2 Weeks in Japan – Perfect Travel Itinerary for First-Timers

Two weeks in Japan itinerary with map

I have been to Japan twice, and each trip has brought new and exhilarating experiences. Whether I’m marvelling at the temples, swooning over the fashion, indulging my inner glutton, or filling my heart with the kindness of strangers, no two days are the same.

I love everything about Japan, and I’m certain that wherever you decide to go, you’ll enjoy yourself. Similar to Italy, it’s one of those countries where each city and town is special and offers something unique and beautiful to fill your senses.

However, there are a few places that all first-timers to Japan should experience, and this 2-week itinerary is designed for you to get the most out of your trip.

I’m already daydreaming about my third return. I want to experience the nature of Hokkaido, hike up Mount Fiji, and get completely lost in the sprawling suburbs of Tokyo. However, I’ll have to sit on that idea until my finances have more meat on their bones!

This 2-week guide is aimed at first-timers in Japan who have limited time but want to see as much as possible without rushing around. It covers many of the highlights, but is, by no means, a comprehensive guide of the whole country.

Recommended 2-week Japan itinerary

  • Osaka – 2 nights
  • Koyasan (Mount Koya) – 2 nights
  • Hiroshima – 2 nights
  • Miyajima – Day trip or 1 night if time allows
  • Kyoto – 3 nights
  • Tokyo – 5 nights

If you would prefer to take things at a slower and easier pace, you could also simply opt for these four locations: Osaka – Hiroshima – Kyoto – Tokyo.

How to spend 2 weeks in Japan - travel itinerary and tips

Overview of Japan’s Layout

Japan has 47 prefectures that come under eight regions. These regions are: Hokkaido, Tohoku, Kanto, Chubu, Kansai, Chugoku, Shikoku, and Kyushu-Okinawa.

In this 2-week itinerary you will visit three prefectures – Kansai, Chugoku and Kanto.

During both of my trips, I concentrated on exploring these prefectures. They’re huge, and there’s already so much to see in these areas, so don’t worry if you can’t see everything. It gives you a reason to return, and I promise, you’ll want to!

I have yet to climb Mount Fuji but it was a small consolation to see it from a distance in Hakone. You can also spot it on the train ride from Kyoto to Tokyo if you keep your eyes peeled!

Osaka - 2 nights

2 weeks in Japan

As soon as I landed in Osaka I had a good feeling about it. It’s not a pretty city, but it’s got more layers than a red onion; a rawness that derives from its sprawling streets and a general lack of conventional beauty.

It’s busy, but you don’t get the huge hoard of tourists in Osaka like you do in Kyoto and Tokyo, so I think it’s a great place to kick off your trip to Japan. Quite often you’ll feel like you’re the only foreign person in town, a rare quality for a city its size.

Like all great cities of the world, Osaka has a close relationship with food. Historically, it served as the centre of rice trade and is often called the ‘Nation’s Kitchen’.

Osaka travel itinerary - Including 2 weeks in Japan

Restaurants are aplenty and the smell of food often drifts through the streets from small street food vendors. The city is famous for Takoyaki, octopus balls made with a batter of flour, eggs, and “dashi” (Japanese soup stock).

You can find a variety of Osakan street food dotted all over the city, including at Dotonbori and Shineskai. These two areas are compulsory if you want to see Osaka at its brightest, wackiest and most memorable.

Highlights of Osaka

  • The historic and visual beauty of Osaka Castle
  • Shitennoji was built in 593 A.D and considered the first Buddhist temple in Japan
  • For panoramic views of Osaka stroll over to Umeda Sky Building, an iconic architectural landmark that has a 360° observational deck
  • Osaka really is all about the food. No trip would be complete without indulging in takoyaki, okonmiyaki and kushikatsu, all classic Osakan dishes. Read this yummy guide to Japanese food.
  • As I’ve already mentioned, you really cannot miss heading to Dotonbori and Shineskai, these areas will make your head spin!

Accommodation in Osaka

Splurge: Located slap, bang in the middle of Dotonbori, Cross Hotel Osaka ensures that you have everything on your doorstep. Modern, comfortable, and with dazzling views of Osaka’s famous foodie district.

