20 day itinerary
Japan
Personalized with:I want to travel at a relaxed paceFood tourPublic transportationAround Mount Fuji
Itinerary
Japan is a fantastic destination, and with 20 days, you can really soak in the culture, food, and stunning landscapes at a relaxed pace. Let’s create an itinerary that balances sightseeing, culinary experiences, and some downtime, especially around the iconic . Here we go!
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
- Morning: Arrive at . Take the Narita Express or Limousine Bus to your hotel in Tokyo.
- Afternoon: Settle in and explore your neighborhood. Maybe grab a quick bite at a local ramen shop.
- Evening: Head to for dinner. Try izakaya-style dining and enjoy some yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).
Day 2: Tokyo - &
- Morning: Visit the famous and take a photo with the .
- Afternoon: Stroll through , checking out for quirky shops and crepes.
- Evening: Dinner in . Try a kaiseki meal for a traditional multi-course dining experience.
Day 3: Tokyo - Asakusa & Ueno
- Morning: Explore Asakusa and visit . Don’t forget to try some ningyo-yaki (sweet cakes) from the stalls.
- Afternoon: Head to and visit a museum or two (like the ).
- Evening: Dinner in Ueno. Sample some sushi at a local conveyor belt sushi restaurant.
Day 4: Tokyo - Tsukiji &
- Morning: Visit the outer market of Tsukiji for a food tour. Try fresh seafood and street food.
- Afternoon: Explore for shopping and enjoy a coffee at a stylish café.
- Evening: Dinner at a teppanyaki restaurant in .
Day 5: Day Trip to
- Morning: Take an early train to (about 2 hours). Visit the UNESCO World Heritage sites.
- Afternoon: Enjoy lunch at a local soba restaurant and explore the beautiful nature.
- Evening: Return to Tokyo and have a casual dinner at a local izakaya.
Day 6: Tokyo to
- Morning: Take the Romancecar train to . Check into a ryokan (traditional inn).
- Afternoon: Visit the and take a dip in an onsen (hot spring).
- Evening: Enjoy a kaiseki dinner at your ryokan.
Day 7: - Views
- Morning: Take the Ropeway for stunning views of .
- Afternoon: Visit and take a pirate ship cruise.
- Evening: Relax at your ryokan and enjoy another onsen experience.
Day 8: to Fuji Five Lakes
- Morning: Travel to the Fuji Five Lakes area (Kawaguchiko).
- Afternoon: Visit the and enjoy lunch with a view of .
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant, perhaps trying Hōtō (a local noodle dish).
Day 9: Fuji Five Lakes - Outdoor Activities
- Morning: Rent a bike and explore the lakeside paths.
- Afternoon: Visit the .
- Evening: Enjoy a casual dinner at a local izakaya.
Day 10: Day Trip to
- Morning: Take a bus to . Enjoy the beautiful lake views.
- Afternoon: Try some local specialties like ’s famous sweet potato dishes.
- Evening: Return to Kawaguchiko for dinner.
Day 11: Fuji Five Lakes to Kyoto
- Morning: Travel to Kyoto via train (around 3 hours).
- Afternoon: Check into your accommodation and explore the .
- Evening: Dinner at a traditional kaiseki restaurant in Gion.
Day 12: Kyoto - Temples and Shrines
- Morning: Visit and (rock garden).
- Afternoon: Head to . Walk through the bamboo grove and visit the .
- Evening: Dinner in , perhaps trying yudofu (tofu hot pot).
Day 13: Kyoto - Fushimi Inari & Nara
- Morning: Visit and hike through the torii gate trails.
- Afternoon: Take a short train ride to Nara. Visit and (hello, deer!).
- Evening: Return to Kyoto for dinner at a local izakaya.
Day 14: Kyoto - Cultural Experiences
- Morning: Participate in a tea ceremony experience.
- Afternoon: Visit the and stroll through the gardens.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant, trying Kyoto-style sushi.
Day 15: Kyoto to Osaka
- Morning: Travel to Osaka (about 30 minutes).
- Afternoon: Explore , trying street food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
- Evening: Enjoy the vibrant nightlife in Namba.
Day 16: Osaka - Food Tour
- Morning: Join a guided food tour to discover hidden gems in Osaka.
- Afternoon: Visit and its beautiful park.
- Evening: Dinner at a local izakaya or a themed restaurant.
Day 17: Day Trip to Hiroshima
- Morning: Take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima (about 1.5 hours).
- Afternoon: Visit the . Try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki for lunch.
- Evening: Return to Osaka for a relaxed dinner.
Day 18: Osaka to Himeji
- Morning: Take a train to Himeji (about 1 hour). Visit , a UNESCO World Heritage site.
- Afternoon: Explore nearby and enjoy lunch.
- Evening: Return to Osaka for dinner.
Day 19: Osaka to Tokyo
- Morning: Travel back to Tokyo via Shinkansen (about 3 hours).
- Afternoon: Last-minute shopping in or .
- Evening: Farewell dinner at a nice restaurant, perhaps trying a high-end sushi experience.
Day 20: Departure
- Morning: Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and some last-minute sightseeing or shopping.
- Afternoon: Head to the airport for your departure.
This itinerary allows you to experience the best of Japan at a relaxed pace, with plenty of opportunities to indulge in the delicious food culture. Enjoy your trip, and don’t forget to take lots of photos! Safe travels! 🍣🏯🌸