3 weeks travel japan

The Perfect 3 Week Japan Itinerary

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Wondering how to spend 3 weeks in Japan? Our itinerary below gives you a perfect starting point for your first time in Japan!

Japan is an absolute dream destination. From traditional temples to beautiful nature reserves and high-tech cities – it has something for everybody. It’s a world on its own and spending three weeks in Japan is a perfect amount to get a good impression of what this country is all about.

This 3 week Japan itinerary will hopefully help you plan a trip to Japan – or inspire you to finally book those flights! From Tokyo to Miyajima Island, let’s dive in!

Day 5 in Tokyo – Tokyo Tower and Roppongi

Miyajima island (1 day), international money card, 3 week japan itinerary.

From Tokyo, all the way to Miyajima Island, stopping at some of the best highlights of Japan. In three weeks, you’re able to see so much of what Japan has to offer . Feel free to adjust the itinerary to your needs and wishes – this is just an idea/inspiration for you!

Tokyo (5 days)

We start these 3 weeks in Japan in Tokyo. Tokyo has two airports, Haneda and Narita , and while it doesn’t really matter which one you fly into, Haneda is a lot closer to the centre. Make sure you know how to get to your hotel from either airport before you fly – especially after such a long flight, the last thing you want is to stress about getting to your hotel!

When you have three weeks to explore Japan, you want to take some time to explore its capital city. Tokyo is BIG. You can literally spend a month here and still find new and exciting hotspots. Five days may seem like a long time, but it’s barely enough to scrape the surface. We divide these five days in Tokyo in some of the most popular wards of the city.

I’d recommend booking a hotel for 8 nights in Tokyo. Even though you will only spend 5 days in Tokyo itself, the three days afterwards will be day trips from Tokyo. To avoid problems with carrying your suitcases from hotel to hotel, it’s much easier to just stay at the same hotel.

Wondering where to stay in Tokyo ? We stayed at Sotetsu Fresa Inn Higashi Shinjuku. Shinjuku is located in the heart of Tokyo, which makes it easy to get to any other part of the city by metro (which is literally located next to the hotel). I really enjoyed staying here and would definitely recommend it.

Day 1 in Tokyo – Shibuya and Harajuku

On the very first day of your trip to Japan, we dive right into the busy streets of Tokyo. There are so many things to do in Tokyo ! But we’ll start by making our way to Shibuya in the morning to see:

• Shibuya crossing: The busiest crossing on the planet can be found in the middle of Shibuya. It’s quite an experience to walk across the street yourself, alongside the sea of others. Head over to the Starbucks across the road for a coffee and an amazing view over the crossing. Perfect for a timelapse or some photos 😉
• Hachiko statue: A statue to commemorate Tokyo’s favourite and most famous dog, Hachiko. You can find the statue right outside Shibuya station.
• Shopping in Shibuya: Shibuya is known to be one of the business and shopping wards of Tokyo, so it makes sense to have a little look around for some souvenirs. Some of the best shops include Vanguard Village, MODI, Shibuya109, Disney Store and Tokyo Hands.

In the afternoon, you can walk from Shibuya to Harajuku. You can take the metro but it’s only a 15-minute walk from Shibuya and it gives you the chance to walk through this beautiful Japanese neighbourhood. Harajuku is known for its vibrant fashion style and pop culture. Here are some things to check out when in Harajuku:

• Shopping in Harajuku: Harajuku is filled with the cutest little fashion boutiques and fun shops that sell the craziest items. The two main streets for the best shops in Harajuku are Takeshita Street and Omotesando Avenue.
• Harajuku crepe: When in Harajuku, try one of the popular Harajuku Crepes. They have multiple shops all over the area and literally hundreds of fillings (from sweet to savoury).
• Purikura: Japanese photo booths are very popular among teens and a must-try when in Tokyo. After taking some photos, you can edit them to look more kawaii and get a little print to remember your time in Harajuku.

Day 2 in Tokyo – Ikebukuro and Meiji Shrine

Start the second day in Japan with some shopping in the upcoming Ikebukuro, then head over to one of the main shrines in the city, Meiji Shrine.

• Shopping in Ikebukuro : This Tokyo ward is huge in shopping, filled with high street stores and restaurants. Some fun ones to check out are Bic Camera, Loft and Sun Drug.
• Tokyo Pokemon Mega Store: One of the main highlights in Ikebukuro is the biggest Pokemon Centre in Japan, Tokyo Pokemon Mega Store. You can find this shop on the second floor of the Sunshine City shopping centre.
• Coco curry: Japan is filled with the most amazing dishes, but one you should really try is Japanese curries. CoCo Curry Ichibanya is a chain in Japan that can be found in quite a few places, but also in the Sunshine City shopping mall. A perfect spot to grab some lunch before continuing your day in Tokyo.

In the afternoon, head back to Harajuku Station. The entrance of Meiji shrine can be found not far from here.

Because Meiji Shrine is so close to Harajuku, it makes sense to grab some dinner in this part of Tokyo. Harajuku is also home to many karaoke bars, where you can experience another piece of Japanese culture.

Day 3 in Tokyo – Asakusa and Akihabara

Day three in Tokyo is a day filled with contrasts. Starting at the traditional Sensoji temple and heading towards the hyper-modern Akihabara (also known as electronic town ) in the afternoon.

Sensoji is located in Asakusa. After arriving at Asakusa station, you can find Tokyo’s oldest temple just a few minutes away. The temple dates back to the year 645. On the temple grounds, you can find many smaller shrines alongside the big attraction. A fun thing to do at Senso-ji is O-mikuji : a Japanese form of fortune-telling. It only costs ¥100 and – if you happen to get bad fortune – you can leave your bad fortune at the temple for a better future.

From Asakusa, make your way to Akihabara by metro. Akihabara is literal heaven for those who like electronics, anime, video games and other pop-culture references. It’s got that real high-tech Japan feel to it and it’s a really cool place to explore. Some highlights to check out include:

• Shop at retro game camp: Akihabara has some amazing retro-game stores which really kick in the nostalgia. Retro Game Camp is by far the best one in Tokyo – all games come with newly fitted batteries and you can barely see any scratches on them!
• Visit a maid cafe: Japan has some crazy cafes. One of the most popular and well-known is the maid cafe – and there are quite a few in Akihabara. Even though it may be a bit strange, it definitely makes for an amazing experience.
• Play in one of the many arcades: As you may expect, Akihabara is also filled with the most amazing arcades. Make sure to explore more than just the first floor (where you can find mainly claw machines). There are some awesome games to play from the second floor up.

Day 4 in Tokyo – Koto City

In Koto City, you can find the interactive art exhibitions Teamlab Planets and Teamlab Borderless . We decided to go to Teamlab Planets and absolutely loved it. It’s such a unique experience (walking up a waterfall, through an infinity room and more) that you really shouldn’t miss when you’re in Japan before they end it.

Just a couple of metro stops from the Teamlabs exhibitions, you can find the Gundam base . Even though I wasn’t very familiar with the anime, my boyfriend absolutely loved it. And to be honest, it was pretty cool 😉 They have a life-sized Gundam outside the shopping mall that moves every hour on the hour.

If your hotel is located in Shinjuku (would highly recommend this!), you’re in for a bit of fun! Shinjuku has a lively night scene, which is perfect for an evening to unwind. Whether you want to drink some sake in one of the many bars or play the famous pachinko game – definitely spend a few hours here before heading to bed.

The fifth and last day to explore Tokyo will be spent at the famous Tokyo Tower and the Roppongi ward. Make your way to Hamamatsuchō station first. From there you can stop by the beautiful Zojoji Temple before heading to Tokyo Tower.

Tokyo Tower itself is obviously one of the most iconic sights of Japan’s capital, and therefore deserves a little visit. You can head all the way to the top for a little fee, but you can also nose around the many shops on the first few floors for free.

In the late afternoon, keep walking towards Roppongi . This part of Tokyo is one of dazzling nightlife for both locals and tourists. Some things to do before heading to the nearest bar:

• Mori Art Museum: The largest contemporary art museum in Tokyo. It’s located at the top of the central Mori Tower where you can take some amazing photos of Tokyo.
• Nogi Shrine: A beautiful samurai shrine.
• Tokyo City View: If you missed the view at Mori Art Museum, definitely check out Tokyo City View in the Roppongi Hills – another opportunity to take some stunning photos of Tokyo.

For a more detailed Tokyo guide, check out my 6-day Tokyo itinerary . This is basically the same 5 days as described in this itinerary, but with an additional day at Tokyo Disney Sea or Tokyo Disney Land.

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Nikko (1 day)

While staying in the same hotel in Tokyo, we’re going to make a few day trips from the city. Rather than having to move all your luggage with you to a new hotel for one night, staying at the same hotel makes life just a little easier 😉 On the sixth day of our Japan itinerary, we take a day trip to Nikko. You can use the Nikko Pass for this day trip.

Nikko lies north of Tokyo in the Tochigi Prefecture. It takes about 2 hours each way to get there and back from Tokyo. Nikko is known for its forests, waterfalls and natural hot springs – a perfect and peaceful day away from the busyness of Tokyo.

You can check out my one day Nikko itinerary , which includes a map and route to take for an optimal day trip from Tokyo. Some of the best things to do in Nikko include:

• Shinkyo Bridge: Not far from the train station, the Shinkyo bridge is our first stop of the day. This sacred bridge is the gateway to the shrines and temples that can be found inside the city.
• Rinnoji Temple: This UNESCO world heritage site was originally founded by the Buddist monk who brought Buddism to the city in the 8th century.
• Toshogu Temple: Nikko’s most notable temple, Toshogu Temple, is the last resting place of Tokugawa Ieyasu. The beautifully decorated temple is unlike any other temple in Japan. It’s absolutely stunning.
• Kegon Falls: In the afternoon, head over to Nikko National Park for an afternoon in Nikko’s beautiful nature reserve. There are many hiking trails inside the park, but when you only have a short time, I’d recommend going to Kegon Falls. At 100 meters in height, this is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Japan.
• Ryuzu Falls: Add Ryuzu Falls (translated: Dragon Head Falls ) to your day if you have enough time. There is a small observation deck that you can visit for free that gives you a beautiful view over it.

Hakone (1 day)

Hakone is another popular day trip from Tokyo due to it being such a charming little town. You can find a gorgeous view of Mount Fuji here, as well as onsens, shrines and more. When visiting Hakone for the day , check out the following:

• Hakone Shrine: Possibly Hakone’s most famous and iconic sight is Hakone Shrine. Looking out across Lake Ashi, this torii gate gives you such a peaceful and calming feeling. It’s an absolute must when in Hakone to visit this spot.
• Hakone Open-Air Museum: Alongside tons of sculptures and other amazing pieces of art, Hakone open-air museum also hosts some of Picasso’s drawings and paintings.
• Onsen: Hakone is known for its many onsens. If you want to try one of these typical Japanese hot spring spas, check out Yunessun. This onsen allows you to wear a swimsuit and don’t separate men and women. It’s the perfect place to try an onsen out for the first time.
• Owakudani (Boiling Valley): Taking a gondola up the mountain you can already take a peek into the ominous volcanic landscape. Even though this volcano erupted 3000 years ago, the landscape has been forever changed. Walking near the volcanic zone, you can purchase a black egg. This egg has been boiled in naturally boiling water and is said to prolong your life – worth a shot, I’d say 😉

Mt Fuji (1 day)

When spending three weeks in Japan, you kinda have to see the iconic Mount Fuji. From Tokyo, you can easily take a day trip out to visit some of the best Mount Fuji viewing spots. This iconic mountain isn’t one of Japan’s most iconic sights just because of its aesthetics, this volcano is also Japan’s highest mountain at 3776 meters. You can choose to climb Mount Fuji during the climbing season (July-September), but the hiking trails usually take a full day – I’d recommend finding a hotel nearby if you want to climb it!

But you won’t be able to see Mount Fuji when climbing it 😉 There are quite a few places where you can see Mount Fuji – like Hakone – but the Fuji Five Lake region is your best chance of seeing Mount Fuji in all its glory. The mountain is known to hide in the mist quite often, so visiting this area gives you the best chance of capturing it.

• Chureito Pagoda: If you think of Mount Fuji, chances are that you imagine a photo with a red pagoda in the front. This is probably the most photographed spot in the whole of Japan! Especially when the sakura is blooming, this spot embodies so much of what is classic Japan.
• North shore of Lake Kawaguchiko: One of the most breathtaking places to see Mount Fuji is from the north shore of Lake Kawaguchiko. Especially if you’re visiting in spring or autumn, nature makes it look even more beautiful.

You can book a Mount Fuji tour from Tokyo that takes you to the best viewing spots! This way, you don’t have to worry about making it to all the best spots on your own.

Kyoto (3 days)

After those day trips from Tokyo, it really is time to leave Tokyo and head over to Kyoto. Using the shinkansen, it takes about two and a half hours to get to Kyoto.

Wondering where to stay in Kyoto for three nights? I recommend staying in downtown Kyoto, as it’s close to all the major sights, it’s easy to get around, and you can walk to the Geisha district in under 10 minutes. My hotel recommendation is Hotel Resol Kyoto Kawaramachi Sanjo .

Kyoto represents Japan very well. In a way, the city has such big contrasts between traditional and hyper modernity. From temples that have been there for over a thousand years to skyscrapers in Kyoto’s centre.

On the first day in Kyoto, I wouldn’t plan too much. You’ll be travelling by Shinkansen from Tokyo and checking into your hotel. Maybe head into the city centre for a first glimpse of the city – but when travelling through a country for three weeks, it’s not a bad idea to take a little rest day.

Because you only really have two full days in Kyoto , I’d recommend seeing the following highlights:

• Fushimi Inari Taisha: My personal favourite sight in Kyoto. The thousands of red torii gates that lead you up to Mount Inari. The hike to the summit of Mount Inari and back takes about 2-3 hours but is totally worth your time. I’d recommend going early in the morning to avoid the huge seas of tourists.
• Higashiyama and Gion: After Fushimi Inari, head over to the old geisha districts of Kyoto. Higashiyama and Gion lay next to each other and are filled with the most beautiful old tea houses and shrines. Take the afternoon to walk through the neighbourhoods and stop by several sights as Kiyomizu-Dera, Kodaiji Temple and the Yasaka Pagoda. In the evening, stop by Pontocho Alley to dine in one of the most beautiful streets of the city.
• Kinkaku-ji: Start the next day by visiting the Golden Pavillion (also known as Kinkaku-ji). Being one of Kyoto’s 17 UNESCO world heritage sites, this gorgeous zen temple has to be on your Kyoto itinerary.
• Arashiyama Bamboo Grove: Head over to Arashiyama in the afternoon, where you can find the Arashiyama Bamboo Grove.
• Arashiyama Iwatayama Monkey Park: Not far from the Bamboo Grove, you can find Iwatayama Monkey Park. Located on top of a hill, you’ll be rewarded with a beautiful view over this part of Kyoto. 120 monkeys roam around the park freely and you can buy little bags of food to feed them (¥100 per bag).
• Kyoto Tower: In the evening, grab some dinner in Central Kyoto and stop by Kyoto Tower. Even though it’s not as famous as the Tokyo Tower, it’s still worth a visit. You can go to the top for ¥770, where you will find a 360 view over Kyoto (which is especially pretty at night)!

Osaka (2 days)

Using the Shinkansen, head over to Osaka in the morning. You will be staying in Osaka for 4 nights. We stayed in the Sonezaki Luxe Hotel in Osaka and even though it was the cheapest hotel we stayed in, it was also the best hotel we stayed in during our entire trip. Only 5-10 minutes by foot from the train station, lots of things to do around the hotel and a huge room (for Japanese standards).

When spending 2 full days in Osaka , make sure to check out:

• Umeda Sky Building: Almost next to Osaka’s train station, the Umeda Sky Building stands tall. The Floating Garden Observatory is located on the 39th floor for a beautiful view across the city.
• Osaka Castle: Osaka’s pride and joy, the beautiful Osaka Castle. Inside, you can find a museum to learn more about the history of the castle and how it played a huge role in unifying Japan in the 16th century. Personally, I’m not quite sure if the entrance fee was worth it, but the view from the top was stunning!
• Shitennoji Temple: One of Japan’s oldest temples is also located in Osaka. When at the temple, also check out the 5-storied pagoda and the Gokuraku-Jodo Garden.
• Shinsekai : This Osaka district was developed in the early 1900s and modelled after Paris (as you can see looking at the Tsutenkaku Tower, which resembles the Eifel Tower). It’s the perfect place to try some of Osaka’s famous street foods such as Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki.
• Kuromon Market: Another spot to let your inner foodie live its best life. In this market, you can try tons more amazing dishes. Because Osaka stands so close to the sea, they have some of the best and freshest fish dishes in the whole of Japan!
• Minami/Dotonbori: This part of Osaka is filled with life. A sea of neon lights, music and the most amazing smells (street food everywhere!). In this district, you can find the famous Glico Man, the Moving Crab, and Hozenji Yokocho.

Nara (1 day)

From Osaka, it’s super easy to make your way over to Nara for a little day trip. Nara is a city that should not be missed when in Japan, especially if you’re in Osaka or Kyoto. This gorgeous little traditional town was Japan’s first capital city and hosts 8 UNESCO world heritage sites. Alongside the stunning temples and rich history of the city, Nara is mainly known for its deer park. In this park, 1200 deer roam around freely, posing for pictures and begging tourists for some of the tasty deer crackers that are sold all over the park. When in Nara , make sure to check out the following:

• Kōfuku-ji: You can find the first temple of the day just a few minutes from Nara’s train station. The Kōfuku-ji temple site includes the country’s second-tallest wooden pagoda, the southern Octagonal Halls and the Central Golden Hall. The temple grounds are free to enter, but the temples themselves require a small fee.
• Isuien Garden: A stunning Japanese garden that dates back to the 17th century.
• Todai-ji: The world’s biggest wooden structure (and one of Nara’s UNESCO world heritage sites), Todai-ji, was one of my favourite sights in Nara. Todai-ji dates back to the year 752 and its size is so incredible. To know that it’s made from wood only simply blows my mind. Inside, you can find the world’s largest Daibutsu-san (bronze Buddha statue).
• Kasuga-Taisha: Another UNESCO world heritage site, the Kasuga-Taisha. Known for its 3000 stone lanterns lining up towards the entrance.
• Nara Deer Park: And of course, Nara Deer Park. The icons of the city. You can buy some special crackers to feed them at stands all over the park. One fun thing to try is to bow for them. They’ve learned to bow back for a little treat 😉

Kobe (1 day)

Another city you can visit for the day from Osaka is Kobe. The harbour town is mainly known for the tasty (and expensive) Kobe beef steak, but Kobe has way more to offer! From Osaka, it takes about an hour to get to Kobe by train – you can use your JR pass for this trip.

• Ropeway up Mount Rokko: Taking the cable cart up Mount Rokko gives you a stunning view across Hanshin region (Kobe and Osaka). On top of the mountain, you can find some more things to do such as a botanical garden and an observation deck.
• Soraku-en Garden: A traditional Japanese garden in the middle of Kobe. A bit of peace and quiet amidst the busy city.
• Kobe Port Tower: Possibly the most iconic Japan landmark in Kobe city, the port tower. With 5 different observation decks, it’s definitely worth a visit. You’ll be able to see all the way to Osaka on a clear day. As well as the observation decks, you will find many restaurants (including a 360 view restaurant) and shops in the tower.
• Nada Sake Museum: You can’t leave Japan without trying its popular rice wine, Sake. The Nada district in Kobe is actually Japan’s top sake production region. As well as many Sake breweries, you can find some museums here to learn all about this tasty alcoholic drink.
• Try Kobe Beef: Kobe’s claim to fame has to be its special beef. It is considered to be the tastiest beef on the planet. Only 3000 cattle qualify each year to be considered Kobe beef cows and the animals are raised with extraordinary care. No wonder it’s so expensive!

Check out our full Kobe day trip itinerary for a route to optimise your day in Kobe.

Himeji Castle (1 day)

Today, we leave Osaka and make our way to Okayama, where we will sleep for 2 nights. It takes about one hour and forty minutes to get to Okayama from Osaka. But we make a little stop at the famous Himeji Castle on the way to Okayama.

Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s most beautiful castles. Due to its elegant and white appearance, it immediately catches your attention. As the castle has never been destroyed by war or natural disaster, it’s one of 12 original castles in Japan.

For some more information, you can check our one day Himeji itinerary .

Okayama (1 day)

Capital of the prefecture that shares its name, Okayama is a transport hub where the Sanyo Shinkansen meets with the railway connecting to Shikoku. Okayama gets more sun than any other part of Japan, claiming the nickname “Land of Sunshine”. When spending a day in Okayama, check out the following highlights:

• Okayama Castle: Nicknames the Crow Castle due to its black appearance, the Okayama Castle is one of the main highlights of the city. The castle was completed in 1597 after 8 years of building.
• Korakuen Gardens: This 300-year-old Japanese garden is one of the three most beautiful gardens in Japan.
• Kibiji Cycling Road: This 2-hour bike ride takes you along shrines, farmhouses and the beautiful rural Japanese countryside of Okayama. You can hire a bike at either Bizen Ichinomiya or Soja bike shop. It’s a fun and unique way to see this part of Japan.

Hiroshima (2 days)

Hiroshima will forever be connected with the terrible atomic bombing that happened on August 6th 1945, killing between 129.000 and 226.000 people.

The bomb destroyed nearly everything within a 2-kilometre radius. But rather than being a radioactive wasteland, Hiroshima has been rebuilt into a thriving city. You will be staying in Hiroshima for three nights.

• Atomic Bomb Dome: Even though this building was located almost directly underneath the very first atomic bomb dropping in history, it somehow survived. The ruins are now a monument with world heritage status.
• Peace Park: Before the dropping of the bomb, the location of the Peace Park was the political and economic centre of Hiroshima. While rebuilding the city, it was decided to turn this place into a memorial.
• Shukkei-en Garden: A stunning Japanese garden in the middle of Hiroshima.
• Hiroshima Castle: Nicknamed the Carp Castle, Hiroshima Castle was first built in 1589. It was the centre of the city. Unfortunately, it got destroyed in the bombing in 1945. The castle was rebuilt and now hosts a museum where you can learn about Japan’s history. On the top, you can find a beautiful panoramic view of the city.

Our one day Hiroshima itinerary shows you exactly how you can make the most of your time here.

From Hiroshima, you can make the popular day trip to Miyajima Island . The official name of this island is actually Itsukushima, but it’s more widely known as Miyajima (translated to Shrine Island). If you’ve been using a JR pass to travel around Japan, you can also use this pass for the ferry to get to the island. Once you’re on the island, check out the following:

• Giant Torii: The “floating” torii gate of Miyajima has been ranked as one of Japan’s best three views. At high tide, the torii gate seems to be floating, but when the tide is low, you’re able to walk next to it. A fun way to see the torii gate up close is to hire a kayak and paddle your way towards it.
• Itsukushima Shrine: The pride of the island has to be the Itsukushima Shrine. Built over water in the year 593, the shrine seems to be floating above the water surface. It has been listed as a UNESCO world heritage site. The entire island has a long history with the Shinto religion, which is seen back in this old but beautiful shrine.
• Five-storied pagoda : This beautiful pagoda was built in 1407 and restored in 1544. With notable Chinese influences, this is one absolutely stunning building.
• Daisho-in Temple: Even though this temple isn’t as well known as the Itsukushima Shrine, it is definitely worth visiting. 500 statues with unique facial expressions are lined up towards the entrance of the temple and inside the Henjokutsu cave, you will find a dimly lit room with a ceiling full of lanterns. It’s a magical sight.
• The Ropeway: For some amazing views, check out the Miyajima ropeway. This cable cart takes you up Mount Misen, where you can find some more temples to visit. But the main reason to check out the ropeway is to enjoy the stunning views from the cable cart over the Selo Sea.

After this day trip to Miyajima island , enjoy one last sleep in Hiroshima. The following day, it’s the end of this 3 week Japan itinerary. Make your way back to either Osaka or Tokyo for your flight home.

I’d definitely check if you’re able to fly back from Osaka, as it’s much closer to Hiroshima compared to Tokyo. I hope you enjoyed this Japan itinerary and that it has helped you plan your own trip to Japan! Please check out the following tips and tricks to make your three weeks in Japan even more amazing.

If you have more time in Japan, you may want to consider visiting Kyushu too. Our 7-day Kyushu itinerary makes for the perfect addition to this itinerary if you have a month to spend in Japan! Or… save it for your return trip to Japan!

Best times to visit Japan

When planning your three weeks in Japan, the time of year obviously plays a huge role. Depending on what time of year you go, the prices will change and some highlights may be busier than expected. I would personally always recommend going in the autumn because it’s a lot cheaper and quieter while the temperatures are still lovely. But here are the pros and cons of each season in Japan.

Pros of visiting Japan in spring: One of the things Japan is famous for is the iconic cherry blossoms. In spring, they will be in full bloom. What’s more Japan than seeing the sea of pink across the cities and parks? The weather will also be lovely and mild – perfect for travelling around!

Cons of visiting Japan in spring: You won’t be to only one looking to enjoy the sakura… Spring in Japan tends to get quite busy. And when it’s busy, the hotel prices go up too!

If you’re bound to travel in the summer due to school or work, I have no doubts that you’ll still have a wonderful time in Japan. But if you can avoid summer, please do so! Summer is the tourist high season in Japan. Alongside the heat, the humidity and typhoon season – it’s best avoided.

Pros of visiting Japan in autumn: I ADORE Japan in autumn. The leaves are coloured beautifully, the temperature is mild and pretty perfect for travelling around and it’s not very busy. Autumn is a lot quieter and therefore cheaper in Japan compared to spring and summer.

Cons of visiting Japan in autumn: You’ll miss the popular cherry blossoms, but I think that the autumn leaves kinda make up for that!

Pros of visiting Japan in winter: Winter is by far the cheapest and most quiet time to visit Japan. Not many people tend to go there on holiday during this time (apart from going skiing in Sapporo etc.).

Cons of visiting Japan in winter: It is COLD. If you’re planning to travel to Japan in winter, make sure you pack a lot of warm clothes.

Japan Travel Essentials

There are a few things you need to know BEFORE going on your trip to Japan. Sorting these things out before your trip will save you a lot of hassle. For a more in-depth guide to Japan, check out my everything you need to know before going to Japan tips blogpost.

Japan Rail Pass

Before the price increase of the JR Pass in October 2023, the 2-week JR Pass would have been a great option for this itinerary. However, due to the 70% price increase, it no longer is a good idea.

Instead, it’s better to buy individual tickets for the Shinkansen. You can buy them at the station on the day, or you can pre-order them through Klook .

Pocket Wifi

Instead of having to buy a SIM card in Japan and spending tons of money on it, order a Pocket Wifi before your trip. This little device gives you access to the internet everywhere in Japan. Charge it at night in your hotel room and pop it in your backpack during the day.

Staying connected during your Japan trip isn’t just important for updating your social media, but it’s an absolute lifesaver when it comes to Google Maps and simply Googling some more information about the places you’re visiting.

