Japan Two Week Itinerary: The Best of Japan!

Struggling with your Japan itinerary? I feel you! If it’s your first time to Japan, chances are you’re feeling overwhelmed with where to go. Here is a simple Japan two week itinerary to help plan your trip to this fascinating country!

I’ve been to Japan twice and in both occasions it felt like truly special and enriching experiences.

I indulged in the delicious and rich food. Fell in love with their fascinating but also wacky culture. Hiked mountains, relaxed in onsens, and did my fair share of temple-hopping. I learned a ton about the way Japanese live, act and think and honestly, can’t wait to be back!

Japan Itinerary for a two-week trip

This Japan itinerary starts in Tokyo with a day trip to Kamakura. Then it’s headed up north to the mountains to visit Takayama and Shirakawago. Later, arrives Kyoto before venturing west to Osaka and Hiroshima. Finally, a day trip to magical Nara.

Japan two week itinerary for first-timers

• Tokyo (4 nights)
• Kanazawa (1 night)
• Takayama (2 nights)
• Kyoto (4 nights)
• Hiroshima (1 night)
• Osaka (3 nights)
• Day trips

Japan Itinerary On A Map

To make things easier, I’ve put all these places on this custom map I used during my trip. It also contains restaurants, main sights and even a list of wacky stores and places to visit.

 

 

The top-rated places to stay in Japan

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Tokyo

First stop: crazy and energetic Tokyo!

No matter what other big cities you’ve visited – London, Dubai or even New York City – nothing can really prepare you for Tokyo. With a suburban area of over 35M people and home to the largest train stations in the world, I felt tiny. Extremely tiny.

The great thing about Tokyo is that is extremely efficient to get around. Once you start going with the same flow of locals, it’s very easy to go from the massive electronic department stores of Akihabara to the vibrant neon district in Shinjuku. Plan at least 3/4 full days to have the chance to visit the different sides of Tokyo.

What to visit in Tokyo

You can easily spend a whole month in Tokyo without getting bored. Or you can just feel urban anxiety and ready to leave after 2 days. That’s the thing about Japanese cities – they are INTENSE, up to you to decide if you like or not.

For a first-timer, make sure you go to Senso-ji Temple complex. Temples are more impressive elsewhere in Japan, but this is a great first taste and the Asakusa neighborhood turned out to be one of my favorites in Tokyo!

Quite frankly, Shibuya – the “Japanese Times Square”, whatever that means – intersection was slightly underwhelming to me but Shinjuku district blew my mind.

It was in Shinjuku, my very first night in Tokyo, that I realized one can get sucked into the wackiness of Japanese culture pretty easily. Suddenly, I was inside a vortex of delicious ramen, cartoons everywhere, deafening music, giant skyscrapers, and neon lights of all colors. Got to admit I loved it.

Best areas to stay in Tokyo

Basically anywhere close to the circular JR Yamamote Line is a good bet. You can get to any area of the city efficiently. Shinjuku and Shibuya are popular areas to stay in, with a lot to see, eat and do but can also be the most expensive. Ginza and Tokyo Station are extremely convenient transport-wise but lack the fun factor in my opinion.

 

I stayed in Shin-Okubo area, one stop north from Shinjuku on the JR Yamamote Line. Close enough to everything, but felt good coming back home in a quieter – for Tokyo standards – part of the city.

In this area, I recommend staying in the neo-futuristic capsule hotel Nine Hours or the charming Oyado Cocochi.

The best food experiences in Tokyo

Tokyo is a true paradise for foodies with thousands of great restaurants serving whatever you’re ready to try, from low-cost ramen places to 5-star Michelin restaurants.

Looking back, my best food experiences in Tokyo were:

• Uobei Shibuya – Sushi delivered to your seat in cute little bullet trains. Ridiculously cheap.
• Standing Sushi Bar – order your sushi pieces directly to the chefs. Incredible experience and a cheaper alternative to Jiro’s restaurant, the most expensive in the world.
• Coco Ichibanya – recommended to me by a local. Definitely a delicious and unique curry, but gotta say y tummy wasn’t a big fan.
• Ichiran – Order from a ticketing machine, get served on booths without seeing the chef or waiters. Slightly disturbing experience, but hey, they nailed on what it matters the most: delicious hakata ramen.
• Tsunahachi – Great place to try tempura in Tokyo.
• 7/11, FamilyMart or Lawson – Sounds weird but egg salad sandwiches and/or pancakes with maple syrup/butter inside these convenience stores are surprisingly amazing value.

 

Kanazawa

Time for the first bullet train ride! Shinkansen trains from Tokyo to Kanazawa (duration 2h30) depart from both Tokyo Station and Shinjuku. Grab a bento box or sushi tray from one of the stores. Don’t get late though – these trains leave BY THE SECOND and don’t wait for anyone.

