busy and packed with tourists, it is still a Tokyo must see.

The walk to Sensōji, Nakamise Dori, is lined with small shops selling various souvenirs. This is a good spot to knock out your souvenir shopping.

Spend a few hours in Akihabara, a district in Tokyo famous for its many electronics shops. One of the popular things to do in Akihabara is to visit a  maid cafe .

Day 2- Tokyo

Meiji Shrine/ Omotesando/ Yoyogi Park/Harajuku

If you enjoy window shopping take a walk on  Omotesando  which is a broad, tree-lined street that houses various top designer boutiques.  As Omotesando comes to an end you will reach  Yoyogi Park , a great spot for people watching.

Also nearby is the famous  Harajuku  neighborhood. The main action is at Takeshita Dori, which is a short pedestrian walkway.  Here you will see shops selling clothes for teens, and lots of Japanese youth and girls wearing Harajuku style.

Make sure to also visit the  Meiji Shrine  which is located right next to the Harajuku station.

Shibuya Crossing

Shibuya Crossing  is huge famous pedestrian intersection. While you are at Shibuya do not miss the statue of  Hachiko . The statue is a popular meeting point for Tokyo residents and a good spot for people watching. The statue was erected in honor of Hachiko, who was a loyal dog that faithfully came to fetch his owner at the train station each day (even after his owner passed away).

Tokyo can be hectic so visiting a park is a nice way to spend a couple of hours during your time in Tokyo. One of the most beautiful parks in Tokyo is  Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden  which consists of three different types of gardens: traditional Japanese, formal French and an English garden.  Home to a large number of cherry trees, it is a popular but also peaceful spot for hanami (cherry blossom viewing) during the spring cherry blossom season .

Day 3 -Tokyo or Day Trip to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park

Now that you have seen the major sites in Tokyo, you can have some fun and do some of the unique things to do that Tokyo is known for. Another option (especially if visiting in the winter) is to do a day trip to Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park to see the famous snow monkeys.  The best time to visit the snow monkeys is early in the morning.

Watch a Sumo Wrestling Tournament or Sumo Practice 

Sumo is Japan’s national sport.  Attending a  sumo grand tournament  is a fun and cultural experience we would recommend to anyone visiting Japan during the tournament.

The sumo tournament runs in Tokyo for 15 days at a time during January, May and September (exact dates vary each year).  If you visit Tokyo outside of these dates, consider  visiting a sumo stable to watch a sumo wrestling practice .

(If you are interested in attending a sumo wrestling match, check out our  Tips for Watching Sumo Wrestling in Japan  for the schedule, advice on finding tickets, choosing seats and other information that we think is helpful.)

Have a drink or meal at a themed café or restaurant

Tokyo is full of some interesting cafes from various animal cafes (cat cafes, dog cafes,  owl cafes ,  rabbit cafes  and a  hedgehog cafe ) to  maid cafes  and even a  robot restaurant . Read about our  visit to a bunny cafe here .

Where to Stay in Tokyo

These are our top choices for every budget:

Grand Hyatt Hotel.   This is a great hotel in Tokyo for those looking for a luxury experience or have hotel points to use. The Grand Hyatt Hotel has a great location and gets great reviews on tripadvisor.   Click here to see the latest prices  or  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Park Hyatt Tokyo.   This luxury hotel in Shinjuku is the hotel in the  travel movie , Lost in Translation.  Click here to see the latest prices  or  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Akasaka Excel Hotel Tokyu.   This midprice hotel is where we usually stay in Tokyo. The location is super convenient -it is in the same building as a 7-11 and several restaurants and it is also across the street from the Akasaka-Mitsuke subway station with underground access to five different lines.  Click here to see the latest prices  or  read our full review .

The Prince Park Tower Tokyo.   This midprice hotel get good reviews.  It has a great location and also offers a free shuttle to the closest train station.  Click here to see the latest prices  or  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Richmond hotel Asakusa.   This small modern hotel is located in a great location in Asakusa walking distance to the famous Sensōji Temple.  Click here to see the latest prices  or  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Red Planet Asakusa.   This newly built hotel also has a great location in Asakusa and offers great views of the Tokyo Skyline and Sky Tree from some rooms.  Click here to see the latest prices  or  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Day 4 – Train from Tokyo to Kyoto

The fastest way from Tokyo to Kyoto is the Shinkansen (bullet train) on the Tokaido Shinkansen line.

There are three options: the Nozomi, Hikari and Kodama. The Nozomi is the most frequent and the fastest train with a travel time of 2 hours and 20 minutes but it is not covered by the Japan Rail Pass . If you wish to use the Japan Rail Pass , the best choice is the Hikari which takes 2 hours and 40.

If you do not have a Japan Rail Pass, the fare is 13,080 yen one way.

To search for times and prices visit  www.hyperdia.com .

Keep an eye for Mt. Fuji.

Day 5 – Kyoto

Fushimi Inari Shrine

Take the train to southern Kyoto to see  Fushimi Inari Shrine , one of the most popular attractions in Kyoto. The Fushimi Inari Shrine is an important Shinto shrine famous for its thousands of vermilion torii gates. The Fushimi Inari Shrine is always open and admission is free.

At the back of the shrine’s main grounds is the entrance to the torii gate covered hiking trail which goes up to the summit of the mountain. You can hike all the way to the top of the mountain which takes about 2-3 hours roundtrip but you can turn back any time.  Most visitors just do the shorter hike through the clustered torii gates (approximately 30 minutes) to the Yotsutsuji intersection roughly half way up the mountain which has a great view of Kyoto. The rest of the hike is less crowded but there are less gates and there is not that much more to see. I recommend doing just the shorter hike as there are other places to walk in Kyoto.

Eastern Kyoto

After seeing the Fushimi Inari Shrine head to   Eastern Kyoto which is a historic part of Kyoto full of temples, shrines, gardens and shops to get a taste of traditional Japan. I recommend starting with  Ginkakuji (the Silver Pavilion)  a Zen temple that despite it’s name is not silver or covered in silver.

From Ginkakuji you can access the start of the  Philosopher’s Path,  a pedestrian path that follows a canal lined by hundreds of cherry trees. In April, this is one of the best places in Kyoto to see cherry blossoms. Near the end of the Philosopher’s Path are  Eikando Temple  (one of the most beautiful places for autumn foliage in the fall) and  Nanzen-ji Temple  (a zen temple with a beautiful rock garden).  The Philosopher’s Path is about 2 km long and takes about 30 minutes but you can spend more time visiting other temples and shrines along the way.

If you are still up for more walking after the Philosopher’s Path, head to the  Heian Shrine  (orange shrine), followed by  Kodaiji Temple  and then  Kiyomizudera . Otherwise take a taxi directly to  Kiyomizudera  in the Higashiyama area which is famous for its large wooden terrace and amazing views of Kyoto. If you can time it and don’t mind the crowds try to visit Kiyomizudera during sunset for beautiful photos.

In the late afternoon or evening, head to the ancient geisha district of  Gion . Gion is known for its traditional wooden houses and is filled with restaurants, shops and tea houses.  Kyoto Free Walking Tour  has free morning and early afternoon walking tours of Gion and Higashiyama districts.

Gion is also the best place in Kyoto to spot geishas and their apprentices (called maiko) and you will see many tourists waiting around to photograph them. We spotted several geishas on or near  Hanami-koji  street. The best time to spots geishas is around dusk (5-6pm) when geisha are on their way to their appointments at tea houses. Real geishas are pretty elusive and avoid tourists – you might spot them entering a taxi or one of the buildings. If you see geishas posing with tourists or stopping for photos they are not real geishas, they are tourists  dressed up as geishas .

The tea houses are not open to the public but you could  book a tour which includes entry to a teahouse and time with a maiko .

After spotting geishas, you can cross the Kamo River and head to  Pontocho , a narrow pedestrian only street that runs along the bank of the river and lined with restaurants and bars. In the summer many of the establishments build platforms extending over the Kamo River so you can dine outside.

Day 6  Arashiyama and Northern Kyoto 

Sagano Bamboo Forest

Take the train west to Arashiyama to view the famous and beautiful  Sagano Bamboo Forest . It gets very busy so I recommend visiting early in the morning.  You don’t need a lot of time if you are only visiting the forest as it is not very big but you will need a half or full day if you also visit the nearby monkey park. From the train station, the bamboo forest is a short walk through the town passing shops and restaurants.

Iwatayama Monkey Park

After the bamboo park you can walk to the  Iwatayama Monkey Park  to see Japanese macaque monkeys.  Located in the Arashiyama mountains, the walk to the monkey park is an approximately 20-30 mins steep hike uphill from the bamboo forest. Once you reach the top you will find tons of monkeys roaming around and there are also great views of the city.  You can purchase food to feed the monkeys.

Kinkakuji (Golden Pavilion) 

From Arashiyama, you can take the train to Northern Kyoto and then take a taxi or bus to the iconic Kinkakuji temple (Golden Pavilion). Kinkakuji overlooks a large pond and you can take photos of Kinkakuji with its reflection in the pond.

Ryoanji Temple

Ryoanji Temple is another temple located close to the Golden Pavilion which has a famous Zen rock garden.  Personally, I though the garden was a bit overrated but it was packed with tourists during my visit.

Okonomiyaki Katsu

After visiting Ryoanji Temple, I recommend heading to the nearby Okonomiyaki Katsu restaurant which is located in a residential neighborhood nearby. It is owned by a Japanese couple gets  great reviews  and their specialty is  okonomiyaki . Their  website  is in Japanese but check their times as they are only open for lunch and dinner and are closed on Wednesdays.

Day 7 Central Kyoto and Day Trips

If you ran out of time, visit any temples you missed today in the morning.  Then head to  Nijo Castle  in Central Kyoto.

Nijo Castle

Located in central Kyoto, Nijo Castle is easily accessible by subway. Nijo Castle is large but easy to explore so I would allow an hour or two to enjoy at leisurely pace. In addition to its beautiful art, Nijo Castle is famous for its squeaky floors (not because they are old they were designed to make noise to alert for intruders).

Nishiki Market

After sightseeing in the morning head to  Nishiki Market  for lunch. Nishiki Market is a narrow shopping street lined by shops and restaurants selling fresh seafood, produce, and even souvenirs. Nishiki Market is a good place to wander around and spend hours sampling Japanese food.  If you would like some guidance, you can  book a food tour .

Day Trip to Nara 

If you have time today, your last day in Kyoto might be a good time to take a day trip to Nara. Nara is the ancient capital of Japan and is famous for Buddhist temples, shrines and the famous Nara deer park. You can  visit Nara in half a day .

Head to Osaka/Tokyo

If you are flying out of Osaka instead of heading back to Tokyo, you might want to head to Osaka early and explore Osaka a bit.

Where to Stay in Kyoto 

Kyoto has many great ryokan (traditional Japanese inns) so consider if you would like to stay at a ryokan instead of a western hotel.

These are our top picks for the best hotels and ryokan in Kyoto for every budget.

The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto.   This is our top pick if looking for a hotel luxury experience. The Ritz-Carlton, Kyoto has a great location in Central Kyoto close to Gion and Pontocho and gets great reviews on tripadvisor. Opened in 2014 as the first luxury urban resort in Japan, The Ritz-Carlton is on the banks of the Kamogawa river with views of the Higashiyama mountains. The resort features four restaurants and bars, spa, pool, free wi-fi, in room refrigerator and some rooms have river views. Click here to  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Arashiyama Benkei . Traditional Japanese Ryokan located in a beautiful area in Arashiyama near the river. It is not as centrally located but is close to the famous bamboo forest and monkey park. Click here to  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto.  Citadines Karasuma-Gojo Kyoto has serviced apartments with a kitchenette and free wi-fi.  It has a  convenient location close to a  train station (one stop from the Kyoto Train station), supermarket and restaurant.  Click here to  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Hokkaikan Ohanabo.   This midprice ryokan is in a great location within very close walking distance to Kyoto Station. Click here to  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Hotel Gran Ms Kyoto.   Very affordable hotel in a convenient location close to Nikishi Market and subway. Click here to  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Ryokufuso.   Affordable ryokan near train station. Click here to  read Tripadvisor reviews .

Getting Around Japan

• The best way to get around Tokyo is by the efficient and comprehensive  metro system . If you plan to take the subway more than a couple of times, you might want to purchase a  PASMO card . PASMO is a prepaid reloadable smart card that you can use for trains and buses without having to calculate and pay a separate fare each trip. You can purchase a PASMO card at airports or train stations.

• Consider whether you need to purchase a Japan rail pass before heading to Japan.  Japan Rail Pass is a multi-use discounted ticket, valid for travels on all JR national trains in Japan, including Shinkansen bullet trains and Narita Express .  You can select 7, 14 or 21 consecutive validity days. A 7 day rail pass is $262 USD which is about the price of a round trip between Kyoto and Tokyo. If you are flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka and only taking the train between Tokyo and Kyoto you won’t need the pass.

Tips for Visiting Japan

• Most Japanese ATMS don’t work with foreign ATM cards. To find ATMs that work head to the nearest 7-11.

•Not sure when is the best time to visit Japan? To help you decide before you book your trip see related post: The Best Time to Visit Japan .

• Want to be sure you are prepared for your trip to Japan? See related post : Planning a Trip to Japan: Essential Tips to Prepare for Your First Trip to Japan to help you plan and prepare for your first trip to Japan.

Hope you enjoyed our 7 day Japan itinerary . Have you been to Japan? If so, what would you do in 7 days?

I would love to visit the Hachiko statue and see the snow monkeys as well as a bunch of other things on this itinerary. Japan is totally on my bucket list.

I spent one day in Tokyo (layover) about 27 years ago, and I still remember how overwhelming it was! Your itinerary is really helpful, as there is so much to see in Tokyo and Japan. It’s important to break it down for visitors. Wish I’d had this (or at least the internet) back then. 🙂

This looks like a great Japan itinerary! I’d love to go to the bamboo forest especially.

Wow, what a whistle stop tour that would be. I’ve been lucky enough to go to Japan twice now and each time I’ve stayed for a week. It always leaves me wanting more.

Japan is not somewhere that’s ever really been on my bucket list, I have to admit. That said, I really like the look of the Asakusa Kannon Temple – the colours and all the details are beautiful 🙂 It seems like 7 days was enough for you in Japan, it’s a shame that it’s just so far for me to travel for just 7 days… x

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The Perfect 14-Day Japan Travel Itinerary for First Timers

By: Author Kris

Posted on Last updated: May 1, 2024

Are you planning a 14-day trip to Japan? You came to the right place. Japan is a fascinating destination that has much to offer. 

But when you have just 2 weeks in Japan you will have to make choices.  

That’s why we compiled this 14-day Japan travel itinerary based on the highlights and the things we loved the most during our Japan itinerary.

We want to inspire you with this 2 week Japan itinerary and hope you will love your Japan trip as much as we did.

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

Table of Contents

Tip: Be sure to become a member of our brand new Japan Travel Planning and Tips Facebook group . The purpose of this group is to help you plan an amazing vacation to Japan. You can ask questions and exchange tips with fellow travelers.

Japan Essentials

We almost always find the best flights to Tokyo and Osaka on Momondo .  It may be worthwhile to compare these with Skyscanner and a new but promising flight aggregator, WayAway .

Don’t lose time upon arrival at the airport and order your Japan travel SIM  or portable WiFi device in advance so that it’s ready and waiting for you at the airport when you arrive.

Find out which JR Pass will save you the most for your trip to Japan.

Check out our ultimate Japan travel blog where you can find many more interesting Japan articles to prepare for your trip.

Need help with your Japan trip planning? Check out this post on how to plan your trip to Japan.

Japan Travel Planner

If this is your first Japan trip, we totally understand if you’re feeling a little overwhelmed with your travel planning. There is so much to see and to do and Japan’s train network is excellent but at the same time very different from what most of us know from our home country. That’s why we created our  Japan travel planner . A document that will help you with all the details of your travel plan.  Follow the  link for the full details .

Our Japan Itinerary For 14 days

Day 1-2: tokyo.

Most international flights will take you to Tokyo so this is where you’re 2 weeks in Japan adventure starts.

• 5 days in Japan
• 7 days in Japan
• 3 weeks in Japan, the perfect itinerary for first-time visitors.

Getting from the Airport to Tokyo

When somebody is referring to Tokyo International Airport they refer to Haneda airport but in reality, Tokyo has 2 international airports: Haneda and Narita airport.

The general rule is that Narita is the airport for low cost carriers while premium connections are grouped at Haneda. But even if you don’t fly low-cost, you have a good chance of arriving at Narita. Narita handles 3 times as many international flights than Haneda. Domestic flights are mostly leaving from Haneda.

In reality you will notice that there isn’t really any logic in how the flights are divided between the 2 airports. Because there are not enough landing slots in Haneda, ANA sometimes has to look to Narita when it adds extra weekly flights to a certain destination. As a result the flight from Washington arrives in Narita on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and on Haneda on the other days of the week.

Which of the 2 airports is best for you as a passenger? Probably Haneda because it is closer to the city. It takes less time to get from the airport to the city and it is also cheaper.

Below is additional information about both airports.

Haneda International Airport

Haneda International Airport  is located 14 kilometers south of Tokyo Station. It is the oldest of the two airports. 

It used to mainly handle domestic flights after Narita airport opened but with the addition of a new international terminal in 2010, it now handles most business routes while Narita focuses more on leisure routes.

The two main ways to reach central Tokyo from Haneda Airport are the Keikyu Line and the Tokyo Monorail. Both require a transfer to the JR Yamanote Line to reach major stations in central Tokyo.

Depending on the location of your hotel and the length of your flight (and the amount of sleep you could get) you might not be looking forward to train and subway rides in your first hours in Tokyo.

After a long flight, a direct transfer from the airport to your hotel will be a lot more comfortable.

You can find more information about a shared transfer here:

Shared Transfer

Private Transfer

Narita Airport

Narita is the smallest of the 2 airports but it is the gateway to Tokyo for many international tourists. 

