Best of Japan Travel Itinerary for First-Timers
Japan is incredible with much to offer. The possibilities for routes are endless and no matter what you choose you will have an amazing vacation. This Japan travel itinerary is designed for first-time visitors. It includes Tokyo, Nikko, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Himeji Castle, Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara. This is a day-by-day travel guide, including, must-see cities, monuments, incredible day trips, and bucket list experiences. There is much to see and do through Japan, this itinerary outlines a 14-day trip (2 weeks of PTO).
Read Complete Japan Travel Guide
What cities should I visit in Japan?
Japan is huge. It is impossible to see it all on one international trip with limited PTO. This Japan travel itinerary for first-time visitors provides a mix of everything from neon-lit neighborhoods to tranquil hilltop temples including a few rides on the famous Shinkansen bullet train. The 2 week Japan itinerary includes Tokyo, Nikko, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Himeji Castle, Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara.
Save time by reviewing my Japan travel guide for the best time of year to visit, currency, budget, language, safety matters, public transportation, what to pack, food to eat, and travel tips. I suggest printing this itinerary and plugging your dates into each stop. Then print the linked detailed itinerary for each stop and supplemental things to do. Make adjustments to personalize your trip. Use the search box at the end of the post to find accommodation at your price point for the number of nights indicated. Prepurchase train tickets and organize day tours to ensure everything goes as planned.
What is the best way to travel around Japan?
Japan is spread out and time is limited. Although driving in Japan is not difficult, it is not time-efficient. Japan is well connected by high-speed trains. This itinerary is fast-paced and includes travel every several days. When taking into account airport security, train travel is the best use of time.
The train system in Japan is confusing due to the number of companies operating rail lines. You may have already begun planning your trip and are confused about the JR Pass. I know I was and I obsessed about it for weeks. In the end, I bought it. When I figured the cost with and without I believe the pass was about $20 more. I’m positive I saved that $20 using train lines in Tokyo and Osaka. Plus, it was easier to track one pass vs many tickets. No regrets.
Where Should I Stay in Japan?
This is a fast-paced trip with several day trips by train. I suggest choosing a hotel at your price point close to the central train station in each city. Most Japanese cities are walkable and the city center is often close to a train station. Airport transportation usually takes you to the central station, day trips will often depart from this station and you will be close for early departure when moving on. This eliminates dragging a suitcase through town and looking for an early morning taxi. Plus, you may get to sleep an extra hour in the morning.
How many days in Japan is enough?
If you only have 2 weeks, plan to see no more than 4 cities + a few day trips. You will arrive the morning of day 1 and day 15 will be an international flight day. This itinerary covers 14 days of travel, and it’s full of the best things to do in Japan.
Japan Travel Itinerary, Two Week Day by Day Guide
Duration: 14 days
Cities: Tokyo, Nikko, Hiroshima, Miyajima Island, Himeji Castle, Kobe, Kyoto, Osaka, and Nara
Arrival
Overseas flight. I know you are busy and tired. Trust me and book the flight out on the evening of your last day at work. Preparation is the key to surviving long-haul flights. Layout your airplane outfit and have your packed bag by the door ready to go. Zip home after work, change your clothes, wash your face, brush your teeth, and head to the airport. Enjoy a glass of wine and take an original strength Dramamine to sleep on the plane. You will arrive in Japan in time to check into your hotel, have dinner, and enjoy a cocktail before going to bed.
Fly into Tokyo’s Haneda airport and collect your suitcase. I took the overnight flight from LAX and arrived at 5:30 pm Japan time. Active the JR Pass and make JR train reservations for the bullet train to Hiroshima while at the airport. Transfer to the hotel using the JR Pass. I stayed at the Hotel Metropolitan Edmont Tokyo. It was close to several stations and there were great restaurants in walking distance. Have your first meal and get some sleep, it will be a busy couple of weeks!
Day 1-4 Tokyo Japan (5 Nights Tokyo)
This itinerary begins in Tokyo Japan. Follow this Tokyo Japan itinerary and spend the next several days exploring the highlights of Tokyo, including, the Imperial Palace, Harajuku, Shibuya Scramble Crossing, Omoide Yokocho and Kabukichō Ichiban-gai, Sensō-ji, Nakamise-dori and Golden Gai, Zōjō-ji Temple, Ginza Shopping and Akihabara.
