A Walk in the World – 2 Week Japan Itinerary

2 weeks Japan itinerary – Day 1 to Day 3 – Tokyo

Tokyo is the gateway to Japan. You can save time and money by choosing the right airport. I’ve put bullet points on each of the places that you will be visiting in Tokyo. If you don’t like this compact version of the itinerary, here is a detailed Tokyo itinerary.

Shibuya

• Shibuya is a great place to start your Japan or Tokyo vacation.

• Shibuya is vibrant, full of life and a lively place.
• Look out for young people with colorful hair and trendy styles.
• When the traffic lights flip in Shibuya hundreds of pedestrians cross through the street. It is a delight to watch such a large flow of people.

Meiji Jingu

• Meiji Jingu may be the most popular shrine of Tokyo.

• Meiji Jingu has been around for more than 100 Years. It was inaugurated back in 1920.
• The Torii gate is a wooden gate that is commonly found in shrines.
• The Meiji Jingu campus is covered by 100,000 trees.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden

• You are wrong if you think Tokyo is just highrise buildings and busy people. Tokyo has a lot to offer in terms of greenery.

• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, one of Tokyo’s most beautiful gardens.
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is also known as imperial garden and made of three distinct type of gardens – traditional Japanese, French and English.
• Enjoy ponds and traditional bridges as well as spacious lawns and trees.

Akihabara (Akiba)

• Akihabara is a great place to shop if you are looking for electronics. Yodabashi Camera Store is a must visit.

• If you have read a little about Japan, you might already know about anime and videogames. If you’d like to see them in person, Akihabara will be the place for you.

Ginza

• Ginza has the largest concentration of western-branded shops.

• Apple stores, Sony showrooms and Prada, Louis Vuitton are just a few.
• Plan your visit for the weekend when the famous Ginza street is closed to motor vehicles.

Tokyo National Museum

• Tokyo National Museum is a must-see!

• This museum is the oldest and best of its kind in Japan.
• Tokyo National Museum contains 110,000 artifacts including samurai weapons, sculptures and statues, kimonos and potteries.
• You will enjoy not only the artifacts but also the architectures.

Ueno Park

• Ueno park is just outside of Tokyo park. So, you can combine the two places.

• Ueno Park contains more than 1,000 cherry trees, and is considered the best place in Tokyo to view cherry blossoms.
• In this wonderful park, you will find flowers, greeneries, temples and shrines.

Tokyo Skytree

• Tokyo Skytree is the tallest freestanding tower in the World at 634 meters.

• On a clear, sunny day, the visibility is 100 kilometers.
• If the weather is good, you can see Mount Fuji if you are at Tokyo Tower.

Odaiba

• Odaiba is located a bit outside of central Tokyo, but you should still visit this place if you want to experience Japan in a new way.

• Odaiba, a manmade isle, is called a futuristic location for a reason.
• Take a photo with the replica of the statue of Liberty and the rainbow bridge as the backdrop to make your friends look confused.
• You can also visit Tokyo Disneysea and Tokyo Disneyland from here.

Day 4 – Day Trip from Tokyo to Hakone

You have been to Tokyo for 3 days and experienced a lot. It’s time to leave Japan and experience something different. Head to Hakone. Your overnight stay in Tokyo will be at the hotel.

• One of the most iconic things in Japan is Mount Fuji (or Fuji-san as called by the Japanese) – a cone shaped mountain.
• Hakone offers the best view of Mount Fuji.
• Hakone offers not only Mount Fuji but also the beautiful lake Ashi.
• Be aware of the weather conditions. If the weather is bad, you will not be able to see Mount Fuji.

Day 5 – Day Trip from Tokyo to Ashikaga

You’ve just returned to Tokyo after a busy day spent in Hakone, where you may have seen the majestic Mount Fuji. It’s time to try something new. Now you are heading to Ashikaga via Oyama. In 2 hours, you will be there. You will spend the night in Tokyo, as you will return at night. Here you can read a full guide and view the stunning photos of Ashikaga Flower Park. Here’s a quick peek at what you can expect on day 5 of your Japan trip.

Ashikaga Flower Park

• Ashikaga Flower Park is a must-see for anyone who loves flowers.

• Ashikaga’s flower park is not only full of colors, but also a great place to visit if you don’t like flowers.
• This is the best spot in Japan to view Wisteria flowers. They are the most popular flowers among the Japanese. One of the Wisteria Trees here is 100 years old!
• From mid-April to mid-May, wisteria is in bloom. Even if your visit is not possible during this period, you’ll still be rewarded with other flowers like roses.
• Flower tunnels, flower cake, flower pyramids, floating flowers on a lake – you will enjoy every corner of Ashikaga flower park.

