2 Weeks in Japan | The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Visitors

Japan itinerary | 2 weeks in Japan | Tokyo Kyoto Osaka travel | Japan travel guide

Japan seems to be everywhere on social media at the moment. In the past year, the popularity of the country has skyrocketed for tourists and, having just spent 2 weeks in Japan, it isn’t hard to see why. It is a land where futuristic advancement meets traditional conservatism and where east meets west. Going here is more than a holiday; it is a truly foreign experience.

Speaking from experience, planning 2 weeks in Japan is incredibly daunting. The country is surprisingly large and there is just so much to see, so much in fact that it is impossible to fit it all in just 2 weeks. Before we went, I found myself stressing about this. I was flying for 15 hours and I wanted to make the most of my time here. During the months leading up to it I found myself asking should I stay in Kyoto or Osaka, how much should I budget, and how likely am I to see Mt. Fuji.

If you’re reading this thinking that this sounds like you, then read on. This is the guide that I wished I had before travelling. As I add more of my Japan content to the blog, you’ll find more and more links to specific places, day trips and hotels to help you plan. I hope that you enjoy it.

2 Weeks in Japan | The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Visitors

Things to Know

✈️ Arriving in Japan

Most of you reading this will likely land in Tokyo Haneda International Airport. It is the main international hub in the city and flights run regularly here.

First thing to note is that you’ll need to be aware of the following key points before entering Japan. Some are obvious, others are not.

• Be careful what you bring in to the country. Japan is very strict on what tourists are allowed to bring in. Whilst some things like recreational drugs are obviously banned, you should be aware that bringing most fresh food into the country is illegal. There is even a fruit-sniffing dog patrol team at customs. Also be aware that some drugs which are legal in the west are illegal in Japan. An example of this is Pseudoephedrine (found in products like Lemsip).
• You need to fill in a customs declaration and tourist information form before entering Japan. This can be filled in online before visiting, but we just filled it in on the plane (ask the cabin crew for the forms). You can do this at customs but you’ll add a lot of time.
• Before arrival, download the Suica Card App. This app is Japan’s answer to London’s Oyster card and can be used to pay for entry to the Metro. Using it is incredibly simple and topping up is easy. This will mean that catching transport from the airport will be straight forward and you won’t need to queue for Metro tickets like everyone else.
• On that note, if you haven’t already make sure you have an eSIM. Without it you’re going to find the Metro stations and getting around difficult. If you’re considering an eSIM for your trip, you can check out my review of our Sim Local eSIM here (in a nutshell – it was a lifesaver!)

Once you’ve made your way through customs, follow the train line you need. There are plenty that run to the airport. The quietest (and potentially best way to travel dependent on where you are staying) is the monorail. It is a bit pricier but means you don’t need to fight for space with luggage.

What to Budget

Before we spent 2 weeks in Japan we continually heard from friends how expensive it is. In fact, one travel agent years ago told us ‘think London prices, but more’. After booking all of it ourselves and living it, I can promise you that this couldn’t be further from the truth. We budgeted around £1,500 for spending money (including transport, but excluding hotels) for our 2 weeks, and we still had plenty leftover for souvenirs.

What I would say though is that you need to make sure that you have cash. Many small vendors do not take card and you’ll need to have a good proportion of the budget in cash to get by.

The currency is obviously quite extreme in terms of numbers, but if you’re from the UK you can simply imagine that the price is showing pennies and then half it for a rough estimate. For instance, ¥2000 is equivalent to £10.00. After a few days in Japan you’ll find this pretty straight-forward.

🚆 Getting Around Japan

We found getting around Japan incredibly straight forward with our eSIMs. Most of the time we just told Google Maps where we wanted to go and we’d get a route. This may seem super-lazy, but the signs in Japan are incredibly complicated for us Western folk. Added to that is the fact that very few locals can, and want to, speak English to you.

