Easiest 2 Weeks in Japan Itinerary If You’ve Never Visited (2025)

When I planned my trip to Japan last year, I knew realistically, I wouldn’t be able to cover all the places I wanted to visit.

There’s so many cities in Japan, but sometimes you just have to start with the basics and most popular places.

Here’s how to spend 2 weeks in Japan if you’ve never visited, plus travel itinerary tips to still see the best of each city.

Table of Contents

Summary: 2 Weeks in Japan Breakdown

This 2 weeks in Japan travel itinerary will cover the most popular cities in Japan without flying.

Adjust as needed! If you’re visiting during cherry blossom or autumn seasons, visit more parks to see the best foliage.

Day 1-5: Tokyo
Day 6-9: Kyoto
Day 10-14: Osaka

2 Weeks in Japan Checklist:

📲 Local sim card or eSIM card from Airalo

🚊 Ride from the airport: schedule a pickup | airport train

🏨 Best hotels in Japan for your trip

🚙 Hire a private driver for a day

🎫 Add a fun day tour to your Japan trip

First Stop: Tokyo (Days 1-5)

Tokyo was my starting point, and the city you’re likely flying in.

While you can start in Osaka then end in Tokyo, it felt easier to just start in Tokyo.

Realistically, I only had 4 full days in Tokyo, with the first day beating jet lag, and the last day preparing to go to Kyoto.

How to pace your time in Tokyo:

Day 1	Day 2	Day 3
Asakusa	Harajuku	Day trip options:
Senso-ji	Shibuya	Mt. Fuji
Sumida Riverwalk	Meiji Shrine	Ghibli Museum
	Shinjuku	Tokyo DisneySea

Day 4	Day 5
Akihabara	Ueno Park
Ginza	Imperial Palace Gardens
teamLab Planets
Odaiba Seaside Park

Arrival and First Day in Tokyo

I arrived in the evening from an 11-hour flight from San Francisco.

The most important thing for your first day is to stay awake. Take a quick nap if you need to.

If you’re staying farther from Asakusa, visit popular night spots closer to you.

Tokyo’s Must-See Highlights

Day 1: I walked around Asakusa, where I was staying.

Senso-ji Temple is lit up at night and I found it better in the evening.

The image captures the iconic Senso-ji Temple in Tokyo, Japan, illuminated at night. The temple's grand, red wooden gate, Kaminarimon, stands prominently with large, intricately detailed lanterns hanging in the center and traditional, oversized straw sandals mounted on either side. A few visitors walk toward the entrance, creating a peaceful and serene atmosphere under the night sky. The detailed architecture and soft lighting highlight the cultural significance and beauty of this historic site. First stop in 2 weeks in Japan travel itinerary

I also wandered along the Sumida Riverwalk, which had peaceful views of the Tokyo Skytree at night.

Tokyo Skytree at Night, Sumida River: A night view of the Tokyo Skytree brightly lit in pink and white, reflecting off the Sumida River with surrounding city lights creating a vibrant urban scene.

Day 2: Head to Shibuya first to see the popular Shibuya Crossing (fair warning, it’s smaller than you think) and statue of Hachiko the dog.

Shibuya Crossing, Tokyo: A bustling Shibuya Crossing in Tokyo, with crowds of people walking in all directions amidst large digital billboards and advertisements on surrounding buildings. Top things to do in Tokyo

Then go up to Harajuku, the hub of Tokyo’s youth culture and fashion.

Takeshita Street, Harajuku during Golden Week: A busy scene on Takeshita Street in Harajuku, Tokyo, crowded with people and lined with colorful signs and shops, capturing the lively atmosphere of Golden Week.

There’s boutiques and cafes on Takeshita Street and shop for luxury brands on Omotesando Avenue.

From Harajuku, go to Meiji Shrine, which will be a 15-minute walk from the grand Torii gate to the shrine.

Torii Gate Entrance at Meiji Shrine, Tokyo: A large wooden Torii gate marking the entrance to Meiji Shrine in Tokyo, surrounded by towering trees and a few visitors holding umbrellas on a rainy day. Perfect for 5 day tokyo itinerary

End the day in Shinjuku, enjoying the neon lights and izakayas.

