In this page we present what we consider to be the best two-week itinerary for the first journey to Japan. The article contains information and suggestions that help you outline the itinerary according to your needs.
First journey to Japan: where to go and what to visit
If you are a first-time traveller to Japan, we suggest you should plan a journey along the classic tour itinerary: from Tokyo to Miyajima through Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Miyajima.
Such an itinerary strikes a good balance between different travel themes: historical heritage, traditional culture, modern culture, natural beauties, large city environment, small town context.
The proposed itinerary allows for many interesting side trips, the only limit being the available time.
Kyoto and Tokyo are Japan's foremost must-see destinations. The two cities offer a vivid and kaleidoscopic picture of the country's traditional and modern culture. They deserve many days (actually weeks if not months) to be explored. We believe that devoting one entire week to both cities is a reasonable choice if you can stay in Japan for two weeks.
Tokyo a is a vibrant metropolis where modern and ancient lifestyle coexist. It is a place you cannot miss, especially if you want to imagine Japan's future.
Kyoto provides visitors with amazing opportunities to explore, understand and often just imagine Japan's traditional culture. Kyoto hosts an incredible number of temples and shrines, many of which have outstanding artistic and cultural significance.
Not to be missed is also Kanazawa, a magnificent city located between Tokyo and Kyoto. Famous for hosting the marvellous Kenroku-En garden, Kanazawa still preserves precious treasures of Japan's traditional culture, from relatively large old quarters to samurai houses, museums and ancient temples.
Not far from Kyoto is Nara, ancient capital of Japan where you can explore the cultural bond between Japan and China. In Nara you can find an amazing park where deer freely roam around. A sense of harmony will accompany your path as you explore the city's old temples, shrines and magnificent small gardens.
It is not necessary to explain why you should visit Hiroshima. Near the city you can find the beautiful island of Itsukushima, best known as Miyajima, a gem where human creations find perfect harmony in the wild natural landscape.
Suggested 2-week itinerary
The following tour is conceived for those who visit Japan for the first time. The itinerary has a relatively slow pace, aiming to cater for travellers who enjoy to allow themselves enough time to understand and appreciate what they see.
Starting point
The journey begins and ends in Tokyo, Japan's capital and main air gateway. Those who find a convenient multi-leg flight itinerary may opt for a different solution, typically with inbound and outbound flights through Tokyo and Osaka.
Duration
We assume that 14 full days are available for the journey. Depending on the inbound and outbound flights, the total duration of the journey may be longer (15-16 days).
How to allocate the available time
We recommend the following schedule: 4 days in Kyoto, 3 days and a half in Tokyo, 1 day and a half in Kanazawa, 1 day and a half in Hiroshima (and Miyajima), 1 day in Nara, 1 day in Osaka.
Approximately three half days are absorbed by long distance transfers (duration: 5-7 hours; i.e. Tokyo – Kanazawa – Kyoto, Kyoto – Hiroshima, Hiroshima – Tokyo). Other transfers require less than 3 hours.
Flights are not necessary; travelling by high-speed train is the best option for this tour.
Where to stay (Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima)
The best solution is to find accommodation only in Tokyo, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Hiroshima. The other travel destinations can comfortably be visited during one-day side trips from the cities mentioned above.
Spending a night in Miyajima or in Nara is a good choice.
Itinerary |
|
|
Day |
Destinations |
| 1 - 3 | 3 days in Tokyo (or 2 days in Tokyo and 1 day in Nikko or Kamakura) |
| 4 | ½ day for the transfer to Kanazawa, short visit during the afternoon |
| 5 | 1 day in Kanazawa |
| 6 - 10 | 4 days in Kyoto and 1 day in Nara |
| 11 | 1 day in Osaka or Koyasan |
| 12 | ½ day for the transfer to Hiroshima and visit during the afternoon |
| 13 | 1 day in Miyajima |
| 14 | ½ day for the transfer to Tokyo; remaining time in either city |
Brief description of the journey
Day 1 - 3
Tokyo
Though being a very limited period of time, three days will allow you to discover some different neighborhoods of Tokyo and visit some of the city's most significant sightseeing places and cultural sites. We suggest you devote the first day to the city centre and Ueno; during the second day you can explore Shibuya, Harajuku and Shinjuku; during the last day you can visit some museums, another district or you can take a side trip. If you do so, we suggest you consider visiting Nikko or Kamakura.
Day 4 - 5
Kanazawa
On the fourth day you can transfer by high-speed train to Kanazawa; in one day and a half you can visit much of the city's cultural heritage. Not to be missed are the castle, Kenroku-En garden, the chaya traditional districts. Comfortable strolls will allow you to discover Kanazawa's gems as well as the city's vernacular architecture.
Day 6 - 10
Kyoto and Nara
The central part of the journey focuses on Kyoto. The ancient imperial capital preserves large part of Japan's cultural heritage. Many of Kyoto's temples, shrines, museums, parks, gardens, traditional districts reach the acme of Japanese traditional art and cultural significance. A journey into ancient Japan cannot be complete without visiting the quaint and beautiful Nara, former ancient capital.
Kyoto 4-day tour
-
Day 1 - Kita (temples: Kinkaku-Ji, Ryoan-Ji, Ninna-Ji; Kitano Tenmangu shrine; Tsuikiji market, Pontocho, stroll in the city centre)
-
Day 2 – South Higashiyama area (temples: Kiyomizudera, Kodai-Ji; Yasaka shrine; Maruyama park; Gion traditional district)
-
Day 3 – North Higashiyama area (temples: Ginkaku-Ji, Philosopher's Path, Eikan-Do and Nanzen-Ji temples)
-
Day 4 – Arashiyama area or Uji; Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine
Nara 1-day tour
-
Day 1 - Nara's park (Kofuku-Ji, Todai-Ji temples, Isui-En garden, Kasuga Taisha shrine)
Day 11
Koyasan or Osaka
If you want to visit one of Japan's most significant Buddhist site, head to Koyasan. You may also stay overnight at one of the temples there, eating traditional vegetarian food and taking part in a variety of cultural and religious activities.
A completely different choice would be to spend one in Osaka.
Day 12 - 13
Hiroshima and Miyajima
In two days you can visit Hiroshima and Miyajima island. As time is limited we recommend you plan your visits beforehand. In Hiroshima you can visit Peace Memorial Museum, the castle and Shukkei-En garden. In Miyajima you can visit Itsukushima shrine and the small town. Spending a night in Miyajima is fascinating.
Day 14
Hiroshima or Tokyo
The transfer between Hiroshima and Tokyo takes half day. You can choose to spend the remaining time in either city.
Related articles:
Itineraries in Japan: 7 days | 10 days
First journey to Japan: Ten-day classic itinerary
