Why 2 weeks in Japan?
Two weeks is the sweet spot for a first trip to Japan. It gives you enough time to cover the three classic stops (Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka) while leaving room for less touristy detours like Kanazawa, Hiroshima or Hakone. Under 10 days feels rushed. Beyond 3 weeks, the budget can get steep.
Japan lends itself perfectly to a linear itinerary thanks to the Japan Rail Pass, which gives you unlimited access to most JR trains including the Shinkansen (bullet train).
Day-by-day itinerary
Days 1 to 4: Tokyo
Start with the capital to adjust to jet lag (13-16 hours ahead of US East Coast). Tokyo is huge but incredibly well connected by subway.
- Day 1: Arrive at Narita or Haneda, head to your hotel in Shinjuku or Shibuya. Explore the neighborhood in the evening to soak in the atmosphere.
- Day 2: Asakusa (Senso-ji temple), Akihabara district, then Ueno (National Museum, park). In the evening, try the izakayas under the Yurakucho train tracks.
- Day 3: Harajuku and Meiji-jingu shrine in the morning, Shibuya Crossing, then Shinjuku Gyoen garden. At night, head to the free observation deck at the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
- Day 4: Tsukiji Outer Market in the morning (fresh sushi), TeamLab Borderless (book ahead), then shopping in Ginza or Nakameguro.
Days 5 to 6: Hakone and Mount Fuji
From Tokyo, take the Romancecar (1.5 hours) to Hakone. Enjoy the onsen (hot springs), the Open Air Museum and the cruise on Lake Ashi with views of Mount Fuji on clear days. The Hakone Free Pass (around ¥6,100 / $40) covers all loop transportation.
Days 7 to 10: Kyoto
Take the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (2h15 on the Nozomi, or use the Hikari which is covered by the JR Pass). Kyoto has over 2,000 temples and shrines.
- Day 7: Arashiyama (bamboo grove, Tenryu-ji temple, Togetsukyo bridge). Rent a bike to explore the area.
- Day 8: Fushimi Inari early morning (arrive before 7 AM to beat the crowds), then Kiyomizu-dera and a stroll through the Higashiyama alleys.
- Day 9: Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), Ryoan-ji (zen garden), then the Gion district in the evening to spot geishas.
- Day 10: Day trip to Nara (45 min by train) for the deer park and Todai-ji temple.
Days 11 to 12: Hiroshima and Miyajima
Shinkansen from Kyoto to Hiroshima (1h40). Visit the Peace Memorial and museum. Next day, ferry to Miyajima island and its floating torii gate. Try the grilled oysters and momiji manju.
Days 13 to 14: Osaka
Head back to Osaka (40 min from Hiroshima). Osaka is Japan's food capital.
- Day 13: Osaka Castle in the morning, then Dotonbori in the afternoon and evening. Try takoyaki, okonomiyaki and kushikatsu.
- Day 14: Shinsekai district, last-minute shopping in Namba. Fly home from Kansai International Airport (KIX).
Detailed budget for 2 weeks
Here is a realistic estimate for a "comfortable but not luxury" traveler.
- Round-trip flight: $700 to $1,200 (book 3-4 months ahead, consider flights with layovers to save).
- Japan Rail Pass 14 days: around $330 (¥50,000). Pays for itself on the first Tokyo-Kyoto round trip.
- Accommodation: $50 to $80/night average (mix of business hotels, ryokans and guesthouses). Total: $700 to $1,100.
- Food: $30 to $50/day. Japan is surprisingly affordable for eating out: ramen for $7, bento for $4, quality sushi for $15. Total: $420 to $700.
- Activities and admission fees: $100 to $200 total (most temples cost $3-5).
- eSIM data: $15 to $30 for 14 days. Essential for Google Maps and real-time translation.
- Estimated total: $2,300 to $3,500 per person, flights included.
Transport: is the Japan Rail Pass worth it?
Absolutely, if you follow the classic Tokyo-Kyoto-Hiroshima-Osaka route. A single round-trip Tokyo-Kyoto Shinkansen ticket costs around ¥27,000 ($180), which is already more than half the 14-day pass price.
Alternative: if you only stay in the Kansai region (Kyoto-Osaka-Nara), a JR West regional pass at ¥12,000 is enough. Rechargeable IC cards (Suica/Pasmo) are handy for subway and local buses.
Accommodation: the best options
- Business hotels (Toyoko Inn, APA Hotel, Dormy Inn): clean, well-located, breakfast included. ¥5,000 to ¥8,000/night.
- Ryokans: the traditional Japanese experience. Plan at least one night (Hakone or Kyoto). ¥15,000 to ¥25,000/night with kaiseki dinner.
- Guesthouses/Hostels: ¥3,000 to ¥5,000 for dorms, ¥6,000 to ¥10,000 for private rooms.
- Airbnb: good for groups, but watch out for remote neighborhoods.
Book Hakone and Kyoto at least 2 months in advance, especially during peak season (cherry blossoms March-April, fall foliage October-November).
Connectivity: eSIM or Pocket WiFi?
eSIM has become the most practical solution in 2025. You activate your data plan before departure, no need to pick up anything at the airport. Expect to pay $15 to $30 for 10-20 GB over 14 days depending on the provider.
Free WiFi is available in train stations, konbinis (7-Eleven, FamilyMart) and hotels, but coverage is too spotty for constant navigation.
10 practical tips
- Cash is king: Japan is still very cash-based. Withdraw at 7-Eleven ATMs (fee-free with Wise or Revolut). Always carry ¥10,000 to ¥20,000 on you.
- Book TeamLab and popular restaurants in advance (often 1-2 months before).
- Bring a power adapter: Type A (flat US-style plugs). Voltage is 100V.
- Learn a few words: "sumimasen" (excuse me), "arigatou gozaimasu" (thank you), "eigo wa dekimasu ka" (do you speak English?).
- Respect queues: Japanese people are very orderly, never cut in line.
- No tipping: it is considered rude in Japan.
- Remove your shoes in temples, ryokans and some restaurants.
- Konbinis are your best friends: 7-Eleven and Lawson offer hot meals, coffee, ATMs and even printing services.
- Avoid Golden Week (late April-early May) and Obon (mid-August): everything is packed and prices spike.
- Download Google Translate with the offline Japanese pack and use the camera feature to translate menus.
When to go?
The best times are spring (late March to mid-May) for cherry blossoms and autumn (mid-October to late November) for fall foliage. Summer (July-August) is hot and humid. Winter is mild in Tokyo/Kyoto but great for snowy onsens in Hakone or the Japanese Alps.