The Metro system is simple enough once you have it figured out. Like all other systems, you have specific lines which all connect the stations across the city. Google Maps will tell you which side of the platform to take but, if this fails, all Metros in major cities are number-based, so you just look for whichever number you need. To get in and out of the Metro, you just need to hold your phone against the IC buttons at the gates. If you have Suica downloaded it will automatically charge you and you can get through.

For larger travels you’ll need the Shinkansen. Lots of bloggers will say that you can buy tickets on the day and this is true. In Tokyo we did this with no issues as the station is huge and we didn’t need to queue. In Kyoto however this was not the case and we almost had to face an hour-long queue to get our tickets. I would recommend buying them online either through the JR website or a third-party provider like Klook. Once you are on the train though it is a really efficient, comfortable journey.

For more tips and information you may find my post Travelling by Train in Japan | Your Quick Guide useful!

Top Tip: For a bit of a treat, look at the Green Car on the Shinkansen. It didn’t cost much more at all and the chairs and legroom here are just incredible.

Accommodation

In all of my in-depth guides I cover where we stayed in each location. We did a lot of research when booking our hotels and found some absolute gems. Examples are the Park Hotel in Tokyo – an Art Museum you can stay in – and the Marafukuro Hotel in Kyoto, which was the original Nintendo Headquarters.

If you are used to paying European or American prices for luxurious rooms, you are in for a treat. The prices are significantly lower than what we would pay for an equivalent, and we actually found that the hotels were incredibly generous. Expect to have many different amenities and freebies dotted around the hotel, with the most helpful, lovely staff you can imagine.

The one thing to watch out for is the room size. Many of our hotels were fine with this, or just arranged the furniture in a clever way. One hotel which we stayed in though had an incredibly small room for what was advertised. It was still a nice room and it was in the middle of Shinjuku, but it was difficult to live out of a suitcase in this particular room.

Itinerary for 2 Weeks in Japan

🗼 Days 1-4: Tokyo

Let’s start off in Tokyo, the capital of Japan. You’ll see dazzling lights, packed streets and some of the country’s most beautiful and sacred shrines. I would say for this leg 4 days is enough time to explore the main parts of the city. It is so vast that you could easily spend weeks here and not see it all.

If I could recommend one thing it would be to stay in a quieter area. Our hotels that we loved were the Shiba Park Hotel and the Park Hotel. Both of these were out of the busy areas like Shibuya and Shinjuku, but were well-connect. This meant that we had a nice place to retreat to at the end of a busy day exploring. When we stayed in Shinjuku we felt that there wasn’t a place to escape.

🏙️ What to See in Tokyo

There is so much to see and do in Tokyo and you’ll need to research what you think you will like. If I had to narrow it down though, here are some must-see sights.

• Shibuya Crossing: It is incredibly touristy and gimmicky, but Shibuya Crossing and the surrounding area is peak Tokyo. We randomly crossed this road at least 10 times and joined in with the crowds. For an extra-good view, head up to the local Starbucks (no, really) or book your tickets to Shibuya Sky. For this last one, tickets go on sale two weeks in advance at 16:00 BST. If you want a sunset slot, you need to book in the first 5 minutes.
• Harajuku & Omotesando: I wasn’t mad on Harajuku, but I was happy that we saw it. Takeshita Street has to be one of the quirkiest places in Japan, and you can find incredibly fun places here such as the Micro pig, Capybara and Otter Cafés. It is also really quirky and has lots to see here. What I loved the most about this area though was the Meiji Jingu Shrine. It was incredibly peaceful and was probably my favourite Tokyo shrine.
• Shinjuku: This area of Tokyo is as extreme as it gets. You’ll see the big neon lights, a Godzilla head, plenty of karaoke bars, and a giant 3D cat billboard. This area is certainly not for everyone, but it is worth seeing just for the fun of it. There is also Memory Lane and the Golden Gai areas which capture what Tokyo looked like before drastically expanding.
• teamLab: One of the best things we did in Japan was visit teamLab Borderless. Think of a super-futuristic, fully-immersive art gallery where images move around. There is even an exhibit where you can draw your own fish to add to the aquarium.
• Asakusa: This is an older part of the city and is known for its lower skyline and shrines. One thing you must do here is visit the Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest.
• Akihabara – If you are a fan of anime and manga, then head to Akihabara. Even if you aren’t, it is again a really unique part of the city and is filled with different shops and arcades. Similarly to Shinjuku, this is not for everyone but is definitely worth seeing.

