20 day itinerary
Japan
Personalized with:WalkabilityCulture & history
Itinerary
Japan is a treasure trove of culture and history, and with 20 days, you can really dive deep into its rich heritage while enjoying the walkable streets of its cities. Here’s a delightful itinerary that balances exploration, culture, and history. Let’s get started!
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
- Morning: Arrive at . Check into your hotel in Shinjuku or Shibuya for easy access to public transport.
- Afternoon: Stroll through . It’s a beautiful park with traditional Japanese landscapes.
- Evening: Explore the vibrant streets of Shinjuku. Grab dinner at an izakaya (Japanese pub) and enjoy the neon lights.
Day 2: Tokyo - Asakusa & Ueno
- Morning: Visit in Asakusa, Tokyo’s oldest temple. Don’t forget to explore for snacks and souvenirs!
- Afternoon: Head to . Visit the to learn about Japan’s history and art.
- Evening: Enjoy dinner in Ueno. Try some local street food!
Day 3: Tokyo - Harajuku & Shibuya
- Morning: Walk through the trendy streets of Harajuku. Visit , a peaceful oasis in the city.
- Afternoon: Explore for quirky shops and unique fashion. Then, head to Shibuya to see the famous .
- Evening: Dinner in Shibuya. Try some sushi or ramen!
Day 4: Tokyo - Day Trip to Nikko
- All Day: Take a day trip to Nikko (about 2 hours by train). Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of and enjoy the beautiful natural scenery.
- Evening: Return to Tokyo and relax at your hotel.
Day 5: Tokyo to Kamakura
- Morning: Travel to Kamakura (about 1 hour). Visit the and .
- Afternoon: Stroll along for shopping and snacks.
- Evening: Return to Tokyo and enjoy a quiet dinner.
Day 6: Tokyo to Kyoto
- Morning: Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) to Kyoto (about 2.5 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit and stroll through its beautiful gardens.
- Evening: Dinner in the , where you might spot a geisha!
Day 7: Kyoto - Arashiyama
- Morning: Head to Arashiyama. Walk through the famous and visit .
- Afternoon: Take a boat ride on the or visit the .
- Evening: Enjoy a traditional kaiseki dinner.
Day 8: Kyoto - Fushimi Inari &
- Morning: Visit , famous for its thousands of red torii gates. Hike up the mountain for stunning views.
- Afternoon: Explore , a UNESCO World Heritage Site with beautiful gardens.
- Evening: Relax at a local onsen (hot spring) if you can find one!
Day 9: Kyoto to Nara
- Morning: Take a short train ride to Nara (about 1 hour). Visit , home to a giant Buddha statue.
- Afternoon: Stroll through and feed the friendly deer.
- Evening: Return to Kyoto for dinner.
Day 10: Kyoto to Hiroshima
- Morning: Travel to Hiroshima (about 2 hours by Shinkansen). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit the to learn about the atomic bombing.
- Evening: Try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki for dinner!
Day 11: Hiroshima - Miyajima Island
- All Day: Take a ferry to Miyajima Island. Visit and hike up for breathtaking views.
- Evening: Return to Hiroshima and relax.
Day 12: Hiroshima to Osaka
- Morning: Travel to Osaka (about 1.5 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Explore and its surrounding park.
- Evening: Dive into for street food and vibrant nightlife!
Day 13: Osaka - Day Trip to Himeji
- All Day: Take a day trip to Himeji (about 1 hour). Visit , one of Japan’s most beautiful castles.
- Evening: Return to Osaka for dinner.
Day 14: Osaka to Kanazawa
- Morning: Travel to Kanazawa (about 2.5 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit , one of Japan’s top three gardens.
- Evening: Explore the , known for its traditional teahouses.
Day 15: Kanazawa -
- All Day: Take a bus to , a UNESCO World Heritage Site known for its gassho-zukuri farmhouses. Explore the village and enjoy the scenery.
- Evening: Return to Kanazawa.
Day 16: Kanazawa to Takayama
- Morning: Travel to Takayama (about 2 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit the , a historical government building, and stroll through the .
- Evening: Enjoy a local Hida beef dinner.
Day 17: Takayama to Matsumoto
- Morning: Travel to Matsumoto (about 2 hours). Visit , one of Japan’s most beautiful castles.
- Afternoon: Explore the for traditional shops and cafes.
- Evening: Relax at a local onsen.
Day 18: Matsumoto to Nagano
- Morning: Travel to Nagano (about 1 hour). Visit , a significant Buddhist temple.
- Afternoon: Explore the city and try some local soba noodles.
- Evening: Return to Matsumoto for the night.
Day 19: Matsumoto to Tokyo
- Morning: Travel back to Tokyo (about 3 hours). Check into your hotel.
- Afternoon: Visit the to learn about the city’s history.
- Evening: Enjoy a farewell dinner in Tokyo, perhaps at a themed restaurant!
Day 20: Departure
- Morning: Last-minute shopping or sightseeing. Visit the for a final view of the city.
- Afternoon: Head to the airport for your departure.
And there you have it! A delightful 20-day itinerary that immerses you in Japan’s culture and history while keeping things walkable and enjoyable. Don’t forget to savor the local cuisine and take lots of photos! Safe travels! 🌸✈️