Planning a Japan itinerary is one of travel's great pleasures — and one of its great challenges. The country is vast, the shinkansen network connects almost everywhere, and the temptation to over-schedule is real. This guide covers japan itineraries for 7, 10, and 14 days, plus individual Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka itineraries you can adapt and combine. Whether you have 10 days in Japan or two full weeks, these plans will help you get the most from your trip.
Before You Plan: Japan Trip Essentials
- Japan Rail Pass: Buy before arriving. A 14-day pass (~¥70,000 / ~$470) covers all JR trains including most Shinkansen bullet trains. The Tokyo–Kyoto Shinkansen alone costs ¥13,000 one-way, so the pass pays for itself quickly on any multi-city trip.
- Suica/Pasmo IC Card: A rechargeable transit card for metros, local trains, and convenience store payments. Get one at any major station on arrival.
- Book in advance: Cherry blossom (late March–April) and autumn foliage (mid-November) seasons see hotels sell out months ahead. TeamLab, Ghibli Museum, and popular restaurants require advance reservations at any time of year.
- Keep it flexible: Japan rewards spontaneous exploration. Don't schedule every hour — leave room for a recommendation from a ryokan host, a side street that looks interesting, or a ramen shop with a queue worth joining.
7-Day Japan Itinerary
Seven days is a tight but very rewarding introduction to Japan. Focus on Tokyo and Kyoto with day trips rather than trying to add more cities.
Days 1–3: Tokyo
- Day 1: Arrive, recover, explore your neighborhood. Evening in Shinjuku (Golden Gai, Omoide Yokocho).
- Day 2: Shibuya (Sky observation, Scramble Crossing), Harajuku (Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street, Omotesando), Nakameguro for dinner.
- Day 3: Asakusa (Senso-ji at dawn, Nakamise market, Yanaka old town), Akihabara, teamLab Borderless evening.
Day 4: Tokyo → Hakone
- Morning: Shinkansen to Odawara, switch to Hakone Tozan Railway.
- Afternoon: Hakone Loop (ropeway, Owakudani volcanic valley, Lake Ashi pirate ship).
- Evening: Ryokan check-in, outdoor onsen, kaiseki dinner. Stay overnight.
Days 5–7: Kyoto
- Day 5: Arrive by Shinkansen. Afternoon: Fushimi Inari torii gates (arrive by 4pm for the best light). Evening: Gion district walk.
- Day 6: Arashiyama (bamboo grove at 7am, Tenryu-ji garden, Jojakko-ji), Philosopher's Path, Eikan-do or Nanzen-ji.
- Day 7: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market for lunch. Afternoon Shinkansen back to Tokyo for departure, or fly home from Kansai Airport (Osaka, 75 min from Kyoto).
10-Day Japan Itinerary
Ten days in Japan is the sweet spot — enough time to do Tokyo and Kyoto justice, add Osaka and Hiroshima, and take at least one significant day trip.
Days 1–3: Tokyo
- Day 1: Arrive. Shinjuku evening.
- Day 2: Shibuya, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Omotesando. teamLab Borderless (book ahead).
- Day 3: Asakusa, Ueno (museums), Akihabara. Day trip option: Kamakura (Great Buddha, coastal temples).
Day 4: Hakone day trip or overnight
- Hakone Loop, Mt. Fuji views from Lake Ashi, outdoor onsen ryokan overnight (recommended) or return to Tokyo.
Days 5–7: Kyoto
- Day 5: Fushimi Inari (early morning), Gion district evening.
- Day 6: Arashiyama bamboo grove (dawn), Tenryu-ji, Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji.
- Day 7: Kinkaku-ji, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market. Day trip to Nara (deer, Todai-ji Great Buddha).
Days 8–9: Osaka
- Day 8: Arrive by train (15 min from Kyoto). Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, Shinsekai, Dōtonbori street food evening.
- Day 9: Namba, Shinsaibashi shopping, Hozenji Yokocho alley. Optional: Universal Studios Japan (book in advance).