Like everything else in life, we got to pick our battles. So I decided to skip Kanazawa entirely and used it only as a quick night stop before getting to Shirakawa-go and Takayama the following day.

If you have some time in Kanazawa, definitely head to Kenroku-en garden, one of the 3 Great Gardens in Japan and to the Nagamachi Samurai district, albeit I’ve heard Takayama’s old town is more impressive.

Takayama

In the heart of Gifu’s mountain region, Takayama is a sneak peek into the past. The black wooden merchant houses in downtown are extremely well-preserved and date back to the Edo Period (when Japan was essentially isolated from the rest of the world).

Adding Takayama to your itinerary is giving yourself a chill pill. The pace of life here is very different than big cities and it’s a great opportunity to see a glimpse of a more authentic and rural Japan. And to stay in a traditional ryokan!

What to do in Takayama

The highlight of Takayama is definitely the well preserved old town, a series of streets with 17th-century houses. Today these are mostly shops and restaurants and trust me: a fully black street is quite a unique sight!

Rent a bike and go to the Hida Folk Village. This open-air museum is filled with traditional wooden houses and huts that were brought over from elsewhere in the Hida mountain region. Feels like a remote village, smells like an open forest, but it’s, in fact, a museum.

Oh, and of course, the food. The Morning Street Market, held daily on the riverside until noon sells not only arts and crafts but local foods and snacks worth to try. And don’t leave Takayama without trying the local Hida beef. The meal I had in Kyoya, consisting of Hida beef with mountain vegetables, in a delicious miso sauce, was absolutely delicious!

Where to stay in Takayama

Ryokans, authentic Japanese guesthouses, can be very expensive, but they are a must-do in Japan. And if you have to pick a place on this itinerary to do it, go for Takayama.

Family-owned Sumiyoshi Ryokan was by far the best place I’ve stayed on my whole trip. The best compliment I can give is that we were treated like true family members.

Kyoto

Now, Kyoto. Maybe it was all those dreamy Instagram posts with temples, forests, and cherry blossom trees, but Kyoto surprised me by being a much bigger metropolis than I anticipated.

If first-time travelers to Japan have to visit only place in the country, this is it. The capital of Honshu is a showcase of everything Japan has to offer, from imperial palaces and Buddhist temples to lush forests and traditional geisha performances.

Plan at the very least 3 full days in Kyoto to have the chance to take it all in.

What not to miss in Kyoto

There is no shortage of places to visit and mesmerize in Kyoto. My favorite experience was Fushimi Inari, a set of over 10,000 Shinto shrines that lead the way to the top of a sacred mountain. It’s a special place beaming a special kind of energy in the air so I recommend do it as early as possible to skip crowds. By 9am, the path starts to get impossibly busy and the experience starts to get more stressful than relaxing.

Same with Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. The pathways that go through this natural bamboo forest are incredibly scenic and camera-friendly but herds of tourists in front of you can quickly take away the beauty of the place. Come very early – you don’t want to ruin the cool breeze and chirping of birds.

Other highlights in Kyoto include (LOTS OF) temples, Kiyomizu-dera and Kinkaju-in being the most iconic. I also definitely recommend a visit to Gion, the historic geisha neighborhood, and to the main market in town: Nishiki Market. It’s a great chance to indulge in into unique Japanese delicacies.

Where to stay in Kyoto

The area around Nishiki Market is the most convenient to get to the major attractions of Kyoto. You’ll also be in walking distance to hundreds of malls, bars, shops, and restaurants.

If you seek a more unique experience amongst well-preserved architecture and century-old traditions, Arashiyama or Gion districts are better options. The first is a quieter area, closer to the forest. The second is the famous Geisha district. It’s not every day you get the chance to bump into an authentic geisha and her maiko on the way to your hotel.

 

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Getting around in Kyoto

Not only Kyoto is a massive urban area, but the main sights are all in different areas of the city, far away from each other. Keep in mind public transportation is optimized for local commutes, not for tourists. So there aren’t direct subway lines or easy transitions from Arashiyama to Fushimi Inari or to Kinkaku-ji.

As a result and contrarily to other Japanese cities, buses will likely come into play. And a ride can easily take 40 minutes. My best tip is to not underestimate the time you take from A to B and avoid planning too many things for each day. Kyoto is definitely a place to study how to get around.

Hiroshima

I knew beforehand that being in the impact area of an atomic bomb and that killed 200,000 people would be a powerful and moving experience. The iconic Genbaku Dome, the only structure left standing after the bombing, gave me a bit of chill.

The Peace Memorial Park and Museum has loads of interesting and easy-to-digest information about the events that led to the bombing of both Hiroshima and Nagasaki, as well as effects of radiation in the population and environment.

