Ten to 12 days is the most popular trip length for Japan travelers interested in visiting both Tokyo and Kyoto, especially when also including Osaka and Hakone. If you're not interested in Osaka and Hakone, six to eight days is enough for your Tokyo and Kyoto trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as four or five days. For the best itineraries, including Tokyo and Kyoto, keep reading below.
Most travelers will find that 11 to 15 days is perfect for a well-paced Japan trip with stops in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and Hakone. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights in less time—as little as a week to 10 days. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—some of our favorite itinerary extensions include Miyajima Island. Get inspired with our trip ideas below.
Ten to 12 days is the most popular trip length for Japan travelers interested in visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hakone, especially when also including Osaka and Hiroshima. If you're not interested in those locations, eight to 10 days is enough for your Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hakone trip. With less time, it's still possible to see the highlights in as few as six or seven days. For the best itineraries, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hakone, keep reading below.
This nine-day itinerary kicks off in Tokyo, where you'll take two full-day tours to explore the city's best highlights and cultural attractions. Then you're off to Hakone and Mount Fuji National Park for an outdoor excursion before finishing in Kyoto. Here you'll join a geisha tea ceremony, visit the deer in Nara, and take a day trip to Hiroshima to complete the adventure.
Ten to 12 days is the most popular trip length for Japan travelers interested in visiting Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, especially when also including Hakone and Hiroshima. For travelers wanting to visit Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka exclusively, plan nine to 12 days for a well-paced trip. Even travelers with limited time can see the highlights in as few as six to eight days. For the best itineraries, including Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, keep reading below.
Ten to 12 days is a great length for a Japan trip, with stops in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hakone. If you don't mind a fast-paced journey, you can see the highlights of this route in less time—as few as six to nine days. Travelers with more time can enjoy extra sights and activities at each stop or explore more of the country—some of our favorite itinerary extensions include Hiroshima and Miyajima Island. Keep reading for more inspiring Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hakone itineraries.
With 15 days in Japan, you can delight in a well-rounded introduction to Tokyo and Kyoto's rich history and culture on a highlights tour or include time in Kanazawa, Naoshima, and Hakone to immerse yourself in the country's art scene. Those looking to get off the beaten path can make their way north from Tokyo to Akita and back, while travelers seeking a relaxed trip will enjoy the gentle pace of a Golden Route tour.
You can visit at least two regions of Japan in six days, thanks to efficient transportation that includes high-speed trains. First-time visitors will enjoy a mix of tradition and modernity while experiencing Tokyo's nightlife and Kyoto's historic sites. Those keen on cuisine will try sushi-making in Tokyo and take a tasting tour of Osaka. Outdoor enthusiasts can immerse in nature and rural culture while hiking the Kumano Kodo Trail or opt for a winter adventure that includes snowshoeing in Nagano.
On this well-planned 15-day tour, you'll visit some of Japan's finest art museums, sample some of its most delicious food (and have a go making some yourself), and participate in exciting cultural experiences. From dinner with a trainee geisha in Kyoto to visiting the art islands in the Seto Inland Sea, dressing in a kimono in Kanazawa to making traditional crafts, you'll learn lots about Japanese culture and history while having plenty of fun along the way.
Get away from the crowds and experience a glimpse of traditional Japanese life on this 15-day tour that starts in Tokyo and heads north. After a couple of days exploring the capital, take the train up to UNESCO-listed Nikko and focus on the Tohoku region, the northernmost prefectures of Japan's main Honshu Island. Continue to several towns and cities that many travelers overlook—including Sendai, Hiraizumi, Aomori, and Yamagata—for a taste of unhurried, back-to-basics Japan.
A highlight of travel to Japan is admiring the many beautiful Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines and learning more about the local culture, religion, and spirituality in the process. On this six-day tour of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Mount Koya, you'll visit several of Japan's most beautiful and significant sacred sites. From peaceful spots in the heart of busy Tokyo to gilded temples in Kyoto and ancient Buddhist monasteries at Mount Koya, this is a spiritually rewarding way to tour Japan.
