Two weeks in Japan hits the sweet spot. It’s enough time to experience the country’s ancient temples, neon-lit cities and sacred mountains without feeling rushed.
This itinerary takes you along Japan’s famous Golden Route, following the old Tokaido Road from Tokyo to Kyoto. You’ll stay in just two hotels whilst taking day trips to destinations like Mount Fuji, Hiroshima, Nara and the Japanese Alps.
I’ve visited Japan three times at different seasons, testing variations of this route. This version cuts out the mistakes I made and keeps what works.
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Quick Facts:
- Duration: 14 days
- Cities: Tokyo (6 nights) and Kyoto (8 nights)
- Day trips: 7 destinations, including Nikko, Hakone, Nara and Hiroshima
- Budget: Mid-range with occasional splashes of luxury
- Best for: First-time visitors travelling independently
- Transport: Calculate whether a JR Pass makes sense for your route
Your 14-Day Japan Itinerary at a Glance
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
I’ve learned not to plan much for arrival day. Jet lag is real, and trying to sightsee after a long-haul flight is not a joy.
Check into your hotel, walk around your neighbourhood and ease into Japan at your own pace. You’re here for six nights, so there’s plenty of time.
Getting from the airport
From Narita Airport: Take the Narita Express to central Tokyo. It runs from Terminal 2 to Ikebukuro, Shinjuku, Shibuya and Tokyo Station. Seat reservations are compulsory. The Narita Express is covered by the JR Pass if you have one; otherwise, buy tickets at the station.
From Haneda Airport: Take the Tokyo Monorail to Hamamatsucho, then switch to the Yamanote line. Both are covered by the JR Pass if you have one.
Day 2 & 3: Tokyo
However long you spend in Tokyo, it won’t feel like enough. Two days lets you scratch the surface of this 14-million-person metropolis where temples sit between skyscrapers, and tradition meets technology at every corner.
For a full lowdown, check my 2-day Tokyo itinerary.
Day 2 Highlights
Shibuya Crossing is where you need to start. Stand at the intersection and watch hundreds of people cross from all directions at once, somehow never colliding. It’s organised chaos at its finest.
Walk to Meiji-Jingu, a Shinto shrine surrounded by forest that feels miles from the city outside.
Then head to Takeshita-dõri where Tokyo’s alternative fashion scene thrives. Teenagers make pilgrimages here for clothes you won’t find anywhere else.
After dark, head to the dazzling neon lights of Shinjuku. Test your skills at a pachinko parlour, belt out karaoke or explore Golden Gai’s narrow alleys, unchanged since the Second World War.
Day 3 Highlights
Start early at Tsukiji or Toyosu Fish Market for the freshest sushi you’ll ever eat. Restaurants open from 5 am (expect queues). The famous tuna auctions moved to Toyosu in 2018, which you can watch from a viewing platform.
Senso-Ji in Asakusa is Tokyo’s oldest temple (645 AD) and one of its liveliest. The approach through market stalls teems with people buying snacks and souvenirs.
The Imperial Palace gardens give you breathing space from the city, whilst Ueno Park houses several museums if culture is your thing.
End your day at sunset on the Tokyo Sky Tree observation deck for panoramic views across the city.
Day 4: Nikko
Nikko’s Shinto shrines and Buddhist temples nestle amongst towering cedar trees. It’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site and incredibly popular, so visit early on a weekday if possible.
Toshogu Shrine is the main draw, built in 1617 for Tokugawa Ieyasu, founder of the Tokugawa shogunate. The detail on the buildings is extraordinary.
You can cover the main sites in half a day, but stay longer to explore smaller shrines scattered in the hills where crowds thin out.
Getting there: Take the shinkansen from Tokyo or Ueno Station to Utsunomiya, then transfer to the JR Nikko Line (100 minutes total, covered by JR Pass). Without a pass, consider the Tobu Railway direct service from Asakusa. From Nikko Station, walk 30 minutes uphill or catch bus 1B.
Day 5: Kamakura
This coastal town, thirty miles south of Tokyo, was Japan’s first feudal capital. Its legacy is dozens of temples you can explore on foot.
