20 day itinerary
Japan
Personalized with:1Exclude religious places
Itinerary
Japan is a fantastic destination with a rich culture, stunning landscapes, and delicious food. Here’s a fun and engaging 20-day itinerary that skips religious sites but still captures the essence of this beautiful country. Let’s dive in!
Day 1: Arrival in
- Morning: Arrive at Narita or Haneda Airport. Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Explore the vibrant district of . Don’t miss the famous !
- Evening: Enjoy dinner at an izakaya (Japanese pub) in . Try some yakitori (grilled chicken skewers).
Day 2: - Modern Marvels
- Morning: Visit the futuristic area. Check out , a digital art museum.
- Afternoon: Head to , the mecca for anime and electronics. Explore the shops and maybe grab a themed café experience.
- Evening: Dinner in , perhaps at a maid café for a unique experience.
Day 3: - Culture and Shopping
- Morning: Stroll through and visit for quirky shops and crepes.
- Afternoon: Explore the upscale shopping district of . Don’t forget to check out the food floors in department stores!
- Evening: Enjoy a sushi dinner at a conveyor belt sushi restaurant.
Day 4: Day Trip to
- All Day: Take a day trip to (about 2 hours from ). Explore the beautiful natural scenery and the stunning waterfalls. Enjoy a local lunch and return to in the evening.
Day 5: to
- Morning: Travel to (about 1.5 hours). Check into a ryokan (traditional inn).
- Afternoon: Visit the and enjoy the hot springs.
- Evening: Relax in the onsen (hot spring) at your ryokan and enjoy a kaiseki dinner.
Day 6: to Kyoto
- Morning: Take the scenic Ropeway for views of , then head to Kyoto (about 2.5 hours).
- Afternoon: Check into your hotel and explore the , famous for its traditional wooden machiya houses.
- Evening: Dinner at a local restaurant, trying Kyoto-style cuisine.
Day 7: Kyoto - Arashiyama
- Morning: Visit the and take a walk along the river.
- Afternoon: Explore the and enjoy the views from the top.
- Evening: Dinner in Arashiyama, perhaps trying yudofu (tofu hot pot).
Day 8: Kyoto - Modern and Traditional
- Morning: Visit the .
- Afternoon: Explore the for some local snacks and shopping.
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional kaiseki dinner.
Day 9: Day Trip to Nara
- All Day: Take a day trip to Nara (about 1 hour). Visit to see the free-roaming deer and explore the beautiful gardens. Enjoy lunch in Nara before returning to Kyoto.
Day 10: Kyoto to
- Morning: Travel to (about 30 minutes). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Explore the bustling area. Try street food like takoyaki and okonomiyaki.
- Evening: Enjoy the nightlife in Namba.
Day 11: - Universal Studios
- All Day: Spend the day at . Enjoy the rides and attractions, especially the Wizarding World of Harry Potter!
- Evening: Dinner in Universal City Walk.
Day 12: to Hiroshima
- Morning: Travel to Hiroshima (about 1.5 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit the (not religious but very impactful).
- Evening: Try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki for dinner.
Day 13: Day Trip to Miyajima
- All Day: Take a ferry to . Explore the island, see the famous , and hike up Mount Misen for stunning views. Return to Hiroshima in the evening.
Day 14: Hiroshima to
- Morning: Travel to (about 1 hour). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Explore the shopping complex.
- Evening: Try ’s famous tonkotsu ramen for dinner.
Day 15: to Nagasaki
- Morning: Travel to Nagasaki (about 2 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit the and the .
- Evening: Enjoy dinner at a local restaurant, trying Nagasaki’s champon (noodle dish).
Day 16: Nagasaki to Kumamoto
- Morning: Travel to Kumamoto (about 2 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit and the beautiful .
- Evening: Try Kumamoto’s famous basashi (raw horse meat) for dinner.
Day 17: Kumamoto to
- Morning: Travel back to and then take the shinkansen to (about 4 hours).
- Afternoon: Explore the old town of , famous for its well-preserved Edo-period buildings.
- Evening: Enjoy a local Hida beef dinner.
Day 18: to
- All Day: Take a day trip to , a UNESCO World Heritage site known for its traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Enjoy the stunning scenery and local cuisine.
- Evening: Return to for the night.
Day 19: to
- Morning: Travel back to (about 4 hours).
- Afternoon: Last-minute shopping in or .
- Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner at a nice restaurant, perhaps trying kobe beef.
Day 20: Departure
- Morning: Last-minute sightseeing or shopping, depending on your flight time.
- Afternoon: Head to the airport for your departure.
And there you have it! A delightful 20-day adventure through Japan, filled with modern attractions, delicious food, and beautiful landscapes. Enjoy your trip! If you have any questions or need adjustments, feel free to ask!