Japan is heaven for foodies, and even travelers short on time can enjoy the best gastronomic experiences in the country by focusing on the distinct culinary traditions of three lively cities—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Find a diverse range of Japanese and international cuisine in Tokyo, enjoy some Japanese haute cuisine in Kyoto, and sample local street food classics and more in Osaka. All this while learning about Japanese culture and history on a fun-filled six-day tour.
From sprawling Tokyo to peaceful Mount Koya, experience the full spectrum of Japanese culture on this 11-day tour by train, car, foot, and bicycle. Eat your way through Tokyo and Osaka's lively food markets and glimpse Mount Fuji while cycling around Lake Kawaguchiko. Walk through Fushimi Inari's unforgettable 10,000 torii gates and stroll among geisha in Kyoto's Gion District. End your discovery immersed in Buddhist rituals as you spend the night in a temple on Mount Koya.
Experience Japan's culture through its food, architecture, sports, and art on this 11-day tour from Tokyo to Osaka. Start by learning about sushi-making and sumo in Tokyo, and then join locals in their daily shopping at Tsukiji Outer Fish Market. Next, soak in the hot springs of Hakone and sail across Lake Kawaguchi for Mount Fuji views. From here, walk among geishas and stroll through Fushimi Inari's red torii gates in Kyoto. Finish the adventure by sampling street food in the culinary hotspot of Osaka.
Japan is a wonderland for families, with cultural, natural, and modern attractions that will appeal to all ages. This 11-day trip visits three of the country's most significant cities—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—with an itinerary chock-full of kid-friendly outings and excursions. Broaden little ones' minds as they explore colorful temples and shrines, meet the local wildlife, and sample exotic new foods—then reward their patience with visits to Tokyo Disneyland and Universal Studios Japan.
With nine days in Japan, you can visit three to six destinations. Foodies and first-timers can hit the highlights and taste their way around Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Nature and culture enthusiasts can visit villages and hike the Nakasendo Trail in Central Japan. The Northern Japan itinerary is suited to travelers interested in Hokkaido and families with little ones that will love kid-friendly activities like Oshino Ninja Village. Active travelers who prefer to venture independently can cycle, kayak, and hike on the self-guided tour.
Get ready for a tour that celebrates the history, beauty, and culture of Japan. This nine-day adventure focuses on the north, where you'll enjoy city tours of Tokyo, visit iconic Mount Fuji, and (if you visit in spring) see the cherry blossoms in bloom. Rounding out the experience is a trip to the historic port city of Otaru and the far north ski hub of Sapporo.
In 12 days, you can explore as few as four destinations, like Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka, or over eight on a faster-paced trip, adding in lesser-known locales like Kurashiki, Oda City, and Hagi. Cover the best of Japan and include an island visit to Okinawa, Japan's "Hawaii," indulge in the culinary delights and sake on a food-forward tour, or discover stunning nature from Lake Kawaguchi to peaceful gardens in Kanazawa. Or consider a multiday trek on the historic Nakasendo Trail.
In 13 days, you can experience the highlights of five or six cities, like those of Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka, on a history-focused tour by train or swap out Hakone and add Nagoya and Kobe to discover modern and traditional Japan. Slow the pace down and eat sushi at Tsukiji Market, see Mount Fuji from Lake Kawaguchi, and pay your respects in Hiroshima. Alternatively, follow a pilgrimage trail on Shikoku Island to discover some of Japan's most prestigious temples.
Spend 12 days exploring the best of Japan, including its most important cities. Start with a visit to Osaka's brightly-lit city center before exploring Kyoto's traditional historic neighborhoods and quiet temples. Learn about World War II history in Hiroshima, then hop on a plane to enjoy Okinawa's stunning beaches. End the trip in the exciting capital of Tokyo, one of the world's busiest and most futuristic cities.
This is the ultimate tour for first-time visitors in Japan and includes a mix of classic activities and lesser-known surprises. Kick off the adventure with several days in Tokyo, and then make your way south by bullet train—using your Japan Rail Pass. You'll stay a night with a small-town family in Izumo, explore UNESCO-listed temples in Kyoto, and ferry to remote islands known for caves and beautiful beaches. Fly back to Tokyo for one more night in the exciting capital to end the tour.