This list just scratches the surface of what we did in Tokyo. If you’re looking for further inspiration still, you may find my post on the Best Things to Do in Tokyo for First-Time Visitors and 4 Days in Tokyo for First Timers helpful.

🍣 Where to Eat

There isn’t a shortage of places to eat in Tokyo and you can find everything and anything you fancy. Don’t miss the following options:

• Tsukiji Outer Market: One of the best places to try locally-cooked food. There are classic dishes here such as tempura and takoyaki (deep-fried octopus balls). It gets extremely busy during lunch and dinner times as it is a tourist hotspot, so you’ll need to time it well.
• Ichiran Ramen: This is a large chain in Japan and one which I had heard loads about before coming to Japan for the first time. It is a solo dining experience and you have your own little booth where you order ramen from a limited menu. During my time here I thought that it was quite strange at first, but after a while it was quite nice just to sit and enjoy the yummy food.
• Depachika food halls: If you go to any department store in Tokyo, you’ll come across the Depachika food halls. These are filled with different restaurant which, in general, are pretty good and saves you researching reviews. We had a good few meals here whilst we were out exploring the city.

🏨 Where to Stay

There are endless places to stay in Tokyo and it really depends on what sort of traveller you are. For me, somebody who likes exploring but wants a base to retreat to, I would recommend the quieter areas. The Shiba Park Hotel is just by the Tokyo Tower in the Shiba District. It is incredibly quiet but has access to Daimon Station, from which you can get all over Tokyo. The area is also only half-an-hour away from the airport which was really handy. You can read about my Shiba Park Hotel review here. Another great choice is the Business District; central but quiet. In this area we stayed at the Park Hotel, which was fantastic.

Staying in Shinjuku or Shibuya is popular with tourists, but I think that these areas are great for exploring, not necessarily staying in. The rooms will be smaller and you’ll have the lights coming into your room. Also, from experience, they are not conveniently placed for getting back to the airport.

🚅 Day 5: Tokyo to Kyoto (via Bullet Train)

On your fifth day of your 2 weeks in Japan, head on board the bullet train at Tokyo Station. I explain how to buy tickets above.

I read somewhere that you should arrive a few hours before departure. This really is not the case at all; some people rocked up 10 minutes before. The trains in Japan are the most organised I’ve ever seen. If it says it will leave at a specific time, then the train will leave at that time.

Some top tips for travel by bullet train are:

• When booking your train ticket sit on the right-hand side of the car. This gives you the best chance of seeing Mt. Fuji from your window. It also means that you have oversize luggage allowance.
• On the topic of oversize luggage, the bullet trains require you to have a total bag dimension of 160cm (width/length/height) or below to place overhead. Otherwise, they need to go at the back and you need a specific seat for this. It is no additional cost and you will be surprised at the size of suitcases which go up there. Our, which was a Level8 carry-on suitcase fitted up above us with relative ease.
• Check out Green Car prices. We paid an extra £10 or so on one journey to upgrade and it was worth every penny. If they are too expensive though, the economy class on the bullet train puts airplanes to shame. They are super-spacious and you’ll have oodles of leg room.

🏯 Days 5-10: Kyoto – Temples, Tea, and Timeless Japan

On Day 5 you’ll enter Kyoto, the cultural heart of Japan. If you have any images of what traditional Japan looks like, odds are you are thinking about Kyoto.

