2 Weeks in Japan - 5 Unique Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Classic Highlights of Japan

On this two-week journey around Japan, you'll visit sacred temples and shrines in Kyoto, cycle through the countryside, and roam around the modern cities of Tokyo and Hiroshima.

Welcome to Japan! Begin the trip in Tokyo with a guided tour of the city's top sights before continuing onward to Hiroshima, where you'll visit the area where an atomic bomb went off during World War II. Enjoy a relaxing boat ride to nearby Miyajima Island before the trip takes you to Kyoto. You'll learn about geisha culture, flower arranging, and other traditional arts while in town. Day-trip to Nara, where native deer wander around ancient shrines, then return to Kyoto.

Base yourself in Takayama for the next two nights of the trip, doing cultural sightseeing on the first day, then a cycling trip through the surrounding countryside on the next day. Shirakawa-go is your next destination, home to historic farmhouses built to withstand heavy snow. You'll visit the world-famous landscape gardens of Kanazawa before circling back to Tokyo, where you'll bar-hop in the Golden Gai district on the last night of the trip. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Culture & History of Japan

Travel through Japan's cultural past with this two-week immersive holiday that starts in Tokyo, then takes you to mountain hot springs, the historic post towns of the Nakasendo Trail, the traditional thatched-roof farmhouses of Shirakawa-go, and the mountaintop temples of Mount Koya.

Kick off your adventure in Tokyo. After a couple of days in the capital city, you'll travel northwest to the small town of Obuse, once home to the famous woodblock artist Katsushika Hokusai, whose “Great Wave” print is one of the most recognizable pieces of art in the world. Visit the Hokusai-kan Museum to view his historic works, then go to a sake tasting before moving on to Yudanaka Onsen, a hot spring village famous for its resident snow monkeys. 

Tour Matsumoto Castle and enjoy a short walk on the Nakasendo Trail before heading to historic Takayama and then Shirakawa-go to see the region's traditional farmhouses. Go for a stroll along Kyoto's canals and visit the city's shrines and temples with a guide, then stop in Nara before continuing on the beautiful train ride to Mount Koya, an important religious center since the ninth century. Today it's home to over 100 monasteries and the vast Okuno-in Cemetery. You'll go back to Tokyo for a night on the town before the trip is over. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Family Adventure in Japan

Offering ancient traditions and futuristic fun, this 14-day family-friendly holiday features a sushi class, a samurai sword-fighting course, visits to the character cafés and comic book shops of Tokyo, boating on a lake near Mount Fuji, and day trips to Disney Sea and Universal Studios Japan.  

Start the adventure in Tokyo with an exploration of futuristic Odaiba and a chance to make sushi during a cooking class with a chef. Learn about ninja culture at a theme park in Nikko, then head back to Tokyo to visit manga and anime shops and colorful character cafés. You'll have a day to explore the Disney Sea theme park. Then you'll day-trip to a traditional village and get a closer look at Mount Fuji, taking some time to boat or swim in picturesque Lake Kawaguchi.

You'll get hands-on—and indulge your sweet tooth—while learning about tea ceremony traditions and candy making in Kyoto. Marvel at the massive bamboo grove at Arashiyama and encounter resident deer around the shrines of Nara before enjoying a day of fun at Universal Studios Japan. Sightsee in Hiroshima and boat out to Miyajima Island, seeing the large red torii gates that rise out of the water from the boat's deck. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Off the Beaten Path in Japan

This unique 14-day trip by steam train, ferry, and boat leads you to hidden destinations that few tourists explore, including a homestay in Izumo, the pristine beaches of the remote Goto islands, and more.

Jump right into Tokyo's food and drink scene on day one, blending your own fruits and flavors to create a unique bottle of sake that will be ready for you to pick up at the end of the trip. You'll spend the next few days discovering off-the-beaten-path attractions around the buzzing capital city, learning about futuristic art and technology, and going back in history to educate yourself about the Edo period.

Then it's off to the countryside, where you'll spend several days with a local family during a homestay in Izumo. You'll enjoy homemade meals and also have the chance to meet a geisha for an extended conversation. Visit Yasaka Shrine before continuing to Amanohashidate to see its temples and shrines, then to Nara, where native deer await amid the historical monuments. Take a steam train to Arashiyama before transferring onward to the mysterious Goto Islands. You'll go to Huis Ten Bosch Theme Park, twice the size of Disneyland, and tour historic Nagasaki on the last full day of the trip. Learn more 

Itinerary #5: Winter in Japan: Skiing, Sumo, Sake & More

Ski, snowboard, and hike your way around Japan on this outdoorsy two-week adventure through the country's wintry landscapes, including stops in Kyoto, Tokyo, and the slopes of Niigata, an off-the-beaten-path mountain resort.

This journey begins in Kyoto, where you'll sightsee the ancient capital, day-tripping to Arashiyama and its famous bamboo forest for a relaxing hike. Visit Himeji Castle, one of the most spectacular castles in Japan—it's known as the "White Heron Castle" because the structure resembles a heron in mid-flight. You'll learn more about Japanese history in Takayama before hitting the ski slopes in Niigata.

After a day of skiing or snowboarding, treat yourself to a dip in the hot springs of Nagano. The region is rich with natural mineral springs, and depending on where you go, you may have company—monkeys are famous for bathing here, too! You'll head to Tokyo next, where you'll base yourself for the rest of the trip. See sumo wrestlers in action and sample sake at a tasting, then side-trip to Nikko's temples and a village near Mount Fuji. On the last full day of the trip, enjoy sightseeing, shopping, and bar-hopping in busy Tokyo! Learn more

More 2-Week Japan Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Japan? Check out these other 14-day Japan itineraries, with walking tours, cultural journeys, and best-of trips to hit the highlights.