Japan 14-Day Itinerary: The Ultimate First-Timer’s Guide to 2 Weeks in Japan

If you’re travelling Japan for 2 weeks, You may get a little overwhelmed during the planning phase. There’s so much to see, and never enough time - but don’t worry, we got you!

We just came back from spending 15 days in Japan and have built the perfect itinerary for you to make the most out of what this beautiful country has to offer. We were there in mid-March, just before the Sakura season officially started, and already got to see a lot of early blooming pink trees (which were absolutely stunning), without having to deal with the huge crowds. So if you’re wondering “What is the best time to visit Japan?” - we strongly recommend early March.

Now for the itinerary, we have split it into 5 phases or destinations - this helped us simplify the planning and logistics process.

1st Destination: Tokyo (5 Days)

• Day 1: Arrival & Recovery You will most likely land in Tokyo, and after such a long flight you will be tired, so just check into your hotel, and grab some local comfort food - this is the perfect day to adjust to the time zone, the area in which you’re staying, and even grab an Egg Sando from your local 7-eleven.
• Day 2: The Classics Visit the famous Shibuya Crossing and the trendy streets of Harajuku (These places are beautiful during the day, but feel even more incredible in the evening when the city lights are on). For a peaceful break during the day, walk through the Meiji Jingo Shrine, a Shinto oasis in the heart of the city.

• Day 3: Markets & Neon Lights Start early at the Tsukiji Outer Market (the fish market) for world-class sushi and wagyu beef in the area of Ginza. You may find it strange that people eat sushi at 9 in the morning, but trust us, it’s completely worth it - because that’s when the sushi is the freshest it’ll ever be! Then stay in Ginza for the afternoon for some shopping, and head to Shinjuku at night to experience the iconic city lights and nightlife. There’s also loads of great places to eat in Shinjuku.
• Day 4: Culture & Anime Visit Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo's oldest temple (make sure to get there early to avoid crowds!). Later, stroll through Ueno Park and explore Akihabara, the ultimate destination for anime, manga, and vintage gaming. PRO TIP: If you’re go to Akihabara on Sunday, the street will be closed off for cars, so you’ll be able to walk around freely and the vibes are incredible - specially on a sunny day!
• Day 5: The "Locals" Day Take a 30-minute metro ride to Koenji. This area is perfect for vintage shopping and authentic local food away from the main tourist paths. We ended up buying some matcha to take home from here, as well as some vintage goodies!

Watch our Japan 2-week itinerary video

We made a video about this itinerary where we share a lot of incredible footage of Japan - check it out below!

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2nd Destination: Mount Fuji (2 Days)

Base yourself in the town of Kawaguchiko for the best views of Mount Fuji.

• Day 6: Travel to Fuji Take the Fuji Excursion train from Shinjuku to Kawaguchiko. We recommend you spend the afternoon exploring the lakeside, but honestly, you will have to adjust your schedule based on the visibility of Mount Fuji, because sometimes it’s clear, and sometimes the skies open up for as little as 20 minutes. So much sure to stay on the lookout.
• Day 7: Views of the Peak Fuji is unpredictable, so having a full day increases your chances of a clear view. Visit spots like Chureito Pagoda or The Panoramic ropeway for direct views from a high ground.

3rd Destination: Kyoto & Nara (4 Days)

Kyoto is the cultural heart of Japan, filled with thousands of temples and traditional streets.

• Day 8: Old Town Arrival Travel via Shinkansen to Kyoto. You will need to get a bus from Kawaguchiko to Mishima, and catch the train here which will take you all the way to Kyoto city centre. In the late afternoon, head to Kiyomizu-dera - the streets up to the temple will be busy, but the views of the city at sunset time are absolutely breathtaking. This was most likely our favourite temple in the whole of Japan.
• Day 9: Bamboo Groves Visit Arashiyama to see the famous bamboo forest. We recommend arriving around 9:00 AM to enjoy the scenery before it gets too crowded (after 10am). Unlike what some influencers say however, it’s not needed to get there at 6am. We also recommend you to have lunch in this area, as there is a lovely river and multiple restaurant alongside it.

• Day 10: The Red Gates Head to Fushimi Inari Shrine in the morning to see the beautiful Red tor gates. It may seem a little busy, but if you hike further up the mountain, the crowds start disappearing. The stairs are in a somewhat circular path, and it should take you about 90 minutes to go around, as you will most likely stop at a few viewpoints. Spend the rest of the day exploring Kyoto’s downtown food markets - as there is plenty to see (and eat!)

• Day 11: Nara Day Trip Take a one-hour train to Nara to see the famous wild deer and massive Buddha statues. The deers can be a little intimidating, specially if you feed them (because they always want more). Just make sure to not tease them and it will be fine.

4th Destination: Hiroshima & Miyajima (2 Days)

• Day 12: History & Reflection - Take the Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima. Spend the afternoon at the Peace Memorial Museum and the A-Bomb Dome for a very impactful historical experience. The area is calm, but incredibly beautiful with a lot of green spaces and a river that crosses the city.
• Day 13: The Sacred Island - Take a short train and ferry ride to Miyajima Island to see the iconic "floating" Torii gate. This was one of the most incredible places we visited in Japan. The island was stunning with views we’d never seen before. There were even Deer all around. We recommend going early to avoid crowds, and enjoy some peace by the Tori Gate, but also to climb up to the temple to enjoy amazing views. In the evening, travel to your final destination: Osaka.

5th Destination: Osaka (2 Days)

Day 14: The Kitchen of Japan - Osaka is all about food and energy. We recommend you to visit the Osaka Castle during the day, and then spend your final night in the Dotonbori area, enjoying the buzzing nightlife and street food. Make sure to take a picture next to the famous “running man” next to the canal.

• Day 15: Departure Unfortunately, your trip will come to an end, so fly out of Kansai International Airport (KIX), or take a Shinkansen back to Tokyo if you have a round-trip flight.

Pro Travel Tips:

• Connectivity: Use an eSIM (like Holafly) to ensure you have 24/7 internet for navigation - Use our Promo Code code NALBATRAVELS to get 5% off your Holafly eSIM.
• Transport: Add a Suica card to your Apple Wallet - You can use it to tap in and out on local trains and metros in all cities around Japan.
• Planning is key: If you’re planning your trip, you may want to download the free planner we put together here. It was super helpful for us to make sure we had visibility of all the places, booked journeys and money we spent across the trip.