You can get one from Ninja WiFi with 15% discount using code THENAVIGATIO15 .

The currency in Japan is the Japanese Yen (JPY, ¥, 円). Rather than having to guess how much you’re going to spend and exchange it before you go to Japan (and pay a huge fee doing so), get an international money card instead.

These types of cards also aren’t connected to your bank account, so if you’d lose it, you wouldn’t have to worry about someone emptying your entire savings account. You simply top them up whenever you run out of cash.

If you’re in the UK, I’d recommend getting one with Monzo. If you’re outside the UK, go with Transferwise. Using one of these cards allows you to pay the daily exchange rate without any extra fees!

2 Weeks in Japan instead?

If you don’t have three weeks to spend in Japan and want to go for two weeks instead, you can totally do that. You can either decide to cut down this itinerary to one that fits your time schedule better. Or you can check out my 2 week Japan itinerary. This itinerary takes you from Tokyo to Kyoto, Osaka and Nara.

Alternatively, you can use my 10 day Japan itinerary for an even shorter trip.

3 Weeks in Japan Itinerary – Conclusion

That concluded my three weeks in Japan recommended itinerary. I hope it has helped you plan an efficient and very exciting stay in this wonderful country. I, for one, can’t wait to visit again!

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Nele (Nay-la) graduated from Manchester Metropolitan University with an English and Creative Writing Degree and has lived in the UK for nearly 10 years. She has had an interest in Japan and its culture for as long as she can remember. Since her first trip in 2018 surpassed all expectations, she has continued to return to Japan to explore more of all it has got to offer. You can read her full story here .

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22 thoughts on “The Perfect 3 Week Japan Itinerary”

I absolutely loved Japan! But that was a trip long ago. Thanks for this comprehensive guide. I’ll save this for the next time I visit Japan.

What an amazing country and so gutted that I have yet to visit. Pinned for when I start planning my trip which I hope is happening in 2020. Looks like you had quite and adventure in Japan. Your post really has me want to move this up to early next year.

What a detailed guide. For sure I will use it on my trip to Japan. The photos are beautiful.

This is a monster guide, I love it! I’ve never been to Japan but hope to go someday!

Hi, We absolutely love this article. It has been incredibly helpful. We want to do an overnight stay in either Hakone or Nikko- what would you recommend?

Thank you so much Julie! Either are great cities to stay overnight in. My personal preference would go to Hakone because they have a lot of onsen hotels and stunning views of Mount Fuij – but Nikko gives you a lot of extra opportunities for hiking if that’s something you’re interested in 🙂

Wow what a detailed itinerary and great places. Japan is in my bucketlist.hope to visit someday .thanks for this useful guide

Japan is still very high on my bucket list. The places you’ve visited look amazing and getting a Japan Rail pass sounds like a must. Thanks for sharing all your tips 🙂

This is perfect timing I’ve been considering this exact trip! I went to Tokyo for a de days a year and a half ago and now I want to see much more of the country

Japan is so high on my bucket list! Lovely photos!

Love this! Thank you. Do you have a rough idea on budget including spending money please?

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What a fabulous guide! Thanks for this!

Thank you so much! You’re website has helped me so much to plan my upcoming trip. It’s the exact time length and you’ve hit all of the main things I want to see for my first vacation trip (been but for work only). You’re the best!

Well, this sure took the mystery out of where to go, stay, see. Absolutely great detail and we will follow most of it with a few tweaks of our own.

Can’t wait.

This is fabulous! We want to go to Japan for 3 weeks in November, I know nothing about Japan, your post sounds perfect, thank you.

Thank you so much for this itinerary ! I planned my whole trip around it and my friends and I had a blast ! You’ve done an amazing job 😀

I am planning a 3 weeks trip to Japan and your blog was super useful! Thank you so much for it! I have a small doubt. You mentioned “If you’re planning to follow this 3 week Japan itinerary, I’d highly recommend getting a JR pass for 2 weeks”. If I am going for 3 weeks, shouldn’t I buy a JR pass for 3 weeks (instead of 2)?

Looking forward to your reply 🙂

Hi Dimple! Since you won’t be needing the JR Pass for the first 7 days, it’s best to get the pass for 2 weeks because it’s much cheaper. In Tokyo, you can use the Suica card instead – it’ll save you a lot of money!

Hi Nele Thanks for all the great tips. Im heading to Japan for 3 weeks at the end of the month and am really excited. Quick additional question on Dimples question/topic of JR Pass … whats the best way to get from Haneda airport into Tokyo, if I am not using a JR Pass for the first 7 days ? Thanks Steve

The easiest way is to use the train, which should only take about 20-30 minutes and doesn’t cost more than a few dollars. You can get a ticket for it at Haneda train station, or use a Suica card (you can add this as a card on your Apple wallet if you use iPhone – or get a physical card at the station, they’re very handy if you’re traveling inside cities in Japan).

Hope that helps!

Hi there Thanks for this guide. I wonder, since now the price has gone up so much, would it still be worthwhile getting the 2 weeks JR pass while following your 3 week itinerary? From my initial calculation, it doesn’t seem worthwhile even if I travel back to Tokyo on last day from Osaka to catch a flight in Tokyo, not sure if you would agree? Also, I was considering to get the 5-day tokyo city pass, do you consider that a good value? This would be my first time to Japan so I’d be visiting as much as I can I reckon.

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3 Weeks in Japan: Top 3 Itineraries for First Visit 2024/2025

If you're considering traveling to Japan for the first time, it's worth considering that a 3-week trip would be long enough for you to experience the highlights of Japan in more depth and not in a rushed way. It would also give you some free time to enjoy yourself.

You could see geishas in kimonos, visit the spectacular Mount Fuji, stay in a ryokan (a traditional Japanese inn), relax in an onsen (a hot spring), immerse yourself in an authentic ninja experience, and take part in a traditional tea ceremony.

Where to Spend 3 Weeks in Japan

3 weeks in japan: 3 perfect itinerary ideas, how much does 3 weeks in japan cost.

Here are the most popular destinations in Japan. We hope this will help you to choose according to your interests and preferences.

• Tokyo is Japan's most famous and popular city with its sophisticated fusion of sushi, samurai, animation, sumo, high-tech modernity, and traditional history.
• Kyoto is an ancient city where you can see various shrines, geishas in kimonos, traditional tea ceremonies, and stay at a ryokan to experience classic Japanese accommodation.
• Osaka , "the kitchen of Japan", is a great place to sample authentic Japanese food and to visit the brilliant Ukiyo-e (Japanese print art) Museum.
• Hakone : What makes Hakone so famous is its onsens and Mount Fuji. Stay at a ryokan with an onsen and a spectacular Fuji view.
• Takayama and Shirakawa-go : A trip to Takayama and Shirakawa-go would allow you to experience Japan's rural life and see unique gassho-zukuri (steep wood and thatch) farmhouses.
• Hiroshima , where the world's first atomic bomb was dropped during World War II, calls on everyone to love peace.
• Hokkaido has the best ski resorts and the freshest seafood.

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Below are three well-selected 3-week Japan itinerary ideas for you, each offering you various experiences. Itinerary 1 covers the major highlights of Japan, itinerary 2 offers you a Japan far-reaching exploration of both big cities and lesser-known cities, and itinerary 3 allows you to have a cross-border trip.

Itinerary 1: Classic Japan — the Most Chosen Historical Places

• Tokyo–Nagano–Kanazawa–Takayama–Shirakawa–Kyoto–Osaka

With this itinerary, you could cover the major highlights of Japan's popular cities , experience authentic hands-on activities, and explore Japanese history and tranquil rural life at a slow pace.

Here is an itinerary outline for your inspiration:

• Days 1–4: Tokyo
• Days 5–6: Hakone
• Days 7–8: Nagano
• Days 9–12: Kanazawa, Takayama and Shirakawa-go
• Days 13–17: Kyoto (daytrips to Nara and Arashiyama)
• Days 18–19: Hiroshima
• Days 20–21: Osaka, depart from Kansai International Airport

Tokyo is the top city for entering Japan as its international flights offer the most options. Meander around the Asakusa district to experience the Edo vibe of Japan's 1603–1868 final shogunate, dress up like a ninja to learn about the ninja culture and techniques, and make sushi with the help of a sushi master.

Continue your trip to Hakone to relax at a Japanese-style ryokan with an onsen and enjoy serene rural life. Nagano offers you a unique and unforgettable experience, where you could witness snow monkeys soaking in the hot springs.

Next, you could head to Kanazawa to see the Edo period buildings , making you feel like you've stepped back in time, as well as enjoy a steaming cup of tea in a Japanese teahouse. Go to Takayama and Shirakawa to admire their traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses and picturesque countryside views.

Head to Kyoto to experience various cultural activities. Wander through the Gion district to see geishas wearing kimonos, immerse yourself in the art of making unique Kyoto pottery, stay at a cozy ryokan to experience Japanese accommodation, and feed friendly deer in Nara.

Hiroshima was the site of the first atomic bombing during World War II. Visit the Peace Memorial Park to cherish the post-war peace and take a short ferry ride to Miyajima to see the famous "floating" torii gate.

Complete your trip in Osaka. Experience traditional ukiyo-e printmaking to deepen your understanding of Japanese culture and enjoy some free time.

Itinerary 2: Japan Adventure and Far-Reaching Exploration

• Tokyo–Kanazawa–Kyoto–Osaka–Naoshima–Matsue–Beppu–Fukuoka–Tokyo

If you're looking for a comprehensive exploration of Japan that covers both well-known cities and hidden gems, this itinerary is perfect for you. You would have the chance to delve deeper into Japan's early history, admire its pristine hot springs, and experience authentic hands-on activities.

Here's the suggested itinerary, for inspiration:

• Days 1–5: Tokyo
• Days 6–7: Kanazawa
• Days 8–11: Kyoto
• Day 12: Osaka
• Days 13–14: Naoshima
• Days 15–16: Matsue
• Days 17–18: Beppu
• Day 19: Fukuoka
• Day 20: Depart from Tokyo

Tokyo is the must-see city in Japan that perfectly combines history and modernity. Walk around Meiji Shrine downtown, which is surrounded by forests, make a delicious bowl of ramen with the help of experienced chefs, and take a day trip to Kawaguchiko to view the iconic Mount Fuji.

Next, head to Kanazawa to explore its well-preserved Edo-period Japanese samurai house, and experience attaching gold leaf to your favorite objects as a unique souvenir.

Continue your trip to Kyoto to experience some authentic Japanese activities. Have afternoon tea with geishas, stay at a traditional Japanese ryokan, take a rickshaw ride to admire the bamboo groves in Arashiyama, and feed lovely deer in Nara.

Head to Osaka to wear a ninja outfit and learn techniques from a ninja master. Then try unique ukiyo-e printmaking to get more insights into Japanese culture.

The remaining days would be spent exploring some lesser-known cities in western Japan.

• Naoshima is a small island that is full of art and boasts a spectacular coastline. There, you could explore museums and galleries brimming with art.
• Matsue is considered to be the birthplace of Japanese mythology and ancient culture. Gain a deeper understanding of Japan's past by witnessing two of the oldest buildings, Matsue Castle and Izumo Taisha.
• Beppu is a city that hosts over 2,000 hot springs. It's amazing to witness the heat emanating from the hot spring areas in the city. You could admire hot springs of different colors, such as red, gray, and blue, and also enjoy an onsen at a hot spring resort.

Finish your trip in Fukuoka and take some free time to explore this charming modern city on your own.

Itinerary 3: Trip to Japan, China, Singapore, and Bali

This tour will allow you to experience the history and culture of Japan and China, experience the rapid development of Singapore, and relax on the beaches of Bali!

Days 1–7 in Japan: Explore the most popular three cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. Try some Japanese-style activities, such as making sushi, dressing up like a ninja to learn the techniques, and staying at a ryokan with an onsen. Also visit all of Japan's main attractions, including Mount Fuji, Senso-ji, and the Gion district.

Days 8–14 in China: Discover China's top three cities for tourism — Beijing, Xi'an, and Chengdu. Visit the world-famous Forbidden City and the Great Wall in Beijing, explore the mysterious underground army at the Terracotta Army Museum in Xi'an, and see the cute pandas in Chengdu.

Days 15–16 in Singapore: Discover the charming city of Singapore. Its main attractions include Merlion Park, Gardens by the Bay, Little India, Kampong Glam, Arab Street, and a boat trip from Clarke Quay.

Days 17–19 in Bali: Enjoy some relaxing beach time in a tropical island paradise with your partner to create lifetime memories.

Japan is more expensive than other countries in Asia, but is one of the cheapest developed-country destinations. It offers high-quality accommodation, food, service, and attractions.

Generally, 4-star hotels, private guide, private car and other transport in Japan, and tickets for attractions costs 350–500 USD per day per person for a family of 3-5 people . Thus, the total cost is around 7,400–10,500 USD for 3 weeks.

We recommend you take private cars if you'd have any difficulty in taking public transportation. It may save you more than 20,000 steps a day!

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3 Weeks in Japan: 3 Itineraries

DISCLAIMER: This post might have links to travel services and products that we enjoy. We might make a commission from it at no extra cost to you.

Best technologies, sushi, cherry blossoms, and Mount Fuji are just a few things that stand out in Japan when you are making a decision on where to go on your 3-week holiday.

What I love about Japan is that you can experience very different adventures depending on the season you visit. But, one thing that is constant is the tasty Japanese cuisine.

Some people might argue that three weeks is quite a long time to spend in such a small country. But it’s not about the size. It’s about what this little place in East Asia can offer its visitors.

We don’t take 3 weeks of vacation time lightly on this site. We value them; they are sacred, and we understand that they should be spent well because you earn them. This article is jam-packed with helpful information that will guide you in writing your 3 weeks in Japan itinerary or help you decide why spending your vacation here is super worth it.

We will discuss things you should know, such as how to make sure you don’t come as offensive to the locals, how to navigate around Japan, where to go, attractions not to miss, and, of course, where to eat in Japan. So, stick with me!

TRAVEL TIPS BEFORE GOING TO JAPAN

Before you book and pack anything, take a look at these tips before you go to Japan. To some, they might experience massive culture shock when visiting Japan. These tips might be helpful in writing an itinerary and blending in during your trip.

When is the best time to go to Japan

I don’t think “anytime” is the best time to go to Japan. Japan is so prone to typhoons, especially between May and October, which can affect your travel plans. On the other hand, this is the low season, meaning businesses related to tourism often run great discounts during this time.

If you want to maximise your trip, though, and imagine yourself under the sun most of the time, it’s best to visit Japan between November and April. Remember that Japan experiences four (4) different seasons.

This means you can ski in the winter, surf in summer, and enjoy the chilly but comfortable temperature of spring, where you can enjoy the famous Cherry Blossoms season.

Are 3 weeks enough for Japan

20 days in Japan is plenty. This will allow you to travel slowly and visit more than just the big cities. You will have enough time to go to less popular spots and really immerse in the culture and meet locals.

Instead of taking domestic flights, you can really enjoy the metro and train system of Japan and travel with a more scenic journey. If you have too much time, you can always hop on a flight to South Korea if you’re curious.

READ >> 3 weeks in Japan and South Korea itinerary

What to pack

What you must pack for 3 weeks in Japan depends on the season you plan to go since it gets quite cold during winter. One that is a must is clothing that can cover up your tattoos if you have any, which can also be used when you need to cover up for visiting temples.

We have a general packing list for a 3-week trip , but we also have a spring packing list and winter packing list .

Common cultural rules

Japanese culture is one of the world’s most polite, respectful, and considerate people. Of course, there are always bad apples. There could be many reasons why the Japanese appear so respectful, especially to strangers or visitors (of their home or their country).

But what’s important to remember is how to be respectful to the people and culture of Japan. Here are some basic tips for common cultural rules in Japan:

• Do not tip and spit on the ground
• Cover your tattoos
• Remove shoes before entering someone’s house
• Talk quietly in public places
• Bow when greeting, saying thank you, excuse me, or I’m sorry
• Learn basic Japanese words – thank you, hello, how much, sorry, excuse me

How to get around

Japan has one of the world’s best, most reliable, and most efficient public transportation. The trains, buses, ferries, and even planes are on time. Every time they get delayed, expect an apology if you are a worker, you can get proof to show your boss why you are late.

Not only are they on time, but they are also the most affordable way to get around – especially with the trains. There are many different kinds of public transportation passes to choose from depending on your needs and travel plans.

For example, you can get unlimited passes within cities or major cities. You can also use one to travel to another city or province.

For a 3-week stay in Japan, you can get the JRPass , which gives you unlimited passes to take the Shinkansen and JR trains, buses, and even ferries. You can either buy them online or at some stations, but the price can be higher. You can always ask your hotel receptionist to assist you in getting one online.

Convenience store visit is a must

This may be one of the reasons why I wanted to visit Japan. The convenience store is a must-visit. Not because they offer unusual promos or features. The simple answer is the fact that these convenience stores are more than just mini-stores.

They really embody their name with a number of options for quick food to grab at any time of the day. Plus, they are affordable and great for those travelling on a budget,

But many tourists find these stores impressive because it’s like a gateway into exploring Japanese food and snacks without worrying about sanitation and “how long have they been out here on display?”. From cold salad to warm noodles, breakfast to dinner, they are all here.

Currency and payment method

In a country where you first heard about bullet trains, the country with the first cellular network in history, the inventor of the rice cooker, QR code, selfie stick, and even your beloved emojis.

With all these, you would think that Japan is very high-tech-tech, but they prefer cash when it comes to payment methods.

Don’t worry; hotels, fancy restaurants, and big shopping places accept credit cards. However, cash is still the king of Japan. If you dream of eating in small ramen houses or trying out the cool vending machines, using public transportation – you will need more cash than you thought.

I wouldn’t say there’s a massive language barrier in Japan. It is believed that 20-40% of Japanese can speak at least basic English. However, many of them are self-conscious and shy in public.

More and more, younger generations speak relatively great English and are comfortable extending help to tourists.

On the other hand, make sure to download a translator app specifically for Japanese to your language so you can use it without mobile data.

And again, it will really go a long way if you learn some basic Japanese phrases like greetings, asking how much a thing is, where the train/bus/shop is, etc. It will also show respect for their culture.

Internet access

Mobile data in Japan is expensive, and free public Wi-Fi is not as reliable or is often used for limited use. You can purchase an e-sim or data package or get this easy-pocket wifi to rent for your stay in Japan. You can compare whether using your roaming services is cheaper or access the local provider.

Japan is somehow strict when it comes to travel visas. Passport holders of countries in most Americas, Europe, UAE, South Africa, Australia, South Korea, New Zealand, Thailand, Cambodia, and Indonesia can enter and travel around Japan visa-free between 15 days up to 180 days.

Other basic travel tips

Pinned map of must-see places in japan.

Click the enlarge button on the top right corner. Credit: map data: Google

3 WEEKS IN JAPAN ITINERARY

Before anything else, since Japan experiences four seasons a year, it’s important for you to decide when to visit Japan.

For example, summer is great since it’s the only time you can hike Mount Fuji, but it gets really hot with such high humidity, while in spring, it’s cooler, cherry blossoms are popping, and you can enjoy the spring festival.

During fall or autumn, the trees are just magnificent during their turn of colour, plus the temperature is much bearable than in summer.

And lastly, winter can be cold , meaning you need to pack warm clothing, but this also means you can enjoy winter activities such as skiing, the perfect time for an onsen bath, and the most beautiful winter festival in East Asia.

3 weeks in Japan in Spring

If you are considering visiting J apan during spring, I assume cherry blossoms have something to do with it. First, remember that the best time to see these beautiful trees is around the second week of March.

So, either start your 3 weeks in Japan at this time or if you want to enjoy the Takayama Spring Festival, it happens around the second week of April. Also, this is one of the busiest times in Japan for tourism, so keep that in mind.

This means spring in Japan for 3 weeks should be between the third week of March and the second week of April.

• Day 1-3 : spend this time exploring Tokyo, getting a train/subway ticket or passing local money, and enjoying the capital, where you can visit many places such as Yayoi Kusama Museum and Senso-ji.
• If you prefer to see cherry blossoms here, you can visit Shinjuku, Tokyo: Shinjuku Gyoen or do day trips to Nikko and Kamakura. If you are planning to travel with kids or want to be a child at heart for one day, don’t forget a visit to Tokyo Disneyland .
• Day 4-10 : Head to Yamanashi, where you can visit Yamanashi’s Fuji Motosuko Resort for amazing cherry blossoms. You can also go hiking, horseback riding, golfing, and other fun outdoor activities. And, of course, this is where you can adore Mount Fuji. Finish your stay here with a visit to Hottarakashi Onsen.
• Day 11-16 : Head to Nagoya to visit Nayoga Castle, Noritake Garden, and Tokugawa Art Museum. From here, you can take day trips to Kyoto and Osaka to visit Eikando Temple, Tofukuji Temple, and Universal Studio. You can visit the Legoland Resort, SCMaglev and Railway Park, and Tobishimamura Onsui indoor pool from Nagoya.
• Day 17-21 : Make your way to Takayama to celebrate Takayama Spring Festival. If you haven’t seen the cherry blossom trees yet, you can definitely enjoy them here as well.

3 weeks in Japan in Summer

Summer in Japan is pretty great. However, the heat and humidity can be off-putting to some.

If you don’t mind this, you can hike Mount Fuji during this season, which is only open in summer from July to September. You can also try surfing, visit the best water parks, and do lots of activities to cool you off.

• Day 1-4 : Start in Okinawa, an island south of the mainland or northeast of Taiwan. This island is filled with water parks and resorts from which you can choose. There are over 100 beaches you can cool off during this hot season. Manza Ocean Park, Cape Maeda, Shurijo Castle, and Oodamari Beach to name a few places in Okinawa.
• Day 5-8 : Make your way to Hiroshima, if you love history, you can visit the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Castle. You can take the ferry to the beautiful Itsukushima Shrine and Mount Misen Observatory.
• Day 9-14 : Head to Osawa, where you can take day trips to Kyoto, Nagoya, and Hamamatsu. Make sure to get yourself a train/subway pass, which will be very useful and affordable.
• Day 15-21 : Explore Tokyo. Don’t forget to visit Tokyo downtown, Shibuya city, Senso-ji Temple, the National Museum of Emerging Science and Innovation, and of course, hike Mount Fuji.

3 weeks in Japan in Fall/Autumn

Autumn is such a beautiful season in Japan. The trees are turning colours, the temperature is cooler, and walking around the big cities and hiking is blissful. However, there are only a handful of places to enjoy autumn in Japan.

To make sure it’s worth your trip, you should add major attractions to your 3 weeks in Japan itinerary, such as the capital city, historical sites, and food-y your way around.

Read our list of the best places to spend the fall or autumn season for your 3-week trip .

Start your trip at around the middle of September or even the end of the month. It’s not too cold yet but also not scorching hot. Good enough for a light jacket and closed shoes.

• Day 1-4: Start in Tokyo, gather yourself, get local currency, and get familiarised with how things work in Japan. Enjoy downtown Tokyo with local transportation, visit some clubs if that’s your vibe, or simply enjoy different parks and food in the city. Don’t forget to visit Fuji Five Lakes for awesome trees with autumn colours.
• Day 5-7 : Base yourself in Kyoto; from here, you can visit the historical region of Hiroshima and then explore Osaka and Nagoya. Visit Mount Hiei, Ama Site Park, and Osaka Castle.
• Day 8-12 : Head to the Japanese Alps; while it might still be too early to ski, this area is stunning, filled with trees perfect for your autumn vibe. Here, you can do lots of hiking and outdoor activities.
• Day 13-21 : Fly to the island of Hokkaido. Fall colours in this region are nothing like those elsewhere in Japan. You can also visit the island’s northern part and see Abashiri Drift Ice. Don’t forget to visit an onsen, the outside temperature is perfect for this activity. You can either try indoor or outdoor onsen.

3 weeks in Japan in Winter

Winter is also a great time to spend 3 weeks in Japan. Yes, it can be quite cold, but you can do so many fun activities such as skiing and snowboarding, outdoor skating, onsen baths, and even visiting the drift ice.

Pack some warm clothes because it can get very cold during winter, and good quality jackets and footwear to stay warm can be pricey in Japan. We also have a list of the best destinations for a 3-week winter trip and a packing list for a 3-week winter vacation .

• Day 1- 6 : If you are a skier or do any winter activities, I suggest you start your 3 weeks in Japan here. Near Tokyo, you have Hakuba Iwatake Mountain Resort & Ski Field and Nozawa Onsen Snow Resort, while Niseko Moiwa Ski Resort in Hokkaido.
• Spend a few days enjoying not only some fun white powder but also the natural beauty of Japan during winter. Don’t leave without visiting the north part of Hokkaido and seeing Abashiri Drift Ice.
• Day 7-14 : After finishing winter sports, it’s time for your usual tourist activities, such as visiting Hiroshima for history junkies. The best way to do this is to place yourself in Osaka or Kyoto – both cities can take you to Hiroshima but simultaneously have so much to offer for you to enjoy. You can even sneak a trip to Nagoya, where they have a Castle, Art Museum, and Public Aquarium.
• Day 15-21 : This is the time to enjoy Tokyo, its exciting nightlife, fun markets, and amazing local food to try. If you haven’t, make sure to visit an onsen that will really warm you up and is the best way to wrap up your winter holiday in Japan.

THINGS TO DO AND SEE IN JAPAN

First, let’s talk about the must-see places in Japan. In this way, you can decide the best time to visit Japan according to what you want to do. This list will also help you create a 3-week itinerary for Japan that will save you time and knock places off your list in a time-saving way.