It lies 60 km east of central Tokyo. Although it is located further from central Tokyo it is also well-connected to the city. Compared to Haneda, you even have more options. 

There are plenty of public transportation options to reach central Tokyo from the airport. You could take the JR Narita Express, the Keisei Skyliner, buses and taxis.  Those who like to make a grand entrance can even choose for a helicopter transfer.

The JR Narita Express

The JR Narita Express , abbreviated as N’EX, is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.  This makes N’EX your best option if you have a JR Pass. 

To use this train with your Japan Rail Pass you need to exchange your voucher for the actual pass at the airport.

Once exchanged you will also need to reserve seats as N’EX is one of the few trains that only has reserved cars.

Japan Rail Pass is it worth it?

The Keisei Skyliner

The Keisei Skyliner is a good alternative to N’EX if you have no Japan Rail Pass. 

The prices, the comfort and the train schedule of both trains are comparable.

The main difference is that N’EX will take you to Tokyo station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro & Yokohama.  The Keisei Skyliner heads to Nippori station and Keisei Ueno (close to Ueno station). 

Both trains offer easy transfer to the JR Yamanote Line, the main loop line in Tokyo.

As with Haneda, you can also book private or shared transfers from Narita to central Tokyo.

Find more information about a shared transfer here: Shared Transfer

or you can opt for a private transfer here: Private Transfer

Getting Around in Tokyo

If you have a japan rail pass.

If you have a Japan Rail Pass you can use this pass on  the JR trains that run on the inner-city network in Tokyo,  a very extensive network that can be compared with a metro network.

If You Don’t have a Japan Rail Pass

If you don’t have a Japan rail pass or you choose to activate your Japan rail pass after your visit to Tokyo, a Tokyo subway pass might be a good alternative. You can buy this pass at tourist information centers, BIC camera shops, and certain hotels.

There’s a  list of selling points on the Tokyo Metro website . Be sure to bring cash as credit or debit cards are usually not accepted.

The pass can also be  bought online  which is even more convenient.

When you buy your pass online you will receive a voucher that you can use to quickly and easily collect your pass at the airport and seconds later you will be on your way to your hotel.  Your pass can be used immediately, so you can use it if you would have to change to the metro en route to your hotel.

Click here to read reviews and buy your Tokyo public transportation pass here: Tokyo Metro Pass

  or read our full article about Tokyo’s public transport.

Things to Do in Tokyo

If you visit Tokyo during the cherry blossom season it may be tempting to spend 2 days visiting the parks. There’re many great parks to see the cherry blossoms. We wrote a separate article about the  best places to see the cherry blossoms .

The parks are great but there’s so much more to see and do in Tokyo…

Out of all the highlights in Tokyo, we visited the busiest intersection in the world at Shibuya as well as the Imperial Palace, Harajuku, Yoyogi Park, the Sensoji temple, the Asakusa district, the neighborhood around the Skytree and much more.  Here you will find our detailed Tokyo 2-5 itinerary.

Organized Tours and recommended activities in Tokyo 

Here are 2 top-recommended activities for when you’re in Tokyo.

We’re not a huge fan of organized tours but in this case it’s the best option. The tour will save time and, moreover, the tour guide will enlighten you about the different sights you visit.

We partnered up with GetYourGuide and Klook for these activities. 

We love GetYourGuide because they’re flexible.  Sometimes your plans change last minute and then you want to be able to cancel your tickets and get your money back.  It’s also good to know that GetYourGuide has your back when the local tour operator doesn’t show up or cancels your trip.

Klook is a trustworthy travel company headquartered in Hong Kong that teams up with local operators to offer all kinds of travel experiences.

We selected 2 excellent tours in Tokyo just for you.

Tokyo Skytree skip the Line Tickets

The   Tokyo Skytree   is, with a height of 634 meters, the highest building in Japan. It’s also the highest free-standing tower in the world.

The tower houses 2 observation platforms that offer a fantastic view of Tokyo.

They are respectively at a height of 350 and 450 meters and are amongst the highest in Japan.

Here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Tokyo. An absolute Tokyo must-visit when you want to see Tokyo from above.

The lines are often very long so we recommend you to book skip the line tickets.

Read reviews and book: Tokyo Skytree Tickets

If you are looking for a free alternative, you should head to the   Metropolitan Government Building.   This building has 2 towers that each offer a viewing platform at a height of 202 meters. The northern tower stays open until 11 p.m. and ‘Tokyo By Night’ is really spectacular.

Make a Day trip to Mount Fuji

This is the perfect excursion if you want to escape the hustle and bustle of Tokyo.

You will travel by coach to enjoy Mount Fuji lake Ashi, the must-do ropeway to Owakudani Valley, and a visit to Subashiri 5th station.

An amazing tour with lots of activities.

Read reviews and book: Mount Fuji Day Tour

For an overview of more amazing Mount Fuji Tours from Tokyo, check out this post. If you prefer making a private Mt Fuji tour, click here.

Where to Stay in Tokyo

When you only have 2 days in Tokyo we recommend that you stay centrally in Shinjuku. Then you are close to various highlights and thanks to the Shinjuku train station you have quick access to the other parts of the city and the whole of Japan.

  Hilton Tokyo

The Tokyo Hilton is situated in lively Shinjuku. From the hotel, it’s about a 15-minutes walk to Shinjuku train station. 

You can also make use of the free hotel shuttle which takes hotel guests to the station every 20 minutes. The airport limousine bus has a stop at this hotel.  

There’re multiple restaurants and supermarkets in this area. Last but not least, after a busy day exploring this vibrant city you can relax in the indoor pool or sauna.  

Highly recommended if you are looking for a good hotel in the vicinity of public transport.

Check prices and availability:

Booking.com

• Where to stay in Tokyo for the first time to learn how the city is structured. We explain what the busy and quieter neighborhoods are and show you which sights are located where.
• Tired of plain vanilla hotels?  We are too sometimes.  Check-out these Cool hotels in Tokyo !
• Have a look at the Best Airbnb’s in Tokyo if you prefer a vacation rental over a hotel.
• Hotel rooms can be small in Tokyo.  If you’re traveling with a group of friends or as a large family you may want to stay in one of these larger Airbnb properties that can host your whole party.
• Looking for a ryokan with a private onsen in Tokyo, check out this post.

Day 3: Matsumoto

Best things to do in matsumoto.

The next step in our 14-day Japan itinerary is Matsumoto.

There’re many Samurai Castles scattered across Japan and you should visit at least one during your 14 days in Japan.

We opted for the castle in Matsumoto as it is one of the few remaining original castles.  Most other castles you will see are reconstructions.

Guides are available at the entrance of the Matsumoto castle.  They provide free tours and will share interesting stories about how life used to be in the castle as well as about the different wars that prevailed over Japan.

If you’re short on time you could consider skipping Matsumoto and visit Osaka castle or Hiroshima castle. (both are reconstructions)

All castles are more or less similar so if you only have 14 days there’s not really a reason to visit more than one.

If you have more time, or are fascinated by the rich history of Japan, it’s worthwhile to visit multiple castles. With each visit you learn a little extra about the rich history of the country and the many aspects of these monumental buildings.

Where to Stay in Matsumoto

  hotel kagetsu.

This hotel more than exceeded our expectations.  Hotel Kagetsu is situated 20 minutes on foot from the train station and really close to Matsumoto Castle and the small but picturesque old town. 

The hotel offers free bicycles to explore the area. 

The hotel also has a good restaurant and you have more dining options within walking distance. 

You get a comfortable and spacious room, certainly by Japanese standards, and your Yukata and slippers will be waiting in your room if you want to use the onsen. 

A great option in this charming city.

Check prices and availability on Booking.com: Booking.com

Day 4-5: Yudanaka

Best things to do in yudanaka.

Yudanaka will surely be one of the highlights of your 14 days Japan itinerary. 

You can visit the snow monkeys and, just like the monkeys, you can also take some time yourself to relax in one of the many local onsens. 

Yudanaka is in the countryside. 

Here you see a different side of Japan, different from the crowds in the mega-cities.

Seeing the monkeys takes about half a day. At least that’s how long we, true animal lovers, spent in the park. The park is not that big, but it was very cute to see the monkey’s doing their thing.

The best time to visit the snow monkeys is, of course, the winter. During other periods it’s best to head to the park very early when it’s not yet too warm. The colder it is, the more likely you will see the monkeys warming themselves in the natural onsen.

The best place to relax in the Onsen yourself is Shibu Onsen. You should head to Shibu onsen in the evening.

After you’ve seen the monkeys it’s time to head to the onsen. The best place to do so is Shibu Onsen. This is a village a few minutes walk from Yudanaka.

In the picturesque car-free high street you will find 9 public onsens that are supplied by the hot springs. You can wander from one bathhouse to another in your Yukata and on your traditional wooden sandals.

The baths are open from 6 AM to 10 PM. You can go exploring the onsen in the afternoon but the experience becomes truly magical after sunset.

The baths are always locked so make sure to ask for the key in your Ryokan.  Only Ryokans in Shibu Onsen will be able to provide you with a key.  If you’re staying somewhere else you can visit the public bath called O-yu which accepts day guests between 10 AM and 4 PM.

Where to stay in Yudanaka

Shimaya ryokan .

Shimaya Ryokan is not a hotel that we typically would recommend. To start with it’s not a hotel but a Ryokan which is more like a B&B. 

The rooms are very simple, typical for a Ryokan, and look a bit dated. But the hospitable owners of this Ryokan made up for all of this. 

The owner picked us up at the train station, offered us a ride to the monkey park and back, and gave us tons of tips about all the places we would visit next during our trip.

Sleeping in a traditional ryokan is something you should do at least once when you’re in Japan, so why not do it here with these friendly hospitable owners.

Day 6: Kanazawa

Kanazawa charmed us enormously during our first trip to Japan.  If you ask us, this is one of the hidden gems of the country that gets too little attention. This city is less touristy and that makes a visit so pleasant.

Things to do in Kanazawa

A visit to Kanazawa is not complete without a visit to the Kenrokuen Garden .   The garden is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Japan and it is also one of the best places to see cherry blossoms.

The weather was a bit disappointing during our visit so we couldn’t fully appreciate the park. We certainly thought it was beautiful but not better than what we already saw in Tokyo. Still, we could not get enough of the cherry blossoms.

Right next to the Kenrokuen garden is the reconstructed Kanazawa castle.  Visits are free and can easily be combined with a visit to the Kenrokuen Garden.

Another highlight of a visit to Kanazawa is a stroll through the old Geisha district Higashi Chaya , often just called: “Old Town”.

The old town of Takayama is more often mentioned in tourist guides and blogs but we found the old city of Kanazawa to be much more charming. Besides, it was also a lot less crowded.

In Higashi Chaya, you could take a quiet stroll, look around, and enjoy the beautiful old houses. Unfortunately, this was not possible due to the crowds in Takayama.

To complete the experience you can do this hike with a guide.  A walk through the geisha district in the evening, where you learn more about the mysteries and intrigues of this old neighborhood, concluded with a traditional dinner, is an unforgettable experience.

You should also go and take a look at Nagamachi , the old Samurai district. There’re some really spectacular villas in this district, but Higashi Chaya impressed us more.

Finally, we recommend that you head to Omicho market to still your hunger. The market is open for both lunch and dinner. There are over 180 stalls selling everything from seafood to fresh fruit and vegetables and there are some restaurants where you can sit down and enjoy a full meal.

Here you can find a complete Kanazawa itinerary.

Kanazawa is also a great day trip from Tokyo. For a list of more day trips from Tokyo, click here.

Where to stay in Kanazawa

Holiday inn ana kanazawa sky.

The Holiday Inn ANA Kanazawa Sky is centrally located within walking distance of the station and just across the Omicho fish market. 

The Kanazawa Castle and Kenrokuen Garden are just a few minutes walk away. 

You have spectacular views of Kanazawa from the lobby and the restaurant.  We couldn’t have imagined a better hotel in Kanazawa.

Day 7-9: Kyoto

Things to do in kyoto.

Kyoto was once the capital of Kyoto and today one can still see how prosperous this city once was and is up till today. There are thousands of temples and many well-preserved historical buildings. And Kyoto is of course also the place to see Geishas. That brings us to Gion.

Gion is an upscale neighborhood of Kyoto and is the oldest Geisha district of Japan.

A must-do experience in Gion is an evening walk in this charming district. You can do this on your own but we recommend doing it with a local guide. 

During our walk, we learned a lot about this traditional custom and we still have fond memories of our hike. 

It was interesting to learn about the difference in cultures and the icing on the cake was that we did spot some Geishas.

Here you can read the story of our evening walk in the Gion district .

Of course, Kyoto is not just about the Geishas. There are many other sights:

The Inari Shrines where you will find thousands of Torii gates are very touristy but definitely worth a visit. It’s enough to move further away from the entrance, higher up the mountain, to escape the crowds.

The philosopher’s path is known as a place to see the cherry blossoms.  But a walk along the path also pays off outside this season. You come across plenty of temples along the path. Unlike Tokyo where all temples are free, there is an entrance fee for all temples in Kyoto. Most of them are however not that different from temples that you will find elsewhere in Japan.

One temple that is certainly worth visiting in Kyoto is Kinkakuji or the Golden temple.  This is probably the most beautiful temple we saw in Japan. (Kinkakuji is not situated along the philosopher’s path.)

If you have the time you can also make a side trip to Arashiyama , a district on the outskirts of Kyoto that is well-known for its bamboo forests. Expect a big crowd! Fortunately, it immediately becomes a lot quieter as soon as you make your way away from the center.

We discovered some charming quiet spots in Arashiyama. You can go to the park around the Jojakkoji temple from where you have a stunning view. From there, you can walk further north to Saga-Toriimoto Street.

This is a picturesque street lined with preserved, traditional houses. Best of all, we had the street to ourselves while we were wandering through it.

When you reach the end of the street, you will reach the Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple, and adjacent you will find a bamboo forest that is just as beautiful as the one close to the center where all the tourists are.

When we just got off the train and ended up in the crowd, we were afraid it would be an unpleasant day because of the bustle.

But in the end, we did have a really enjoyable day as we discovered some pleasant quiet spots in and around Arashiyama. 

The bus tours seem to limit their visit to the Togetsukyo bridge and the nearby Tenryuji temple and bamboo groves.  Other places were not nearly as crowded.

Take a look here for more must-see places in Kyoto  or read our detailed 2-day itinerary here. Here are some fun things to do in Kyoto at night.

Where to Stay in Kyoto

Kyoto is the most touristic city in Japan. You will undoubtedly notice this in the hotel prices.

We were confronted with prices upwards of € 800/night during the cherry blossom season.

Because of these high prices, we started looking at alternatives and we decided to book a stay at the Marriott Lake Biwa. 

This is a nice hotel that is located 20 minutes outside Kyoto by train, but it meant a serious difference to our wallets.

Below we show two options. 1 good hotel in Kyoto and the Marriott as an alternative.

Marriott Lake Biwa

This Marriott hotel is located alongside the coast of beautiful Lake Biwa, an ideal setting if you want to escape busy Kyoto at night. 

The hotel offers a free shuttle service to the train station where you can catch the train to Kyoto station.  

The only drawback of this hotel is that you have to take into account the schedule of the shuttle which only runs once every hour.

But considering what you get in return and the price difference in the peak season, this hotel can be a good deal.

Royal Park Hotel Kyoto

If you have only 3 days in Kyoto it might be better to stay in the center of Kyoto.   

In that case, the Royal Park Hotel Kyoto is an excellent choice.

It is within walking distance of the Gion district, two metro stations, and various temples.

The rooms are neat and the bathroom is fully equipped. You can enjoy a nice breakfast at the bakery next to the hotel.

Check prices and availability on Booking.com : Booking.com

• Here’s an overview of Kyoto’s various districts including some excellent hotels
• We’ve also handpicked some highly-rated Airbnb’s in Kyoto
• Kyoto might be the best place to stay in a Ryokan so we also have a great selection of Kyoto Ryokans and Ryokans in Kyoto with a  private onsen.

Day 10-11: Hiroshima and Miyajima

Best things to do in hiroshima and miyajima.

When you are here, don’t miss the peace park in Hiroshima .

There is a special atmosphere in the peace park. You will find an interesting museum about the atomic bomb and touching stories about how the survivors had to rebuild their city and their lives.

It is also worth making a small detour to have a look at the castle.

If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can make free use of the hop-on-hop-off bus operated by JR. When you arrive at the station, just drop in with the tourist office. They have route maps of the buses and can  explain which bus to take and which stop to get off to get to your hotel.

You can get from Hiroshima to Miyajima in about half an hour both by tram or by  JR train. The train is covered by the Japan Rail Pass , the tram is not. Once you arrive at the train station in Miyajima, it is nothing more but a short 5-minute walk to the harbor where you then take the ferry to Miyajima island.

2 ferries go to the island, one of which is operated by JR and also covered by the JR pass.

On Miyajima island or rather just in front you will find the photogenic Torii gate which seems to float on the water during high tide.

The times of high and low tide are signposted at the entrance of the ferry terminal. The Torii gate is the tourist attraction of the island, but also the colorful Daisyoin Temple is worth a visit.

We took the time to wander around this temple and it seemed like we found a hidden gem on this island.

Here you can find our detailed Hiroshima itinerary. 

Where to Stay in Hiroshima

Ana crowne plaza hiroshima.

The Ana Crowne Plaza is within walking distance of the peace park and near shops and restaurants. The rooms are not too big but clean and fully equipped. The staff also speak good English.

Day 12-13: Osaka

As soon as you arrive in Osaka you will notice that you are back in a metropolis.   We loved the atmosphere in this city, it’s alive 24/7 and is night and day compared to neighboring Kyoto.

Best Things to do in Osaka

The Namba district is alive day and night but is probably at its best at night. The least you can say about this district is that it is simply spectacular. You can find our complete article on the best things to do in Osaka at night here.

Osaka is also known as the kitchen of Japan. For an overview of the best Osaka food tours, click here.