I think that 5 nights here gives you enough time to explore this city in a way where you don’t battle with the hordes of tourists. Compared to Tokyo, I found Kyoto to be extremely touristy and busy. I loved it, don’t get me wrong, but all the people are concentrated in a few little areas.

If you are toying with either staying in Kyoto or Osaka, I’d suggest Kyoto. Whilst Osaka is fun and there is plenty to do, there are many shrines and areas in Kyoto which will require an early morning to get the most out of them. The train journey between the two is only half an hour and you can easily spend a day in Osaka from Kyoto on a day trip.

I’ve included the top things to do in the city of Kyoto here, along with the best day trips too.

🏮 Top Things to Do in Kyoto

• Fushimi Inari Shrine: If you’ve ever searched for Japan on Instagram, then you’ve probably seen the Fushimi Inari Shrine. These incredible red torii gates lead climbers up the mountain side in what has to be one of the most unique places in Kyoto. It is incredibly spiritual, that is until the tourists turn up. I cannot stress enough that you need to get here early. We arrived at 07:00 and people were just arriving. This meant that we could take photos without people in it, but it was still quite a struggle.
• Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion): I thought that the Golden Pavilion was one of my Kyoto highlights. It is incredibly impressive and is set against a beautiful garden-backdrop. Similarly to Fushimi Inari, you need to get here early – before 09:00 to avoid the rush.
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: This bamboo grove is one of the most touristy spots in Japan and, again, getting here as early as possible is important (again, think 07:00). Getting here is easy enough- you need to catch the overground train/ tram here and it takes around 40 minutes from central Kyoto. The area of Arashiyama though is beautiful and you have so many shrines to see. Many of these also have their own quieter bamboo groves so you can still get those photographs.
• Nishiki Market: This is the best place for traditional street food in Kyoto. It is incredibly famous though and at busy points you’ll find it difficult to move from one part to another. For the best experience, try to avoid peak lunch/ dinner times.
• Gion District: This is the older part of Kyoto and is home to some of the most beautiful shrines and pagodas in Japan. You can take your time to walk along the cobbled streets, stopping at different shops to find different souvenirs. This part is again quite busy, especially in the evening as everyone heads to Kiyomizu-dera, where you’ll get the best sunset photos.

I’ve also written an in-depth guide of the Top Things to Do in Kyoto for First-Time Visitors which has even more ideas for your visit.

🦌 Day Trip to Nara

Nara is a must-do when in Kyoto. There isn’t lots to see here at all, but as an experience it is iconic. You probably need half-a-day maximum to explore here.

Firstly, you need to see Nara Park where you’ll meet the famous deer. From 09:00am you can purchase deer-cookies from a vendor to feed to the deer. If you bow to them before feeding them, they should (mostly) bow back. Be careful though – they can be pretty persistent if they want another cookie!

Nara Park is best seen the deeper you go. You’ll find that the deer are more placid and there are fewer tourists. There is also a beautiful shrine at the top to explore.

After Nara Park, the only other notable thing to see is Todai-ji Temple. This is home to the Great Buddha and is an incredibly impressive wooden building.

🍜 Day Trip to Osaka

Osaka is an exciting day trip from Kyoto and is perfect for foodies. Seriously, you could spend the entire day here eating your way through Dotonbori, the equivalent of Shinjuku.

Other notable places to visit are Osaka Castle – which is incredibly impressive -, along with a few different shrines. Our favourites were Namba Yasaka Jinja (which has the Lion’s Head) as well as the beautiful Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine, allegedly one of the most powerful sacred places in Japan.

🏨 Where to Stay

We discovered one of our favourite hotels ever in Kyoto. The Marufukuro Hotel is a real-gem found in central Kyoto, just by the river. It was originally the house of the founder of Nintendo, which then became the Headquarters for the company. The hotel is extremely luxurious and has probably the most generous policy on food and drink I’ve ever experienced.