Budget: Capsule hotel Ninja & Geisha offers a fun and very affordable stay. Definitely a novel stay, but the reviews are great, and if you’re looking for something memorable and quirky, a capsule hotel might tick that box!

Koyasan / Mount Koya - 2 nights

Okunoin Cemetery - Mount Koya - Japan guide

Koyasan is more off the beaten path than the other destinations that are usually selected for first-time itineraries to Japan. However, if you chose to visit the sacred town of Koyasan (also known as Mount Koya), you won’t regret it!

Mount Koya is the birthplace of Shingon Buddhism in Japan over 1,200 years ago and is widely regarded as one of the most sacred places in the country. Here, you will find an abundance of ancient temples (think Kyoto but much older), and one of Japan’s most impressive attractions: Okunoin Cemetery.

Okunoin Cemetery alone is worth the trip to Mount Koya (Koyasan) in Wakayama. There’s truly no place like it on earth.

It’s difficult to encapsulate this place in words, and while it’s often first described as the largest cemetery in the whole of Japan, it’s so much more than its impressive size. It can perhaps be best described as a living and breathing museum dedicated to ‘waiting’ souls.

Hiroshima - 2 nights

Peace Memorial Museum in Hiroshima

From koyasan you’ll need to catch the train back to Osaka, and then make your way by train to Hiroshima. While the distance is far, it only takes 1 h 30 min on the Shinkansen to get between Osaka and Hiroshima!

Upon hearing its name, there isn’t a city in the world that holds as much weight as Hiroshima. In lies a tragic past, all visitors pay respect to those affected and the 140,000 people who were killed on 6 Aug 1945 after the Atomic bomb known as ‘Little Boy’ was dropped over the city.
Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Dome

As you would expect you can find many ways to explore Hiroshima’s history, most prominently at the Peace Park and Museum. Leave the whole day to explore this side of the city, give it the time it requires to digest. You’ll be carried though a vast pool of emotions. Bring a pack of issue to the museum, you’ll need them.

It’s difficult to comprehend that humans are accountable for such a huge loss of life: how can we use the gift of intelligence in such evil ways?

Though marred by a devastating past, I’m keen to point out Hiroshima’s beauty and sense of peacefulness. It has lots of open green spaces, modern architecture, and a scenic river travelling through the city.

Peace Park in Hiroshima - 2 weeks travel guide in Japan

The Peace Park is exactly as its name suggests – a space that offers tranquility and time for reflection.

Please can we also take a moment to appreciate the topiary? Inspired.

Accommodation in Hiroshima

Overall accommodation in Hiroshima is much more affordable comparative to Tokyo and Kyoto, so your money definitely goes further for what you get. However, most of the hotels are more western style, so they do lack some character. If you decide to spend a night on Miyajima, you can make up for this by staying in a traditional ryokan. 

Splurge: If you’re looking for the whole works, Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel fits the bill. Located just a few minutes’ from the main train station, it’s convenient to get everywhere, and at the end of the day you can take a dip in the pool.

Budget: EN HOTEL Hiroshima is located by the river and within close walking distance to the Peace Park. Good place for budget travellers, and you’ll find lots of places to eat nearby including some tasty Okonomiyaki. (Okonomiyaki Nagata-ya, regarded as the best in the city, is less than 10 minutes’ walk from the hotel).

 

Miyajima – Day trip or 1 night

Only a 45-minute boat trip from Hiroshima, the idyllic island of Miyajima shouldn’t be missed. Known affectionately for the deer which roam through the streets photobombing tourists, there’s little not to like about this island.

Itshukshima shrine on Miyajima Island, Japan

The most iconic landmark is the venerable Itsukushima-jinja, where the vermillion gates rising out of the sea is regarded as one of Japan’s most ethereal views. I’m sure you’re inclined to agree when the tide is high and it looks like it’s floating on water.

Oysters in noodles - what to eat in Japan

Where food is concerned, the island is famous for its oysters. The best I’ve ever tasted were on this island and you can try them in many varieties: in buns, noodles (above), or simply on their own. When you get off the boat, there are a few shacks selling them as fresh as they come.

