Japan Itineraries: 7, 10 and 14 Days for a First Trip
Three tried and tested Japan itineraries for 7, 10 and 14 days, with day-by-day plans, where to sleep, travel times between cities and whether a JR Pass makes sense.
Quick answer
- 7 days: Tokyo, a Mount Fuji or Hakone day, then Kyoto, Nara and Osaka.
- 10 days: the 7 day route plus Hiroshima and Miyajima, at a gentler pace.
- 14 days: adds Kanazawa and Shirakawa-go, Himeji and more time in Tokyo and Kyoto.
- Best direction: fly into Tokyo and out of Osaka (Kansai Airport), or the reverse, so you never backtrack.
- JR Pass: single tickets are usually cheaper for 7 and 10 days. The 14 day route can suit a 7 day pass for the second week.
The classic first trip to Japan runs from Tokyo to Kyoto and Osaka, and for good reason. These three plans build on that route, adding more places as you add more days. Each one avoids backtracking, keeps hotel changes to a minimum and leaves room to wander.
Before you choose
- Book an open-jaw flight: into Tokyo and out of Osaka, or the other way round. It saves a long return trip.
- Change hotels as little as possible. Day trips from a fixed base are easier than packing up every night.
- Send big suitcases ahead with a luggage delivery service between hotels and carry a small bag on the train.
- Leave one free half day in every three. Jet lag, rain and happy detours all need space.
- Book Kyoto hotels early for spring and autumn, when prices and demand jump.
Travelling with children, on a budget, as an anime fan or looking to avoid the crowds? See our itineraries by travel style, or build your own day-by-day plan with the free itinerary maker.
7 days: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka
One week is enough for a first taste of modern and traditional Japan. Sleep 3 nights in Tokyo and 4 nights in Kyoto or Osaka.
| Day | Plan | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Tokyo. Evening in Shinjuku and Shibuya Crossing. | Tokyo |
| 2 | Senso-ji in Asakusa, Tokyo Skytree, then Akihabara or Ginza. | Tokyo |
| 3 | Day trip to Hakone or the Fuji Five Lakes for views of Mount Fuji. | Tokyo |
| 4 | Shinkansen to Kyoto (about 2 hours 15 minutes). Afternoon at Fushimi Inari, evening in Gion. | Kyoto |
| 5 | Early start at Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, then Kinkaku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera. | Kyoto |
| 6 | Morning in Nara with its deer and giant Buddha, evening food in Dotonbori, Osaka. | Osaka |
| 7 | Osaka Castle and last shopping, then fly home from Kansai Airport. |
Our tip: On a short trip, stay in Kyoto for days 4 and 5 and Osaka for day 6. Osaka is the easier base for an evening flight out of Kansai Airport.
10 days: add Hiroshima and Miyajima
Ten days lets you slow down and head west. Sleep 4 nights in Tokyo, 3 in Kyoto, 1 in Hiroshima or Miyajima and 1 in Osaka.
| Day | Plan | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Tokyo and settle in. Evening in Shinjuku. | Tokyo |
| 2 | Asakusa and Senso-ji, Tokyo Skytree and the Sumida riverside. | Tokyo |
| 3 | Meiji Shrine, Harajuku and Shibuya, then Tokyo Tower at night. | Tokyo |
| 4 | Day trip to Nikko or Lake Kawaguchiko. | Tokyo |
| 5 | Shinkansen to Kyoto. Fushimi Inari and Gion. | Kyoto |
| 6 | Arashiyama in the morning, Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji after lunch. | Kyoto |
| 7 | Kiyomizu-dera, then walk to Ginkaku-ji along the Philosopher's Path. | Kyoto |
| 8 | Shinkansen to Hiroshima (about 1 hour 45 minutes). Peace Memorial Park, then the ferry to Miyajima. | Miyajima or Hiroshima |
| 9 | Back east via Himeji Castle, then evening in Dotonbori. | Osaka |
| 10 | Morning in Osaka, then fly home from Kansai Airport. |
Our tip: Stay one night on Miyajima if you can. After the day visitors leave, the floating torii and the island's lanes are wonderfully quiet.