We also stayed in the more modest Hotel Resol. This also had a very good and central location, but what I loved about this was that it had the traditional tatami flooring in all the rooms. It really added to the old-school Kyoto vibe and we also had a great time here.

🌋 Days 11-12: Hakone – Hot Springs and Mount Fuji Views

Hakone is a tranquil destination nestled in the foothills of Fuji. It is famous for its onset, lake views and, of course, volcanoes.

We decided that we needed to relax after the busyness of Kyoto and stayed in Hakone Gora, one of the areas prettiest districts. There isn’t loads to do here, but I’ve given you a selection of options.

🚠 Top Things to Do in Hakone

• Ride the Hakone Ropeway: This is probably the best thing to do in Hakone, not just for the ropeway mind you. At the top of the ropeway you’ll discover an active volcano. The air stinks of sulphur and you can see bright yellow pools up here with thick, white clouds rising. It had to be one of the coolest places we visited in Japan. On clear days, you also apparently get amazing views of Mount Fuji.
• Visit the Hakone Open-Air Museum: If active volcanoes aren’t for you, then have a look at the Open-Air museum in Hakone. It features a fascinating collection of modern sculptures.
• Cruise on Lake Ashi: One of the most famous parts of Hokone is the large red torii gate at the Hakone Shrine. It rises from the water and is incredibly impressive.
• Relax in an onsen: Many ryokans, and hotels, have private hot spring baths. These were absolutely needed after almost two weeks of exploring cities. If you can do just one thing in Hakone, make it this.

💡 Travel tip: Hakone’s weather can change quickly, so plan flexible sightseeing days and check live updates for Mount Fuji visibility.

🏨 Where to Stay

In Hakone I would 100% recommend a ryokan, a traditional Japanese inn. It just goes with the vibe so well and you’ll have access to the best onsen.

🚅 Days 13-14: Return to Tokyo – Last-Minute Adventures

For the final two nights, stop in Tokyo. We decided to have our final two nights here because we wanted to be near the airport, but also we wanted to give ourselves the best chance of seeing Mount Fuji in case we were unsuccessful before.

Below are a range of different day trips and last-minute highlights that you might want to consider.

🛍️ Last-Minute Tokyo Highlights

I’ve included some new places to see in this section. If though you haven’t completed the list above, feel free to pick one of those too.

• Ginza: This is the main shopping district in Tokyo and is perfect for burning any leftover souvenir money. You can find almost anything and everything here, from UniQlo to Pokémon.
• Odaiba: A futuristic man-made island in Tokyo Bay which is home to shopping malls and arcades, as well as their very own Statue of Liberty.
• TeamLab Planets Tokyo: If you were thrilled by teamLab Borderless, then you’ll love Planets. It is arguably even more immersive. Be warned though, there is knee-deep water you need to walk through.

Day Trips from Tokyo

If you feel that you have seen Tokyo, then there are plenty of day trips which you can take. All of these are accessible by train – either Shinkansen or regional rail – and give you a glimpse into the history and culture of Japan. I’ve narrowed it down to 2 hours from Tokyo, which I appreciate may be too long for your day trip.

🏯 1. Nikko

Travel time: Around 2 hours by train from Tokyo Station.

Nikko is home to some of the most beautiful shrines and temples in Japan. You’ll find it in the mountains north of Tokyo, all set against imposing cedar trees.

The highlight of Nikko is undoubtedly the Toshogu Shrine, which is a famous UNESCO World Heritage site. It is perhaps best known for the incredibly famous “See No Evil, Speak No Evil, Hear No Evil” monkey carvings.

Nearby are Kegon Falls and Lake Chuzenji which are perfect examples of Japan’s wilderness. It is arguably best seen in early November – we were in Japan just a week or so early before the gorgeous red trees came out. The journey here may be long but it is well-worth it – this is easily one of the most photogenic spots in the country.