Or why not attend a cooking class and learn how to prepare this delicious food yourself.

Osaka Castle is a restored castle but that doesn’t mean it’s not impressive.  It’s a popular tourist attraction and a good spot to enjoy the Sakura.

If you’re visiting Osaka during the Sakura season you can walk along the river from the castle to the Kema Sakuranomiya Park, another beautiful park with lots of cherry trees.

Shinsekai is another district that is worth a visit.

You can also make a day trip to Nara . In times long gone this city was the capital of Japan. It still houses a large number of historical temples, impressive landmarks, and national monuments from that day.

In the Todaiji Temple, you will find the largest wooden building in the world, the Daibutsuden (“big Buddha hall”).

As its name says inside the building you will find a gigantic Buddha. Don’t limit yourself to this temple only. Venture up the mountain to “Nigatsu-do” for a breathtaking view.

Children will also love a visit to Nara because of the deer that roam freely in the park and no doubt will come begging for cookies.

You can read our full 2 days Osaka itinerary here. 

Where to Stay in Osaka

Holiday Inn Osaka Namba

This Holiday Inn is close to Namba station and just a few minutes on foot from the famous Glico bridge, probably the most famous sight in Dotonbori. 

This neighborhood is alive day and night and as a result, the rooms can be somewhat noisy at night. 

The rooms offer all comfort but are rather small.  The biggest asset of this hotel is its superb location.

Holiday Inn

• Read our detailed “ Best Place to Stay in Osaka ” article to discover the best locations
• See a selection of recommended Airbnb’s is Osaka
• Or go for a traditional stay in a Ryokan in Osaka . If you prefer a ryokan in Osaka with a private onsen, click here.
• For a cheap stay in Osaka, check out our list of cheap capsule hotels in Osaka.

Day 14: Tokyo

We end our Japan itinerary back in Tokyo.

If you would end your trip on a Sunday you could head to Akihabara . The main street that runs through the Akihabara district is closed for cars on Sundays.

This makes a visit to Akihabara much more fun. Foresee enough time. Browsing through the shops like Mandarake is what makes a visit to Akihabara worthwhile but you will quickly spend several hours snooping around these stores, looking at all the curiosities.

If you’re looking for something completely different then we recommend a relaxing day in Tokyo DisneySea . Next to Tokyo DisneySea is Tokyo Disneyland but we recommend the first because Disneyland is a sort of replica of all the other Disneyland Parks in the world. And above all, DisneySea won an award for its design.

The park can be busy at times but it is possible to visit the majority of the attractions in one day by using the Fastpass system. 

We visited the park during the “Golden week” and we could do all the major attractions. 

If we can do that during the Golden Week, so can you at any other time of the year. 🙂

We loved the design of the park and there were some great attractions.  It was also fun to see how some Japanese completely dress up in the Disney magic.

Click here to get more information about the Disney tickets:

Japan Travel Tips

Here we share our best Japan travel tips that will help you plan your Japan itinerary and have an unforgettable tip.

Best Time to Visit Japan

It is difficult to specify one particular season as the best to visit all of Japan.

The best season will depend on the region you’re going, the activities you want to experience, and the things you want to see.

But in general spring and autumn come to mind for a trip through Japan .

There is little rainfall, overall pleasant temperatures, and clear skies.

The stunning cherry blossoms are a real tourist attraction in spring and the vivid hues of the autumn leaves ensure a colorful experience in autumn.

Here is some more information about the different seasons and some specific regions.

Our ultimate Japan travel guide where you can find all our Japan articles.

Spring is an excellent season to visit Japan as early in spring the cherry blossoms (Sakura) will start appearing in Southern Japan.

They start blossoming in the South and gradually make their way Northwards.

It is a natural event so the exact blossoming period is different each year but the Japanese tourist board keeps predictions on its website .

Spring is also the most touristy season.

The Sakura not only draws tourists from all over the world but also Japanese go crazy over this yearly event.

Late April and early May also mark the “Golden Week”, a week with 4 Japanese holidays in which many Japanese take a local trip.

We found it was still OK in terms of crowds but we definitely advise to book your accommodation well upfront because the prices go through the roof.

Over summer the temperatures can rise up to 35 degrees Celsius but it may feel even hotter due to the humidity.

Big cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka become uncomfortably hot.

June and July is also the rainy season.

The rainy season ends by the end of July but the days continue to be hot and humid and generally unpleasant if you’re not used to this kind of weather.

“To Travel is to Live”

During August and September, you also have the biggest risk of seeing (part of) your travel plans ruined by a typhoon.

Hokkaido is the only region in Japan that escapes the stifling heat. Here you have mild temperatures all summer long.

During summer Japanese organize a number of popular festivals (called ‘Matsuri’). Each festival is different but they’re all very brisk and impressive.

Autumn is another lovely option to discover Japan. Colorful autumn leaves, known as Koyo in Japanese, draw just as many visitors in autumn as the cherry blossoms do during spring.

The best time to view the colorful foliage is subject to weather conditions and, as Japan is surprisingly vast, it also differs greatly between the various regions. 

The Japanese tourist board has an overview of the best times to visit the popular Koyo spots .

It starts to get cooler by the end of September.

October offers pleasant temperatures slightly above 20 degrees Celsius.

November tends to be somewhat cooler but thanks to the clear blue and sunny skies it is still a lovely month to travel.

Winter in Japan is a time for snow sports in Hokkaido but it is low season in most other regions in Japan. 

Temperatures range from cool to cold, there may be some snowfall in and around Tokyo in January and February but the snow usually melts as soon as it falls.

Japan Top Sites

Mt. Fuji, one of the most beautiful natural places in Japan and Japan’s highest mountain, can be best viewed on a clear day from Hakone.  

The cooler months offer the best chance of seeing the volcanic mountain. 

The biggest chance to see the mountain in all its glory is from November to February. March, April, and October also offer reasonably good chances of a complete view but during the other months, your chances are slim.

The season to climb Mt. Fuji is July to mid-September when the mountain is generally snow-free.

The easiest way to see Mount Fuji is with a day tour. Here is a complete overview of the Mount Fuji day trips from Tokyo. 

Looking for a place to stay in Hakone? Check out the following posts:

• Best Airbnbs and vacation rentals in Hakone.
• Best ryokan with private onsen in Hakone.

Yudanaka Snow Monkeys

The Yudanaka Snow Monkeys are so cute if you can see them bathe in their hot springs.

They take these baths to warm up which means you have to plan your visit during the colder months.

Winter is without any doubt the best season but early spring is still OK as long as you make sure you go early in the day.

We went late March, first thing in the morning, and could still catch a few monkeys in the hot springs.

Okinawa has a subtropical and humid climate.

Summers are hot and wet with temperatures up to 30 degrees Celsius, in the winter months, the day temperature on these islands still reaches a comfortable 20 degrees Celsius.

Often called the Hawaii of Japan this place is popular for snorkeling.

The water temperatures range from about 18 degrees Celsius in winter to 29 degrees during summer.

Cheap Flights to Japan

If you want to score  cheap flights  to Japan we recommend using  Momondo and  Skyscanner .  

Both are flight aggregators that compare several hundreds of booking sites and give you an overview of the best flights and the cheapest sites to book them. 

Momondo and Skyscanner are both very good at finding good deals, of the two, Momondo is probably the one with the most intuitive user interface.

Read our full review about 10 booking sites here. 

Going Independent or Joining an Organized Tour

We found it easy and straightforward to create our own travel itinerary.

It was also fairly easy to travel through Japan independently. Despite the fact that the Japanese don’t always speak English very well, they are enormously helpful.

But if you want the company of a group, don’t have the time to create your own itinerary, or just don’t want to go independent, you could also join an organized tour.

  Tourradar  is a trustworthy company where you can book an organized tour to Japan to make it easy on yourself. 

Here you can find all organized tours to Japan: Organized Tours Japan

Here’s an overview of Japan package tours . We also made a selection of  5-day tours of Japan and 7 days Japan tours. 

If you prefer a self-guided Japan tour, click here.

Do I need Travel Insurance for Japan

Travel Insurance is something that can be overlooked when you prepare for your vacation.  Certainly when you’re traveling to a safe and civilized country. 

We didn’t get travel insurance for our first holidays. 

A few years later we both took out new credit cards that came with travel insurance and relied on those.  We know better now…

Overall, chances are slim that you will encounter any problems while traveling through a civilized country such as Japan. But when things go wrong in civilized countries, the medical costs can be high. 

We learned it the hard way when we once had to visit a hospital in the United States. 

The medical care was excellent but we had high out-of-pocket expenses as it turned out the insurance that came without credit cards didn’t cover these costs.  It turned out we were underinsured.

Drawing up a travel insurance policy may seem expensive at first but it can potentially save you a significant sum, significantly more than the small insurance fee. 

Good travel insurance covers things like medical expenses, trip cancellation, overseas medical costs, evacuation, baggage damage or loss, and theft.

Get a free quote:

or read our  in-depth post with everything you need to know about Japan travel insurance. 

What’s the Best Way to Pay in Japan

We took a little bit of cash with us but most things we paid with our credit card.

Expenses abroad can be seriously inflated by fees from your bank or credit card.  That’s why I’m a huge fan of my N26 account. 

The account is available to most EU residents. 

The  checking account  is free as well as the associated Mastercard and there’s no exchange rate provision when you use to card for payments abroad. 

There’s a 1,7% exchange rate provision when you withdraw money abroad but even that is free with  the premium Black Mastercard.  

The app is another great feature of the card, you can follow your expenses in real-time and instantly block your card if you see any signs of fraud.

Local SIM card or a Pocket WiFi Device

A local SIM card or   pocket WiFI device comes in handy. We have often used Google Maps to find our way around major cities.

When looking for a Japanese SIM card, there are so many options that you cannot see the forest for the trees, therefore we created this useful article so you can choose the best Japanese SIM card for you . If you prefer a pocket WiFi device, you can read our detailed post about the best WiFI pocket device here .

Luggage Forwarding Service

When you’re traveling by train it’s also a good idea to forward your baggage.  You can read these tips and much more in our separate article about traveling to Japan for the first time .

From May 2020 you need a reserved seat if you travel with large suitcases on the Tokaido-Sanyo-Kyushu Shinkansen.

Traveling Around Japan

We traveled around Japan by train and could save a few bucks by buying a Japan Rail Pass in advance.

Get more information on the Japan Railpass here: Japan Railpass

Or  read this article in which we describe how you can find out whether you would also benefit from a Japan Rail Pass .

General Japan Travel Tips

Wondering what to wear in Japan? Take a look at our complete Japan packing list. 

If you are looking to buy some souvenirs? These are the best Japanese souvenirs. 

If you have less than 2 weeks to spend in Japan, take a look at this 5 day Japan itinerary  or at this ultimate Japan bucket list  to get inspiration for your trip.

We hope we have inspired you with this 14-day Japan travel itinerary.  Japan has a lot to offer and unfortunately, there’re a number of things we had to omit in this Japan 14 days itinerary but this trip takes you along the highlights and the things we loved most.

Are you ready to discover the best of Japan in 14 days?

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Saturday 10th of August 2019

This is highly detailed post about Japan. I hardly found such a detailed post on Google.

Monday 12th of August 2019

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Girl Eat World

A girl's adventure in food and travel around the world, tokyo itinerary: the complete travel guide for first-timers.

Traveling to Tokyo for the first time? I am so happy and jealous of you. The feeling of visiting Tokyo for the first time is one of my fondest memories of all of my travels, by far. As a repeat visitor to this beautiful city, I will impart some of my knowledge of Tokyo in this post.

• Travel Tips for First-time Visitors
• Getting Wi-fi or Data SIM card in Tokyo
• Public Transport in Tokyo

What is a JR Pass and do I need it?

Where to stay in tokyo.

• 5-days Tokyo Itinerary
• Short Trips from Tokyo
• Want more? Here are more activities you can do in Tokyo

Tokyo Travel Tips for First-time Visitors

1. Get the Tokyo Pass from Klook to save money – There are lots of attractions to visit and do in Tokyo, which means you’ll likely have to spend on those activities. Getting a travel pass could ease the pain. To make it easier for you to decide whether to get the pass or not, I’ll put a note on each attraction that I mention in the itinerary that could use the Tokyo pass.

What is Klook? Klook is the leading travel and experiences booking website in Asia. And yes, they are legit! I personally always book my activities through them whenever I am traveling. See my review of Klook here .

2. Fly to Haneda Airport (HND) instead of Narita (NRT) – Unless the flight is considerably cheaper, don’t even think about flying through Narita. It will save you both money and time because Haneda is so much closer to the city than Narita. In fact, Haneda is pretty much already in the city – it would take you about 30 minutes to Shibuya using the local train. Narita, on the other hand, takes about 40-90 minutes and you need to buy an express train ticket to Tokyo.

3. Airport Transfer from Haneda (HND) to Tokyo – If you are arriving in Haneda (HND), you’ll want to take the local train as it is cost-effective. But if you’re arriving in off hours (trains only operate from 6 AM to midnight) or traveling with a group, you will want to book a Private Transfer from and to HND to save the hassle.

4. However, if you have to fly to Narita (NRT) , you can still get into the city easily. Aside from the Narita Express, there is Tokyo Keisei Skyliner which takes you to Ueno station in 40 minutes. From Ueno, you can then transfer to the local trains to get to the station nearest to your hotel. If you are traveling as a big group or have a lot of luggage, I highly suggest getting a private car. On my most recent trip, I hired a private transfer car from Narita for the three of us since we had a lot of luggage and I had a great experience. The driver was already waiting for us as we exited and we were off within 5 minutes.

Tokyo Pass: Keisei Narita Skyliner is one of the attractions included in Tokyo Pass

5. Download the Google Translate Japanese Pack to your phone . It will make communication a lot easier. Google Translate can also somewhat translate writing to English, so it has been useful when I go to a restaurant where the entire menu is in Japanese and the staff does not speak English.

6. Download the Tokyo Google Maps to your phone  – by this, I don’t just mean download the Google Maps app. You can download the whole Tokyo map to your phone so you’ll use less mobile data when browsing the maps.  Here is how to download Maps to your phone .

7. Wear comfortable walking shoes  – Tokyo is a city with amazing public transport connectivity. Taxis are expensive. So chances are, you’ll be walking and exploring on foot a lot in Tokyo. Wear comfortable shoes that are actually made for walking.

8. Don’t worry about traveling solo to Tokyo. Tokyo is one of the safest cities in the world. Two of my trips to Tokyo were done on my own and it couldn’t have been more perfect. Okay, I know there are incidents involving perverted peeping toms on the train, and I’m sure crimes do still happen, but I personally have never felt scared or threatened even when I was walking alone at night.

Fast track your arrival in Japan

You can make your arrival in Japan easier by completing your immigration and customs procedures before your arrival via Visit Japan Web. Read how to do that here

Staying connected with Wi-Fi while in Tokyo

If there is only one tip you take away from this blog. This would be it: Get a SIM card for your travel! Having an internet connection at all times makes traveling in Tokyo MUCH easier.

If you are traveling alone, you can look into getting a prepaid SIM card . You can pick up the SIM Card once you have reached Japan at the airport (check if your airport is listed).

However, if you’d like to still be contactable from your original mobile number, I strongly suggest considering a data eSIM option . It will still allow you to have unlimited data when you are in Tokyo, but you can also retain your regular SIM card!

If you are traveling in a group, or have multiple devices, another option is to rent a pocket Wi-Fi, which you can get here and pick up at the airport. This provides unlimited data and you can connect multiple devices to it, up to 10 devices. You’ll have to remember to charge the router every day and also remember to return the router at the end of your trip.

How many days should I spend in Tokyo?

I recommend setting aside a minimum of 5 days for Tokyo. Tokyo is MUCH bigger than you might have expected. On my first trip to Japan, I went for 7 days with aspirations of doing a few day trips outside of Tokyo. That plan was quickly trumped when I realized how big this city is.

In the end, I allocated 5 days in Tokyo and barely managed to squeeze in two days in Hakone , and it was still not enough to cover all that I wanted to do in Tokyo. I ended up coming back a few more times and on subsequent return visits, I’m still discovering new sides of the city.

And this is why I’ve written this post as a 5-day itinerary in Tokyo!

How to get around Tokyo using Public Transport

In Tokyo, you can pretty much get anywhere you want using the train. Here is how the system works:

Tokyo Pass: A 72-hour subway ticket (for Tokyo Metro and Toei line) can be bought as an add-on to Tokyo Pass , making it cheaper than paying for a single train fare each time.

1. Using Local Trains with IC cards (SUICA or PASMO)

Local trains in Japan run on IC (Integrated Circuit) Cards. In Tokyo, you can get either SUICA or PASMO IC card. They are the exact same thing, and there is no difference in which one you get so just pick one. Whichever one you choose, this IC card will be your lifeline during your stay.

IC Card Shortage: There is currently a shortage of physical IC Card. Suica and Pasmo will no longer be sold starting 2 August 2023 until further notice. Read here to find how to get around in Tokyo without physical IC Card .

This card allows you to tap in and out of each train station without having to buy a ticket every single time you take a train. And because everyone has an IC card Japan, you can even use your card balance to buy things from convenience stores and vending machines. Whenever the balance is running low, you can easily refill the card using cash or credit card at any train station.

2. Virtual IC Card – How to use your iPhone as an IC Card in Japan

Good news for iPhone users – the IC cards have gone virtual and you can use your phone as an IC card. This makes everything even more convenient, as you can refill the balance via your phone without going to the station.

Tip: Check out Apple’s help article on how to use IC cards on iPhones .

Note that you do not need to buy a physical IC card to do this , just start the process straight from your phone! However, if you DO have an existing IC card you can still transfer the balance to your phone. Your existing card will then stop working and you can only use your phone as an IC card from that point onwards.

Unfortunately for Android users, the phone needs to be bought in Japan to be able to do this. You could try using the Pasmo mobile , but it is only available in Japanese.