The Daibutsu is Kamakura’s icon: an 11.4m bronze Buddha from the 13th century. Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine (founded 1180) comes second, dedicated to Hachiman, the god of war.
Main sites cluster around train stations and connect via hiking trails. You’ll only need to use local transport if you’re visiting outlying temples.
Getting there: Direct JR Yokosuka Line from Tokyo Station (under 1 hour) or JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line from Shinjuku. For a faster route (45-50 minutes), take the JR Ueno-Tokyo Line to Ofuna, then transfer to the JR Yokosuka Line.
Day 6: Hakone & Mount Fuji
Although I felt Hakone was overrated, it’s a hugely popular and easy day trip from Tokyo.
Most come hoping to see Mount Fuji. Other draws include Lake Ashi with its red torii gate, the Open Air Museum and Hakone Checkpoint.
If you can, stay overnight to enjoy the area’s onsen (hot spring baths), rather than day-tripping. I booked a room at the Hyatt Regency Hakone near Gora.
Follow the Hakone Loop (trains, buses, cable cars, ropeways and boats) with a Hakone Free Pass for unlimited transport.
Getting there:
- Fastest: Shinkansen from Tokyo to Odawara (covered by JR Pass, or buy an individual ticket), then Hakone Tozan Railway to Gora
- Most comfortable: Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone-Yumoto (not JR), then Hakone Tozan Railway
- Easiest: Organised tour with bus, shinkansen and tickets included
Day 7: Tokyo to Kyoto
Time to swap neon for tradition. The Hikari shinkansen takes just under three hours. Keep your eyes on the right side for Mount Fuji views if the weather cooperates.
Check into your Kyoto hotel and explore your neighbourhood. The real sightseeing starts tomorrow.
Days 8 – 10: Kyoto
Kyoto is Japan’s historical, cultural and spiritual heart.
Home to 400 Shinto shrines, more than 1,600 Buddhist temples and 17 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, Kyoto is a feast for the senses. Prayer chants echo across manicured Zen gardens; clouds of incense waft from temple complexes; geishas scurry along dimly lit streets to their next appointment.
I’ve written this full 3-day Kyoto itinerary to help you make the most of your time there, but here are the highlights.
Day 8: Northern Higashiyama
Start at Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion), once home to shogun Ashikaga Yoshimasa.
Follow the Path of Philosophy, an ancient 1.8km stone pathway running alongside Lake Biwa Canal. It’s one of my favourite walks in Japan, spectacular during cherry blossom season.
Stop at Eikan-do with its gold leaf screens and the famous Amida Statue turning his face over his shoulder. I debated visiting because of the entrance fee, but I was so glad I went
Nanzen-ji at the path’s southern end is one of Kyoto’s most impressive temple complexes. Don’t miss the hidden shrine Nanzen-ji Oku-no-in, concealed in a forested hollow behind the main precinct. Follow the road parallel to the aqueduct uphill until you reach a waterfall in an idyllic glen.
Spend the evening in Pontocho Alley, where traditional wooden facades illuminated by lanterns transform this narrow street into one of Kyoto’s most beautiful spots.
Day 9: Southern Higashiyama & Gion
Start early at Kiyomizu-dera (opens 6 am), clinging to a hillside with its massive wooden veranda jutting 15 metres above the ground. Try Tainai-meguri, where you descend into total darkness guided only by wooden beads, spinning a sacred stone before emerging into daylight feeling reborn.
Walk to Chion-in, headquarters of Jodo Buddhism, which has the largest wooden gate in Japan. Its bell is so immense that 17 monks are needed to ring it.
Yasaka Shrine, between Higashiyama and Gion, was the liveliest shrine I visited, with hundreds of lanterns hanging in front of the main hall.
Head to Fushimi-Inari-Taisha in the afternoon when the light is best. Hundreds of vermillion torii gates line 4km of pathways winding up Mount Inari. Walk as far as you like (the full summit takes 2-3 hours), then circle back.
Explore the geisha district of Gion after dark when streets take on ethereal beauty. The most scenic sections are Shimbashi district and Hanami-koji Street.
