14 days Japan Itinerary: Top Places to Visit, Things to Do & Travel
Japan is a fascinating mix of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity. From the neon lights of Tokyo to the historic temples of Kyoto, every corner has something unique to offer in this 14 days Japan itinerary.
Enjoy world-class sushi, relax in natural hot springs, and explore breathtaking landscapes like Okinawa’s beaches.
Efficient trains make traveling a breeze, letting you experience it all. Whether you’re into culture, food, or adventure, Japan has something for everyone
This country is a one-of-a-kind destination, and this carefully planned 2-week Japan itinerary takes you to its best highlights.
Experience the perfect blend of history, nature, and modern life as you explore stunning landscapes.
Initially, the plan was to spend 14 days in Japan. Unfortunately, we couldn’t find a direct flight, so we had to book one with a 22-hour layover in Beijing.
Fortunately, we made the most of the situation and used this time to visit the Great Wall of China! This unexpected detour turned out to be an incredible experience, allowing us to visit something that had been on our bucket list for a long time.
Table of contents
Day 1-4 Tokyo
Tokyo is the ultimate mix of old and new, where ancient temples meet neon-lit skyscrapers. Whether you’re crossing the crazy Shibuya Scramble, exploring the streets of Asakusa, or diving into the food scene, there’s never a dull moment. From sushi to ramen, every meal is an experience.
It’s the perfect place to kick off your Japan adventure!
We spent 4 days in Tokyo, but it’s actually a place where you could easily spend an entire month.
Check out our guide below on how to make the most of 4 days in Tokyo!
To move around Tokyo, it’s very important to stay connected at all times. For this reason, we strongly suggest that you buy a Japanese eSIM in advance.
Day 5-6 Kyoto
Kyoto, Japan’s old capital, is the place to soak in traditional vibes. Think golden temples, bamboo forests, and endless torii gates at Fushimi Inari.
Stroll through Gion, where you might spot a geisha, or just enjoy the amazing street food.
In this Japan itinerary we only spent 2 days in Kyoto, and to be honest, we kind of regret it. While we barely managed to see the main attractions, I’d recommend staying at least 3 days to truly soak in the city’s charm.
Kyoto was definitely our favorite place in Japan the perfect mix of history, traditional culture, and nature.
Try to wake up early to visit the main attractions, as they can get very crowded.
Day 7 Nara
Nara Park is home to hundreds of friendly, free-roaming deer, considered sacred in Japanese culture.
You can feed them special shika senbei (deer crackers), and they might even bow to you in return! The park also features historic temples, including Todai-ji, which houses a massive Great Buddha statue.
Nara Park was one of the places we enjoyed the most in our Japan itinerary.
Day 8 Universal studio Osaka
Universal Studios Japan in Osaka is an absolute blast! From Super Nintendo World to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter, there’s so much to see and do.
Expect crazy rides, awesome shows, and epic themed food, whether you’re a movie fan or just love a good thrill, you’ll have a great time.
Get there early to avoid the crowds. The park officially opens at 08:00, but they unofficially open the doors at 07:00. We got there at 06:45, and there were already many people.
Day 9 Kinosaki Onsen
We took the train early to reach this little paradise called Kinosaki onsen.
Kinosaki Onsen is a hot spring town located in the Hyogo Prefecture of Japan, known for its seven public baths, each offering a unique bathing experience, you can enjoy a relaxing onsen-hopping experience, strolling between the baths in yukata robes.
Surrounded by scenic nature, the town also boasts tranquil canals and historic ryokan inns.
We suggest you book a ryokan for your stay here. All the ryokan provide a pass with free access to all the onsen, and they will also give you a yukata
Find here the best ryokan in Kinosaki onsen
Day 10 Osaka
Osaka is such a fun city! It’s got this amazing mix of cool modern spots and traditional vibes. The food scene here is unreal we couldn’t get enough of takoyaki and okonomiyaki from all the street vendors.
We spent most of our day walking around Dotonbori and checking out Osaka Castle.
The locals are super friendly, and the whole city has a laid-back, energetic vibe.
Best things to do in Osaka
Day 11 to 13 Ishigaki
This isn’t something you typically find in a Japan itinerary, but Ishigaki was absolutely amazing! We went island hopping, and I had a blast snorkeling in the crystal-clear waters while Sandra was diving with huge manta rays.
My partner was scuba diving, and we both got to see some incredible sea life, manta rays, sea snakes, and turtles! The underwater world was unreal. It was the perfect combo of adventure and chill vibes, plus the islands around Ishigaki are just beautiful!
Best things to do in Ishigaki
Day 14 Tokyo
We spent our last morning in Japan filling up our luggage with souvenirs and memories to bring back home. A great place to find some unique Japanese goodies is Don Quijote, but be careful! It’s easy to lose track of time while browsing through all the fun and quirky items.
If you don’t live in Japan, show your passport to the cashier, and they’ll remove the taxes from your purchase.
Tips for your trip
Get an E-sim card:
To plan the logistic of your trip, we do suggest you to by an eSIM in advance.
How to get Around:
Public transport in Japan is super efficient and easy to use.
The trains and buses are always on time, and you can get pretty much anywhere without much hassle.
Driving can be a bit more challenging mainly for the heavy traffic in major cities like Tokyo and Osaka, and parking is limited and expensive.
Japan follows left-hand traffic, which may take some adjustment for those used to driving on the right.
Road signs are generally in both Japanese and English, especially in tourist areas, and highways are well-maintained but often have tolls.
It depends where you’re from ( Europe, USA, Australia) you’ll International Driving Permit (IDP) based on the Geneva Convention, though some nationalities require a Japanese translation instead.
We personally traveled around Japan using public transportation, then we rented a car to get around Ishigaki and explore the island’s most remote areas.
Best Time to Visit Japan
If you ask when the best time to visit Japan is, I’d answer, It’s always the best time to visit Japan!
As Each season has something special, so it really depends on your interests!
Spring (March to May) , is perfect if you want to see the country in full bloom with cherry blossoms, and the weather is mild, making it great for outdoor activities.
Hanami (flower viewing) parties are common during this time, where locals and tourists gather in parks to enjoy the beauty of the blossoms.
Autumn (September to November) Autumn is another fantastic time to visit Japan, as the foliage transforms into stunning shades of red, orange, and yellow.
The best time to witness the fall colors is typically from mid-October to early November.
The weather is generally cool and comfortable.
Winter (December to February) is a dream for winter sports lovers, especially in regions like Hokkaido, where you can enjoy skiing or snowboarding, and it's also the perfect time to relax in one of Japan’s famous hot springs (Onsen).
Summer (June to August)Summer in Japan can be hot and humid, especially in cities like Tokyo and Osaka, but it’s also festival season with vibrant matsuri like the Gion Matsuri in Kyoto and Nebuta Matsuri in Aomori. Coastal areas like Okinawa are great for beach activities, though be ready for occasional rain as June marks the start of the rainy season.
Do i need a visa?
Japan offers visa-free entry for short-term stays (usually up to 90 days) to visitors from many countries, including the EU, UK, USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, if you’re from a country that is not on Japan’s visa exemption list, you will need to apply for a tourist visa before your trip.
