2 Weeks in Japan: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, and Hiroshima

Arrival at Narita/Haneda Airport

Purchase the bus fare (1300 yen) from the airport into central Tokyo, disembarking at Tokyo Station. For the first part of your journey, we recommend staying in a nearby district, such as Ginza.

Day 1. Tokyo

Grab a nice breakfast at the local convenience store before taking a stroll to the Imperial East Gardens and Outer Park. There is also an option to do a tour of the Imperial Palace, an activity that is very popular and almost always full. 

Then, embark on a 45-minute walk to the Hamarikyu Gardens. By this point, a short rest is deserved and you can have a drink at Japan's first Starbucks. Their specials never disappoint.

After a short break, walk into central Ginza to the Art Aquarium Museum. This indoor attraction will take about an hour and tickets are 2300 yen per person when you book online. 

There are plenty of eateries around for dinner, however a local ramen restaurant is always a good choice. 

Day 2. Nagoya

Start the day with breakfast at a local café before packing your bags and heading to Tokyo Station to catch a train to Nagoya. At this stage, it may be too early to check in but find your hotel and drop your luggage off to return later in the afternoon.

Make your way to Meijo park to walk around before settling on the sites of Nagoya Castle. While there, take a tour of Hommaru Palace, a restored 17th-century palace with gold-leaf décor. 

Have some lunch before returning to the hotel to check in. After a quick break, make your way to Atsuta Jingu , one of Shinto's most important imperial shrines. It enshrines the Sun Goddess Amaterasu and stores the sacred sword Kusanagi, which is one of the three imperial regalia. Note, however, that the sword is never displayed to the public.

On your way back to the hotel, don’t forget to stop for dinner.

Day 3. Kyoto

Have a filling breakfast in Nagoya and explore the local district before grabbing your bags and heading to Nagoya Station for your train to Kyoto. This will only be a short trip so don’t worry too much about being comfortable.  

Once arriving in Kyoto, make your way to your hotel to drop off your luggage. From here, take a train to Fushimi Inari Taisha, a shrine dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice. This shrine is famous for its two dense, parallel rows of gates called Senbon Torii ("thousands of torii gates").

Before embarking on the hike, grab something to eat for lunch in the Inari district. The hike to the summit of the mountain and back is 2-3 hours although the Yotsutsuji intersection is only 30-45 minutes up the mountain and is a suitable point to turn back if you wish.

After exploring the shrine, return back to the hotel for check in. Then, take the rest of your day and begin your late afternoon in the Central Kyoto and the Kyoto Station Area. Start above the hotel at the Imperial Palace. From here, go to Shoseien Garden and Higashi-Hongan-ji Temple. You should be able to see Kyoto Tower from there.

Stop for a cheap dinner before returning to the hotel for the night.      

Day 4. Kyoto

Beat the crowds in Arashiyama by getting up early and grabbing a quick breakfast (and a packed lunch) from around Gojo/Kyoto Station. Take the train to Arashiyama Station. Have a quick look around the station before heading to Arashiyama bamboo grove. While exploring, be sure to stop at Tenryu-ji Temple, a Zen temple featuring beautiful gardens. Have a nice early lunch in one of the forests or gardens in the area.

Take a photo with Togetsukyo Bridge, a bridge dating back to the Heian period or explore more of northern Arashiyama into the early afternoon, like the Kimono Forest near the station. You might also have the opportunity to visit Nison-in Temple or Jojakko-ji Temple. In summer, you can enjoy the floral fields with display of hydrangeas in the temple gardens. Optionally, you can then explore Kinkaku-ji, a golden temple in Northwest Kyoto. 

After this, take the train back to the hotel for some downtime. You can go for a stroll in Downtown in the evening along Kiyamachi-dori or Shijo-dori to explore the district.

Day 5. Kyoto

Spend the morning in Uji, a small town between Kyoto and Nara, famed for its matcha and green tea. When you get there, make sure to visit Byodo-In Temple. This temple is on the 10-yen coin and features two golden phoenixes on the roof! Wander around to look at the town and maybe buy a cup of tea, before moving onto Ujigami Shrine, and a short walk away, Kosho-Ji Temple. After this, take the Nara train towards Kyoto.

