Our Unique 2-Week Japan Itinerary: What We Loved & What We’d Change

Searching for a unique 2-week Japan itinerary? We’ve got you!

At this point, it feels like every 2-week Japan trip consists of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. And rightfully so, those are great places to visit on a first trip to Japan.

BUT…Japan is a little crowded these days with visitors from all over the world wanting to taste fatty tuna at the famous Tsukiji Outer Market, see the stunning Kinkaku-ji temple in Kyoto, and shop their way around a Donki (Don Quijote).

Japan is only growing in popularity. And when we sat down to plan out our 14 days in this country, we started to feel…uninspired. 

It’s not because those destinations mentioned above aren’t great! It’s that they are a little overdone. There is SO much more to Japan than those places. So, we decided to combine the classics with some lesser-explored spots too.

If you feel the same, then stick with us. We are a couple who loves eating well, getting adventurous, and having unique experiences. And we wanted to incorporate that into our 2 weeks in Japan for the first time.

So this itinerary includes stops in Tokyo and Kyoto because you can’t go to Japan for the first time and NOT see those places. But, time here is shorter, because we also explored Okayama, spent more time in Hakone, and even visited an art island.

I’ll also talk about what we loved, and what we wish we would’ve done differently!

So let’s get into it!

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2 Weeks in Japan Summary

Here is a quick summary of where we went to in Japan. For more details, keep reading below!

• Days 1-2: Tokyo
• Days 3-5: Kyoto + Day Trip of Choice 
• Days 6-9: Okayama + Day Trips to Hiroshima, Naoshima, & Himeji
• Days 10-12: Hakone
• Days 13-14: Tokyo + Fly Home

Our Unique 2-Week Japan Itinerary

Here is a day-by-day itinerary of our trip to Japan so you can copy it for your own trip!

Day 1: Arrive in Tokyo & Explore

What To Do:

• Meiji Jingu
• Shibuya Crossing
• Magnet at Shibuya Crossing for Views Over Shibuya Crossing
• 3D Cat Billboard in Shinjuku
• Lawson Konbini Snacks For Dinner 

We ended up arriving at 2 pm this day during our trip and thankfully we flew into Tokyo Haneda which is, thankfully, much closer to the city than Narita. So pro-trip: fly into Haneda.

Because we did our Visit Japan Web form online, we didn’t have to waste time filling out the immigration form when we arrived, and we got a cab to our hotel and hit the ground running (if only because we had to shake off the jetlag)!

We ended up walking from our hotel to Meiji Jingu which is a famous Shinto Shrine in Tokyo. It is massive, and even has the famous sake barrels, which are donated by Japanese breweries as offerings. 

But this shrine is also in a lovely park. We were initially a little nervous to visit Tokyo because it is such a large city. But when we wandered over to Meiji Jingu, it just felt so peaceful to walk in the park and be in the shade. 

We strolled around the torii gates, explored the shrine, and then walked over to Shibuya Crossing. 

This famous crosswalk sees around 2,500 people each crossing! It’s the world’s busiest crosswalk! So, naturally, we had to cross it and see it at ground level. 

At ground level while crossing it, it feels chaotic! It is a rush walking across it as there are many lanes. 

But then, we prebooked tickets for Magnet by Shibuya109 for their rooftop lounge to watch the crossing from above! Plus, our tickets included a drink and mine included use of their skycamera to take photos of ourselves over Shibuya Crossing!

You hook up your iPhone and only have a few minutes to use it. So you really only get a handful of photos, but it was so much fun! Plus, we enjoyed having a drink and watching the chaos happening below. 

Book your Magnet by Shibuya109 tickets here!

After that, we had to go check out the 3D Cat Billboard near Shinjuku Station to see this adorable cat. It was fun to watch him meow, play with things, etc. It’s a fun thing to do as the sun starts going down. 

Then, we wrapped up the day by stopping by a Lawson konbini (one of the famous convenience stores in Japan full of great snacks) to get snacks for dinner. I tried the famed egg salad sandwich and an onigiri. Both were delightful. 

After getting snacks, we ate them in our hotel room and fell down exhausted from all the jetlag. 

Where to Stay in Tokyo:

This is a tough one as Tokyo is absolutely massive! But we loved staying in Shinjuku, which is pretty centrally located and not far from a major metro station. 

But other popular areas include Shibuya for its bustling nightlife, Ginza for shopping, and Asakusa for having a lot of great sightseeing. 

Here are some hotel ideas in Tokyo:

Hyatt Regency Tokyo: Located in Shinjuku, this is where we stayed, and it was great! It’s not far from the metro, and it was easy to get to and around from here. Shinjuku is nice and it’s fairly central–making it great for short visits! Plus the hotel is really nice with great views! 

Book it here!

Hotel Risveglio Akasaka: Located in Akasaka, this is a great base for exploring Tokyo as it is in the heart of the city. Tokyo is ginormous, and there is a huge chance you’ll be taking the subway, but this is a great area to stay in. This place is also a great affordable hotel for your stay! 

Book it here!

Hotel The Celestine Ginza: Located in Ginza, this is also a great base, and not far from Tokyo station (a great hub for getting around!). We also stayed in The Celestine while in Kyoto, so I like the hotel brand! But from here, you can easily explore the rest of Tokyo, including nearby spots like the Imperial Palace and the Tsukiji Fish Market!

Book it here!

Day 2: Tokyo

What To Do:

• Gotoku-ji Temple
• Tsukiji Outer Market
• Afternoon activity of choice: Shopping, shrine, museum, etc.
• Tokyo Tower & Zojo-ji Temple (outside views)
• Dinner at Tempura Kakiage Yukimura

On this day in Tokyo, you’ll want to get up and head straight to Gotoku-ji Temple!