💡 Tip: Buy the Tobu Nikko Pass from Asakusa Station for discounted train and bus fares in the area.

🗻 2. Mount Fuji & Lake Kawaguchi

Travel time: 1.5 – 2 hours from Shinjuku Station.

Lake Kawaguchi is one of the best places to see the elusive Mount Fuji. Seeing this incredible mountain is a must-do when in Japan. It was probably one of the highlights of our trip.

The problem is that it is only visible for a number of days each year. So many travellers come to Lake Kawaguchi in the hope of seeing Fuji, but are bitterly disappointed as all they see is cloud and mist. SeeMtFuji is a website which tells you the odds of seeing it each day. If you are heading here, make sure that you check this out first.

🏖️ 3. Kamakura

Travel time: About 1 hour from Tokyo (Yokosuka Line).

If you liked Kyoto, then Kamakura is just what you’re looking for. It is known as the ‘Kyoto of the East’ and, like you’d expect, it is rammed-full of temples and cafés. That’s not all to the town though as it is also the surf-capital of mainland Japan.

As the old political capital, Kamakura has plenty of shrines to explore. The most famous is of course the Great Buddha at Kotoku-in Temple. This gigantic bronze statues has actually been here for 700 years. On the topic of temples. also check of Hase-dera.

⛩️ 4. Yokohama

Travel time: 30 minutes by train from Tokyo.

Yokohama is perfect for those who want a day trip, but don’t want too much travelling. When you travel by Shinkansen to Kyoto, Yokohama is one of the stops. It is so close to Tokyo that you won’t even believe that you’ve entered the second-largest city in Japan. The two almost feel like one.

There isn’t loads to see here, but it is ideal if you enjoy that cosmopolitan life. Highlights of Yokohama include the Cup Noodles Museum (you can design your own ramen!) and the Minato Mirai waterfront. The Yokohama Chinatown is also one of the biggest in the world.

🌿 5. Kawagoe

Travel time: 1 hour from Ikebukuro Station.

If you feel you are missing that older-Japan vibe, then consider Kawagoe. It is known for its Edo-era architecture which has been perfectly preserved in the small city. You have plenty of traditional shops, including in Kurazukuri Street and the aptly-named Candy Alley (Kashiya Yokocho), where you’ll see plenty of sweet shops. One highlight of the city has to be the Toki no Kane Bell Tower; I don’t think you’ll see anything like it anywhere else.

🌸 Optional Additions or Alternatives

If you have slightly more time or want to tailor your Japan itinerary, here are some excellent swaps and additions:

🏯 Kanazawa

Famed for its association with the legendary Samurai, why not check out Kanazawa. It again has that Kyoto-like charm and is perfect for cultural exploration. The issue is it is quite difficult to get to; the only direct way by Shinkansen is from Tokyo. If I were to add it in to the itinerary above, I’d sub-out Hakone and the last day in Tokyo.

⛩️ Hiroshima & Miyajima

Hiroshima is sadly famous for its role in the second world war. Because of this, there are many apt reminders and memorials to the devastation which struck here back in 1945. You can combine this with a very over to Miyajima Island to see the floating Itsukushima Shrine.

🏞️ Takayama

Takayama is nestled right in the mountains and is famous in Japan for its nearby ski-resorts. However, it is by itself a gam. You have plenty of older architecture and it just seems so relaxed when compared with Tokyo or Kyoto. I’d also say that it is perfect for a Ski-season.

Final Thoughts | 2 Weeks in Japan

2 weeks in Japan gives you enough time to scratch the surface of this incredible country. As I’m sure you can see from this list, it is impossible to see everything in just 2 weeks. You’ll be able to see the main sites but it will leave you wanting more eventually – trust me. That said, 2 weeks in Japan is the perfect introduction ready for round 2. I promise that it will be the trip of a lifetime.