Unbeatable 2 Week Itinerary In Japan For First Timers

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

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

This is my recommend 2 week itinerary in Japan!

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

Is Two Weeks In Japan Enough?

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

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

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

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

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

I Stayed For 3 Weeks And I Overstayed My Welcome…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My 2 Week Itinerary In Japan Minimizes Movement

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

a hand holding the door open to a coin locker in japan. Inside the coin locker are two packable duffel bags and a backpack — *For two weeks in Japan: pack a second, smaller, luggage to pack in while you ship your large luggage to your next destination a few days later!*

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

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

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

a complete example of a two week itinerary in japan showing the map of japan and where you'll travel in two weeks, signified by different coloured dotted lines and pins on the map highlighted cities to viist. — *Full 2 week itinerary in Japan*

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

Week 1: Travel Back In Time Japan Travel Itinerary

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

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

Arrival In Japan

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

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

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

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

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

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

Japan Travel Itinerary Map for the first week. It's black and white outline of tha map of japan, zoomed in on one area. There's a dotted line showing the root from Tokyo, Nagano, Shibu Onsen, Kanazawa, and Kyoto. Those cities are written and pin pointed on the map. — *Week 1 of 2 week itinerary in Japan*

Day 1: Onsen Town & Ryokan Stay

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

You might also be interested in reading

How To Book A Private Onsen: Japan’s Best Kept Secret

Where To Stay In Shibu Onsen?

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

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

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

Day 2 to 3: Kanazawa

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Read my full guide to visiting Kanazawa!

Where To Stay In Kanazawa For The Night

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

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

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

Days 3 to 7: Kyoto Japan Itinerary

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where To Stay In Kyoto

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

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

See more hotel options in Kyoto on Booking.com.

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

hotel room in rinn gion yasaka kyoto. you see the large queen size bed eating up the right side of the image. In front of the bed is a platform with tatami floors and a small table. There are two large windows overlooking gion, you can even see the 5 story pagoda and the mountains surrounding kyoto — *P.S. we even had a view of the pagoda in Gion, it’s hard to see in the photo but it’s in the right most window frame.*

Week 2: Travel To Modern-Day Japan Travel Itinerary

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

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

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

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

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

week two of a two week japan itinerary. A graphic map showing a cropped filled in shadow of the map of japan. Pin points are highlighted in white and a dotted line attached hiroshima, to himeji to tokyo. There's a second set of pink dotted lines connected hiroshima to miyajima, and tokyo to hakone and fuji — *Week 2 of 2 week itinerary in Japan!*

Day 8: Hiroshima

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where To Stay In Hiroshima

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

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

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

Or check out more hotels in Hiroshima.

Related

10 Fundamental Things To Do In Japan Your First Time Visiting

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

Day 9: Miyajima Island

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

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

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

Read my full guide to visiting Miyajima Island.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Day 10 to 14: Tokyo!

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

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

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

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

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

Related

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Where To Stay In Tokyo?

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

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

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

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

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

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