This is known as the “Beckoning cat” temple, because centuries ago, a wealthy feudal lord was standing under a large tree to shelter himself from a raging storm. A cat then “beckoned” him into the temple (and who can resist a cat?), which saved his life, as the tree was struck moments later and destroyed. 

Today, you’ll find these little “lucky” cats everywhere in the temple of varying sizes. You can even purchase one to take home with you and bring it back if it granted your wish. You can also leave it there with your wish. 

Either way, it was a fun early morning activity before the crowds came in. 

Then, we ended up going to Tsukiji Outer Market, where we ate at Tsukiji Itadori Bekkan. This is a fantastic sushi restaurant where the chef picks the sushi you get if you get one of the sushi plates.

I will say if you’re nervous about eating sushi as I was (I’m weird about food textures and some tougher fish textures gross me out), approach with caution. I tried my scariest ones first and then grew way too confident before popping an entire raw shrimp with rice into my mouth. The texture nearly got to me as I held in my gags and tried to chew and swallow as fast as possible.

Other than that, it was some of the best sushi I’ve ever had! 

If you’re a normal person who doesn’t have this issue and loves sushi like Chris, you’ll love it! 

After dining here (and having a crisp AM beer–we got an early start to the day!), we went to explore the Tsukiji Outer Market. 

Here, we tasted matcha ice cream, an egg rolled omelette, rock oysters, strawberry mochi, and BBQ eel. Just get wherever looks good to you! 

Afternoon activity of choice:

Now that it is afternoon, there are a few options based on your travel style:

1. Explore a shrine and museum.

We ended up grabbing a matcha at Think Coffee before exploring Kanda Myoujin Shrine and museum, with little miniatures and anime memorabilia. Then, we needed an AC break because we were there in the summer and it was HOT outside when we left the museum.

So we went to the Origami Museum, and it was great! We saw all kinds of origami art, and we witnessed a fun origami demonstration too. They even sell origami paper and paper art here. We purchased a fun nature scene art piece for our home.

You can even sign up for an origami class to make origami. Honestly, it was a random, but great find!

Then, we wrapped up at Hitachino Nest Beer and Distillery for a beer.

Other options for places to visit include Senso-ji, Tokyo National Museum, or the Imperial Palace! 

2. Go shopping.

A lot of people come to Tokyo to shop. There are ample places to do this. Whether you want to head to a Don Quijote, go vintage shopping, shop for kitchen supplies, or do luxury shopping, the world is your oyster.

We aren’t huge shoppers, so we skipped this here, but this is a great thing to do this afternoon if you don’t want to explore more shrines/museums.

After an exciting afternoon, check out the sunset around Tokyo Tower & Zojo-ji Temple (depending when you visit) and wander around a bit before heading to dinner at Tempura Kakiage Yukimura.

This tempura place makes a delicious shrimp tempura! We enjoyed each bite!

That wraps up your 2nd day in Tokyo. Don’t worry, you’re coming back at the end of the trip so you’ll see more!

Day 3: Kyoto

What To Do:

• Ryozen-Kannon Temple
• Kodaiji Temple
• Lunch at Gion Yorozuya
• Matcha at Premium Matcha & Bar Kashoan Classic Tea & Cocktails
• Kinkaku-ji

After spending a couple of days frolicking around the bustling city of Tokyo, it is time to explore Japan’s other famous city: Kyoto.

Honestly, this place was my favorite city in Japan to visit, and it isn’t hard to see why. 2,000+ temples, endless history, a stunning historical district, more greenery, and so much charm made this city top my list.

So on this day, we hopped on the Shinkansen train (Japan’s bullet train), and were in Kyoto in just over 2 hours! 

We dropped off our bags and immediately started exploring the Higashiyama Ward, which is the historic ward of Kyoto. 

We began exploring Ryozen-Kannon Temple nearby, as we wanted a mix of popular and lesser visited temples on this part of the trip so as to avoid crowds.

This did not disappoint. First of all, there were hardly any other people here. Second, they give you an incense stick to light. Third, this Buddhist temple has a giant sitting buddha, which we always love to see.

This is actually a WWII war memorial, with the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. This is a calm reflective place to check out while exploring temples in Kyoto.

After that and nearby, we wandered over to Kodaiji Temple. This temple dates back to the 1600s and has a lovely garden and serene bamboo forest.

While there can be huge crowds in the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, this is definitely calmer to explore. 

After a morning of exploring, I recommend going to Gion Yorozuya just before it opens to get a spot here.

If there is one thing that you need to know about Chris, it is that he is obsessive with his restaurant research. I let Chris go nuts on this trip in regards to finding places to eat, and this place did NOT disappoint. 

It’s known for its udon noodle soup with a lot of green onion. I won’t lie- I was skeptical of the amount they add of green onion and then a dollop of ginger. But it works! 

The flavors were delicate and so well balanced! I loved it! Definitely go here and wander the Gion District. We saw maiko (apprentice geiko–that’s a geisha in Kyoto!) on their way to work (they weren’t dressed up, but you could tell). This is located in an area known for maiko, and photos are understandably not allowed on many streets here. 

After that, we wandered around a little, and needed an AC break. This happened to be the hottest day EVER recorded in Japan so we needed a break in the heat of the day. 

So, we looked up a spot for matcha and found Premium Matcha & Bar Kashoan Classic Tea & Cocktails. This place was easily the best matcha I’ve ever tasted.

They make cocktails with matcha as well as pure matcha to drink on its own or fun drinks with matcha. The matcha is so good, but sadly, they don’t sell the matcha powder to customers. 

Chris hates matcha but loved drinking this just on its own. So that’s saying something. I personally love matcha, and everything here was so good!

After that, we wanted to check out Kinkaku-ji Temple before closing. It closes at 5 pm, so we took a cab and showed up around 4 pm. This was a great idea, as the Gold Temple (what it is also called) is very popular with its stunning gardens and views.

