Japan is a country full of mysterious oriental flavor, retaining a large number of traditional culture and essence, these are also an extension of Chinese civilization, Japan has a high quality of life experience, natural environmental protection in place, the service is also quite considerate, the following to share with you a detailed 14-day travel guide to Japan.
Recommended Cities to Visit in JapanJapan is full of mesmerizing landscapes, incredible sights and - my favorite -
delicious food! There are many destinations that almost anyone planning a trip to Japan will want to include in their itinerary. But, obviously, with only 10-14 days in Japan, you won't be able to cover them all. We've chosen the top destinations where we think you can comfortably fit in more than 10 days.
Keep in mind that traveling in Japan is both expensive and long. The cities aren't all that close together, so you'll have to plan very wisely to make everything blend in perfectly.
Top destinations in Japan to visit for 10 days or more:
Tokyo, Hakone, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Hiroshima, Miyajima, Kamakura.
If you want to experience a traditional onsen (hot spring), this is the place for you: onsens are gender-segregated and are "bathing suit-less" traditional baths. You can also take a gondola ride to catch a glimpse of Mt.
How to spend two weeks in JapanThere are really two perfectly acceptable options for a vacation in Japan. You can do it the easy way or the more difficult way. Either way can be quite rewarding, but it depends a lot on how you travel and how much effort you want to put into planning.
The options are to book a guided, pre-planned trip or plan everything yourself and take a self-guided tour. By far, the first option is the easiest. While Japan is easy to get around and great for travelers, it can be difficult to do on your own due to the language barrier and the tough train schedules you have to drive. A pre-planned trip won't give you the same freedom to do what you want to do, but it's completely tailored to you and you'll always have a guide to help you accomplish whatever you need to.
We'll offer you two options below, including a pre-planned trip, which we highly recommend, and a subsequent 14-day self-guided itinerary.
Days 1-3: TokyoArrival in Tokyo. Keep in mind that Tokyo is a huge city with many different places to explore. You won't want to stay in one area, but travel around and see as much as you can. We recommend you visit the main attractions such as the TOKYO SKYTREE, Tsukiji Fish Market, Hamarikyu Gardens, Meiji Jingu Shrine, the Imperial Palace and Shibuya Crossing. Also go shopping in Ginza, take a food tour, and try an Izikaya or two.
Want to book an izakaya tour?MagicalTrip will help you navigate their favorite izakaya bars on a Tokyo bar hopping night tour. Then, you don't have to worry about getting in, just let Magical
Trip help you make the most of Tokyo's local food and drinks.
Make it easy on yourself with this 3-day Tokyo itinerary for food lovers. Or, if you've got a whole week to spare, check out our 7-day Japan itinerary.
Tokyo accommodation: we recommend the InterContinental Tokyo. It's a very large hotel with beautiful rooms, located in Shinagawa, very close to shopping, dining and transportation. You can take the bullet train to the next stop at Shinagawa Station, just a short walk from the hotel.
Day 4: Hakone and Mt. FujiTransfer to Hakone. Famous for its traditional hot springs or onsen, Hakone is part of the Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park and boasts incredible mountain views and hiking, as well as art museums and shrines. You can also take a cable car ride to catch a glimpse of Mt. Fuji. You'll need a full day to explore and stay overnight.
Accommodations to stay in Hakone: The Hyatt Regency Hakone Hotel & Spa is just steps away from the cable car that takes you to Mt. Fuji. The hotel has very nice, elegant rooms with great views.
We also recommend the Hakone Mountain View Hotel for a traditional Japanese ryokan experience, offering cozy accommodations and great food. They have a rare volcanic hot spring called Nigori-yu -
a fun and unique experience, especially for couples.
Days 5-6: KyotoTransfer to Kyoto. Kyoto has many iconic and striking shrines and temples that you will want to see. This includes Fushimi Inari Shrine and the Golden Temple. You won't be able to leave without visiting the Nishiki Market, seeing artists walking around the city center, taking part in a tea ceremony, and having lunch or dinner at a traditional kaiseki restaurant. At the right time of year you can also see the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest and Fushimi Inari Temple.
Where to stay in Kyoto: We recommend the Hyatt Regency because it has a solid Western standard of accommodation, but it's not as close to the main sights as we'd like. Another closer option is the ANA Crowne Plaza Kyoto
. Kyoto is known for its traditional Japanese-style inns.
Day 7: NaraNaraPark: Take the JR train to Nara
Park in MountWakakusa. This park is home to more than 1,200 free-roaming deer that are domesticated enough for you to feed them. You'll also see the world's largest bronze Buddha statue and one of Japan's tallest pagodas, as well as other historic buildings. Take the JR train to Osaka.
Day 8-9: OsakaFor foodies, there's nothing as exciting as Dotonbori Street in the evening hours. This street is filled with a variety of Japanese street food specialties such as okonomiyaki and takoyaki. Visit Osaka Castle and Park and check out the Instant
Ramen Museum. If you have time, shop for Japanese knives at the food-centered KuromonIchibaMarket.
If you want to try the best izakaya food, such as okonomiyaki and takoyaki, and drink in Osaka, try this Osaka Bar Food Tour for a magical trip
. You'll experience authentic Osaka food and drinks at local izakaya bars that travelers usually can't find.