JA Ashikaga Agri-land

• This strawberry farm is located in Ashikaga, just a few minutes away from the Ashikaga Flower Park.

• You can enter a strawberry caged garden by purchasing a ticket.
• You can eat as many strawberries as you want if you do so within a specified time frame.
• Fresh strawberries right off the tree are delicious.

Day 6 to 7 – Nikko

Nikko in Japan is a beautiful mountainous village. Nikko, located in Togichi prefecture, is about a 3-hour train ride from Tokyo. Nikko serves as the gateway to Nikko’s national park. Here is a comprehensive Nikko travel guide. Below you will find the places we’ll be visiting during our day 6 and 7 in Japan.

Shinkyo Bridge

• Visit Shinkyo Bridge to begin your Nikko visit.

• The Shinkyo Bridge is the most famous bridge in Nikko, and the gateway to the temples and shrines of Nikko.
• The Daiya river flows under the bridge.
• Shinkyo Bridge is regarded as a sacred and important shrine in the area.
• Don’t forget to take photos in front of the monument. Try to go early in the morning when there are fewer people.

Shrine Complex and its surroundings

• The Shrine Complex at Nikko is made up of 103 buildings, structures and monuments and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• These shrines have been set up in pristine natural surroundings.
• Even if you don’t like to visit temples or shrines, take a stroll through them. You will enjoy it.
• Toshogu shrine should be the only one you visit. This is by far the most famous.

Karikomi Lake Hike

• Take a bus to Yumoto-onsen from Nikko.

• From there, you can take a relatively short hike to the serene Karikomi lakes.
• Don’t forget to bring food and drinks, as you won’t be able to refuel in the middle of a journey.

Akechidaira Ropeway

• Buses can help you reach the base of Akechidaira’s ropeway.

• This is one of my shortest ropeways, but it will still leave you at a base.
• You will be able to see the surrounding areas, such as Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji.

Kegon Waterfall

• Kegon falls is one of Japan’s three most famous waterfalls.

• There are many waterfalls in the world that are 100 meters high, but you won’t see many that change their backdrop with the seasons!
• This waterfall is absolutely stunning in the autumn (mid-late October). During winter the waterfall is almost frozen, which gives it a totally different vibe!
• The waterfall can be seen from the free observatory deck. You can also take an elevator down to the base to get a closer view. A ticket is required for this.

Lake Chuzenji

• Lake Chuzenji offers many wonderful things. It is surrounded with accessible roads and pavement.

• Renting a bicycle is a great way to explore the area. Don’t forget the Italian embassy memorial park.
• After you’ve had enough of walking and biking, rent a boat and float on Lake Chuzenji to discover the mountains surrounding you.

Chuzen-ji Temple

• On the eastern side of LakeChuzen-ji you will findChuzen-ji temple.

• The Goddess of Mercy is Kannon and she can be found in the temple.
• The statue is carved from a tree.

Day 8 to 11 – Kyoto and Nara

Kyoto

Kyoto is considered by many to be the best tourist destination of Japan. Kyoto was once the capital of Japan. It is now known as the cultural capital of Japan. Kyoto is a city that can be explored in 3 to 4 days.

Sinkanshens from Tokyo to Kyoto

• Sinkanshen is the Japanese super-fast train network. Sinkanshen is a must for any Japanese trip. Your journey from Tokyo to Kyoto in a Sinkanshen will be a highlight of your trip.

• Sinkanshen is capable of speeds up to 300 km/h.
• You don’t need to worry about your seat. Sinkanshen never goes backwards. This means that you will always be facing forward, no matter which direction the train travels.
• You can get to Kyoto from Tokyo in less than 2 and a half hours if you use aSinkanshen

Fushimi Inari Shrine

• Fushimi Inari Shrine is one of Japan’s most photographed sites.

• Look out for the giant gate with a vermillion color and the foxes carved in stone.
• The shrine is dedicated the Gods of rice.
• The iconic Thousand of Torii gate is the main attraction of the shrines. Don’t forget to look at the prayers that are written on them.
• Two hours of hiking through these torii gates will bring you to the top Mount Inari, where you can get a 360-degree view of the city.

Nijo Castle

• This 16th century Imperial Palace of Shogun is one the most famous castles of Japan.
• Nijo castle covers a vast area of 68 acres.
• Nijo castle is composed of a large gate, a castle, and a beautiful gardens.

Nishiki Market

• Nishiki Market is a food lover’s paradise.
• In a few blocks of narrow streets, you will find over 100 restaurants and shops.
• This market is several centuries old and offers sushi, sweets seafood, pickles and Mori, to name a couple.

Gion: A stroll through the city

• Gion is your next destination after Nishiki Market.
• Gion, the ancient Geisha district.
• There are many traditional wooden houses, restaurants and geishas in their trademark dresses.

