15 Days in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Highlights of Japan

Experience the highlights of Japan, perfect for those who have never been to Japan and are interested in immersing themselves in the country's rich history and culture. You'll spend four nights in Tokyo and Kyoto, visiting their famous temples, learning about geisha customs, and embarking on day trips to forested valleys and an enchanting deer-filled town. Then, end your trip by traveling between Fukuoka, Fukuejima, and Nagasaki and visiting abandoned islands.

Welcome to Japan! Your adventure begins in Tokyo, where you'll spend your first five days getting to know this sprawling city's big personality. Highlights include a thrilling food tour in Shinjuku, a sumo training session in Ryogoku, and a day trip to Kamakura to admire its many temples and shrines. Then, after a free day in Tokyo exploring at your own pace, you'll hop aboard an overnight train westbound for Izumo. Spend the day with your Japanese host family and experience small-town life before continuing to Kyoto by bullet train.

You'll pack in numerous activities during your four-day stay in Kyoto, including a walk through the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, a visit to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, a day trip to the tranquil forested valley of Mount Koya, and time admiring Nara's temples alongside free-roaming deer. Then, spend your final days on the move between Fukuoka, Fukuejima, and Nagasaki. En route, enjoy a day on the picturesque Goto Islands, visit a peace park that commemorates the victims of the atomic bomb attack, and explore the abandoned island of Hashima. Lastly, you'll return to Tokyo to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Art, Culture & Cuisine: An Immersive Japan Experience

Immerse yourself in the rich culture of Japan on this 15-day journey that takes you from bustling Tokyo to picturesque Naoshima Island. You'll get hands-on with sushi-making, tour the art museums of Naoshima and Teshima Islands, and enjoy a scenic view of Mount Fuji from Hakone's Open-Air Museum. The itinerary also includes a traditional tea ceremony and a dinner with a geisha in Kyoto, promising a well-rounded experience of Japan's cultural highlights.

Begin your Japanese experience in Tokyo, savoring the city's rich flavors during a gourmet dining experience, followed by a culture tour complete with stops at the Imperial Palace and the Tokyo National Museum. Then, get hands-on during a sushi-making class before catching a train to Kanazawa. Here, you'll learn about traditional Japanese crafts while coloring a lacquer tray at NOSAKU Lacquerware and trying ceramics at Kutani Kosen Kiln. Afterward, travel by train to Kyoto to admire the famed Golden Pavilion and Fushimi-Inari Taisha and visit Miho Museum in nearby Koka city. 

Next on your itinerary is a drive to Kobe, where you'll visit the Hakutsuru Saké Brewery Museum before ferrying to the island of Naoshima. Over the following days, experience the rich art scene of the Seto Inland Sea while roaming the Chichu Art and Benesse House museums and embarking on a self-guided art museum tour on Teshima Island. Then, after catching a bullet train to Hakone, you'll explore nature trails, admire hot springs, and visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum. With your trip winding down, it's back to Tokyo for an evening of sightseeing until it's time to catch your flight home. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Ultimate Japan Tour: Tokyo to Hiroshima & Kanazawa

On this comprehensive ultimate tour, you'll go from Tokyo to Hiroshima, with stops in Kyoto, Takayama, and Kanazawa along the way. Ideal for those looking to split their time between traditional Japan and its modern delights, you'll get hands-on during Japanese calligraphy, dine at a traditional ryokan, and encounter free-roaming deer in Nara. The tour also includes hiking in Hakone and exploring the neon streets of Tokyo's Akihabara and Shinjuku districts.

Your journey starts in Tokyo, getting to know the traditional side of the city while admiring Senso-ji, the city's oldest temple, and joining a shodo experience. Then, head up Tokyo SkyTree for a bird's-eye view before boarding a train bound for Hiroshima. During your two-day stay, there's plenty of time to visit the A-Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and ferry to Miyajima to see the floating Itsukushima Shrine. Continue to Kyoto for four fantastic culture-filled days. Highlights include Fushimi Inari Shrine, a tea ceremony, and trips to the picturesque towns of Arashiyama, Nara, and Uji. 

