Two weeks is the ideal length for a first trip to Japan. It gives you time to experience Tokyo, sleep in a ryokan with views of Mount Fuji, explore Kyoto’s temples and eat your way round Osaka without rushing. This is the day-by-day itinerary we recommend, with what it costs and how to get around.
- Tokyo: 5 nights (with day trips to Nikko and Kamakura).
- Hakone: 1 night in a ryokan, with onsen and Fuji views.
- Kyoto: 4 nights (with a day trip to Nara).
- Osaka: 3 nights (with a day trip to Himeji and Kobe).
- Budget: from about €2,000 per person including flights.
Book a multi-city flight: into Tokyo and home from Osaka (Kansai Airport, KIX). That way you don’t lose half a day going back to Tokyo.
Days 1 to 5: Tokyo
Day 1 · Arrival. Afternoon in Shinjuku: the alleys of Omoide Yokocho and the free observatory at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building (Tocho), with views of Mount Fuji on a clear day.
Day 2 · Traditional Tokyo. Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa first thing, a stroll through Ueno Park and the afternoon in Akihabara, the anime and video game district.
Day 3 · Modern Tokyo. Meiji Shrine, Takeshita Street in Harajuku, the Shibuya Crossing and sunset from Shibuya Sky (book tickets ahead).
Day 4 · Day trip to Nikko. Toshogu Shrine, Shinkyo Bridge and the trail of statues at Kanmangafuchi. Leave early: it’s about 2 hours by train each way.
Day 5 · Day trip to Kamakura. The Great Buddha, Hase-dera Temple and sunset on Enoshima Island.
More ideas in our guide What to see in Tokyo.
Day 6: Hakone
Mountain railway, a ropeway over the volcanic valley of Owakudani, a boat across Lake Ashi and the floating torii of Hakone Shrine. Spend the night in a ryokan with a hot-spring bath (onsen) and a traditional dinner.
Tip: the Hakone Free Pass covers the train from Shinjuku and almost the whole loop.
More in What to see in Hakone and Mount Fuji.
Days 7 to 10: Kyoto
Day 7 · Arrival in Kyoto. Shinkansen from Odawara (about 2 hours). At dusk, the Gion district and Hanamikoji Street.
Day 8 · Classic Kyoto. Fushimi Inari at sunrise, Kiyomizu-dera Temple and the slopes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka. At Fushimi Inari, climb past the halfway point: there’s hardly anyone there.
Day 9 · Arashiyama. The bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji Temple and the monkey park. In the afternoon, the Golden Pavilion (Kinkaku-ji).
Day 10 · Day trip to Nara. The deer in the park, the Great Buddha at Todai-ji Temple and Kasuga Taisha Shrine. It’s 45 minutes by train.
More in What to see in Kyoto and What to see in Nara.
Days 11 to 14: Osaka
Day 11 · Arrival in Osaka. Train from Kyoto (30 minutes). Osaka Castle and, at night, the lights of Dotonbori. Try takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
Day 12 · Himeji and Kobe. Himeji Castle in the morning, the most beautiful in Japan. In the afternoon, Kobe and its famous beef.
Day 13 · Osaka in depth. Kuromon Market, the retro district of Shinsekai and the Umeda Sky observatory. Or a full day at Universal Studios Japan.
Day 14 · Heading home. Train to Kansai Airport (about 50 minutes).
More in What to see in Osaka.
How much this route costs
Average price per person, flying from Europe and sharing a room:
| Style | Per person | What it’s like |
|---|---|---|
| Budget | €2,040 | Business hotel or capsule, konbini and ramen |
| Mid-range | €2,800 | 3–4 star hotel and ordinary restaurants |
| Luxury | €4,630 | 4–5 star hotels and fine dining |
You’ll find the full breakdown in How much does a trip to Japan cost?
Getting around
- Don’t buy the JR Pass: on this route trains come to about ¥32,000 and the 14-day pass costs ¥84,000. We explain why in Is the JR Pass worth it?
- IC card (Suica, PASMO or ICOCA) for the metro, buses and short train rides. You can keep it on your phone.
- Send your suitcase from Tokyo to Kyoto with a luggage delivery service (takkyubin) and travel to Hakone with just a backpack. Your hotel will arrange it.
Where to stay
- Tokyo: Shinjuku or Shibuya for buzz; Ueno or Asakusa for somewhere quieter and cheaper.
- Hakone: a ryokan with onsen in Gora or by Lake Ashi.
- Kyoto: near the station for easy travel, or in Gion and Kawaramachi for evening strolls.
- Osaka: Namba for nightlife and food; Umeda to be close to the trains.
How to adapt it
- More nature: swap Hakone for Kawaguchiko, at the foot of Mount Fuji.
- With Hiroshima: drop the Kamakura day trip and add two days in Hiroshima and Miyajima Island.
- Less time: see the 7-day route. More time: the 21-day route adds Hiroshima, Kanazawa and the Japanese Alps.
- Another side of Japan: 14 days of beaches in Okinawa or nature in Hokkaido.
Open this route with its map, change cities and days, and save it to your profile.
FAQs
Is 14 days enough to see Japan?
For a first trip, yes: you have time to see Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka at a relaxed pace, plus day trips to Nikko, Kamakura and Himeji.
How should I split 14 days in Japan?
5 nights in Tokyo, 1 in Hakone, 4 in Kyoto and 3 in Osaka, flying into Tokyo and home from Osaka on a multi-city ticket.
Do I need the JR Pass for this route?
No. Trains add up to about ¥32,000 with single tickets and the 14-day pass costs ¥84,000.
Guide prices, checked in November 2026. Always check the final price before booking. Some links are affiliate links: if you buy through them, Tabiruta earns a commission at no extra cost to you.