And going at 4 pm was nice, because while it was busy, it wasn’t that bad, which was great! 

After that, it is time for dinner! We went to Itsutsu, which had delicious cold soba. However, the vibes here were a bit off. For starters, we were the only people there and no other customers came the entire time. The food was really good, but it was so quiet and the atmosphere wasn’t great.

So go for good soba, or you could head back near your hotel and enjoy dinner. Also, the restaurants along the Kamo River looked great too!

Where to Stay in Kyoto:

Just like Tokyo, Kyoto is pretty large, so there are a lot of areas to stay in. We stayed in the Gion District in the Higashiyama Ward, which is the charming historical district with Edo period houses. 

It’s close to many beautiful temples, has lovely views, and it’s a fun area to explore.

Others like to stay in Shimogyo Ward, specifically near Kyoto Station, as it makes day trips easier as it is so close. It also has good public transit options. 

Another great area to stay in is Arashiyama. This area feels more nature-focused and calm. It is where you’ll find the famous Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, several beautiful temples, and the peaceful Katsura River with several herons and egrets. 

Here are some great hotels:

The Celestine Hotel Gion: This is where we stayed in the Gion District, and it was walkable to so many great places, the room was a decent size, and they have an onsen here! It was a great little spot to stay in during our time in Kyoto!

Book it here!

Yuzuya Ryokan: Also located in the Higashiyama Ward, this is a ryokan, or traditional Japanese hotel complete with tatami mats and you sleep on a futon mattress on the floor (it was actually quite comfortable when we stayed in a ryokan later on during this trip). This place has a restaurant, onsen, and has a tranquil vibe in the midst of the city. This is great if you want to spend some time in a more traditional hotel. It is pricier than a typical hotel stay, but it has a more luxurious experience. They offer meal packages too.

Book it here!

Hotel Vischio Kyoto by Granvia: Near Kyoto station in the Minami Ward, this is a great place for getting around as you can easily take the train to places for a day trip or hop on public transit to get around! This place also has an onsen to use during your stay!

Book it here!

Day 4: Kyoto

What To Do:

• Gion at sunrise
• Arashiyama Bamboo Forest
• Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima Area for breakfast picnic
• Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street
• Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple & Optional Otagi Nenbutsuji visit 
• Okochi Sanso Gorge Observation Deck
• Shigetsu for lunch
• Tenryu-ji Temple
• Shopping in Kyoto

This was an early day for us, and if you want to do this, great! If you’d rather sleep and don’t mind the crowds, that’s fine too (you may just want to reorder what you do this day so you don’t miss lunch)! 

For us, it was August and HOT during the day. We also had jetlag that made us fall asleep at 8 pm so we were up between 4-6 am most days naturally. And this day, we got up early on purpose to beat the heat and crowds.

We wanted to take the famous photo of Yasaka Pagoda at sunrise without the crowds. So, at 5 am, we walked over (easy to do as it was super close to where we were staying!), and managed to get amazing photos without tons of people!

That being said, we weren’t the only people there. In fact, there was a guy filming for a long time and others waiting to capture photos. However, we were able to still get photos and we all took turns admiring/taking photos. 

We even wandered around, gazing at all the serene scenes of the older buildings of the Gion District with few people. 

Since we wrapped up exploring before 6 am, we actually hopped in a cab and went to Arashiyama, where you’ll spend most of the morning and early afternoon, and decided to check out the bamboo forest without crowds.

This was 100% worth it! We had places to ourselves, peacefully wandered, got great photos, and even saw locals walking their dogs or going on peaceful jogs.

We actually passed through here a few times this day as it sort of connects a lot of places, and trust me, by like 10 am, it’s pretty packed and busy. Going early here is lovely!

And because after doing all this and nothing was open for breakfast yet, we actually walked over to the only place open this time of day: a konbini. 

We saw a Family Mart, grabbed some egg salad sandos, famichiki chicken, matcha, and coffees and walked over to Arashiyama Park Nakanoshima Area for a breakfast picnic! It’s along the river, so you can just sit on a bench, eat your breakfast, and watch the herons and egrets flying and standing in the river.

After that, we walked back through the the bamboo forest to get to Saga Toriimoto Preserved Street which has so many beautiful traditional buildings. We walked through here to get to Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple, a stunning temple complex dating back to the 9th century with thousands of statues dedicated to the souls of those who are deceased. 

This place too has a bamboo forest without crazy crowds, so you can enjoy another bamboo forest without the chaos that Arashiyama Bamboo Forest can be. 

Now, if it is open (it wasn’t the day we visited), also visit Otagi Nenbutsuji because this is the place with the laughing and joyful arhat (Buddha’s disciples) statues!

Then, definitely hike up to Okochi Sanso Gorge Observation Deck for epic views over the gorge and river below before wandering back to one of the coolest spots you can check out for lunch: Shigetsu.

This is part of the Tenryu-ji temple complex, and it is a vegetarian restaurant, specializing in tofu dishes. It is also a traditional restaurant where you take off your shoes when you enter (so be sure to wear socks!), sit on a tatami mat, and are served on a tray. 

Everything we had was so good! We had tofu skin, sweet potato, a lot of tea, and more! We got the 7-dish menu. Plus, it is a serene way to experience a little of Tenryu-ji, which is quite popular in Arashiyama in Kyoto. 

After that, we explored the exterior of Tenryu-ji and wandered the Sogenchi Teien garden.  

Once you’re done exploring Arashiyama, I recommend heading back into Kyoto proper and shopping, exploring, whatever! 

I actually spent way too much time in Shoindo in historic Kyoto looking for the PERFECT matcha bowl, whisk holder, and matcha accoutrement. It’s not that the place didn’t have great stuff, because I literally wanted to buy everything, but some stuff was way out of my budget, and I was debating whether I needed a spout or not.