Day 10: Hiroshima day trip or departure
- Day trip from Osaka: Peace Memorial Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome, ferry to Miyajima Island and floating torii gate. Return to Osaka for overnight, fly home next day. Or fly from Hiroshima Airport directly.
14-Day Japan Itinerary (2-Week Japan Itinerary)
Two weeks in Japan allows a fuller experience of each city, genuine off-the-beaten-path exploration, and at least one lesser-known destination.
Days 1–4: Tokyo
- Day 1: Arrive. Shinjuku evening walk.
- Day 2: Shibuya Sky + Scramble, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, Nakameguro.
- Day 3: Asakusa (dawn at Senso-ji), Yanaka, Ueno museums, teamLab Borderless evening.
- Day 4: Day trip to Kamakura (Great Buddha, Hase-dera, coastal hiking).
Days 5–6: Hakone & Mt. Fuji
- Day 5: Train to Hakone. Hakone Loop, Owakudani. Check into mountain ryokan.
- Day 6: Mt. Fuji views from Kawaguchiko (clear morning). Shinkansen to Kyoto afternoon.
Days 7–9: Kyoto
- Day 7: Fushimi Inari (dawn), Gion evening.
- Day 8: Arashiyama, bamboo grove, Hozu River ride, Kinkaku-ji.
- Day 9: Philosopher's Path, Nanzen-ji, Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market. Evening: sake tasting in Fushimi district.
Day 10: Kyoto day trip — Nara or Kurama
- Nara: deer park, Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, Naramachi old town. Or Kurama mountain temples and Kibune river restaurants.
Days 11–12: Osaka
- Day 11: Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, Shinsekai kushikatsu.
- Day 12: Namba street food, Dōtonbori canal cruise, Tempozan Aquarium or Universal Studios Japan.
Days 13–14: Hiroshima & Miyajima
- Day 13: Shinkansen to Hiroshima (1h from Osaka). Peace Memorial Museum, Atomic Bomb Dome. Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki for dinner.
- Day 14: Full day on Miyajima Island — Itsukushima Shrine, Mt. Misen hike, deer, momiji manju. Ferry back, Shinkansen to Osaka or Kyoto for departure flight.
Tokyo Itinerary: 3 Days in Tokyo
Day 1 — East Tokyo: Senso-ji temple at 7am (before crowds), Nakamise shopping street, Yanaka old town walk, Ueno Park and National Museum, Akihabara electronics and arcade evening.
Day 2 — West Tokyo: Meiji Shrine morning walk, Harajuku (Takeshita Street, Omotesando architecture), Shibuya Scramble Crossing + Shibuya Sky at sunset, Shibuya or Shinjuku for dinner and Golden Gai bars.
Day 3 — Culture & Views: Tsukiji Outer Market breakfast (arrive 7am), teamLab Borderless (book ahead), Odaiba afternoon (Gundam, Ferris wheel), Tokyo Tower or Skytree for city panorama at night.
Kyoto Itinerary: 3 Days in Kyoto
Day 1 — Eastern Kyoto: Fushimi Inari at 6am (beat the crowds), Kiyomizudera temple, Higashiyama stone-paved lanes, Gion at dusk.
Day 2 — Western Kyoto: Arashiyama bamboo grove at dawn, Tenryu-ji garden, Jojakko-ji, Nison-in. Afternoon: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji rock garden.
Day 3 — North & Central Kyoto: Philosopher's Path (Nanzen-ji to Ginkaku-ji), Nijo Castle, Nishiki Market lunch, tea ceremony experience, Daitoku-ji temple complex for a quiet afternoon.
Osaka Itinerary: 2 Days in Osaka
Day 1 — History & Food: Osaka Castle morning, Kuromon Ichiba Market lunch, Shinsekai retro neighborhood + kushikatsu, Dōtonbori canal cruise evening, street food marathon (takoyaki, okonomiyaki).
Day 2 — Culture & Neighborhoods: Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine (Osaka's oldest), Tsuruhashi Korean market for yakiniku lunch, Namba and Shinsaibashi shopping afternoon, Hozenji Yokocho alley for drinks, rooftop bar for city views.