2 Week Japan Itinerary: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima

The essential first-timer route: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima. Covers temples, food, culture, and history.

14 days6 destinations

Tokyo Hakone Kyoto Nara Osaka Hiroshima

Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first trip to Japan. This itinerary follows the classic golden route at a realistic pace: four nights in Tokyo, an onsen night in Hakone, three nights in Kyoto with a day trip to Nara, two nights in Osaka for the food, a night in Hiroshima with Miyajima, and two final nights back in Tokyo.

Every day below has a clear anchor, travel days use the Shinkansen, and nothing is scheduled at a sprint. Open it in the free trip planner to shift the dates to your trip, swap activities, and make it yours.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

Trip Overview

14/14 days planned

Day 1

Wednesday • September 30, 2026

🏨Hotel in Shibuya areain Tokyo

🍽️Meals & Dining(1)

🍜

Dinner in Shibuya

🎯Activities(2)

🌅Morning

🚄

Arrive at Narita/Haneda, get Suica card

Pick up JR Pass if pre-purchased

☀️Afternoon

🎭

Shibuya Crossing

Read our guide Find tours & tickets

See the Hachiko statue at the station exit

Day 2

Thursday • October 1, 2026

🏨Hotel in Shibuya areain Tokyo

🍽️Meals & Dining(2)

🍜

Lunch at Asakusa street food stalls

🍜

Dinner in Akihabara or Ueno

🎯Activities(2)

🌅Morning

⛩️

Senso-ji Temple

Read our guide Find tours & tickets

Walk through Nakamise shopping street on the way in

☀️Afternoon

🛍️

Akihabara Electric Town

Read our guide Find tours & tickets

Day 3

Friday • October 2, 2026

🏨Hotel in Shibuya areain Tokyo

4 activities

Day 4

Saturday • October 3, 2026

🏨Hotel in Shibuya areain Tokyo

3 activities

Day 5

Sunday • October 4, 2026

🏨Hotel in Shibuya area→ checkout

checkin →🏯Ryokan with onsen

4 activities

Day 6

Monday • October 5, 2026

🏯Ryokan with onsen→ checkout

checkin →🏨Hotel near Kyoto Station

4 activities

Day 7

Tuesday • October 6, 2026

🏨Hotel near Kyoto Stationin Kyoto

4 activities

Day 8

Wednesday • October 7, 2026

🏨Hotel near Kyoto Stationin Kyoto

4 activities

Day 9

Thursday • October 8, 2026

🏨Hotel near Kyoto Station→ checkout

checkin →🏨Hotel near Namba/Dotonbori

3 activities

Day 10

Friday • October 9, 2026

🏨Hotel near Namba/Dotonboriin Osaka

4 activities

Day 11

Saturday • October 10, 2026

🏨Hotel near Namba/Dotonbori→ checkout

checkin →🏨Hotel near Peace Park

6 activities

Day 12

Sunday • October 11, 2026

🏨Hotel near Peace Park→ checkout

checkin →🏨Hotel in Shinjuku area

3 activities

Day 13

Monday • October 12, 2026

🏨Hotel in Shinjuku areain Tokyo

2 activities

Day 14

Tuesday • October 13, 2026

🏨Hotel in Shinjuku areain Tokyo

2 activities

Use This Itinerary

Open this itinerary in our free trip planner to change dates, add activities, find hotels, and make it yours. No account needed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is two weeks enough for a first trip to Japan?

Yes. Two weeks covers Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, and Hiroshima without rushing. You get four nights in Tokyo and three in Kyoto, which is enough to see the highlights of each and still have unplanned hours to wander.

Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for this itinerary?

It is close to break-even. This route runs Tokyo to Hiroshima and back, which is the classic case for a 14-day JR Pass, but since the 2023 price increase individual tickets sometimes come out cheaper. Add up the Shinkansen fares for your exact dates before buying the pass.

How much does this trip cost?

Excluding international flights, most travelers spend roughly 20,000 to 40,000 yen per person per day across hotels, food, transport, and sights. Accommodation is the biggest variable: hostels and business hotels keep costs low, while ryokan nights and city-view hotels push them up.

When is the best time of year to do this route?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (October to November) have the best weather and scenery, but also the biggest crowds and highest hotel prices. Summer is hot and humid, and winter is quiet, cheaper, and clear, with the bonus of snow views from the Hakone area on lucky days.