• Explore top sites in Tokyo – custom full-day tour or a tour with a licensed guide
• Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden
• Disneyland in Tokyo – get a day pass
• Tokyo Tower
• See a Sumo Wrestler – you can challenge a sumo wrestler too
• Tokyo Skytree
• Digital Art Museum – get your ticket in advance
• Imperial Palace
• Enjoy Japanese cuisine by – sushi making or go ramen tasting or join a food and culture tour
• Go Kart Experience – right through the city centre, check the price
• Meiji Jingu
• Day trip to Mount Fuji (check the season schedule beforehand ) – combo with Hakone and Lake Ashi or this more affordable Mount Fuji tour or go on a Hakone cruise
• Enjoy the nightlife by doing – bar hopping or eat and drink tour
• Explore Kyoto – on a bike tour (with lunch) or e-bike tour or with a licensed guide
• Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Higashiyama Jisho-ji
• Kyomizu-dera
• Lanterns Night – join a discovery tour
• Eikando Temple
• Rikugi Garden
• Bamboo – Higashiyama Sanjo
• Learn about Japanese culture – join a zen meditation with locals or book a samurai experience or be part of a traditional tea ceremony
• Learn about Geisha – private dinner with a Geisha or explore the Geisha district
• Tofukuji Temple
• Discover Japanese Cuisine – go on sake experience tour or night foodie tour or ramen cooking class or all-inclusive local eats tour
• Nishiki Market
• Day trip to Hiroshima and Miyajima – check the tour price
• Peace Memorial Park – book a day trip
• Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate
• Atomic Bomb Dome
• Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
• Hiroshima Castle – with a combo visit to Hiroshima Castle
• Yamato Museum/Maritime Museum
• Hiroshima MOCA
• Explore Hiroshima on a bike – read the reviews
• Itsukushima Shrine
• Try traditional archery – book a tour
• Osaka Castle
• Universal Studios in Japan
• Umeda Sky Building
• Osaka Auarium Kaiyukan
• Abena Harukas
• Sumiyoshi Taisha
• Matsumoto Castle
• Zenko-ji Temple
• Shiga Kogen
• Daio Wasabi Farm
• Togakushi-Jinja
• Risshakuji Temple
• Zao Onsen Ski Resort

Sapporo, Hokkaido

• Sapporo Beer Museum
• Sapporo TV Tower
• Moerenuma Park
• Hokkaido-Jingju Shrine
• Sapporo Clock Tower
• Shiroikoibito Park
• Sapporo Kokusai Ski Resort
• Mount Miowa
• Mount Yotei
• Fukidashi Park
• Yukichichibu Onsen
• The Hakone Open-Air Musuem
• Hakone Shrine
• Hakone Ropeway
• Okada Museum of Art

Naoshima Island

• Benesse House Museum
• Chichu Art Museum
• Naoshima Public Bath
• Shodo Island
• Ando Museum
• Kizenzan Park
• Asemi River
• Mount Shiraga
• Yoshinobu Rice Terraces
• Vine Bridges in the Iya Valley
• Mount Miune

WHERE TO STAY IN JAPAN

This list can help you decide the best accommodations during your trip that suits your budget. It’s also arrange per city to make things easier.

• Affordable: Hotel Owl or bnb Hostel
• Mid-range: Hotel GrandBach or Shiomi Prince Hotel
• Luxury: The Capitol Hotel or The Gate Hotel
• Affordable: K’s House Travelers Hostel or Chinsun Premium or Sotetsu Fresa Inn
• Mid-range: Hotel Emion or The Royal Park Hotel or Sanco Inn
• Luxury: MONday Apart Premium or Mercure Kyoto Station or Via Inn Prime
• Affordable: Capsule Hotel Cube or Santiago Guesthouse
• Mid-range: Daiwa Roynet Hotel or Candeo Hotels
• Luxury: Hilton Hotel or Sheraton Grand Hotel
• Affordable: Shinsaibashi Arty Inn or Cabin & Capsule Hotel
• Mid-range: Hotel Cordia or Waqoo Shitaderamachi or Del Style by Daiwa Roynet Hotel
• Luxury: Oyado Nono or Hotel Intergate or The Bridge Hotel
• Affordable: Tune Hostel or Tmark City Hotel
• Mid-range: Hotel Amanek or Toyoko Inn
• Luxury: Hotel Nets or Tenza Hotel and Sky Spa
• Affordable: Hotel MetropolitanNagano or Sotetsu Fresa Inn
• Mid-range: Anise Garden or Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu
• Luxury: Hotel Karuizawa Cross or Karuizawa Prince Hotel West or Hotel Wellies
• Affordable: Manten-no-Hoshi or Hakone Hostel 1914
• Mid-range: Hakone Guest House Gaku or Hakone Hotel or Mount View Hakone
• Luxury: Meibi Yumoto or Villa Hakone or Fujiya Hotel
• Affordable: Season 1
• Mid-range: Takamatsu Guest House Akane
• Luxury: Naoshima Juju Art House
• Affordable to Mid-range: Smile Hotel or Green Rich Hotel or Ana Crowne Plaza

SUMMARY OF 3 WEEKS IN JAPAN ITINERARY

3 weeks in Japan can be plenty of time for some or too long for others or even too short for some people. The best way to make sure you are making the most out of your 3 weeks vacation is to plan your trip but make wriggle room for changes and things you don’t expect that can happen. Let your fun side entertain some unplanned trips and activities.

Japan is filled with so many things you can enjoy and do. And if you find yourself bored for some reason or have time to spare, don’t forget, South Korea or other East Asian countries are just a short flight away.

I hope you enjoyed this 3 weeks in Japan itinerary and that I’ve helped you create a fun and suitable holiday for you in this part of the world.

SAVE THESE TIPS AND ITINERARY ON YOUR PINTEREST:

EPIC 3-week itinerary for Japan (perfect for first-timers)

By: Author Kris

Posted on Last updated: April 25, 2023

Have you been looking for a 3-week Japan itinerary, because you aren’t sure what to do while you’re there? Don’t worry, we have you covered.

Japan is an amazing country where ancient traditions and modern customs go hand in hand.

If you think 3 weeks is too long for Japan, think again. It’s easy to travel for 3 weeks in Japan without getting bored. You need three weeks in Japan just to visit the highlights. 

Our first trip to Japan was one of slightly over 3 weeks and when we were planning our Japan trip, we found it very difficult because we had to select from among an over the choice of sights that all looked worthwhile. 

This is our 3-week Japan itinerary that we eventually came up with. 

Insider tip: Looking for the best Japan travel tips, click here.

There is a really good chance that this post contains affiliate links. If you click one of them, we may receive a small commission (for which we are deeply grateful) at no extra cost to you.

In a hurry? Here we share an overview of our 3 weeks in Japan

If you don’t have time to read through the full Japan itinerary, use this overview to get an idea of the things to do on each day and save it for later.

• Day 1-4 Tokyo: Visit Shibuya,  the Imperial Palace, Yoyogi Park, the Sensoji temple, Harajuku, Asakusa, and the neighborhood around the Skytree.
• Day 5: Matsumoto: Visit the Samurai castle and explore the small streets.
• Day 6-7 Yudanaka: Go watch the snow monkeys and relax in one of the many local onsens.
• Day 8 Kanazawa: Visit the Kenrokuen Garden, Kanazawa Castle , and the old Geisha district.
• Day 9 Takayama: Visit the Hida Folk Village and the old town of Takayama.
• Day 10 Ise: Pay a visit to the Ise Shrines
• Day 11-14 Osaka: Explore the Namba district, visit Osaka Castle, walk along the river to the Kema Sakuranomiya Park, visit Shinsekai, attend a cooking class, and see the city from above.
• Day 15 Koyasan: Spend the night in a temple and walk from temple to temple, attend the morning prayer, and visit the cemetery of Koyasan.
• Day 16-18 Kyoto: Explore Gion, the Inari Shrines, walk the philosopher’s path, visit the Golden Temple, and make a side trip to Arashiyama.
• Day 19 Hiroshima: Visit the peace park and Hiroshima Castle.
• Day 20 Miyajima: Admire the floating Torii gate and the colorful Daisyoin Temple and feed the deer.
• Day 21-22 Nagasaki: walk along the harbor, the cozy Dejima wharf, and Chinatown. Explore the Dutch history at the old trading post-Dejima and the Dutch Slope. Visit Battleship Island.
• Day 23-24 Tokyo: Visit Akihabara, Tokyo DisneySea.

Table of Contents

Japan Essentials

We almost always find the best flights to Tokyo and Osaka on Momondo .  It may be worthwhile to compare these with Skyscanner and a new but promising flight aggregator, WayAway .

Don’t lose time upon arrival at the airport and order your Japan travel SIM  or portable WiFi device in advance so that it’s ready and waiting for you at the airport when you arrive.

Find out which JR Pass will save you the most for your trip to Japan.

Check out our ultimate Japan travel blog where you can find many more interesting Japan articles to prepare for your trip.

Need help with your Japan trip planning? Check out this post on how to plan your trip to Japan.

Insider tip: Is this your first Japan trip and are you feeling a bit overwhelmed about planning this trip, what to see, and what to do in Japan, check out our  Japan travel planner.  This document will help you plan your trip smoothly. 

For more Japan tips, take a look at our Japan Travel Guide.

Japan 3-week itinerary: Our 3 weeks in Japan

Here we share an overview of our 3 weeks in Japan.

Day 1-4: Tokyo

Things to do in tokyo.

Tokyo is a logical starting point for your 3-week Japan itinerary as chances are you will land at one of Tokyo’s two busy airports. Wondering what to see in Tokyo? Hopefully, you’re not too jetlagged because the capital has a lot to offer.

We were here during the cherry blossom season so we visited several different places to witness this beautiful spectacle.

Our tips about the  best places to see the cherry blossoms are in this separate article .

But you will have no problem filling up these 4 days, even if you are not here during the cherry blossom season.

We visited the busiest intersection in the world at Shibuya as well as the Imperial Palace, Yoyogi park, the Sensoji temple, Harajuku, Asakusa, the neighborhood around the Skytree and much more.

Here you will find more information about the best places in Tokyo to visit.

If you are looking for a detailed itinerary for the best of Tokyo in 4 days, take a look here.  If you stay 5 days in Tokyo, take a look at our 2-5 days detailed Tokyo itinerary.

Getting from the airport to Tokyo

When someone refers to Tokyo International Airport, they mean Haneda Airport. In reality, Tokyo has 2 international airports: Haneda and Narita airport.

Haneda is closer to Tokyo and is probably the best choice for you as a tourist. Still, as both are well-connected to the capital it isn’t that much of an issue if your flight arrives in Narita. It will just take a little longer to get to your hotel.

Haneda International Airport  is located 14 kilometers south of Tokyo Station. It is the oldest of the two airports. 

It used to mainly handle domestic flights after Narita airport opened but with the addition of a new international terminal in 2010, it now also handles international flights. The general rule is that Narita focuses more on leisure routes.

In reality, you will notice that there isn’t really any logic in how the flights are divided between the 2 airports. Here’s just one example, ANA’s flight from Washington arrives in Narita on Wednesday, Thursday, and Sunday and in Haneda on the other days of the week.

This is because there are not enough landing slots in Haneda and ANA sometimes has to look to Narita when it adds extra weekly flights to a certain destination.

All this is just to say that you have to look for flights to both airports (HND, NRT), or you can use (TYO) to instantly search for flights to Haneda and Narita.

The two main ways to reach central Tokyo from Haneda Airport are the Keikyu Line and the Tokyo Monorail. Both require a transfer to the JR Yamanote Line to reach major stations in central Tokyo.

Depending on the location of your hotel and the length of your flight (and the amount of sleep you could get) you might not be looking forward to train and subway rides in your first hours in Tokyo.

After a long flight, a direct transfer from the airport to your hotel will be a lot more comfortable.

You can find more information about a shared or private transfer here:

Shared Transfer

Private Transfer

Narita is the smaller of the 2 airports but does serve as the international hub of both major Japanese airlines, Japan Airlines, and ANA. 

It lies 60 km east of central Tokyo. Although it is located further from central Tokyo than Haneda it is also well-connected to the city. 

There are plenty of public transportation options to reach central Tokyo from the airport.

You could take the JR Narita Express, the Keisei Skyliner, buses, and taxis.  Those who like to make a grand entrance can even opt for a helicopter transfer.

The JR Narita Express , abbreviated as N’EX, is covered by the Japan Rail Pass.  This makes N’EX your best option if you have a JR Pass. 

To use this train with your Japan Rail Pass you need to exchange your voucher for the actual pass at the airport.

Once exchanged you will also need to reserve seats as N’EX is one of the few trains that only has reserved cars.

Japan Rail Pass is it worth it?

The Keisei Skyliner is a good alternative to N’EX if you have no Japan Rail Pass.  The prices, comfort, and schedule of both trains are comparable.

The main difference is that N’EX will take you to Tokyo station, Shinagawa, Shibuya, Shinjuku, Ikebukuro & Yokohama.  The Keisei Skyliner heads to Nippori station and Keisei Ueno (close to Ueno station). 

Both trains offer easy transfer to the JR Yamanote line, the main loop line in Tokyo.

As with Haneda, you can also book private or shared transfers from Narita to Central Tokyo. After a long flight, a direct transfer from the airport to your hotel will be a lot more comfortable.

Getting around Tokyo

If you have a Japan Rail Pass you can use this pass on  the JR trains that run on the inner-city network in Tokyo,  a very extensive network that can be compared with a metro network.

If you don’t have a Japan rail pass or you choose to activate your Japan rail pass after your visit to Tokyo, we recommend getting a Tokyo subway pass .

You can buy this pass at tourist information centers, BIC camera shops, and certain hotels.

There’s a  list of selling points on the Tokyo Metro website . Be sure to bring cash as credit or debit cards are usually not accepted.

The pass can also be  bought online  which is even more convenient.

When you buy your pass online you will receive a voucher that you can use to quickly and easily collect your pass at the airport and seconds later you will be on your way to your hotel. Your pass can be used immediately, so you can use it if you would have to change to the metro en route to your hotel.

Click to read reviews or buy your Tokyo Subway Pass: Tokyo Subway Pass

A full guide on how to navigate Tokyo’s Public transport like a local

Top attraction in Tokyo 

Here is an overview of the best attractions in Tokyo. 

We partnered up with GetYourGuide or Klook for most of these activities.  We love GetYourGuide because they’re flexible.  Sometimes your plans change last minute and then you want to be able to cancel your tickets and get your money back.  It’s also good to know that GetYourGuide has your back when the local tour operator doesn’t show up or cancels your trip.

Klook is a trustworthy travel company headquartered in Hong Kong that teams up with local operators to offer all kinds of travel experiences. Chances are the name is not familiar If you haven’t been to Asia before. They are big in Asia and have and have a very wide range of activities in Japan and other Asian countries.

We selected 3 excellent activities in Tokyo just for you.

Unfortunately, the Robot restaurant is still closed and it is uncertain if it will ever reopen. Let’s keep our fingers crossed.

Enjoy the Robot Show at the Robot Restaurant

The Robot Show is touristy, expensive and the food isn’t so great so you might wonder why you need to visit it.  Well, it’s something you can only experience in Japan.  The show is grotesque and completely over the top like one can only experience in Japan.

For this activity, we decided to partner up with Klook because they often have the cheapest tickets for the Robot Restaurant.

Read our full guide about the Robot Restaurant here.

More information and booking:

Robot Restaurant Tickets

See Tokyo from above

The   Tokyo Skytree   is, with a height of 634 meters, the highest building in Japan. It’s also the highest free-standing tower in the world. The tower houses 2 observation platforms that offer a fantastic view of Tokyo. They are respectively at a height of 350 and 450 meters and are amongst the highest in Japan. Here you can enjoy a breathtaking view of Tokyo. An absolute Tokyo must-visit when you want to see Tokyo from above.

The lines are often very long so we recommend you to book skip the line tickets.

Tokyo Skytree Tickets

If you are looking for a free alternative, you should head to the   Metropolitan Government Building.   This building has 2 towers that each offer a viewing platform at a height of 202 meters. The northern tower stays open until 11 p.m. and ‘Tokyo By Night’ is really spectacular.

Make a Day Trip to Mount Fuji

A day tour to Mount Fuji is the perfect way to escape busy Tokyo.

But there are so many day tours that choosing one, isn’t easy.

To help you choose, we made this handy Day trip to Mount Fuji overview. 

Day Trip Mt. Fuji

Where to stay in Tokyo

Hilton Tokyo

The Tokyo Hilton is situated in the lively neighborhood of Shinjuku. It’s about a 15-minutes walk to Shinjuku train station but you can also make use of the free shuttle service offered by the hotel.  The shuttle runs every 20 minutes. The airport limousine bus has a stop at this hotel.  There’re multiple restaurants and supermarkets in this area. Last but not least, after a busy day exploring this vibrant city you can relax in the indoor pool or sauna.  Highly recommended if you are looking for a good hotel in the vicinity of public transport.

Booking.com

Or read our article about the best place to stay in Tokyo for first-time visitors. If you are looking for the best Airbnb’s in Tokyo, click here.

For those that are looking for a more traditional stay, check out this post in which we share an overview of Ryokans in Tokyo with a private onsen.

Day 5: Matsumoto

Things to do in matsumoto.

During our 3-week itinerary in Japan, we also paid a quick visit to Matsumoto.  The main reason for this is the Samurai Castle . 

A Samurai castle is a must-visit and while there are still lots of Samurai castles everywhere throughout Japan most of these are reconstructions.

In Matsumoto, you can visit one of the few remaining original castles. It’s a major landmark in Japan.

Most castles have been destroyed by fires or during one of the many wars but this castle was never under attack.

Several official guides are available who will be happy to guide you around the castle for free.

They can tell you more about how life used to be in the castle and the different wars that prevailed over Japan. 

The guides are located in a cabin right after the entrance of the castle.

Did you know that the inspiration for the helmet of Darth Vader comes from the Samurais?

If you have only 5 days in japan, check out our post where we share the best 5 days Japan itinerary suggestions. 

Where to stay in Matsumoto

Hotel kagetsu.

This hotel more than exceeded our expectations.  Hotel Kagetsu is situated 20-minutes by foot from the train station and really close to Matsumoto Castle and the small but picturesque old town.  The hotel offers free bicycles to explore the area.  It also features a good restaurant but you will also find other restaurants within walking distance.  You get a comfortable and spacious room, certainly by Japanese standards, and your Yukata and slippers will be waiting in your room if you want to use the onsen.  A great option in this charming city.

Day 6-7: Yudanaka

Things to do in yudanaka.

The next stop on our three-week Japan itinerary was Yudanaka. This countryside village is famous for the snow monkeys that like to bathe in the hot springs.

The prime reason for our visit to Yudanaka was to see the monkeys, but just like the monkeys, we also took some time ourselves to relax in one of the many local onsens.

If you have only 1 week in Japan, check out these Japan 7 days suggestions.

We spend about half a day with the monkeys. Not because the park was that big, but it was very cute to see the monkey’s doing their thing.

Judging by the name you could probably already guess that the best time to visit the snow monkeys is, …., the winter. During other periods it’s best to head to the park very early when it’s not yet too warm. The colder it is, the more likely you will see the monkeys warming themselves in the water.

To relax in the onsen we recommend going to Shibu onsen. This is a village a few minutes’ walk from Yudanaka.

In the picturesque car-free high street of Shibu Onsen you will find 9 public onsens that are supplied by the hot springs.

You can wander from one bathhouse to another in your Yukata and on your traditional wooden sandals.

Where to stay in Yudanaka

Shimaya ryokan.

Shimaya Ryokan is not a normal hotel but a Ryokan.  After staying there I would even say that it felt more like a Minshuku.  A Ryokan is a traditional Japanese Inn and a Minshuku is a small-scale,family-run, version of a Ryokan.  Where Ryokans can sometimes offer very high-scale and luxurious experiences, a Minshukus offers more of a cozy intimate atmosphere.

The rooms of the Shimaya Ryokan are very simple, and look a bit dated. But the hospitable owners made up for all of this. The owner picked us up at the train station, offered us a ride to the monkey park and back and gave us tons of tips about all the places we would visit next during our trip.

Sleeping in a traditional ryokan or Minshuku is something you should do at least once when you’re in Japan, so why not do it here with these friendly hospitable owners.

Day 8: Kanazawa

Things to do in kanazawa.

Kanazawa charmed us enormously and we had the impression that this city was less touristy than other places we visited during our 3 weeks in Japan. This in itself is a reason to visit this city.

We were here to see the Kenrokuen Garden .   An absolute highlight of any visit to Kanazawa and especially during the cherry blossom season.

The garden is regarded as one of the most beautiful in Japan.

The weather was a bit disappointing during our visit so we couldn’t fully appreciate the park.

We certainly thought it was beautiful, but not better than what we already saw in Tokyo. Still, we could not get enough of the cherry blossoms.

Right next to the Kenrokuen garden is the reconstructed Kanazawa castle.   You can visit it for free and it can easily be combined with a visit to the Kenrokuen Garden.

The main reason for our visit to Kanazawa was the Kenrokuen Garden but another absolute must in Kanazawa is the old Geisha district Higashi Chaya , often just called: “Old Town”.

The old town of Takayama is often praised for its old-world charm but we found the old city of Kanazawa to be much more charming. Besides, it was also a lot less crowded which made exploring it much more pleasant.

You could take a quiet stroll, look around, and enjoy the beautiful old houses.

A walk through the geisha district in the evening , where you learn more about the mysteries and intrigues of this old neighborhood, was an unforgettable experience.

We also went to take a look at Nagamachi , the old Samurai district. There’re some really spectacular villas in this district, but Higashi Chaya impressed us more.

For lunch and/or dinner we recommend going to the Omicho market. It’s a large fresh food market. Originally it was just a market but nowadays there are many small restaurants housed in and around the market. To find the best addresses you just have to look for the queues at the front doors.

Here is a complete 2-day Kanazawa itinerary. 

Where to stay in Kanazawa

We stayed in the Holiday Inn ANA Kanazawa and loved our stay.

Holiday Inn ANA Kanazawa Sky

The Holiday Inn ANA Kanazawa Sky is centrally located within walking distance of the station and just across the Omicho market.

The Kanazawa castle and Kenrokuen Garden are just a few minutes’ walk away.

You have spectacular views on Kanazawa from the lobby and the restaurant.  A perfect choice for your stay in Kanazawa.

If you are looking for a more traditional place to stay, check out our list of ryokans in Kanazawa.

Day 9: Takayama

On the train on our way to Takayama, we witnessed some of the most spectacular scenery of our trip to Japan.

As our train squeaked through the bends in the railway and made its way from one tunnel to the other it reminded me of the train trips to the ski resorts in Switzerland I used to make when I was a child.

Things to do in Takayama

In Takayama, we visited the Hida Folk Village . The village consists of 24 traditional houses. They’re all very well preserved and at each house, you will find information panels. 

To take a look inside the houses you have to wear slippers. 

They’re provided at the entrance of the houses. 

Its fun to peek inside the different houses but if you want to do so it is best to wear comfortable shoes that you can easily take off and put back on.

From the Hida Folk Village, we continued our way to Takayama’s old town.

It was extremely and uncomfortably busy in the old town. We noticed that most of the crowd just visited the part of the old town situated to the right of Kajibasi Bridge. 

So luckily we could escape the crowds by crossing the main road and continuing our way toward the Yoshijima Heritage House. 

As you cross the main road you will notice that in this section historical houses alternate with restored or modern houses. 

It’s less authentic than the other section but at least you can enjoy the houses without the masses. 

But as we already said before when we were writing about Kanazawa, the Higashi Chaya district in Kanazawa was so much more enjoyable that we would take it any day over Takayma.

Getting hungry?

Takayama is known for its beef, so if you like meat you should definitely try Hida Beef a variety of the famous wagyu beef. Many Japanese even prefer Hida-gyu over Wagyu.

Where to stay in Takayama

Hotel wood takayama.

Hotel Wood Takayma is a great hotel in the old town. You will stay in a spacious room.

Friendly staff and small but good spa.

Day 10: Ise

Today we took the train to Ise to see the Ise shrines, the most sacred Shinto shrines in Japan. According to Shinto tradition, these are completely rebuilt every 20 years.

We had imagined there would be something special about this place, but it let us down.

The Ise shrines are not that different from any of the other shrines you can see in Japan. At least not for us who are not initiated into these deeply rooted beliefs. In addition, the shrines in Ise can only be seen from the outside.

In our opinion, it’s better to go to other shrines during your three weeks in Japan. In retrospect, we didn’t think Ise was worth the detour.

Day 11-14: Osaka

In Osaka, we are once again in a metropolis.

Prepare yourself for some tiring but oh-so-exciting days. There’s no time to get bored in this city that’s always alive into the wee hours.

Things to do in Osaka

We took an evening stroll in the Namba district . The least you can say about this is that it is simply spectacular. Especially at night, it’s very impressive.

Are you wondering what to do in Osaka at night? Take a look at this article.

Planning on joining a food tour in Osaka? Check out this overview in which we share the best guided Osaka food tour.

We also went to Osaka Castle. This is a restored castle.  The castle is also a very good spot to witness the beauty of the cherry blossoms.

From here we took a walk along the river to the Kema Sakuranomiya Park, another beautiful park with lots of cherry trees.

Shinsekai is also a district you have to visit and we attended a cooking class in Osaka .

We also did a side trip to Nara from Osaka.

Here in the Todaiji Temple, you will find the largest wooden building in the world, the Daibutsuden (“big Buddha hall”).

As its name says inside the building you will find a gigantic Buddha.

Don’t limit yourself to this temple only. Venture up the mountain to “Nigatsu-do” for a breathtaking view. 

Nara was the original capital of Japan but once Buddhism became too powerful in the country the government decided to move the capital. 

The many temples, the city is literally dotted with them, are one of the remains of Nara’s glorious past. 

Besides the impressive temples, there is also a second reason to come to Nara. A visit to Nara is also fun because of the deer that roam freely in the park and no doubt will come begging for cookies.

Here you can read our complete 2 days Osaka itinerary. If you have only one day in Osaka, click here.

Where to stay in Osaka

Holiday inn osaka namba.

The Dotonbori Hotel is well-known in Osaka for its distinctive large head-statue pillars on the exterior.

It is located in the center of the Namba-Dotonbori district and so is convenient for access to the best restaurants, shopping, bars, and more.

This is a great choice in Osaka.

• For more info about the most popular districts to stay in Osaka, read our detailed where to stay in Osaka article.
• If you prefer an Airbnb, take a look at our post about the best Airbnb’s in Osaka.
• For a more traditional stay in a ryokan in Osaka, click here.
• Here is a list of Osaka ryokans that have a private onsen.
• For a cheap stay, check out this list of best capsule hotels in Osaka. 

Day 15: Koyasan (Mount Koya)

Koyasan is a remote place in the mountains. 

A trip to Koyasan is a true expedition during your three weeks in Japan.

After 2 train rides, we got onto a funicular and then a bus to finally reach our temple. The last 2 train rides were very scenic, and once again reminded me of Switzerland. 

Koyasan is the center of Shingon Buddhism and we had booked a Temple stay of 1 night.

Things to do in Koyasan

At least 50 temples in Koyasan offer temple stays and probably there’re even more. You literally walk from temple to temple.  It rained that day and we got soaked very quickly so we didn’t explore much of the town but decided to retire to our room.

The rooms are very much like a room in a Ryokan. At 5 p.m., it was time for dinner. A vegetarian dinner with a variety of different flavors proved that vegetarian food can be just as delicious as regular food.

At the end of the day, we hadn’t seen any monks, not even in our temple.  Probably we didn’t recognize them as they were walking around in day-to-day clothing.

This took away a lot of the charm as we didn’t get the feeling that we were in a temple.

The next day, we got off to an early start for the morning prayers. I hoped this was going to change our experience and we would witness 1 of the daily rituals of the monks.

When entering the prayer room it turned out that the prayers were led by 3 monks and except for these only about 25 tourists were present.

It felt more like a show that was performed for tourists than an authentic experience.

After prayer and breakfast, we went to the enormous cemetery of Koyasan. It looks like this cemetery is as big or even bigger than the town itself.

With many of its shrines, altars, and gravestones overgrown, this place radiates a special atmosphere.

It would be the perfect place for a Halloween walk.

After what felt like a never-ending walk, we reached the mausoleum of Kobo, the founder of Shingon Buddhism.

This cemetery was without a doubt the highlight of our trip to Koyasan. Is it worth a detour? I am not sure. I would skip Koyasan if you are short on time. If you would like to stay overnight in a temple, there are other places where you can do that.

