Are you dreaming of a trip to Japan but don’t know where to start? The country has so many stunning destinations that planning can sometimes feel overwhelming. Don’t worry, because I have put together the ideal itinerary for you. This diverse route takes you past neon-lit megacities, authentic villages, and the rugged nature of the Japanese Alps. You’ll visit the most beautiful spots in Japan and discover the country’s rich culture and impressive versatility in just a few weeks.

Transportation for this Japan Itinerary

While you could travel through Japan with a rental car, in my opinion, public transport is the most practical way. This is because a trip to Japan always involves visiting many large cities where a car is not ideal. Fortunately, public transportation is better organized in Japan than anywhere else in the world. From the iconic high-speed trains (Shinkansen) for long distances to local trains and subways within cities, the network is impressively extensive.

Japan boasts a super-efficient transportation system that connects seamlessly and rarely experiences delays. Even the smallest hamlets are accessible without much effort. With Google Maps in hand, you can see exactly which lines to take, where to transfer, and plan your route in detail. Traveling becomes even easier with an IC card, the Japanese transit card that works nationwide. This makes traveling in Japan well-organized, relaxed, and surprisingly efficient. So, hop on and let yourself be carried along the most beautiful places in the country!

How Many Weeks Do You Need for This Japan Itinerary?

Most people set aside two or three weeks for a trip to Japan. If you want to follow the itinerary below in its entirety, I recommend taking three weeks. If you have less time, you can easily shorten the route to two weeks with a few minor adjustments. At the bottom of this article, you’ll find an example day-to-day schedule for both a three-week trip and the shortened two-week version. You can easily adapt these yourself, but in my view, this is a great balance where you have enough time everywhere to truly experience the destinations.

Tokyo

Tokyo is the perfect starting point for any Japan itinerary. It is the largest metropolis in the world, and here you’ll immediately get a taste of everything that makes Japan so special. The Japanese capital is everything at once: orderly and chaotic, traditional and ultramodern. Start your morning with a temple visit in the Asakusa district, then stroll through the lively shopping streets of Shibuya, and sample the most delicious and unique dishes in between—from fresh sushi to creamy ramen.

Tokyo is a city that never sleeps and truly comes to life when evening falls. That’s when the streets light up with colorful neon signs, giant billboards, and the sounds of arcades in Shinjuku, while cafes and restaurants everywhere fill up with people. Tokyo consists of 23 wards, each with its own character and atmosphere. This is a city where you could easily entertain yourself for a full week if you wanted to. Check out my tips for Tokyo to find out the best things to do.

Nikko

From Tokyo, you can travel to Nikko in two hours, swapping the city bustle for the wonderful tranquility of this mountain village. Here you will find Tōshō-gū, one of Japan’s most impressive temple complexes. Everything about this temple is richly decorated with details more intricate than anywhere else in the country. But Nikko offers more than just culture; right next to the temple area lies the beautiful Nikko National Park. You can hike along mountain paths, past clear blue lakes and imposing waterfalls, surrounded by lush green forests. This makes Nikko the ideal getaway from the busy city, perfect for one or two days. Curious about the best spots? Check out my tips for Nikko.

Mount Fuji

Mount Fuji is an icon of Japan, and even if you aren’t going to climb the volcano, a visit to the surrounding area is a must for your Japan itinerary. The nearly perfectly shaped volcano with its often snow-capped peak is world-famous and impressive to see up close. Real adventurers can climb Japan’s most famous mountain between July and September, but it is breathtakingly beautiful from the ground as well. In countless spots, Mount Fuji provides a picturesque backdrop, exactly as you know it from postcards and posters. Check my tips for Mount Fuji for the best viewpoints and places to stay.

Kamikochi

For a diverse tour of Japan, Kamikochi should not be missing from your route. This nature reserve in the Japanese Alps is often called “The Switzerland of Japan,” thanks to its pristine mountains, clear blue rivers, and dense forests. You can walk along the banks of the crystal-clear Azusa River, over narrow nature trails and wooden bridges, while curious Japanese macaques sometimes walk right alongside you. And those who don’t mind occasionally ringing a ‘bear bell’ will be rewarded with wonderful peace and breathtaking nature. Read all my tips for Kamikochi.

