The land of the Rising Sun, Sakura, and anime – Japan has so much to offer than what meets the eye. However, that is what exactly puts a lot of travelers in a dilemma – where to start and what to see in Japan. Worry not, Team Unstumbled is here to help you with planning the best Japan itinerary!
Pack your bags and book your flights, here’s the Japan itinerary of your dreams.
Ultimate Japan Itinerary: How To Spend 7 To 14 Days
Japan Itinerary: Are 7 To 14 Days Enough?
Japan is a country that seems like it’s small and easily explorable – however, it is quite the opposite. It is a ‘long’ country, stretching from Hokkaido in the north to Kyushu in the south.
So, to explore the country in just 7 days is a difficult task. However, you can still explore some of the key tourist attractions in these 7 days.
On the other hand, a Japan 2 week itinerary (14 days) allows you to explore the country more comfortably. You can explore key tourist attractions as well as find time to venture into unexplored regions in Japan.
Many Indians setting off to explore Japan spend about 10 to 14 days.
Here’s a suggested Japan itinerary for you for 7 days
Japan 7 Day Itinerary
Day 1-3: Tokyo
Your first three days will most likely be spent in Tokyo as you’ll likely land in this city. Exploring Tokyo itself takes days, especially if you’re a first-time visitor as the city is fairly massive.
Tokyo is made of various districts, each with its own distinct personality. The city is well-connected internally, thanks to an efficient rail network as well as buses.
There are plenty of temples, parks, shopping districts, malls, food streets, museums, art galleries, and cafes that make Tokyo a dream destination for many.
Major tourist districts in Tokyo:
- Asakusa: Best known for its spiritual and cultural heritage and the old-world charm of Tokyo.
- Ginza: Best known for high-end luxury stores, shopping malls, and high-end restaurants.
- Shibuya: Most famous for its Shibuya crossing, this district is where you’ll find the best of fashion, entertainment, food, and culture.
- Shinjuku: Known for its vibrant nightlife, entertainment hubs, shopping streets, and plenty of cafes.
- Akihabara: Famous for its ‘otaku’ culture – a paradise for fans of anime, electronics, technology, and manga.
- Harajuku: Most notably known for its ‘Kawaii’ culture – it is here that you’ll find a lot of quirky cafes, cosplayers, and shopping streets.
It is highly unlikely to explore all of these districts in just three days, but in our 7 day Japan itinerary, we recommend visiting the following tourist attractions in Tokyo. You can pick and choose what destinations you wish to visit during your stay in Tokyo.
- Tokyo Skytree
- Senso-ji Temple
- Shibuya Crossing
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Edo-Tokyo Open Air Architectural Museum
- Tokyo Tower
- Teamlabs Planets
- Tsukiji Fish Market
- Yoyogi Park
- Shibuya Sky
- Hachiko Statue
Day 4-5: Hakone/Mount Fuji
From Tokyo, we suggest that you take a short one-day or two-day trip to Hakone or Mount Fuji. These destinations are easy to reach from Tokyo and allow you to unwind in nature, away from the bustling metropolis.
Hakone
Hakone has plenty of shrines, temples, nature trails, and parks that you can explore in your one to two day trip. Here are some of the best places to visit in Hakone:
- Hakone Open Air Museum
- Lake Ashinoko
- Hakone Shrine
- Choanji Temple
- Odawara Castle
- Hakone Art Museum
- Gora Park
Mount Fuji
Mount Fuji is inarguably Japan’s most iconic and nationally significant landmark. The mountain is an active volcano even though it last erupted in the 1700s.
Mount Fuji is deeply embedded in Japanese culture and it finds immense significance in Japan’s art, literature, music, and history.
You can easily see Mount Fuji from Hakone, but if visiting it and seeing it up close is your plan, we suggest you take a Fuji Five Lakes day trip.
This is the closest area to Mount Fuji and the views of this mountain from this area are truly breathtaking.
Day 6-7: Kyoto
As the former capital of Japan for over a millennium, Kyoto’s significance in Japanese socio-cultural history is unparalleled.