Two weeks in Japan itinerary - Miyajima Island

Highlights of Miyajima

  • Visit Itsukushima Shrine which is a Shinto shrine is famous for its “floating” Torii gate, which appears to be standing in the water during high tide. Explore the shrine’s beautiful architecture and serene surroundings.
  • Embark on a hike up Mount Misen, the island’s highest peak, for panoramic views of the island and the Seto Inland Sea. There are several hiking trails to choose from, and you can also take a cable car part of the way.
  • Explore this historic Buddhist temple complex of Daisho-in Temple. Known for its stone steps, statues, and serene gardens. It’s a great place for meditation and reflection.

Read more about my day trip to Miyajima from Hiroshima, including what to see and do and also where to stay if you want to spend a night on this beautiful island.

Korakuen in Okayama - 2 weeks in Japan

Himeji - Pit stop

The beautiful Himeji Castle in Japan

If you have time, jump off the train en route to Kyoto to visit the small city of Himeji for a few hours. The star attraction of this place is Himeji castle, the largest and most visited castle in Japan.

If this building looks familiar to you, that’s because you might recognise it from the James Bond film You Only Live Twice. In 1993 it was place onto the UNESCO World Heritage list which has helped boast the city’s profile.

Kyoto - 3 nights

Kyoto, beautiful city

Across my two trips to Japan, I’ve probably spent the most days in Kyoto, but if its your first time to Japan, and you have a lot to see, I think its possible to see of the highlights in three days.

I’m absolutely smittened by Kyoto, it’s the most charming and romantic of all the cities, not least beautiful.

In the height of the season, some of the main tourist attractions can get busy, however, you’ll still find plenty of quiet spots to relax.

I advise you to head over to the main attractions early in the morning or toward the evening, especially the Golden Temple and the orange wonder that is Fushimi Inari Taisha.

2 weeks in Japan - travel itinerary

This former imperial capital is home to a sublime collection of temples, shrines and gardens. It’s easy to get bogged down in trying to see everything yet really seeing nothing in a hurry so choose what you’d like to see the most and spend the rest of your time exploring the city’s tightly woven side streets.

Highlights of Kyoto

  •  Kiyomizu-Dera is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in the city and offers breathtaking views of the surrounding nature.
  • Explore Kyoto through your taste buds at noon with a visit to Nishiki Food Market
  • Make your way to the famous Fushimi Inari Taisha located Southeast of Kyoto. This shrine is a visual treat, a blaze of orange torii gate tunnels wind endlessly alongside a hill.
  • Head over to Shimbashi in the Gion District if you’re interested in geisha spotting, otherwise, check out one of the many romantic restaurants lining the river.
  • Kinaku-ji aka Golden Temple doesn’t fail to dazzle.
  • Walk the scenic Path of Philosophy to Ginkaku-ji aka the Silver Pavilion (my favourite temple!). The Japanese garden is stunning.
  • Arashiyama Bamboo Forest in Western Kyoto. It can get busy so I suggest walking further into the suburbs. The Japanese houses are beautiful, and be sure to make a pit stop at the charming Toy Museum. 
Geisha in Gion, Kyoto
Spotting a Geisha in Gion

Accommodation in Kyoto

Stay in a modern Ryokan at Kyomachiya Ryokan Sakura. From here you can walk to all central locations and are within close proximity to bus stops and the subway. Really beautiful hotel with the perfect balance of traditional and new touches.

Further reading: How to spend 3-days in Kyoto

Tokyo – 5 nights

Kabukicho, Tokyo

Saving the best for last is TOYKO, Japan’s capital city.

Tokyo is the sound of a million cities compounding into one, Tokyo is never guessing what’s around the corner, Tokyo is seeing everything with new eyes, Tokyo is, quite simply, da bomb from head to toe.

This restless metropolis has everything you’d hope the world’s largest city would possess in every conceivable way. There’s so much more you could ever wish to see in five days so the best thing to do is to stick to a few neighbourhoods.

Japan 2-week travel guide

How to explore Tokyo in 2 weeks - detailed travel guide

But if you want eclectic, travel to Shinjuku for neon-lights and Cosplay girls, Shibuya for the city’s famed skyscrapers and endless shopping, Akihabara for mind-blogging tech shops and gaming centres, or Ueno Park where a variety of first class museums are concentrated closely together.

You’re never short of restaurants in Tokyo either. Along with France it has more Michelin star restaurants than anywhere else in the world. But things don’t have to come at a big cost, you can grab cheap and tasty food on nearly every corner.