If you’re going to Koyasan it is good to know that the temple that we recommend below is not the one we stayed at.  We were disappointed by our experience but the Shubuko Fudoin temple gets consistently good reviews from travelers.

Perhaps a different temple will provide a completely different experience.

Where to stay in Koyasan 

Koyasan shubuko fudoin temple.

The Koyasan Shubuko  Fudoin Temple lies in a quiet area. You are welcomed by friendly monks and you spend the night in traditional Japanese-style comfortable rooms. There is a tasty vegetarian breakfast and dinner. The temple has a gender separated public onsen and organizes night walks that are very popular.

Day 16-18: Kyoto

Kyoto is Japan’s cultural, as well as touristic capital. 

We spend two days in the city.  Below is a brief overview of what we did. 

We wrote about our 2 days in Kyoto in much more detail in our 2-day Kyoto itinerary and we also have some tips to discover Kyoto at night .

Things to do in Kyoto

The first afternoon we went to explore the Gion neighborhood together with a local guide. It was a great experience as our guide was able to teach us all kinds of things about the many special traditions in Japanese culture.

We mainly talked about the geisha as Gion is the oldest geisha district in Japan. It is a pleasant neighborhood to explore at night and you should keep your camera ready as chances are you will see geisha on their way to their customers.

Here you can read the story of our evening walk in the Gion district .

Book a private walking tour:

GetYourGuide

The next day we started our day at the Inari Shrines where you find thousands of Torii gates.

Thousands of instagram posts have made these shrines very popular among tourists. Luckily it’s enough to move further away from the entrance, higher up the mountain, to escape the crowds.

And of course, we also took a stroll along the philosopher’s path . You come across plenty of temples along the path.

Unlike Tokyo where all temples are free, there is an entrance fee for all temples in Kyoto. Most of them are however not that different from temples that you will find elsewhere in Japan.

Kinkakuji, or the Golden Temple , is one temple that you should not miss when you’re in Kyoto. This is probably the most beautiful temple we saw in Japan. (Kinkakuji is not situated along the philosopher’s path.)

We also made a trip to Arashiyama , a district on the outskirts of Kyoto that is well-known for its bamboo forest.

Expect a big crowd! We had read how popular Arashiyama was but were still surprised by the crowd outside the train station. Fortunately, it immediately becomes a lot quieter as soon as you make your way away from the center.

We discovered some charming quiet spots in Arashiyama.  You can go to the park around the Jojakkoji temple from where you have a stunning view.

From there, you can walk further north to Saga-Toriimoto Street. This is a picturesque street lined with preserved, traditional houses.

Best of all, we had the street to ourselves while we were wandering through it. When you reach the end of the street, you will reach the Adashino Nenbutsuji Temple, and adjacent you will find a bamboo forest that is just as beautiful as the one close to the center where all the tourists are.

When we just got off the train and ended up in the crowd, we were afraid it would be an unpleasant day because of the bustle. But in the end, we did have a really enjoyable day as we have discovered some pleasant quiet spots in and around Arashiyama.

The bus tours seem to limit their visit to the Togetsukyo bridge and the nearby Tenryuji temple and bamboo groves.  Other places were not nearly as crowded.

The best  things to do in Kyoto at night. 

Where to stay in Kyoto

According to the statistics, Kyoto is the most touristic city in Japan. And by looking at the prices for a hotel room that might be right.

Here is a list of the best areas to stay in Kyoto . If you are looking for cool hotels in Kyoto, click here . If you prefer staying in an Airbnb, take a look at our post with the best Airbnb’s in Kyoto.

Looking for a more authentic place to stay? Check out this list of Kyoto ryokans and ryokans in Kyoto with private onsen in Kyoto.

We stayed in the in the Marriott lake Biwa, a nice hotel that is located 20 minutes outside Kyoto by train, but it meant a serious difference to our wallet.

Marriott Lake Biwa

This Marriott hotel is located alongside the coast of beautiful Lake Biwa, an ideal setting if you want to escape busy Kyoto at night.  The hotel offers a free shuttle service to the train station where you can catch the train to Kyoto station.  As Marriott Rewards Platinum members we enjoyed an upgrade to a suite with a private onsen and a fabulous view of the lake. As platinum members, we also had access to a lounge area in the lobby where we could enjoy free breakfast, snacks, cocktails and a small buffet in the evening. The only drawback of this hotel is that you have to take into account the schedule of the shuttle which only runs once every hour. But considering what we got in return and the tremendous difference in price this is no big deal.

Royal Park Hotel Kyoto

The Royal Park Hotel Kyoto is a good choice for those who are looking for a hotel in the center of Kyoto. It is within walking distance of the Gion district, two metro stations, and various temples. The rooms are neat and the bathroom is fully equipped. You can enjoy a nice breakfast at the bakery next to the hotel.

If you aren’t convinced of these hotels, you will find a lot of other hotels in Kyoto on booking.com:

Or read our complete guide about where to stay in Kyoto.   If you prefer staying in an Airbnb have a look at our list with the best Airbnb’s in Kyoto.

Day 19: Hiroshima

Things to do in hiroshima.

Hiroshima undoubtedly rings a bell with most of you.

We visited the peace park and made a small detour to take a peek at the castle.

In the Peace Park, you will find an interesting museum about the atomic bomb and touching stories about how the survivors had to rebuild their city and their lives.

If you have a Japan Rail Pass, you can make free use of the hop-on-hop-off bus operated by JR. When you arrive at the station, just drop in with the tourist office. They have route maps of the buses and will be able to explain to you which bus to take and which stop to get off to get to your hotel.

Here you can read our full article about Hiroshima and Miyajima. 

Where to stay in Hiroshima

Ana crowne plaza hiroshima.

The Ana Crowne Plaza is within walking distance of the peace park and near shops and restaurants. The rooms are not too big but clean and fully equipped. The staff also speak good English.

Day 20: Miyajima

We opted to spend the night in Miyajima but you could just as well make it a side trip from Hiroshima. 

You can get from Hiroshima to Miyajima in about half an hour both by tram or by  JR train. The latter is, of course, the cheapest option if you have a Japan Rail Pass.

Once you arrive at the train station in Miyajima, it is nothing more but a short 5-minute walk to the harbor where you then take the ferry to Miyajima island.

You can choose from 2 ferries, one is operated by JR and is free for holders of a Japan Rail Pass.

Things to do in Miyajima

On the island or rather just in front of the island you will find the photogenic Torii gate which seems to float on the water during high tide.

The times of high and low tide are signposted at the entrance of the ferry terminal.

The Torii gate is the tourist attraction of the island, but also the colorful Daisyoin Temple is worth a visit.

We took the time to wander around this temple and it seemed like we found a hidden gem on this island.

Where to stay in Miyajima

Below we list  2 hotels on Miyajima island. As there are only a handful of accommodations on the island you could also for alternatives near the ferry pier on the mainland.  This is an area called Miyajimaguchi.

Since the ferry runs very frequently you don’t lose a lot of time by staying on the mainland and it can save you quite a few bucks.

Premium Comfortable hotel

Iwaso ryokan.

This Ryokan offers simple Japanese-style rooms with tatami flooring, shoji doors, separate WC, separate deep short bath and separate sink areas.  Your room has a typical Japanese low table and some comfy cushions. There’re no beds, futon mattresses are spread out each night. The staff is very helpful and friendly.

The chef offers an excellent Kaiseki dinner , this is a traditional set dinner.

This is definitely something you should try when you stay in a ryokan.

The Ryokan also has 2 beautiful open-air Onsen, an excellent place to relax after you have climbed Mt. Misen.  You may even spot some deer while you bathe in the onsen.

This is an authentic, beautifully maintained, good quality Ryokan.

Sakuraya Ryokan

This ryokan lies on the island within walking distance from the ferry pier and has v ery helpful staff. The rooms are simple but very comfortable and spacious for Japanese standards, with tatami and comfortable futon. The location is very close to restaurants and there is a delicious oyster cart parked right out front. 

A traditional Japanese hotel with great service.

Day 21-22: Nagasaki

Nagasaki is where the 2nd bomb fell in Japan. Just like in Hiroshima, you will find a peace park with a museum and many commemorative statues. The city treated us to some very pretty views.

Things to do in Nagasaki

First, we walked along the harbor and the cozy Dejima wharf where we waved goodbye to a cruise ship that was getting ready to leave port.

From there we continued our walk to the top of Mt. Inasa . It was quite a tough hike but the sunset we enjoyed from the top more than made up for it. We used the cable car on our way back.

It is of course possible to go up and down with the cable car but if you do have the time to hike up we recommend it as it is quite worthwhile.

The day after, we explored the other parts of Nagasaki.

We did find some Dutch history at the old trading post, Dejima, and the Dutch Slope. The houses didn’t look very Dutch to us. They rather reminded us of houses you would find in Aruba or Curaçao.

We walked through Chinatown and took the funicular and elevator to the Glover Garden from where you also have a nice view of the city and the harbor. From here we went down again to the Nagasaki Cathedral which brings you back close to the harbor.

We found Nagasaki to be a very pleasant city and moreover, it felt completely different than Kyoto or Osaka.

We didn’t visit Battleship Island but fans of old industrial places should definitely consider booking a cruise to this Island that was also featured in the James Bond movie Skyfall.

Where to stay in Nagasaki

Jr kyushu hotel nagasaki.

The JR Kyushu hotel is located near the station and within walking distance of shops and restaurants. The staff speaks sufficient English. The rooms are pretty spacious according to Japanese standards. Only the breakfast could be better because there is not much choice. The main reason we would recommend this hotel is its good location.

Day 23-24: Tokyo

At the end of our trip, we end up back in Tokyo. This time we visit the Akihabara district as we’re here on a Sunday.

The main street that runs through the Akihabara district is closed to cars on Sundays. This makes a visit to Akihabara much more fun.

Foresee enough time. Browsing through the shops like Mandarake is what makes a visit to Akihabara worthwhile but you will quickly spend several hours snooping around these stores, looking at all the curiosities.

On the last day, we chose to have a relaxing day in Tokyo DisneySea . Next to Tokyo DisneySea is Tokyo Disneyland but we chose DisneySea because Disneyland is a sort of replica of all the other Disneyland Parks in the world.

And above all, DisneySea won an award for its design.

We loved the design of the park and there were some great attractions.  It was also fun to see how some Japanese completely dress up in Disney magic. 

It was a nice way to end our trip around Japan.

Our visit fell in the golden week so we knew in advance that it would be very busy.  Still, getting there and back with public transport was not that much of a problem.

If you want a more comfortable ride to the park you can book tickets including private transport .

Click here to get more information about the Disney tickets:

Japan travel tips

Here we share our best travel tips for Japan.

Going independent or joining an organized tour

We found it easy and straightforward to create our own travel itinerary.  It was also fairly easy to travel through Japan independently.

Despite the fact that the Japanese don’t always speak English very well, they are enormously helpful.

But if you want the company of a group, don’t have the time to create your own itinerary, or just don’t want to go independent, you could also join an organized tour.

TourRadar is a trustworthy company where you can book an organized 3-week tour of Japan to make it easy for yourself.

Here you can find all organized tours to Japan: Organized tours Japan

Here you can find an overview the best Japan tours. If you are looking  5 days Japan tour packages, click here. For a 7 day Japan package tour, click here. 

Looking for a self-guided Japan tour, click here.

Finding cheap flights to Japan

If you want to score cheap flights to Japan we advise you to have a look at Momondo and Skyscanner.  Both are flight aggregators that compare several hundreds of booking sites and give you an overview of the best flights and the cheapest sites to book them. 

Momondo and Skyscanner are both very good at finding good deals, of the two, Momondo is probably the one with the most intuitive user interface.

Read our full review of 10 booking sites here. 

How much does a trip to Japan cost

Although Japan is not a cheap country to travel around, especially not during the Sakura season and the Golden Week, we still thought it was pretty affordable.

Here we share how much we paid for accommodation, food, and public transport. 

Accommodation

The most expensive aspect is your accommodation. We advise you to book your accommodation well in advance. 

On average, we paid €108 per night (for a 2-person room) in 2018. We stayed in Ryokans, a temple stay, and various 3- or 4-star hotels.

Eating and drinking in Japan is cheaper than it is in Belgium, the Netherlands, and the US.

These are the budgets you must provide for food:

Low budget: € 18 (€ 5 bfast / € 5 lunch / € 10 dinner) This budget should be sufficient for local fast-food restaurants that offer sushi, ramen, etc.

Middle-class: € 35 (€ 8 bfast / € 12 lunch / € 15 dinner) There are many such restaurants. The staff usually speaks limited English but with a little help of Google translate you can order some delicious local food.

Luxury: € 92 (€ 16 bfast / € 16 lunch / € 60 – 80 dinner) For this budget, you can have breakfast at a luxury hotel and enjoy dinner at Japanese fine dining restaurants. Think restaurants that offer French cuisine, delicious Kobe beef, and Kaiseki dinners.

Public transport

Public transportation will most likely take the second-biggest bite out of your travel budget.

Japan has an extensive railroad network that takes you to all major tourist sites. Although traveling by train isn’t cheap, it is still cheaper than renting a car.

The price for a Japan Rail Pass might seem rather high at first, but it can still save you lots of money. We explain how you can check how much you save here.

We go into much more detail about the cost of these 3 items in our Japan Travel Guide .

Do I need travel insurance for Japan

The quick answer to this question is yes.

Travel Insurance is something that can be overlooked when you prepare for your vacation.  Certainly when you’re traveling to a safe and civilized country such as Japan. 

Overall, chances are slim that you will encounter any problems while traveling through a civilized country such as Japan. But when things go wrong in civilized countries, the medical costs can be high. 

We learned it the hard way when we once had to visit a hospital in the United States. 

The medical care was excellent but we had high out-of-pocket expenses as it turned out the insurance that came without credit cards didn’t cover these costs.  It turned out we were underinsured.

Drawing up a travel insurance policy may seem expensive at first but it can potentially save you a significant sum, significantly more than the small insurance fee.  Good travel insurance covers things like medical expenses, trip cancellation, overseas medical costs, evacuation, baggage damage or loss, and theft. 

Therefore we love SafetyWing and HeyMondo insurance . Both are good and trusted insurance companies.

Get a free quote:

Or read our in-depth post with everything you need to know about Japan travel insurance. 

Best way to pay in Japan

We took a little bit of cash with us but most things we paid with our credit card.

Expenses abroad can be seriously inflated by fees from your bank or credit card.  That’s why we’re huge fans of our N26 account . 

The account is available to most EU residents.

The checking account is free as well as the associated Mastercard and there’s no exchange rate provision when you use to card for payments abroad. 

There’s a 1,7% exchange rate provision when you withdraw money abroad but even that is free with the premium Black Mastercard.  

The app is another great feature of the card, you can follow your expenses in real-time and instantly block your card if you see any signs of fraud.

Local Sim card or a pocket WiFI device

A local SIM card or pocket Wifi device comes in handy.

We have often used Google Maps to find our way around major cities.

When looking for a Japanese SIM card, there are so many options that you cannot see the forest for the trees, therefore we created this useful article so you can choose the best Japanese SIM card for you. If you prefer a pocket WiFi device, you can read our detailed post about the best WiFI pocket device here. 

How to travel around Japan

We traveled around Japan by train and could save a few bucks by buying a Japan Rail Pass in advance.

Get more information about the Japan Rail pass here: Japan Rail Pass

Or read this article in which we describe how you can find out whether you would also benefit from a Japan Rail Pass .

When you’re traveling by train it’s also a good idea to forward your baggage.  You can read these tips and much more in our separate article about traveling to Japan for the first time .

What to wear in Japan

Wondering what to wear in Japan? Take a look at our complete Japan packing list. 

We enjoyed every minute of our 3 weeks in Japan.  The major cities kept us busy exploring from early morning until late at night.

Japan certainly has more to offer than what we have described in this itinerary but this route will take you along many of the highlights.

We missed some nature during our trip and would have preferred to do a side trip to Okinawa but this was not the right season.

If we would ever come back during another season we would certainly spend a week or more on this island.

Monday 22nd of April 2019

What a wonderful travel guide! I was just wondering about a few things and I hope you could elaborate on them.

1. How was the trip from Nagasaki back to Tokyo? I assume that you were traveling by train and a quick search on google shows that the ride is quite long. Was is a boring/difficult travel back? Would greatly appreciate it if you could please elaborate on this part. 2. I am currently planning to travel myself, but I am unsure of whether I should spend a few extra days in Osaka or in Kyoto as I have a total of 21 days in Japan. Which did you find more appealing?

Hope to hear from you soon :)

Hi Chris, I'm glad you like the travel guide. From Nagasaki we continued onward to Seoul. You could indeed go back to Tokyo with the train but the plane would be much faster. There're many daily flights and several low-cost companies fly the route. You should be able to find tickets well below 100€ (with probably some extra costs for luggage). If there're no reasonable priced flights from Nagasaki you could look at Fukuoka which I think is a slighter larger airport. The train would be cheaper (if you can still use your Japan Rail Pass at that point) but the trip would take much longer... Osaka and Kyoto are just 30 minutes apart with the train. It's easy to visit one city and stay in the other. Both are relatively big cities but they're different in many ways. Kyoto has the Philosopher's path and thousands of temples. Osaka has the Namba district with all the crazy neon-lights. That sort of illustrates the differences we experienced. In Kyoto you can spend your evenings in the beautifully romantically lit temple compounds. (And you should certainly go to Gion, we have an article about the Geishas in Gion at night) In Osaka you can join the huge crowds in the busy shopping, dining and entertainment districts. The temples in Kyoto are busy as well but it still is a totally different experience. I would make your decision based on what you want to do in the evenings. It's easy to travel back- and forward between Osaka and Kyoto during the day. The trains do run late but the idea of spending half an hour on the train when you're tired might stop you from going out at night and that would be a shame. Both cities are very different but both of them are well-worth exploring after dark.

Monday 3rd of December 2018

Hi there Kris & Sylvia!

What a wonderful travel you both made, it's nice too see that you got to meet so much of this wonderful country. I'm thinking of doing a 3 week travel through Japan myself, and so I wanted to ask you. How much did the trip cost you from start to end? I'm looking forward to your response!

Tuesday 4th of December 2018

I had a look at our expenses. We stayed in Japan for just over 3 weeks and the costs for that part should have been something between €3900 - €4200. I cannot be more precise because I'm missing a detail of 1 credit card statement that covers part Japan and Part South Korea. That amount is for both of us and includes 3-week Japan Rail Passes for both of us. (comes at +/- €450 pp). So the cost for lodging, food, excursions and other local expenses in Japan would have been +/- €3000 - €3300. Kris

Japan Itinerary: The Perfect 3 Weeks in Japan

by Julie Jun 11, 2023 Itinerary , Japan , Travel

I think you’ll agree with me when I say:

REALLY hard coming up with a Japan itinerary that fits everything you want to see into two or three weeks. There are just too many amazing places to see in Japan.

a bit of  everything such as the bustling city of Tokyo, the picturesque village of Shirakawa-go, the pristine mountains of the Japan Alps, historical temples of Kyoto and Takayama, the relaxing hot springs of Hakone, and many more awesome places.

You’ll also find in this 3-week Japan itinerary links to my other posts telling you EXACTLY how to prepare for your trip to Japan, what to read to get you pumped up for your trip, and a list of 26 awesome things you must do.

BONUS:  I've created a FREE detailed PDF version of this 3-week Japan itinerary. The guide also includes step-by-step instructions for buying and using your Japan Rail Pass.

Click here to get lots of great tips for traveling around Asia as well as this FREE 3-week Japan itinerary guide. 

How to plan for 3 Weeks in Japan

How to plan an unforgettable trip to Japan

Are you clueless on how to prepare for your 3 weeks in Japan? Read this article to find out EVERYTHING you need to do to have a fabulous 3 weeks in Japan. You’ll learn when to buy the cheapest tickets, how to get a Japan Rail Pass, how to rent a pocket wifi, how to pick up some Japanese phrases easily, what apps to upload and much, much more.

25 Great Novels to Read Before Visiting Japan

Prepare for your trip to Japan by escaping to another time and place. Here's a growing list of 25+ novels focusing on Japanese culture and characters. Some are set in contemporary Tokyo, while others take place before World War II.  There are also books set in the Japanese internment camps during WWII and in China during the Nanking Massacre.

Is a Japan Rail Pass Worth It?

Are you wondering  whether the Japan Rail Pass is worth it?

In this guide to the Japan Rail Pass , I break down the transportation prices for each of the destinations in this Japan itinerary of 3 weeks . Then I compare them to the 2024 price of a Japan Rail Pass.

You'll also find out where and how to purchase a Japan Rail Pass, how to activate the Pass when you get to Japan, and how to use the Pass. Check out the current Japan Rail Prices from my favorite travel agency in Japan or book your pass through Klook .

Japan Itinerary: 3 Weeks

Click on each photo/place name to jump to its own detailed itinerary. 

Tokyo: Days 0 - 4

Takayama: Days 5 - 6

Kamikochi: Day 7

Shirakawa-go: Day 8

Kanazawa: Days 9 - 10

Alpine Route: Day 11

Matsumoto: Day 12

Kyoto: Days 13 - 16

Nara: Day 17

Hiroshima & Miyajima: Day 18

Hakone: Day 19 - 20

Tokyo: Day 21

When to travel to japan.

Spring:   If you want to get the money shot during your 3 weeks in Japan, visit during the Cherry Blossom Festival, mid-March - mid-April. On the downside, it'll be crowded and accommodations will probably be pricey. You also don't have to visit right during the blossoming of the cherry trees. You can visit at the end of April and May and get perfect weather albeit not the Cherry Blossoms.

Fall: Fall is also a beautiful time to visit. The leaves change color and the countryside is covered in reds, yellows, and oranges. The weather is also milder and thus, more enjoyable.

Summer: I went for 3 weeks to Japan in August, and if there is one thing that I am certain of in life, it's that you shouldn't go to Japan in August . It's hot. I mean it's really, really hot. Unbearably hot. Tokyo's concrete and August heat do not mix well. You also have to worry about it being typhoon season (June to October). You can get more information here on what happens when there's a major typhoon in Japan .

Winter:  Doing a 3-week itinerary in Japan can have its upsides and downsides. Japan gets snow in the winter in the Alps, making some destinations more difficult if not impossible to get to. But on the other hand, you can get some beautiful shots of the snow. If you like skiing, this is a good time to go. If you like hiking, it's not. And since it's the low season, accommodations will be cheaper and tourist sights will be less crowded.

What to see and do for 3 Weeks in Japan 

1. Eat Sushi in Tokyo

You won’t know what good sushi is until you’ve experienced it in Tokyo. You can get sushi at conveyor belt restaurants for around $2 apiece. The taste is ok. However, to get really good sushi, you need to go to a proper sushi restaurant and spend around US$35 for a set menu of an assortment of sushi. Tsukiji Inner Fish Market has closed down and moved to Toyosu Market. There are still street vendors at Tsukiji, but most of the famous restaurants like Sushi Dai have moved to Toyosu. Click on the photo to find out where you can experience the best sushi in Tokyo.  (Tokyo: Days 0-4 and 21)     ♦  READ MORE ABOUT TOKYO HERE  ♦

2. Be Dazzled By the Neon Lights of Tokyo

Perhaps you remember that seen in Lost in Translation when Scarlett Johannson and Bill Murray were strolling through the neon lights of Tokyo. That was one of the most iconic moments for me in that movie. There isn’t just one place to put yourself in that scene. You can find neon-lights in Shinjuku and Akihabara, but for me, the quintessential place for that OMG! I’m in Tokyo feeling was in Shibuya. Click the photo for more information on how to experience your own Lost in Translation! (Tokyo: Days 0-4 and 21)   ♦  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT TOKYO  ♦

3. Hang out with the Cool Kids in Harajuku

Tokyo is about mass consumerism on a scale that I, an American, have never seen before. Whereas this hyper-materialism would seem crass in the U.S., for some reason, it’s kind of endearing. Wander the streets of Harajuku to get a glimpse of what is fashionable in Tokyo. Check out Cat Street and Takeshita Dori. Stop and grab a crepe and/or a fluffy pancake at one of the many restaurants in the area. Click on the photo to find out how you can experience the sights of Harajuku.  (Tokyo: Days 0 – 4 and 21)   ♦  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT TOKYO  ♦

4. Immerse yourself in history at Tokyo's many museums

Geishas, Samurai, Shoguns, Kabuki—most of these iconic images are lost to the past. To see them, you’ll have to visit one of the countless museums sprinkled throughout Japan.  I’ve never visited a country with so many museums: both small and big ones. My favorites were the Edo Tokyo Museum, the National Museum in Tokyo, and the Hiroshima Museum. Click on the photo to find out how you can discover the history and art of Japan. (Tokyo: Days 0 – 4 and 21)   ♦  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT TOKYO’S MUSEUMS  ♦

5. Take part in the rituals of a Japanese shrine

Where can you purify yourself, get your fortune told, buy a charm, and make a wish? At a Japanese Shinto Shrine, of course. Visiting a shrine is not only about taking some beautiful pics, but also about experiencing the rituals of Japanese culture. To participate in them, you don’t have to be a member of the Shinto religion. Make sure to get your fortune told at Senso-ji Shrine and hang your wish under a Camphor tree at Meiji Shrine in Tokyo.  (Tokyo: Days 0-4 and 21; Kyoto: Days 13-16)   ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT VISITING THE MEIJI SHRINE IN TOKYO ♦

6. Escape from Reality by watching Kabuki

If your kind of entertainment includes stories of rejected lovers, bloody betrayals, and sword-wielding samurai, then Kabuki Theater is for you. You can watch this fascinating and colorful traditional Japanese drama for as little as $13 at the Kabuk-za Theater in Tokyo. Click on the photo to learn how to watch Kabuki. (Tokyo: Days 0-4 and 21)  ♦  CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT WATCHING KABUKI IN TOKYO  ♦

7. Slurp on some Japanese noodles

Japanese ramen may have the same name as those 15 cent packs you ate in college, but taste-wise they’re worlds apart. You can find a ramen shop in probably every neighborhood in Japan. For the solo traveler, they’re an ideal quick and hearty meal. But Japan doesn’t have just ramen; it also has udon and soba: two noodles that represent the Japanese love of ritual. (Everywhere in Japan) 

8. Savor the most decadent beef on the planet

The United States might be the home of the burger and steak, but Japan has it beat by a mile when it comes to the main ingredient of those dishes: beef.  The beef in Japan is sooooo good! Maybe their cows are just happier.  There are many different varieties of wagyu beef: Kobe, Hida, Shiraoi, Shinshu, and 250 more. And you don’t have to rob a bank to try some. (Takayama: Days 5 – 6)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT WHERE TO EAT HIDA BEEF ♦