Shinjuku at Night, Tokyo: A vibrant nighttime view of Shinjuku, Tokyo, with neon signs illuminating the streets filled with people, showcasing the area’s energetic nightlife. Most popular place for 5 day tokyo itinerary

Day 3: Allocate day 3 for a day trip from Tokyo.

Choose from popular day trips from Tokyo or activities that will take up the whole day.

These can easily be done with a tour.

Day #3 Options:

If you’d like to stay in Tokyo, choose sites from my Tokyo Attractions post.

Day 4: Visit Akihabara for electronics and anime, then explore upscale shopping in Ginza.

Colorful Buildings in Akihabara, Tokyo: A street view in Akihabara, Tokyo, showcasing tall buildings adorned with colorful advertisements and anime characters, with cars driving by on the wet road.

If you enjoy digital art, add teamLab Planets before heading to Odaiba Seaside Park.

There’s also a nice replica of the Statue of Liberty. 🗽

Statue of Liberty in Odaiba Seaside Park, Tokyo: A replica of the Statue of Liberty in Odaiba Seaside Park, Tokyo, standing tall against a cloudy sky with a view of the bay and distant city skyline in the background.

I stayed til the evening to see Tokyo Bay and the Rainbow Bridge lit up.

Sunset at Odaiba Seaside Park, Tokyo: A tranquil sunset view over the water at Odaiba Seaside Park in Tokyo, with a glimpse of the Rainbow Bridge in the distance and the city skyline under a soft, glowing sky.

Day 5: Keep it flexible before heading to Kyoto.

Ueno Park and Imperial Palace Gardens is great for a quiet stroll, or revisit Asakusa for last-minute shopping.

Ueno Park in Tokyo during the day is filled with cherry blossoms in full bloom, their delicate petals framing the tranquil waters of the park’s pond. Visitors stroll along the path, admiring the seasonal beauty of one of Tokyo’s most famous hanami spots. The soft overcast sky enhances the serene and peaceful atmosphere.

Second Stop: Kyoto (Days 6-9)

Getting to Kyoto:

I took the Shinkansen from Tokyo to Kyoto (~2.5 hours).

Kyoto was the best city for cherry blossoms in Japan that I visited.

How to pace your time in Kyoto:

Day 6	Day 7	Day 8	Day 9
Heian Shrine	Fushimi Inari	Kinkaku-ji	Optional:
Yasaka Shrine	Imperial Palace	Botanical Garden	Philisopher’s Path
Kiyomizu-dera	Maruyama Park	Downtown	Nijō Castle
Gion district	Higashiyama		Arashiyama Bamboo Forest

Kyoto’s Must-See Highlights

Day 6: I started my Kyoto trip at Heian Shrine, where you walk through the massive orange torii gate before exploring the shrine grounds.

Heian Shrine Shirakawa, Kyoto, Japan: A wide shot of the Heian Shrine's main building with its iconic green-tiled roof and red columns, with people holding umbrellas walking in front of it.

Then to Gion, Kyoto’s famous geisha district, known for its traditional wooden machiya houses and rich cultural heritage.

Shirakawa Canal in the Gion District, Cherry Blossom, Kyoto, Japan: A picturesque view of the Shirakawa Canal in the Gion District during cherry blossom season. Traditional wooden houses line the canal, with branches of blooming cherry blossoms arching over the water. The lush greenery and vibrant pink flowers create a serene and idyllic scene.

In the evening I passed by Yasaka Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera which are lit up at night.

Yasaka Pagoda (Hōkan-ji Temple) at Night, Kyoto, Japan: The Yasaka Pagoda, beautifully illuminated at night, rises above the surrounding traditional wooden buildings, creating a striking contrast against the cloudy sky.

Day 7: For day 7 I went to Fushimi Inari Shrine.

It does get crowded in the beginning of the route, but if you keep walking, it becomes pretty empty!

You don’t have to go super early, just keep walking up.

Solo Photo at Fushimi Inari Taisha, Kyoto, Japan: A person stands under the famous red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha, with the tunnel of gates creating a dramatic perspective around them.

