12 day itinerary for Japan
Personalized with:
5 days in tokyo
7 days with a rail pass
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Itinerary
Here's a suggested itinerary for your 12-day trip to Japan:
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Upon arrival at Narita or Haneda airport, you can take the train or bus to your hotel in Tokyo. Spend the rest of the day exploring your neighborhood and getting acclimated to the city.
Day 2-6: Tokyo
Spend the next five days exploring Tokyo's many neighborhoods and attractions. Some must-see spots include:
- Shibuya Crossing
- Tsukiji Fish Market
- Meiji Shrine
- Harajuku
- Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
- Tokyo Tower
- Sensoji Temple
- Akihabara
- Odaiba
You can also take day trips from Tokyo to nearby destinations like Kamakura, Yokohama, or Nikko.
Day 7: Travel to Kyoto
Use your rail pass to travel from Tokyo to Kyoto. Once you arrive, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the city's historic temples and shrines, such as Kiyomizu-dera and Fushimi Inari-taisha.
Day 8-10: Kyoto
Spend the next three days exploring Kyoto's many cultural attractions, including:
- Nijo Castle
- Gion district
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)
- Ryoan-ji Temple
- Philosopher's Path
- Nishiki Market
You can also take a day trip from Kyoto to Nara, which is home to some of Japan's oldest and most impressive temples.
Day 11: Travel to Hiroshima
Use your rail pass to travel from Kyoto to Hiroshima. Once you arrive, check into your hotel and spend the rest of the day exploring the city's Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
Day 12: Miyajima Island
Take a ferry from Hiroshima to Miyajima Island, which is home to the famous Itsukushima Shrine and its iconic "floating" torii gate. Spend the day exploring the island's temples, hiking trails, and local cuisine.
Day 13: Departure
Depending on your flight schedule, you may have some time in the morning to do some last-minute souvenir shopping or sightseeing before heading to the airport for your flight home.
I hope this itinerary gives you a good starting point for planning your trip to Japan!
Places of interest
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a beautiful park located in Tokyo, Japan. It features a variety of gardens including traditional Japanese, French formal, and English landscape styles. Visitors can also enjoy walking paths, ponds, and a greenhouse.
Peace Memorial Park and Museum
Peace Memorial Park and Museum is a memorial site in Hiroshima, Japan, dedicated to the victims of the atomic bombing that occurred on August 6, 1945. The park features various monuments, including the Atomic Bomb Dome, and the museum displays artifacts and information about the bombing and its aftermath.