Staying in Osaka: One of my favorite hotels is the Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel
. It's conveniently located so you can easily visit the top attractions in and around Osaka. It has an insane view and very comfortable rooms. Read the Osaka Marriott Miyako Hotel travel advisor's review.
Day 10: KobeKobe is a 30-minute train ride away, and you'll enjoy the famous Kobe beef. You'll thank yourself for doing this-
There's nothing like it, and as a foodie, you owe it to yourself! On your way back to Osaka, you can stop in Kobe's Nada district to taste and make the history of sake brewing.
If you're not a sake drinker, head to Himeji Castle, just 30 minutes from Kobe.
Overnight again in Osaka.
Days 11 and 12: Hiroshima and MiyajimaKnowing that Hiroshima was effectively razed to the ground in 1945, you will now see the city in awe. Hiroshima preserves the memory of the atomic bombing in the Peace Memorial Park and Museum. Other popular sites to see in the city include Hiroshima Castle, the city's family shrine and temple, the Museum of Art and the Flame of Peace Garden. You can also visit Miyajima, where the orange Great
ToriiGate sits at the entrance to the Itsukushimatemple and is partially submerged during high tide. If you have a Japan Rail Pass
it will cover the Japan Rail Ferry trains and ferries between Hiroshima and Miyajima.
Accommodations in Hiroshima: Sheraton Grand Hotel Hiroshima. The hotel is connected to the Hiroshima Shinkansen station by a short covered walkway, making it easy for guests to access the city and Miyajima.
Day 13: KamakuraFor a change of pace, visit Kamakura, a seaside town south of Tokyo. It was the political center of medieval Japan, but is now a popular resort town with dozens of Buddhist temples and Shinto shrines. One of the most well-known is the Great Buddha, a 42-foot-tall bronze statue that has stood the test of time. You can spend the day visiting the temples and shrines, hiking one of the many trails, and enjoying Shichirigahama Beach and the many museums around town.
Kamakura Prince Hotel: Enjoy ocean views from the beach with a stay at the Kamakura Prince Hotel.
Day 14: Return to TokyoHow to vacation in Japan
Best time to go to JapanWhen you decide to go to Japan, it should be based on the type of experience you want to have. Many people prioritize going to Japan in the spring to see the cherry blossoms, while others don't want to go there during such a high tourist season. If you want to catch Japan's fireworks season, you'll need to go in August, but it's really humid at that time of year. The weather is best from late March through May.
Another great time to visit is in the fall, when the leaves are changing, from September to November. Because Japan gets hot in the summer, try to avoid traveling between June and August.
Arriving in and around JapanMany top airlines offer direct flights to Japan. You can check the status of flights to Japan from your home airport to find out which route and airline is best for you. Top Japanese airlines include All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines, but you can fly to Japan on most U.S. airlines, such as American and United.
After arriving in Japan - probably in Tokyo - you can take the train into the city center. The best way to do this is to take the Japan Railroad (JR) Narita Express (known as NEX). If you have a Japan Rail Pass
this trip is included in the pass. It arrives at Tokyo Station in 60-90 minutes. You may then need to change trains at Tokyo Station for the Yamanote Line, which serves most tourist hotels.
The best way to travel to Japan by train. You'll need a 14-day Japan Rail Pass
. The pass allows you to travel on all JR trains throughout Japan, including the high-speed Shinkansen bullet trains. This is the most economical and hassle-free way to travel. Traveling in Japan is not cheap, and the cost of purchasing an individual ticket will far exceed the cost of a Japan Rail Pass, which you can purchase for 7, 14 or 21 consecutive days.
Remember, you have to buy it before you enter the country and allow time for it to be delivered
When planning your Japan itinerary, keep in mind the distances between each destination (e.g., a train from Tokyo to Kyoto takes 3:15). With a train connecting each city of your choice, you can easily travel throughout the country.
Traveling in Japan isn't cheap, but you can save money in Japan by buying a Japan Rail Pass and eating street food.
Tipping in JapanIf you are from the United States, Canada or other countries where tipping is customary, you should know that tipping is not customary in Japan, and if you do try to tip in a restaurant or hotel it may even be refused or considered rude, to avoid embarrassment, follow Japanese custom and do not tip.
Eating in JapanJapan is a country with many unique foods and if you are willing to try food and have an open mind, you will come up with something you have never tried before, then you will have the best overall experience.
In addition to the expected sushi you can find all over the country, there are many specialties you should try. Some of our favorites are Okonomiyaki (found mostly in Osaka), takoyaki (also from Osaka), yakitori, gyoza, and Kobe beef (only in Kobe).
You might also want to try kaiseki cuisine in Kyoto, a traditional yet very modern preparation. Many of the top Kaiseki restaurants have also been awarded Michelin stars!
If you think it is too much trouble to make your own, but do not know how to play without making it, here I happen to be Baidu can be directly searched for "operation treasure" inside the travel itinerary planner, you can make a key to the itinerary, as long as you enter the location and destination, and plan for a few days, according to the big data and maps to make a perfect travel itinerary for you. The first thing you need to do is to make sure that you have a perfect travel itinerary, and that you don't have to spend a lot of time on it.