Eating sushi - How to spend 2-weeks in Japan

For a memorable experience, soak up the energy of market life offered at Tsukiji Fish Market. And if you’re not averse to early mornings, try and make it for the 4am tuna auction – but that means you have to get there even earlier if you want to be one of the fortunate few who get the chance to see the live auction taking place. Only the first 60 in the queue make the cut.

There are so many things to do in Tokyo, and many of them are completely unique and memorable. This is why I’ve put together a separate list of quirky things to do in Tokyo

Day Trips from Tokyo

Tokyo to Mount Fuji day trip

Why not hop on the bus or train to Mount Fuji during any season? Check out this detailed blog post on how to do it yourself.

Alternatively, Kamakura is a historic coastal town located just south of Tokyo in Kanagawa Prefecture. It’s famous for its rich cultural heritage, ancient temples, serene shrines, and beautiful natural surroundings. It also has some lovely views of Mount Fuji in the distance. 

Accommodation in Tokyo

I wish accommodation in Tokyo was more affordable, as I’d love to spend weeks just exploring this vast, sprawling city. As well as booking.com, I also recommend checking out Airbnb, as there’s a lot more available in Tokyo than anywhere else in Japan.

Just the task of discussing the best areas to stay in Tokyo warrants a separate blogpost, but for first-timers to the city, I think anywhere in or around either Shinjuku or Shibuya are good places to start. Each place has soooo much to offer and the sheer volume of restaurants and shops is truly mind-boggling.

Anyway, these are my recommendations depending on your budget.

Splurge: Hotel Gracery located in Kubukicho, East Shinjuku, is an iconic hotel famous of its huge Godzilla head peering out from over the skyscrapers. The views from the top across the city do not disappoint either.

Budget: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku provides simple, convenient, clean, and comfortable rooms. It’s a very standard hotel but offers good value considering its central location.

Have more time to spare?

Naoshima / Art Island – 2 nights (Optional)

Naoshima aka Art Island - how to spend 2 weeks in Japan

Naoshima is a striking island combining nature with eye-catching sculptures, art museums and the luxurious hotel Benesse House. If you decide to go to Naoshima, you will need to set off early from Hiroshima to catch one of the ferries to Naoshima.

Read this comprehensive guide to Naoshima for more information including how to get there and where to sleep.

How to travel around Japan

Travel around by… train. You’ll need to purchase a JR Pass before you enter Japan. It’s not cheap but in the long run will you save a lot of money as travelling between places, especially using the Shinkansen is expensive.

See www.jrpass.com for more details. It is possible to buy travel passes when you arrive in Japan but they’ll be more expensive.

Planning your own trip to Japan and want to save this post for later? Pin it! ↓

Exploring Japan in 2 weeks - travel itinerary packed with tips, recommendations and photos
Two weeks in Japan - perfect travel itinerary and tips

If you have any questions about travelling to Japan, just ask in the comment section below and I’ll get back to you.

Are you planning a 2-week trip to Japan?

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Hi, I'm Shing

Welcome to The Culture Map, a place where I share my travel guides, adventurous tales, and capture the inspiring diversity of our world.

41 Responses

  1. Wow! Thanks for the tips Shing! I’ve been meaning to visit Japan for some time now so will definitely refer to your list when I finally go. I hear Japan (especially Osaka) has one of the best electronic music scenes in the world so have to go ASAP!

  2. Love your photos, Shing! I also visited Japan in April, but only for 5 days. You managed to cover many interesting cities and places, and I feel inspired to go back! Japan is different from other Asian countries, and I’ve listed some of my Aha! moments in Tokyo and Kyoto on my website.

    1. Hey Kirsten, I completely agree with you, Japan is very different from other Asian countries, funnily enough I call it the ‘Scandinavia of the East’. Can you see where I’m coming from??

      1. You definitelty have a point there: Similar climate and sense humor, minimalistic design, love for nature. But Scandinavians have much to learn from Japanese etiquette!

  3. Great read 🙂
    Planning to go again in April next year with a group of friends that will be their first time, mainly staying in the Tokyo area with day trips to Osaka and Kyoto 😀

    1. Hi Gary, looks like you’ll be there for cherry blossom season, lucky you, eh? Have a wonderful time going back to Japan, I wish I could say the same thing as I’m desperate to return! Hopefully I won’t have to wait too long 😉

      But only a day trip to Kyoto – can you squeeze in at least a night?