Turns out I did, because I bought the most beautiful reddish glazed matcha bowl with blue accents on it with a spout and I’m obsessed with it. It sits on our kitchen counter, where I often make matcha!

I also walked to Ippodo to buy as much matcha as I was allowed. I am still finishing off my matcha, so it has lasted me quite a while. I only have a tiny bit left now.

But yes, the rest of the day is your oyster. Shop, maybe go to Nishiki Market for food, etc.

We wrapped up the day with drinks at Sights Kyoto where we met the best people, and got some local recs! And went to dinner!

Day 5: Day Trip From Kyoto of Your Choice

What To Do:

• Day Trip to Nara, Kobe, or Uji
• Alternatively: Stay in Kyoto and hike Fushimi Inari 

This day is kind of a build your own adventure! 

Kyoto is a great base for day trips, so on this day, that’s exactly what we did!

We ended up going to Nara. Now, I’ll be 100% honest with you that I am against feeding the deer. In fact, in some places in Japan (including on Miyajima Island), it is banned.

I do beg you to please do research prior to participating in anything animal related in Japan.

Thankfully, Nara is far more than the deer. They are cute to see, but the big draw for us to Nara was the Diabatsu of Nara. It’s located in Todai-ji temple complex, and it is massive! 

This is one of the largest Buddhas in Japan located in one of the largest wooden buildings in Japan. It sits on giant lotus leaves, and you can even stand next to the replica lotus leaves on the ground to get a feel for just how huge this is!

Chris really enjoyed this!

But this temple complex is so much fun to explore. The Great Buddha Hall can get crowded, but there are a lot of temples in this complex to wander around the explore. We walked around and went to Nigatsu-do, where there is a great panoramic view!

We also wandered further to Kasugataisha Shrine, a gorgeous red paintings shrine known for its lanterns. There was even a room to go inside where it was dark and they had lanterns shining as if it were nighttime. There were a lot of temples in the area–-Nara was also the former capital of Japan!

From there, we walked on the Shimononegi-michi pathway in the midst of a primeval forest. This was such a peaceful way to spend the morning. 

We grabbed lunch at Curry and Cafe Koruri, which was a tucked away little spot with a husband and wife team cooking up some of the best Japanese curry. The tiny restaurant looked like you entered someone’s kitchen. We happened to find it as I was searching for great Japanese curry spots. Definitely a great place to go!

After that, we went to the Nara National Museum filled with several Buddhas and other Buddhism statues and figurines.

Then we came back to Kyoto and had dinner at the restaurant the locals recommended the night before: Gyoza no Ohsho-Kawaramachi.

Even when the guy recommended it, he said it was a chain in Japan. However, it was a popular chain with great gyoza. And he was 100% correct! It was so good!

Alternative Options:

Other than Nara, you can go to other attractions nearby such as Uji and Kobe.

Uji:

This is where you’ll find the world’s best matcha! Have an Uji matcha experience and/or buy matcha! Book a matcha tour here!

Oh, and the Nintendo Museum is located here too! Tickets are a lottery system, but you can also purchase them on Get Your Guide here!

Kobe:

If you love beef, then you’re going to enjoy Kobe. Take the train to Kobe and head to a restaurant for beef.

Osaka:

While we didn’t go here on this trip, you could also take the train to Osaka and check it out! Book a street food tour, wander around, and perhaps go shopping!

Stay in Kyoto:

You could also spend this day in Kyoto, exploring more temples, visiting the Nishiki Market, or perhaps hiking Fushimi Inari. My friend did this, and she’s got a post describing how to go to the back way to avoid most of the crowds at Fushimi Inari!

Day 6: Train to Okayama

What To Do:

• Kiyomizu-Dera in Kyoto
• Okayama Castle
• Korakuen Gardens
• Tsukiji Gindaco for lunch
• Visit Kurashiki

Today is where your typical Japan itinerary sort of goes off the rails. I’ll never forget the reaction when the locals at the bar in Kyoto asked where we were off to next, and we told them “Okayama.”

There is a chance you’ve likely never heard of Okayama. Let me make the case for it!

Located in the Okayama prefecture, this city is on the southern end of Honshu (the main island of Japan where Tokyo, Kyoto, etc., are located). It is definitely not a touristy place, but it contains one of Japan’s Three Great Gardens, has the stunning Kurashiki canals nearby, AND it is a fabulous base for day trips.

We toiled for months figuring out where else to go other than Tokyo and Kyoto. We wanted to visit another place that wasn’t Osaka as that really didn’t call to us. We debated Kanazawa and exploring there instead of Kyoto (I’m so glad we kept Kyoto in our itinerary!). We debated doing Kanazawa instead of Okayama. We debated going to Fukuoka (challenging to get around without a car outside the city). We even discussed heading to Okinawa to snorkel and swim (it was typhoon season so the risk of getting stuck there in the rain was high). 

We wanted a place that would make a great day trip base, was well connected on the high-speed train, was local so we could get a local glimpse of Japan, and had cool stuff to do. Okayama fit the bill.

So, we kicked off our morning visiting Kiyomizu-Dera in Kyoto before catching a train to Okayama.

We dropped off our bags and went straight to Okayama Castle. This is known as the Crow’s Castle as it is a black painted castle. I will say that it is beautiful on the outside. The inside is a museum, but is more catered to children. I’d skip going inside.

But we then crossed the river over to Korakuen Gardens, one of the best gardens in Japan!

This place was quite large with lookout points, a pond, several great plants, and paths for walking. We had a great time exploring here.

For lunch, we stopped by a place that was buzzing with locals earlier in the day: Tsukiji Gindaco. This is known for its octopus balls, or takoyaki. They were so delicious and hot. They come with various toppings based on what you order. 

After that, we spent the rest of the afternoon in Kurashiki. We took a quick metro ride there, and then we walked to the Kurashiki Bikan Historical Quarter. This area is full of canals. It’s known as the “Venice of Japan.”

