2 Weeks in Japan: The Perfect 14-Day Itinerary

Japan rewards those who plan carefully and those who wander spontaneously. Two weeks gives you enough time to hit the essential cities -- Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka -- and still squeeze in day trips to Nara, Hiroshima, and Hakone. This itinerary is structured but flexible, with suggestions for each day that you can extend, skip, or swap based on your pace.

Days 1-4: Tokyo

• Day 1: Arrive, sort out your JR Pass and Japan eSIM, explore Shinjuku in the evening
• Day 2: Shibuya crossing, Harajuku, Meiji Shrine, and Omotesando
• Day 3: Senso-ji in Asakusa, Ueno Park and Museum, Akihabara electronics district
• Day 4: Day trip to Nikko or Kamakura -- both are 90 minutes from Tokyo by train

Days 5-6: Hakone

Take the Romancecar limited express from Shinjuku to Hakone. Spend two nights here for Mt Fuji views, an onsen soak, and a boat trip across Lake Ashi. The Hakone Open Air Museum is superb. Head back to Tokyo or continue west on the Shinkansen.

Days 7-9: Kyoto

• Day 7: Arashiyama bamboo grove (go early for fewer crowds), Tenryu-ji garden, monkey park
• Day 8: Fushimi Inari shrine (go at dawn), Nishiki Market, Gion district in the evening
• Day 9: Nijo Castle, Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Philosopher's Path

Day 10: Nara day trip

Nara is 45 minutes from Kyoto by express train. The famous free-roaming deer at Nara Park will bow their heads for biscuits. Todai-ji Temple houses the world's largest bronze Buddha. Return to Kyoto or continue to Osaka.

Days 11-12: Osaka

• Day 11: Osaka Castle, Shinsekai district, Namba street food crawl
• Day 12: Day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima Island -- the Peace Memorial Park is one of Japan's most moving sites

Days 13-14: Back to Tokyo

Take the Shinkansen back to Tokyo for a final two nights. Use this time for anything you missed -- a teamLab digital art experience, a department store food hall, or a day trip to Nikko if you skipped it earlier. Fly home from Narita or Haneda.

Practical tips for Japan

• Get a JR Pass before you leave the UK -- it saves significantly on Shinkansen travel
• Carry cash -- many smaller restaurants, temples, and markets do not accept cards
• Install a Japan eSIM before you fly -- Japan's 4G networks are exceptional and you will rely on maps constantly
• Book Shinkansen seats in advance for busy periods (Golden Week, cherry blossom season)
• Download Google Translate with Japanese offline -- the camera translation feature is invaluable

Frequently asked questions

Is two weeks enough for Japan? Two weeks is a great first trip -- you will cover the highlights without feeling rushed. Japan rewards return visits enormously; most people who go once plan to go again.