2 Week Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors
Last Updated on 23rd July 2024 by Sophie Nadeau
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Japan is a mesmerising country where old meets new and tradition meets cutting-edge modernity— a destination like no other in the world, it tends to find itself at the top of most people’s bucket list spots to visit, and for good reason!
However, with such an overwhelming amount of things to see and do, it can be hard to know where to start when it comes to booking your trip to Japan. That’s why we’ve put together a 2-week itinerary introduction to Japan, to make things easier if you’re a first time traveller!
Please note: Within this guide you’ll find links to several more itineraries and useful guides to help make your travels that bit easier!
Top Japan travel tips
Japan is particularly renowned for its organisation, and in a country where being respectful and polite is a big part of society and culture, you’ll likely want to know some tips before you go.
As someone who has been fortunate to explore and travel several corners of the country, including its more remote islands, I’ve taken note of a few things that I wish I had known before visiting! Check out our 20+ Japan Travel Tips You Need to Know Before Visiting guide.
Suggested itinerary for 2 weeks in Japan
Tokyo 2 nights
There’s no better introduction to Japan than starting at its capital city, Tokyo. The city has an estimated population of just under 14 million people (and the wider area up to 40 million), meaning that it’s the most populous city in the world. It’s therefore famed for its densely packed urban cityscape.
Day 1 & 2
Your first couple of days in Tokyo will feel fast-paced (mainly because we’ve packed in lots to see!) You’ll spend your time getting a feel for the city overall, exploring viewpoints in the city’s modern side like the Tokyo Skytree or Tokyo Tower, to wandering through historic temples and shrines, beautiful public parks and have a chance to go shopping and explore the city’s buzzing, neon-lit district, Shinjuku.
Check out our How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Tokyo itinerary here. You’ll want to adapt it so that you only use the first two days.
Kyoto 3 nights (1 day trip to Nara)
Kyoto is a historic city, rich with wonderful attractions to discover, it’s a true embodiment of traditional Japanese culture. Spend two days exploring the city itself, then opt to take a day trip from the city so you can experience one of the
Not only is Kyoto simply stunning, but it’s also the perfect destination to base yourself and take day trips from, the city is widely connected via great transportation links.
Read our How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Kyoto Itinerary guide.
2 days in Kyoto (dayS 3 & 4)
Spend the first two days of your stay in Kyoto exploring the city itself, although this won’t allow enough time to see everything you’ll certainly get a good feel for the city. From visiting Kyoto’s golden temple, to indulging in delights at the covered marketplace known by locals as “Kyoto’s kitchen” because of its sheer rich variety of foodstuffs.
During this time you can also head out of the city and enjoy Kyoto’s natural landscape. Whether it’s meandering through the enchanting Arashiyama bamboo forest, soaking up views of the ‘bridge over the moon’ or greeting snow monkey’s in the Iwatayama Monkey Park. There’s so much to be discovered and experienced within just two days!
Day trip to Nara (day 5)
While based in Kyoto, we recommend spending one of the days taking a day trip to the beautiful pocket of Nara. A treasure trove of cultural experiences, Nara is a top highlight for many visitors thanks to its wild deer, beautiful parklands, and wealth of dazzling temples. Read our Nara Travel Guide here.
Hiroshima 2 days (1 day trip to Miyajima)
For the next leg of your journey, you can take a direct Nozomi train from Kyoto to Hiroshima, this journey takes approximately 95 minutes. You’ll want to base yourself on Hiroshima for the next two nights, taking a day trip to Miyajima on the second day.
Hiroshima (day 6)
An important trip to make while exploring beyond Japan’s major cities is a visit to Hiroshima. Most famously where two atomic bombs was dropped during WWII, which killed and maimed hundreds of thousands of people, and their effects are still being felt to this day.
However, what you may not realise is that although the idea that the city would be completely uninhabitable is false and today Hiroshima is home to nearly 1.2 million residents!
The most important places to see while visiting is the Hiroshima include: the Peace Memorial Museum and the Peace Memorial Park.
Miyajima (day 7)
On the second day in Hiroshima, you can take a short ferry (which only takes 10 minutes) over to Miyajima Island, which is also known by the name Itsukushima.
Wild deer, a breathtaking Torii gate that look as if its floating on the water, and one of the most breathtaking mountain hikes in Japan: there’s no shortage of things to do in Miyajima to impress even the most discerning of travellers. For more inspiration, check out our Miyajima guide.
Osaka 3 days (1 day trip to Himeji castle, 1 day trip to Kurashiki Bikan historical Quarter)
Spend the next three days based in Osaka, taking time to explore the city itself and then spending the next two days on day trips away from the city.