Later, I visited the Imperial Palace Gardens, then spent the afternoon in Maruyama Park.

It was cherry blossom season, so I went to see the weeping cherry tree.

Gion Weeping Cherry Tree, Maruyama Park, Kyoto, Japan: A large weeping cherry tree in full bloom, beautifully illuminated at night in Maruyama Park. The tree's cascading blossoms create a soft, ethereal glow against the dark sky, with a crowd of people gathered below, taking photos and enjoying the sight.

I ended the day exploring the Higashiyama district, historic streets lined with shops and cafes.

It’s worth visiting and less crowded in the evening.

Kyoto Botanical Gardens, Kyoto, Japan: A vibrant flowerbed of colorful tulips surrounded by cherry blossom trees in bloom, with a cloudy sky overhead.

Day 8: Visit Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion), one of Kyoto’s most famous landmarks and is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

It was smaller than I expected but still beautiful.

Join a guided tour of Kinkaku-ji to make the most of the visit.

Kinkaku-ji Temple, Kyoto, Japan: The golden pavilion of Kinkaku-ji Temple reflecting on the pond in front of it, framed by lush green foliage under an overcast sky. Perfect for 2-Day Kyoto Itinerary

I visited the Kyoto Botanical Garden, which had a great collection of seasonal flowers and cherry blossom trees.

If you’re going during sakura season, I visited additional cherry blossom sites in Kyoto.

Finish the day in Downtown Kyoto, a more modern and commercial area in Kyoto.

Explore Teramachi-dori, Shijo Street, and Nishiki Market for shopping.

Teramachi Street, Downtown Kyoto, Japan: A bustling shopping arcade on Teramachi Street in downtown Kyoto, with people walking under a high arched roof adorned with hanging lanterns and signs. Shops line both sides of the arcade, offering a variety of goods in a lively atmosphere.

Day 9: This was a relaxed day before heading to Osaka.

If you have time, other sites you can visit are Philisopher’s Path, Nijō Castle, Tō-ji Temple, or an early day trip to Arashiyama Bamboo Forest.

Third Stop: Osaka + Nara Day Trip (Days 10-14)

Getting to Osaka:

🚊 I took the local train to Osaka after my trip to Kyoto (~ 1 hour).

You can also take the Shinkansen bullet train, which you can easily prebook online. Check the Shinkansen prices to Osaka.

I recommend getting the Osaka Amazing Pass as it covers a lot of popular sites plus it’ll save you money on buses and trains.

Day 10	Day 11	Day 12
Osaka Castle	Shitenno-ji	Day trip to Nara or Kobe
Namba Yasaka Shrine	Tennoji Park
Hozen-ji Temple	300 Observatory
Dotonbori	Shinsekai
Amerikamura

Day 13	Day 14
Osaka Tenmangu	Namba district
Nakanoshima Park	Shopping
Umeda Sky Building	Tsurumi Ryokuchi Park
Hep Five Ferris Wheel

Day 10: I started at Osaka Castle, which has multiple floors of museums.

At the very top is an outdoor deck for views of the park.

The Osaka Castle is part of the Osaka Amazing Pass, which I used to enter.

A person posing in front of Osaka Castle, with other visitors walking around the castle grounds on a cloudy day. Top place for 3-Day Osaka Itinerary

Next head to Namba Yasaka Shrine, famous for its lion-head structure.

Namba Yasaka Shrine - Osaka, Japan: A large lion-head structure at Namba Yasaka Shrine in Osaka, with its mouth wide open, while visitors stand in front taking photos.

A few blocks away is Hozen-ji Temple.

Then walk over to the lively streets of Dotonbori and take a photo with the Gilco sign.

Dotonbori at night - Osaka, Japan: A lively street scene in Dotonbori at night, filled with neon signs and bright advertisements, with a crowd of people walking through the bustling area. The reflections of the lights shimmer in the river nearby.

I used the Osaka Amazing Pass to take a river cruise here and really enjoyed it.

Tombori River Cruise Dotonbori Osaka Amazing Pass - Osaka, Japan: A view of the Dotonbori River with brightly lit buildings reflecting off the water, as a small cruise boat passes by. The scene is part of the Tombori River Cruise experience, accessible with the Osaka Amazing Pass.