Day 10: Arashiyama & Northern Kyoto
Get to the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove early. Yes, it’s Insta-famous. No, that doesn’t diminish walking through towering bamboo filtering light into something otherworldly. It’s one of my favourite places in Japan.
If you love gardens, stop at Tenryu-ji on your way out for its stroll garden set against the Arashiyama mountains.
The shimmering reflection of Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) in its pond, fringed by pines and cherry trees, is unforgettable. Gold leaf covers the top two floors of this former shogun’s retirement villa.
If you have energy, Kitano Tenmangu Shrine is a 15-minute walk away. Students pray here for exam success amongst nearly 2,000 plum trees.
During cherry blossom season, end your day at Imperial Palace Park for spectacular groves of weeping cherry trees and plum blossoms.
Day 11: Nara
Japan’s first permanent capital packs three UNESCO World Heritage Sites, ancient temples and the world’s friendliest deer into a small, walkable city.
Everything is within walking distance. Grab a free map at the Tourist Information Centre at Nara Station. Mine was excellent until a passing deer fancied it for lunch.
Todai-ji houses the Great Buddha inside the world’s largest wooden building. Nearby Isui-en is a beautiful Meiji-era garden worth the detour.
Getting there: JR Nara Line Rapid Service from Kyoto takes 45 minutes (covered by JR Pass). The local service takes 70+ minutes. Private Kintetsu Limited Express is the fastest (35 minutes) but is not covered by the JR Pass.
Day 12: Hiroshima & Miyajima
This is a long day trip. Leave early.
Hiroshima’s Peace Memorial Park and Museum are sobering reminders of 6th August 1945. Take your time here.
The city rebuilt itself into something modern and functioning. Eight tramlines connect major sites (use IC cards or buy day passes).
From Hiroshima, head to Miyajima Island. The red torii gate of Itsukushima-jinja shrine appears to float in the sea at high tide. It’s one of Japan’s most photographed sights for good reason.
Getting there: Shinkansen Hikari from Kyoto to Shin-Kobe, then Shinkansen Sakura to Hiroshima (under 2 hours, both covered by JR Pass). For Miyajima: JR Sanyo line to Miyajima-guchi Station, then 10-minute JR ferry (both JR Pass covered).
Note: Direct Kyoto-Hiroshima trains run on the Nozomi (not covered by JR Pass), hence the transfers. Without a pass, take the faster Nozomi direct.
Day 13: Himeji & Osaka
Start your day in Himeji where Japan’s finest castle, nicknamed the “White Heron Castle”, dominates the skyline. After touring the castle, explore Koko-en, nine walled gardens reimagining an Edo-period samurai residence.
After trying some local sake (nihonshu), take the train to Osaka.
Skip Osaka Castle (Himeji’s puts it to shame). Instead, head to the Minami neighbourhood and the Tombori Riverwalk.
Before you head back to Kyoto, visit Yakizen on Hozenji Yokocho for okonomiyaki, a sublime savoury pancake.
Getting there: Shinkansen Hikari from Kyoto to Himeji (55 minutes). Himeji to Shin-Osaka on the same train (37 minutes). Shin-Osaka back to Kyoto (under 15 minutes).
Both the castle and the gardens are within walking distance of Himeji Station. In Osaka, take the subway to Namba for Minami.
Day 14: Kanazawa
During my most recent trip to Japan, I spent two days in Kanazawa. However, with a little planning, you can easily explore the city’s highlights in just one day.
Kenroku-en is considered one of Japan’s three most beautiful gardens. This Edo-period landscape features streams crossed by stone bridges, ancient pines and masses of cherry and plum blossom. Views stretch across Kanazawa.
Higashi Chaya (East Chaya) rivals Kyoto’s entertainment districts. Narrow streets lined with Edo-period houses transport you back centuries.
Getting there: Direct Limited Express Thunderbird from Kyoto (just over 2 hours).
Adjusting This Itinerary
If You Have Less Than Two Weeks
Choose between Nikko or Nara (keep Kamakura). Cut Kanazawa – save it for a second trip, focusing on central Honshu.
