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Two weeks in Japan is the sweet spot — enough to pair the classic cities with a few deeper detours without rushing. Here’s a balanced 14-day route for first-timers.
At a glance
- Days 1–4: Tokyo
- Day 5: Hakone or Nikko (Fuji views / nature)
- Days 6–8: Kyoto
- Day 9: Nara + Osaka
- Days 10–11: Osaka + Himeji/Kobe
- Day 12: Hiroshima & Miyajima
- Days 13–14: Back to Tokyo (or Kanazawa detour) & departure
Tokyo (Days 1–4)
Ease into the country: Asakusa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, teamLab, and day trips. Full ideas in our Tokyo guide and day trips. Get a Suica/Pasmo and an eSIM first.
Hakone / Nikko (Day 5)
Break up the cities with hot springs and Mt. Fuji views, or Nikko’s shrines and forest.
Kyoto & Nara (Days 6–9)
Temples, bamboo groves, and geisha districts — see Kyoto and a Nara day trip. Ride the shinkansen down from Tokyo.
Osaka, Hiroshima & beyond (Days 10–12)
Osaka’s food scene (Osaka guide), Himeji Castle, then Hiroshima’s Peace Park and the floating torii of Miyajima.
Getting around & saving money
- With this much long-distance travel, price out the Japan Rail Pass — a 2-week trip may justify a 7-day pass for the busiest stretch.
- Use luggage forwarding between cities to travel light.
- Book hotels early for peak seasons — compare on Booking.com and Agoda .
Tips
- Don’t over-pack the schedule — leave slack for weather and rest.
- Shorter on time? Use our 7-day itinerary instead.
- First trip? Read first-timer tips and money in Japan.