For users without a smartphone, you would still need to get a physical IC card .

3. Planning your route in Tokyo

In terms of train schedules and routes, I’m happy to report that Google Maps works well in Japan. You can use it as you normally would when looking up directions, but set it to public transport mode and it will give you the best way to get from point A to point B by train. And it even tells you how much the fare would be.

I’d say that’s good enough for tourists. Locals use a more comprehensive transit app called NaviTime which will tell you even more details such as which train car you should board to get to your transfer faster. But for me, Google Maps has always been enough.

4. Tokyo local trains will stop running at midnight

Trains in Tokyo are convenient and affordable, but they stop at midnight. Cabs are very expensive in Tokyo, so if you’re out late, you want to make sure you still catch the last train. Most stations have trains running until midnight but as a general rule of thumb, you should be at the station by 11:30 PM. Especially if your travel involves changing lines.

On one of our nights out, we missed our last connecting train in Shibuya and had to take a cab back to our accommodation. The short 20-minute ride cost us $50 😐

5. Be mindful of train peak hour

I try to stay away from using the train in the morning during rush hour, usually any time from 8-10 am on a weekday and 6-8 pm on weeknights. I’m sure you’ve heard about how people get pushed by sticks to encourage them to move more inside the train so that more people can get on, and you end up packed into the train like sardines.

The price of Unlimited JR Pass has increased by 70% since 1 Oct 2023 . Even though you’ll see many recommendations for buying a JR Pass to save some costs, it could be outdated. Since the price hike, it has become harder to justify the cost of the JR Pass, however regional passes like the JR West Kansai Pass might still be worth it. I am working on updating my blog post to reflect this change.

JR Pass is a form of rail pass that gives you unlimited access to  all JR trains  in Japan for 7, 14, or 21 days. I bolded the JR train part for emphasis since this gets confusing for some people – in Japan, there are many train companies and Japan Rail (JR) is only one of them, and this pass is only valid for JR trains.

Getting a JR Pass makes sense ONLY if you are planning to visit multiple cities in Japan . For example, if you are planning on going from Tokyo to Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, etc. The trains between cities aren’t cheap and you’ll be saving a lot more by getting a JR Pass. But if you are only planning to stay in Tokyo, an IC card will be enough.

If you have decided that you need a JR Pass, you must buy the JR Pass from outside of Japan before your trip . The JR pass is solely for tourists and it used to not be available for purchase within Japan. So, you should definitely buy it ahead of time.

You can buy Unlimited JR Pass here (cheaper than buying from the official website) and have it sent to your home before your trip. Make sure you get it way ahead of time so that it arrives before your trip. There are 7-day, 14-day, and 21-day options depending on the length of your stay in Japan and your planned train usage.

If you do get a JR Pass and it has been activated for use, then you can use the JR pass on certain local trains within Tokyo too. JR is one of the train companies in Japan and they do have some local JR lines running in Tokyo. So if you are taking a train somewhere and it is a JR line, use your JR Pass instead of your SUICA balance!

With Tokyo’s extensive train system, anywhere close to a train station is a great place to stay. For a first-timer, I’d try to stay close to Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Asakusa . Look for a place within 15-minute walking distance or close to a train line that can take you to these areas.

Here are a few places I would recommend in Tokyo, in different price ranges:

1. Affordable Accommodations

• Reso Poshtel in Asakusa ($) – I stayed at a dorm in Asakusa and shared a room with 5 other women for a few nights. It was a great way to keep accommodation costs down if you are traveling alone and plan to be outside most of the time anyway. That hostel has since closed down, but Reso Poshtel looks similar.
• Hotel 1899 Tokyo in Shimbashi ($$) – Very conveniently located near the Shimbashi station, which is a good base for exploring the city.

2. Mid-range Accommodation

• MUJI Hotel in Ginza ($$$) – If you’re a fan of the minimalist Japanese home goods brand MUJI, you’ve got to stay at this hotel. The rooms are decorated with that classic Japanese feel, similar to how the MUJI stores look like. The hotel is next to the flagship MUJI store, located conveniently in Ginza, one of the major stations in Tokyo.
• The Strings by Intercontinental in Shinagawa ($$$) – This one is a more expensive option as I stayed here during a business trip, but this hotel was convenient. It’s right on top of Shinagawa station, which is close to both Shibuya and Haneda Airport. There are several convenience stores and a shopping mall in the same complex as the hotel. Also, it’s one of the taller buildings in this area. On a clear day, you can see Mount Fuji.

3. Luxury Accommodation

• Hotel Gajoen Tokyo in Meguro ($$$$) – If you want a taste of old Japanese luxury while in Tokyo, then look no further than this hotel. This beautiful yet little-known hotel is located in Meguro. I did not know this hotel even existed until my very recent visit to Tokyo, where I wanted to visit an exhibit within the hotel. I was blown away by how beautiful the hotel is! Supposedly, it’s the hotel that inspired the popular anime Spirited Away .
• The Ritz Carlton Tokyo in Roppongi ($$$$) – Conveniently located in Roppongi, The Ritz in Tokyo is a great option. The lobby is located on the 53rd floor, which means all their room will give you a great view of Tokyo from above!

The Tokyo 5-Day Itinerary

Tokyo is a massive metropolitan city. It’s worth planning your trip and grouping the days by areas so that you don’t waste time. This is the basis of how I’ve structured the itineraries below – I’ve put together some must-visits in sections based on their proximity to each other so that you can optimize your trip by choosing which sights you want to visit on the same day.

Please note that these itineraries are not meant to be done chronologically so you can mix and match your days. Also, don’t feel bad if you did not get to do everything… It’s just an excuse to come back to Tokyo 🙂

Here are quick shortcuts to the itinerary for each day:

• Day 1 : Yoyogi Park, Harajuku, Omotesando, and Roppongi
• Day 2 : Shibuya and its surrounding areas
• Day 3 : Akihabara, Ueno Park, and Asakusa
• Day 4 : Shinjuku
• Day 5 : Toyosu Market, Tsukiji Market, Ginza
• Day 6 Onward : Take day trips (or short trips) away from Tokyo
• Want more? Here are other Activities you can do in Tokyo

To visualize this Tokyo itinerary better, I’ve created a Google Maps link that marks all the routes and landmarks I’ll mention in this blog.

🗺 Save this map to your phone!  If you are a Google user, click on the image of the map above. The map will then be saved to your “Recent” maps viewed.  Click here for instructions on how to view the map later . It will work from your phone too.

And FINALLY here is a detailed list of what to do in Tokyo on your first visit:

Day 1: Yoyogi Park, Harajuku, Omotesando, and Roppongi

Tip: Choose a weekend (Saturday or Sunday) for this itinerary. The places I’m going to mention today are better to be visited on weekends!

1. Visit Yoyogi Park and Meiji Jingu

You can start your day by exploring  Yoyogi Park . It’s a huge park with a pleasant shaded walk and all of the walking routes will go through  Meiji Jingu , a beautiful Shinto shrine, where you can buy an amulet and other traditional souvenirs.

Don’t forget to do the water purification ritual at the temple entrance. Every temple in Japan will have a small fountain with some wooden ladles. Take some water using the ladle, then transfer some of that water to your hands and use it to wash your mouth. Do NOT use the ladle directly to wash your mouth!

If you’re visiting on a weekend, you might even see a Shinto wedding there as well. I was lucky enough to see one when I visited.

2. Explore Harajuku

Next, you can check out Harajuku , a walkable distance from Yoyogi Park (it’s actually right across from it), and walk along Takeshita Dori . Harajuku embodies everything you’ve heard about modern Japan – It’s a crazy area filled with people, trendy shops, and street food.

Harajuku became well-known as the hangout spot for the trendy youngsters who would wear their most outrageous, fashion-forward outfits. Sadly, this is a dying culture and they’re not seen as often as they used to, so to increase your chance of spotting these trendsetters you might want to visit on a weekend.

You can easily spend 2-3 hours in Harajuku just walking and looking at the various shops. I recommend dropping by Laforet , a shopping center at the end of Takeshita Dori. Harajuku is full of unusual fashion items on its own, but Laforet is probably the center of all the crazy fashion.

And you’ve got to try Japanese Crepes while you’re here! That’s what the Harajuku area is known for. There are also a bunch of other cute eats on the street, such as the animal-shaped gelato from Eiswelt Gelato.

3. Omotesando, Aoyama & Roppongi

If you keep walking along Takeshita Dori towards the east, you’ll end up in Omotesando , Aoyama , and then  Roppongi .  In total, this is about a 3km walk from Harajuku station and very pedestrian friendly. The entire route is lined up with shops and food.

Here are some notable places you can stop by on your walk

• Tokyu Plaza Omotesando Harajuku for a quick photo op too. This building has these geometric-shaped mirrors on the ceiling and it makes for an amazing picture.
• MoMA Design Store Omotesando – MoMA is the Museum of Modern Arts in NYC , but they have a few stores in Tokyo selling some of the best-rated items.
• Nezu Museum in Aoyama – East Asian art museum with a private collection

4. Roppongi Hills

I recommend ending your day at the Tokyo City View And Sky Deck in Roppongi Hills where you can take the lift up to the rooftop and get an amazing view of the city, including the iconic red Tokyo tower, for just 1,800 yen. If you’re lucky and the day is clear, you might even see Mount Fuji! I recommend going close to sunset to get the best lighting for photos. Make sure you stay a little bit after sunset too for nighttime photography.

You can book the Tokyo City View Observation Deck Admission Ticket here , which I recommend since it’s cheaper than buying on the spot.

Tokyo Pass: The Tokyo City View is one of the attractions included in Tokyo Pass

If you are a museum person, Mori Art Museum is also in the same building, and access to the permanent exhibition is included with the observation deck ticket. They might have an interesting exhibit to check out too, but you need to buy the ticket separately.

But if you are a fan of Japanese wood interior design, then head to Tokyo Midtown in Roppongi, the most aesthetic mall I’ve been to. It also has great stores to get souvenirs from.

Where to eat and drink in Harajuku, Omotesando, Aoyama, and Roppongi

• Japanese Crepes at Harajuku . This can be found all throughout the famous Takeshita Dori in Harajuku, so just snap them up whenever you see a stall. It wouldn’t be a very big stall, usually just enough for one person to serve you the crepes through the stall window. You can customize your crepe with different fruit toppings and sweet syrup.
• Zaku Zaku Ice Cream . “Zaku-zaku” is Japanese onomatopoeia for something crispy/crunchy (I swear, Japanese people have sounds for everything). As soon as you enter the shop, you can smell a delicious buttery sweet and savory aroma wafting in the air – similar to caramel popcorn but BETTER. This place is actually famous for its creampuff, filled with Hokkaido cream which is made fresh on the spot and coated with their crispy ‘croquant’ made from baked almonds. But the Harajuku store also has an ice cream version that is exclusive to this branch.
• Eiswelt Gelato on Harajuku – This shop has the cutest animal-shaped gelato! Take note though, It’s only open on weekends.

• Maisen Tonkatsu in Omotesando ( maps ). While walking around Omotesando, be sure to stop by here for one of the best tonkatsu in town. Their specialty is Kurobuta aka the Japanese black pork. Their tonkatsu set can get pretty pricey, but there are cheaper alternatives such as the cutlet rice bowl.
• Sincere Garden for a vegetarian option in Omotesando ( maps ). My friends will be surprised I’m recommending a vegetarian restaurant, yet here we are. Long story short, I made a friend at the hostel I was staying at in Asakusa and ended up tagging along for lunch with him and his Tokyo friends. We ended up at this vegetarian place that serves all organic food in Omotesando. For someone who loves meat as much as I do, this was actually a very decent meal! I feel that it fits perfectly with the trendy vibe of Omotesando. The entire cafe has this light wooden theme and made me feel good about eating healthy food.
• Tempuraya Miyagawa in Aoyama ( maps ) – A small establishment offering tempura set at lunch and omakase multi-course tempura at dinner. I think it’s better to go during lunch, but dinner should be great too.
• Tokyo Whisky Library ( maps ) – Great place to try whisky if you’re a fan, including the famous Japanese whisky.

Day 2: Shibuya and its surrounding areas (Ebisu, Nakameguro, Daikanyama, and Shimokitazawa)

For this day, we will be exploring Shibuya, one of the major areas of Tokyo. This itinerary can be done any day, on weekdays, or on weekends.

1. The Famous Shibuya Scramble Crossing

Check out Shibuya for the famous  Shibuya Scramble Crossing , where every few minutes the pedestrian light turns green and the entire crossing will be filled with a ton of people coming from all directions.

Located just outside the Shibuya station, this crossing has been featured in many movies, video games, and music videos. It’s an unusual scene and the true definition of organized chaos – everybody is going everywhere in all directions but amazingly, nobody is bumping into each other.

I recommend doing this during the day to see the craziness in all its glory. There is a famous Starbucks where people love to sit and watch the scramble crossing from, but I find it to be quite crowded so I prefer to just watch from ground zero (plus it’s free!).

2. Statue of Hachiko, the loyal dog

At one corner of the scramble crossing, you can check out the famous  Hachiko Statue . Hachiko is a legendary Japanese dog who is famous for being extremely loyal. He kept waiting for his owner’s return at the train station, years after he had passed away. His loyalty touched the heart of many Japanese and he has become immortalized in front of Shibuya station, waiting forever for his owner.

Shibuya is a major train station and it can get pretty confusing when you are trying to meet up with friends, so the Hachiko statue has become a famous meeting point.

3. Shibuya Sky Observation Deck

If you fancy seeing Tokyo from above, you can check out the Shibuya Sky observation deck . This is one of the newest observation decks in Tokyo, having opened to the public in early 2020, and in my opinion the best view of Tokyo from above that you can get at the moment.

It is currently the most popular observation deck in Tokyo, you’ll need to book tickets ahead of time . You can read my post about visiting Shibuya Sky for more information.

Tokyo Pass: The Shibuya Sky observation deck is one of the attractions included in Tokyo Pass

4. Shopping in Shibuya

You can take your time exploring more of Shibuya. It’s a huge shopping district and you can even say it’s the center of Tokyo, along with Shinjuku.

Check out Shibuya Loft for floors of random home goodies, each floor with its own theme. You can also check out Don Quijote (aka Donki) for even more random stuff, or Nitori for home goodies similar to IKEA. For general shopping, I recommend checking out Hikarie building, which features lots of Japanese brands and goodies you can buy for yourself or loved ones at home.

5. Nightlife in Dogenzaka

If you are tired or shopping is not your thing, I recommend going to Dogenzaka area. Formerly a yakuza hangout, Dogenzaka is now filled with ramen shops, pubs, izakaya (small stalls selling skewered meats), and even… love hotels. It’s a good place to be if you are there for the nightlife.

6. Neighborhoods near the Shibuya area

If you still have some energy after the madness that is Shibuya, you can take the train to Shimokitazawa, Daikanyama , Naka-Meguro, or Ebisu for some cafes and check out the nightlife. These are more laid-back residential areas.

Tip: You can check out my Daikanyama Guide for more information on what you can find and do in Daikanyama.

Where to eat in Shibuya and its surroundings

• Ichiran Ramen in Shibuya ( maps ) for the famous Tonkotsu Ramen from a vending machine. Basically, you go up to a vending machine outside the restaurant, punch in your order, receive a ticket based on your order, make payment, then wait to get seated in your own personal cubicle to slurp on your ramen. They have many other branches around the city, so you don’t have to eat this in Shibuya.
• Katsukichi Bodaijyu in Shibuya ( maps ) – Tonkatsu is one of the most popular meals in Japan, so you have to try it at least once while you are here, and if you eat pork. As a bonus, I love the decor of this place.
• Kushiyaki Bistro Fukumimi in Dogenzaka ( maps ) – If you want to experience an izakaya (bar) in Tokyo, this is the place to go.
• Gyukatsu Motomura in Shibuya ( maps ) – This place seats only 8 people at a time and you eat at the counter. There are two branches in Shibuya that are within 10-minute walk of each other, but they are both popular. Even though I came here at 2 PM, the line was still very long. They are famous for Gyukatsu, which is deep-fried and breaded beef. You’ll also get a personal stone stove which you can use to further grill your beef slices to the desired doneness.
• Shiro-Hige Cream Puff Factory in Shimokitazawa ( maps ) – Located a short walk away from Shimokitazawa station and tucked inside a very quiet residential area, this cafe is known for its Totoro-shaped Creampuff. The creampuff costs 420 yen each. I recommend having the creampuffs to go bc there is an extra fee for having it at the cafe (it becomes 465 yen). They come in four flavors (custard, chocolate, strawberry and green tea) but I personally think the regular custard one is the best.

• Hiroki in Shimokitazawa  ( maps ) for Okonomiyaki in Shimokitazawa. There are only 8 seats in this hole-in-the-wall restaurant. For each Okonomiyaki, you get to pick soba or udon as the noodle base, then add on toppings as you want. There was no English menu (UPDATE: I have been told there is now an English menu!). Try to sit on the counter if you can, this is where you can watch the action as it happens. The chef will cook and mix your Okonomiyaki for you according to order and once done, he will push it to the hot plate area in front of you so the Okonomiyaki stays warm as you eat it off the counter’s hot plate.
• I also highly suggest visiting Daikanyama for one of your meals. Daikanyama has been dubbed the Brooklyn of Tokyo and they have tons of cool restaurants and cafes – you can check out my Daikanyama guide here
• Ebisu Yokocho in Ebisu ( maps ) – This was a random surprise find for me. I was just aimlessly walking around Ebisu when I decided to go into a random building that seemed very unassuming on the outside. Once inside, I was greeted with a lively atmosphere of people eating and drinking in rows upon rows of small restaurants. Sure enough, none of them had an English menu, but just put on your brave face and try something new. I randomly chose a modern sushi joint and was able to order with my very limited Japanese. I ended up with a plate of beef and mushroom sushi… which is interesting as that’s not what you’d normally expect.