      1. Hi Karen! Great to hear that you’ve got Japan in the pipe line! I’m happy you’ve found this itinerary helpful, but if you have any questions, feel free to ask 🙂

      2. Love the itinerary just wondering how much time you lose switching hotels/apartments and where to store backpacks on short stays. We visited London, York, and Edinburgh in 2017 but didn’t stay less than 3 days in all places. Thinking of visiting in 2019 with wife and two sons ages 12 and 17. Thanks Steven Hart

  4. Great blog post!

    I’m actually headed there for the first time next week! I’m going solo and was wondering if it was a good idea to get the JR pass.

    Thanks!

    1. Hi Kent! How long are you going for? If you’re planning on travelling quite a bit and travelling the length of Hiroshima to Tokyo I would definitely suggest getting the JR Pass as it will save you money (even though it’s already expensive!). Alternatively, when you arrive at the airport you can buy other passes for separate regions but once you total them up you will find a JR Pass works out quite a bit cheaper, and it’s simpler to buy just one pass for everything instead of individual ones. I hope you have a wonderful time and let me know if you have anymore questions!

      1. I’m going for two weeks as well! I ended up getting the pass as I figure it’s about the same price, minus having to worry about getting tickets everywhere. I think my routes is pretty similar to yours, except I’m going to go to Nagano to see snow monkeys 😀 If you have any other suggestions on food and other places to see I would greatly appreciate it! Thanks!

        1. Great to hear you bought a JR Pass, it’s certainly more convenient and you’ll find it saves you money. Ahhh I’m so envious that you’re going to Nagano to see the snow monkeys – you’ll have to let me know what it was like as I really want to go myself.

          If you’re into food Japan obviously won’t disappoint. Here are a few dishes you shouldn’t miss: Okonomiyaki, hirata buns, takoyaki, soba noodles, and just about all the sushi imaginable!

  5. Hey Shing!
    I’ve just seen this and its really look amazing.
    How much you think it would take the hole vacation/trips/food/hotel?

    Thanks

    1. Ahhh tough question that might deserve a whole post on it’s own! In brief, when I went in 2015 it was not as expensive as I thought it would be. I generally spent between £30 – £35 for accommodation per night on average, which isn’t bad if you’re splitting the cost i.e. £17.50 per person. However, it is possible to find cheaper accommodation as well but I had a little more money to spare. Tokyo is more expensive so I used an Airbnb which I recommend if you want to avoid hotel prices. On food I spent about £20 a day but sometimes less (you can buy a decent meal for £5). For travel I recommend getting a JR Pass as travelling by train between cities is quite pricy. There are lots of free things to do in Japan, but I put aside £10 per day for sightseeing (Some of the temples in Kyoto require an entrance fee for example).

      In somewhere like Japan it ranges from affordable to very expensive – but what you certainly do get is quality for your money, even if you go for the cheaper options in most cases. If you’re on a budget you can definitely visit Japan on a cheaper budget than I laid out for myself if you’re prepared to do a bit more research on free attractions, and more affordable accommodations and restaurants. I hope this helps, let me know if you have anymore questions.

      1. So I’m planning on going from march 23 until april 6th, so give or take a day or 2 with traveling, its just about two weeks. I really love this itinerary on paper, but I too am curious as to how much we’d be spending day to day on housing mainly. My girlfriend and I plan to airbnb in Tokyo for sure, but I’m wondering if any of the other places where you slept overnight at would have good airbnb options. also did you book all these places in advance, or as you passed by from place to place. Really excited for our trip, but the whole thing seems overwhelming, from the planning aspect! I don’t have a budget in mind at the moment, but I would also like to have a ballpark estimate of how much these things would cost!
        Thanks!

  6. Hi Shing,

    Great blog! thank you for sharing your Japan itinerary and how it went.
    I do wonder, how big was your budget for this, or overall how much did you spend?
    Might have some other things I have been wondering, if you don’t mind giving me some of your insight, please exchange email?