I also visited Amerikamura, a few blocks north. It’s known for its trendy shops and urban culture.

Triangle Park (Sankaku Park) Amerikamura - Osaka, Japan: A daytime scene at Triangle Park (Sankaku Park) in the Amerikamura district of Osaka, with trees and people gathering around benches in a lively urban setting.

Day 11: Visit Shitenno-ji, one of Japan’s oldest Buddhist temples.

Shitenno-ji Temple - Osaka, Japan: The five-story red and white pagoda of Shitenno-ji Temple in Osaka, standing tall against a clear blue sky, with traditional architecture surrounding the courtyard.

After I walked through Tennoji Park where you can take a photo with the Osaka sign:

Tennoji Park sign - Osaka, Japan: A large white "OSAKA" sign in the foreground of Tennoji Park, with modern city buildings and green trees in the background on a cloudy day.

Nearby is also the 300 Observatory for panoramic city views.

At night, I explored Shinsekai, where Tsutenkaku Tower lit up the streets.

Definitely visit this area in the evening when everything is lit up.

ShinSekai New World shop at night - Osaka, Japan: A night view of a brightly lit shop in Shinsekai, featuring large, whimsical signs with cartoonish faces and colorful banners, attracting people standing outside. One of the top things to do in Osaka

Day 12: Optional: take a day trip to Nara or Kobe.

➡️ Read my day trip to Nara for a full itinerary.

Wild deer are a common sight in Nara Park, where they roam freely and interact with visitors at Todaiji Nandaimon (Great South Gate)

➡️ Read my day trip to Kobe for a full itinerary.

BE KOBE sign in Kobe Harborland, Japan: A person sitting beside the large "BE KOBE" sign with a cruise ship and the Oriental Hotel in the background during the day.

Day 13: I visited Osaka Tenmangu, a historic shrine,

Osaka Tenmangu Shrine - Osaka, Japan: The entrance of Osaka Tenmangu Shrine, featuring a large traditional building with a green roof and lanterns hanging above, as visitors explore the area.

Then strolled through Nakanoshima Park, which offered a peaceful green space in the city.

Nakanoshima Park - Osaka, Japan: A view of Nakanoshima Park with lush green trees along the river and modern buildings in the background, under a clear blue sky.

I then visited the Umeda Sky Building, where I took in panoramic views of Osaka.

View from Umeda Sky Building - Osaka, Japan: An elevated view from the Umeda Sky Building, showcasing its unique circular structure with glass walkways offering panoramic views of Osaka below.

To end the night, ride the Hep Five Ferris Wheel.

A ride was included with the Osaka Amazing Pass, so I visited at night and took a solo ride.

The nighttime views were just okay but it was a fun and peaceful ride.

Day 14: Before heading to airport or train station, do any shopping in the Namba district or Dotonbori.

If you have more time, go through my Things to Do in Osaka post for more ideas.

Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street - Osaka, Japan: A bustling scene at Shinsaibashi-Suji Shopping Street, with people walking through the main entrance under large signs for popular stores like Uniqlo and H&M.

Final Thoughts and Tips for 2 Weeks in Japan

Okazaki Canal Cherry Blossom, Kyoto, Japan: A scenic view of the Okazaki Canal lined with cherry blossom trees in full bloom, their reflection visible on the still water under a partly cloudy sky.

You must group areas together. Each city is large and has attractions farther from city center. To save time, combine sites that are near each other or consider hiring a driver for a day or two.
Visit popular attractions early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid crowds. But in general, start the day early.
Many sites are especially worth visiting at night. To avoid going commuting back and forth, try to visit a place that’s best seen at night.
If you’re visiting Japan during spring or autumn, add more parks to your itinerary for best views.
Bring good walking shoes and be prepared to walk a lot!

I hope this travel itinerary for 2 weeks in Japan was helpful.

Have a great trip!

Easiest 2 Weeks in Japan Itinerary If You’ve Never Visited (2025)

Summary: 2 Weeks in Japan Breakdown

2 Weeks in Japan Checklist: