17 day itinerary
Japan
Personalized with:I travel at a fast pace
Itinerary
Japan is a fantastic country with a rich tapestry of culture, history, and modernity. With 17 days to explore, you can cover a lot of ground! Here’s a fast-paced itinerary that will let you experience the highlights of Japan while still giving you a taste of its unique charm. Let’s dive in!
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
- Morning: Arrive at . Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Head to Asakusa to visit . Stroll through for some snacks and souvenirs.
- Evening: Explore , the mecca for anime and electronics. Grab dinner at a themed café!
Day 2: Tokyo
- Morning: Visit the iconic and take a walk through .
- Afternoon: Explore and check out for quirky fashion and treats.
- Evening: Head to to see the famous and have dinner at an izakaya.
Day 3: Tokyo
- Morning: Visit the or the for panoramic views of the city.
- Afternoon: Explore the upscale district of for shopping and lunch.
- Evening: Enjoy the nightlife in or catch a show at the .
Day 4: Nikko Day Trip
- All Day: Take a day trip to Nikko (about 2 hours from Tokyo). Visit the stunning and enjoy the natural beauty of the area. Return to Tokyo in the evening.
Day 5: Tokyo to Hakone
- Morning: Travel to Hakone (about 1.5 hours). Visit the .
- Afternoon: Take a cruise on and enjoy views of .
- Evening: Relax in an onsen (hot spring) and stay overnight in a ryokan (traditional inn).
Day 6: Hakone to Kyoto
- Morning: Head to Kyoto (about 2.5 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit and .
- Evening: Explore , the geisha district, and have dinner at a traditional kaiseki restaurant.
Day 7: Kyoto
- Morning: Visit , famous for its thousands of torii gates.
- Afternoon: Explore , including the and the .
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional tea ceremony.
Day 8: Kyoto to Day Trip
- All Day: Take a day trip to (about 1 hour). Visit and , where you can feed the friendly deer. Return to Kyoto in the evening.
Day 9: Kyoto to Osaka
- Morning: Travel to Osaka (about 30 minutes). Visit .
- Afternoon: Explore for street food (try takoyaki and okonomiyaki).
- Evening: Visit the for stunning views of the city.
Day 10: Osaka to Hiroshima
- Morning: Travel to Hiroshima (about 1.5 hours). Visit the .
- Afternoon: Take a ferry to to see the famous floating torii gate.
- Evening: Return to Hiroshima for dinner.
Day 11: Hiroshima to Okayama to Kurashiki
- Morning: Travel to Okayama (about 30 minutes). Visit and .
- Afternoon: Head to Kurashiki to explore the historic .
- Evening: Return to Okayama for the night.
Day 12: Okayama to Himeji to Kobe
- Morning: Travel to Himeji (about 30 minutes) to visit , one of Japan's most beautiful castles.
- Afternoon: Continue to Kobe (about 1 hour). Visit the area.
- Evening: Enjoy for dinner!
Day 13: Kobe to Kanazawa
- Morning: Travel to Kanazawa (about 3 hours). Visit , one of Japan's top three gardens.
- Afternoon: Explore the and the .
- Evening: Try local seafood for dinner.
Day 14: Kanazawa to Takayama
- Morning: Travel to Takayama (about 2.5 hours). Explore the old town with its traditional wooden houses.
- Afternoon: Visit the , a historical government building.
- Evening: Enjoy a local dinner.
Day 15: Takayama to to
- Morning: Take a bus to (about 1 hour) to see the UNESCO World Heritage site of traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses.
- Afternoon: Return to Takayama and then travel to (about 2.5 hours).
- Evening: Explore ’s nightlife and try hitsumabushi (grilled eel).
Day 16: to Tokyo
- Morning: Visit and the .
- Afternoon: Travel back to Tokyo (about 1.5 hours). Last-minute shopping in or .
- Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a nice restaurant.
Day 17: Departure from Tokyo
- Morning: Depending on your flight time, you might have a chance for a final stroll in a nearby park or a visit to a local café.
- Afternoon: Head to the airport for your departure.
And there you have it! A whirlwind tour of Japan that covers a mix of urban excitement, historical sites, and natural beauty. Make sure to get a Japan Rail Pass for convenient travel between cities, and don’t forget to savor every bite of the delicious food along the way! Safe travels! 🌸✈️