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Japan is a fascinating country, steeped in traditions, yet constantly evolving. From the modern cities of Tokyo and Osaka, to the culturally rich Kyoto, and the pristine island of Miyajima, Japan will offer the first time visitor an experience of a lifetime. And a lot of delicious food experiences. Below is our Japan Itinerary 14 days, aimed at first time visitors to Japan.
Before travelling to Japan, make sure you read our checklist. These are things you need to know (and do) before visiting Japan, including obtaining a Japan Rail Pass before you arrive.
Our Japan Itinerary 14 days – for First Time Visitors
Our Japan Itinerary 14 days: Tokyo to Osaka: Osaka to Hiroshima (including a day trip to Miyajima): Hiroshima to Kyoto: Kyoto to Tokyo (including a day trip to Hakone).
Tokyo (3 nights)
The sea of people crossing the famous crossing just outside of Shibuya train station.
We arrived at Narita Airport, and after finalising some of the essential travel requirements for Japan (refer to checklist for full details), we caught the Narita Express train (using the Japan Rail Pass) to our base in East Ueno. Tokyo is a big city, and whilst the transport system is quite remarkable, we found the best way to approach Tokyo was to see the sights we had our hearts set on, and not try to fit too much in. It can become a little tiring.
Things to do: Visit the impressive Tsukiji Market, walk across the famous Shibuya crossing, catch a great view of Tokyo from the 52nd floor at Tokyo City View from Mori Tower, visit temples and shrines in Asakusa, shop and eat at a depachika
Stay: Tokyo is a massive city with a huge and proficient train system, so getting around from your hotel won’t be an issue. However, the key to getting around Tokyo in the most efficient manner, is to locate yourself somewhere on the Yamanote Line, a train line that runs in a loop within Tokyo, connecting to a large majority of other lines and attractions.
We stayed Hotel Mystays in Ueno East.
Click here to see availability and prices for Hotel Mystays
Eat: We particularly enjoyed the street food snacks at Tsukiji Fish Market.
Osaka (3 nights)
The bright lights of Dotombori. I particularly enjoyed sampling lots of seafood snacks that were being barbecued along the streets.
One of the many exhibits at impressive Osaka Aquarium.
The next stop on our Japan Itinerary 14 days was Osaka, a relaxed, yet modern and bustling city, with lots of bright lights, an endless supply of energy, and a city known for its food. It is very easy to have a good time in Osaka.
Things to do: Follow the local motto of “kuidaore”, and eat yourself into bankruptcy, visit the amazing Osaka Aquarium, spend time at Osaka Castle, and wander the streets of Dotombori in the evening.
Stay: We stayed at the comfortable Osaka Tokyu REI Hotel, in the centrally located area of Kita. The hotel is within walking distance to important transport options (including Osaka and Umeda train stations).
Click here for availability and rates for Osaka Tokyu REI Hotel
Eat: Takoyaki, the wheat based, octopus filled, little snack balls, that can be found everywhere in Osaka. Read more about this dish and other Japanese food experiences here.
Hiroshima (including Miyajima) (2 nights)
The Atomic Bomb Dome, left as a tribute and reminder of the devastating impacts of the atomic bomb.
The Great Torii Gate on the beautiful island of Miyajima. At low tide, it is possible to walk out to the gate.
Our next destination was Hiroshima, the city that is known for being destroyed by the first atomic bomb dropped on a city, in World War Two. It is also known for the pancake-like dish of okonomiyaki.
One of the seemingly obvious, yet still incomprehensible aspects of Hiroshima, is that it is a city that is physically only 70 odd years-old. Despite the traditions of the city, the “on display” Hiroshima effectively begins following the dropping of the atomic bomb.
Things to do: Visit the Peace Memorial Park, including the emotional Peace Memorial Museum, view the incredible remains of the Atomic Bomb Dome (also known as Genbaku Dome), visit an okonomiyaki restaurant, take a day trip to Miyajima Island.
Tours: We took a day trip to the beautiful island of Miyajima, located a short train and ferry ride away, in Hiroshima Bay. We were able to see the Great Torii Gate, ride the cable car into the mountains for the temples and the views, and pet the incredibly friendly deer that roam the island.
Stay: We stayed at the wonderful Hotel Sunroute Hiroshima. The hotel is across the road from the War Memorial Park, within walking distance to central Hiroshima, with a street car a few minutes’ walk away. The hotel also has an intimate bar that serves a nice range of wine.
Click here for availability and rates for Hotel Sunroute Horishima
Eat: Okonomiyaki is the most famous dish Hiroshima. There are okonomiyaki restaurants everywhere, and every hotel and tourist guide has a list of recommendations.
Kyoto (4 nights)
Just a few of the donated Torii at Fushimi Inari Shrine
The gardens in Kyoto, much like the rest of Japan, are beautifully manicured and a delight for even the most amateur of photographers.
Kyoto was our favourite place on our Japan Itinerary 14 days. It is the cultural and historical capital of the country, and has a perfect mix of beautiful gardens, serene Buddhist temples, colourful Shinto shrines, mysterious Geisha, and atmospheric streets and laneways.
If and when I return to Japan, I would definitely come back to Kyoto. My advice would be to allocate as much time to Kyoto as your schedule allows.
Things to do: We found 4 days just enough time to allow us to see many of the suggested sights, and to get a feel for the city. We could have spent a lot longer in Kyoto. Some of the better known places to visit include Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the Fushimi-Inari-Taisha Shrine, the Tenryu-ji Temple, and the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove. Streets to walk around include the Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka preserved districts, and the beautiful Pontocho Alley.
Stay: This was probably our favourite hotel to stay in while in Japan. We stayed at the great value Japan Hotels Gojo-Muromachi in Kyoto hotel. The room was the largest we had during our 2 weeks in Japan. It contained a small kitchen and a washing machine, was within walking distance of downtown Kyoto, and had a station just around the corner.
Check for latest prices and photos here.
Eat: We enjoyed eating a meal of freshwater eel (unagi) at the downtown Kane-yo restaurant. If feeling like like something more upscale, Kyoto is wonderful city to experience Ryokan and Kaiseki dinners.
Tokyo (2 nights)
We couldn’t help ourselves. We went back to the Tsukiji Fish Market to sample more of the delicious street food snacks.
The view of a snow-free Mt Fuji (at the back) looking over Lake Ashi in Hakone.
We arrived back in Tokyo with a couple of days left in our 2 weeks in Japan. We spent these taking a day trip to Hakone, and unashamedly revisiting the Tsukiji Fish Market.
Things to do: We took a day trip to the mountainous regional town Hakone, known for its hot springs (onsens), views of Mt Fuji, lake Ashi, and an easy to follow tourist “loop” to see all the sights of the area, using a combination of transport options including the mountain railway line, a cable car, the Hakone ropeway, a “pirate” ship, and finally a bus to take you back to the train station.
Eat: There are many simple eateries around the tourist loop. We ate at a non-descript restaurant while waiting for the “pirate” ship to take up across Lake Ashi.
What changes would we have made to our Japan Itinerary 14 days?
Our intention was to visit the main tourist sights during our 2 weeks in Japan. Therefore, the only adjustment I would make if visiting again would be to spend one less day in Osaka, and either take another day trip from a large city, or spend another day in Kyoto.
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