    Again, thank you for this helpful blog! 🙂

    1. Hi Ehjay, glad to read that you found my blog helpful! In regards to your questions, another person has asked the same question, so I’ll copy and paste the same reply:

      In brief, when I went in 2015 it was not as expensive as I thought it would be. I generally spent between £30 – £35 for accommodation per night on average, which isn’t bad if you’re splitting the cost i.e. £17.50 per person. However, it is possible to find cheaper accommodation as well but I had a little more money to spare. Tokyo is more expensive so I used an Airbnb which I recommend if you want to avoid hotel prices. On food I spent about £20 a day but sometimes less (you can buy a decent meal for £5-7 per person). For travel I recommend getting a JR Pass as travelling by train between cities is quite pricy. There are lots of free things to do in Japan, but I put aside £10 per day for sightseeing (Some of the temples in Kyoto require an entrance fee for example).

      In somewhere like Japan it ranges from affordable to very expensive – but what you certainly do get is quality for your money, even if you go for the cheaper options in most cases. If you’re on a budget you can definitely visit Japan on a cheaper budget than I laid out for myself if you’re prepared to do a bit more research on free attractions, and more affordable accommodations and restaurants.

      If you have anymore questions you can send them to [email protected]. However, my preference for answering questions is within the comment section of each post because it might help other people who are planning their trip to Japan as well 🙂

  7. Hi Shing,

    First of all, I love your blog, so colourful and fun!!! 🙂 . I loved reading your itinerary, so organised and the fact you got to see to much. I hope to visit Japan soon as one of my next long-haul trips with my parents and younger brother (aged 15/16).

    I know this is a silly question to ask, but from your experience, did you have any problems like with the language barrier with people or even finding your way round places? In other words, was there enough people to understand english incase you was asking for help or directions?
    Also, overall, are the majority of things expensive to buy (food/tickets/souvenirs etc) if say a family of 4 was travelling to do a similar plan you did?

    Again, many thanks to your wonderful blog! 🙂

    1. Hi Chloe, I seemed to have missed quite a few comments on this blog post, and despite the long passing of time, would still like to answer your question. You may have already been to Japan so my reply will be of no use – and in that case I hope you had an amazing trip!

      In regards to language barriers, I did find that most Japanese people I met on the street – usually to ask for directions – couldn’t really speak English, however, they were incredibly helpful and accommodating so they either tried to help using gestures i.e. pointing in the right direction, or they would even walk to the destination I needed to get to if they could! Others might tried to find someone who could speak English to help. Hopefully you’ll receive lots of surprising acts of kindness to make your trip special!

      In regards to expenses, I went in 2015 when the British sterling was much stronger and the Japanese Yen was weaker. Saying that Japan is never going to be cheap, but food and accommodation is general quite affordable by Western standard, however, transport in Japan is expensive and something you need to account for when you’re setting daily budgets etc.

      1. Thank you for responding. Great to know. Since making a comment on here, I have finalised my itinerary. Having three nights in Tokyo (Shinjuku) before two nights in Osaka – where we will have a day trip to Nara. We thought about going to Hiroshima but don’t know if we will have time. After Osaka, three nights in Kyoto and then three nights in Hakone where we can see Fuji, the lakes and hot springs. We then have two more nights in Tokyo. We leave late June and are there for 13 nights in total. Can’t honestly wait!

  8. Hi Shing,

    Great and helpful read! I’ll be travelling to Japan in November and doing my research wayyyy in advance! I have a few questions if you don’t mind helping me out. I’ll be flying in to Osaka and then flying out from Tokyo. Instead of doing round trips, I plan to do one way trips starting from Osaka. I believe that’d what you did, right?
    So do you think this route is viable : Osaka – Kyoto – Nara – Miyajima – Tokyo
    What would you suggest? I am going to be spending 11 nights in Japan.
    Seeing that it is a one way trip, would it be worthy to get the JR Pass?
    I’ll be lugging big luggages around so that is something that I am putting into factor whether to do round trips or one way as planned.

    I appreciate your help in this in any way you can! Thanks!

    1. I Flo, I’m sooooo sorry for the delay, but it looks like I’m just in time to say have an amazing trip!! If you’ve gone with that itinerary I would say it’s pretty darn good!! However, if you’re going to Miyajima I would adding a night in Hiroshima if you can… it’s a really interesting and beautiful city. Have the best time!!