9. Hike through the Japan Alps

You’ve heard of the Swiss Alps? Of course. French Alps? Ditto! The Austrian Alps? The Sound of Music, so of course. The Japan Alps? Probably not! Most people have never heard of the Japan Alps, but they do exist, and they’re pretty impressive. There’s a reason that Japan has held the winter Olympics twice. They have lots of gorgeous mountains! And with Japan’s impressive public transportation system, they are accessible to even those without a car.  (Kamikochi: Day 7)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KAMIKOCHI ♦

10. Enter a fairytale at Shirakawa-go

Do you remember the story of Hansel and Gretel? Two children lost in the woods who come upon a house made of cakes and sugar only to fall into the evil grasp of a wicked witch. Shirakawago sort of reminds me of that place but without the wicked witch. It’s a picture-perfect rustic village nestled in the Japan Alps. The region is famous for its traditional gassho- zukuri farmhouses. The houses have these beautiful thatched roofs that resemble a person’s hands in prayer. (Shirakawa-go: Day 8)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT SHIRAKAWAGO ♦

11. Transport yourself to the World of Geishas and Samurai

Ever wonder what it’s like being a geisha? How about the life of a samurai? Step back in time and wander around the beautifully preserved geisha quarters of Kyoto and Kanazawa and the samurai quarter in Kanazawa. Kanazawa has two restored geisha houses that you can enter and explore. If you’re lucky in Kyoto, you can spot a geisha on her way to meet a patron. Or you can transform yourself into a geisha at the Maika Geisha Costume shop in Kyoto. (Kanazawa: Days 19-10 and Kyoto: Days 13-16)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO GET A KANAZAWA ITINERARY ♦

12. Hike among the clouds

Forget about taking an old boring bus or train to travel from one place to another. Instead, do something a bit unique and travel along the Tateyama Kurobe Alpine Route by cable car, trolley, and ropeway. Along the route, you can get out and hike to the peaks of mountains that are over 3,000 meters. If you don’t feel like exercise, relax at a hot spring. (Alpine Route: Day 11)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO GET AN ALPINE ROUTE ITINERARY ♦

13. Storm a Castle in Matsumoto

Japan had over 3,000 castles; however, most of these castles were destroyed in the 1800s in Japan’s drive to modernize.  Only twelve have their original structure. Four of these structures are considered National Treasures. Matsumoto Castle is one of them. You can wander the interior of the castle, and as you look out its windows, you can imagine yourself a samurai warrior defending the keep.  (Matsumoto: Day 12)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO GET AN ITINERARY FOR MATSUMOTO ♦

14. Discover the unique architecture of Japan

The Japanese belief in harmony with nature can best be seen in Japan’s unique architectural styles. Go to Matsumoto and stroll around the old merchant district of Nakamachi to see the white lattice-decorated storehouses that have now been turned into trendy shops and cafes. When visiting Kyoto, take time to appreciate its carved wooden temples and traditional townhouses called machiya . Finally, gaze up at Japan’s modern wonders: the skyscrapers in Tokyo.  ( Kyoto , Matsumoto , Takayama , Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go , and Tokyo )  ♦ CLICK HERE TO FIND OUT MORE ABOUT ARCHITECTURE IN MATSUMOTO ♦

15. Get into your Zen at Kyoto’s numerous temples

I’m sure you could spend a year in Kyoto and still not see all of its temples. However, make sure you visit at least one or two temples with a Japanese garden like Tenryu- ji , Shoren -in, and Ryoan – ji . Take some time out from taking photos. Sit down on a tatami mat or a veranda, gaze at the Japanese garden, and clear your mind of all its worries. (Kyoto: Days 13-16)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT KYOTO ♦

16. Walk through the endless arcade of torii gates at Fushimi-inari

Even if you’re not crazy about temples, Fushimi-inari shrine in Kyoto is a Must-See. To walk through the never-ending vermilion torii gates as you climb the mountain behind the main shrine is unforgettable. Pay attention to the fox spirit statues dotted throughout the arcades. What does she have in her mouth? For a creepy experience, go at sunset. (Kyoto: Days 13 – 16)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT FUSHIMI INARI SHRINE ♦

17. Enter the sublime paradise of Kyoto's Bamboo Forest

There’s a reason that the Bamboo Forest in Kyoto is one of the most photographed sites in Kyoto. It is simply sublime—but only if you go in the early morning when the hoards of selfie-stick-carrying tourists have not arrived yet. Only then can you fully appreciate the calmness that emanates from the trees and the wonderful sound that the bamboo makes as it sways in the wind. (Kyoto: Days 13-16)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO SEE THE BAMBOO FOREST ♦

18. Matcha, Matcha, Matcha, and more Matcha

Matcha is everywhere in Japan. First, it’s in the green tea that you can get at a tea house. Try the tea house at Kenroku-en Garden in Kanazawa or at Okochi Sanso in Kyoto. However, it’s not only in tea; you can also try matcha ice cream (make sure to try it with honey or together with sake flavor), matcha tiramisu (actually not that good), a matcha smores Frappucino at Starbucks (surprisingly good), and on and on.  ♦ CLICK HERE TO LEARN MORE ABOUT HOW TO GET YOUR MATCHA FIX IN KYOTO ♦

19. Behold the Magnificence of the Great Buddha of Nara

An hour-train ride outside of Kyoto sits the most impressive temple of them all: the Todai Ji temple. Inside the temple grounds is the largest wooden structure in the world, the Daibutsu-den Hall. In case you’re still not impressed, inside the hall sits one of the largest bronze statues in the world: the Great Buddha of Nara. Make sure to visit the other temples around Nara. (Nara: Day 17)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT NARA ♦

20. Experience the wildlife of Nara

Not only does Nara have grand temples, but it also has the cutest and friendliest deer I’ve ever seen. And as you walk around the city, you’ll be swarmed by them. You can buy some deer snack food and feed them yourself. They also make for the perfect addition to your selfie. Just avoid the deer poop that’s everywhere.  (Nara: Day 17)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT NARA ♦

21. Get a dose of reality in Hiroshima

Should you forget our present-day reality, Hiroshima and its cruel history are here to remind you. This is not the most cheerful stop on your 3-week Japan itinerary, but it is probably the most important. Hiroshima was the site of one of two atomic bombs that the U.S. dropped on Japan. Visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, walk through the Peace Memorial Park, before stopping at the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. (Hiroshima: Day 18) ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT HIROSHIMA ♦

22. Try Japanese "Pancakes"

Many cultures have their version of a “pancake.” Japan is no exception. The good news is that Japan has two versions of “pancakes.” One is their fluffy pancakes really and truly based on the western version of pancakes that you can find all over Harajuku in Tokyo. The other version is a traditional dish called okonomiyaki, a fried “pancake” consisting of noodles, bean sprouts, and assorted kinds of seafood. Some even come with cheese. Make sure to try okonomiyaki in Hiroshima. (Hiroshima: Day 18)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ MORE ABOUT EATING OKONOMIYAKI IN HIROSHIMA ♦

23. Take a ferry ride to Miyajima

Before ending your 3-week itinerary in Japan, make sure to get in your tiny dose of the island of Miyajima, a 30-minute train ride from Hiroshima, a 5-minute walk to the ferry, and then a pleasant 15-minute ferry ride to the island. People come here for one main purpose and that is to see the floating vermillion torii gate of the temple Itsukushima-jinja. Just try to go when it’s high tide so that you can actually take photos of the torii gate surrounded by water. (Hiroshima and Miyajima: Day 18)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT MIYAJIMA ♦

24. Snap a picture of Japan's most iconic image: Mount Fuji

There is no image more iconic of Japan than that of Mount Fuji. You can climb Mount Fuji during the summer months, but if you’re like me and you have knee issues, then climbing isn’t going to work. You can, though, take photos of it from the distance. If you’re lucky and the sky is clear, you can see it from the Tokyo Sky Tree or from Hakone. Better yet, you can visit one of the smaller cities around Mount Fuji to get a great view.  ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT HAKONE ♦

25. Get a Taste of World Class Art at Hakone Open-Air Museum

Nestled in the mountains around Hakone, the Hakone Open-Air Museum is one of the best contemporary art museums I’ve visited. The number one reason to visit is for some of the most interesting and coolest art sculptures and number two for its beautiful mountain scenery surrounding the museum. The museum has both Japanese and Western 19 th and 20th-century art including an impressive permanent Picasso exhibit. (Hakone: Day 19-20)  ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT HAKONE ♦

26. Experience blissful relaxation at a Japanese hot spring

There are literally over a thousand onsen (natural hot spring baths) scattered all over Japan for you to choose from. For the ultimate experience, splurge on a ryokan, a traditional Japanese style inn, somewhere in Hakone or in the Japanese Alps that has its own private hot spring. Usually, the inn will serve you a sumptuous multi-course meal in your room. In this way, you can take your time and experience pure bliss as many times as you want.  ♦ CLICK HERE TO READ ABOUT HAKONE ♦

Pin it for later

I spent 19 days in Japan to be exact, and I felt a bit rushed. I also got hurt, so I had to take a day off to rest. If I’d had a couple of more days, it would have been perfect. Japan is hot in the summer. If you can, go in the spring or fall when the temperatures are more pleasant than the summer. I’ve been all over Southeast Asia and lived for many years in Asia, but Japan was unbearably hot for me. Are you planning on going to Japan? If so, what are your plans? What else do you want to know?

If you find this information useful, please share on social media! ♥

33 Comments

Thank you so much! What a great itinerary! I want to try those pancakes and visit the Hakone open air art museum. And well everything. I need to get back to Japan.

Your welcome! There is so much to see in Japan that you can never do it all. The Hakone Open Air Museum was probably the best part of Hakone–probably the coolest art museum I’ve been to.

Haven’t been to Japan yet, but it seems awesome! ?

It is! I hope you get a chance soon!

Love this guide, so detailed and this simply looks like the perfect itinerary! I haven’t visited Japan, but it is high on my list to visit soon. Definitely will pin this for later.

I hope you get a chance soon! Honestly, I can’t believe I myself waited so long. It was much, much better than I expected.

This is so useful. I will be saving this link for a future planning to Japan. Thank you so much for the detailed blog!

You’re welcome!

Wow, this is an incredible post!!! Japan is #1 on my bucket list, and this is a perfect itinerary! Though I would love to go to Osaka, too.

I’m hoping I can go to Osaka next time. I hear the food is really good.

Just found this! Have booked 22 days in March – April. Right now I have only booked the flights to Tokyo and back. So excited to read your itinerary!

Thank you! 22 days in Japan is going to be awesome. You’re going to love Japan!

Great itinerary thanks! I’ve been to Tokyo, Osaka, Kyoto, Nara and Hiroshima, and loved them all. Next time I’ll be adding some hiking and Shirakawago from your itinerary. I love fairytale villages and Shirakawago looks oh so pretty!

If you have a chance to go back, definitely visit Northern Japan Alps region! It’s beautiful, and the towns are a bit like a smaller version of Kyoto.

Wow I love how in depth this guide is and it’s honestly really cool how you can click on different things throughout for more info. It is so helpful! I need to get to Japan!

Thanks! I never had much interest in Japan before, but then I suddenly wanted to go. I was surprised how amazing it was and could kick myself for waiting so long to go!

Hi Julie! Just curious, out of your 21 day trip, were there any areas where you wished you had stayed a bit longer? I have the flexibility to stay longer than 21 days. Thanks!

Good question, Rachel. I could have stayed one day longer in Tokyo because there were some neighborhoods I didn’t get to see. I would have stayed in Nara or Kyoto one more day as well for Nara’s history and for doing some hiking outside of Kyoto. I could have also stayed longer in the Japan Alps and stayed at a onsen resort outside of Takayama. On the other hand, I wish I had made it to Nikko or Kamakura outside of Tokyo. What are you interested in seeing more of?

Hi, how much was your rough cost of this trip excluding flights and did you get the JR rail pass?

Hi Jason, I got the JR Pass for 14 days. I’d say, excluding the JR Pass and flight, around $2300 total. Sometimes I stayed in hostels and sometimes nice hotels, so the daily. I spent around $1300 on accommodations and $1000 on food, ticket prices, souvenirs, transportation around cities, and buses between cities. I also ended up having to go to the hospital while there. This added to my spending but only by around $55 for doctor and medicine and then transportation another $30 to the hospital and back. I could have done it for less if I hadn’t splurged on staying in a ryokan with onsen or five nights at a nice hotel in Kyoto. – Julie

Great Itinerary! Very helpful and informative. Did you go to Mount Fuji? I know you mention taking a picture but I am a little confused where that happened along the way. Thank you for clarifying. Also cant wait to read your recommended novels!

Hi Erin, Thank you! I didn’t make it to Mount Fuji on my last trip, but I’m going back to Japan this August and have plans to visit Kawaguchi-ko/Mount Fuji area. – Julie

Hi Julie. Great itinerary found it a big help.

Having trouble opening the Kanazawa page mind. Wondering I’m going to Japan for 16 Nights wondering if you could help in regards of Kanazawa- Takayama and Matsumoto.

Im torn between having two nights in Kanazawa and 1 night in both Takayama and Matsumoto? wondering if I would prefer to add the Kamikochi day trip in if it would make more sense to have 2 nights in Takayama and 1 in Kanazawa and Matsumoto. Thanks

Once again great site. Morgan

Thanks! I haven’t finished the Kanazawa article yet. Two days in Takayama or two days in Kanazawa is a hard decision. If I were coming from Tokyo (5 hours by train), I’d arrive in Takayama at noon and have half a day to see the old part of the city. The next day I’d go to Kamikochi or Shirakawa-go so that I’d have a chance to see the Japan Alps and get out in nature. Then I’d head to Kanazawa by bus, which is 2 or 3 hours away. I’d spend the rest of the day exploring the geisha district, visiting the garden, and walking through the samurai district. Then onto Matsumoto. Kanazawa is nice, but I liked the small-town-feel of Takayama and the beautiful scenery of the area.

Hey! This itinerary is amazing and one I will probably follow next year!

Did you find that the JR Pass was beneficial for this route or did you just pay for tickets individually? 🙂

Hello there! For some reason I can’t download the itinerary 🙁 it stays on a loop on the subscribe part, would it be possible to subscribe and receive it some other way?

I can email it to you using the email that you entered. Would that work for you?

Hi Julie this looks interesting. I couldn’t download the itinerary. If you could email it that would be great! I have about 16 days of my 18 day trip free to sightsee so your itinerary will be very helpful!

I emailed the itinerary to you. I hope you have gotten it.

Hi! Could I please have the itinerary for this trip please? It doesn’t seem to be working when I try and download it. I’m looking forward to my trip and found your website amazing! Thank you

Yes, Please go to the Contact Me tab to send me an email and I’ll send you the itinerary.

Great itinerary 🙂 I am planning to visit Japan in October this year. Can you send me the itinerary? I am not able to download it.

Ok, I’ll send it!

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The PERFECT Japan 3-week itinerary | Budget, tips & tricks

Japan is a country with a fascinating history, some incredible landscapes, and an incredible cuisine. If you want to really experience the Japanese culture, you have to spend more than just a few days in this country.

I recommend spending 3 weeks in Japan .  You’ll be amazed by all the things this country has to offer. What I really loved about Japan is that it has something to offer to everyone.

If you’re passionate about culture, there are thousands of temples and traditions waiting to be explored. If you want a fun holiday, the night-life in Japan is simply fascinating. If you’re a nature lover, don’t worry! Japan is full of jaw-dropping sights and natural wonders. Waterfalls, volcanoes, and mountains – you name it!

In this post, I’ll share with you which are the places you have to visit if you’re planning a Japan 3 week itinerary. Eat something, grab a coffee, and be patient . This in-depth guide might be long but it has tons of useful information in it!

But first, let’s talk about some important things you need to know before planning a 3-week trip to Japan .

1. 3 weeks in Japan – MAP

Places included on this itinerary:

• Nagasaki -> Hiroshima -> Osaka -> Nara -> Kyoto -> Mount Fuji -> Tokyo -> Nagano -> Matsumoto -> Tokyo

Let’s face it – when planning a trip, the budget is very important. You need to know what to expect or else you’ll end up breaking the bank.

Japan is an EXPENSIVE country! (It’s bold on purpose)

Japan is one of the most expensive countries in Asia and there’s no way around that. Let’s put it this way – traveling on a budget in Japan is more expensive than luxury travel in Indonesia. 

I’m not telling you this to discourage you. I just want you to set the right expectations.

Now that we’ve established that spending 21 days in Japan won’t be cheap, let’s see how much money you really need. In the section below I shared the average costs for a 3-week holiday in Japan for 3 different budget ranges – budget, mid budget, and luxury.

-> Are you planning to backpack in Japan? Read this guide !

Good to know: the prices below are per person. Also, keep in mind that the prices are different from city to city. I tried to make an average for all the cities included in this itinerary.

Accommodation in Japan

If you’re on a very tight budget, you’ll need to choose a bed in a dorm. You can find a bed in a hostel dorm room for about $20. A private room in a hostel will set you back $60.

If you have a little extra money, you can find a nice room with a private bathroom, in a good neighborhood for about $90-$120. One thing you have to keep in mind when traveling to Japan is the fact that hotel rooms & guesthouses rooms are usually very small. However, the Japanese somehow manage to include all the amenities you need in such small spaces. Pretty cool!

P.S. We had an incredible one-bedroom apartment in Osaka which was pretty small but had everything we needed, including a kitchen and a washing machine. 

Now, if you’re one of those lucky ones who have lots of money, you won’t have to worry about the lack of space. Luxury hotels in Japan are pretty darn incredible and there are plenty of options to choose from. For a room in a luxury hotel, expect to pay between $190-$600.

All in all, if you’re willing to sleep in a dorm, the accommodation in Japan isn’t that expensive. However, you’ll have to pay quite a lot for privacy and space.

In conclusion, if you’re on a budget, the accommodation for 3 weeks in Japan will cost $441. For those in the “mid budget” range, the accommodation will cost $1890 – $2520. For those lucky ones in the luxury category, 21 nights in Japan will cost at least $3990.

Good to know: I traveled full time around Asia for one and a half years and I only used one hotel booking website – Booking.com . I love that they have plenty of options and you can choose your desired price range. I totally recommend it! 

No time to read now? Pin it for later!

Transport in Japan

The cost of transport when planning a Japan 3-week itinerary is another expense we can’t ignore. The most important advice I can give you is – BUY A JR PASS !

Trains in Japan are super-expensive but with a JR Pass you’ll save hundreds of dollars. I recommend buying a 3-week pass which will cover all your train journeys (it costs $564).

Apart from the JR Pass, you’ll need to put aside some money for subways & buses. I think around $120 should be enough. This means that transportation wise for a 3-week holiday in Japan you’ll need about $684.

Food in Japan

While in Japan, you have to try ramen soup and sushi. The good news is that as long as you’re not going to fancy restaurants, a meal in Japan won’t be very expensive. For a ramen soup at a mid-range restaurant, expect to pay somewhere around $10-$15.

If you’re on a strict budget, try the street food! Snacks like takoyaki cost only $5. Another option is to try the snacks and sandwiches from 7-Eleven!

If you want to dine at fancy restaurants in Japan, a meal can cost you as much as $200. 

Activities & entrance fees in Japan

The amount of money you’ll spend on activities and entrance fees for a 3 week Japan holiday is totally up to you. It really depends on how many museums, temples & tourist attractions you want to visit in each city.

I recommend setting aside at least $250 for activities.

Grand total

Now, the moment of truth. Are you curious to see which is the final budget for three weeks in Japan ? 

• Budget – $1900 per person – $90 per day
• Mid Budget – $3660 – $4300 per person – $175-$200 per day
• Luxury – $8100 per person – $385 per day

Keep in mind that if you’re traveling as a couple, the costs will be a little bit lower. You’ll save some money on accommodation because you can share costs.

Also, I haven’t included additional costs (toiletries, souvenirs, and other expenses) & plane tickets to Japan in this budget.

In conclusion, the cost of a 3-week itinerary in Japan doesn’t have to break the bank. It’s definitely not cheap but if you’re determined to make it work, you can do it!

3. Things you need to know before visiting Japan

To make your trip easier and more enjoyable, there are some things that you should keep in mind when visiting Japan. It’s important to be mindful to local traditions but also to prepare yourself for a few things.

• Tattoos in Japan are considered taboo – I love tattoos, I have 2 myself. They are a way to express yourself but in Japan people associate tattoos with criminals or more specifically, the members of the Yakuza gang. If you have tattoos, you can be denied access to onsens, pools or saunas.
• You don’t have to tip in Japan – while in western countries tipping is extremely appreciated, in Japan you don’t have to do it. Most probably, if you tip someone, that person will run after you trying to give your money back. The truth is that the Japanese are happy with their salaries.
• The Japanese have a thing for fake food –  you’ll see it all over the country – fake food displayed at the restaurant’s entrances. This is how a menu looks in Japan. You basically have to look at the fake dishes and choose what you want to eat. Most of the time, restaurants provide paper menus too.
• Big cities are extremely crowded –  even though cities like Tokyo and Osaka are very crowded, everything works on point in Japan, including the transport system. Keep in mind that when riding escalators, you have to queue on the right side except for Osaka where you have to queue on the left side of the escalator.
• Using a toilet in Japan is not as easy as it seems –  knowing how to use a toilet in Japan requires a university degree. It’s not as simple as it seems. The toilets have tens of functions and even something simple as flushing the toilet can become a challenge. 

4. Japan itinerary – 3 weeks

This Japan itinerary for 21 days  is perfect if you want to discover everything that Japan has to offer. From history to culture and cuisine, everything is included here. This itinerary is a mix of big and small cities, perfect for those who want to experience a bit of everything.

Important! In the version below, the itinerary starts with Nagasaki and ends with Tokyo but you can start the other way around. 

Make sure to get a JR Pass which will cover most of the train costs for this itinerary. You’ll save a lot of money!

Day 1-2 in Nagasaki – 2 days, 2 nights

Our three week Japan itinerary starts in the south of the country, in Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu. During World War II, Nagasaki became the last city in the world to ever experience a nuclear attack. 

With a strong Portuguese and Dutch architectural influence, Nagasaki has a different vibe comparing to other Japanese cities. It’s the perfect place to start your Japanese adventure and discover some incredible sights.

On day one you’ll probably land on the Nagasaki Airport. Although the airport isn’t big, it has connections with Seoul, Shanghai, and Hong Kong. Also, there are many domestic flights from cities like Tokyo and Osaka.

For day two, I have some awesome suggestions for activities in Nagasaki. I will list them down below.

• Visit the Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum – if you want to learn more about World War II, this is the place for you! Find out the story and the events that led to the atomic bombing at Nagasaki which killed and injured 150,000 people.
• Visit the Peace Park – situated next to the Atomic Bomb Museum, the main attraction at Peace Park is the statue created by Seibo Kitamura. The statue’s right hand points towards the sky, symbolizing the threat of atomic bombs while the left hand extended parallel with the horizon symbolizes peace.
• Explore Dejima – this former artificial island in the bay of Nagasaki was built in 1634 to separate Portuguese traders from the Japanese society. Today a number of structures at Dejima survived the passing of time and they can be visited by curious tourists.
• Visit the Glover Garden – built for Thomas Blake Glover, a Scottish merchant who had an important contribution to Japan’s modernization, Glover Garden is a great place for a walk. Admire the Koi pond and the beautiful Glover Residence.
• Explore Shinchi Chinatown – dating from the 15th century, Shinchi Chinatown is the oldest Chinatown in all Japan. If you want to try some delicious Chinese street food or maybe buy some Chinese items, a walk through Chinatown in Nagasaki should be on your itinerary.
• Visit the Suwa Shrine – located in the northern part of the city, the Suwa Shrine in Nagasaki overlooks the city. To get there, you’ll have to climb 227 stone steps but the views over the city are well worth it. This shrine is well known for its quirky sculptures so make sure to admire them.
• Admire the view from Mt. Inasa – are you ready for the best view over Nagasaki? I recommend climbing Mt. Inasa at the end of the day, at sunset. You can either reach the top by ropeway, bus or car. Take your time and admire the city from above!

There are plenty of activities to do and tourist attractions to visit in Nagasaki but on day 3, it’s time to move to our next destination – Hiroshima. 

To get to Hiroshima from Nagasaki, you will have to take the train and change at Hakata. The good news is that the train ride is fully covered by the JR Pass . The train ride will take about 3 hours and a half. I recommend getting up early to get to Hiroshima somewhere around lunchtime. This way, you’ll have an extra half day to explore Hiroshima.

Where to stay in Nagasaki

• Budget – Nagasaki Royal Chester Hotel –  excellent value for money, good location, clean & spacious rooms
• Mid Budget – Hotel New Nagasaki –  great location, excellent staff, modern rooms, great amenities
• Luxury – Garden Terrace Nagasaki Resort –  incredible infinity pool overlooking the city, great restaurant, spacious & modern rooms, best hotel in the city

Day 3-4 in Hiroshima – 2 days, 2 nights

This ultimate 3-week Japan itinerary wouldn’t be complete without a stop to Hiroshima. While Nagasaki was the last city ever hit by a nuclear bomb, Hiroshima was the first one. The Hiroshima bombing during World War II killed somewhere between 90,000-160,000 people.

Even though the city has a dark past, after the war the locals rebuilt Hiroshima and made it a thriving and flourishing city. Nowadays, Hiroshima is a hot tourist attraction full of museums, parks, temples, and with great gastronomy.

Good to know – To make your life easier and save some money, I recommend getting a Hiroshima Tourist Pass . This pass will grant you unlimited rides on buses, streetcars, and Miyajima ferries. 

If you follow my advice and leave Nagasaki early in the morning, you’ll have one and a half days to explore Hiroshima (on the third day we’ll head to our next destination – Osaka). Below is a list of incredible tourist attractions you can visit in Hiroshima.

• Visit the Atomic Bomb Dome – this is the most important tourist attraction in Hiroshima. The story of this place is truly fascinating. Although the dome was located underneath the explosion, it somehow survived the bombing and the building still stands today.
• Visit the Peace Memorial Museum – if you’d like to learn more about the detailed chronology of the events leading to the bombing, you have to visit this museum. I have to warn you, the Peace Memorial Museum is not for the faint-hearted.
• Go shopping at Hondori Shotengai – this covered shopping street is full of clothing & accessories stores. It’s a great area to shop for souvenirs and find some cheap gems.
• Explore the Miyajima Island – take a half-day private cruise around this beautiful island, also known as the “Shrine Island”. On this island, you can find the famous floating torii gate of Itsukushima Shrine and hundreds of deer you can play with. If you’re looking for a unique experience on Miyajima Island, attend a tea ceremony !
• Admire the Hiroshima Castle – even though the original castle was destroyed during World War II, it has been rebuilt in 1958. The replica of the original is nowadays a museum and the castle is an amazing representation of the Japanese architecture.
• Book a Bay Dinner Cruise – spend a romantic evening along the Hiroshima Bay while admiring the stunning views. Enjoy your full-course dinner aboard of a cruise ship. This is definitely a once-in-a-lifetime experience and you can enjoy it with your partner or loved ones.
• Admire the city from Hijiyama Park – walk to the top of the park and admire the amazing view over Hiroshima. If you happen to be there in spring, you’ll be welcomed with some incredible cherry blossoms.
• Visit Mitaki-dera Temple – also known as the “Three Waterfalls Temple”, Mitaki-dera has a beautiful two storey pagoda. This place is famous for its beautiful cherry blossoms in spring and colorful leaves in autumn.