Day 3: Akihabara, Ueno Park, and Asakusa

Tips: Try to do this itinerary on a Sunday , since Akihabara streets are car-free on Sundays from 1-6 pm

1. Akihabara

As a first-time Tokyo visitor, you HAVE to check out Akihabara to experience firsthand all the unique and unusual things you’ve heard about Japan – the infamous Maid cafe, cat cafes, electronics, comic books, and floors and floors of arcade games, just to name a few.

If you go on a Sunday , they close up the street from cars and open it up for pedestrians so you can roam around freely.

2. Asakusa and Ueno Park

Then once you’re done with Akihabara, you can walk to Ueno Park for an afternoon stroll. If that’s not your thing, then you can head straight to Asakusa . Asakusa is a backpacker district so there are lots of cheap food and shopping you can do here.

Check out Senso-ji , a famous Buddhist temple. There is a cool street in front of this temple, called Nakamise Shopping Street , which has lots of street food you can try and souvenir stalls (PS: This was where one of my earliest Girl Eat World shots was taken). If history is your thing, the Edo-Tokyo Museum is also near this area.

3. Tokyo Skytree Observation Deck

Tokyo Skytree is currently the primary television and radio broadcast of the Kanto region. When Tokyo Skytree was built in 2010, it became the tallest structure in Japan. At its full height of 634m, it also became the tallest tower in the world.

Early Bird Ticket is cheaper!  There is a 300-400 yen discount if you  buy the ticket online ahead of time . Buying tickets on the same day is more expensive.

Tokyo Skytree is located only 20 minutes away from Asakusa, so it’s a great option if you’re looking for an observatory and haven’t been to one on this trip.

The area is also a great choice to spend a few hours in – aside from the observation decks, there are also the Sumida Aquarium, Tenku Planetarium, and shopping malls with great food options at the bottom of SkyTree Tower.

4. Tokyo Station

If you are STILL short of things to do, you can also head to Tokyo Station , which is very close to Ueno station, for food and shopping. I’ve actually included Tokyo Station in Day 5 itinerary , but if you find yourself there and have time, then feel free to scroll down to Day 5 on what you can do at Tokyo Station.

Where to eat

• Rokurinsha ( maps ) – Tsukemen is a type of ramen that’s served cold and with a separate broth for the noodles to be dipped into. Rokurinsha is a Tsukemen shop located in the basement of Tokyo station, and it’s a classic beloved by tourists and locals. Expect a long queue unless you’re going at an off-hour and on weekdays. I went here on a Wednesday at 8 pm and waited 30 minutes in line. But really though, it was worth every minute. If you find the queue is too long, you can come back here again on the Day 5 itinerary (scroll down below) OR you can have it on your way out of Japan if you are flying through Haneda airport.
• Beerbal ビアバル NAGAOKAYA ( maps ) – I actually came across their stall while I was at Fuji Rock Festival through an acquaintance’s recommendation. Their lamb chops were seriously the best I’ve had. I still dream about it, so I stalked them down and found out that they have a restaurant/beer garden in Ueno. Please give them a visit and let me know how you like it!

Day 4: Explore Shinjuku

Shinjuku is a major area in Tokyo. It has offices, pubs, restaurants, and izakayas. If you’ve seen that iconic photo of a street in Japan filled with neon lights (like the one below) it was probably taken in Shinjuku. Shinjuku deserves its own itinerary because this area is massive.

Here is what you can do in Shinjuku:

1. Visit Omoide Yokocho

First, visit Omoide Yokocho . “Omoide” means memory and “Yokocho” is a lane / small alley, so loosely translated as you are walking down memory lane… everything here feels nostalgic, traditional Japan. There are tons of little stalls (izakaya) and while most don’t have any English menu, some have pictures.

I suggest going with Google Translate if you plan to know everything you are eating. Otherwise, just point your fingers and be surprised. They mostly serve small skewered meats but be warned that they aren’t exactly cheap. You can drink beer or whiskey highball here too.

2. [Temporarily Closed] Robot Restaurant

Tip: The restaurant was closed in 2020 due to COVID. But keep an eye on the website to see if they have reopened

At night, go to the famous Robot Restaurant  for dinner, drinks, and an incredible Japanese show. It’s this crazy 90-minute show with lasers, dances, and… well, robots. Basically, it’s the most modern Japanese experience you can get. You have to purchase the admission ticket ahead of time, and I suggest booking it here through Klook since they provide the cheapest price: Book Robot Restaurant . If you go for the first showing (4 PM), the ticket is slightly cheaper.

Even though it’s a “restaurant”, I wouldn’t bother getting the bento (boxed set meal) there since there are better options for a meal around Shinjuku.

3. Golden Gai

After the show, you can head over to Golden Gai for some nightlife. This area was super cool! It was filled with tiny bars with different themes, so you can easily bar hop to your heart’s content – provided you are fine that each bar will have a cover charge of $5-10.

While Tokyo is generally safe, but Golden Gai might be an area where you want to be a bit more alert as the area could be tourist trappy and you might run into unsavory crowds. They also do not like photos taken within the area of Golden Gai. A couple iPhone shots are probably okay, but definitely do not go there and snap photos with a camera gear.

If you are staying out late, keep in mind the last train in Tokyo is just before midnight so you have to make sure you are on the train platform by then. Or else you will have to fork out some cash for the taxi ride back home.

4. Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

However, if nightlife is not your thing and you’re visiting Shinjuku during the day, then you can stop by Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden for a peaceful stroll. The park is just a short walk from Shinjuku station.

Shinjuku Gyoen is especially popular during the Sakura season in spring and Momiji season in the fall. There is an entry fee of 500 yen for every adult, but kids 15 and under can enter for free. If you ask me, it’s worth every cent! You can use your IC card to enter the park or buy a ticket at the entrance.

The park has great amenities – clean restrooms, vending machines with hot and cold drinks, plenty of food options, snacks, and even Starbucks inside the park.

Where to eat/go in Shinjuku

• Tatsukichi  ( maps ). We went for dinner based on a local Tokyo friend’s recommendation. They were quite packed during dinner so be prepared to wait. It’s an omakase-style restaurant, meaning they will just keep serving you whatever they are cooking until you ask for the bill. Their specialty is Kushiage – deep-fried vegetable/meat skewers – and although it might seem daunting and unhealthy to eat fried food for a meal, I swear all of them were good, super crispy, and not overly oily. With each skewer, the chef will tell you which sauce to use. If I remember correctly, we each spent S$50 after 10-12 skewers and 2 whiskey highballs.
• Tsukemen Gonokami ( maps )
• Tatsunoya Tsukemen

Day 5: Toyosu Market, Tsukiji Market, Ginza and Tokyo Station

1. tsukiji and toyosu market.

If you are a foodie like me, visiting the fish markets in Tokyo is a must. It’s not that they have the best sushi in Tokyo, but you can’t beat the atmosphere at the fish market. Fishermen arrive at the crack of dawn with their daily catch, and most importantly – the Tuna auction, where sushi tycoons have been known to bid crazy amounts of money for the best fish.

The center of this fishermen’s activity used to be Tsukiji Market, but as of October 2018, the tuna viewing and the wholesale market have been moved to Toyosu Market. I have not been to Toyosu yet (I heard it’s massive, sterile-looking, and modern compared to the old Tsukiji), but I reckon it’s still worth visiting both since they are not far apart.

Take note that the market is closed on Sundays and Japanese public holiday s, so check before you go. I tried to go during one of their public holidays and had to come back the next day.

It can be an intimidating experience to visit these markets on your own. It’s a massive and very fast-paced market and the fishermen don’t like it when tourists come into the market in the morning when they’re busy with their job. If you want to see the Tuna auction, you’ll have to come very early at 5 AM. You can then watch the auction from a corridor above.

I recommend checking out the sushi stalls at the market in Toyosu or Tsukiji Outer Market. In terms of where to get your sushi, I know some blogs would recommend one sushi stall over another (Sushi Dai is a huge crowd’s favorite), but if you’re like me and don’t want to queue then just pick a random stall with the shortest queue. I did exactly this and it turned out just fine. You can either order a sushi set or do an omakase set, where the chef will serve you whatever sushi they can make with the day’s ingredients.

After your sushi breakfast, you can then go inside the market to see what’s on offer and perhaps eat even more.

2. Visit teamLab Exhibitions: teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets

In the past decade, teamLab has established itself to be at the forefront of the digital interactive art scene. Their installations are always a delight to see and interact with. I’m lucky there is a permanent teamLab exhibition in Singapore , but I still made the time to check out their Tokyo exhibitions.

Tokyo Pass: The teamLab Planets is one of the attractions included in Tokyo Pass

There are two teamLab exhibitions in Tokyo, teamLab Borderless and teamLab Planets . teamLab Borderless was temporarily closed from 2022 to 2023, but has reopened by February 2024 in the new Azabudai Hills area. teamLab Planets is still open with plans to close it in 2027, after which it might close down to move to another location as well.

Buy tickets ahead: These exhibitions are very popular, so you will want to purchase tickets and book timeslots for visiting teamLab Planets and teamLab Borderless ahead of time via Klook. It’s a direct QR code entry so you don’t need to buy tickets when you get there.

In terms of which one to visit – both of them share similar themes (interactive digital arts) but very different experiences. teamLab Borderless is probably more famous since they’re more visually appealing, but teamLab Planets are more interactive.

Both exhibitions are time-based, meaning you need to book a time slot to visit. I suggest picking a time when it’s off hours if you want to avoid the crowd – try going early when they first open. Weekends or public holidays are definitely a no-go. I happened to be there during peak time and spent 40 minutes lining up outside.

Alternatively, teamLab Planets is one of the attractions included in the Tokyo Pass , so it is cheaper if you get the pass.

Once done with the teamLab exhibition or the fish market, you can walk back in the direction of the train station and walk around Ginza for high-end shopping. For the lovers of Japanese clothing brands MUJI and Uniqlo , you’ll be happy to know that both Uniqlo and MUJI have their global flagship store located in Ginza, along with the famous MUJI hotel.

But if you want something a bit more historical, visit the Imperial Castle which is also nearby. Or, you could climb the Stairway of Success at Atago Shrine . Supposedly, the 86 steps represent the journey to success, and to this day, many would come to pray for their professional success at Atago Shrine.

You can also visit Tokyo Station , which is only one station away from Ginza. It’s weird to be visiting a station, I know, but the BASEMENT of Tokyo station is seriously a gem. There is Tokyo Ramen Street , Tokyo Character Street , and Tokyo Food Street .

What might be of interest to most people is probably Tokyo Character Street, where you can find beloved characters like Hello Kitty, Pokemon, Studio Ghibli characters, etc. Take note most of the character shops close by 8:30 PM.

Also, Tokyo Station is an excellent place for omiyage (gift) shopping for stuff you can bring back home, so it’s great to hit up on your last day.

• Rokurinsha ( maps ) – This is located on the Ramen Street at Tokyo station. If you missed my description of Rokurinsha on Day 3, scroll up . I included it here again since it’s really a must-go for all foodies and it’s in the vicinity of this itinerary. You can also have this at Haneda Airport if you are flying out from there.
• Onigiriya Marutoyo at Tsukiji Market ( maps )

Short trips from Tokyo: Easy Day trips and excursions

What to mix up the Tokyo metropolitan city life with nature, temple visits, and countryside living? Good news for you! There are plenty of options that can be reached in just under 3 hours from Tokyo . These options are perfect for a short weekend trip, or even day trips for some of them.

You could visit Hakone , Nikko , Lake Kawaguchi , just to name a few.

➡️ Check it out: I’ve done a round-up of my recommended short-trip destinations from Tokyo here. You’ll find all the places I love that can be conveniently reached from Tokyo.

More things to do in Tokyo and places worth visiting

If you still have time to spend in Tokyo and wondering what else you can do, here are some of my recommendations for activities in Tokyo:

1. Take a Sunset Cruise around the Tokyo Bay

Symphony Cruise is a cruising company that runs multiple cruises around the Tokyo Bay. Starting from Hinode Pier, you’ll be able to take a 2-hour cruise while being served a 5-course fine dining meal. It’s a great way to spend an afternoon in Tokyo.

➡️ Dive deeper: Read my experience onboard their sunset cruise here

2. Go on a Ramen tour around Tokyo

You can’t come to Japan and not try ramen. If you’re a fan of this comforting noodle dish, definitely try this Tokyo Ramen Tour . I went on this tour during one of my visits to Tokyo. Although I’ve had plenty of ramen in my life, they were mostly Tonkotsu ramen (pork bone broth). I learned a lot about other types of ramen from Frank’s tour.

My tip? Come with an empty stomach. Seriously, because you’ll be trying many different types of ramen during your visit – up to 6 bowls of tasting-portion ramen. I was so stuffed (but happy) by the time we were done with the tour.

➡️ Book Tokyo Ramen Tour here

3. Eat Onigiri from any Japanese Konbini (Convenience Store)

Convenience stores (called “Konbini” in Japanese) are an integral part of Japanese cities. The Konbini’s that can be commonly found in Japan are Family Mart (Famima for short), Lawsons, 7/11, and Daily Yamazaki.

My fondest memory of Japan has always been going into a Konbini first thing in the morning to see what Onigiri they have that day. Onigiri is this triangle-shaped rice wrapped in seaweed and stuffed with various fillings, perfect to eat as a snack on the go. My personal favorite is the salmon onigiri. There is something magical about the combination of salmon, rice, and seaweed.

4. The original Midori Sushi at Umegaoka

Eating sushi while you are in Japan is undeniably a must-do. While staying at an Airbnb apartment in Tokyo, I got to know one of my roommates, a Japanese guy who kindly offered to drive me to his favorite local sushi joint. It’s called Midori Sushi – they are famous for being affordable yet offering high-quality food.

They have a few branches in Tokyo, but the original one is at Umegaoka and is located in a very local residential area. They are famous for shaping their nigiri such that the meat topping forms this very long “tail”, much longer than normal.

5. Visit Studio Ghibli Museum

Any Japanese anime fan must visit the Studio Ghibli Museum. I went here on my very first visit to Tokyo as I am a huge fan. The museum is located in Mitaka – not too far away from Shibuya. At the studio, you can see their early sketches, watch a short animation, and buy some Ghibli merchandise. It’s a bit small though so I would say you only need to set aside 2 hours for this museum.

Visiting Studio Ghibli Museum as an English-speaking tourist has gotten easier over the years. A few years ago, you could only get tickets in person at a Lawson’s branch and the instructions were all in Japanese. Lucky for you, these days Studio Ghibli tickets can be booked online (and in English too).

You can read here for instructions on how to obtain a ticket , but you still have to book this a month in advance and book for a specific day and time slot.

And yes, Studio Ghibli is popular and tickets DO sell out a month in advance. If it has sold out online, you can try getting them as part of a tour here:

• Mitaka no Mori Ghibli Museum
• Mitaka Ghibli Museum Tour

6. Shop Japanese Brands and a variety of stores

I love shopping for random goods while in Japan, especially for home goods. On my recent trip, I discovered LOFT at Shibuya and I was just blown away by the sheer amount of shopping you can do there! They sell everything and anything, from home goods, kitchen wares, stationeries, and clothing. Another similar shop is Tokyu Hands .

I also love checking out eclectic discount stores like Don Quijote and Daiso , guaranteed to be fun and easy on your wallet. They carry everything from snacks to home goods and skin care. Living in Singapore, we have a lot of Daiso and Donki stores, but the experience in Japan is still different.

If you like home goods, you might be interested to check out Nittori . They are like IKEA, but Japanese.

If you’re into shoes, you can’t miss ABC Mart , the best shop for kicks in Japan. They have regular ABC Mart, and ABC Mart Grandstage for more premium shoes. I bought some Nikes when I was in Tokyo – they are much cheaper than in Singapore.

And of course, you should check out the famous Japanese clothing brands like Uniqlo and MUJI , even if you have them in your home country. They are usually about 20% cheaper in Japan.

7. Visit the Lucky Cat temple in Gotokuji

Just a few stops away from Shinjuku, you can find a lovely neighborhood called Gotokuji , where you can find cat-themed items and pastries, as well as a temple filled with Maneki Neko figurines.

Read about my visit to Gotokuji Temple here

And even more places to visit

STILL looking for more places in Japan? Here are some of my Japan articles you might be interested in:

• Shanghai Food: What to eat at Shanghai’s food street Huanghe road

📌 Pin this post: This was a very long post. Click any of the images below to pin it to your pinterest board

Alright, that was super long.

If you end up doing any of my itineraries, please leave a comment below and let me know how it went!

Also, if there is any information you want to know about visiting Tokyo, please do not hesitate to ask in the comments section below and I’ll try to answer them as fast as I can. I want your first visit to Tokyo to be as magical as possible.

Until next time 👋🏻

Are you planning a trip to Japan? I’ve written loads about the beautiful country. Check out the  ‘Japan’ category of this blog for some travel inspiration.

125 Comments

• April 19, 2024

Great Itinerary, Thanks for sharing!

• April 8, 2024

Hi Melissa, Your blog was soooo helpful! Planning a trip to Tokyo in October for my birthday. Couple of questions, you mentioned that you were an anime fan, do you know of any other museums or cool places to visit for anime? I’m also a BIG Hello Kitty fan and wanted to visit Sanrio Puroland. What would be the best way to travel there and are there any other spots a Hello Kitty enthusiasts should go? Thanks in advance for your help!

Hey Trinette! I liked the Doraemon museum, especially if you’re a fan of the manga (not just anime). I haven’t been to Puroland but i imagine it would be a good place to go. Aside of that, look out for temporary exhibitions – when I went to Tokyo last time they had the Sailor Moon 30th anniversary exhibition which was really good for fans.