Hiroshima and Miyajima are hard to drop from a first visit, but they fit better on a Kyushu-focused itinerary.
Don’t sacrifice Tokyo or Kyoto days. Two days in Kyoto is doable, but rushed.
If You Have More Time
If you have more than two weeks in Japan, the sky’s the limit. Travel slower. Add onsen visits. Enjoy each place rather than ticking boxes.
Head west to the Japanese Alps. Takayama has old-world charm, and it’s a good base for visiting Shirakawa-go. Art-filled Matsumoto is a lovely place to stop for a day or so.
Kyushu is worth adding. Base yourself in the lovely city of Fukuoka and take a day trip to Kagoshima, visit the pottery towns of Arita and Imari or soak in the hot springs at Beppu.
Beach lovers: end at Anami Oshima Island between Kyushu and Okinawa, or remote Miyako-jima.
When to Visit Japan
Japan works year-round, but spring and autumn are peak for good reason.
April-May brings temperate weather and cherry blossom. I visited in March when conditions were perfect, prices moderate, and plum blossoms were at their peak in Imperial Palace Park.
Autumn transforms Kyoto into a kaleidoscope of reds, oranges and yellows from maple trees. Crowds increase, but it’s worth it.
Winter is underrated. Fewer crowds, lower prices and snow-dusted landscapes make it magical. I love winter in Japan.
The Japan Rail Pass Question
The JR Pass gives unlimited access to JR trains, some partner railways, buses and ferries for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days. Private trains and some shinkansen aren’t covered.
Here’s the truth: It’s no longer the bargain it once was. Price increases have made it poor value for many itineraries, including this one.
If you want the lowdown on how the pass works, take a look at my JR Pass explainer. I’ve also written this guide to help you decide whether a JR Pass is worth it.
For this specific itinerary: A 14-day pass will likely cost more than buying individual tickets. The pass only makes financial sense if you:
- Add extra long-distance trips beyond this itinerary
- Travel at a much faster pace with more day trips
- Don’t mind paying a premium for convenience
Better options: Buy individual shinkansen tickets as you go, or consider regional passes for specific areas (Hakone Free Pass, Kansai passes).
Where to stay
Tokyo
Location matters more than luxury. Stay near a Yamanote Line station or subway stop.
Shinjuku: Excellent transport links and nightlife. I’ve stayed at Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (4-star, 5 minutes from the station, good value).
Asakusa: More traditional feel. I’ve also stayed at B:CONTE Asakusa, which has rooms with kitchenettes, washing machines and Senso-Ji views.
Kyoto
Choose between Kyoto Station (convenient for day trips, fewer restaurants) or downtown (walking distance to Pontocho and Gion, on main bus routes).
Kyoto Station area: Hotel Granvia Kyoto (5-star, inside the station, spacious rooms, pool).
Downtown: Cross Hotel Kyoto (4-star that feels like 5-star, perfect location, excellent service) or Hotel Gracery Kyoto Sanjo (solid 4-star, same area, lower price, free coffee).
I’ve stayed in all these hotels. They suit mid to high-end budgets. Kyoto isn’t cheap.
Is Japan Safe for Solo Travellers?
Japan is an excellent first-time solo traveller destination.
It ranks among the world’s safest countries. Crime rates are low. The culture values safety, uniformity and order.
You don’t need to worry much about pickpocketing or walking alone at night. Don’t be complacent, but relax more than you would elsewhere. Here are my top solo travel safety tips.
Eating out alone is culturally acceptable in Japan. No dreaded table-for-one awkwardness.
Enjoy your first time in Japan!
This itinerary gives you Japan’s highlights without the exhausting hotel-hopping most routes require. You’ll experience ancient temples, modern cities, sacred mountains and food that changes how you think about eating.
I’ve tested this route across three trips at different seasons. It works.
Questions? Drop them in the comments, and I’ll help where I can.
About Bridget
Bridget Coleman has been a passionate traveller for more than 30 years. She has visited 70+ countries, most as a solo traveller.
Articles on this site reflect her first-hand experiences.
To get in touch, email her at hello@theflashpacker.net or follow her on social media.