2 weeks in Japan - 5 unique travel ideas (2023)

FAQs

Is it worth going to Japan for 2 weeks? ›

Two weeks is the perfect amount of time for your first trip to Japan. You'll be able to explore this wonderful country from the mountains to the sea, wandering through chaotic neon-lined streets and serene Zen temples, soaking in onsens and filling yourself with more ramen and sushi than you ever thought possible.

With two weeks on your hands, you will be able to visit the two most important and distinct cities of Japan – Tokyo, and Kyoto, plus do some day trips from these two big cities to Nikko and Nara, or even Osaka if you want some more big city time.

The biggest decision you must make is which city to visit first: Osaka or Kyoto? Here, we'll suggest visiting Osaka first, but you could easily switch them around. Note that the two Osaka days here are a summary version of our Osaka 2-Day Itinerary.

Ideally, how long for a trip to Japan ? We recommend a minimum of 2 weeks to discover the Japanese archipelago. This is the minimum travel time in Japan to have time to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and their surroundings. For this, we advise you to spend a minimum of 6 nights in Tokyo and 6 nights in the Kyoto region .

The best time to visit Japan is during spring (March to May) and fall (September to November). This is when Japan is at its most vibrant, with delicate cherry blossom or bright red leaves adding contrast to the scenery.

If you can't get enough of big showy temples and shrines and want somewhere with a sense of history, staying in Kyoto is absolutely your best bet. But, if you love to wander and just absorb the feeling of different areas, I think Osaka fits the bill more than Kyoto.

A vacation to Japan for one week usually costs around ¥106,216 for one person. So, a trip to Japan for two people costs around ¥212,432 for one week. A trip for two weeks for two people costs ¥424,864 in Japan.

The country is filled with so many different cities, activities & attractions, and 14 days is a great amount of time to spend exploring it all. This Japan itinerary will take you to several different cities throughout the country – both major ones like Tokyo and smaller ones like Takayama.

Mount Fuji is about 100km or 62 miles west of Tokyo. There are many ways to get from Tokyo to Mount Fuji, but the most convenient way for those who want to climb the mountain (or just visit it) is a direct highway bus from the Shinjuku Highway Bus Terminal.

Trains are the most popular way for travelers to explore Japan, and arguably the best. They are fast, efficient, and extremely reliable, and though they are not the cheapest form of transport available, they can get you just about anywhere in the country with minimal stress.

What is the Golden Route Japan? ›

Our Golden Route Japan itinerary loosely follows the Tokaido Road, the most traveled route during the Edo Period connecting Kyoto to Tokyo. Today, this route is referred to as the "Golden Route" and is popular among visitors as it features famous sites along the route including Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, and Osaka.

Sapporo first garnered international attention when it became the first city in Asia to host the Winter Olympics in 1972. Today, it's one of Japan's most popular tourist destinations – famous for its miso ramen, Sapporo beer, and playing host to the Sapporo Snow Festival which draws in over 2 million tourists annually.

The best places to stay in Japan for first-timers are Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka because they are the most popular cities in Japan. If you have a long holiday in Japan, you can make your trip to Hiroshima, Hokkaido, Fukuoka, Okinawa, Hakone, and Kamakura.

The Shinkansen service which runs from Shin-Osaka Station to Kyoto Station is the fastest way and it's covered by the JR Pass. The bullet train time is only 15 minutes. If you don't have a JR Pass, the Shinkansen price for this journey is 1,420 yen.

If you want to be at the heart of everything, Tokyo can be your best bet. But, if you want to enjoy a lower cost of living and friendlier neighbors, Osaka can be the better choice. Both cities have something unique to offer, and living in either city can be a fantastic experience.

Tokyo has plenty of cheap spots, often clustered into districts like Omoide Yokochō in Shinjuku, but you'll generally find Kyoto a little cheaper overall.

