Before You Go: The JR Pass Question
The Japan Rail Pass (7, 14, or 21-day) covers most Shinkansen and JR trains. For a 14-day trip covering Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka–Hiroshima, a 14-day pass is generally worth it — but run the math based on your specific route. The pass must be purchased outside Japan. Get it sorted before you leave.
Also get a Suica card for local city transport (subway, buses, convenience stores). Load ¥5,000–10,000 and keep topping it up.
The Itinerary
Days 1–4: Tokyo
Arrive at Narita or Haneda, take the train into the city, and accept that the first day will be a jet-lagged blur. Use it for the neighborhood around your hotel — a ramen dinner, a convenience store exploration, an early night.
Day 2: Shinjuku and Harajuku. Start at Shinjuku Gyoen (best park in the city), walk through Harajuku's back streets, find lunch near Omotesando. Evening: Shinjuku's neon-lit alleyways, specifically the narrow bars of Golden Gai and the yakitori of Omoide Yokocho.
Day 3: East Tokyo. Senso-ji temple in Asakusa at 8am before crowds arrive, walk along the Sumida River, afternoon in Akihabara. Evening: Shibuya crossing at rush hour, dinner in the area.
Day 4: Teamlab (book weeks in advance), Odaiba for the harbor views, or Yanaka — Tokyo's most preserved traditional neighborhood. Your call based on interests.
Day 5: Day Trip to Nikko
Two hours from Tokyo by Shinkansen and local train, Nikko is a UNESCO-listed complex of shrines and temples set in mountain forest. The Tosho-gu Shrine is Japan's most elaborate, and the surrounding national park is stunning, especially in autumn. A full day trip is perfectly manageable from Tokyo.
Days 6–7: Hakone
Take the Romancecar from Shinjuku to Hakone (85 minutes). Stay one or two nights at a ryokan (traditional Japanese inn) with an onsen — this is one of Japan's quintessential experiences. If the weather cooperates, Hakone has some of the best views of Mount Fuji. The Hakone Open-Air Museum is also genuinely excellent. Leave for Kyoto on Day 7 afternoon via Shinkansen.
Days 8–10: Kyoto
Day 8: Eastern Kyoto — the Higashiyama district, Kiyomizudera Temple, and the lanes of Gion. This is the geisha district; you won't necessarily see one, but the preserved Meiji-era architecture is exceptional. Arrive early — by 10am the main lanes are crowded.
Day 9: Arashiyama — the Bamboo Grove (go at 7am before it fills), Tenryu-ji garden, monkey park, and the quiet temples along Sagano. Afternoon: Nishiki Market (Kyoto's covered food market) for lunch and exploration.
Day 10: Northern Kyoto — Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion, get there before 9am) and Fushimi Inari's thousands of torii gates. The full hike to the summit takes 2–3 hours and gets progressively quieter the higher you go. Worth pushing to the top.
Day 11: Nara Day Trip
45 minutes from Kyoto by express train. Nara's free-roaming deer in Nara Park are famously unbothered by humans. Todai-ji Temple houses the world's largest bronze Buddha. Be back in Kyoto for dinner or continue to Osaka to check in.
Days 12–13: Osaka
Osaka's food is the reason to visit: takoyaki (octopus balls), kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers), okonomiyaki (savory pancakes), and ramen that's heavier and richer than Tokyo's. Dotonbori is tourist-heavy but genuinely atmospheric at night. Kuromon Market is where the city actually eats. Osaka Castle in the morning, Shinsekai for old-Osaka atmosphere, Namba for street food and nightlife.
Day 14: Hiroshima and Miyajima
Take the Shinkansen west to Hiroshima (45 minutes from Osaka). The Peace Memorial Museum is one of the most important sites in Japan — allow 2–3 hours and go with full attention. In the afternoon, take the ferry to Miyajima Island and the famous floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine. Fly home from Hiroshima or return to Osaka/Tokyo for your flight.
Key Tips
- Book ryokans and TeamLab 4–6 weeks ahead, especially in cherry blossom (late March–April) and autumn foliage (November) seasons
- Cash is still king in Japan — carry ¥10,000–20,000 at all times
- 7-Eleven and FamilyMart ATMs reliably accept foreign cards
- Most temples close by 5pm; plan your mornings accordingly
- Tipping is not practiced and can cause genuine discomfort — don't do it
Waybound's Tokyo and Kyoto packages include curated hotel and ryokan options, JR Pass guidance, and day trip itineraries. Browse our Japan offerings to start planning your 2-week trip.
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