14 days: Tokyo, Fuji, Kanazawa, Kyoto and Hiroshima
Two weeks adds the Japan Sea coast, a thatched village and an extra day in each big city. Sleep 4 nights in Tokyo, 1 by Mount Fuji, 2 in Kanazawa, 4 in Kyoto, 1 in Hiroshima and 1 in Osaka.
| Day | Plan | Sleep |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Tokyo. Evening in Shinjuku. | Tokyo |
| 2 | Asakusa, Skytree and an evening in Ginza. | Tokyo |
| 3 | Meiji Shrine, Harajuku, Shibuya and Akihabara. | Tokyo |
| 4 | Day trip to Nikko and Kegon Falls. | Tokyo |
| 5 | Bus to Lake Kawaguchiko (about 2 hours). Chureito Pagoda at sunset. | Kawaguchiko |
| 6 | Early Fuji views, then back to Tokyo and the Hokuriku shinkansen to Kanazawa (about 2 hours 30 minutes from Tokyo). | Kanazawa |
| 7 | Kenroku-en Garden, Kanazawa Castle and the Higashi Chaya teahouse district. | Kanazawa |
| 8 | Bus day trip to Shirakawa-go, about 1 hour 15 minutes each way. | Kanazawa |
| 9 | Train to Kyoto via Tsuruga (about 2 hours). Evening in Gion. | Kyoto |
| 10 | Fushimi Inari early, then Tofuku-ji and Kiyomizu-dera. | Kyoto |
| 11 | Arashiyama, Kinkaku-ji and Ryoan-ji. | Kyoto |
| 12 | Day trip to Nara, or Byodo-in in Uji for tea. | Kyoto |
| 13 | Hiroshima and Miyajima. | Miyajima or Hiroshima |
| 14 | Himeji Castle on the way back, then fly home from Kansai Airport or spend a last night in Osaka. |
Our tip: On this route a 7 day JR Pass can pay off if you start it on day 6, as it then covers Tokyo to Kanazawa, Kanazawa to Kyoto and the trip to Hiroshima and back. Do the maths with your own dates first.
Travel times between cities
| Route | Transport | Time (approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo to Kyoto | Tokaido shinkansen | 2 hours 15 minutes |
| Kyoto to Osaka | JR special rapid train | 30 minutes |
| Kyoto to Hiroshima | Sanyo shinkansen | 1 hour 45 minutes |
| Hiroshima to Miyajima | JR train and ferry | 45 minutes |
| Tokyo to Kanazawa | Hokuriku shinkansen | 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Kanazawa to Kyoto | Shinkansen to Tsuruga, then limited express | 2 hours |
| Tokyo to Lake Kawaguchiko | Highway bus | 2 hours |
Swaps and extras
- Love nature: swap a city day for Kamikochi or the snow monkeys.
- Love food: add a night in Osaka, or a trip south to Fukuoka for its street stalls.
- Love history: add Koyasan for a temple stay, or Matsumoto Castle on the way to the Alps.
- Travelling in winter: add a few days in Hokkaido for snow and the Sapporo Snow Festival.
- Want a beach: finish with a few days in Okinawa.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Japan?
Seven days is enough for Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka with one day trip. It is a busy week, so keep your evenings flexible.
Should I start in Tokyo or Osaka?
Either works. Start wherever your cheapest flight lands, and leave from the other end so you never backtrack.
How many days should I spend in Kyoto?
At least two full days, ideally three or four. Many of the best temples are spread out, and early mornings are the best time to see them.
Do I need a JR Pass for these itineraries?
Usually not for 7 or 10 days. On the 14 day route, a 7 day pass for the second week can pay off.
We check this guide regularly. Prices, rules and services in Japan can change, so confirm with the official sources below before you travel. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