This 13-day adventure checks off several Buddhist temples along a famous pilgrimage trail on Japan's remote Shikoku Island. Starting in Osaka, you'll transfer to Tokushima for a dose of urban culture. Then set off toward some of the trail's 88 temples as you pass through lush greenery and towering mountains peppered with hot springs. This self-guided tour offers accommodations and side trips for an utterly customizable trip.
Discover modern and traditional aspects of Japan in 13 days, touching down in skyscraper-studded Tokyo, where ancient temples meet neon shopping districts, and then explore the country by futuristic bullet train. You'll visit sacred shrines in Osaka and grand castles in Kyoto and ride a gondola to the top of Kobe's Mount Rokko. The trip ends with a sailing adventure to Miyajima in Hiroshima Bay, known as the "Island of the Gods" for its mystical forests and shrines.
Thanks to efficient public transportation, you can fit a lot into 11 days in Japan. First-timers and families can take a Japan highlight tour that comprises Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka or opt for the faster-paced itinerary that includes a Hiroshima visit. History enthusiasts and cherry blossom chasers will enjoy scenic heritage sites, such as Takayama, on a history-focused trip, while foodies can sample local flavors in several cities, including Osaka, the "nation's kitchen," on the "Culinary Heritage" tour.
Travel along Japan's "Golden Route," starting in Tokyo. Soak up the city as you enjoy food tours, art exhibits, a calligraphy workshop, and watching a sumo wrestling practice. Then head to Kyoto to visit shrines and castles, meet geisha, and savor a traditional multicourse meal. Spot deer in Nara, then move on to Osaka for a food tour and river cruise and explore Hiroshima and Miyajima. Back in Tokyo, learn about Japanese sword-making, see the city's high-tech attractions, and visit Kamakura.
Cover the highlights of Japan as you travel in a wide loop across the country's south. Explore Tokyo's most exciting neighborhoods, learn about the important World War II history of Hiroshima, experience tradition with a tea ceremony and geisha photoshoot in Kyoto, and wander the quaint streets of Takayama and Kanazawa. Visit the UNESCO-listed village of Shirakawa-go and take a dip in Hakone's hot springs, then return to Tokyo for more sightseeing.
You can incorporate a cultural highlights tour by seeing geisha and tucking into Japanese cuisine or experience the best of Tokyo and Kyoto in eight days, with additional day trips to Hakone, Nara, and Arashiyama. Alternatively, chase cherry blossoms and spot the iconic Mount Fuji as you travel from Osaka to the capital. Discover the world-famous Senso-ji Shrine and the Yasaka Pagoda in Higashiyama. Or don your winter gear and set off on the Naksendo Trail, sleeping in a different ancient village each night.
Experience the many layers of Japanese culture and its landscapes on this 12-day tour. Enjoy Tokyo and Osaka's energetic city life balanced with nature and fresh air as you walk through Kyoto's calm bamboo forests and Takayama and Kanazawa's gardens and shrines. Stand next to a towering Great Buddha in Kamakura, and pass 10,000 red torii gates at Fushimi Inari. Get your camera ready for Mount Fuji views at Lake Kawaguchi and browse the busy Nishiki Market in Kyoto.
Dash around Japan by bullet train to discover the archipelago's tastes, ceremonies, and exciting nightlife. Learn how to make sushi in Tokyo and explore its oldest temple Senso-ji. In Kyoto's Gion district, discover the world of becoming a geisha. Warm yourself up by sipping sakes at a brewery outside of Hiroshima and soaking in an onsen in Hakone. Take time to relax and feel the pulse of Japan's cities on this 12-day tour.
Explore Japan's historic spots as you travel in a loop from Tokyo to Nagano. Start by discovering Tokyo's sights, then head to Nikko for some hiking. Visit Kyoto, Japan's historic capital, to see temples, meet geisha and participate in a traditional tea ceremony. See Himeji Castle, wander the quaint streets of Takayama, and explore UNESCO-listed Shirakawa-go. Transfer to Kanazawa for sightseeing, art, and a gold leaf workshop, ending with a lesson about ninjas and samurai in Nagano.
See some of Japan's most famous sites while exploring the country by bullet train on this 13-day tour. After learning about Tokyo's history and culture, visit Nikko for a rejuvenating hike, Kamakura to explore its shrines and temples, and Hakone, where you can relax in its thermal waters. Then, it's on to Kyoto to admire the beautiful gates of Fushimi Inari and Hiroshima to reflect on the tragic events there before ending your adventure in Osaka to look around its famous castle.
