In this section we outline a selection of itineraries of different duration that allow to discover some of Japan 's must-see places.
First journey to Japan
It is very common to organise the itinerary of the first journey to Japan starting from two major destinations, i.e. Tokyo and Kyoto. Many of Japan's major tourist destinations suitable for the first journey can be reached from Tokyo and Kyoto with day-trip excursions.
One-week itinerary
Duration: 7 days
Starting point: Tokyo
Destinations: Tokyo (3), Kyoto (3), Nara (1)
Suitability: for first-time visitors who are particularly interested in Japan's vast cultural heritage
Best season: any time of year
Variants: if you can add 2 days, we recommend that you visit Kanazawa or Nikko
Ten-day itinerary
Duration: 10 days
Starting point: Tokyo or Osaka
Destinations: Tokyo (3), Kanazawa (2), Nara (1), Kyoto (4)
Suitability: for first-time visitors who are particularly interested in Japan's vast cultural heritage.
Variants: if you can add 2 days, we recommend that you visit Nikko and Koyasan or Osaka
More details: Japan 10-day itinerary
Two-week itinerary
Duration: 14 days
Starting point: Tokyo or Osaka
Destinations: Tokyo (3), Nikko (1), Kanazawa (1), Kyoto (4), Nara (1), Koyasan (1), Osaka (1), Hiroshima and Miyajima (2)
Suitability: for those who want to follow a classic tour through Japan's most significant cultural centres; a journey through ancient and modern Japan
Variants:if you can add 2-3 days, we recommend that you visit Ise, Takayama and Shirakawa-go
Three-week itinerary
Duration: 21 days
Starting point: Tokyo
Destinations: Tokyo (3), Nikko and Aizu-Wakamatsu (2), Nagoya (1), Ise (1), Takayama and Shirakawa-go (2), Kanazawa (2), Kyoto (5), Nara (1), Koyasan (1), Osaka (1), Hiroshima and Miyajima (2)
Suitability: for those who want to follow the classic itinerary and add off-the-beaten track destinations
Variants:if you can add 2-3 days, we recommend that you visit Okayama and Kurashiki or Amanohashidate and Kinosaki-Onsen
Related articles:
Itineraries in Japan: 5 days | 7 days | 10 days | 14 days