Where to stay in Osaka –
The best area to stay in is the Kita ward, which is close to Osaka train station (which in turn provides great transport links to Shin-Osaka, the Shinkansen- bullet train- train station of the city) and has plenty of cool shopping and foodie options close by.
Osaka (day 8)
Bustling and bright, Osaka is characterised by its neon light, sheer modernity and delicious foodie scene. Osaka is a huge city, so while you’ll only get a glimpse of it from exploring for a day, it’s still enough time to enjoy your first time in Japan. Read our How to Spend the Perfect One Day in Osaka Itinerary here.
Himeji Castle, 姫路城 (day 9)
Spend the next day taking a day trip to the majestic white-walled Himeji Castle, which boasts being one of the most visited castles in Japan and was the first castle in the country to earn UNESCO World Heritage status.
Having gained the nickname ‘White Heron’ thanks to its resemblance to the long-legged and elegant bird, Himeji Castle sits atop a rocky perch, as if ready to take flight at any moment. Rich with history and filled with the stories of the people who have lived here over the centuries, there’s a lot to be uncovered, so it’s worth taking a day to explore. Read our Ultimate Himeji Castle Guide here.
Kurashiki Bikan historical quarter, 倉敷美観地区 (day 10)
Another day trip to take while you’re based in Osaka is to the white-walled townscape situated in the neighbouring city, Kurashiki.
It’s particularly unique because, unlike most towns in Japan, there are no telephone wires or cables ahead, leading you to feel as if you’ve stepped back in time or straight into a Studio Ghibli landscape.
A veritable example of historic Japan, the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter is one of those dreamy destinations that you see in the pages of a glossy magazine. Read our guide on the Best of Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter here.
Tokyo 1 day (Day trip to Kamakura)
Head back to Tokyo and base yourself here before you head out via the Shinkansen to Mount Fuji. However, we suggest taking a day trip from Tokyo to Kamakura, which is easily reached via train in under 1 hour one-way.
day 11
Surrounded by mountains and sea, Kamakura is often referred to as “the Kyoto of the East”. This ancient city hugs the coastline and is filled with historic treasures, nestled between a landscape which acts as a natural fortress.
By taking a day trip here it’s the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself in the mountainous landscape, as well as see a stunning stretch of beaches.
Kamakura itself is a mosaic of architectural styles, culture and history that all exist in harmony, once the political capital of Japan, a visit here allows you to explore the ancient historic shrines and temples in a concentrated area.
One particular monument which has become somewhat of an iconic symbol of the city is the Great Buddha of Kamakura.
Mount Fuji 2 days
Days 12 & 13
Next, head southwest of Tokyo via the Shinkansen and explore one of the most iconic and cherished sacred symbols of the country, Mount Fuji.
From exploring lava tubes to thatched villages and soaking up views of the snow-capped mountain, there’s also no shortage of things to do in the area that surrounds the active stratovolcano. Read our 2 Days in Mount Fuji Itinerary here.
Tokyo 1 day
Spend your final day back where you began, back in Tokyo. If this is your first time in Japan (and you’ve followed this pretty jam-packed itinerary) you might want to consider having a more leisurely-paced day as your last.
However, while here, I highly recommend making the most of it! Check out our How to Spend the Perfect 3 Days in Tokyo itinerary here. (This time you’ll want to use the third day of the itinerary to follow).
day 14
Your second time exploring Japan’s capital will be spent mooching around and getting to know the cultural fashion trends of Tokyo’s youth, exploring the biggest shrine in the city and then visiting the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world! Then, you’ll spend your final moments in Tokyo viewing it from above, a neon-lit glow of endless metropolis.
Despite the sheer and overwhelming size of this metropolis, Tokyo is an ordered chaos (which you may have witnessed upon your first visit) however, there’s no better first-hand experience to understand this until you cross Shibuya Scramble Crossing for yourself!
Getting around
If there’s one thing you should know about getting around Japan, it’s that as a general rule public transport is fast, easy, safe and super reliable. All of the major cities and even some of the more remote areas of Japan are well served by the railway company, Japan Railways (JR).
The Shinkansen, or as it’s better known in English as the bullet train, is of course the fastest (and coolest, let’s be honest) way to travel to and from destinations.
If time allows (and if this is something that interests you) why not try to take a ride on the Hello Kitty Shinkansen? Everything is pink, fun and Hello-Kitty themed – including the toilets! Read our How to Ride on the Hello Kitty Shinkansen (Bullet Train) here.
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