2-Week Japan Itinerary: The Complete Guide
So you’re thinking of heading to Japan - we like you already. You’re going to get foreign and delightful foods, warm reception by those who host you and a dose of very unique and varied culture. To put things in perspective when you’re planning your trip, Japan is the size of California so while you can cover a lot of ground in two weeks, you simply can’t see it all.
Below you’ll find one of The CC’s favorite itineraries but don’t get it twisted, there are tons of ways to see and experience Japan. Our Japan Tastemakers are here to help you figure out the perfect itinerary for you on your next visit to this gorgeous country.
Travel Tips for your First Trip to Japan
Getting a Japan Rail Pass (JR) is a MUST! The Japan rail system is absolutely amazing and JR will cover most of your country-wide travel, including the Shinkansen bullet train (clocking in at 200 mph), regional trains and even some ferries. You can order yours at www.jrailpass.com but you must order within two months of travel for it to be viable. The passes usually come in the mail fairly quickly (sometimes as soon as one week). Note that you CANNOT get a JR pass once in Japan so plan ahead for this one. The app Navitime is handy to track train schedules once in Japan.
Ninja Pocket WiFi: another game changer. Order 3-5 days before on www.ninjawifi.com and pick it up with ease in the airport. Get the Unlimited Plan (approx 900 YEN/day) and ta-da, you have wifi everywhere you go.
Japan is one of the safest countries in the world so you can rest easy traveling there. The police aren’t armed and the citizens are good, law-abiding folk.
Overall the culture of Japan is respectful and conservative. Osaka may be an exception (they identify as more “Western” than “Eastern”) but even in the busy, bustling Tokyo, people are orderly, respect space and operate quietly. The subways are dead silent - no one talks on the phone or talks to each other, it’s considered rude to make noise. It’s apparently faux pas to kiss in public too but you do you.
JAPAN ITINERARY OVERVIEW
DAYS 1-3: Tokyo
DAYS 4-7: Kyoto + Nara
DAYS 8-9: Miyajima Island (optional Hiroshima)
DAYS 10-11: Iya Valley
DAYS 12-13: Osaka
DAY 14: Tokyo (if you booked roundtrip)
PLANNING A TRIP TO JAPAN?
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DAY ONE: TOKYO
Logistics: Fly into either Narita or Haneda airport and use your JR pass to get in to central Tokyo (there should be an express option from the airport and then you can transfer). Optional: Book one way US—>Tokyo departure and Osaka—>US return to save yourself a final trip to Tokyo but the ticket will be more costly.
Accomodations: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (3 nights)
Must Do: Settle in and get used to the time change
Must Eat: Edomae (Edo-style) sushi - the omakase (chef’s choice of the freshest fish) is always a good option
DAY TWO: TOKYO
Logistics: By foot or train with JR pass
Must Do: Shibuya Crossing, Harajuku + Shinjuku neighborhoods, Yoyogi Park, Roppongi
Must Eat: Udon, udon and more udon
DAY THREE: TOKYO
Must Do: Tsukiji Fish Market, Hamarikyu Gardens or the East Gardens of the Imperial Palace. Shinjuku is a great option to head out for the night
Must Eat: Keep the carbo-load going with ramen
The full Tokyo post can be found here!
DAY FOUR: KYOTO
Logistics: Travel from Tokyo to Kyoto. Be sure to take the bullet train (the Navitime app will tell you total trip time, the bullet is always shorter than other trains) and arrive at the JR station to try and reserve seats. You don’t need to reserve seats on the train but if you end up on a commuter train, seats can fill up.
Accommodations: Hotel Vista Premio Kyoto Nagomitei (4 nights)
Must do: Discover your neighborhood on foot
Must eat: Street market bites at Nishiki Market aka “Kyoto’s Kitchen”
DAY FIVE: KYOTO
Logistics: On foot
Must do: Discover Central Kyoto - the must sees our Chion-in Buddhist temple + Kiyomizu-den UNESCO World Heritage site, you’ll see a ton along the way!