After a late lunch, travel to the Southern Higashiyama district. This is your time to visit Nijo castle and Mikane-jinja shrine. 

After this, spend the evening slowly making your way to have dinner in Pontocho Alley for heading back to the hotel. Be sure to stock up on snacks for the early morning tomorrow.

Day 6. Kyoto

In the morning, take a half-day trip up to the village of Kurama and do the hike over the mountain via the temple to the quaint village of Kibune. After doing the Kurama to Kibune hike, take the Eizan train back to Demachiyanagi and eat lunch somewhere near the station.

After eating lunch, head east along Imadegawa-dori toward the Higashiyama mountains. It will take about 20 minutes to walk up to Ginkaku-ji Temple, which is at the base of the mountains. After exploring the temple, walk about 100 meters down the hill and walk south along the famed Path of Philosophy (Tetsugaku-no-Michi). It’s the canal that has a pedestrian path running alongside it. If you want, you can take a short detour up the hill to visit the lovely Honen-in Temple. 

After this, I highly recommend that you picked up the Kansai-Hiroshima Pass. Then take your time to find a place for dinner and make your way back to the hotel.      

Day 7. Hiroshima

Wake up early and pack your bags, and head to Kyoto Station to catch the 8am Nozomi shinkansen to Shin-Osaka, then immediately Hiroshima, to arrive around 9:45am. When you arrive in Hiroshima, grab a map at the station, and walk to the hotel, leaving your luggage there and let them know that you will be arriving back at the hotel much later in the evening.

Prioritise heading to Miyajima, so head back to the station and jump on the train, then ferry, to the island. Walk along to Itsukushima-jinja Shrine (the floating shrine) and pose for a photo.  Grab something for lunch while making your way to Momiji-dani-koen Park. Take a short rest here to admire the foliage, then continue onto the Miyaima Ropeway to go up Mt. Misen, with another 30-minute hike to the true summit, featuring temples, shrines and views. See the five-storey pagoda, the lover's sanctuary, and the multiple lookouts. Walk through the village before heading back to the pier, to make your way back to Hiroshima.

You should be arriving back in Hiroshima around 17:00. On your way back, stop at the Shukkei-en Garden which closes at 6pm for a nice stroll before the sun begins to set. Head back to the hotel, grabbing something from the local 7-Eleven on the way back to eat for dinner after your long day.

Day 8. Fukuyama (optional)

Take a train to the centre of Hiroshima where you will see the Atomic Bomb Dome and Peace Memorial Park.

Then, around checkout time, depart to Fukuyama in a journey that takes under 30 minutes! Once you arrive, drop your bags off at the hotel and head back to the station to grab a snack before a 40-minute ride to Tomonoura, a sea-side town that inspired the movie, Ponyo.

Grab some lunch in the town and go see the old town centre. You will spot the Joyato Lighthouse, built during the Edo period (1603-1868). From here, make your way to Fukuzenji Temple, open until 17h00 (200JPY), to experience the breathtaking views of the surrounding islands. When wandering, try to spot the Ponyo fountain in an alley near a shop called Tsukuroi Kukan, a canvas bag shop. There is a popular café, Shionone, by the pier that sells soft serves and floats that you can eat while looking at the port town. While you wander around the town, there are many temples and shrines that you may pass. 

Enjoy a scenic dinner at sunset before catching the bus back to the hotel for the night. 

Highly recommend: Fukuyama Oriental Hotel

Day 9. Osaka

Have breakfast at the hotel before making your way to Fukuyama castle. The castle was used as a base to protect western Japan and was originally constructed in 1622. Then, walk or ride to Myoo-in Hondo Temple and surrounding temples/shrines. If you don’t have time, view some of the temples closer to the hotel. This will fill the morning so head back to the hotel for checkout.

Take the shinkansen from Fukuyama to Osaka, leaving at around 12h30.  After lunch at the Osaka station, make your way to the hotel. A good district for this is Umeda.