You can go on a boat ride or just wander the canals, stopping for shops, or even visiting museums nearby. This area is known for denim too!

After that, we just grabbed food at the grocery store and did some much needed laundry. Thankfully, our hotel had laundry facilities. This is actually quite common in Japan, so look for hotels with laundry if you need to wash clothes! As we were traveling carry-on only, it was nice to finally wash our sweaty Japan in August clothes.

Where to Stay in Okayama: Koraku Hotel

I’m just going to suggest one hotel here because 1) there weren’t a ton of great options when we were researching, 2) it’s close to the train station for day trips, 3) Honmachi is such a fun area nearby, and 4) it’s a really affordable hotel! We enjoyed our stay here, and we were thankful they had laundry!

Book it here!

Day 7: Day Trip to Hiroshima & Miyajima

What To Do: 

• Miyajima (floating torii gate, Itsukushima Jinja, Senjokaku Pavilion, Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki Kurawanka for lunch)
• Hiroshima (Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park & Museum)
• Dinner in Okayama

Today, you’re going on a day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima. We booked this through Travel Japan Together. 

Thankfully, this is an easy day trip from Okayama as it is a 40-minute shinkansen ride away.

We met our guide in Hiroshima, and he guided us around, starting with going to Miyajima. We took the ferry over (stay on the right side of the ship so you get views of the floating torii gate!), took a boat ride through the famous floating torii gate (since we had time), and then visited the large Itsukushima Jinja shrine. 

This large complex is beautiful and along the water, and we were there on the 80th anniversary of the atomic bomb dropping in Nagasaki. So, they held a moment of silence while we were here.

Then, we wandered to the Senjokaku Pavilion, known for its lovely art in the rafters and giant rice scoopers, before having lunch at Hiroshima Style Okonomiyaki Kurawanka. Now Chris and I love okonomiyaki, and we definitely wanted to try Hiroshima okonomiyaki on this trip.

This version of okonomiyaki is stacked layers of things rather than mixed. It has a crepe base with cabbage, bean sprouts, pork belly, yakisoba noodles, egg, and sauce. It was so good! 

Then, we came back to Hiroshima where Joe (our guide) guided us around the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park. On August 6, 1945, the US dropped an atomic bomb over the city killing tens of thousands of people. The effects lasted years, with people developing cancers and other issues due to the radiation.

It was sombering to walk through this area, and to see the A-Bomb Dome, a building whose structure largely survived the bombing. We went to the Children’s Peace Monument, which was dedicated on Sadako Sasaki, a girl who survived the bombing to go on to develop cancer years later. She made over 1,000 paper cranes, because a Japanese legend states that a wish will be granted if you do this. She sadly passed away, but people send paper cranes to this monument and they are all over it.

We also went to the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. I will say that the effects of the bombing were devastating. The museum was also a somber experience as you read accounts of survivors, see toys that were mostly destroyed, etc. 

It is a large reminder why peace is so important.

After our time in Hiroshima, we left to go back to Okayama. Just note that the order of this tour changes based on the tides. As high tide was earlier in the day for the floating torii gate (it isn’t floating in low tide), we went there first.

Book the tour here!

We wrapped up with dinner at Yakitori Kushidori Okayama Honmachi for delicious yakitori and beers. 

Day 8: Choose Your Own Day Trip Adventure!

What To Do (Pick One):

• Cycle part of the Shimanami Kaido
• Cycle Kibi Plains
• Day Trip to Naoshima Art Island

Option 1: Cycle the Shimanami Kaido

Okayama has a lot of great places nearby to check out, and one of the reasons we wanted to stay here was the chance to bike part of the scenic Shiminami Kaido. We could easily take the train to Onomichi, pick up bikes, jump on the ferry, and cycle the day away! 

This is typically a multi-day bike ride, but it is possible to do in a day if you come early. It is a 70 km (43-mile) ride to Imabari that crosses islands. Then, you catch a train back to Okayama.

It’s usually a 2-day thing because people stop at beaches and fun attractions along the way. However, it looks like a stunning route!

This was our first choice. I won’t lie. We had even thought about renting e-bikes so we could easily do this in a day and make a few stops. We considered maybe doing a portion and coming back. And we considered just cycling it the old fashioned way and taking a longer day. 

However, it ended up raining. So this option was off the table.

Option 2: Cycle Kibi Plain

This was our second option. This is a much shorter cycling route and is close to the city. It’s only 17 km/11 mile ride that passes fields and temples along the way. 

This was our back up if it was too hot to cycle the Shimanami Kaido, or if it just rained a little and cleared up. 

Sadly, it rained off and on all day, so we went with option 3.

Option 3: Naoshima Art Island

Now, was this our 3rd choice for this day? Yes, but it was no less worthy of a visit! In fact, I had a great time! If you love contemporary art, you’ll love this place! We ended up taking the train and then ferry to the island, and then we walked around to see the main sites! 

Note: Book your museum tickets in advance as they can sell out! This site is where you’ll book museum tickets, and some places required booking beforehand. We were too late to buy tickets to the Chichu Museum, which is the best museum on the island.

Regardless, we still stopped by the Lee Ufan Museum (personally, I wouldn’t go inside here as it wasn’t my fave, but the arch outside the museum is great!), Benesse House Beach, Benesse House Park & Museum, saw Yayoi Kusama’s red and yellow pumpkins, and even went to one of their art house projects where they take old houses and put art installations in them. 

We enjoyed our time here before hopping back on the ferry (watch the ferry times!), then taking the train back. 

For dinner, we loved Kamon S Okonomiyaki for okonomiyaki, fried udon, and gyoza back in Okayama. This place was popular amongst the locals, and we even had to wait in line for a bit!