Top tips for finding cheap flights to Japan

High season is considered to be November and December. The cheapest month to fly to Japan is March.

Planning a trip to Japan, a country with a completely different culture, an unintelligible language, and several stretched-out megacities, can be a little overwhelming. But let me reassure you immediately, it is very easy to travel independently in this country. Japanese are welcoming, helpful, and well-organized.

The typhoon season in the Pacific usually begins with less severe storms in April and does not end until November. The most severe typhoons usually occur in August and September. The most severe typhoon to make landfall in Japan in the past 12 months was »Nanmadol«.

Which month is cherry blossom in Japan? ›

Cherry blossom season in Japan is generally said to be late March to April, but given the geographical scope of the country, the blooming period actually covers around 4 months!

Traveling to Japan in July is likely to be the most expensive. We expect costs during this month to be as much as 14% higher than average.

The cherries usually bloom in Osaka in the last week of March and the first week of April. Thus, you have to be pretty lucky to catch them during a short trip to Japan.

In one sentence Kyoto is the cultural, historical and spiritual centre of Japan. From 794 to 1868, Kyoto was Japan's capital and the imperial residence. Although destroyed by several wars and fires over the years, many traditional priceless structures still survive.

Osaka is best known for its amazing casual food and outgoing locals. It's arguably Japan's street food capital, and most famous for snacks including takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Osaka is also renowned for its fun, extroverted people who make eating and drinking in the city an unforgettable experience.

Electrical outlets in Japan are for the most part consistent with North American sockets. While the voltage in Japan in 100 Volt, lower than that of North American plugs at 110 Volt and central Europe and surrounding countries at 230 Volt, for the most part, they are compatible and work just fine.

Is 1000 dollars enough for a week in Japan? In short, I think you will be absolutely fine since your flight and hotels are paid for already. $1000 should be sufficient, but you must be strict with yourself.

Plan to spend around US$350-US$1,500 per person per day on your trip to Japan. A 2-week vacation to Japan costs around US$5,000 per person. A 10-day vacation to Japan costs around US$3,500 per person.

Osaka is home to Universal Studios Japan and it's location in the Kansai region makes it a great jumping off point to fascinating destinations like Kyoto and Nara. There's much to love about this city that's become one of our favorites in Japan.

Onsen are natural hot springs, fueled by volcanic activity, as well as the resort atmosphere that has emerged around many such springs. Japan offers around 2,300 onsen to choose from, many of them included in ryokan (traditional inns).

How to get to Mt Fuji from Tokyo? ›

Reaching Mount Fuji from Tokyo is straightforward, most easily done via Shinjuku Station. Running on the Fujikyu Railway Line, the Limited Express Fuji Excursion runs direct from Shinjuku to stations including Otsuki, Mt Fuji and Kawaguchiko – taking around 115 minutes / JPY4130 to make the journey.

Why is Mount Fuji famous? Rising to 12,388 feet (3,776 metres), Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan and is known for its graceful conical form. It is the country's sacred symbol, and temples and shrines are located around and on the volcano.

A one-way ticket costs 2,250 yen (unreserved seat), 2,970 yen (reserved seat), or free for JR Pass holders. Then, at Kawaguchiko Station, you need to transfer to the Fujikyu Railway Line bound for Kawaguchiko Station. A one-way ticket for this leg costs 1,140 yen, and is not covered by your JR Pass.

Fuji, the highest volcano in Japan, and the surrounding lakes known as Fuji Five Lakes are about 50 miles (80 km) from Hakone, 100 miles (160 km) from Tokyo, and 250 miles (400 km) from Kyoto.

Mt Fuji, Yamanashi

Japan's crown jewel and arguably the most beautiful place in the country, Mt Fuji is a must for any visitor. There are plenty of places to see the grand mountain, but the views from Arakurayama Sengen Park, which boasts the majestic Chureito Pagoda, and from Lake Kawaguchi best capture its beauty.