  9. Nice article and really cool site – thanks for the info about Japan.
    Eco Tours Japan has some really fun and unique things to do in Japan like hiking in the Minami Alps, cycling Mt Fuji World Heritage 5 lakes area, winery and wine tasting tours in Katsunuma, onsen tours and also visit some secluded mountain temples and shrines. They also offer amazing accommodation in their traditional Japanese mountain house in Yamanashi – great place to stay during the tour with excellent local food.
    Check them out here http://ecotoursjapan.com/

  10. Great read thanks for sharing. I am flying in and out of Tokyo where I plan to spend 3 nights there, 2 in Osaka and Kyoto, and 2 in Tokyo before we fly out. That’s 9 nights catered for but want to know what to do with the other five. Should I go to Okinawa to chill from the hectic sightseeing or are there places on the mainland where we can relax and chill?

    1. Hi Andy, sorry for the late reply. I’m not sure if you have been in the last couple of weeks, if not, I would definitely suggest spending at least 3 nights in Kyoto. If you’re looking for somewhere more peaceful, have you thought about Hiroshima as detailed in my itinerary along with a night on Miyajima Island? On the map it looks far, but the trains are much faster in Japan so it feels like no time at all to get from A to B.

      Alternatively, you could go somewhere north of Tokyo or even catch an internal flight to Sapporo and explore Hokkaido which is supposed to be beautiful but I haven’t been myself.

      Let me know if you have anymore questions and I’ll try and help.

  11. So I’m planning on going from march 23 until april 6th, so give or take a day or 2 with traveling, its just about two weeks. I really love this itinerary on paper, but I too am curious as to how much we’d be spending day to day on housing mainly. My girlfriend and I plan to airbnb in Tokyo for sure, but I’m wondering if any of the other places where you slept overnight at would have good airbnb options. also did you book all these places in advance, or as you passed by from place to place. Really excited for our trip, but the whole thing seems overwhelming, from the planning aspect! I don’t have a budget in mind at the moment, but I would also like to have a ballpark estimate of how much these things would cost!
    Thanks!

    1. Hi Joshua, sorry for the delay in replying. Exciting news that you’ll be heading to Japan – you and your girlfriend will love it! Airbnb in Toyko is a good idea because the accommodation is more expensive in that city compared to anywhere else in this itinerary. To answer your question; no, I didn’t book most of my accommodation in advance because I’m a ‘wing it’ kind of person and wasn’t entirely sure how long I’d need in each city. I generally booked the night before and selected by location and took my budget into consideration too. However, if there’s a particular hotel that you want to stay at then I recommend you book to save disappoint. In fact, if you know your itinerary, I would recommend you book in advance because it will save you and your girlfriend the hassle of doing so on your trip. My trip to Japan was really last minute so I sort of had to do it that way, but generally I advise people against my method hehe.

      Ok, in regards to budget, since I have no idea what yours is I’ll have to be really general. But after splashing out on your JR Pass, you can explore Japan as cheaply or as expensive as you want. At the time, I generally put aside £20 pp a day on food (but the £ was stronger then, so perhaps £25 now… but you will also be able to find decent food on less that £15 a day if you’re on a tight budget). Then for accommodation, expect to spend upwards of £40 a day for a room… of course, it can cost a LOT more or less depending on what you’re looking for. I hope this helps…. let me know if you have anymore questions, and I’ll try and answer them.

  12. Great itinerary! Good read too this is very helpful for beginners like me who is planning to go Japan.
    I’ve been stuck with my Itinerary for end of Mar 2018-April for 3weeks with the flights.
    Hope you can advice: arriving Osaka in a Tuesday in the evening with husband (not sure if will stay here) because on Friday same week, my mum and bro are arriving in Tokyo to join us for the next 15 days then fly out in Osaka.

    Can we save JR Pass if we stay in Osaka (14JRpass) or should buy 21days?