Kyoto Tower

• This is the tallest structure in Kyoto.

• Kyoto tower is 131m tall and gives you a chance to see the entire town.
• This is the tallest steel-framed construction structure in all of the world.

Nara

Nara is only an hour away by train from Kyoto. Nara is only an hour by train away from Kyoto. Nara is Japan’s ancient capital and one of its most popular tourist destinations. Here are some things to do in Nara.

Nara Park

• You can walk to the Nara Park from the Nara train station. The park is a short walk from the train station.

• You will see the famous Nara deer. Nara deer also refers to these friendly deer.
• You can feed them biscuits but you will need to buy it at the shop.

Isuien Garden

• Isuien Garden was built in the 17th century during Meiju period.

• There is a beautiful pond whose shape represents the Japanese word for water (Kanji).
• Enjoy your time in the greenery of Mount Wakakusayama.

Nigatsudo

• You will find the Nigatsudo Temple on the slopes of Mount Wakakusa.

• The originalNigatsudo was built in the 700th Century.
• You can walk to Nigatsudo Temple from Isuien Garden.
• This temple offers a stunning view of Nara at sunset.

Arashiyama

The final part of the Kyoto tour will focus on exploring Arashiyama village.

Togetsukyo Bridge

• Togetsukyo Bridge, which spans the Katsura River, offers a stunning view of its surroundings.

• This 155 meter long wooden bridge overlooks Arashiyama Mountain.
• Take a walk and enjoy the natural beauty all around.

Nature trail of Arashiyama

• Arashiyama is a green paradise.

• You will find mountains on one side and rivers on the other.
• Arashiyama has many nature trails that you can choose from to relax.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove has to be one of the most Instagrammable places in Japan.

• You will walk among countless bamboos along a market walkway.
• The rays of sunlight coming through the grooves in the bamboo are fascinating!
• You can choose from a variety of tours, including guided walking tours.

Tenryu-ji Temple

• Tenryu Ji Temple is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

• This temple was built in the thirteenth century during the Shogun dynasty.
• Tenryuji’s garden is as beautiful as the temple complex.

Kinkaku-ji Golden Temple

• Kinkaku-ji Golden Temple has a golden color, as the name implies.
• The Golden Temple of Kinkaku-ji is one the most famous buildings in Kyoto.
• The temple is made even more beautiful by its setting.

Day 12 – 14 – Hiroshima and back to Tokyo to catch your Plane

• From Kyoto, proceed towards Hiroshima.
• The atom bombs of the second world War completely destroyed the city.
• You will be fascinated to see the museums in the city and how they rebuilt a city that was a wreck just 70 years ago.
• Then, head back to Tokyo for your flight back home to end your incredible trip to Japan.

Day 12 – 14 – Alternate Plan from Kyoto to Hokkaido

I wanted to include the best of Japan in this itinerary. If you are pressed for time, head to Sapporo which is the capital city of Hokkaido. It will be tiring and stressful, but rewarding. You never know how many times you’ll be in Japan.

Hokkaido, the northernmost island of Japan, is located in the north. Kyoto is the nearest airport to Sapporo. You can make several day trips from Sapporo. You can fly to Tokyo or leave Japan via Sapporo if you want to see this place.

Lake Shikotsu

• Shikotsu Toya National Park is a must-see.

• Lake Shikotsu, a caldera-lake, is the second-deepest lake in Japan.
• Rent a bicycle and explore the region until your legs hurt.

Marukoma Onsen

• Marukoma lies near Lake Shikotsu and is known for its natural Onsen.
• Onsen is a natural hot spring that can be used for bathing.
• Before visiting an onsen, you should prepare mentally.

Maruyama Koen

• This is one of sapporo’s best spots to enjoy cherry blossom.

• This park is full of different flowers and greenerys
• A baseball stadium is also nearby if you want to watch a game.

Hokkaido Jingu Shrine

• Maruyama Park is located next to the Hokkaido Jingu Shrines.

• The Emperor Meiji is among the four deities buried here.
• You will enter the shrine through a torii and you should not walk on the central path, as it is reserved for God.

Hike up Maruyama Mountain for a great view of Sapporo

• Maruyama is a small 225 meter mountain.

• It is easy to hike up the Maruyama mountain.
• You will pass through large trees such as oaks, lindens, and Acer Pictum.
• The climb to the top will take you less than one hour and you will enjoy a panoramic sight of Sapporo.

Otaru

• Otaru is an attractive tourist destination and a charming harbor town.
• The town has many canals, giving it a Venice feel. Otaru’s best way to explore is by foot.
• While you’re in Otaru, don’t forget to try the salmon eggs (ikura), and sea urchins (uni).