Day 9: Day Trip to Himeji

What To Do:

• Visit Himeji Castle
• Explore Koko-en Gardens
• Lunch at Ramen Station
• Shop at Don Quijote in Okayama
• Dinner at Oyobe

This is a slightly slower paced day, as Himeji isn’t far from Okayama on the train, and it’s a half-day trip.

Get tickets ahead of time for Himeji Castle to see Japan’s largest castle dating back to the 1300s!

We went there first thing, and it wasn’t bad crowd-wise in August. We enjoyed exploring the main keep, which was easily the most popular. However, there is a lot to see here. We wandered over to the western towers and walked in old passageways, and even got to see where Princess Sen lived and learned more about her. 

So I definitely recommend wandering around and getting lost here.

After that, we got to enjoy time in Koko-en Gardens (as we booked a combo ticket to see this and the castle), another lovely Japanese garden, and we even sat down for a tea ceremony!

Then, we were hungry for lunch, and this may have been the best ramen I’ve ever had: Ramen Station. We were walking back to the train station and needed some food. So, we stopped in here, bought our tickets at the little vending machine where you choose your ramen, handed it to the chef, and sat down.

We got the seafood broth ramen and oh my goodness, it was tasty! 

As we waited to get back on the train, we even went to Nana’s Green Tea near the train station for matcha and views of Himeji Castle in the distance. 

And then we spent the rest of the day in Okayama. There is actually a Don Quijote near the train station. This is a famous shop filled with flavored Kit Kats, skincare, makeup, and pretty much anything you can imagine. And the stores in Tokyo are SO full of people.

Thankfully, in Okayama, where I don’t think we saw hardly any tourists, this place was basically empty. I won’t lie, it is still an overstimulating experience with the music and look, but we did purchase fun Kit Kat flavors!

For dinner, go to Oyobe for beer and a delightful tempura meal. Make reservations in advance! 

Days 10-12: Hakone

What To Do:

• Day 10: Arrive and settle in
• Day 11: Waterfall Hike to Chisuji Waterfall, Mount Takanosuyama, and Hiryu Falls
• Day 12: Hakone Round Course or Optional Other Hike

Hakone is a popular day trip from Tokyo, but I think it deserves a lot more time. Because after almost 10 days in the big cities, we desperately needed a break. And Japan has amazing nature!

I won’t lie, I searched high and low for places around Japan that were in the mountains, had hot springs, and were easy to get to without a car. Hakone easily wins this one. So we chose to spend extra time here, and I’m so glad we did!

Yes, I’m lumping this all together because Hakone on its own is a full experience, and we mostly took it slow. 

On day 10, we just took the train to Odawara Station and arranged transportation to our accommodation with our ryokan. 

Then, we checked in and had a glorious day relaxing in our private onsen, and having a fabulous dinner in our room. 

For day 11, we had a slow morning, enjoyed breakfast in our room, and I even got a massage. Then, we got snacks at the nearby konbini and set out for a hike to Chisuji Waterfall, Mount Takanosuyama, and Hiryu Falls.

This is about a 3.2-mile (5.1 km) hike with 1,017 ft (310 m) elevation gain. It’s a moderate hike, and you can enjoy some waterfall views! Check out the hike here.

I do recommend purchasing the 2-day Hakone Free Pass as this is a point-to-point hike, meaning you’ll need to catch a bus back. And the pass covers most buses. However, if this bus isn’t covered, you can tap to pay usually too.

Then, for day 12, we opted to do the Hakone Round Course. This is basically a “course” around Hakone that features the cable car, ropeway, boat, etc., to see the highlights of the area. This is what most people do during their day trips to Hakone from Tokyo as you can purchase the Hakone Free Pass to include your train from Shinjuku in Tokyo.

We ended up having breakfast at our ryokan before coffee at Café Ryusenkei, and then we walked to the Hakone Open Air Museum.

This is a giant outdoor art museum with sculptures and stunning mountain views. There is an indoor portion too to check out. 

Then, we went to Hakone Gora Park, which is a lovely park with crafthouses where you can take classes for things too!

Then, we hopped on the Hakone Tozan Cable Car to Sounzan from Gora station (you can also catch it from Koen-Shimo station) before taking the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani station.

This was so cool because you ride over sulphur vents in the mountains and have great views! You can also check it out more from the station at the top!

But after that, you’ll need to switch to the ropeway heading for Togendai near Lake Ashi. 

I will say this was the most overwhelming part of our experience. It was PACKED! However, it was Oban, so it was especially crowded with both locals and tourists.

But we got down to Lake Ashi, hopped on the pirate ship to cross the lake (where on a clear day, you can spot Mount Fuji!), and ended at Hakonemachi-ko, where we grabbed lunch and then went to Hakone Checkpoint for lake views.

Now, the original plan was to hike the Old Tokaido Road back to Hakone, but after waiting so long for the second ropeway and not eating until later, we opted to take a bus back to our ryokan.

However, if it weren’t a crowded day, we likely would have done this hike! Note this is a difficult hike.

The best part is that the transportation is covered in the Hakone Free Pass. So the cablecar, ropeway, ship, and buses were covered during this round course!

If I could redo this, I’m not 100% sure I’d do the round course again, but rather visit the lake and perhaps do more hiking in the area. But I wonder if it would’ve been more enjoyable if it weren’t so crowded.

I perhaps would’ve hiked the Old Tokaido Road round-trip to the lake and back instead. 

Regardless, we spent the rest of the afternoon at the onsen and enjoying drinks with the mountain views before dinner in our room.

Where to Stay in Hakone:

I’m going to share where we stayed, because we absolutely loved it!

Ryokan Hakone Ginyu: Nestled in the mountains, with lovely views, this place was a perfect base. We could easily take the bus wherever we needed to go, and the hotel has both a public onsen and a private onsen in your room!

Rooms here are super spacious with a dining area (as we were served in our room), large bathroom, bedroom, and outdoor space with onsen. Plus, there are places to get drinks, a great spa, and more!