Japan's culture is an intoxicating mix of old and new. Staying in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka over nine activity-filled days, you'll get under the skin of both sides of this fascinating country. See the historical and futuristic sides of Tokyo and cruise among the neon lights of Osaka. Immerse yourself in Japanese tradition, from watching a sumo wrestling practice to sampling whiskey at a top distillery. You'll also walk among Kyoto's serene shrines and temples and get to know geisha culture.
Welcome to Japan! Dive into the diverse culture of this fascinating island nation on an 11-day part-guided itinerary. Sing karaoke and check out the fashions of futuristic Tokyo, the world's biggest city, and take in the neon lights of playful Osaka on a river cruise. Along with traditional experiences, such as a tea ceremony in Kyoto and exploring the serene grounds of several temples and shrines, this tour is a whirlwind introduction to Japan's contrasts of old and new.
Head south across Japan as you see the country's highlights by train. In Tokyo, explore the Shinjuku district and visit shrines, temples, and shopping areas. Take a day trip to Mount Fuji, then move on to Kanazawa for museums and a gold leaf workshop. Visit the traditional village of Shirakawa-go, then see Kyoto's sights and participate in a tea ceremony. Spot deer in Nara, wander through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, explore Miyajima island, and discover Osaka on a food tour before heading home.
Shop, eat, and explore your way through Japan's four major cities in this diverse 12-day itinerary. Start in Tokyo, walking around the best shopping precincts and witnessing the city's thrilling blend of ultramodern technology and ancient landmarks. Connect with your inner Zen in Kyoto, sample the buzzing street food scene in trendy Osaka, and witness the historical monuments of Hiroshima.
Immerse yourself in Japanese culture as you explore some of the highlights of this fascinating country. Start in Tokyo, where you'll visit Asakusa District and discover Senso-ji Shrine. Get zen as you spend time in the historic gardens of Kanazawa, then visit Shirakawa-go to see villages of 250-year-old thatched-roof houses. Head to Kyoto to wander the streets of the Gion District, stroll under 10,000 red torii (gates) at Fushimi Inari Shrine, and get lost in a maze of bamboo at Arashiyama.
Hit the highlights of Japan on this eight-day adventure that takes you west from Tokyo to Osaka. After getting to know the massive metropolis of Tokyo, head to Kyoto to witness the contrast between traditional versus modern culture in its markets, temples, and palaces. Spend some downtime among the peaceful shrines and friendly deer of Nara, then finish your trip in vibrant Osaka, sampling regional specialties on a food tour and bar-hopping through neon-lit neighborhoods to your heart's content.
Japan is world-famous for its stunning panoramas of cherry blossoms. On this springtime trip, you'll see the flowers while discovering the country's highlights by train. Begin by exploring Osaka on a river cruise and food tour. Transfer to the historic city of Kyoto for sightseeing and temples, then move on to Hakone, where you'll visit hot springs and stay in a traditional ryokan inn. Top off your experience with some cherry blossom-spotting excursions in Tokyo and en route to Mount Fuji.
On this adventure, you'll see Japan's highlights while visiting two of its most famous cities. Begin in bustling Tokyo and discover the urban nightlife and explore temples and shopping streets on a guided tour. Then take a day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko for views of Mount Fuji. Next, transfer to Kyoto and get to know its temples and historic neighborhoods, opting for a traditional tea ceremony. Cap off your journey with a day trip to Nara, famous for its scenic deer park.
Explore the best of Japan's world-famous highlights. Begin by wandering through Tokyo's parks, museums, temples, and neon-lit shopping areas. Then head to Hakone, where you'll stay in a traditional ryokan inn, and experience a multicourse kaiseki dinner and hot spring. Move on to Kyoto to explore markets, temples, and castles, then take a day trip to Nara to see its famed deer park before returning to Kyoto for one last day of sightseeing.
Explore Japan's natural beauty and intricate rituals on this fascinating nine-day itinerary. You'll travel back in time in Tokyo by wandering the streets in a kimono. Head to Hakone to cruise on Lake Ashi, enjoy spectacular views of Mount Fuji, and finish the day in soothing natural thermal springs. Continue to Kyoto for Buddhist temples, gardens, palaces, and shrines, then end in Osaka to revel in the city's dynamic "foodie" districts.
