2 Week Japan Itinerary
In my opinion, Japan is the most under-rated place we have ever travelled. Between the lights and energy of Tokyo, the serenity of the mountains and the wealth of history in Kyoto, it’s ideal for travelers who like an eclectic mix of activities and scenery. We had a hard time finding itineraries online prior to visiting Japan. We ended up buying a Lonely Planet guide because the blogosphere just wasn’t helping us out as much as it had for previous journeys overseas. So my hope is that we can fill in some gaps out there for future travelers. Here’s how we did it and some friendly tips for those of you planning a trip to Japan (which if you’re not, you should.) For an in-depth look at what we did in Tokyo, read our post 5 Days in Tokyo.
Take a sec to read some of the prayer tablets from all over the world
Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo
For us, it was already evening. Try to push through the jet lag and go out, explore a little and find some delicious ramen or yakitori.
Day 2: Harajuku
Visit the Meiji-Jingu Shrine and explore the lush park surrounding this historical Shinto gem. The earlier you get here, the better, as it’s a popular tourist destination. In the evening, take a food tour to further orient yourself with Tokyo.
My fourth (fifth?!) espresso in Harajuku.
Day 3: Harajuku and Shibuya
We got a late start on our second day (boo jet lag) so we wanted another day in Harajuku. Spend the morning exploring the many coffee shops in the neighborhood and in the afternoon, do some shopping and wander down Takeshita Dori. In the evening, visit Shibuya Crossing, the rumored busiest crossing in the world.
Day 4: Ginza
Visit the famed Tsukiji Market (link will take you to our entry on markets in Japan!) in the morning - see the hustle and bustle and eat some local favorites like melon, sweet omelets and of course sushi! Spend the day doing some exploring in Ginza, where you’ll reshape your definition of a “mall”. In the late afternoon, head over to Shinjuku to catch the sunset from the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building.
After sunset at the Tokyo Government Building... see if you can't track down a rooftop on which to have a cocktail!
Day 5: Asakusa
Venture to Asakusa and visit Senso-ji Temple. This was personally my favorite temple we visited. In the afternoon, head to the Edo Tokyo Museum for some Japanese history and interactive exhibits. In the evening, go out with a bang and visit one of the many Michelin Star restaurants in Tokyo.
Day 6: Matsumoto
Catch a train and head west to Matsumoto, where you’ll find Matsumoto Castle, Japan’s oldest wooden castle and a Japanese National Treasure. We spent one night here, and it was absolutely worth the stop on our way into the Alps. Pro tip: Snag one of the free English-speaking tour guides just before you go into the gates. They’re friendly, informative and delighted to show you around the castle.
A brief break from the rain at Shirakawa-Go
Day 7: Kamikochi
No visit to the Japanese Alps would be complete without a visit to Kamikochi, also known as the Yosemite of Japan. This serene national park is a great place for some light hiking and exploration. There are plenty of easy hikes and walks so pick one and get moving! After a few hours soaking up the scenery, we took a bus to Takayam where we stayed at a guesthouse for three nights. This little mountain city is an ideal jumping-off point for excursions in the Alps and the surrounding areas.
Day 8: Shirakawa-go
Take a bus from Takayama to this pristine village and explore the traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses, many date back to the 19th century. We visited the village of Ogimachi, which I understand is the most visited of the villages and the easiest to get to. I recommend crossing the river and paying the small fee to visit the open-air museum.
Day 9: Shinhotaka Ropeway
Shinhotaka Ropeway is incredible… if you go on a day with great visibility. For us, the fog was so thick that you could barely see 10 feet in front of you. However, the fall colors made our trip worthwhile and we enjoyed the scenery, just not from the top of the mountain. On your way back from Shinhotaka, you MUST stop in Hirayu Onsen to visit the massive onsen facility on the other side of the bus stop parking lot. Read more in our post about how much we love onsens.
A full palette of reasons to visit the Japanese Alps in the fall!
Day 10: Takayama – En route to Kyoto
Explore Takayama and visit the morning markets and then walk through the Temple Trail if you’re feeling ambitious. Take a train after lunch and arrive in Kyoto by dinnertime.
If you're staying in Takayama, take a morning to explore the trail of interconnected shrines and temples along the outskirts of town.
Clever cropping work to avoid the crowds ;)
Day 11: Kyoto
I was so excited to visit Arashiyama and explore the famous bamboo forest - the scenery here did not disappoint. I recommend going early to beat the crowds. Afterward, take a short hike and visit the Macaque monkeys at the nearby Iwatayama Monkey Park. After that, soak your tired soles in one of the many footbaths in Arashiyama before heading to the Fushimi Inari Shrine. Finish the day with a visit to Gyoza Chao Chao. Trust me, the food is worth the wait and the chefs and waiters keep the restaurant feeling like a house party.
Day 12: Kyoto
Start your morning at Nishiki Market and enjoy the many samplings of exotic fish, produce and artisan goods. No need to get to this market early; many of the stalls don’t open until 10:00 am. Take a bus to the Golden Pavillion in the afternoon, but beware, the crowds at this place are no joke. In the evening, I highly recommend Musashi Sushi, a conveyor belt sushi restaurant where the sushi is affordable and delicious.
Day 13: Nara
Take a train out to Nara for the day and you will not be disappointed. There are charming temple grounds to explore here, along with a very healthy population of deer! Also, Todaiji Temple is truly a site to behold as it’s the largest wooden building in the world and houses a 15 meter tall Buddha. Nara, for me, was one of the most incredible places we visited in Japan.
Hope you guys found that helpful! Please send us a message if you have any questions!
One of our deer friends in Nara wanted a selfie!