This post was originally published on A Globe Well Travelled in 2019. The content has been revised and updated with fresh information.
I was pretty darn excited about this Japan itinerary.
Japan had been on my travel wish list for years. I’d visited other parts of Asia before, but something told me Japan would be different. I expected to be overwhelmed by the unique cultural norms shaped by its polite but populous society, and to have experiences that could only happen in a country as meticulously organised as Japan.
As it turned out, that hunch was spot on. My husband and I spent two incredible weeks exploring colourful temples, historic shrines, and perfectly manicured zen gardens across five destinations. Here’s the complete travel itinerary for Japan, perfect for first-timers!
Quick summary:
In this post, I’ll share our full 2 week Japan itinerary covering Osaka, Kyoto, Hiroshima, Mt Fuji and Tokyo. You’ll find personal tips, transport routes, hotel picks, and what we loved (and missed!) at each stop.
Recommended stays:
🏯 Osaka – Citadines Namba Osaka (central location with easy access to the metro)
🕊️ Hiroshima – Candeo Hotel (right by the Peace Park)
🌸 Kyoto – The General (stylish boutique stay near Gion)
🗻 Mt Fuji – Rakuyu Kawaguchiko (tatami rooms and private onsen by the lake)
🏙️ Tokyo – Ebisuholic Hotel (modern hotel in trendy Ebisu, on the Yamanote Line)
Japan travel itinerary:
O — Osaka
H — Hiroshima
K — Kyoto
F — Mt Fuji
T — Tokyo
Best Japan itinerary:
Day 1: Osaka
We had two choices for direct flights to Japan from Sydney—Tokyo or Osaka. Tokyo might be the more obvious pick, but Osaka won out due to cheaper airfares (I later learned that this is thanks to lower flight taxes at Osaka airport).
Where to stay in Osaka: We arrived in the evening and checked into a hotel near Shin-Osaka station for the night, but if you’ll be spending a few days in the city, I’d suggest the Citadines Namba Osaka for it’s great central location and easy access to the metro.
Our time in Osaka was short but we made sure to visit Osaka Castle and step inside to view the displays of historic artifacts. The views of Osaka from inside the castle were also phenomenal!
Next time, I’d love to spend a few more days in Osaka to experience more of the city’s food scene and lively neighborhoods. Dotonburi is meant to be a fun nightlife area, and Super Nintendo World would be such a cool attraction if you’re visiting Japan with kids. I definitely think I’ll plan a family trip to Japan and take my son there when he gets a little older!
After our morning of exploration, we made our way on to the bullet train at Shin-Osaka Station to move on to our next destination — Hiroshima. Having a mobile data made navigating Japan’s public transport system super easy. I’d suggest you travel to Japan with Saily’s eSIM to get connected before your trip begins.
Days 2-4: Hiroshima
We spent the next few days of our trip in Hiroshima—a city known for being largely damaged by the atomic bomb during World War II.
Where to stay in Hiroshima: We stayed at the Candeo Hotel near the Peace Park, which was a great base for exploring the area’s memorials and museums.
My husband was particularly interested in Hiroshima’s historic trams, which included models from all over Japan still running through the streets.
We also took a ferry to Miyajima Island, where we saw the iconic floating torii gate at Itsukushima Shrine and hiked up to Daishoin Temple. It was a peaceful contrast to the heavy history of the city and one of our favourite Japan day trips in the whole itinerary.
Hiroshima isn’t as tourist-heavy as Tokyo or Kyoto, but it quickly became one of our top destinations in Japan. If you have time in your itinerary, don’t skip it!
From Hiroshima, we took the bullet train onwards to Kyoto.
Days 5-9: Kyoto (with a day trip to Nara)
Kyoto was the city I was most excited to visit—and it really lived up to the hype.
We wandered through the historic Gion district where we caught glimpses of people dressed in kimonos, hiked around the beautiful Fushimi Inari Shrine with its thousands of torii gates, and visited the dreamy Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. It was busy with tourists there, but loved every moment.
Where to stay in Kyoto: We spent five nights at The General Bukkoji Shinmachi, a boutique hotel just steps from the Gion district.
We also took a day trip to Nara, famous for its free-roaming deer and ancient temples. The deer were friendlier (and cheekier) than I expected! Nara also had a great selection of vegetarian food, which kept both of us very happy.
Kyoto and Nara are included on many Japan tours and offer a perfect mix of culture, history, and natural beauty. I could have stayed longer in this region, easily.
Day 10: Mt Fuji (Kawaguchiko)
Our longest travel day of the trip took us from Kyoto to the Fuji Five Lakes area, with a bullet train to Mishima followed by a bus to Lake Kawaguchi.
Where to stay in Kawaguchiko: We stayed just one night, splurging on a traditional tatami room at Rakuyu, a lakeside resort with a private onsen and views over Lake Kawaguchi and (allegedly) Mt Fuji.
I was really looking forward to it—this was our chance to see Japan’s most iconic mountain in person, but unfortunately I wasn’t lucky enough to see views of Mt Fuji on this trip. The weather was overcast the entire time we were there, and the mountain was completely hidden behind clouds. I knew this was a risk (Fuji is famously shy) but I was still a little bummed not to see that perfect snow-capped cone with my own eyes.
As a happy update, I took a Mt Fuji day tour from Tokyo a few years later and the skies were clear. The views were spectacular! I wandered the lakeside, sampled soft serve at Oishi Park, and enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere of the area. It was honestly a dream come true for me.
Days 11-14: Tokyo
Our final stop was Tokyo. I chose to stay in the Ebisu area because it’s on the Yamanote Line on the Tokyo metro, which gave us quick access to top spots like Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku.
Where to stay in Tokyo: We spent four nights at Ebisuholic, a boutique hotel in the trendy Ebisu neighborhood just south of the iconic Shibuya Crossing.
Tokyo was fast-paced, quirky, and packed with surprises. Some of our favourite Tokyo attractions were TeamLab Borderless and Tokyo Disneyland.
We also went to some of Tokyo’s best observation decks to get views of the expansive city from above. It was the perfect way to end the trip!
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