However, and maybe the gloomy rainy weather had a big part in it, but I’m sorry to say this was my least favorite place in Japan (not even having the best okonomiyaki saved it!). With all due respect to the tragic happenings back in Summer of 1945, Hiroshima is a stop-and-go place for me.

Thing is I’ve made the (wrong) choice of staying in Hiroshima for the night. It helped the budget and is more convenient in terms of logistics. But quite frankly you’re better off spending time in Itsukushima, better known as Miyajima (see the next section!).

Osaka

Many choose to overlook Osaka on their trips to Japan but I think it deserves a visit for several reasons. It has a top-notch food scene – some chefs even consider it the best city for foodies in the world – and can be a great base to explore other places as day trips (see next section).

Lastly, it is the antipode of everywhere else I’ve been in Japan. People speak out loud on the trains. Everyone acts looser and more chilled (and they even queue on the right, not on the left like everywhere else 🤔). It’s definitely more rough around the edges, but after weeks of Japanese strict behavior, somehow this felt refreshing.

What not to miss in Osaka

The beating heart of Osaka is definitely the Dotonbori area. It’s filled with party goers, extravagant neons, crazy arcades, and huge department stores. The river views from Ebisubashi Bridge are beautiful and just a bit surreal. Even though it may not be for everyone, the iconic Glico running man can’t be missed.

That said, what makes Dotonbori really special is the food. Osaka is absolutely obsessed with food and the thousands of restaurants, bars, and street vendor stalls here is a delicious mix. Don’t miss takoyaki, octopus dumplings served with bonito flakes on top,okonomiyaki, and other million seafood dishes.

shopping for souvenirs and gifts back home.

Where to stay in Osaka

There are 2 main “city centers” in Osaka – Umeda and Namba – which correspond to the main transport hubs.

Namba is superior in nightlife and food, it’s bright, busy and loud unlike the rest of Japan.

Umeda is more business-y, but with great food options too. It’s also close to some sights and it’s more strategic for shopping. Be careful though, I got lost twice on the HUGE underground malls!

I stayed in Umeda, in Washington Hotel which caters to a more professional and high-end clientele. I’m not complaining though: had AMAZING views from my room on the 14th floor.

 

Day trips to do in this itinerary

Kamakura (from Tokyo)

Out of all the day trips you can do from Tokyo, Kamakura is the closest and more convenient to get to: just a short 35-min trip by train. If you don’t want to spent too much time planning and want a small getaway from the city madness, Kamakura is a nice and pleasant option.

There are over 100 small temples and shrines in this area but the highlight of this town is definitely Kōtoku-in. This monumental bronze Buddha statue is reachable via a 20-min walk or a short bike or bus ride (IC cards accepted!) from Kamakura train station. You can even enter inside the statue for a small 20¥ fee. Worth it, considering “I’ve been inside a Buddha” could be a good icebreaker at parties.

Hase-dera (300¥ entry fee) temple and garden complex is a great place for a stroll exploring caves, Buddha statues perfectly mashed with beautiful architecture.

I’ve missed other temples and the entire downtown Kamakura and the busy Homachi street and decided to walk all the way to the coast instead, through the cute little streets, local railways, and beaches. There are many more options for temple hopping around though.

Shirakawa-go (from Takayama or Kanazawa)

Do you know these tacky white postcards we used to send in Christmas with a hobbit village covered in snow? I’m pretty sure they’ve inspired in Shirakawa-go.

This tiny traditional Japanese village located in remote mountains is famous for its 100+ houses built to withstand rough winters and big layers of snow. This architectural style is known as gasshō-zukuri and means “hands in prayer”. This place is beautiful at any time of the year and is a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1995.

Not gonna lie – there isn’t much around “to do” here. And that’s fine. It’s good enough to just walk around the village for a few hours. See the rice fields, the Shogawa river bridge, and walk all the way up to the viewpoint with a view that you’ll surely remember for years to come.

If you want to visit Shirakawa-go, study your itinerary beforehand. Staying for the night in one of the farmhouses might be a bit too boring for some and buying a return trip from Takayama is not very efficient in terms of logistics. See an alternative below.

Miyajima/Itsukushima (from Hiroshima)

If there’s something I regret from my Japan trip is not staying overnight in Miyajima. Yes, it’s less convenient to carry your luggage or backpack there. Yes, it’s more expensive. But it’s entirely worth it to spend here at least 1 night.

From the moment the ferry (one of the operators is included in JR pass btw) departs Miyajimaguchi towards Miyajima, you already have a glimpse of how amazing this island is. Mostly covered in forest, from the coast all the way up to the mountains with a giant orange torii gate just offshore. It’s a tropical paradise of its own kind: drenched in history and tradition of its shrines and pagodas.

