The Ultimate 2 Week Japan Travel Guide
Japan was our favorite trip to date. We went to Japan just before the pandemic and it left us with something to dream about when we could no longer travel. It was truly a dream.
The Japanese are the most friendly and incredibly kind people you will ever meet. Japan is pristinely clean, the architecture will leave you speechless, you will find yourself wandering through peaceful gardens and charming streets. You’ll be eating the best sushi you have ever tasted, and drinking in charming and unique izakayas. It is a trip of a lifetime.
Japan is the trip we rave about to all our family and friends and really anyone who will listen, we just can’t talk about it enough. Enjoy our guide to Japan!
How to get to Japan?
Fly into Narita Airport-Fly into Tokyo and take the JR Rail to Tokyo from the airport, departing every 30-60 minutes. If you are having trouble finding the JR Rail ask anyone working at the airport, everyone is so friendly and happy to help!
Tokyo for 3-5 Days
Tokyo is a massive city with so many hubs to explore. I would recommend at least 5 days but if you have to shorten it to three you will still get a good taste of Tokyo.
Some hot spots to be sure to check out are the Shinjuku neighborhood for it’s nightlife and energy, the Shibuya neighborhood for all it’s cuteness, drinking in the famous izakayas on Golden Gai, the bustling Ginza district and enjoy some sushi at the Tsukiji Fish Market.
Doing a food tour in Tokyo or bar crawl to explore izakayas in Golden Gai is a must! This is a great way to learn about Japanese culture and history through food and drinks. This is also a great way to meet other travelers. You will also learn about Tokyo through a local’s lense as your tour guide teaches you all about food or drink in Tokyo.
You will not run out of places to explore in Tokyo that are full of energy, sweetness, or even a little weirdness in the best way.
Kyoto for 3-5 Days
Kyoto is a peaceful city with gorgeous Japanese architecture, great sushi, and if you’re lucky you may even spot a Geisha. This is a city we wish we would had stayed longer. We were there for a day and a half and it just was not long enough. I would recommend at least three days to soak in all that Kyoto has to offer.
Kyoto is famous for the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest– which is a must do, you will walk down pathways surrounded by bamboo that seem to reach the sky. The Kinkakuji (Golden Pavillion) and the Ginkakuji (Silver Pavillion) are not to be missed. They are everything you dream Japan to be, they are beautiful, timeless, and you will feel truly at peace walking through the tranquil gardens, ponds, and gazing at the pavilions. If there is one thing you do in Kyoto do this.
Wander though the Gion District, where you can easily catch a glimpse of a Geisha and find some phenomenal sushi to boot. The streets are lit with Japanese lanterns and you’ll feel like you walked back in time to Japan decades ago or maybe even longer. You’ll see the beauty, the tradition, and the culture of Japan which will make you fall that much more for Kyoto and Japan as a whole.
Read more in our Kyoto Travel Guide. Get out Kyoto Guide via the Thatch app to take with you on the go including map locations and all the information in the Kyoto guide for Free! Tips are much appreciated to keep our blog going, thanks!
Osaka for 3-5 Days
Hop on another train and head to Osaka! Osaka is way bigger than I had imagined. It is a large city of over 2 million people and tons to explore! Be sure to come hungry to Dotonbori Street- known as a foodie paradise.
The Amerika-Mura is an Americanized area of town, it is a funky area of town to shop in vintage and unique stores and grab a bite to eat.
The Osaka Castle is worth a visit, complete with a museum and winding staircases up and down to explore.
Nara Day Trip
Ohh all the sweet deer! Nara is an easy day trip from Kyoto. I just think of peace when I think of Nara. We went on a rainy day which only added to the serenity of Nara.
Nara is a town full of deer that roam freely and are happy to greet visitors. You can feed the deer with food that are being sold by vendors or you can walk up and pet the sweet deer. You can wander around the town and the temple and watch or interact with the deer. They seem to be bowing to you when you greet them. They are just so charming.
Hiroshima Day Trip
Hiroshima is a day trip away from Osaka on the Bullet Train using a JR Pass and is only a 2 ½ hour ride. Hiroshima is an important trip to take to remind us of the terror of nuclear warfare. I felt it was very important as an American to visit Hiroshima and learn about the aftermath of the atomic bomb and the horror it caused.
When visiting you will want to go to the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Children’s Peace Monument, the Cenotaph (eternal flame- the flame burns until all nuclear bombs are eradicated), The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum, and The Hiroshima Castle.
It seems like a lot of stops to make but many of these are close to one another. You will feel drained by the end of the day but I believe that it is very important to visit Hiroshima when visiting Japan.
Naha (Okinawa) for 2-4 Days
Naha is where you will want to be based when visiting Okinawa. We made the mistake of being based in Nago and we were unable to get around easily and were honestly very isolated.
Naha on the other hand is a bustling beach town, yes it is somewhat touristy but it a blast! Kokusai Dori is a street that is perfect for wandering, shopping, eating, and drinking! We only stayed there for a day and I wish we would had based ourselves in Naha. We loved the feel of colorful and tropical Naha.
Nago (Okinawa) Day Trip
Nago is an easy day trip from Naha (2 hours). Here you will venture into Pineapple Park where you will be surrounded by all things pineapple complete with a pineapple cart to travel around the park.
The Tropical Dream Center is another must see in Nago. It is a stunning garden that seems to go on forever with the most beautiful flowers. The Churaumi Aquarium is located close by and can easily be paired together.
When in Nago be sure to check out the beaches- it is the Hawaii of Japan.
Check out our Nago Travel Guide and our Pineapple Park Guide.
Happy Travels! Japan will be sure to be an incredible adventure!
Check out our other destination guides to help fulfill your wanderlust!