Note: Kamikochi is only open from mid-April to mid-November, when the roads in this high-altitude area are snow-free.

Takayama

From the high mountains, you’ll descend slightly to the historic mountain town of Takayama. It’s a charming place with wooden houses, sake breweries, and market stalls along the river. In the old streets, it feels as if you are walking through an open-air museum. Sample the famous Hida beef, visit the Hida Folk Village, and enjoy the relaxed atmosphere. Takayama is an ideal place to experience the historic vibe of a traditional Japanese mountain town. Check out my tips for Takayama.

Kyoto

No trip through Japan is complete without a visit to Kyoto. The former imperial capital breathes history, with over a thousand temples, stunning gardens, and traditional tea houses where time seems to have stood still. Stroll through the atmospheric Gion district, where girls have been trained as geisha for centuries, admire the gold-leaf-covered Kinkaku-ji temple, and walk through the towering bamboo forest of Arashiyama. Of course, a walk through the endless rows of red torii gates at Fushimi Inari-Taisha is also a must. There is so much to discover here. Before your visit, read my tips for Kyoto to ensure you don’t miss a thing.

Day Trip: Nara

From Kyoto, you can easily take a day trip to Nara. What makes this former capital of Japan special is not just its ancient temples, but the deer that you encounter literally everywhere. Curious deer roam freely throughout the city and will often bow to you, asking for a deer cracker. It is a cheerful and extraordinary sight that makes this city truly unique. Check out my tips for visiting Nara.

Koyasan

Anyone looking for a unique experience during their trip to Japan should visit the spiritual mountain village of Koyasan. Here, monks still live according to ancient rituals, and you can experience that up close. You can stay overnight in a monastery where you are welcome to participate in the evening ceremony and morning prayer—a very special experience. In the temple, you sleep on futon beds on tatami mats and enjoy Buddhist shojin ryori, a refined vegetarian meal. In the village itself, you’ll find beautiful temples and shrines, and you can walk through the mystical Okuno-in cemetery, where thousands of moss-covered gravestones lie among the cedar trees. Ultimately, a visit to Koyasan is about the peace and reflection of monastic life, an experience you won’t soon forget. Read about my experience with a temple stay in Koyasan.

Osaka

End your trip to Japan on a high note in Osaka, the city of food, neon, and endless fun. Here, it’s all about atmosphere and flavor. Stroll through the lively streets of Dotonbori, where colorful neon signs reflect in the canal and the scent of fresh street food greets you. Taste local favorites like okonomiyaki and takoyaki, and get swept up in the vibrant nightlife that continues into the early hours. Theme park lovers shouldn’t miss a day of ultimate fun at Universal Studios Japan. Here, you literally walk through the worlds of Super Mario and Harry Potter. Osaka is the perfect end to your adventure: a city where you experience everything that makes Japan so special one last time. Read all my tips for Osaka.

Tip: When booking your flights to Japan, you can select ‘Multi-city.’ This allows you to book tickets for your outbound journey to Tokyo and return from Osaka in one booking. This is often much more affordable than two one-way tickets.

Example Day-to-Day Japan Itinerary

If you don’t want to miss a thing, we recommend setting aside three weeks for Japan, but those with less time can still have a fantastic trip in two weeks. Below you’ll find an example day-to-day schedule for the route mentioned above. You can easily adjust this to your liking, but it provides a great starting point for your Japan planning.

Our Favorite Places to Stay in Japan

Great accommodations can make your trip extra special, but searching for the best spots takes a lot of time. That’s why we’ve listed our favorite places to stay in Japan. It’s a diverse list featuring exceptionally nice accommodations, from hotels with their own onsen where you can relax after a busy day to spots that stand out for their amazing location. What they all have in common is that they make your trip just a little more special. You’ll enjoy comfort, atmosphere, and warm hospitality, ensuring you have a wonderful time when staying at any of these addresses.

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