Afterward, you'll travel to the historical city of Takayama to explore its many temples before moving on to Kanazawa. Step back in time as you wander among Kanazawa's buildings dating back to the Edo period and delight in a day admiring traditional-style zukuri farmhouses in Shirakawa. Then, switch gears and indulge your inner adventurer in Hakone, riding the cable car up the active volcanic area of Owakudani and embarking on a cruise on Lake Ashi. Next, speed back to Tokyo by train and spend your final days shopping in Akihabara, tackling the Shibuya Scramble, and joining a food tour of Shinjuku. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Off-the-Beaten-Path Japan: Tokyo, Nikko & Tohoku

Take the road less traveled on this off-the-beaten-path adventure, starting in Tokyo and ending in the Tohoku region. This itinerary is perfect for travelers seeking unique cultural experiences and natural beauty while staying well away from the crowds. Highlights include the high-altitude Lake Chuzenji in Nikko, a Matsushima Bay cruise, soaking in natural hot springs at Hanamaki Onsenkyo and Zao Onsen, and learning about samurai culture in Kakunodate.

Starting in Tokyo, you'll steer clear of the crowds and focus on lesser-known attractions, including Jimbocho Book Town, the Yanaka district, and the old city of Kawagoe. Then, head to the lush forests of Nikko, where you'll marvel at the beauty of Lake Chuzenji and Kegon Falls. Continue to Sendai for an immersive day, checking out Zuihoden, a mausoleum complex, and learning about whiskey production at the Miyagikyo Distillery before cruising around Matsushima Bay. Another train journey awaits you on Day 7, this time to Hiraizumi for a memorable day touring the temple of Motsu-ji.

After another train journey brings you to Aomori, one of the northernmost cities on Honshu, you'll delight in a chance to experience the Nebuta Matsuri festival or learn about it at the Nebuta Museum Wa Rasse. Over the following five days, slowly return to Tokyo, stopping for overnights in Akita, Kakunodate, Yamagata, and Zao Onsen. En route, you'll learn the craft of saké brewing, discover how miso and soy sauce are made at the Ando Jozo Brewery, and take a cable car up Mount Zao to view the stunning Okama Crater. Then, board a train to Tokyo to catch your onward flight. Learn more

Itinerary #5: Japan's Golden Route: Tokyo, Kyoto & Osaka

Perfect for those looking to delve into the highlights of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka while limiting travel time, this Golden Route itinerary offers modern attractions, historic sites, and cultural experiences. You'll attend a sumo wrestling practice, hike around Fushimi Inari Shrine, wander through the bamboo forest of Arashiyama, and taste your way around Osaka on a street food tour. With an additional full-day tour of Hiroshima, a cruise along the Tombori River, and time on the high-tech island of Odaiba, this itinerary promises a varied and exciting exploration of Japan.

Begin your trip with four days in Tokyo, which gives you ample time to explore the city's endless highlights. Spend your first evening joining a foodie tour of Shinjuku, then conquer the Shibuya Scramble, lose track of time at TeamLab Planets Tokyo, and admire the modern delights of the Akihabara neighborhood. You'll also have the opportunity to watch a sumo practice before speeding to Kyoto on a bullet train. While in Kyoto, you'll enjoy quieter days focusing on Japan's traditional culture. Memorable activities include a tea ceremony in Ninenzaka, a visit to Nijo Castle, and dinner at Hiiragiya Ryokan.

Before leaving Kyoto, you'll also head out on day trips to its surrounding charming towns, including Arashiyama, to admire Zen Tenryuji Temple and Nara, a famous deer haven. Then, hop on a train bound for Osaka and indulge in a three-hour street food tour. Over the following two days, you'll use Osaka as a base to take full-day trips to Hiroshima and Miyajima and explore the sacred forest of Mount Koya. After returning to Tokyo by train, spend your last days checking out Odaiba, an artificial island filled with high-tech attractions, and roaming the historic streets of this 15-. Learn more

More Great Japan Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Japan? Check out these other Japan itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.