When you’re ready, take the train to Kintetsu-Nara station, which is closer to the sights we will explore in Nara today. Our first stop is Kofuku-Ji Temple, known for its central golden hall that was destroyed in a fire almost 300 years ago, then reconstructed and opened in 2018. Next, we will wander through the Isuien Garden near the temple. After this, we will visit Todai-Ji Temple, the world’s largest wooden structure and home to Bronze Buddha Statue (Daibutsu-san). The temple was established in 752.

While wandering, find a nice, quiet, and hopefully cheap place to have lunch. After that, head over to Nara Deer Park to see the local deer, although you have probably already spotted some while wandering around. When you’ve finished patting the dear, take your time to visit as many shrines as possible. Kasuga-Taisha, known for its 30,000 stone lanterns, is a popular option. Take the train back to Osaka but don't relax for too long!

Take the train to Himeji castle before it closes. This is one of the best castles to see in Japan, and included in the Kansai-Hiroshima pass. The tour takes an hour and the free guides are amazing!

After this, stop in Kobe for dinner before heading back to Osaka again to finally get some rest.

Day 10. Osaka

Go to Osaka castle. Osaka is an amazing place and you can spend as long or as little as you want at the castle. There is also a chance that there are many things that you missed or saw that you wanted to explore. 

This day is supposed to be relaxing and help you catch up on anything you need.

Day 11. Tokyo

Have a sleep in and breakfast at the hotel. Get to the train station a little bit early so that you can buy yourself an ekiben for the ride. 

Take the shinkansen from Osaka to Tokyo, making sure to get Seat E Window Left Side for a hopeful view of Mt Fuji. Check in to your hotel, then take the train to Harajuku, where you will visit the Meiji Shrine and explore Takeshita Street. For lunch, stop at Afuri Harajuku for Yuzu Ramen & Kura Sushi Harajuku for Sushi Crepes.

The second location for the day is Shibuya, where you will be able to explore Shibuya Crossing, Yoyogi Park, and Hachiko Statue (loyal dog). If you’re a fan of Fast and Furious, there might be a car meet at Shibuya Ward Office Parking Lot. 

Day 12. Tokyo

Today, you’ll be hiking through nature, so make sure you have a filling breakfast to give you energy!

Take the train to Takao Station from Shinjuku. Once you get to Mt Takao, its time to pick your trail. Most people choose the OmotesandoTrail being 3.8km, and the most popular! There is also the Suspension Bridge Trail that is 1.5km, full of nature and animals, and the Summit Loop Trail, only 900m that connects to all the trails. On the way up, you will come across the Monkey Park and Yakuoin Temple. Don’t forget to try to spot Mt Fuji while at the top! 

Day 13. Tokyo

Take a day trip to Kamakura to visit the Great Buddha (Kamakura Daibutsu). For a small fee, you can also go inside the buddha statue. While there isn't much in there, it's definitely good to say you've done it! After this, go to Hase-dera temple, popular in the district because of its hydrangea flowers that bloom during the rainy season.

Find a nice cafe near Kamakura before departing to Akasaka. When you arrive, head to Senso-ji Temple, Tokyo’s oldest

Buddhist temple build in 645 to honour Kannon, Goddess of Mercy. From here,

wander down Nakamise Street and Ameyoko Center to view the street

shops and stalls. Then, make your way to Ueno, a district for shopping

And shrines. Don’t forget to stop at a Purikura Booth (selfie) to snap a souvenir.

Have dinner at the Shinjuku Golden Gai or somewhere local that you really want to try. Dumplings are a must. The places here are petite but very nice and atmospheric for a small group or couple. 

Day 14. 

Have your favourite convenience store foods and drinks for breakfast before wandering around the district. When you've had enough of walking, you can stop at Omoide Yokocho for lunch at one of the food stalls before heading to the next stop is Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden, that features a quaint Starbucks in the garden center.

These are your last hours to see everything before you depart. Some popular options are to return to the shopping districts to buy your last chance items and souvenirs for your friends. 

Some notable mentions are buying some shoes at ABC-mart, getting some clothing and merchandise at Harajuku, and eating lunch at Ichiran ramen for an early dinner before packing your suitcase, checking out, and saying goodbye to Japan as you buy your bus fare back to the airport. Once you’re there and checked in, relax, and have a snack until your flight departs.