Today, the region is home to many historical sites, temples, shrines, natural wonders, as well as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
While exploring some of Kyoto’s most iconic locations is possible in 2 days, we suggest you spend at least 3 to 4 days here.
Here are Kyoto’s most famous attractions:
- Endless Torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha
- Kiyomizu-dera Temple
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Kinkaku-ji Temple
- Ninenzaka Street
- Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
Japan 14 Day Itinerary
Exploring Japan in 14 days is comparatively more comfortable and enjoyable than calling off the trip in just 7 days. 14 days will allow you to explore more of what the country has to offer.
Plus, you can even keep a buffer day if your travel plans change at the last minute. This will be highly unlikely in a 7-day itinerary as your travel plans are more rigid.
Here is how you can spend an additional 7 days in Japan as we continue the suggested itinerary mentioned above.
Day 8-10: Osaka
Osaka is the second largest city in Japan, only after Tokyo. So, expect a lot of buzzing nightlife, high-rise skyscrapers, endless shopping streets, as well as monuments of cultural importance. Osaka is best explored over 3 days as it’ll allow you to properly soak in the culture here.
Here are some of the tourist attractions we suggest you visit when in Osaka:
- Osaka Castle
- Shinsekai District – famous for its street food
- Dotonbori – the heart of Osaka’s nightlife
- Universal Studios Japan
- Minoo Park
- Umeda Sky Building
Day 11: Nara
From Osaka, we suggest you take a day trip to Nara. It served as Japan’s capital in the 8th century and is still an important region in terms of history and culture. Here are some of the best tourist attractons to see in Nara:
- Nara Deer Park
- Todai-ji Temple
- UNESCO World Heritage Site Kasuga-Taisha Temple
Day 12-14: Hiroshima and Himeji
From Nara, you can continue your journey towards Hiroshima. This city on Honshu Island has rebuilt itself after the catastrophic 1945 nuclear bombing.
Today, it is popular not just among history enthusiasts but also tourists who wish to unwind and relax in Japan’s peaceful atmosphere.
From Hiroshima, we suggest you take a day trip to Himeji and spend the other two days in Hiroshima itself. Here are all the attractions you can see in Himeji:
- Himeji Castle
- Himeji Park
- Kōko-en Garden
Here are tourist attractions in Hiroshima that you must visit in this city:
- Hiroshima Castle
- Hiroshima Gokoku Shrine
- Atomic Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima Atomic Bomb Hypocentre Monument
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
Must-Try Experiences In Japan In These 14 Days
- Try street food everywhere you go! Each of Japan’s numerous districts in our suggested itinerary are known for their distinct street food and we think you must savor all of them! Must try street foods include okonomiyaki, mochi, mitarashi dango, takoyaki, kushikatsu, and many others.
- Shop till you drop! Shopping streets in Japan have everything from daily-use essentials to the quirkiest gadgets you’ll come across. You can buy a variety of souvenirs, unique candies, authentic matcha, electronic gadgets, skincare products, rare anime/manga collectibles, and much more!
- Dip yourself in traditional Japanese onsen at least once during your trip. The Japanese onsen rituals are a must-try experience when in Japan. There are many bathhouses in each city that you’ll visit and we highly recommend you check it out.
Summing Up
And this concludes our suggested 7 day or 14 day Japan itinerary. Japan is a country that offers something new every time you visit and it’s nearly impossible to explore the country in just a few days.
However, we’ve tried our best to suggest some of the most famous (and worth it) spots to visit in your 7 to 14 days in Japan.
FAQs
Is 14 Days Enough To Visit Japan?
Yes, 14 days are quite enough to visit Japan. In these two weeks, you can easily explore the various regions of Japan, including Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and much more.
Is Hiroshima Worth Visiting?
Yes, Hiroshima is worth visiting indeed. The city offers a blend of cultural significance, historical relevance, and natural beauty.
Is Nara Worth Visiting?
Yes, Nara is worth visiting, especially in a day trip from Osaka or Kyoto. The city is known for its natural beauty and cultural importance thanks to plenty of parks and temples.