• March 14, 2024

Hi Melissa, Im just planning a trip to Tokyo. Ive loved reading your recomendations and all the useful informations you have provided. Im still very confussed on what trein pass I should buy. WE are planning a couple of days in Kyoto so I thought the JR rail pass would be smart. But travelling in Tokyo I understand they onky run a few trains. Should i get the additional IC card? Thank you

• March 15, 2024

Hey Kristin, yes I do recommend the IC Card since Tokyo Metro is more prevalent in Tokyo. If you have an iPhone, you can easily use the virtual IC Card via the wallet app and don’t need a physical IC Card. I have some tips here: https://girleatworld.net/virtual-ic-card-japan/

If not, you can try to get a physical IC Card when you’re in Japan, but there is a shortage in Tokyo. I recommend seeing if you can get an ICOCA card in Osaka or Kyoto.

• February 29, 2024

Hi Melissa,

Thank you for this extensive list! The 16-piece breakfast sushi you ate at Tsukiji looks incredible — do you happen to remember where this was?

Thank you in advance!!

Hey Angela, I honestly don’t remember :/ I just went to a random place at Tsukiji! But If you’re interested in a sushi platter like that, it’s very common.

• January 31, 2024

Hi Melissa, your post is really an enlightening read and made me relook at my plan for the 100000th time. I’d like your comment on my itinerary. I’m travelling with my husband and 3 kids 7, 11 and 13yo this coming late Feb – early March. Day 1- Arrive in Tokyo at noon. Stay at Shinjuku. Visit Shinjuku Gyoen Day 2- Sanrio Puroland, Ikebukuro Day 3- Mt. Fuji, Lake Kawaguchiko with private tour Day 4- Travel to Osaka via JR Hokuriku Arch Pass (Tokyo-Kanazawa-Osaka). Arrive by noon. Start 1.5 days Universal Studios pass. Day 5- Whole day Universal Studios Day 6- Travel back to Tokyo via JR Hokuriku Arch Pass. Arrive around 3pm. Stay at Asakusa. Sunset at Tokyo Skytree. Day 7- Kimono experience to Sensoji Temple, UENO PARK & National Museum of Nature and Science Day 8- Tsukiji Fish Market, Teamlabs planet, Ginza Day 9- Travel back to KL

We’re planning to get the Klook Greater Tokyo pass for most of the attractions, 72hr subway pass, and of course the 1.5 day USJ pass also from Klook. Question: 1. Do I still need to purchase a Welcome Suica? 2. I’ve done the math and I found that it’s cheaper to travel to Osaka and return to Tokyo via Hokuriku Arch Pass. But somehow i feel that we’re wasting time on the train with super early morning timing and not making full use of the pass by not going to at least Nagano for some powder action, or at least a short sightseeing around Kanazawa. Is there, any options cheaper and faster (longshot question here)?. Have you ever gone this route?

It’s our first time to Japan! I’d really appreciate your insight. Thanks in advance!

Hey Zaza 1. You don’t need a welcome suica if you have iPhone, bc you can just use the wallet app and add Suica there: https://girleatworld.net/virtual-ic-card-japan/ But if you dont use iPhone then yes you need suica card for the local travel within the city. Otherwise you’ll have to get a ticket for each travel. For your kids i think they can get kids Suica card at the station, You should try that since kids travel for less. 2. It is indeed a waste to not go to other parts of Japan, but given your itinerary is already packed, I am not sure how you’ll be able to fit more in. You will have to sacrifice some time in Tokyo.

• January 29, 2024

Hello Melissa,

My dad and I are visiting Japan for the first time. We are staying in Osaka because we are exploring mainly the Kansai region; however, we have an 8-hour layover in HND from about 5AM to 1:30PM on a Tuesday. What would you recommend us see or visit during our layover? Thank you!

P.S. Thank you so much for your blog posts! I have only read the Osaka Itinerary one because so far that is only what I really need, but I am sure they are all helpful!

Hey Inday, lucky Haneda is so close to the city! I would head to Tsukiji outer market for a sushi breakfast. Its only 30 mins by train. If you want the real fish market though, it’s been moved to Toyosu which isnt too far from Tsukiji as well. After, if you still have time you can stroll around Ginza then head back to Haneda

• January 7, 2024

Thanks, Melissa for your amazing blog. We are going to Japan soon and will spend 4 nights in Tokyo, 2 nights in Kyoto and another 3 nights in Tokyo. Should we invest in a 7 day JR Pass or buy return bullet train tickets to Kyoto and use the local trains when in Tokyo? Your advice is greatly appreciated. We are really only there to eat! Thanks

Hey, if you’re only going to Tokyo and Kyoto then JR Pass is not worth it. Just get the return ticket and use IC card for the local trains.

• October 22, 2023

Great informative blog Melissa! I’m going to Japan next month for the first time and this will be so helpful. We will be in Tokyo for 4 days, staying in the Shinjuku area, so your tips will be perfect. My daughter is pescatarian so wondering if you have any more vegetarian tips for where to eat? Also, have you written any blogs about Kyoto?

Hello fellow Melissa! Yes I do I have a guide for Kyoto as well: https://girleatworld.net/kyoto-guide/

You can see all my posts about Japan here: https://girleatworld.net/category/destination/asia/japan/

Re: vegetarian, unfortunately I am not one so I only have the one restaurant I’ve gone to (which is included in this blog post), However if my understanding of pescatarian is that she eats fish, then she would be fine in most restaurant. The most common animal product that I tell my vegetarian friends to watch out for is bonito, which are fish flakes and used in broth often. I assume your daughter will not have such issues?

• October 16, 2023

Hi Melissa, This is a great article that I might try to do on our first visit in Japan. I will be travelling with my wife and 2 kids and we’ll add a 2 day in Disneyland/Disneysea. I was wondering if you stayed in one place during all your days. Which city would you suggest if we have to add our disneyland days? thanks!

Hi Marvs, I just stayed at my original accommodation. Disney is pretty easy to get to via a train, so I don’t think you need to change.. I imagine it would be difficult to change accommodation with 2 kids. The best thing would be to stay at the Disney resort itself, but if you aren’t keen then the next best thing is to stay close to Maihama station, which takes you to Disneyland. I’ll add some recommended hotels in my Disneyland post 🙂

• October 17, 2023

Hi Melissa, Thank you so much for the info. I’ll read your Disneyland post to get more ideas. btw, I know I will be buying a lot of stuffs to take back home, but I would like to buy heavy on my last day. Which on the 5 days/location you suggest we do last so we can take a lot of shopping before we head back home? thanks!

Hey marvs, I would do either Day 4 (Shinjuku) or Day 5 since it is lighter in travel. Also, Ginza is a shopping district. The MUJI and Uniqlo store in Ginza is the flagship in Tokyo. So just depends what you want to get!

• October 14, 2023

Thanks for all your great ideas – looking forward to our first time in Japan next spring. By the way, they say on the teamLab website that “planets” has been extended to the end of 2027 due to popular demand. 🙂

Hey Lisa! Thanks for letting me know. I’ll update my post 😀

• October 4, 2023

Way too many exclamation points! I’m only on day 2 of the itinerary, and I’m exhausted by them already!!

Ha! you’re funny! okay, I’ve toned it down a bit!

• September 24, 2023

Your articles about Tokyo are super helpful for a Tokyo first timer. We’ll be traveling in November and I’m trying to read as much as I can to try and familiarize myself with Tokyo, Your articles are such a great help.

Do you have any article about going for a day tour to see Mt. Fuji (not climb it)? It will be a big help!

Thanks again.

Hey Val, thank you for the kind word! I do have a post on My Fuji, although it is not about a day tour. But you can still get an idea what you see there https://girleatworld.net/fuji-five-lakes-guide-itinerary/

• May 1, 2023

Helpful blog, Thanks!

• December 30, 2022

Hi Melissa!

I’m planning a trip for my two friends and I this summer to Tokyo and this was super helpful! Thank you so much for making everything so concise and detailed, your hard work really goes a long way, especially with first-time Tokyo travelers.

• December 26, 2022

Hello. How much did you budget for your trip?

• December 19, 2022

My son is heading to Tokyo

I see that you can buy JR passes in person @ certain locations

And was told our att phone will work ($15 a day)

Am I wrong?

Also the market you mention above has moved and been renamed … it’s now Toyosu market

• April 8, 2022

HI melissa, thanks for sharing your trip, i’m so amazed with Japan and the culture and i have a plan to visit there, reading your post really help me alot 🙂

• November 28, 2021

Great blog! Thanks for sharing informative and helpful content.

• November 15, 2021

Meu sonho é fazer esta viagem parabéns pelo conteúdo aqui João Brasil 🇧🇷

• July 30, 2021

Thank you so much for awesome blog and best content about Japan country, it is interesting and informative article, we really enjoyed so much your blog, we loved so much Japan food and we don’t forget the taste of sushi, we will be back again to Japan next year, and we wanted to visit other parts of this beautiful country.

• October 28, 2021

You definitely had an awesome time in Japan. I always hope one day, my family and I can go there so we can enjoy its wonders.

• June 3, 2021

Hi Melissa, my official trip is scheduled for 19th September, 21 for Japan, hopefully, it will work as planned. Could you suggest some Indian restaurants (if familiar) in Shinjuku (Tokyo). Thanks in advance.

• July 2, 2021

yes! You must go to Samrat! https://goo.gl/maps/tQicmaQ2msKmAwy5A

• October 11, 2020

This is one the best article i have ever seen in my life you are inspiration for youth keep continue these type of articles thank you.

• October 7, 2020

Great list Melissa, hopefully Covid / Corona is cured soon so people can get back to traveling and experiencing places like Tokyo!

• April 25, 2020

Perfect guide!

What a great article! As an old-timer in Tokyo (getting up to thirty years) I think travellers will find this article extremely helpful (and very accurate!).

• January 15, 2020

thank you, your article is very good

• November 22, 2019

Hi mell, I like your itinerary, :D. and I’m going to japan for the first time in april 2020.

can u advise about : 1. itinerary at osaka in 1 day? is it possible if I go to kyoto and kobe in 1 day?

2. If I wanna go to Tokyo, but I’m using night bus from osaka, can u tell me how? specially from USJ.

Thank you 😀

I have an Osaka Itinerary post here: https://girleatworld.net/osaka-itinerary-japan/ One day for Kyoto and Kobe is definitely NOT enough. Please see the post above Lastly I don’t have experience with night bus unfortunately so I can’t advise you there.

• December 15, 2019

Hi mel, Appreciate your advice if I spend 9 days 8 nights at Tokyo, going to hitachi seaside, mount Fuji, ashikaya wisteria park and Nikko next year May 20 , I will just need to buy suica card for my transportation only right? My round trip as airport is haneda. Thanks .

• December 17, 2019

Suica is normally good for local transport only. It cant be used on express trains so when you go to Hitachi, Nikko, Mount Fuji, etc you might need to get a separate train tickets for those. Take a look at JR Pass and see if it makes sense for you.

• November 17, 2019

I really enjoyed reading your Japan itinerary.

I will be flying to Japan in March2020 for the first time.. 😅

Questions to you:

1. Our flight will be arrive 1am midnight, will it be any transportation to the hotel? (2 adults & 2 kids – 9 & 13 years old) destination maybe to SHinagawa or Shimbashi ?

2. My japanesse friend suggested to find a hotel somewhere Shimbashi or Shinagawa, do u think they are far away from the city ?

3. We have 11 days in Japan, and i know the JR Pass is so expensive, do u think we should stay in Tokyo & surrounds (will go to Disneyland for sure )or should we go out of town ? Hiroshima etc..

4. Money wise, should we get the travel money as well ? i heard they dont accept many Credit card.

Thanking you in advance 😘

1. Which airport are you flying into? Haneda or Narita? In any case, you might need to pre-book a private transfer (I have a link above) since all trains would have stopped by then. It’s worth it since you are traveling in a large group. From Haneda there are some late night buses: http://www.haneda-airport.jp/inter/en/access/bus.html but they come very sporadically

2. I have stayed in Shinagawa. It’s convenient if you are close to Shinagawa station and if you are flying out of Haneda later on (only 20 mins by train). Shimbashi is also a great option as it is in the middle of most things.

3. Most people do Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto so you should look into that for first time visit. I’d save Hiroshima for a second visit. I have a blog post on Osaka and Kyoto too! https://girleatworld.net/osaka-itinerary-japan/ If you want to save on JR, then I’d check out cities around Tokyo like Hakone (for a chance to view Mount Fuji) or Nikko (temples and UNESCO heritage area). You only need 5-7 days to explore Tokyo.

4. Yeah certain places are cash only but if you stay within Tokyo, you’ll find credit card accepted in most places (convenient store, hotes, etc). I’d get some cash ready, probably about 2,000-3,000 yen per person per day. Definitely check your bank and options to withdraw ATM since you probably don’t want to be traveling with that much money for 11 days.

• November 12, 2019

The most helpful write-up I’ve seen while researching for my trip. Thank you so much!

glad to be able to help 🙂

• September 9, 2019

As of 9/9/2019, it looks like none of the rail links from NrT to Tokyo are running or will be running for several days. Any suggestions how I can get into town-Ueno area? Thanks

Hey Tim, is this due to the typhoon? If so, you’ll have to follow what the officials say on ground – they will know best.

• August 26, 2019

Thank you Melissa for your helpful blog. I have traveled extensively on my own and this helps.

In November I will be in Tokyo for 5 days on my own. I lived there as a child.

1) Can you recommend a few ryokans or mid price small hotels in a few of the areas that are convenient for first time visitors? Not too noisy?

I would like to stay in an area with local stores and restaurants and away from steel, concrete, and high rises.

2) Is it best to stay near a station on the Yamanote Line?

Thank you!! Loren

Hey Loren, so glad a veteran traveler found this useful!

1. For Ryokan, I don’t know many in Tokyo itself but if you go to Hakone and Nikko, there are plenty. I have a little blurb on Hakone in this post. If you like quiet area, I suggest checking out Shimokitazawa or Daikanyama. They are quiet but still close enough to central Tokyo.

2. It’s not really necessary, Tokyo is so well connected that you won’t have too much trouble with commute, as long as you stay near a train station. One might be more convenient than others but for a 5 day trip it shouldn’t make too much difference.

• August 20, 2019

Hi there! I’m traveling to Tokyo in about a week for a five day stay. I plan to follow the itinerary you posted as much as I can.

1). What is the best way to get from Narita airport (terminal 3) to my hotel in Shinjuku? Do I take the Keisei Skyliner, and transfer at Nippori for a local JR line train to Shinjuku Station? Should I buy a round-trip Keisei Skyliner ticket so that I can use this same way on my return to Narita at the end of my trip?

2). I’ll be in Tokyo for nearly my entire stay. Is there a 5 day JR line pass I can buy?

Thanks in advance 🤗

1. Keisei Skyliner is the cheapest way to get to city, so yes you can take it to Nippori then transfer to local line to Shinjuku (20 mins) The other option is Narita Express, which takes you to Tokyo station and you can take the local line to Shinjuku for shorter time (13 mins), but it costs more. I personally would take the Skyliner.

2. If you are just staying in Tokyo, you don’t need a JR Pass. Just buy the SUICA card for train transfers.

• August 22, 2019

Thanks for the tips. I think I will use the Skyliner as you suggested. Some follow-up questions:

1). Should I buy this ahead of my trip and go to the Skyliner counter when I arrive for the actual pass? I hope the counter is open when I arrive around 6:30 am.

2). Should I buy/book my return Skyliner ticket ahead of time?

3). About the SUICA card, is it advisable to buy this at Narita airport upon my arrival or ahead of time?

4). Is there a 5-day SUICA pass or do I just top up as my balance runs low?

Thanks again!

Hey Maddy, 1. Buying ahead of time is cheaper so do that if you can. A voucher will be emailed to you right away and you can redeem from Skyliner ticket counter when you reach Narita. However, the counter is only open from 7AM onward. Assuming you have to go through immigration etc then you might just get to the counter right when they open. 2. That depends on your flexibility. I see the ticket is not sold as round trip package so you could just buy them later if you arent sure. 3. You can do both. Buying ahead of time saves you a little bit of money 4. I usually just top up as I go, I find this the easiest and fuss free. There are some passes that has unlimited pass, but as I mentioned in my post Japan runs on multiple different train companies, and the unlimited passes only work on certain lines.

• July 29, 2019

Melissa god bless you. Thanks a lot for creating such a simple & straight forward content. Its easy to understand. I love it and i love you! haha thanks alot.

Thank you for taking the time to leave this comment, Nisa!! Enjoy Japan

• July 28, 2019

Greetings from Denmark – we love your Tokyo guide and are very excited about going to Japan in about 3 weeks time. We have one question regarding the JR pass which we can´t seem to figure out:

We are primarily staying in Tokyo for a few days but are then travelling TO Kyoto – and BACK when we catch the flight home. And PERHAPS we will do a day-trip outside Tokyo, depends. So we a getting the SUICA card – but what about the JR pass, since it´s only back and forth between Tokyo and Kyoto and eventually 1-day trip??? What do you recommend?

A 7-day JR Pass costs about the same as regular round trip tickets for Tokyo – Kyoto, so its worth to get in my opinion. You can use it for the local JR trains too when you are in Tokyo and Kyoto, so it would save you some money instead of using SUICA balance. Each trip cost about 260-300 yen (depending on distance), and in my experience I use the train 3-4 times a day so that adds up to about 900-1200 yen a day. See this page for the price of Tokyo-Kyoto train: https://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2363.html

If you are in Japan longer than 7 days and you are getting the 7-day JR Pass, just make sure you don’t activate / use the JR pass until 7 days before you get on the train back to Tokyo – basically you need the JR pass to still be active for when you go to Tokyo->Kyoto and Kyoto->Tokyo.

Hope that helps!!