    Stay in Osaka – Tues till Friday then Tokyo At noon
    Tokyo 6 Nights (30,31,1,2,3,4) 5 (main attractions/1 amusement park/Museum)
    Hakone 2 Nights (5,6) 7 (ropeway/Fuji/onsen)
    Kyoto 5 Nights (7,8,9,10,11) 12
    Osaka 3 Nights (12,13,14) 15
    Airport 15

    I want to see Kusatsu Onsen/Shiba Onsen/
    I think adding Takayama/Kanazawa too but it will be hectic
    ? Hiroshima/Miyajima/Nara/Hijime/Kobe

    Hope I can get your opinion/advice

    1. Ahh I’m sorry Angelica, I thought I had replied to your question! Perhaps my laptop stalled when I hit the reply button after I finished! I suspect by now you have probably worked out your itinerary and your question re: JR Pass… but if not, I know it’s expensive but I would probably just bite the bullet and pay for 21 days. The reason I suggest this is because when you’re in Kyoto it’s very likely that you’ll still want to use it for a day trip to Nara, and when you’re in Osaka for a few days at the beginning you can take the 1 hr (approx) journey to Kobe etc before your mum and brother arrive.

      Your itinerary sounds great but I would definitely try and fit in Hiroshima so you can visit the museums and learn more about its history – it’s a very beautiful and peaceful city, and from there you can take the short boat ride to island of Miyajima. Therefore I would suggest spending 4 nights in Kyoto then go down to Hiroshima for 2 nights before going back up to Osaka for the final couple of nights.

      I hope you find this useful. Have an awesome time – it’s a truly incredible country! 🙂

  13. Was it easy for you to meet people solo traveling? I was thinking of taking a solo trip but I also hoped to meet other travelers on the wya.

    1. Hi Amanda, Japan is extremely good for solo travelling because everything runs like clockwork. However, you will find that unless you speak Japanese (which I don’t) they’ll be some language barriers. Despite this the people are extremely helpful and nice, and you will surely meet other travellers from all across the world. I highly recommend a solo trip to Japan – it’s been my favourite country to travel by myself within for sure (apart from the expense obviously haha).

  14. Hi Shing,
    I am planning a two week trip to Japan and would love to hear any suggestions from you. I want to see Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, but Hiroshima too. Is this feasible having in mind that I fly in and out of Tokyo? Thank you!

    1. Hi Emma, sorry for the late reply. In two weeks you can definitely fit in Hiroshima for 2 nights. This itinerary would be perfect for you… 2 nights Tokyo – 3 nights Osaka – 2 nights Hiroshima ( with day trip to Miyajima) – 4 nights Kyoto – 3 nights Toyko.

      Hope this helps!

  15. Hi Shing! My husband and I are planning our itinerary for our two week honeymoon to Japan during cherry blossom season, March 21 – April 4, 2019. We’re still very tentative with our plans and I wanted your input on the order of things. We’re flying in an out of Narita. Here’s what we have so far:

    • Fly out Thursday, 21
    • Friday 3/22 – Saturday 3/23 – Arrive in Tokyo 3:20pm, stay overnight
    • Saturday 3/23 – Monday 3/25 – Toyooka @ Nishimuraya Honkan
    • Monday 3/25 – Wednesday 3/27 – Kyoto
    • Wednesday 3/27 – Saturday 3/30 – Hakone
    • Saturday 3/30 – Thursday 4/4 – Tokyo
    • Fly out Friday, 4/5/2019

    We’re waiting to hear back if the Ryokan in Toyooka is able to accommodate us during the days we wish to go; if not, we’ll likely replace that stop with Osaka. Thoughts?? Thank you in advance!

    1. Hi Aubrey, sorry for the delay, I’ve been neglecting my blog! Have you been able to secure accommodation at the ryokan in Toyooka? (which looks absolutely stunning by the way!).

      Your itinerary looks great but my only suggestion would be to spend at least 3 nights in Kyoto. Regarding Hakone, are you visiting to climb Mt. Fuji? If so it’s important to check information as the mountain has an official opening season in the summer and people advice against climbing it out of season since many things aren’t opened. My friend went to Japan during this period and she ended up just taking a day trip to Mt. Fuji from Tokyo as she discovered she couldn’t climb during the time of year she was there. Therefore I’d probably advice spending a night there as the region is very pretty and there’s apparently a lot of onsens too.

      Regarding your question, if you can’t secure accommodation in Toyoooka, I would probably go somewhere extra quirky like the Art Island of Naoshima for 2 nights. Or you could skip out Hakone as well and then have time to go to Hiroshima and Miyajima. But Osaka is great too… and you’ll able to squeeze in Nara as well.

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