READ One Week in Tokyo Japan, Top Things to Do
Be sure to check the Tokyo Japan Board of Tourism website for upcoming festivals, special events.
Day 5 Day Trip to Nikko Japan
Nikko Japan is located in the Tochigi Prefecture 2 hours from Tokyo by train. Take the JR Tohoku Shinkansen line (high-speed train) from either Tokyo Station or Ueno Station and switch to the JR Nikko Line to Nikko Station at Utsunomiya. Total travel time is about 1 hour 40 mins. I departed Tokyo Station at 6:04 arriving in Nikko at 7:44.
Purchasing the Chuzenji Onsen Free Pass bus will save time and money. The pass offers rides between JR Nikko Station (stop 1) and Osaki (Stop 31). It can be purchased at the Tobu station, a 5-minute walk from the JR Station. The ticket office does not open until 8:30 am. All listed stops are covered by the pass as well as a boat cruise around Lake Chuzenji.
Follow this Nikko Japan day trip itinerary to ensure you do not miss Akechidaira Ropeway, Kegon Waterfall, Lake Chuzenji, Kanmangafuchi Abyss, Shinkyo Bridge, Rinnō-ji Temple, Gojunoto, Yomeimon Gate, Toshogu Shrine, Nikko Futarasan Shrine, Taiyu-in Temple Hall and Tomb.
READ Day Trip to Nikko Japan: Must-See Sights and Experiences
Have an extra day? Consider a day trip to Nagano/Jigokudani Yaen Koen (Snow Monkey Park) to watch the monkeys soaking in their mountain spa.
Take the 6:58 AM JR Train Hokuriku-Shinkansen Asama 601 from Ueno Station towards Nagano to Nagano Station, arriving at 8:35 AM. From there transfer to the Nagaden Snow Monkey Express Bus at Bus Stop No.23, on the east side of the station. Simply line up for the bus and buy your ticket directly from the driver, cash only/JPY1500 one-way. The bus departs at 8:50 and arrives at 9:35. Check the bus schedule here.
Day 6 Hiroshima Japan (2 nights)
Get up early and take the 6:33 am JR Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station. It is 8 stops and takes about 4 hours to arrive at 10:30. Leave the suitcase in a storage locker at the station, the cost of storage is 800 yen per bag for 24 hours. Insert the exact fee amount in 100 yen coins. The storage space is available at the Main Concourse near platform 12/13.
Catch the Hiroshima Sightseeing Bus free with a JR Pass at the Hiroshima Station Shinkansen Entrance (Platform 2). Take the Orange Line 11:00 bus, the bus runs in a loop every hour. Spend the day exploring Hiroshima. Be sure to visit Hiroshima Castle, Atomic Bomb Dome, Hiroshima Peace Park and Memorial Museum, Hondori Shopping Street, and eat Okonomiyaki Pancakes. Follow this 2-day itinerary for Hiroshima and Miyajima Island.
READ Things to Do in Hiroshima Japan, 2-Day Itinerary
Day 7 Day Trip to Miyajima Island
Take the 8:10 train JR Train from Hiroshima Station to Miyajimaguchi Station via the San-yo Line, Local Iwakuni. It runs 9 stops and takes 30 minutes. Walk 3 minutes to JR Miyajima Ferry, it is well-marked. Purchase a 100 yen visitor tax ticket from the machine to the right of the departure gate. Take the 8:45 am ferry to the island. It is a 10-minute ride, be sure to sit on the right side of the ferry for a view of the Torii gates as you approach.
Highlights not to miss on Miyajima Island are Itsukushima Shrine, Toyokuni Shrine Pagoda, Daishoin Temple, Henjo Cave, and Miyajima Ropeway. Expect a long line to enter the Itsukushima Shrine. Be sure to interact with the deer and try Momiji before leaving the island. Tip: there is a grove of cherry blossom trees you will not want to miss if you visit during the Sakura season.