THANKS a lot! That was very helpful – we´ll purchase the JR tickets then and take care not to activate them too soon! 😀

• May 20, 2019

My husband and I visited Japan in January 2019. We are frequent travelers, but this was our first time there. We found ourselves referencing your various travel itineraries repeatedly throughout our trip (including your Tokyo and Osaka itineraries). Your transit tips were very helpful and we found we couldn’t go wrong when following your food recommendations (including suggesting we check out danielfooddiary.com). Definitely helped to make the trip amazing! And we were really glad to see you back in Japan again recently as we’re already planning a return trip and will definitely check out your updated info. Thanks for the awesome tips!

thank you so much for your kind words Kathleen! comments like yours are what keeps me motivated to maintain this blog. thank you for taking the time to come back and write this ❤️

• May 14, 2019

Hi, we are group of 5, will travel to narita by next week, and had a booking at narita airport hostel. Could you have any recommendations or suggestions for us.. which place is best to see near or around narita. Its our first time to go to Japan and your blog was really helpful. Thank you so much

Hey Mary, glad to hear the post is helpful! Unfortunately, I am not familiar with Narita area. I hope you’ll be going into the city?

• May 25, 2019

Narita San Temple and the awesome windy road that is directly Infront of the the temple is amazing to visit. Lots of shops and restaurants. I always go to this temple when I fly into Japan before heading out to Tokyo. The temple is very big and a local friend of mine said that’s where his highschool graduation took place.

• May 7, 2019

Great post! And informative. If I may add something here, I would say it is definitely possible for you to buy Japan SIM at the airport – Mobal offers affordable phone plans and English support. I would also recommend visiting Shibamata, an old quarter where “it’s tough being a man” was filmed – you need to change a lot of trains to get there if you are staying in central Tokyo or the West of Tokyo, but you may love the good and old days’ ambience there.

• April 7, 2019

Hi Melissa! Great post. Very helpful as I’ll be heading to Japan for 3 weeks later this month. We’ve already purchased and picked up a 21-day JR pass, but I’m wondering if we also have to purchase extra passes like the Hakone-Kamakura pass you mentioned? (Both of those places are on our itinerary) If so, where can these be purchased and does it have to be outside of Japan?

The JR pass can only cover the journey up to Odawara station, after which it switches to Odakyu line, which is why I recommend getting the Hakone pass as it offers discounts on the journey from Odawara to Hakone (or straight from Tokyo). I bought the pass in Japan, but it might be cheaper to buy through Klook link I have above. This pass does not have to be bought from outside of Japan. Find info about Hakone-Kamakura pass here – It has info about their office in Shinjuku

This detailed post is very helpful. I am travelling from 9th until 21st April to Tokyo. My husband will be woking so I will be mostly on my own. Please recommend anything you want as i am going to stay for 2 weeks.

• April 8, 2019

Aastha, you are going to have so much fun! Perhaps you can look into day trips to nearby Tokyo, such as Hakone, Yokohama, and Kamakura. I also recommend exploring the lesser known neighborhoods such as Daikanyama, Nakameguro, Ebisu, and Shimokitazawa. I have a quick write up on Daikanyama here: https://girleatworld.net/daikanyama-tokyo-guide/

You can also look into Tokyo Disneyland trip if that’s something that interests you.

• March 27, 2019

Does the JR pass include the cities we are visiting.. Dor it includes Haneda airport to Chiba when we arrive from Bangkok..

Tokyo to Hamamatsu – Yes Hamamatsu to Kyoto – Yes Kyoto to Tokyo – Yes

Haneda to Chiba you need to look it up yourself. I think it does not.

family of 3 traveling from Tokyo to Hakone to Hammamatsu to Kyoto then back to Tokyo, over 10 days.. is the JR pass feasible..? Does JR pass cover transport from Haneda airport to hotel nearby Disney, this is when we first arrive.. Thanks.. Richard

Hey Richard, it’s hard to say since it depends on how long you plan to stay in Kyoto. In general, most of the savings of JR pass comes from the city to city bullet train so I feel it would be good for your Kyoto – Hamamatsu – Tokyo transfers, but you need to compare the actual price difference depending on your plan.

Does JR pass cover Tokyo to Hakone fare..

Hey Richard, I think it only covers part of the way. You can use your JR Pass to reach Odawara, then from there Hakone can be reached by private Odakyu line, which is not part of JR.

• March 19, 2019

HI, good day to you

We are 4 adult will be travelling to Tokyo this mid May 2019. my questions as below:- Any hotels receommand (transfer from Haneda Airport around 12am mid night to shinjuku bus terminal or Tokyo City Air Terminal for us with some luggages

• February 26, 2019

Hi thank you for your post. Our family of four (kids 11 and 15) will be visitng Tokyo for the first time this coming May. We saw lots of affordable hotels in Ueno (3 min by foot from JR Ueno Station) that are new and spacious. Do you suggest this is a good base area for our 6 days? We are only planning to tour around Tokyo. I read somewhere that we might be wasting our time in transportation getting around the city (as opposed to staying in areas like Shinjuku, Tokyo Station or Shibuya.

Also for 6 days in Tokyo, can we just use Pasmo or Suica card in getting around the city? There is also a 3 day Tokyo city pass???

Thank you so much!

Hey Eyelett, Ueno is not too bad – if you don’t mind the 30 mins train ride to Shibuya and Shinjuku. Are you planning to spend many of your days there? There are things to see near Ueno too, like Akihabara and Asakusa.

For the 3 day pass, can you link me to the pass? You have to be careful bc sometimes they only include certain lines and does not include JR, which you’ll want if you’re staying near JR Ueno. If they don’t include JR then you’ll still need to pay with Pasmo/Suica. It’s usually around 260-320 yen per ride.

Thank you Melissa,

The 3 day pass is for the Tokyo Metro Subway. I read the link here:

https://jw-webmagazine.com/tokyo-subway-unlimited-pass-how-to-get-and-how-much-you-can-save-3ca0c6d36b84

Do I need to get both JR Pass and Tokyo Metro Subway Pass? If so, I read that there are different kinds of JR Pass? I am only interested for the one to use in the city, or is the Metro Subway enough to get around?

Hey Eyelett, that 3-day pass is only valid on Tokyo Metro and Toei lines. These are different than JR. That said, if you are planning to travel a lot by train in the first 3 days then I think it’s still worth getting. Each ride on Toei/Metro line is usually 200 yen so to make it worth it you just need to ride it at least 3 times a day.

Then, if you need to take a JR line then you can pay for it individually by either buying tickets each time at the ticket counter or use Suica.

For JR passes, these are only worth it if you are planning to get out of Tokyo since the savings are in the fact that you can take the longer ride bullet train between cities.

• February 23, 2019

Love your post! Thanks so much 🙂

Have a few questions for you : 1. Any suggested apps to download prior to trip? 2. Based on your blog post, you suggested to buy these beforehand: 1) JR Pass 2) Suica pass 3) Prepaid Sim / Router… did I miss anything else? 3. Did you go to Disneyland Tokyo during any of your trips? Any tips to share? 4. If we arrive Haneda Airport late and trains may have stopped running by then, would taxi be the only option to get into Tokyo?

Thanks again! Look forward to hear back from you x

Hey Ada 1) Definitely download a google translate pack for Japanese, just in case 2) yup, those should be good. I also suggest booking in advance if you want to visit Ghibli museum as they have limited tickets. And the Tokyo Disneyland ticket since you have to print those out in advance. 3) Not yet 🙁 It’s still in my to-do list! I have heard you should just buy directly from the Disney website though since it allows direct entry and you won’t have to pick up the ticket elsewhere. But you still have to print out the ticket no matter where you buy it from. 4) There is a night bus from Haneda to certain areas of Tokyo, but the coverage is very limited – click here for more information . Aside of this yeah you have to take the taxi I suppose – it won’t be cheap.

• February 25, 2019

thanks melissa!

• February 17, 2019

Dear Melissa,

Thank you for your advise, I am first time to Tokyo for Rugby World Cup 2019 in October. 1) For accommodation, any suggestion place to stay for 2 adults + 1 child? 2) Can you suggest place to visit in Osaka? How many days require?

Best regards, Ah Zul

1) Since you are a family, I would recommend looking through Airbnb for a one-bedroom apartment. This would be pretty small, but perfect for your family because you won’t have to share. Just make sure it’s close to a train station so you can get around easily. 2) For osaka, I have an entire blog post on it! https://girleatworld.net/things-to-do-in-osaka/ I recommend at least 3 days in Osaka.

• February 10, 2019

Hi!! I was planning to go to Japan in the middle of September (sept 16 – 30th). I was wondering if it would still be hot summer weather or if it would have already cooled down for the Autumn. Great post by the way and very easy to understand 😀

September will be pleasant weather. Probably just need a light jacket for night time. enjoy!!

• January 24, 2019

Thank you for writing a long and detailed blog. It is so helpful. We are planning to go in March mid during sakura season for the first time. I have 2 questions if you could help:

1) Will it be cold or hot during Cherry Blossom season? Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka?

2) Are local train station included in JR rail pass? Specially in shinjuku area? I read its huge.

Best, Qurat ul ain

Hi Qurat, the cherry blossom season is in spring, so it won’t be too cold. A pleasant 20C days if i remember correctly! The JR rail pass can be used on JR trains, which includes some local trains. Shinjuku has some JR lines so you’ll be able to use them there.

• January 25, 2019

Thank you Melissa!

Forgot to say, I have a blog for cherry blossom season! https://girleatworld.net/sakura-season-japan-photos/

• January 14, 2019

Thank you for your advise, I ll change the schedule as per your advise, as I am first time to Tokyo and with the kids do you recommend that I am going to pick the local city tour at our arrival? thanks.

Best regards, Putu

I think Japan is pretty easy to do by yourself – why don’t you try first and see how it goes? If you need a tour then you can book on the second day

• January 11, 2019

Hello we are going for a 30th Birthday is there anywhere you would recommend going for dinner for a special occasion? Also how much spending money do you think you need a day? Look forward to hearing back Francesca

Hey Francesca! Happy birthday to the person celebrating. For daily allowance, I recommend having about $10-20 per meal and about $4-8 for transportation. As for 30th birthday recommendation, try walking around Daikanyama area ( https://girleatworld.net/daikanyama-tokyo-guide/ ) there are lots of nice restaurants you can try there. You can also try Zauo, a restaurant in Shibuya where you can fish for your own meal.

• January 8, 2019

Dear Author,

Thank you for your awesome testimony particularly for the first time traveler go to Japan, may your recommendation and advise to me if we go with family, wife and two kids of 10 and 12 years old.

Hi Putu, I think the above itinerary can still work for a family. Just make sure your kids are prepared to walk a lot! You might also want to check out disney sea in Tokyo.

• January 9, 2019

Hi Melissa Hie,

Thank you for your reply, my last query is beginning of July this year a convenient weather in Tokyo? As this the kids holiday in Indonesia.

Thanks and regards, Putu

It will be hot, but the same as Indonesia 🙂

• December 16, 2018

Loved your post. Just got back from a 10 day stay in Tokyo and I am in love with it!! We did everything on your list and some. Just wanted to update you on the Golden Dai area: Most of the little bars have cover charges between $5-10 so it didn’t make it convenient to go bar hopping. We just picked one and stayed the night…. it was great but would have enjoyed see each bar since they are unique to the owner. We would like to go back and visit more of the county side and the Cherry Blossom festival!

Hey Kris! Thank you so much for taking the time to come back and leave this comment. I’ll update the post with your information 🙂 (dunno how I could have forgotten that!) is there anything else I can do better?

• September 27, 2018

Gotta use your itinerary! 🙂 we’ll be in Japan in 2mos. time!

• June 2, 2018

Thank you soooo much for this!! It’s so nice that you grouped activities based on location. It’s gonna make it much easier to see all I want to see. Wish more bloggers did this.

• June 3, 2018

Thank you Zebeth! That was what I was thinking when I was visiting Tokyo, since I had limited time. So I made this guide 😀

• May 28, 2018

Enjoyed your Tokyo itinerary! Impressed that you made it to Shimokitazawa. It’s a great neighborhood and doesn’t show up on many “first time visitor” itineraries. You always can tell the difference between an itinerary from someone who spent a few days in Tokyo and someone like you who has visited several times for work and holiday alike.

On your next visit to Tokyo, you might also enjoy Jimbocho. It receives even fewer visitors than Shimokitazawa, but likewise is a great place to explore.

• May 29, 2018

Thank you for stopping by! I feel Shimokita is getting more and more popular these days, I guess because it was featured in Vogue as one of Coolest Neighborhoods in the world. But yeah, it’s definitely more low-key. I personally made it there due to a friend’s recommendation and I ended up loving it so much that I had to include it here 😀

Definitely will keep Jimbocho in mind for my next Tokyo trip. I love how your blog recommends not-so-common things to do around the world too!

• June 5, 2018

You’re quite welcome! Wasn’t aware of the Vogue mention for Shimokitazawa, but that is the kind of mention that will raise its profile, no doubt.

Thank you for the kind words about travelgasm, as well!

• December 14, 2017

Thank you for this post, it helped me out alot in planning my stay here in Tokyo and I managed to do everything I wanted :). My favourite places to eat were definitely Hiroki (they actually had an english menu too) and Asakusa were I tried tons of the little snacks (agemanju was delicious)

oooh nice! so glad hiroki has an english menu 😀

• December 5, 2017

I loved your post and all you colourful pictures! I was actually thinking of visiting Japan next but I was wondering which periods of the year you think are the best to visit? Also, could you let me know which camera do you normally use? Xxxxx Cheers!

• December 7, 2017

Definitely March to April for Sakura ( you can check out my Sakura post! :D) or November for the fall foliage (blog post coming soon). Avoid Summer as it’s usually hot and humid. I usually just use my iPhone to take picture – I’m not very fancy 🙂

• November 3, 2017

I agree with you that Tokyo is very safe for solo travelers. I was there alone and I enjoyed it. 3 days in Tokyo isn’t enough *sigh*

definitely not. I think 5 days is ideal, 4 is pushing it. Such an amazing city!

• November 1, 2017

Bless you, I swear. Thanks for this! If I ever blog about my Japan experience next year I’ll definitely credit your for a few of these things.

thank you! please let me know if you have any feedback on it too!

No worries, thanks Melissa!

• October 27, 2017

i love your travel blog! will save it for my future trip!!

• October 28, 2017

Thanks Nana, let me know if you do use the itineraries and if you have any feedback

Omg I am going to Tokyo for a Working Holiday in December and I am sooo excited! Your post couldn’t have had a better timing <3

WOW a work holiday?! So jealous! How long are you going to be there for?

1 year is planned if everything works out fine 🙂

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8 Days in Japan: Top 5 Itineraries for First Visit 2024/2025

Eight days are enough for you to visit the major cities of Japan — Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka — while also allowing you to have the flexibility to dedicate 1–2 days for enriching day trips to nearby destinations, such as Hakone, Mount Fuji, Nara, or Hiroshima.

In this article, we've selected five wonderful 8-day Japan itineraries to help you plan a once-in-a-lifetime, beautiful, and stress-free journey. You could choose one of them as a starting point or we could customize your own unique itinerary , maybe based on the inspiration they provide.

Itinerary 1: Classic Japan (Most Chosen)

• Itinerary 2: For Family with Teenagers
• Itinerary 3: Japan Cherry Blossom Tour

Itinerary 4: Japan Off-the-Beaten-Path

• Itinerary 5: Get Involved with the Ainu Aboriginal People

How Much Does 8 Days in Japan Cost?

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• 2 nights in Tokyo
• 1 night in Hakone
• 2 nights in Kyoto
• 2 nights in Osaka

This 8-day itinerary is ideal for your first trip to experience the best of Japan in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Moreover, you could experience abundant authentic hands-on activities to create an unforgettable Japan trip.

Begins your journey in Tokyo.  Immerse yourself in the ambiance of the Edo era (1603–1868) at Tokyo's oldest Buddhist temple, Senso-ji, walk along the wide stone paths adorned with towering trees at the downtown Meiji Shrine, experience a sushi-making class, and enjoy what you make as your lunch.

Then, travel to Hakone, a small town known for its onsens (hot spring baths). Spend a traditional Japanese-style night at a ryokan (inn) with an onsen, where you could unwind in the hot springs while admiring picturesque countryside views.

A ryokan usually has only 5–15 rooms and they easily become fully booked. You're advised to make reservations at least 3 months in advance to ensure that more options are available. Your personal Japan travel advisor would help you to select a family-friendly or couple-friendly ryokan.

Next, take a comfortable Shinkansen to Kyoto to visit its attractive highlights:  Fushimi Inari Shrine with thousands of orange-red torii gates, the gold-leaf-covered Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), and experience making Kyoto pottery.

Take a day trip to Hiroshima from Osaka to visit the site of the atomic bombing and explore the museum. This would allow you to witness the collection of items left behind after the attack and cherish the post-war peace.

Complete your trip in flourishing Osaka. Experience unique ukiyo-e printmaking to immerse yourself in the charm of Japanese culture, and feel the excitement of a classic Japanese sport — a sumo wrestling match.

Just let us know your interests and requirements , and our Japan travel expert can help make it happen.

Itinerary 2: A Japan Tour for a Family with Teenagers

• 2 nights in Kyoto (side trip to Nara)
• 3 nights in Tokyo

This 8-day Japan itinerary is perfect for families, especially those with teenagers. It caters to kids' love for animation and games, and provides a wealth of family-friendly activities that every member could participate in and enjoy. Plus, you won't have to switch hotels frequently.

You'll start in Osaka.  We could arrange many special experiences for your family, such as wearing ninja outfits to be immersed in a ninja experience, or embarking on an extraordinary adventure in the magic world of Mario at Super Nintendo World.

Kyoto is a medieval capital city that's rich in culture.  It's a great place to experience wearing kimonos as you explore shrines and feel like you're traveling back in time, enjoy a night's stay at a traditional ryokan with a family room (accommodating 3–5 people), and take a day trip to Nara to feed deer.

Finally, travel to Tokyo by Shinkansen. Tokyo is an exciting city offering anime elements for families.  You'll explore the Pokémon Center to buy Japan-exclusive products, enjoy coffee and desserts at an anime café themed around your kids' favorite cartoon characters, and dive into a fun-filled world in Tokyo Disneyland at your own relaxed pace.

You can just tell us your preferences and requirements and our Japan travel consultant will customize a tour for you.

