Two weeks · The full route
14-Day Japan Itinerary
Two weeks is the sweet spot. You can do the golden route properly and still add one region that feels like a different country — Hokkaido in the north or Kyushu in the south.
- Best route
- Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Nara → Osaka → Hiroshima
- Rail legs
- 5–6 journeys
- Typical budget
- $2,800–5,500 per person
- Pace
- Two nights minimum per city
Fourteen days, no rushing
Never sleep somewhere for a single night more than twice. A rough split: Tokyo 4, Hakone 1, Kyoto 4, Osaka 3, Hiroshima 2.
- ◆Add Sapporo for food and mountains — fly, don't take the train
- ◆Add Fukuoka for yatai food stalls and the easiest airport in Japan
- ◆Keep the last night near your departure airport
Where a rail pass finally wins
On a 14-day route that includes Hiroshima and multiple long legs, the nationwide pass often works out cheaper. Compare the 7-day pass covering only your travel-heavy week.
Seasons matter more than the plan
Cherry blossom (late March to early April) and autumn colour (mid-November) fill hotels months ahead. Book accommodation before you finalise the day-by-day.
Turn this into your trip
Your dates, your budget, your interests — same route, built around you.
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