Hiroshima has a lot to offer in terms of culture, history and tourist attractions in general. After exploring this city, it’s time to continue our 3 weeks Japan route and head to our next destination – Osaka.

To get from Hiroshima to Osaka, use your JR Pass and take the Shinkansen bullet train. Choose the Hikari or Sakura Shinkansen and you’ll get to Osaka in a little over one hour and a half.

Where to stay in Hiroshima

• Budget – Kamon Hotel Setuo – excellent location, clean rooms, super-friendly staff
• Mid Budget – Hotel Granvia Hiroshima – great view over the city, excellent location, modern & spacious rooms
• Luxury – Sheraton Grand Hiroshima Hotel – incredible views, luxury feel, spacious rooms, great amenities

Day 5-7 in Osaka – 3 days, 4 nights 

One of the top things to see in Japan in 3 weeks is Osaka. This vibrant city is the second largest city in Japan and a cultural melting pot. Osaka is the perfect combination between history and modernity and this is exactly what made me fall in love with it.

This city has a little bit of everything – temples, modern buildings, a castle, an amazing night-life, and delicious cuisine. Are you ready to explore Osaka? Below you’ll find the main tourist attractions in the city.

If you get to Osaka in the morning, I recommend spending that half-day and the next one exploring the city. On the second full-day in Osaka you can visit Universal Studios Japan .  On your last full day in Osaka, I recommend taking a day trip to Nara (more about this in the next section). Use the last night in Osaka to catch some sleep because the next day we’ll be heading to our next destination – Kyoto.

Good to know – if you want to save some money, get the Osaka Amazing Pass . With it, you’ll have free access to Osaka’s main tourist attractions and on top of that, you’ll also get unlimited use of the subway and bus system. For prices, click here .

• Admire the Osaka Castle –  learn more about Osaka’s history at the Osaka Castle. For one of the best views over the city, climb the stairs or take the elevator to the top of the castle. 
• Have fun at Universal Studios Japan –  what would you say about spending an entire day at one of the best amusement parks in the world? Book your tickets for Universal Studios Japan and enjoy some of the coolest roller-coasters ! The day spent at USJ was one of the highlights of my trip to Japan.
• Explore Shitenno-Ji Temple –  built in 593, Shitenno-Ji is one of the oldest temples in Japan. Although the temple was destroyed a few times in the past, it has been rebuilt to reflect the original architecture. 
• Visit the quirky Shinsekai –  this quirky neighborhood was built to resemble both New York and Paris. Even though after the war this was one of the poorest areas in Osaka, nowadays Shinsekai is a major tourist attraction. People come here for a wide range of restaurants, shops, and the famous Tsutenkaku Tower.
• Admire the city from the top of Abeno Harukas –  you can admire Osaka from the top of the tallest skyscraper in Japan at Abeno Harukas. You can enjoy the views from the 16th floor for free but getting to the top of the building (60th floor) requires a ticket.
• Step back in time at Hozenji Yokocho –  this narrow street full of restaurants and bars is the perfect place for a short walk. What makes it unique is its architecture.
• Go to the Osaka Pokemon Center –  are you a Pokemon fan? If yes, make sure to visit the Osaka Pokemon Center . Here you’ll find stuffed Pokemons and a wide range of Pokemon merchandise.
• Enjoy the night-life at Dotonbori –  you can’t visit Osaka without stopping by Dotonbori during the night. Thousands of neon lights and arcade game centers are waiting for you. Also, there are hundreds of shops here selling pretty much anything. Have fun!

Osaka is not as expensive as other cities in Japan. Visiting it on a budget is totally do-able! There are many tourist attractions you can visit in this city and I’m sure that you’ll have a lot of fun discovering them all!

For your last day in Osaka, I recommend a day trip to Nara where deer roam free around the city. More about this in the section below. After our short stop in Nara, it’s time to take the train and head to our next destination – Kyoto!

Where to stay in Osaka

• Budget –  Rakuten Stay  – good location, very clean rooms, beautiful design, excellent staff
• Mid Budget –  Hare Shin  – traditional yet modern design, spacious rooms, good location, very clean
• Luxury –  Marriott Hotel  – incredible views, excellent location, fitness center, clean & spacious rooms, excellent staff

Day 8 in Nara – 1 day (day trip from Osaka)

Are you wondering what else to visit in Japan in 3 weeks ? I have a surprise for you – our next stop is a unique city where deer roam free on the streets and on top of that they’re super-friendly. How awesome is that?

Nara is by far my favorite city in Japan. You’ll see hundreds of deer on the streets, in parks, at temples and pretty much anywhere. Make sure to buy some deer crackers and they’ll be your friends forever!

To get to Nara, take the train from Osaka-Namba Station to Kintetsu Nara Station. The train ride will take about 40 minutes and then you’ll have to walk for another 20 minutes to get to Nara Park.

Apart from all the cute deer, there are some other interesting things to do in Nara. You can visit some incredible Japanese gardens and explore beautiful temples. To read more about the places you can visit in Nara in one day, click here .

Day 9-10 in Kyoto – 2 days, 2 nights

One of the things to see in Japan in 3 weeks is Kyoto . With 1600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, Kyoto is the perfect place to find out more about the Japanese culture. Even though it’s a big city, it somehow has the vibe of a village and I loved that about it.

Make sure to leave Osaka early in the morning and you’ll have one and a half days to explore the beautiful Kyoto. That’s plenty of time to visit the most important tourist attractions around the city. Let’s see which are the places you have to visit when in Kyoto.

Good to know:  I recommend getting a  Kyoto sightseeing pass   which includes free entrance fee to all the major tourist attractions in the city. 

• Get lost in Arashiyama Bamboo Forest –  probably one of the most visited and photographed locations in Kyoto is the Bamboo Forest . The tall bamboo pillars create an incredible view and the good news is that you can walk inside the forest and admire them.
• Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine –  with more than 1,000 red torii gates creating a long tunnel, the Fushimi Inari Shrine is a unique sight. In the 17th century, people used to donate a torii gate to make their wish come true. That’s the reason why today there are so many torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine.
• Taste the food at Nishiki Market –  this is one of the oldest and most popular markets in Japan. At Nishiki Market you can find more than 100 stalls selling fresh Japanese delicacies. Don’t hesitate to try the seafood! Simply delicious!
• Buy souvenirs at Teramachi Street –  right near Nishiki Market is Teramachi Street . If you’re looking for some souvenirs, this is the place to go! Apart from souvenirs here you can find traditional Japanese items such as kimonos but also modern clothes and accessories.
• Admire the Yasaka Shrine –  a popular place for photo-shoots, Yasaka Shrine is one of the most important shrines in Kyoto. If you want to take some photos, you’ll find some shops at the entrance, renting kimonos. Otherwise, take your time to admire the shrine’s architecture and take a walk around Maruyama Park.
• Admire the view from Kyoto Tower – enjoy a unique view over Kyoto from the 100 m tall Kyoto Tower observation deck. I recommend going at sunset when the whole city lights up. To book your tickets, click here .
• Find a geisha in Gion –  you can’t visit Kyoto without stopping at Gion neighborhood. If you want to see a geisha, make sure to be in Gion at 5.45 pm sharp. That’s when the geishas leave their homes to go to their appointments. 

There’s plenty to do in Kyoto in one a half days but it’s time to head to our next destination – Mt. Fuji. There are many places from where you can admire the most iconic volcano in the world but the best location is Kawaguchiko and that’s where we’re heading.

To get to Kawaguchiko from Kyoto you’ll have to take the Shinkansen train from Kyoto to Mishima. From Mishima, take an express bus to Kawaguchiko. It’s important to mention that only the train is covered by the JR Pass . For the bus, you’ll have to pay by yourself.

Where to stay in Kyoto

• Luxury –  Hotel Granvia  – beautiful pool, incredible views, excellent location, comfortable & luxurious rooms, breakfast included
• Mid Budget –  Solaria Hotel Premier  – excellent location, incredible architecture & views, clean & modern rooms, excellent facilities
• Budget –  Sanjo Okawa  – good location, clean & spacious rooms, good WiFi, access to washing machine

Day 11-12 at Mt. Fuji – 1 day, 2 nights

Our three week Japan itinerary continues with a stop at Kawaguchiko, known to offer an incredible view towards Mt. Fuji. Did you know that Mount Fuji is the tallest mountain in Japan (3,776 meters)? Also, Mt. Fuji is still active and last erupted more than 300 years ago.

Fuji is one of the iconic sights in Japan. This place is so unique and beautiful that the sunset at Mt. Fuji has its own name – Goraiko. You’ll have an entire day to explore Kawaguchiko and enjoy some of the most incredible views you’ll ever see.

Below are some of the things you can do in Kawaguchiko.

• Admire Mount Fuji –  there are many viewpoints from where you can see Mount Fuji but my favorite one is the promenade in front of Kawaguchiko Hotel New Century . Even though I only saw Fuji for ten minutes before it was fully covered by clouds, I feel super-lucky to have had the chance to see this wonder of nature.
• Visit Chureito Pagoda –  admire its beautiful architecture and relax at Chureito Pagoda. This pagoda offers one of the best views towards Mt. Fuji.
• Take the Mount Fuji Ropeway –  take the scenic Mount Fuji Panoramic Ropeway and admire the lake, the mountains, the city, and Mount Fuji from above.
• Rent some bicycles or a paddleboat –  rent some bicycles and explore Kawaguchiko or rent a paddleboat and paddle around the lake while admiring the reflection of Mt. Fuji into the water. This is the best exercise you’ll ever have!
• Try the world’s steepest roller-coaster –  apart from the awesome views, Kawaguchiko is also home to the world’s steepest roller-coaster. Book your tickets to  Fuji-Q Highland Theme Park   for a few hours of fun and adrenaline.

Out of all the places I’ve seen in Japan, Kawaguchiko will always have a special place in my heart. Make sure to wake up early and enjoy all this place has to offer. Btw, the sunrise over the lake is simply stunning.

It’s time to continue our journey north and our next stop is no other than Japan’s capital city – Tokyo! I know you’ve been waiting for a long time to explore this city and I’am sure that you’ll love it as much as I did.

To get to Tokyo from Kawaguchiko, you’ll have to take the Fujikyuko Line from Kawaguchiko to Otsuki (this ride is not covered by the JR Pass). From Otsuki change trains and head to Tokyo (this part of the trip is covered by the JR Pass ). The entire ride will take around 5 hours which means that you’ll arrive in Tokyo late in the evening.

Where to stay in Kawaguchiko

• Luxury –  Fufu Hotel  –  excellent location, excellent view of Mt. Fuji, modern & luxurious rooms, breakfast & dinner included, excellent staff and amenities
• Mid Budget –  Lakeland Hotel  –  good location, clean & spacious rooms, breakfast & dinner included
• Budget –  Togawaso  –  good location, beautiful view toward Fuji, Japanese-style rooms, friendly staff

Day 13-16 in Tokyo – 3 days, 4 nights

Our 3-week Japan trip takes us to Tokyo! Welcome to the city that never sleeps! For me, Tokyo is orderly chaotic. There’s a lot of traffic & many people roaming around the city but somehow everything is where it’s supposed to be. The public transport works on point, you can get anywhere around the city fairly easy, and everything works like a clockwork.

You’ll have 3 full days to explore Tokyo which is enough to visit the most important tourist attractions in the city and feel the city’s vibe. Are you ready to explore one of the most fascinating cities in the world?

Good to know:  I HIGHLY recommend getting a  Tokyo subway pass   for 3 days . With this pass, you’ll have free access on the subway and you’ll save lots of money. 

I’ll list below some of the places you can’t miss while in Tokyo.

• Explore the city while wearing a kimono – one of the best experiences you can have in Tokyo is to rent a kimono .
• Visit Gotokuji Temple –  this temple is considered to be the birthplace of maneki-neko, the cute white cat used as a talisman around Asia. Visiting Gotokuji Temple is a true delight since you won’t find too many tourists here. Admire the temple and walk between the thousands of maneki-neko cats.
• Be a part of the chaos at Shibuya Crossing –  this is the busiest pedestrian crossing in the world and a must-see attraction in Tokyo. Take your time to discover the nearby shopping malls, restaurants and fashion stores.
• Have fun at Tokyo Disneysea –  this is one of the best amusement parks in the world! Save one day to have a thrilling and fun experience at Tokyo Disneysea !
• Explore Harajuku –  this cool and colorful neighborhood in Tokyo is perfect for a relaxing walk. If you’re lucky, you might even see a few Harajuku girls. While in Harajuku , try the famous crepes, eat some rainbow cotton-candy and shop four souvenirs.
• Admire the views from Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building –  there are many places in Tokyo from where you can admire the city but the best one is the Metropolitan Government Building. Moreover, the entrance is free! I recommend getting there at sunset to see the city lighting up.
• Spend the evening at Kabukicho –  this is the biggest red-light district in the world! Take a walk on the streets of Kabukicho and you’ll find thousands of neon lights, weird restaurants (you have to try  the famous Robot Restaurant ), and arcade game rooms.
• Visit the Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo –  are you a Pokemon fan? If the answer is yes, then this place is for you! At the Pokemon Center Mega Tokyo you’ll find lots of stuffed Pokemons, accessories, and all kinds of Pokemon merchandise.
• Admire the Senso-ji Temple –  this is probably the most visited and the busiest temple in Tokyo. However, it’s architecture is simply stunning. Visiting Senso-ji Temple is a great way to learn more about the Japanese culture.
• Visit Tsukiji Fish Market –  visiting Tsukiji Market in Tokyo is not an ordinary experience. This is the largest wholesale fish and seafood market in the world! I recommend going to the tuna auction which starts at 5.20 am. Keep in mind that access is restricted to only 120 visitors so be there as early as possible.
• Step into another world at Tokyo TeamLab Borderless –  have you ever seen those photos of people in colorful rooms with never-ending lanterns or balloons? They’re taken at TeamLab Borderless in Tokyo. The artworks here are simply incredible.
• Admire the views from Tokyo Tower –  another great place from where you can admire the city is the Tokyo Tower. Head to the top of it and enjoy an incredible view!
• Visit Tokyo Imperial Palace –  the imperial palace was destroyed during World War Two but it was rebuilt in the same style. You can admire the Palace from the outside since the inner grounds are usually not open to the public.

I’m sure you’re going to have three full days in Tokyo. This city is very different from everything I’ve seen and its charm is hard to pass unnoticed.

Our next and last destinations are Nagano and Matsumoto. We’re gonna spend 3 nights in Nagano and we’re going to visit Matsumoto as a day trip.

To get from Tokyo to Nagano, take the Hokuriku Shinkansen from Tokyo to Nagano. This ride is covered by the JR Pass .

Where to stay in Tokyo

• Budget –  Emblem Hostel  –  good location, gym, clean rooms, access to train/ subway
• Mid Budget –  Hotel Rex  –  excellent location, included breakfast, modern & spacious rooms, awesome amenities
• Luxury –  Ascot Tokyo  –  excellent location, beautiful pool, spacious & luxurious rooms, excellent staff, great value for money

Day 17-19 in Nagano and Matsumoto – 2 days, 2 nights

Situated right near the famous  Jigokudani Monkey Park ,  Nagano is well known for its skiing slopes, beautiful shrines, and cuisine. We’re going to spend 2 nights here, exploring Nagano and the surrounding areas.

On our last day, we’ll take a day trip to Matsumoto which is our last stop on our 21 day Japan itinerary. Before that, let’s see which are the top things to do in Nagano.

• Check out the snow monkeys – the reason why many tourists come to Nagano is to see the beautiful snow monkeys living in Jigokudani. More than two hundred monkeys live here. When the weather gets cold, they head to the local hot springs for a dip in the warm water. How cool is that?
• Visit Zenkoji Temple – built in the 7th century, this temple is one of the most important pilgrimage sites in Japan. You can admire the temple’s beautiful architecture and buy some talismans from the nearby shops.
• Try the local cuisine –  you can’t leave Nagano without trying oyaki. Oyaki are steamed Japanese dumplings with a wide range of fillings (eggplant, pumpkin, mushrooms).
• Admire the Togakushi Shrine – there are five shrines in total and the surrounding nature is stunning. To get to Togakushi Shrine you’ll have to take the Alpico Bus Company from Nagano Station. Enjoy!
• Enjoy the winter sports – if you’re visiting during winter, you’re in luck. Nagano is home to some of the most famous ski resorts in Japan. If you’re not into skiing, you can also go hiking.

After exploring Nagano for one and a half days, it’s time to take a day trip to Matsumoto. The train between these two cities is covered by the JR Pass and the ride takes only 50 minutes.

Where to stay in Nagano

• Budget – Chisun Grand Nagano – good location, good WiFi, spacious rooms, great amenities
• Mid Budget – Hotel Metropolitan Nagano – excellent location, clean & spatious rooms, modern feel, friendly staff
• Luxury – Jizokan Matsuya Ryokan  –  traditional Japanese accommodation, very clean and spacious, friendly staff, great restaurant

Matsumoto is a beautiful city and to help you get around, I’ve listed the top tourist attractions below.

• Visit Matsumoto Castle – also known as the “Crow Castle” due to its black exterior, the Matsumoto Castle is one of the most beautiful and few remaining original castles in Japan (most of them have been reconstructed).
• Visit Daio Wasabi Farm – you’ll have the chance to see how wasabi is produced at the biggest wasabi farm in Japan. Before leaving, make sure to stop by the shop where you can taste wasabi ice-cream!

Day 19-21 back in Tokyo

Matsumomo was our last stop on our itinerary. Now it’s time to head back to Tokyo for the remaining two nights. You can either choose to relax or you can spend the remaining day exploring more of Tokyo or taking a day trip outside the city.

Below are some awesome day trips from Tokyo.

• Kamikochi day trip from Tokyo – for more details, click here .
• Gunma day trip from Tokyo – for more details, click here .
• Nikko day trip from Tokyo – for more details, click here .

5. Are 3 weeks enough to visit Japan?

Yes! 3 weeks in Japan are enough to explore both the major tourist attractions and some hidden gems too. You’ll have enough time to taste the local cuisine, visit a few temples, have some fun, and explore some museums.

I really hope that you’ve found this itinerary for 3 weeks in Japan useful. I tried to include as many tips & tricks as possible but if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask me in the comments section down below.

May the travel bug bite you!

Aurelia Teslaru is a professional travel blogger and the writer behind Daily Travel Pill. With a 4-year experience as a travel writer and photographer, Aurelia only shares travel guides about destinations that she visited.

She has been to more than 40 countries during the past 10 years and aims to explore 50 countries before turning 30 years old. Aurelia is a digital nomad who transformed her passion for travel into a lifestyle. Read more about her here .

To follow her adventures, check out her Instagram and Facebook pages!

Thank you for posting this. Very specific. Thanks for doing all the math. Greatly appreciated. Loved the detail!

woow ill be using this exact itenarary when i travel to japan

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3 Week Japan Itinerary (Best Local Sights And Tips)

Do you need a 3 week Japan itinerary?

Are you intrigued by the bright lights of Tokyo or the serenity of Japanese bamboo forests? Planning a trip to Japan but don’t know where to start?  Fret not, for this 3 week Japan itinerary will guide you!

Traveling to Japan can seem intimidating at first. The culture is incredibly unique, and the country itself is made up of 6852 islands. This means Japan has so much to offer – from big city life, charming ancient villages to breathtaking natural wonders. 

You could easily spend three weeks in Japan, and it might still not be enough!

The right Japan travel itinerary for 3 weeks will allow you to experience a bit of everything. 

WWB Writer Alea has created an epic 3 week Japan itinerary which includes the must-see highlights, while also exploring some off-the-beaten-track places:

Day 1 – 4: Tokyo 

• Day 5 – 6: Lake Kawaguchiko at The Five Fuji Lakes

Day 7 – 9: Nagano, Yudanaka, Matsumoto 

Day 10: kanazawa, day 11 – 13: kyoto, day 14: nara, day 15 – 17: osaka.

• Day 18 – 19: Hiroshima, Miyajima

Day 20 – 21: Fukuoka

DISCLOSURE:

Some of the links on here are affiliate links and I may earn if you click on them, AT NO EXTRA cost to you. Hope you find the information here useful! Thanks

Related Travel In Japan Posts: 

• Epic 1 Day Itinerary In Osaka
• 11 Best Onsen In Hokkaido, Japan
• 8 Exquisite Off The Beaten Path Spots in Japan
• The Best Japan Onsen For Couples (21 Romantic Options!)
• A Japanese Homestay – The Ultimate Guide In 2022
• 11 Best Family Onsens in Japan In 2022
• 23 Mixed Onsens in Japan (For Couples and Families!) [2022]
• 55 Fun Things To Do At Busan [An Epic Guide for 2022]

The Best 3 Week Japan Itinerary 

• Experience the bustling Shibuya Crossing and iconic Hachiko Statue
• Visit Yoyogi Park and Meiji-jingu Shrine
• Submerge yourself in Japanese pop culture at Harajuku
• Go to Shinjuku for great views at the Tokyo Metropolitan Observatory
• Experience Tokyo nightlife at Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) and Golden Gai
• Explore Japanese culture at The Imperial Palace
• Watch a once-in-a-lifetime show at The Robot Restaurant
• Eat your heart out at Tsukiji Outer Market
• Visit Asakusa for Tokyo Skytree and the historic Sensoji Temple
• Go to Odaiba for a fun immersive experience at TeamLab Borderless
• Go to Akihabara for the latest in electronics and Japanese anime
• Watch a Sumo match
• Go Park Hyatt’s New York Bar for a movie star experience

Tokyo is the natural place to start a Japan three week itinerary as most international flights will arrive at either Narita International Airport or Haneda Airport.

Shibuya is home to the city’s iconic Shibuya Crossing , as well as a myriad of attractions, food, drinks, and shopping. 

This makes Shibuya a great place to stay during your trip to Tokyo. 

Visit the Hachiko Statue at the exit of Shibuya Station that’s dedicated to the famously loyal dog , and of course, don’t forget to take a photo in the middle of the bustling Shibuya Crossing!

A short walk away from Shibuya is Yoyogi Park , a huge green lung that offers a nice respite from the crowds. If you happen to be there on a Sunday, watch out for the rockabilly dance crew who dance to 1950s rock and roll while dressed up like Elvis. 

On the edge of the park is the Meiji-jingu Shrine , a grand shrine that was built in 1920 as a memorial to the country’s first modern-day rulers. 

Harajuku is another quintessentially Tokyo area that you shouldn’t miss. 

A stroll along Harajuku’s main street Takeshita Street will open your eyes to the latest Japanese pop culture and teenage fashion trends. 

While you’re there, line up at one of the many crepe stores for some famous Harajuku crepes, or visit a cat cafe ! 

Head to Shinjuku for towering skyscrapers, vibrant nightlife, and bright neon lights. 

Visit the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building Observatory for a free birdseye view of the city. Then spend your evening exploring Memory Lane (Omoide Yokocho) and Golden Gai, atmospheric little alleyways crammed with tiny yakitori restaurants and bars. 

Other attractions to visit in Tokyo:

• The Imperial Palace is located on beautiful large grounds. Guided tours are free, but pre-registration is required . 
• The Robot Restaurant is a flashy, over-the-top live show with laser lights, loud music, and dancing robots. It may be touristy, but it’s a once-in-a-lifetime, only-in-Japan experience. Pre-booking tickets online tend to be cheaper than buying at the door. 
• Go to Tsukiji Outer Market on an empty stomach and feast on the freshest sashimi you’ll ever eat. 
• Spend an afternoon in the Asakusa area – Tokyo Skytree provides spectacular views 365 days a year (tickets start at ¥1100 or about USD 10 for adults ); the Sensoji temple is a beautiful ancient Buddhist temple that will take you back to a time bygone.
• Visit TeamLab Borderless , an interactive visual art exhibition that will blow your mind (and your Instagram feed). Tickets have to be pre-booked online . While you’re in Odaiba, take a ride on the giant Ferris wheel or stroll along the Rainbow Bridge. 
• Head to the electronic district of Akihabara if you’re a video game or manga fan! This area is also known for its maid cafes , where you get served by waitresses dressed as (yup, you guessed it) maids. 
• Watch a sumo match live. If your trip doesn’t coincide with tournament dates, you can still take a guided tou r to catch the morning sumo practice sessions.
• If you’re feeling fancy, channel your inner Scarlett Johansson at the Park Hyatt’s New York Bar , where the Oscar-winning Lost in Translation was filmed . It’s located on the 52nd floor, providing magnificent views and live jazz music. 

Day 5 – 6: Lake Kawaguchiko at The Fuji Five Lakes

• Watch the sunrise over Mt. Fuji
• Take the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Railway for panoramic views
• Climb up to Chureito Pagoda
• Stay in a Ryokan with hot spring baths

No trip to Japan will be complete without visiting the iconic Mt. Fuji . This will be the next stop on our Japan 3 week itinerary. 

Most people visit Mt. Fuji via a day trip from Tokyo to Hakone. 

However, Mt. Fuji is famously shy, so a quick day trip may not guarantee a sighting. The Fuji Five Lakes region is right at the base of Mt. Fuji, promising closer and clearer views. 

Spending a night there also means you’ll get to enjoy the stunning area without rushing. The best views of Mt. Fuji tend to be right after dawn or in the early morning. 

Lake Kawaguchiko is the most accessible of the five lakes, with direct buses and trains available from Tokyo. Once you’ve reached Lake Kawaguchiko, you can take the Red Line Sightseeing Bus ( 1500 Yen or about USD 14 for a 2 day unlimited pass) to explore:

• A must-do in the area is the Mt. Fuji Panoramic Ropeway . 

The cable car ascends to an observation deck near the peak of Mt. Tenjo more than 1000m above sea level, promising panoramic views of Mt. Fuji. You can choose to hike back down, which should take about 40 minutes. 

• The Chureito Pagoda is a beautiful five-story shrine and peace memorial located on a mountainside. Getting to the top requires a steep climb of almost 400 steps , but it’s well worth it as it has one of the best views of Mt. Fuji! 
• If you want to make the most of your overnight stay at Lake Kawaguchiko, you could consider staying at a ryokan . These are traditional Japanese inns where you’ll get to experience true Japanese culture. 

As Lake Kawaguchiko is an area with natural hot springs, many ryokans in the area come with private onsens , or natural hot spring baths. Imagine taking a dip in a hot bath with open-air views of the mountainside and lakes!

Perfect addition to your 3 week Japan itinerary!

• Watch a traditional ceremony at Zenkoji Temple
• Play with snow monkeys at Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park
• Literally submerge yourself in Japanese hot bath culture at Shibu Onsen Village
• Experience history at Matsumoto Castle

From Lake Kawaguchiko, you will head back towards Tokyo where you’ll hop onto the Hokuriku Shinkansen train for Nagano. 

Nagano is a laid-back small city that is also known as the entrance point to the Japanese Alps. 