Every room here has its own onsen, and they offer both western-style rooms with a bed or Japanese-style rooms with tatami mats. We chose the traditional Japanese-style room and they place futon mattresses on the tatami mats at night for you to sleep in. It is a little firmer than a western bed, but still quite comfortable!

Oh, and the food was SO good! Breakfast and dinner are included in the stay and served in your room at your table. Breakfast can be western or Japanese, and dinners you are given a menu to choose some items. Everything here was delicious. 

Book it here!

Day 13: Back to Tokyo

What to do: 

• Takeshita Street in Harajuku
• Cafe Reissue (3D lattes)
• Kyushu Jangara Harajuku for ramen
• teamLab Borderless
• Baseball Game
• Golden Gai 

After a relaxing stay hiking, being in nature, and soaking in onsens, it is time to hop on the Shinkansen for a quick train back to Tokyo from Odawara (we had our hotel arrange a driver back to Odawara station).

From there, we dropped off our bags at our hotel (same place as the start of our trip), and we went to Harajuku.

We specifically went to Takeshita Street with loads of shops and things, and then we got a much-needed coffee at Cafe Reissue. They do 3D lattes, and I got a Hello Kitty one and Chris got a Pokemon one. 

The lattes were fine, nothing crazy, but good! It was nice to stop and have an AC break though!

Then, we had to get another ramen while in Japan and we went to Kyushu Jangara Harajuku. They even have plant-based ramen if you prefer that too!

After lunch, we took a long walk over to teamLab Borderless. We prebooked tickets maybe a week or so beforehand, but I think in high season it can sell out, so prebooking online in advance is a good idea! 

This was seriously so cool! It’s a gigantic art installation with various rooms (some hidden and tucked away!). The art here is continuously moving and changing, so it’s a ton of fun to wander around, trying to find all the rooms! There is one room with a ton of what appears to be beaded curtains with lights changing and flashing around. There is another room with orbs moving around (it seriously felt like I was in the Department of Mysteries in Harry Potter)!

Anyway, it was a fantastic museum, and I highly recommend it. Oh, and on the way here, we did take an AC break at Wasachi for matcha, which was amazing!

Then, we went to Tokyo Dome City because we had tickets for a Yomiuri Giants vs Hanshin Tigers baseball game! 

We have a whole podcast episode on how to get Japanese baseball tickets, but after months of researching, we found it easiest to try for Yomiuri Giants as they have an English website too, making it a lot easier. We found out when they were going to sell tickets for this game, hopped on, and while super stressful and seats were being sold out from under us, managed to get tickets.

And it was so much fun! The food at the baseball stadium is good. We got tonkatsu and takoyaki as well as an old baseball favorite: Dippin’ Dots in a mini baseball helmet.

This was such a cool experience watching baseball in another country that also is known for baseball. The fans really get into it with chants– it felt like being at a European soccer match!

There were beer girls, cheerleaders, and a sushi race!

All in all, it was a fantastic atmosphere, even if we accidentally sat in the other fan section. Oh well! We were near other Giants fans and the kid loved air high-fiving Chris when we scored!

This was such a high point of our trip, and if you happen to be in Japan in the summer, it’s so worth trying to get baseball tickets!

And thankfully, this arena was fully enclosed and air conditioned. 

Then, we wrapped up our night in the Golden Gai, where we got negronis at a Bourdain fave: Bar Albatross and yakitori and beer at another spot. This area has tons of tiny bars and yakitori spots, perfect for a fun night out!

Where to Stay in Tokyo:

I’ll recommend the same hotels as above! 

• Hyatt Regency Tokyo: We ended up staying here again on our final night here. It turned out to be great for walking back after the Golden Gai. 

• Hotel Risveglio Akasaka

• Hotel The Celestine Ginza

Day 14: Morning in Tokyo Before Flying Home

What to Do: 

• Original Pancake House Shinjuku if time
• Godzilla Head in Shinjuku
• Head to airport

This was our final day as we were flying back home that night. We slept in a little, which was nice, as we had a later evening. But we attempted to go to Original Pancake House Shinjuku to finally try souffle pancakes that we hadn’t had yet. Sadly, the line was way too long and we didn’t have time.

So, if you manage to get there earlier, it could be a fun spot to try! No souffle pancakes for us this trip! 

But we did walk over to the Godzilla Head in Shinjuku, which was on the same street at a gigantic Don Quijote. We walked past the 3D cat billboard, and then we had to go get our things and head to the airport.

Note: I highly recommend flying into/out of Haneda airport as it is far closer to the city. We sadly flew out of Narita. This means we had to take the metro then Skyliner to get there which takes time.

We got to the airport, used the last of our coins for some vending machine snacks, got more ramen, and one last matcha, and we said our goodbyes to Japan. 

Until next time! 

What I Wish We Had Done Differently in Japan

I will say that this itinerary was a good mix of the hot spots of Japan to visit for first timers as well as a bit of offbeat destinations. I don’t know anyone else who has visited Okayama on their first trip there. 

And while Okayama the city itself was like any old city, I will say that the food here was so good, and it was definitely local! I also loved that it was a great base for day trips that we likely wouldn’t have had access to if we stayed elsewhere!

I will say that overall, I think we left Japan feeling like we got a good feel for the country, culture, food, etc. Now, of course we didn’t see it all! It’s not possible–especialy in just 2 weeks. We would’ve loved to have gone to Kanazawa to see the old samurai district. We would’ve enjoyed Okinawa for snorkeling, and we would’ve had a great time exploring the mountains of Hokkaido.

But here are a few things that I either wish we extra time for during our trip or how I would do this differently. 

1. Spend More Time in Kyoto.

This is my biggest regret, and one that seems to be quite common amongst first timers. I wish I had more time in Kyoto. It’s a stunning city with temples everywhere, great food, and more. 

