If you're planning a two-week trip to Japan, you’re probably juggling 30 tabs, 15 TikToks, and a dozen Google Maps pins right now. Been there.
So I built the itinerary I wish I had when I first visited Japan a trip that actually makes sense, day by day, with flexibility baked in.

Whether it’s your first time or you’re coming back for more, this 2-week itinerary covers the iconic highlights and the chill days you didn’t think to plan.

✈️ Day 1 – Land in Tokyo + Explore Shibuya & Shinjuku

• Land at Narita or Haneda

• Check into a hotel near the Yamanote Line

• Walk through Shibuya Crossing and snap a pic with Hachiko

• End the night in Shinjuku’s neon-lit alleys or a cozy izakaya

💡 Pro tip: Get a Suica/Pasmo IC card and load it up — you’ll use it a lot.

🏮 Day 2 – Asakusa, Ueno & Akihabara

• Start early at Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa

• Stroll through Nakamise shopping street

• Head to Ueno Park (perfect if you like museums)

• Spend the afternoon in Akihabara → anime, arcades, maid cafés

🛍️ Day 3 – Harajuku, Omotesando & More Shibuya

• Visit Meiji Shrine early, then wander Takeshita Street

• Window-shop in Omotesando (hello, cool architecture)

• Wrap up in Shibuya with some ramen (Ichiran or Afuri)

🗻 Day 4 – Day Trip: Hakone or Mount Fuji

Choose your escape:

Option 1 – Hakone:

• Lake Ashi cruise, ropeway, and Mount Fuji views

• Hakone Open-Air Museum

• Relax in an onsen before heading back to Tokyo

Option 2 – Kawaguchiko:

• Chureito Pagoda, lake walks, local eats

• Best for photo lovers and Fuji views

🎫 Tip: Use your JR Pass if you have one!

🚅 Day 5 – Tokyo → Kyoto + Gion Night Walk

• Take the Shinkansen to Kyoto (about 2h30)

• Check into a hotel in Gion or Kawaramachi

• Walk around Gion at sunset — geisha spotting, Yasaka Shrine

• Dinner near Pontocho alley

⛩️ Day 6 – Kyoto Temples & Hidden Streets

• Early start at Kiyomizu-dera (opens at 6AM)

• Walk down Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka

• Visit Kodai-ji & hidden alleys like Ishibe-koji

• Tea ceremony or kimono rental if you want the full vibe

🎋 Day 7 – Arashiyama & Northern Kyoto

• Bamboo Grove before 8AM (less crowded!)

• Tenryu-ji Temple + walk along the river

• Option: Monkey Park or boat ride

• Afternoon at Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) + Ryoan-ji

🦌 Day 8 – Day Trip to Nara & Uji

• Morning: Nara → Todai-ji Temple & the bowing deer

• Afternoon: Uji → matcha tasting + Byodo-in Temple

• Return to Kyoto for the night

🍜 Day 9 – Kyoto → Osaka + Dotonbori Food Tour

• Short train to Osaka (30 mins)

• Drop your bags, head straight to Dotonbori

• Try takoyaki, okonomiyaki, or kushikatsu by the river

🏯 Day 10 – Castles, Views & Neighborhoods

• Osaka Castle in the morning

• Umeda Sky Building or retro Shinsekai

• Optional: Sumiyoshi Taisha or a local onsen

🕊️ Day 11 – Optional Hiroshima & Miyajima

• Take the early Shinkansen to Hiroshima

• Visit Peace Memorial Park & Museum

• Ferry to Miyajima Island → iconic floating torii

• Return to Osaka or spend the night in Hiroshima

🚉 Day 12 – Back to Tokyo (or More Kansai)

Option A: Head back to Tokyo (Shinkansen 2h30)
Option B: Explore Kobe, Himeji Castle, or Mount Koya

🛍️ Day 13 – Free Day in Tokyo (Your Way)

Choose your adventure:

• Ginza → high-end shopping & food

• Shimokitazawa → indie thrift shops & cafés

• Nakameguro → stylish strolls & chill vibes

• Odaiba → digital museums, seaside cityscape

🎟️ Note: TeamLab Planets & Ghibli Museum require early booking.

👋 Day 14 – Chill Morning + Departure

• Grab last souvenirs or walk through a local shrine

• Allow 3–4 hours to get to the airport

• Say mata ne to Japan 🇯🇵