Nagano is less touristy than the previous stops on our 3 week Japan itinerary, so this is a fantastic way to experience a more intimate side of Japan. 

There are still plenty of interesting attractions in the surrounding area, making Nagano the perfect base for day trips:

• In the city itself is Zenkoji Temple , a famous pilgrimage site that is one of Japan’s most important temples. It is known for its hidden Buddha statue from the 7th century, a replica of which is only shown to the public once every six years. If you’re an early bird, you can witness the monks conducting an ancient morning prayer ceremony at sunrise every morning.  
• The Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park in Yudanaka is about a one-hour bus ride away from Nagano city. I don’t know if you’ve ever felt the need to watch snow monkeys bathe in hot springs, but…. Why wouldn’t you? 
• There are also public bathhouses (for humans) nearby in Shibu Onsen village if you get inspired by the monkeys and want to experience a hot spring bath yourself. Japanese onsen water has high mineral content that is said to be beneficial for your skin and overall health . 
• Matsumoto Castle is another must-see in the region. It is about an hour away from Nagano city via direct train, making it an easy day trip. Matsumoto Castle is Japan’s oldest castle as it still retains its original wooden structure. You can easily transport yourself back to the days of the samurai and ninja. 

• Relax in the beautiful Kenroku-en Garden
• Visit Kanazawa Castle
• Pretend you’re a ninja at Myoryuji Temple
• Take a step back into the past at Nagamachi Samurai District  
• Explore Higashi Chaya and visit a  tea house
• Stop by at Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum
• Take a food tour and visit Omicho Fish Market

From Nagano, jump back onto the shinkansen train for the next stop on our three week Japan itinerary – the charming and historic Kanazawa .

Kanazawa was not affected by the bombings during WW2, so it is one of the best-preserved old cities in Japan. It is known for its arts and crafts, samurai heritage, and world-famous cuisine:

• Visit Kenroku-en Garden . Designed by the reigning samurai family over hundreds of years, it is often recognized as one of Japan’s most beautiful gardens. It is especially popular during the cherry blossom season in spring or when the leaves change in autumn. 
• Across from the gardens is Kanazawa Castle , home to the Maeda family that ruled the area. It has been restored in recent years and is free to visit.
• If you’re fascinated by ninjas, you must pay a visit to Myoryuji Temple , also known as the Ninja Temple. It has hidden tunnels, secret rooms, traps, and a labyrinth of corridors – perfect for making your 10-year-old Ninja Kid dreams come true. Pre-bookings are required. 
• Understand samurai culture at Nagamachi Samurai District . The area has been preserved to look like how it did during the Edo era, with cobbled alleyways and earth-tiled houses. Visit the Nomura Clan Samurai House , which was the actual home of a wealthy samurai family.  
• Take a walk through the old Geisha district of Higashi Chaya . Two tea houses are still operating, Ochaya Shima and Kaikaro , allowing you a glimpse into how geishas lived and worked. 
• Kanazawa has been known for its production of gold leaves since the 16th century. Artisans continue practicing the ancient craft to this day, and you’ll be able to see gold leaf shops throughout the city. Visit the Kanazawa Yasue Gold Leaf Museum to understand the history, process, and symbolism behind this art. 
• As a coastal town, Kanazawa is known for its incredibly fresh seafood, so don’t forget to indulge in some snow crab and fresh sushi! You may also opt to take a guided food tour that includes visiting the local Omicho Fish Market. 

• Hike up the iconic orange gates of  Fushimi Inari Shrine
• Visit Arashiyama for the surreal Bamboo Grove and Togetsukyo Bridge
• Be amazed at the beautiful Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavillion  
• Take a step back in time while exploring Higashiyama and Gion
• Stroll along the The Philosopher’s Path to Ginkaku-ji
• Experience a traditional tea ceremony

Kyoto is Japan’s cultural capital and a must on any 3 weeks Japan itinerary. The Limited Express JR Thunderbird train will take you directly from Kanazawa to Kyoto along a scenic coastal route.

In many ways, Kyoto perfectly represents a blend of old and modern Japan. It may be a bit touristy, but Kyoto’s heritage and natural beauty mean it’s worth taking a few days to truly experience the city’s charms:

• Fushimi Inari Shrine is home to the iconic orange torii gates of Kyoto. It is a magical experience to wander through the seemingly endless path of more than 5000 gates. The 4km hike up to the summit takes 2-3 hours but is completely worth the view!
• Arashiyama is an area slightly on the outskirts of Kyoto and known for its beautiful Bamboo Grove . Be sure to go early as it can get pretty crowded (you want to be able to take some nice photos without a horde of tourists in the background!). Then take a stroll along the district’s charming streets until you reach the picturesque riverside and the famed Togetsukyo Bridge . 
• Kinkaku-ji is Kyoto’s famous Golden Pavilion, and can be visited in the afternoon after Arashiyama. The entire top floors of the temple are covered in gold leaves, and its sprawling grounds make for a stunning view. 
• Higashiyama and Gion are historic neighborhoods right in the heart of Kyoto. Wander along the narrow lanes and explore the wooden shops and many temples. Alternatively, you could sign up for a free walking tour to better understand the historical context of the area. 
• The Philosopher’s Path is a beautiful 2km stone path alongside a canal, named after a famous Japanese philosopher who would walk this path on his way to university. It starts near the Silver Pavilion, Ginkaku-ji . The Philosopher’s Path is particularly popular in spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom, but it also makes a pleasant afternoon stroll any time of the year. 
• While we might think of tea as just another cuppa to get us through the afternoon, tea ceremonies are a whole sophisticated ritual in Japan. And Kyoto is at the heart of Japanese tea ceremony culture. There are several tea houses in Kyoto trying to preserve this culture, and it is worth attending one to experience this magical ritual firsthand. 

• Feed the deer at Nara Park
• See the giant Buddha statue at Todai-ji Temple
• Explore traditional Buddhist art at Kofukuji Temple

Nara is a relaxed little old town that was Japan’s first permanent capital. It’s very easy to get to via train, so many people opt to visit Nara as a day trip from Kyoto or Osaka. However, you can also choose to spend the night there as another stop along your 3 weeks in Japan itinerary:

• Nara Park is famous for having more than 1000 free-roaming deers. The deers used to be considered sacred, and today they have been classified as national treasures. You can buy crackers to feed the deers, and they’re known to bow back at visitors who bow to them!
• Todai-ji Temple is famous for its giant 15m high Buddha statue, said to be the world’s largest bronze Buddha statue. 
• Kofukuji Temple and its adjacent Kofukuji National Treasure Hall are historical monuments filled with ancient Buddhist art. 

• Experience the bright neon lights and buzz of Dotonbori
• Eat all the Osaka street food your stomach can fit
• Visit Shinsekai to be transported to a retro era
• Explore Osaka Castle
• Let your inner child out at Universal Studios Japan and The Wizarding World of Harry Potter

After experiencing the more traditional parts of Japan, we’re heading to the vibrant and bustling metropolis of Osaka !

 Osaka is often dismissed as being Tokyo’s brasher, louder little sister, but it has its own character that shouldn’t be missed on a three weeks in Japan itinerary. 

Osaka is well known for its street food, shopping, and vibrant nightlife:

• Dotonbori is Osaka’s main shopping and food arcade that is also famous for its vibrant neon billboards. Visit at night and don’t miss out on the iconic Glico Running Man and moving gigantic crab signs (you’ll know it when you see it). Then get some takoyaki balls from a street vendor to snack on while you absorb the sights and sounds around you. 
• Osaka is known for its down-to-earth and affordable but delicious cuisine, so don’t miss out on trying kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers of seafood or meat) and okonomiyaki (grilled savory pancakes filled with cabbage and meat). Visit Kuromon Market for freshly grilled seafood and other food prepared on the spot for you – it’s not known as “Osaka’s Kitchen” for nothing!
• Shinsekai is a quirky little neighborhood known as the “Retro District”. It was modeled after Paris and New York’s Coney Island in the Post-war era, and its colorful retro shop fronts give off a sense of old Osaka. 
• Osaka Castle is a symbol of the city and is considered one of the great castles of Japan. It is set in sprawling grounds, so one option is to take a bike tour to explore the whole area.
• Less than 30 minutes away from Osaka is Universal Studios Japan , one of the country’s best theme parks. It’s well known for being home to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter , so if you’re a Potterhead this is a must-do! 

Day 18 – 19: Hiroshima and Miyajima

• Pay homage to the memories of the past at Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum
• Visit Miyajima for the iconic Itsukushima Shrine
• Take the Miyajima Ropeway for stunning views

Less than 2 hours away from Osaka via the shinkansen is Hiroshima . You may recognize the name from the horrific atomic bombing that happened during WW2, but Hiroshima has now rebuilt itself into a thriving city:

• The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park is a huge tranquil park dedicated to the memory of those who perished in the war. At the center of the park is the Atomic Bomb Dome, which is the remains of a building that survived the bombing. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is located within the park to document the atrocities and aftermath of the bombing.
• Miyajima is a small island that’s a quick ferry ride away from Hiroshima that makes for a great day trip. It is famous for the Itsukushima Shrine that has an iconic floating gate out on the sea. You can also take the Miyajima Ropeway up to Mount Misen for stunning sea views. There are also multiple hiking and walking trails that cut across the island affording beautiful sights.

• Enjoy the beach at Momochi Seaside Park
• Explore Fukuoka’s gastronomical delights
• See the beautiful wisterias at Kawachi Fuji Garden
• Experience serenity at Nanzoin Temple

What better way to end a 3 weeks itinerary in Japan than at the Ramen Capital of the world? On the southern side of Japan, Fukuoka is a vibrant city that also boasts beautiful coastlines, parks, shopping, and world-famous cuisine, making it the perfect place to wrap up a Japanese holiday:

• Momochi Seaside Park is a 1km stretch of beach in the city that makes for a fun and relaxing afternoon. It’s popular for swimming, beach volleyball or just enjoying a nice meal on the patio of a seaside restaurant. 
• Fukuoka is a gastronomist’s dream come true. Being closer to central Asia, its cuisine has infused elements of Chinese and Korean flavors. Go on a ramen crawl, try out a Fukuoka-style hot pot, or have some grilled yakitori (meat skewers) at a roadside yatai stall. If you’re feeling overwhelmed with options, sign up for a personalized food tour with a local guide. 
• If you happen to be in Fukuoka during spring or autumn, the Kawachi Fuji Garden is a must-do. This private garden is famous for its spectacular number of wisteria plants, especially a collection of large wisteria trees that come together to form a drooping roof of flowers.
• Nanzoin Temple is home to one of the world’s largest reclining Buddha statues – at 41m long, it’s about the same size as the Statue of Liberty. Nestled amidst the mountains, the temple is a serene spot for contemplation,

How Much Does a Trip to Japan Cost for 3 Weeks?

Japan can be expensive to visit, but the cost for a 3 week Japan trip can vary wildly depending on your budget and preferences. 

Accommodation and transport will take up most of your budget.  

We will discuss this in more detail below, but broadly speaking a bed in a hostel dorm will start at about USD 18 . 

Other factors to consider include food and attraction ticket costs. Flights and travel insurance are not included in this calculation.

• In general, for budget travelers – you should set aside at least USD 90-100 per day minimum for your trip to Japan. This would mean about USD 1890-2000 for a three week trip. 
• For mid-range travelers (a more comfortable private room or a whole Airbnb apartment; eating at some sit-down restaurants) you would be looking at about USD 175-200 per day, so USD 3675-4200 for your entire 3 week Japan itinerary. 
• The sky’s the limit if you’re looking to splurge – there are some reallyyyyy fancy luxury hotels and Michelin-star gourmet restaurants in Japan. But if you’re planning on staying in a hotel, you’ll be looking at upward of USD 350 per day, or USD 7350 for a three week trip. 

Please note that these budgets are just estimates. 

The cost might also be lower if you’re traveling as a couple or in a group, as accommodation costs may be split. 

Best Time to Visit 

Contrary to popular belief, I think Japan is worth a visit any time of the year, as each season has its pros and cons. 

• Springtime, particularly March-April, is undoubtedly the most popular time of the year to visit Japan. The cherry blossoms are out in full bloom, and the weather is lovely. 

However, this also means that prices are hiked up, and you may find many attractions crowded with tourists.

• I personally really enjoy Japan in Autumn. 

The weather is still mild for traveling, and the color of changing leaves more than makes up for the lack of blooms. It’s also less packed and cheaper than spring.

• Summers in Japan can be really hot and humid, which might make it uncomfortable (and sweaty) to travel. Late summer is also the peak typhoon season.
•  However, summer in Japan is also known for outdoor festivals – many towns have their own fireworks festivals with outdoor food and beer gardens. Summer is also the best time to go if you enjoy hiking. 
• Winter is the cheapest and quietest time of the year to visit Japan . Japan is well known for winter sports, so a Japan winter itinerary might include skiing on the northern island of Hokkaido or even smaller ski resorts closer to Tokyo. 

Also, what better way to beat the winter chill than slurping on a hot bowl of ramen and green tea?

Where to Stay In Japan

There is a wide range of accommodation available in Japan. 

Prices will vary based on location and amenities. I would recommend staying closer to central locations – it may be slightly more expensive but it’ll save you travel time and cost:

• Budget travelers can opt to stay in hostel dorms – a bed in a standard dorm in Tokyo will cost about USD 20 . 
• Mid-range travelers can opt for a private room or Airbnb apartmen t that might cost between USD 80-150
• Luxury hotels will set you back upward of USD 180 (but can go into the four figures as well)

However, if you want to experience something unique to Japan, here are a few other accommodation choices to consider:

• Ryokans are a truly traditional Japanese experience, complete with tatami mats, futons as mattresses, and yukata robes to wear. Most ryokan stays also include a full Japanese-style breakfast, and many have private onsens. 
• Capsule hotels are little pods that are just big enough for you to sleep in. They are a cheap and basic alternative, especially if you plan to be out and about the whole day. 
• Japan is home to the first robot hotel chain in the world . Yes, you read that right – this is a hotel where the receptionist, concierge, and other staff are all robots! The Hen na hotel chain has several locations all around the country. 

What to Eat In Japan

Japan is truly a food haven, with Japanese culture emphasizing fresh, high-quality produce.

It is possible to eat well in Japan on any budget:

• Japanese konbinis or convenience stores are unlike anywhere else in the world . With 50,000 convenience stores across the country, they are ubiquitous on every street and are usually open 24 hours a day (the biggest ones are 7-11, Family Mart, and Lawson’s). 

Convenience stores in Japan offer tasty and cheap food, like fried chicken, bento boxes, sandwiches, and rice balls. There’s also a dizzying array of drinks and desserts. It’s a great way to try a wide variety of Japanese food at an affordable price point. 

• For most people, our first exposure to Japanese food is from sushi. Sushi in Japan is widely available – from conveyor belt restaurants (known as kaitenzushi ) to fancy omakase restaurants where sushi is made in front of diners. Seafood and sushi in Japan are incredibly fresh no matter the budget.
• Izakayas are small Japanese bars that offer sharing plates of food and drinks. They are very popular among locals after work (think of it as the Japanese equivalent of a British pub). It’s a great way to immerse yourself in a bit of local culture.
• Japan is also well known for its beef, particularly wagyu beef.
• You can try Japanese beef in multiple ways, such as yakiniku (grilled beef slices), teppanyaki (grilled on a hot iron plate) , gyudon (beef rice bowls), in a sukiyaki (hotpot), or gyukatsu (deep-fried beef cutlets). Your 3 week Japan itinerary is not completw without trying it (unless you don’t eat meat of course!)
• There are plenty of small local restaurants in Japan, many of them seating just 10-15 people along a counter. These restaurants tend to specialize in a particular food, e.g. ramen, udon, tempura, or curry rice. Don’t be afraid to walk into a random restaurant and just try something new!

How to Get Around Japan

To make the best of this 3 week Japan itinerary, I would highly recommend getting a Japan Rail Pass. JR Passes can be used on any JR Line train in Japan and are only available for foreign tourists, and can be bought for 7, 14, or 21 days.

A 21-day JR Pass for adults costs about USD 570.

  While this might seem expensive, it is significantly cheaper than how much single-trip train rides between cities would cost otherwise. 

This is particularly important for multi-city itineraries, but the JR Pass would also cover certain train lines within cities like Tokyo. 

You must book your JR Pass online before arriving, and pick it up when you’re there. You can book it online here . 

Unique Tips You Should Know When Visiting Japan

• Many people get overwhelmed by the idea of visiting a country that speaks a foreign language. Don’t be! Apps like Google Translate or TripLingo make it easy to read signs, menus, and instructions.
• You should pre-order PocketWifi or a Japanese sim card before your trip, and arrange to pick it up at the airport upon arrival. This would ensure you have internet access as quickly as possible.
• Japanese culture frowns upon eating while walking. You’ll notice people standing outside convenience stores or food stalls, finishing their food before they leave.
• You might realize that there aren’t many rubbish bins around, yet the streets are incredibly clean. This is because Japan places a lot of emphasis on hygiene, and most people will keep their trash with them until they reach home. Be sure not to litter!
• The Japanese are an incredibly polite society, so do be mindful. Bow back when you’re bowed to, and greet everyone you meet. It’s also considered rude to talk on the phone or listen to music out loud on trains. 

Japan is an amazing country with so much to offer, and this 3 week Japan itinerary might just be the start!

Hi there. My name is Aisha. Founder and owner of Women Wandering Beyond.

Learning how to adventure and explore through the world transformed my life and helped me become a happier person.

I want to help you do the same. My female adventure travel site is dedicated to helping women travel more, step outside their comfort zone and experience wonders of the world beyond their wildest dreams!

Ladies, we are going on an adventure!

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The Perfect Japan 3 Week Itinerary: What You Need to Know

If you’re searching for the perfect Japan 3 week itinerary to help plan your trip, then STOP: you’ve found it.

Tokyo flirts with modern trends; Kyoto is steeped in history. Osaka treats you to budget eats and shopping while Fukuoka is a lesson in humble living. All these unique cities come together to form one of the most popular travel destinations in the world: Japan. 

What I find most enticing about Japan is that every region and every season gifts you with new sights and traditions! It’s impossible to see it all at one go – even if you’re lucky enough to have three weeks to do it – but this 3-week itinerary for Japan will let you sample your fair share. 

Keep in mind that this is a loose itinerary for three weeks in Japan!

You can spend longer in cities you’re interested in or mix around the order for your 3 weeks in Japan. If you’re worried about the cost of transport, the handy JR Rail Pass is a great bargain for intercity travel.

I’ve also clustered activities together on a day-to-day basis based off location, but feel free to play around with your Japan 3 week itinerary. 

How to Spend 3 Weeks in Japan

I’m lucky enough to have spent months in Japan, let me take you through the best 3 weeks in Japan itinerary for the best trip ever.

TOKYO: Day 1 – 4

With its high traffic of international flights, Tokyo is the perfect place to start . It’s also a good idea to start with the most expensive city since budgets tend to get tight near the end of trips. This way, you won’t have to worry about running out of money at the end of your Japan 3 week itinerary.

Day 1: Shibuya and Shinjuku

At the heart of Tokyo is Shibuya , the perfect first glimpse of the metropolitan. Sit at a café along Shibuya Crossing to people watch, or hop around the various malls and boutiques.

Next-door Shinjuku is another commercial district full of department stores, shopping malls, restaurants and nightlife options. You can:

Shop at Keio Mall, Mylord, LUMINE , NEWoMan, Marui, SEIBU Shinjuku PePe and more.

Meander through Shinjuku Park’s three distinct areas; the stunning Japanese Garden, manicured French Garden, sprawling English Garden and additional greenhouses. 

Kabukicho ’s famous izakaya houses are a must when it comes to night-time dining.

For bars and clubbing, drop by the LGBT+ friendly Shinjuku ni-chome .

When you’re travelling in Japan and going online,   keep your information safe  with a VPN. This way you can enjoy secure and private access to the internet. With a VPN you can connect to your country’s content (hello Netflix!) and protect your identity online. This is vital for banking to prevent others seeing what you’re doing by sending your data through a proxy so it’s masked. Sounds important hey?

Check out NordVPN for more details.

Day 2: Yanezen, Ueno Park and Asakusa

Yanezen is a charming neighbourhood with the remnants of Edo Tokyo – think cobblestone paths, numerous shrines and wooden shop fronts. I highly recommend a quick walk through Yanaka-Ginza Shopping Street and then a sweep of Nezu Shrine and its mini trail of torii gates.

Follow up with one of Tokyo’s biggest green spaces for your Japan 3 week itinerary. Ueno Park isn’t just for relaxing walks; it’s also home to Ueno Zoo, Tokyo National Museum and the Tokyo Metropolitan Museum of Art.

Continuing on the artsy, nostalgic trend, head over to Asakusa. Once the merchant hub and red-light district of Edo Tokyo, the district still features traditional styled streets and buildings. Within the area are:

Sensoji Temple in all its vermillion, tiered glory.

Nakamise Shopping Street for Japanese souvenir shopping and cheeky pictures.

Skytree Tower on the other side of Sumida River, within walking distance. The observation deck is worth visiting; you’ll come down with a camera roll full of panoramic shots!

How about staying in a capsule hotel in Tokyo while you’re there, or maybe, a maid cafe? Lots of things to think about when you’re planning a Japan trip.

Day 3: Tsukiji, Tokyo Tower, Harajuku

If you are willing to wake up early, grab some fresh sashimi rice bowls at Tsukiji Fish Market first thing. You might not be able to witness the legendary tuna auctions anymore, but the generational restaurants here are an amazing sight to see. The fish market is one of the most popular things to do in Tokyo .

Next up is Tokyo Imperial Palace , just a short walk from the iconic Tokyo Station. Explore the grounds or sign up for a guided tour so you can catch a glimpse of the Emperor’s residences.

Tokyo Tower is for those who didn’t get to go up Skytree Tower. Not only is it a shining red beacon, it’s also a great observation deck.

Other iconic Tokyo sites include Yoyogi Park and adjacent Meiji Shrine. Pray for health and fortune at the latter before leaving the leafy respite for noisy Harajuku on the other side of the tracks. Harajuku is fashion heaven! If you’re a fan of eccentric styles or simply want to experience all that Japanese fashion has to offer, this is the best shopping district there is. It’s one of the most unique places to see in Tokyo.

Day 4: Disneyland

End your Tokyo visit with a full day at Disneyland and DisneySea ! Hands down the best Disney experiences I’ve ever had, fit for both families and young-at-heart adults. When I visited it was the opening of the new Frozen parade – loved it! It’s even more bonkers than the American one, and everyone dresses up too!

KANAZAWA: Day 5 – 7

Historical and moody Kanazawa is a break from Tokyo’s modern eccentricities for your 3 weeks in Japan. Plan to arrive in Kanazawa before noon so you check off all these area attractions!

The tea house district and samurai district are Kanazawa’s gatekeepers to tradition. Beautiful wooden frame houses have been transformed into shops that sell traditional handicrafts and other cultural goodies. You can also sign up for craft making classing or tea ceremonies for that dose of cultural experience.

Take a day trip to Takayama for more historical architecture! I love walking down the narrow streets and feeling the nostalgic vibe. A must on your three weeks in Japan.

Shirakawago is another postcard-landmark – a mountain village known for its clasped palms’ thatched roofs. It’s absolutely stunning in the winter, like a world of its own.

I haven’t gone there personally, but Kaga Onsen Village is a hot-spring getaway guaranteed to rejuvenate!

OSAKA: Day 8 – 11

Osaka, while developed like Tokyo, is a lot more laidback and friendly. Enjoy the mix of historical attractions and plenty of indulgent eating. I love Osaka and have quite a few dedicated blog posts on it – see the links below.

Osaka is a definite must on any Japan 3 week itinerary.

H ow about booking a ryokan in Osaka , with a private onsen? Most of these are a train ride out of the city, and for that you’ll get some peace and tranquility after your day of sightseeing.

Day 8: Osaka Castle, Museums and the Dotonbori

Start your Osaka leg at Osaka Castle , the center-piece of Osaka’s history. Once the base of imperial rule (under the Tokugawa clan), the remaining structures include walled defenses, a moat, citadels and a beautiful main building. 

To enrich this tour experience, continue onto the Osaka Museum of History for a more detailed lesson! It’s fascinating to hear and read about the city’s transformation.

I’ve always enjoyed more interactive historical displays, which is why the Osaka Museum of Housing and Living caught my eye. It doesn’t just tell you how the streets and districts developed; there are actual street replicas and costumes so you can step back in time!

Foodie or not, Dotonbori is your next destination. Blocks of covered streets are dedicated to authentic Osakan cuisine – from Takoyaki to okonomiyaki to ramen stalls and wester-styled cafés. You can spend hours eating here.

Walk off your food baby with kilometers-long Shinsaibashi . This shopping street is nothing you’ve experienced before. Independent boutiques, thrift stores, small eateries, budget and branded buys line the covered walkways. You can shop the newest trends at reasonable prices; maybe even buy an extra suitcase for your purchases.

To round off your day, pamper yourself at Spa World . Alongside themed hot spring pools are deep massage and skin treatments. You deserve some relaxation on your 3 weeks in Japan.

Day 9: Umeda, Shinseki & a River Cruise

If you’re still experiencing shopping fever, wake up with a visit to Umeda. I like to call it the “hub of all hubs” because of how all the train lines pass through the station. Another reason is because it is a mecca of shopping malls. Yodobashi Camera is your go-to for electronics and home goods; EST, Lucua and Umeda station’s underground shopping streets are best for street wear. You may also want to hit up Umeda Sky Building for its gorgeous and unusual garden observatory.

Alternatively, Nipponbashi Denden Town is the retro persona of Osaka. Hunt down geeky merch like limited edition models and posters, or buy cheap gadgets to bring home. 

Colorful, neon-striped Shinsekai is just next door so walk over to check out its futuristic vibes. Tsutenkaku Tower , while not modern by any means, was a pop cultural hit back in the 1900s because it captured what a technological future looked like those days.

For lunch or an afternoon treat, you’ll want to be at Kuromon Market . This specialty market has been around for generations, composed of narrow walkways lined with stalls. They specialise in traditional sweets, skewers and seafood so you definitely won’t be going hungry! You can also pick up some souvenirs for people back home. There’s some great Japanese food to try here .

Given enough time, make your way to one of Japan’s oldest shrines: Sumiyoshi Taisha . Built in the 3 rd century, it shows off an elegant and unusual architecture – straight roofs, forked finials and bright red everything. Within the estate is the beautifully arched Sorihashi Bridge; it’s the setting of a legend or two. 

End your day with an Osaka River Cruise . What’s better than a light drink and nibbling on snacks as you drift past brightly illuminated landmarks?

Day 10: Universal Studios and Osaka Aquarium

Universal Studios Japan is awesome!

This full-day itinerary will bring you around rides like Space Mountain and Backdraft to the exciting Harry Potter World . Hogsmeade appears in the flesh so you can buy your wand and a butterbeer to celebrate. Then you’re welcome to head up to Hogwarts for a thrilling Hippogriff ride.