Days 8 Himeji Castle and Kobe on the way to Kyoto
Take the 8 am JR Train from Hiroshima Station to Himeji Station via Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen. I believe you have to pay extra for this ticket. I believe this because I did not and we got kicked off the train and then had to scramble to figure out what to do in some random town. Anyway. It should be 8 stops and take 1:41 min. Once in Himeji, store your luggage in a locker and exit via the Himeji Castle Exit (North Exit). We walked from the station to the castle, it was a boring walk. If I did it again, I would grab a taxi and save the time. Also, we saw the castle from the grounds but did not go inside due to limited time and craving Kobe beef.
Take the 10:42 JR Train from Himeji Station to Sannomiya Station arriving at 11:21 via Tokaido-Sanyo Line. It is 5 stops and takes 40 minutes. There is a coin locker room across from the East Ticket Gates and more lockers by the side of the escalators opposite the Central Ticket Gates.
Exit the station and go straight to Steakland for a lunch of Kobe beef. Expect a line and a wait. This was an amazing meal and really shouldn’t be missed! After lunch take the monorail over to Kobe Animal Kingdom and say hello to the capybaras and lemurs before continuing on to Kyoto.
Take the 5:28 JR Train from the Sannomiya Station in Kobe to the Kyoto Station via the Tokaido-Sanyo Line. It is 6 stops and takes 1 hour. Check into your hotel for the next 3 nights, grab some dinner, and collapse into bed.
Days 9-11 Kyoto Japan (2 Nights)
It is not super easy to get around in Kyoto and there is so much to do and see. I’ve already done the work, save yourself time by using my detailed 3 days in Kyoto Japan itinerary grouping activities by location and transportation. Not to miss are: Kinkaku-ji (the golden pavilion), Daitoku-ji Temple, Philosopher’s Walk (cherry blossoms), Heian Shrine, Gion District, Tatsumi Bridge, Yasaka-jinja Shrine, Maruyama Park (Cherry Blossoms), Kōdai-ji Temple, Ryozen Kannon, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Arashiyama Monkey Park, Otagi Nenbutsuji Temple, Fushimi Inari Taisha, Byōdō-in Temple and Fushimi Sake Village.
READ Things to Do in Kyoto Japan, 3-Day Itinerary
Spend the night in Osaka on Day 11. Take the 5:10 pm JR Train from Kyoto Station to Osaka Station via the Tokaido-Sanyo Line. It is 3 stops and takes 30 minutes, arriving at 5:42. Check into your hotel. I stayed at Holiday Inn Osaka Namba. It was inexpensive and located near the popular area of Dotonbori. Wander around Dotonbori sampling various foods for dinner.
Day 12-13 Osaka Japan
Don’t skip Osaka! There are plenty of things to do to fill 2 days in Osaka Japan. Highlights of Osaka include the Osaka Castle, Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, Namba Yasaka Shrine, Kuromon Ichiba Market, Denden Town, Dotonbori, and Shinsekai Neighborhood. I highly recommend having an animal café experience while in Japan. If you have not done so yet, there is a micro pig café in Americamura.
READ Things to Do in Osaka Japan, 3 Day Itinerary
Days 14 Nara Japan
I chose to take the Kintetsu-Nara Rapid Express train for this day trip. It is inexpensive, saves time (36 min ride), and arrives closer to the Nara Deer Park. However, you can easily use the JR train pass for this Nara day trip. It is a 50-minute ride and about 20 minutes to walk to the entrance of the deer park.
Must-see sights and experiences in Nara include feeding the deer, Kofuku-ji, Isuien Garden, Todai-ji Temple, Kasuga-Taisha Shrine, Nakatanidou, and Higashimuki Shopping Street.
READ Day Trip to Nara Japan: Must-See Sights and Experiences
Booking Resources for Japan
Book Your Accommodation in Japan Now
Search Booking.com and VRBO in one place to find the perfect property!
Japan Travel Guide Books
Pick up a Japan Travel Guide from Amazon.com to browse on the plane.
Tokyo Attractions and Day Tours
The best attractions sell out! Don’t chance it, get your tickets now and relax when you arrive.
Travel Essentials
Need a universal travel adaptor, power bank charger, or packing cubes? Save time at my Amazon shop and have travel essentials delivered to your home.
Bookmark and Pin Best of Japan Travel Itinerary for First Timers, Day by Day Guide