Kyoto is one of the top Japan tourist spots, so try to visit the popular temples early in the morning as they do get crowded. In Kyoto don't miss: Wandering through the red torii gates of Fushimi Inari shrine.

These are Miyajima (Shrine Island), Amanohashidate (Heaven Bridge) and Matsushima (Pine Island). They make a beautiful green contrast with ocean. These sites have moved many people's hearts. The sites which are surrounded by the sea is the symbol of Japan.

The Diamond Route connects Fukushima, Tochigi and Ibaraki prefectures. Each prefecture holds numerous and unique features, like history, culture, nature, food and outdoor activities. All of these experiences are waiting for you in this vast area where you will feel the Japanese heartland.

This enormous monument is one of the most iconic structures in Tokyo, rudely nicknamed "The Golden Turd." Been Here? Want to Visit? The Asahi Beer Hall, or Super Dry Hall, is a building adjacent to the headquarters of Asahi Breweries.

Take the JR Tohoku/Hokkaido Shinkansen from Tokyo to Shin-Hakodate-Hokuto (4 hours) and transfer to the Hokuto limited express to Sapporo (3.5 hours). The entire one way trip costs around 29,000 yen and takes around eight hours. It is fully covered by the Japan Rail Pass and JR East South Hokkaido Rail Pass.

Why is Hokkaido so famous? ›

Hokkaido is famous for its prosperous agriculture and the aquatic resouses, which is taking advantage of its huge fertile land. Hokkaido prefecture won the first place on the "National prefectual attractiveness ranking 2018", and keeps its position for 10 years.

How many days should I spend in Osaka? I recommend at least 5 days to see the must-see of the Kansai region, namely Osaka and Kyoto. But it would be better if you can stay for at least 8 days, which will allow you to visit all the best highlights of Kansai: Osaka, Kyoto, Nara, Kobe, Himeji, and Hiroshima.

Most expats working for international companies live in Central Tokyo – mostly in the areas Minato-ku and Shibuya-ku. These areas are the business centers of Tokyo, with multinational companies having their offices located there.

Ideally, how long for a trip to Japan ? We recommend a minimum of 2 weeks to discover the Japanese archipelago. This is the minimum travel time in Japan to have time to visit Tokyo, Kyoto and their surroundings. For this, we advise you to spend a minimum of 6 nights in Tokyo and 6 nights in the Kyoto region .

The country is filled with so many different cities, activities & attractions, and 14 days is a great amount of time to spend exploring it all. This Japan itinerary will take you to several different cities throughout the country – both major ones like Tokyo and smaller ones like Takayama.

Of course, there is so much to see in Japan, but if you have a limited time frame for your Japan itinerary, seven days is a really good amount of time to get to know a few places in the country. Plus, even if you can't see everything, one week in Japan is going to be magical regardless!

Ten days is more than enough for a first-time visitor, but if you have a few more days, you could easily stretch this schedule to two weeks in Japan or skip one or two destinations if you just have a week in Japan.

A vacation to Japan for one week usually costs around ¥106,216 for one person. So, a trip to Japan for two people costs around ¥212,432 for one week. A trip for two weeks for two people costs ¥424,864 in Japan.

If you're not keen on wall-to-wall Japanese food, Tokyo may be a better bet. The capital is far more multicultural, and home to some of the best French, Italian and Chinese restaurants in the world. Kyoto is more traditional, packed with places to try Japanese dishes you might not have seen back at home.

How do I plan a perfect trip to Japan? ›

Japan has a reputation as an expensive place to travel to, but it's an image that doesn't hold up on the ground. With a little strategy, a visit can be very reasonable – budget-friendly, even. Many of the country's top sights, for example, cost nothing and free festivals take place year-round.

Credit, debit and prepaid cards of international brands are generally accepted throughout the country. There will be instances where stores may not display the symbols of the cards they accept, so ask the salesperson if you can use your card.