Must eat: Dango, round rice balls on a stick that are fried and smothered in a soy sauce glaze
DAY SIX: KYOTO
Logistics: Rental Bike
Must do: Northwestern Kyoto - Kinkaku-ji (The Golden Pavilion), Arashiyama + as many UNESCO World Heritage sights as you can handle. There are 17 UNESCO sites in Kyoto alone!
Must eat: Ceremonial matcha
DAY SEVEN: DAY TRIP TO NARA
Logistics: JR train - take the local train to Nara on the way there so you can get off at Fushimi Inari and the rapid express on the way back
Must do: Pit stop at Fushimi Inari Shrine (crowded + touristy but it’s a must see), then spend the day feeding the deer and exploring Nara
Must eat: Deer Snacks (come on, you know you’re curious)
DAY EIGHT: MIYAJIMA ISLAND
Logistics: Take JR bullet train from Kyoto to Hiroshima, connect to Miyajimaguchi Station via local JR train. The last step is to take the short walk to the ferry station, then take the 10-min JR ferry to Miyajima Island. Optional: Hop off at Hiroshima Station before transferring to the Miyajimaguchi line where you can walk, uber or bus to Hiroshima Peace Memorial to see the Atomic Bomb Dome + Museum.
Accommodations: Watanabe Ryokan - breakfast + din provided (2 nights)
Must do: Enjoy the seating area in your room at the ryokan and enjoy hot tea and momiji manju (Japanese pastry filled with adzuki bean jam) in your room while listening to the babbling brooks outside
Must eat: The coursed traditional kaiseki meal that you will be served downstairs at the ryokan (where you get to wear your kimono to dinner, by the way)
DAY NINE: MIYAJIMA ISLAND
Logistics: The island is small and manageable on foot
Must do: Hike Mt. Misen (approx 1.5-2 hrs)
Must eat: Hop from vendor to vendor on Miyajima’s main street - you’ll find to-go mojitos, fresh oysters and Miyajima steamed buns
Details on the magical Miyajima Island getaway can be found here!
DAY TEN: IYA VALLEY
Logistics: Today you will transfer to Iya Valley. Get back to Hiroshima Station and take the JR bullet train to Shin-Kobe (hint: if you see “Shin” it means stop for shinkansen bullet trains). Pick up a rental car there and get ready for a scenic drive out to Iya Valley
Accommodations: Hotel Iyaonsen if you’re ballin’ out. Alternative: Iya Bijin for a similar experience at a lower price point
Must do: Onsen means “Japanese hot spring” so soak, baby, soak
Must eat: Pull off to a roadside mini mart and get whatever the locals are having (it may be a cafe latte served out of a vending machine and maybe some delightful ramen)
DAY ELEVEN: IYA VALLEY
Must do: Read a book, drink sake, soak in your personal tub, soak in the communal hot spring (and repeat)
Must eat: You will be in the middle of nowhere, so you’ll probably eat (and hopefully enjoy) whatever they serve you.
DAY TWELVE: OSAKA
Logistics: Drive to Osaka, drop off rental car and Uber/Taxi to the hotel
Accommodations: HOTEL THE FLAG Shinsaibashi (2 nights)
Must do: Pinpoint Traveler's Food Tour is a fantastic way to experience local cuisine and culture in Osaka
Must eat: The food tour has got you handled, you’ll sample a ton of naughty and delightful street food
DAY THIRTEEN: OSAKA
Logistics: Walk and/or take the JR train to get around Osaka
Must do: Explore Nakazakicho + Dotonbori (fun ideas in this NY Times articles as well)
Must eat: Whiskey highball (aka whiskey + soda but everyone is obsessed in JP)
Click here to continue learning about traveling in Osaka!
DAY FOURTEEN: TOKYO (IF YOU BOOKED ROUNDTRIP)
Logistics: JR bullet train Shin-Osaka to Tokyo
Accommodations: Asakusa Kokono Club Hotel (1 night)
Must do: Go ahead and do anything that you didn’t get to do in Tokyo at the start of your trip. You can also get a deep tissue massage and eat more sushi, we won’t judge.
Must eat: Tonkatsu, deep-fried pork cutlets