Itinerary 3: Japan Cherry Blossom Tour (in March or April)

• 3 nights in Kyoto (side trip to Nara)
• 1 night in Osaka

March to April is the cherry blossom season in Japan. You could admire the beautiful cherry blossoms almost everywhere in Japan, making it one of the best times to visit due to the stunning scenery and pleasant weather.

In this well-planned 8-day cherry blossom itinerary, you would enjoy the breathtaking beauty of cherry blossoms, witness attractions adorned with delicate pink petals, and experience authentic activities to enrich your trip.

Staying at a ryokan with an onsen could be a memorable experience for you. Relax in an open-air hot spring while watching the cherry blossoms dance in the spring breeze. 

By starting to plan for the 2025 cherry blossom season now, you could make a wise decision that grants you a broader selection of hotels and ryokans, along with the possibility of taking advantage of early bird deals. This proactive approach also ensures a higher chance of securing a more experienced and knowledgeable guide with an early booking.

• 3 nights in Kyoto
• 1 night in Koyasan
• 1 night in Wakayama

This 8-day itinerary not only allows you to visit two top cities, Kyoto and Osaka, but also it allows you to explore two off-the-beaten-path places near these cities. It provides you with the chance to experience the lifestyle of monks while enjoying a vegetarian meal in the mountains, to explore an exclusive traditional Japanese village, and to relax on a sandy beach.

Kyoto and Osaka are two major cities in the western region of Japan. Both cities offer plenty of awesome highlights and authentic activities for you to enjoy. Take a day trip to Kobe to sample the best high-quality wagyu — prepare to be amazed by the incredibly tender and juicy meat.

Koyasan is a significant holy site for Buddhists in Japan. You could spend a night at a well-equipped temple to experience Japanese accommodation, indulge in a healthy vegetarian meal, and immerse yourself in a serene Zen atmosphere to relax your mind and body.

End your trip in Wakayama, a city boasting the best western region beach. Leisurely stroll along the sandy beach to relieve your travel fatigue, take a glass-bottom boat trip to discover the wonders of the clear sea, and sample the exquisite culinary delight of fugu ryori, a Japanese pufferfish delicacy.

We'd like to create a wonderful trip based on your needs and interests, whatever the weather.

Itinerary 5: Get Involved with the Ainu Aboriginal People in Hokkaido

• 3 nights in Sapporo
• 2 nights in Furano
• 2 nights in Noboribetsu

If you are interested in the aboriginal culture of Japan, then this 8-day Japan itinerary is suitable for you. You could gain more insights into how the Ainu aboriginal people impacted Hokkaido's history and culture. Furthermore, you would be able to try traditional crafts and observe wildlife up close.

One of the highlights of this itinerary is fully immerse yourself in the Hokkaido's Ainu artifacts.  You could learn about the Ainu aboriginal people and their way of life at the Historical Village of Hokkaido in Sapporo, and observe Ainu artifacts, such as tools and weapons.

For a more immersive encounter with the aboriginal culture, visit an Ainu village in Noboribetsu. Besides watching traditional Ainu dance performances and tasting authentic Ainu cuisine, you could engage in traditional handicraft activities, such as weaving bamboo baskets and making traditional Ainu dolls.

Another highlight of this itinerary is   you could experience yet more hands-on experiences in Furano.  For example, making cheese and candles, which could add more fun to your trip. Asahikawa boasts Hokkaido's best Asahiyama Zoo, where you could closely observe animals and learn about unique habitats specific to Hokkaido's diverse wildlife population, such as Sakhalin foxes and sika deer.

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 8 days in Japan is about US$2,800-4,000 (international flights not included).

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Get Inspired with Some Popular Itineraries

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Trip within a Trip: Osaka and Kyoto, Japan

May 1, 2024 • 9 min read

Make your next trip to Japan even better by adding on four days in exciting Osaka (pictured) and Kyoto © EarnestTse / Shutterstock

Senior Director of Content Laura Motta recently spent 10 days in Japan . To make the most of her time in the country, she included a four-day mini-excursion to Osaka and Kyoto – a trip within a trip, if you will, which anyone can replicate.

Everyone goes to Tokyo , and I would never tell you to skip it. But another critical part of any Japan itinerary is that magical Shinkansen (bullet train) ride south to Osaka , and the astounding sites that await beyond. A mind-boggling pair of cities – Osaka and Kyoto – are crammed with more shrines and temples, steel-and-glass skyscraper malls, scenic vistas and world-class restaurants than you can experience in a month, never mind in just a few days. This was my third trip to Japan and my second time visiting Osaka and Kyoto.

Before I get to my recommendations, here are a few practical tips:

• When to arrive: Arriving in Osaka around midday lets you drop your bags at the hotel, rest and then hit Dōtonbori in the evening, when its famous neon lights are ablaze. 
• Getting there from the airport: The spotless, inexpensive airport limousine bus from Kansai Airport makes eight stops in Osaka, which include all of its main train stations.
• Getting around: Japan is world-famous for the ease and comprehensiveness of its public transit for a reason. You can – and certainly should – do this route without a car. High-speed (more expensive/faster) and local (less expensive/slower) trains cover every inch of this region and will shuttle you quickly between Kyoto and Osaka. Both cities have easy-to-use subway systems.
• What to pack: Certainly, your walking shoes and room in your stomach for a lot of ramen. Keep in mind that Japan has four distinct seasons and temperatures vary significantly between them. Check the weather ahead of time – and pack accordingly.
• How to structure your days: It’s tempting to cram your schedule when there are so many things to see. Yet realistically, you won’t be able to do more than two major sites – maybe three, if you’re really going for it – in a single day. This is especially true in Kyoto, where the best sites are far apart and can require up to an hour of travel to reach.
• Take it easy:  Don’t forget to eat, hydrate, rest and wander. And tell yourself you’ll be back.

Day 1: Osaka

Snack time .

You’ve been traveling all morning. It’s time to eat. (Unless, of course, you stuffed yourself en route on the amazing bento boxes you can get at Tokyo Station.) Keep it simple like I did and grab onigiri (rice balls) or a  sando  at 7-Eleven. There’s one on every corner, you’ll only spend a few dollars, and buying local snacks – especially in Japan – is among travel’s greatest joys. 

See the neon

If you’re in Osaka, go see the Glico man. It's a rule. Or maybe it's just mine. This famous animated sign of a runner, arms raised, about to cross the finish line in some hypothetical marathon in the sky, remains delightful despite the tourist crush on the streets below. This ad for the Glico candy company (candy bars give you energy – get it?) has become an informal mascot of Dotonbori , Osaka’s dining and nightlife district. After dark, it’s fun to wander here through the area’s many arcades, claw-machine and pachinko parlors, and shops. If you start here on a weeknight, it’s delightfully quiet.

Insider tip: Arrive before sunset and duck into a tiny side street to Hōzen-ji , a small temple known for its moss-covered statues. I was there when they were lighting the lanterns for the evening – a dreamy experience indeed.

Have a cheap and cheerful dinner

Dotonbori is teeming with restaurants. You can’t miss the distinctive signage advertising takoyaki (grilled octopus balls), gyoza and crab. My favorite takoyaki stand, Takoyaki Yoriyabunzaemon , is humble compared to its bombastic neighbors; there is no 5ft marquee. Inside, you’ll sit on a well-worn barstool while the single cook pours takoyaki batter into the famous round molds and serves it to you still piping hot, and slathered in mayo, barbecue sauce and bonito flakes. A warning: if you value the skin on the roof of your mouth, do not eat too fast here.

Day 2: Kyoto

Bullet train .

The Shinkansen train between Osaka and Kyoto is cheap and lightning fast. This trip is included in many Japanese rail passes , but if you’re paying for a standalone ticket, you’ll pay 1420 yen (about US$10). The trip takes 15 minutes, so slower local trains hardly seem worth the mildly cheaper price. Arrive midday and head to your hotel to check in and drop your luggage. Before you depart, don’t forget to look around Kyoto Station for the eki  ink stamp, which you can imprint into a notebook as a souvenir. Every train station in Japan has a uniquely designed stamp, even if you sometimes have to ask the attendant at smaller stations where to find it.

Stay in style

If there’s one place to splurge on a fabulous hotel in Japan, it’s in Kyoto. Whether you’re strolling under vibrant fall leaves or spring cherry blossoms, or wandering the narrow alleys and stepped streets of the Gion district , Kyoto is romantic, its temples and shrines otherworldly. My choice was Hotel the Mitsui Kyoto , a new luxury property that blends smart contemporary design with traditional Japanese accents. Beside its excellent restaurant – more on that below – the highlight is the hotel's updated approach to the traditional onsen . This vast, moodily lit indoor space offers heated pools and loungers amid beautiful rock formations and water features. And unlike many onsen experiences, this one is a bathing-suits-required, mixed-gender space where everyone can hang out. There is also no surcharge for entry.

Visit the temples

My boyfriend cheekily refers to Fushimi Inari Taisha , Kyoto’s famous shrine with its rows and rows of vermillion gates ascending a dramatic hillside, as “the Instagram shrine.” It’s hard to say that he’s wrong: the site is a favorite among foreign travelers for good reason. The gates are simply gorgeous and – yes – photogenic. Just don’t expect to find yourself there alone. 

Insider tip: Afterward, stop at the charming Vermillion Cafe for a sweet snack and coffee. Sit on the back porch, which overlooks a lovely stretch of forest, for especially serene vibes (spectacular in autumn).

If you still have energy left in the afternoon, head to Nishi Hongan-ji , a mammoth Buddhist temple complex that’s home to some of the largest wooden structures in Japan. After you marvel at the huge lanterns and expansive halls, stop by the brightly painted Chinese Gate, which dates back to the late 1500s. This temple is also within walking distance of Kyoto Station, and can be a good place to start or end your trip.

Day 3: Kyoto

Go for the gold.

Kinkaku-Ji , sometimes called the Golden Pavilion, is among Kyoto’s (and Japan’s) most famous and photographed landmarks. This UNESCO World Heritage site , where a brilliant gold temple appears to float along the shores of a serene lake, is well worth braving the crowds for, especially in sunny weather when the reflection of the lake glints off of the temple’s exterior walls. Go early, packing your patience – and you’ll understand instantly why so many people flock here. 

School Bus Coffee Stop is a charming spot for an easy, affordable breakfast or lunch in cozy, industrial-farmhouse-style surroundings. Comforting selections like bagel sandwiches and avocado toast are accompanied by the shop’s excellent, house-roasted coffee.

Modern love

For an aesthetic palate cleanser after a quick lunch, stop by the Kyoto City KYOCERA Museum of Art , which houses rotating exhibits, often of contemporary and modern art, in a fantastic brick structure that dates to the 1930s.

Taste sensation

And you’d be remiss if you stayed at the Mitsui without eating at its elegantly flamboyant Italian restaurant, Forni . Yes, there are pizzas and pastas on its à la carte menu. But I’d highly recommend the tasting dinner, where impeccably composed dishes like sea bream citrus tartare and grilled wagyu arrive on geometric plates and stands. It’s a feast for the eyes as well as the stomach.

Day 4: Osaka

Smart hotel.

After going luxe in Kyoto on meals and lodging, I came back to Osaka looking to save money without sacrificing too much comfort. I wasn’t ready to sleep in a sarcophagus-sized pod or get every meal at 7-Eleven. (Well, not every meal – just a few.) After getting off the train from Kyoto at the massive Shin-Osaka Station, I took the easy-to-use metro to one of the best places I’ve stayed in Japan, the chicly designed, austere-but-comfortable  Hotel Noum , just across the river from Temmabashi Station. The location made transportation connections easy and kept me sheltered from the stark urban rush of Umeda, Osaka’s high-rise business district. Rooms are small, comfortable and spotless; mine had a river view. The hotel also has an airy coffee shop in its lobby that attracts as many locals as travelers. I popped in here for a breakfast pastry and a latte and was ready to start the day.

Window(less) shopping

Even if you don’t stay in Umeda, visiting the neighborhood is a must. Spend a day wandering its cavernous, endless indoor shopping malls and underground food courts. You may never see daylight, but you will find everything from Hermès bags to the best 300-yen (US$2) gyoza you’ve ever tasted. I like to check in on the enormous red whale, which hangs suspended from the atrium of the Hep Five department store, which also happens to have a ferris wheel on its roof.

Enjoy a messy lunch

Train stations are where you’ll find some of the best food in Japan – and Osaka’s sprawling Umeda Station is no exception. My favorite train-station ramen is at Menya Takei, located behind the entry gates for the Hankyu Railway. Menya Takei specializes in tsukemen , in which the ramen noodles and broth are served separately. Dip the noodles into the broth to eat – yes, you’ll undoubtedly get it all over your clothes, but that’s part of the fun. Lots of laundry to do when you return home is a sure sign of a great trip. 

Insider tip : Ask the gate agent to let you through. They’ll make you pay for a rail ticket on the way in, and then may refund you on the way out.

From Osaka, hop back onboard the Shinkansen for more exploring in Japan, or do what I did and catch a quick, affordable domestic flight to Tokyo’s Haneda airport to connect to your flight home.

Keep planning your trip to Japan:

The 24 best things to do in Japan Find out if you need a visa to enter the country Take to the open road on these top drives How to discover Japan on a budget

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Japan for Beginners: 3 Vacation Itinerary Ideas

KATHERINE KENDRICK, 62, wants to give her nephew Henry Kendrick, 21, a trip to celebrate his graduation from Reed College in Portland, Ore. The destination of their dreams: Japan. “I’ve been to Tokyo for work but never had time to tour the country,” said the Los Angeles lawyer, who canceled plans to attend the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games because of Covid restrictions. 

Since its late reopening in October 2022, this compelling destination has seen tourism soar. How can the Kendricks see authentic Japan with prices surging, and choice accommodations and restaurant reservations booked far out? 

One idea: Skirt the spots on must-see lists and visit places offering the cultural immersion both desire. While you might think their age difference would mean different wish lists, the like-minded pair want to focus on enriching activities and sights in Tokyo and Kyoto for the two-week trip, with a jaunt outside those cities if time permits.

Here, three travel planners specializing in Asia offer ideas and places to visit for Katherine and her eager first-time visitor.

“With its rich cultural heritage, Japan is the perfect destination for educational travel,” said Boston-based Tesia Smith, of Smithsonian Journeys by Audley Travels. Experiences that introduce the pair to Japan’s ancient traditions, as well as its contemporary worlds, said Smith, would make an appealing mix. On one day, they might learn to prepare a popular dish such as gyoza (dumplings) on a family-run farm; on the next, the Kendricks would enjoy chado, the traditional tea ceremony, at a private home. A side trip to Kyoto by the Sea would take them to Ine, a scenic fishing village facing the Sea of Japan. The pair might want to stay overnight in a funaya (a floating boat house) and the next day, observe artisans at work at Tamiya Raden, a textile studio.

Pros: Hands-on fun brings Japan into focus for the multigenerational duo.

Cons: So much activity doesn’t always make for a relaxing time. 

Japan’s contemporary art scene, centuries-old architecture and diverse natural landscapes invite visitors to “treasure the moment”—the concept of Ichigo Ichie—said Gerald Hatherly. The executive director at Abercrombie & Kent Hong Kong suggests touring Tokyo art galleries with an influencer from the city one day, then day-tripping to Kyoto’s Buddhist Kiyomizu-dera Temple the next. A visit to Hakone, a town near Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, affords outstanding views of Mount Fuji as well as access to its 8th-century Hakone-jinja Shrine. In Kanazawa, they could check out a contemporary art museum or walk the Nagamachi District, historic Samurai quarters.

Pros: Insider access makes Tokyo’s art world come alive.

Cons: In the fall, temperatures in Japan get chilly, so a visit to coastal towns or time spent outside at the national park means bundling up.

Atlanta-based Georgia Schley Ritchie, an independent affiliate of Protravel International, suggests pairing with experts to enrich activities, whether deconstructing street style with a Tokyo fashion designer in the boutique-packed Harajuku district, or studying iaidō, the art of drawing a sword from its sheath, with a martial arts expert. Arrival in Kyoto should include a contemplative walk on the Fushimi Inari Shrine trail through the dramatic vermilion torii gates before checking into Sowaka, a serene ryokan, or inn, with its own onsen, or hot springs, and Michelin-starred restaurant, La Bombance. If you have more time, make a stop at World Heritage site Shirakawa-go, an 11th-century village showcasing gasshō-zukuri, or “praying hands” architecture, featuring steeply pitched thatched roofs.

Pros: Learning esoteric traditions like iaidō deepens cultural immersion.

Cons: This activity-intense trip may challenge both young and older visitors.

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Help with itinerary 12 days in Japan (First Time Visitor)

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10th - 13th in Tokyo (inc 1 day trip to Mt Fuji )

14th - 17th in Kyoto via bullet train

18th - 19th in Hiroshima via bullet train

20th - 21st back into Tokyo from Hiroshima via bullet train

22nd Fly home to UK

Any recommendations would be much appreciated I don't want to miss out and get it wrong!

Thanks in advance

3 replies to this topic

Looks good.

Lots of great ideas here = http://www.japan-guide.com

Seems like a good sensible use of your first time and the time you have. Loads of examples of itineraries for 2, 3 days at each place if you google and youtube. Base it on your own style and pace. Note : you will have to make some tough decisions! Draft and redraft your plans, do some things like plan the daily route and how long things take, when things are busiest etc. Some things need to be booked well in advance, so you can pen them in and adjust around them. Also be flexible, you may need to adjust on the 'fly' either because things happen or you actually decide to do something else. Some real expertise on here when you start to flesh out your detailed plans, if you are really unsure.

Kyoto - visit Nara as a day trip. Both are former capitals for more than 1,000 years.

Hiroshima - don't miss Miyajima as a day trip.

Consider this 5-day JR West KHP which saves at least 15% after a round trip to Hiroshima from Osaka .

https://www.westjr.co.jp/global/en/ticket/pass/kansai_hiroshima/

In Tokyo in late May, check out rose gardens if interested in roses.

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