I wish I had 2 extra days to hike Fushimi Inari, maybe check out the Nishiki Market, and take a day trip to Uji for matcha and the Nintendo Museum. 

But we didn’t have time for that and everything else. If you’d prefer these things over Hiroshima and Naoshima, perhaps skipping Okayama altogether for more time in Kyoto can be a good idea.

2. I Wish I Went Outside of Summer.

I remember sitting in our onsen, staring at nature, and loving it! But I also kept thinking “This would be perfect and so pretty in the fall!”

It was great in the summer and so lush too! But summer in Japan is HOT. 

I don’t regret going during the summer at all! In fact, I wrote a whole piece about Japan in August and how it can be a great time to go!

We also likely wouldn’t have gone to Japan for years if we decided to not go in the summer based on our schedules.

But it would’ve been way more pleasant and less sweaty walking around in the autumn or spring months versus the hottest time of the year. 

3. I Wish We’d Just Hiked More in Hakone.

I’m so so glad that we opted to spend 3 nights in Hakone. The nature here is so beautiful, and I couldn’t get over it.

However, with the Hakone Round Course being SO packed, I honestly wish we’d spent the day just enjoying nature more on a hike. We could’ve done another mountain hike or just hiked the Old Tokadio Road to the lake and back to enjoy the views.

Yes, we learn from every trip too. If hiking isn’t your thing, especially challenging day hikes like hiking the Old Tokaido Road, then the Hakone Round Course has its beautiful moments too! 

What We Loved About This Itinerary

We also loved our trip to Japan! Here are places we loved!

• Tokyo: Chris’s fave!
• Kyoto: My fave! I really enjoyed Arashiyama.
• Kurashiki: So unique and fun to explore.
• Food scene in Okayama
• Hiroshima & Miyajima day
• Himeji Castle: Chris really enjoyed exploring this place.
• Hiking in Hakone

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are answers to your Japan itinerary questions!

1. How do you get around Japan? Do you need a car?

You do not need a car for this particular itinerary. We intentionally planned a first time trip to Japan where a car wasn’t needed. But we ended up getting around Japan via the Shinkansen high-speed train. You can book tickets here!

2. Do I need the Japan Rail Pass?

This depends! We actually did a price comparison between purchasing tickets individually and the Rail Pass. For us, it was cheaper to just purchase tickets on our own. However, the Japan Rail pass can be quite valuable depending on your needs. Should you decide to purchase your own, book it here!

3. How many days do you need in Japan? Is 14 days enough?

I mean, I’d have loved to have had 2 more days in Kyoto, but yes, 14 days is enough time to see a good part of this country and gain an appreciation for its beauty! 

Even shorter trips to just Tokyo or Kyoto can be done! Overall, I’d spend at least 10-14 days for a first time trip to Japan to really get a good feel of the country (and get adjusted with jetlag!).

4. Do you need to know Japanese to get around?

I will say that learning a few key phrases goes a long way including “Hello” (“Kon’nichiwa”), “Goodbye” (“Sayōnara”), and “Thank you” (“Arigatō” or “Arigatō gozaimasu” – said without saying the “u” means “thank you very much”)

Not everyone in Japan speaks English, but thankfully, Google Translate can help, and we even used their app to take menu photos to translate too. In Okayama, it was especially helpful as English isn’t spoken much. 

5. Do I need reservations for meals in Japan?

This depends! If a restaurant you want to go to takes reservations, I’d go ahead and book! If it doesn’t, you may want to get there early as lines can and do form, and they can be long. Just check where you’d like to eat ahead of time to see if reservations can be made!

6. When is the best time of year to enjoy this Japan itinerary?

While we did this in August, and it was great and not as crowded (except for Oban), I’d say it’d be a lot more pleasant to do this in the spring or autumn months, so March-May and October-December. 

7. How much does this Japan itinerary cost?

Here is a rough estimate on what we paid for Japan per person:

• Flights: $1,235. We used points for one way in premium economy and cash for premium economy on the way back.
• Hotels: $1,878. The priciest was the ryokan in Hakone, but it included breakfast and dinner too. We also paid $0 for our hotel in Tokyo as we used Hyatt points!
• Tours: $313. This included our baseball tickets and the Hiroshima tour.
• Trains: $454. 
• Food: $600. 
• Other: $400. This included Suica card top ups, activities, Hakone Free Pass, eSIM (I used Airalo), etc.! This is more of an estimate because we paid cash for some things so it’s hard to say exactly how much was spent. 
• Travel Insurance: $110. Booked through World Nomads!

Total: $4,990 per person, or $9,980 for the two of us to visit Japan for 2 weeks. 

This could’ve been done cheaper for sure! We could’ve used points to fly round-trip rather than a one way and cash on the way back, we could’ve picked less expensive hotels, forgone the ryokan, ate at cheaper places, etc. However, it was worth it to us! 

8. What should I pack for Japan?

This depends on when you’re coming, and I’ve got more details in my Japan in August guide for packing for summertime, but here are a few things I found helpful to have while in Japan during the hottest time of year:

• Portable fan. This will be a lifesaver!
• UV umbrella. Shade is also great when it’s super hot.
• Quick-dry towel. This is 2-fold: one for drying hands after washing them as hand towels in public restrooms aren’t common. The other is to wipe sweat.
• Breathable clothing.
• Body Glide. Hot days can mean chafing.
• Tote bag. This is great to carry things but also carry trash as they don’t have many public trash cans everywhere.

9. Was it worth visiting Japan in 2 weeks?

We thought so! Was it our all-time favorite trip that we’ve ever taken? No. But it was incredible with amazing cities, culture, food, temples, museums, and more! I had a great time in Japan, and I’d 100% go back! 

There you have it! This is your ultimate unique 2-week Japan itinerary including stops in Tokyo, Kyoto, Okayama, Hakone, and more! 

What other questions do you have?