In a two-week Japan trip, divide your days among Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Okinawa for a highlights tour, or indulge in culinary delights with street food, tea ceremonies, and Michelin-starred dining. Those seeking traditional Japan should not miss Honshu's historical treasures, while off-the-beaten-path explorers will find solace in Izumo and the Goto Islands. Meanwhile, active travelers can challenge themselves with a trek to Mount Fuji's peak.
Thanks to Japan's efficient transportation, you can visit at least four regions in 10 days. First-timers will enjoy touring iconic sites in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Foodies can feast on sushi, sample Osaka's street eats, and try their hand at making gyoza. Culture enthusiasts will appreciate a traditional tea ceremony in Kyoto and an art tour of Naoshima island, while those eager to immerse in Japan's natural beauty can trek along the Nakesendo Trail, soak in natural hot springs, and bike Mount Aso.
Japan's efficient trains make it possible to see three regions in one week. First-time visitors will enjoy highlights that include futuristic museums in Odaiba, the temples and teahouses of Kyoto, and Hiroshima's memorials. Foodies and aspiring chefs will be delighted to craft noodles at a ramen factory, make (and eat!) sushi at the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, and sample street eats in Osaka, while outdoor enthusiasts will appreciate Hokkaido's volcanic landscapes or a trek along the Nakasendo Trail.
With five days to spend in Japan, you can focus your energy on the ultra-modern city of Tokyo. Or divide time between Tokyo and the more traditional Kyoto, visiting the country's most famous shrine. A more ambitious itinerary takes you to several cities, including Hiroshima and Osaka, while a simpler one centers on the culture and history of Kyoto. Alternatively, hike along the historic Nakasendo Trail, following the footsteps of feudal lords and samurai on the mountain path connecting Kyoto and Tokyo.
Ski, snowboard, and sip sake on this two-week adventure around Japan's wintry landscapes. From Kyoto to Tokyo, this active journey will give you the opportunity to see both the modern and traditional sides of Japan. You'll also see futuristic art and have some fun on the slopes of Niigata, dipping in the nearby natural hot springs afterward.
Combine the great outdoors with history and culture on Japan's southern island of Kyushu. Start in Fukuoka, to explore the quiet ruins of Fukuoka Castle and sample the street food and shopping in Canal City. Float the Venice-like canals of Yanagawa, then it's off to the mystical hot springs of Beppu. Enjoy a sand bath on Beppu's beaches and ride horses in the volcanic Aso region, then wrap things up in Nagasaki, touring somber World War II reminders at Peace Park and strolling the abandoned island of Gunkanjima.
This action-packed 10-day adventure around Japan is perfect for families! The itinerary leads you from the neon lights, futuristic interactive art, and whimsical character cafés of Tokyo to peaceful Lake Kawaguchi, where you can visit a nearby ninja theme park or ride one of the steepest roller coasters in the world. Then it's onward to Kyoto, where you'll learn how to make creative Japanese-style sweets and attend a tea ceremony. Travelers of all ages will enjoy visiting temples, bamboo groves, and shrines on the last few days of the trip in Arashiyama, Nara, and Osaka.
The sakura, or cherry blossom, is the national flower of Japan and a symbol of renewal. If you're lucky enough to travel to Japan during the brief blooming season (spring), you'll be treated to the sight of pale pink flowers almost everywhere you look. This seven-day tour takes you to top sakura-spotting destinations in Osaka, Kyoto, and Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, with breaks for cultural sightseeing. You'll end the itinerary with a dedicated cherry blossom tour around Tokyo, including classic photo ops of Mount Fuji in the distance.
This scenic trip through Japan starts with the urban vibes of Tokyo, where you'll visit the ultramodern Odaiba district and relax in the peaceful gardens of the Meiji Jingu shrine. Then, you're off to historic Kanazawa for the quiet pathways of Kenroku-en Garden and a visit to the traditional farmhouses of Shirakawa-go. See a geisha theatrical performance in Kyoto, walk the famed red torii gates of Fushimi Inari, and end with delicious local cuisine at the bustling Nishiki Market.
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