Once you get out of the station, cuteness overload. Hundreds of deer wander around the island; they’re kind, chilled and some can even come to greet (even though they have real intentions to steal with your food). Miyajima is a place I didn’t want to leave.

What to do in Miyajima

You mean, apart from hanging out with deer? Well if you’re coming to Miyajima island, the floating Great Torii Gate is a mandatory stop. Check for tide schedule and come when the high tide submerges part of the structure and chill out at the nearby quay.

Miyajima is also a perfect place to greet nature in hiking trails, with dense forests and great views over Hiroshima Bay.

The restaurants on the island are not exactly cheap, but you can indulge in some unique food delicacies such as oysters and clams as big as your face. Seriously.

Nara (from Osaka or Kyoto)

The ancient capital of Japan, Nara is world famous for two things: temples and deer. Yes, more deer! 🦌

On one hand, some of the largest Japanese temples and shrines can be found here. In between these amazing historical sites, thousands of deer roam freely, making it a magical and eerie site. You can buy cookies to feed the deer from street vendor stalls. Some of them can be a bit too eager (and aggressive?) but most are nice and will even BOW TO RECEIVE A COOKIE. How cute is that?!

Nara is a fantastic day trip and one of my most memorable travel experiences ever. If you have some more time, stay in the area for a night or two to explore more temples and feed on its beautiful vibe.

Japan itinerary budget & costs

 

Japan Itinerary FAQ

Who is this itinerary for?
This itinerary is tailored for first-time travelers to Japan. I tried to achieve not only a good overview of the country but also a balance between urban vs countryside, between big city vs village. That said, obviously tweak the itinerary to favor more time in the places that resonate with you the most.

Will I see everything in Japan with this itinerary?
No. Ditch any FOMO. It’s impossible to see everything in Japan in such a short amount of time.

Is it jam-packed or more relaxed?
I wouldn’t say this a rally course, but it’s not entirely a breeze. There are some day trips and there are some stops where you’d only be staying 1 night. If you’re traveling with kids or want a more relaxed trip, consider tweaking it.

Where did you arrive and leave Japan?
I arrived in Tokyo (Narita airport) and got my flight back from Osaka.

How did you get around?
I traveled mostly by train, using a JR Pass. In the end, I did some math and figured it save me some – not much – money but mostly it saved me time. It’s very convenient not to have to buy individual tickets every time.

I’ve also used buses to get to Shirakawa-go, ferry to Miyajima and subway/local trains inside the cities.

How much does a trip like this cost?
Make sure you check my budget breakdown.

When is the best time to go to Japan?

Every season of the year brings out a new kind of beauty in Japanese landscapes and traditions. Note the weather varies a lot depending on the region you’re visiting.

Overall, spring and fall months, when temperatures are milder and there is less rainfall, are the best times of the year to visit Japan.

• Spring (March to May) – Magical time to visit. However prices skyrocket close to hanami (cherry blossom) season (see below).
• Summer (June to August) – Weather can get a little crazy with the peak of typhoon season and high temperatures. Hiking season in Mount Fuji.
• Fall (September to November) – Great chance of seeing the vibrant color spectrum of autumn leaves. Mild temperatures.
• Winter (December to February) – The coolest months bring less visitors to Japan, but prices are also considerably cheaper. Best time to visit the snow monkeys in Jigokudani and to hit the slopes in snow sports.

The top-rated places to stay in Japan

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Places I’ve missed in this trip to Japan

I had to leave some places out of this itinerary. Japan is massive and has a ton of things to see and do that you got to make choices. If you’re lucky enough to have more time to travel through Japan, find below some more ideas:

Hakone

It can be done as a day trip from Tokyo, but IMO it’s too rushed and staying in one of the ryokans is the highlight. I’d either do Hakone or Takayama, although my personal preference is the latter.

Kawaguchiko

The best views of Mount Fuji are here and this is enough of a reason to visit. Going just for a day is very risky specially outside the winter period – check visibility forecasts to optimize your chances of seeing more than just fog. If this is a must, I’d consider staying in the area for at least one night.

Hokkaido

The northernmost island in Japan is a must go for me. Known for its ski areas, volcanoes, hot springs, and other beautiful forms of unspoiled nature.

Okinawa

Who would have thought Japan is capable of doing tropical islands with white soft sandy beaches? On my bucket list and not only because I’m a beach bum. To add to the fascination factor, they’re one of 5 Blue Zones where people live the longest worldwide.

Nikko

I skipped this place on purpose because I want to visit it during the fall season. A harmonious mix of lavishly-decorated temples and shrines, relaxing onsen (hot springs) and top-notch hiking opportunities around. Like Hakone, can be done as a day trip from Tokyo.

 

 

Are you planning your Japan two week itinerary?
Which other places do you recommend adding to a first-time trip? Let me know in the comments below!