20 day itinerary
Japan
Itinerary
Japan is such a beautiful country with a rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious food. A 20-day itinerary allows you to explore at a leisurely pace, soaking in all the sights and experiences. Let’s dive into a relaxed journey through Japan!
Day 1-3: Tokyo
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
- Arrive at Narita or Haneda Airport.
- Check into your hotel in Shinjuku or Shibuya.
- Take a leisurely stroll around to shake off the jet lag.
- Dinner at an izakaya (Japanese pub) in Omoide Yokocho.
Day 2: Explore Tokyo
- Morning: Visit the historic Asakusa district and .
- Afternoon: Head to for some anime and electronics shopping.
- Evening: Enjoy the view from or , followed by dinner in the area.
Day 3: More Tokyo
- Morning: Explore the trendy neighborhoods of and .
- Afternoon: Visit and take a peaceful walk through the forested area.
- Evening: Dinner in Shibuya, and don’t forget to see the famous !
Day 4-5: Nikko
Day 4: Day Trip to Nikko
- Take an early train to Nikko (about 2 hours).
- Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of .
- Explore the beautiful nature around and .
- Return to Tokyo in the evening.
Day 5: Relax in Tokyo
- Enjoy a leisurely breakfast at a local café.
- Visit the digital art museum in Odaiba.
- Spend the afternoon shopping in or exploring the quirky shops in .
- Dinner at a sushi restaurant.
Day 6-8: Hakone
Day 6: Travel to Hakone
- Take the Romancecar train to Hakone (about 1.5 hours).
- Check into a ryokan (traditional inn) with an onsen (hot spring).
- Relax in the onsen and enjoy a kaiseki dinner.
Day 7: Explore Hakone
- Visit the .
- Take a cruise on with views of Mt. Fuji.
- Ride the for stunning views.
- Return to your ryokan for another soak in the onsen.
Day 8: More Hakone
- Visit the .
- Explore the .
- Enjoy a leisurely afternoon before heading to your next destination.
Day 9-11: Kyoto
Day 9: Travel to Kyoto
- Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto (about 2.5 hours).
- Check into your hotel or ryokan.
- Visit the in the late afternoon to avoid crowds.
Day 10: Explore Kyoto
- Morning: Visit .
- Afternoon: Explore Arashiyama, including the Bamboo Grove and .
- Evening: Dinner in Gion, and if you’re lucky, you might spot a geisha!
Day 11: More Kyoto
- Morning: Visit and stroll through the historic streets of Higashiyama.
- Afternoon: Explore .
- Evening: Relax at a tea house or enjoy a traditional tea ceremony.
Day 12-14: Nara and Osaka
Day 12: Day Trip to Nara
- Take a short train ride to Nara (about 1 hour).
- Visit and , where you can feed the friendly deer.
- Explore .
- Return to Kyoto for the night.
Day 13: Travel to Osaka
- Head to Osaka (about 30 minutes by train).
- Visit and its beautiful park.
- Spend the evening in , trying street food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
Day 14: More Osaka
- Visit the in the morning.
- Afternoon: Explore the trendy and shopping districts.
- Evening: Enjoy a night out in the for panoramic views.
Day 15-17: Hiroshima and Miyajima
Day 15: Travel to Hiroshima
- Take the Shinkansen to Hiroshima (about 1.5 hours).
- Visit the and Museum.
- Explore the .
- Dinner at an okonomiyaki restaurant.
Day 16: Day Trip to Miyajima
- Take a ferry to Miyajima Island.
- Visit the iconic and see the floating torii gate.
- Hike up to for stunning views.
- Return to Hiroshima for the night.
Day 17: Relax in Hiroshima
- Enjoy a leisurely breakfast.
- Visit and explore the local shops.
- Take a slow afternoon stroll along the river.
Day 18-20: Hokkaido (Sapporo)
Day 18: Travel to Sapporo
- Fly from Hiroshima to Sapporo (about 1.5 hours).
- Check into your hotel and explore the city center.
- Visit and the .
Day 19: Explore Sapporo
- Visit the and enjoy a tasting.
- Explore the historic village of Hokkaido.
- Enjoy a delicious dinner featuring Sapporo ramen.
Day 20: Departure
- Enjoy a leisurely breakfast and do some last-minute shopping.
- Head to New Chitose Airport for your departure.
Final Thoughts
This itinerary allows you to experience the best of Japan at a relaxed pace, with plenty of time to soak in the culture, history, and natural beauty. Don’t forget to savor the local cuisine and take lots of photos! Enjoy your trip! 🌸✈️