Keep in mind when you’re planning a Japan trip that the new Nintendo World has just opened here too!

If you finish early, Osaka Aquarium is just a bridge away. Explore more worlds, this time underwater, or take a spin on the Tempozan Giant Ferris Wheel . 

You can find out all the other day trips from Osaka in this blog post. And see how to have an amazing 24 hours in Osaka too, if you want it all timed.

Day 11: Visit Kobe

Aside from Tokyo, Osaka is another great base for people who like day trips.

Kyoto, Kobe and Nara are all within train’s reach – in fact, Kobe can be reached in approximately half an hour. Take the Hankyu line to this port city for a fascinating, hilly day of exploration. Some things to see and do on your three weeks in Japan include:

• Climbing up Mount Rokko for both reviews and hilltop restaurants.
• Climbing to the top of Akashi-Kaikyo Bridge.
• Or, admiring panoramic city views from Kobe Port Tower.
• Scouring Kobe Harborland for prime entertainment and shopping.
• Eating out at the historic Chinese hub of Nankin-machi.
• Visiting Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens for a dash of nature.

I spent an awesome day in Kobe , and one of the best things I did there was to eat KOBE BEEF at the Kobe Meriken Park Hotel. Honestly, if you have the money, it’s an absolute taste sensation you’ll never be able to replicate.

Just watch this video…

KYOTO: Day 12 – 14

One of the most culturally rich cities in the world, Kyoto is a must on any 3 week itinerary for Japan. You can taste its history (literally – thanks to the multitude of traditional eateries) and spend hours unravelling the stories behind its gorgeous architectures. 

Day 12: Just eat and drink your way round

Arrive in Kyoto via Hanku Express train; it’s less than an hour away from Osaka for your convenience! The Ramen Street above Kyoto JR Station is worth a visit. It features ramen from all corners of Japan, from butter-based broth to rich pork bone soup.

Make Teramachi Shopping Arcade and Nishiki Market your first downtown stops. The former is another covered shopping street with cute small shops and unique animal cafés. A few twists and turns later, you’ll find yourself at the latter – seafood restaurants call in customers while housewives shop for new kitchen tools.

Meander your way towards your first sample of Kyoto tradition at Gion district . Geishas , traditional Japanese performers and entertainers, still live within these cobble-stone streets. Brick and wood make up the shell of traditional restaurants, and a great backdrop for photos. In fact, I actually dressed up as a Geisha while I was there, and walked around. It was fun, but a tad weird by myself. The area is particularly atmospheric during sunset and evening, so make it here in time for dinner.

Day 13: all the Kyoto temples and shrines!

You’re free to visit as many temples and shrines as you can on your day in Kyoto, but I definitely recommend these legendary names:

Kiyomizu-dera Temple for its gentle, uphill trinkets street and elevated pagoda. Pray for love and success while dressed in a kimono for photoshoot purposes!

Kinkakuji , a Buddhist temple known for its gold-leaf covered building and surrounding rock garden.

Ginkakuji , another famous temple that features a serene strolling garden and “silver” pagoda.

Fushimi Inari-taisha Shrine for its fall aesthetics. A long, riveting train of vermillion torii gates trail up into the mountains for breath-taking views. 

There are lots of great day trips from Kyoto to consider for your 3 weeks in Japan too.

Day 14: Arashiyama

Set off for Arashiyama , a beautiful space just beyond the borders of central Kyoto. Togetsu-kyo Bridge acts like a portal into this “island”-like neighborhood, complete with its own set of temples. Some must-sees include:

• Bamboo Groove and its people-pulled carts.
• Tenryuji Temple for its dramatic dragon statues.
• Kameyama-koen Park is a great respite away from the crowds.
• Okochi-Sanso Villa for more outstanding mountain views and pleasant tea spot.
• Katsura Rikyu Imperial Villa for its historical worth and natural surroundings.
• Gioji Temple for those who haven’t had enough of temples yet.

Check out these facts about Japan to give you more background and context to your trip. Number 8 is a bit of a shocker, and number 9 actually!

HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA: Day 15 – 17

History isn’t all about beauty – sometimes we have to be reminded of the tragedy too when you’re planning a Japan trip. Take a trip to Hiroshima to learn about Japan’s wartime losses. To lift your spirits, follow up with a few hours at Miyajima.

Hiroshima is always a popular choice for anyone visiting Japan for 3 weeks.

Day 15: Hiroshima Peace Museum

Instead of the usual train ride, consider taking a bus into Hiroshima so you get a glimpse of Japan’s green countryside. 

Hiroshima Peace Museum & Park is an essential Japan itinerary item, if only so that we pay proper respects for those lost to war. It was built in commemoration of those who died during the bombing of Hiroshima in WWII. While its exhibitions can be unsettling, the museum is an important memorial and an even more important lesson about peace.

For more historical relics, visit the A-bomb Dome . 

I recommend taking it slow in the afternoon, perhaps going to a bathhouse and soaking away the grimness of the morning.

Day 16: Miyajima & Momijidani Park

Dedicate a day on your Japan 3 week itinerary to the beauty of tradition after your emotionally gruelling day yesterday! Itsukushima Island , or Miyajima , is home to the vibrant Itsukushima Shrine . Take a ferry over and look for its giant floating torii gate – get your cameras ready. If you’re lucky, you might even witness a traditional Japanese wedding.

Once you’re done asking for blessings and drawing your fortune, Momijidani Park , which is right below Mount Misen, is another unmissable sight. Over 200 maples cover the valley park, making for a stunning watercolour of fall. 

Next, hit up the Mount Misen Walking Trails . This slow, winding walk is best enjoyed at your own pace. There’s no hurry to reach the peak; the views will wait for you. If walking isn’t for you, take the cable car up top.

Day 17: Hiroshima Castle

More history awaits at Hiroshima Castle . Like most Japanese castles, it comes with a defensive moat and citadels around the corners. Explore the quaint estate and its attached museum to learn more about the city.

Before you leave Hiroshima, drop by Shukkeien garden for its unique ponds and bridges. There’s a traditional tea room inside so you can sit and appreciate the views. It’s especially beautiful during cherry blossom period.

If you have time to spare, quickly scour through the adjacent Art Museum . 

Set off for Kyushu to complete your Japan 3 week itinerary!

KYUSHU: Day 18 – 21

Like Kanazawa, Kyushu is a free-for-all. Located at the southwestern-most part of Japan’s main islands, it’s known for its natural attractions and historical cities. In fact, you’ll find active volcanoes, natural hot springs, interesting museums and cozy towns. 

Fukuoka is the main city of Kyushu, home to one of the largest shopping complexes in Japan: Canal City . Had enough of shopping? I suggest visiting the spiritual and quiet spaces like Dazaifu Tenmangu , Kushida Shrine and waterside Ohori Park . You can also take a ferry to Nokonoshima Island , where its sprawling park takes two to three hours to cover!

Hike up Sakurajima or Mount Aso , both active volcanoes with stunning terrain. If you want an active adventure for your 3 weeks in Japan, then give this a go.

Beppu is a coveted hot springs town – you can bask in hot springs from dawn to dusk.

For something unexpected, Huis Ten Bosch is a theme park which replicates a Dutch town. Definitely not something you’d expect to see!

To round off the list with something mystical, I present Kinrin Lake – shiver through the morning mists as you stroll around its perimeter. 

More places to visit in Japan

Hope you’ve enjoyed this 3 week itinerary for Japan. If you have even more time in Japan, or want to swap out some of the fun Japan activities I’ve suggested, then here are a few more ideas for you.

How about staying at a temple in Koyasan ? Or the Rainbow Park Summit in Fukui is one of the most impressive things I’ve ever seen in Japan. There are lots of fun things to do in Shiga , and plenty of activities around Lake Biwa too.

Seriously, you can have a lot of fun in Japan in 3 weeks, and I hope you do!

PIN THIS 3 WEEK ITINERARY for JAPAN FOR LATER

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Hi, I'm Vicky! I wrote this. You can find me on all the social media @VickyFlipFlop. I love a bit of adventure, will try anything once, and have a strong passion for the local food and drink, whatever it may be. I'm here to help inspire you to travel to places a little out of your comfort zone, or at least to explore the usual destinations in a different way. Stay, have a look around, and if you have any questions – let me know below.

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Japan 3 week itinerary for first-timers

If you’re looking for traveling to Japan, here is the Japan 3 week itinerary that will have you dreaming about it and packing your bags straight away. I went to Japan back in 2014 and it was my second international travel in life EVER! And it seems like many moons ago, but the information here is all fresh and updated every year. So you can use this itinerary for your future Japan travels.

I will also be sharing the names of the best Japanese food to try. so keep your eyes peeled! But first,

• Japan 3 week itinerary

What are the travel tips for Japan?

Buy a rail pass, book accommodations in advance, check the essential visa, download these apps now, buy insurance if you can afford, when is the best time to visit japan, japan three week itinerary, 1st week in osaka, 2nd week exploring tokyo and hakone.

• Let me know in the comments:

The most important thing that I recommend you do before you fly to Japan is to buy a Japan rail pass (JR Full Rail System Pass 7, 14 or 21 Days) or West Japan: 7-Day Railway Area Pass. If you didn’t buy beforehand at least consider buying it within the first couple of days of your arrival because this is the easiest way of getting from place A to B unless you have a car and you’re driving in Japan or catching flights everywhere.

I recommend booking accommodation in advance just to be sure of it. Check hotel prices and book it through trusted  Agoda , or  Booking.com

Check if you require the visa requirements before you go because every country has different rules and regulations that we have to follow. As an Australian passport holder, I don’t need a visa to go to Japan because basically it was on arrival visa stamp on the passport but you may need a visa depending on your passport. In a nutshell, if you are one of 68 countries with a visa exemption arrangement with Japan you can skip this process and buy your flights right away as I did.

Something that I always recommend in travel itineraries is also downloading the must-have apps before you depart your country. Such as

a. Google Maps you can also pre-downloaded, either the entire map of Japan or the places that you prefer to visit and you can actually follow that map offline as well as long as you download it beforehand.

b. Google Translate the app helps with your communication in Japan because not everybody speaks English there.

c. Hyperdia is the third app I would recommend, basically this helps to check your train schedules in Japan.

d. Navitime this app is for great to check on subway and train schedules for Tokyo and Kyoto. Even the locals use it so it’s great.

I don’t advise anything on insurance because for many years I myself traveled without any insurance but yeah if you got the money get the insurance probably will save you a lot of money if something was to go wrong.

There are four different and distinct seasons in Japan.

Spring: March till May

If you are into the cherry blossom festivals consider visiting Japan mid-March to mid-April because that is when you can get the best Instagram shots with the cherry blossom season in Japan. Although it could be crowded and accommodation would be expensive it will be worth it because that is the perfect time and weather for the cherry blossoms in Japan.

Summer: June to August

If you are not into hot weather then you shouldn’t go to Japan between June and August because that is the time when it is unbearably hot there and is the typhoon season also. So you do not necessarily want to be in Japan at this time.

Fall: September to November

If you are into autumn weather, fall time is a beautiful time to visit Japan. It is when the leaves change color and the countryside is covered in yellow-orange and red. Although it could be a little bit chilly it is mild and more enjoyable.

Winter: December to February

If you are into snowboarding, skiing, and all the other winter sports then you should visit Japan in wintertime. It is also a low season there, so the accommodation will be slightly cheaper and tourist sites will be less crowded.

Now that we got the essential visa, flights, accommodation, and travel hack out the way. Let’s focus on making this trip one to remember a lifetime!

I believe any Japan trip would be incomplete without Osaka. It is laid back city with more culture that offers tasty foods! I highly recommend going to Dotonbori which is the most famous food district in Osaka and eat the Japanese takoyaki and okonomiyaki. Other highlights in Osaka include Osaka castle UNESCO World Heritage site, Kaiyukan Aquarium, Umeda Sky Building, National Bunraku Theater, Universal Studios Japan, Universal City Walk, and Minami (Namba). Osaka Castle Park, Kemasakuranomiya Park, Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan, Nakanoshima Park and Nagai Park is a great option for some outdoor activities.

Another half of the week, if you feel like getting out of the hustle and bustle of the city, I recommend taking day trips to Mt. Gozaisho Ropeway, Nabana no Sato for Illumination and Begonia Garden, head to Kyoto by bus, or visit deer park in Nara, and try authentic wagyu beef in Kobe! (I did all 3 and loved everything about it) Although I will be recommending a few more days in Kyoto (more on that below) You can learn about traditional Japanese life and culture in these beautiful places even on a one day trip.

This 3 week Japan itinerary also includes must-see Tokyo, the capital city of the Japanese nation. Because of the difference in time zones, if you find yourself wide awake in the wee hours of the morning- Get up and head for Tsukiji Fish Market which typically opens 5-6 am!

After a breakfast of fresh sushi, head to Hama Rikyu, one of Tokyo’s oldest Japanese gardens (opens at 9 am), from which you can board a ferry for a cruise up the Sumida River to Asakusa, where you can visit Sensoji Temple and shop for souvenirs along Nakamise Dori. Afterward, see the Tokyo National Museum, the world’s finest repository of Japanese art and crafts. Then in the evening, head to Ginza for a stroll through a department store, and then try to attend a kabuki play.

Visit the Edo-Tokyo Museum for a colorful portrayal of the city’s tumultuous history, followed by a stroll through Akihabara, with store after store offering the latest computers, cellphones, cameras, and more. Next, go to Harajuku to see Meiji Shrine (it is Tokyo’s most popular shrine, and if this is your first time in Japan, you’ll see the Torii gate here), followed by shopping at Oriental Bazaar, great for Japanese souvenirs. End the day with Shibuya crossing and eye-popping views from the 45th-floor observatory in Shinjuku’s Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office, followed by a stroll through Japan’s most notorious and craziest nightlife district, Kabuki-Cho. Also, don’t miss the Hachiko statue at the Hachiko Exit outside Shibuya train station. (great story of dog and human there for you!)

I found Tokyo to be really crowded but also really inspiring! I mean they are super-advanced in technology. Just take at their toilet bowl for instance! I could choose the type of music I want to listen to, the pressure of water, volume of the songs all while minding my own business! That is taking tech to the next level! Then there are restaurants where robots will serve you and interesting dogs, cats cafes too.

Then you go a few hours outside Tokyo and you could see the traditional Japanese life with no luxury at all. That brings us to, Hakone.

The other part of the week, I recommend taking an early train to Hakone Yumoto. The gateway to the wonderful Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park (if possible, leave your luggage at Odawara or Hakone Yumoto Station and travel overnight only with a small bag). Here you can travel through some of Japan’s most scenic countryside via a circuitous route that includes a three-car streetcar, a cable car, ropeway, and a boat, while seeing such sights as the wonderful Hakone Open-Air Museum and, if you’re lucky, the elusive Mount Fuji. Be sure to schedule some time for a dip in a hot-spring bath, and spend the night in the Fujiya Hotel, one of my favorites in all of Japan, or in a Japanese inn.

Last week: visiting Kyoto

I suggest completing your Japan 3 week itinerary through Hakone, returning to pick up your luggage, and then transferring in Odawara for the 3-hour Shinkansen bullet train to Kyoto. Bus to Nijo Castle, the Golden Pavilion, and the Kyoto Imperial Palace (on Sat. Sun. & national holidays, visit Higashi Honganji Temple instead).

From the Kyoto Handicraft Centre return to Kyoto Station and then board a local bus Kiyomizu Dera Temple. From the stop walk up this attractive winding road lined with colorful souvenir and craft shops. Kiyomizu Dera is famous for its giant wooden Butai (stage) overlooking panoramic views of Kyoto and its main hall purely constructed of wood and supported by huge columns and beams without the use of a single nail, screw or bolt.

In the evening board a subway from Kyoto Station to Shijo Station and walk towards Gion which is Kyoto’s famous geisha district, one place in Japan where you may see Maiko or Geisha walking between appointments. As darkness falls watch the traditional lanterns gradually come to life as you wander down tiny alleys housing a variety of restaurants offering tempting cuisine. End the day with a stroll through Kyoto’s central shopping area, topped with a stroll through the Pontocho nightlife area.

Three weeks in Japan would not be fun without some self-guided tour. I suggest starting the day with a self-guided walk through eastern Kyoto, seeing Sanjusangendo Hall with its 1,001 wooden statues, Kiyomizu Temple, and Heian Shrine with its garden, followed by shopping at the Kyoto Handicraft Center.

Kyoto’s other main attractions include, Fushimi Inari Shrine, bamboo forest, Nijo Castle, former home of the shogun; Kyoto Imperial Palace; Ryoanji Temple with its famous Zen rock garden; and the Golden Pavilion. In the evening, head for Gion, Japan’s most famous geisha quarters, followed by an evening performance at Gion Corner with its cultural demonstrations.

Japan is well known for its polite language, delicious food, amazing history, Mt Fuji, unrivaled technology, and Samurais. But nowadays it is also becoming famous for many other things. such as Anime, Sumo, Cherry Blossoms, and Sushi which brings to the food section!

Here are some of the Japanese food that I highly recommend you try during your time in Japan.

All types of Sushi, Donburi, Octopus balls (i know it sounds weird lol) Raman noodles, Udon noodles (both cold and hot), soba noodles, wagyu beef, fish, okonomiyaki, yudofu, Unagi (eel), Kaiseki meal, Tempura (all kinds), Tamagoyaki, Onigiri, Yakitori, Ochazuke, tonkatsu and sake of course!

I hope you read all the way to the end of this Japan 3 week itinerary and it gave you an insight into what the japan travels look like!

Let me know in the comments :

• If you have any questions about Japan 3 week itinerary
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14 thoughts on “ japan 3 week itinerary for first-timers ”.

I’m now dying to visit Japan! Thank you for the tips

WOW…these photos make me want to visit Japan. This is a fantastic itinerary. Thanks for sharing!

I have always wanted to visit Japan. I love the countryside and the cities, and I’ve always been fascinated by Japanese culture.

If I ever get the chance to visit Japan I think I’ll use this exact itinerary. Japan has been on my bucket list for years, now.

Such an awesome trip because there is so much variety! I have never seen such tall bamboo!

Here then is the perfect itinerary for me that if I go to Japan I don’t know where to start xD

Thanks so much for all the great tips. Japan looks like an amazing place which is gorgeous in all seasons!

Nnniiiccceeeee….thank you for sharing the list of apps. They will definitely come in handy!

Japan has always been one of my favorite countries. I have been in Tokyo four times and Yokohama 1 time. Hope to visit Osaka, Nara and Hiroshima soon.

that looks amazing. i would love to visit japan someday

My significant other and I have always dreamed of going to Japan. It would be so beautiful!

i want to visit Japan. My aunt and uncle met when he was stationed in Japan with the U.S. Navy. You mention apps for your phones. Does that mean there’s good wifi options?

Well now you got me wanting to visit Japan. It’s a Destination that always interested me but now even more.

Awesome!!!! I so want to visit Japan. My friend lived there for 3 years teaching English. Yours tips will come in handy. Cheers

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Best Japan 3 Week Itinerary In 2024 (+Budget & Travel Tips!)

Disclaimer:  This page may contain affiliate links and I may get a small commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links, at no additional cost to you. Thank you.

Planning a Japan 3 week itinerary might seem daunting.

Maybe this is your first time travelling abroad solo for three weeks, and you have zero ideas about Japan travel .

Or maybe you are unsure how many of the 800  Japanese cities  to visit within 21 days in Japan, plus how many days should you allocate for each city.

That’s okay, I felt these too when I was planning my first trip to Japan solo and that trip was one of the best travel experiences that I had till date!

So make sure to read this Japan three week itinerary until the end to learn more about the must-explore places, must-try food, the breakdown travel budget, and valuable tips when this awesome country!

Let’s get into it!

japan travel route 3 weeks: summary

Day 1-5: Tokyo (Day trip alternatives: Mount Fuji, Hakone & Nikko)

Day 6: Nagano

Day 7: matsumoto, day 8-9: takayama.

Day 10-11: Kanazawa (Day trip alternatives: Shirakawago & Noto Peninsula)

Day 12-14: Kyoto

Day 15: Nara

Day 16: hiroshima.

Day 17: Miyajima

Day 18: Kurashiki

Day 19: himeji.

Day 20-21: Osaka (Day trip alternative: Kobe)

Travel tip: JR Pass price will increase significantly by October 2023. Make sure to buy the pass before 30 September 2023 to enjoy the current price if you are visiting Japan before 29 December 2023. The pass can be activated up to 3 months after the issue date (up to 30 days in advance!).

3 Weeks Japan Itinerary: Useful Pre-Travel Tips And Links

Here are the shortcuts to the links of useful resources for your upcoming Japan trip:

• Using JR pass to travel around Japan will be your greatest buy—easy, fast, and convenient. I used JR pass when I was in Japan and I loved how convenient it was to get to different cities!
• Get a Japan local sim card or portable WIFI router to have internet connection with you at all times. I used this eSim and I had wonderful time exploring Japan solo!
• Hotel rooms in Japan can be sold out fast especially during peak seasons. Book your Japan accommodation in advance using Booking.com .
• Accidents can happen when travelling. Make sure you are fully insured before travel to Japan.
• Save yourself some time of queuing at popular attractions and get the entrance tickets booked early instead! Here are the recommended ones: teamLab Borderless | Ghibli Studio | Tokyo Skytree |  Tokyo Tower Observatory | Tokyo Disney Resort | Universal Studio Osaka |  Nijo Castle | Abeno Harukas | Legoland Osaka | Kyoto Tower
• Other convenient travel passes : Tokyo Subway Ticket | Hakone Free Pass | Osaka Amazing Pass

Disclaimer: World Nomads provides travel insurance for travelers in over 100 countries. As an affiliate, we receive a fee when you get a quote from World Nomads using this link . We do not represent World Nomads. This is information only and not a recommendation to buy travel insurance.

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Day 1-5: Tokyo

Tokyo is the capital city of Japan —and also the most populous prefecture in the country.

A city that never sleeps, Tokyo is easily accessible thanks to its convenient and advanced public transportation systems.

Start Day 1 to Day 5 of your Japan 3 week itinerary by exploring Tokyo and its vicinity. 

Getting To Tokyo From Airports

To get to Tokyo city from Haneda Airport , take: 

1. Tokyo Monorail

• Line: Via JR Yamanote Line to Hamamatsucho Station in Tokyo
• Fare: US$5 (500 yen) one way
• Duration: 20 minutes
• Japan Rail (JR) pass : Covered 

2. Limousine Bus

• Fare: US$10 one way
• Duration: 55 minutes

3. Shared Private Transfer

• Convenient & drop off directly to your hotel!

To get to Tokyo city from Narita Airport , take: 

• Operator: JR Narita Express
• Fare: US$28 one way
• Duration: 1 hour
• Fare: US$23 one way
• Duration: 100 minutes

Travel tip: Personally I think you should use your JR Pass when you are leaving Tokyo to the next city instead of activating it right away since there are many cheaper ways to get to the city from the airport. With that you can plan a Japan 3 weeks trip by getting a 14-day JR Pass instead of the 21-day Pass and keeping your overall transportation cost lower.

I highly recommend getting to Tokyo city from airport by Limousine Bus . You can easily redeem the ticket at the counter in Narita Airport and they make multiple stops in Tokyo so you can choose the one that is nearest to your hotel!

Things To Do In Tokyo

Here are some of the major highlights in this metropolitan city that you can visit during your Japan 3 week itinerary:

• Visit Tsukiji Outer Market – Explore the local market that sells various fresh and processed seafood. You can also get the freshest sushi for breakfast here as the fish products are sent directly from Toyosu Market. 

• Watch the live tuna auction at Toyosu Market – Wake up early to participate in the live tuna market auction from the observation deck in this newly built building. You will need to apply it here at least 1 month in advance. 

Note: The old Tsukiji Inner Market (where the tourist-flock tuna auction market was in operation until 2018) has moved its base to Toyosu Market since 2019. 

• Have an Instagrammable photo-taking session at teamLab Borderless – Immerse yourself into the fascinating artistic lights and other captivating artwork exhibition in this intriguing museum. 
• Visit Sensoji Temple – Admire the intricate architecture of Tokyo’s oldest temple. You can also get some local souvenirs from Nakamise, a 200-metre shopping street within the temple compound.  
• Admire the city panoramic view at Tokyo Skytree –  Enjoy the stunning panoramic view from one of the world’s highest observation decks.
• Have a stroll at Ueno Park – If you are looking to visit Tokyo’s popular hanami (cherry blossom viewing) spot donning kimono , Ueno Park is one of the top options. This enormous park also houses several national museums.

You an introvert? Get yourself a camera tripod and take beautiful photos of yourself to your heart’s content while in Japan!

• Explore Kabukicho (Shinjuku) – Explore this neon-filled, lively entertainment district at night to experience the city nightlife. 

Note: Kabukicho is also Japan’s largest red-light district.

• Wander around Shibuya – Your Japan itinerary will not complete without a trip to the Shibuya Crossing —one of the busiest pedestrian crossings. Wander around this district featuring shopping outlets and entertainment hubs. Make your way to Hachiko Statue too, a loyal dog that waited for his demised master every day for 9 years at Shibuya Station. 

Check out my comprehensive 4 Days Tokyo Itinerary to know more in-depth about unmissable things to do in Tokyo !

• Have a drink at the maid cafe in Akihabara – If you would like to get into Japan’s manga culture, make sure to head over to Akihabara’s maid cafes where the waitresses dress up as maids or anime (Japanese animated works) characters.  
• Explore Harajuku – Harajuku is the teenage and cosplay fashion centre in Tokyo. There are 2 shrines in this district that you can visit—Meiji Shrine and Togo Shrine.
• Visit Ghibli Museum – If you are a big fan of Studio Ghibli’s films, getting to Ghibli Museum is a big must. The museum consists of a small theatre, exhibition, cafe, rooftop garden, and a souvenir shop. Any Spirited Away fan here? 

Travel tip: Save money and time by booking attractions ticket online!

• Visit local markets & fairs – Looking for less touristy things to do while in Tokyo? Tokyo has plenty of flea markets happening during the weekends and some only take place few times a year. I went to Oedo Antique Market (the largest and oldest outdoor event in Japan) and hang out with the locals scouring for 200 yen second-hand kimono, vintage items, antique Japanese books, and more!

Fun Tours & Activities In Tokyo

There are plenty of things to do in Tokyo. If you would like to opt for some extraordinary experiences while in Tokyo , consider getting any (or all!) these tours:

• Tokyo: Full-Day Private Tour
• Ramen Tasting Tour with Local Ramen Guru in Tokyo
• Shibuya & Harajuku: Hidden Gems & Highlights Private Tour
• Tokyo: Go-Kart Tour and Photoshoot

Day Trips From Tokyo (For Double The Fun!)

Here are some of the popular day-trip destinations from Tokyo:

1. Mount Fuji

Your Japan three week itinerary will not complete without a trip to Mount Fuji ! 

One of the great spots to enjoy the mesmerising view of Mount Fuji is Five Fuji Lakes . 

Note: Mount Fuji visibility is at its best during autumn and winter.  

If you want to include the stunning red pagoda in your photo with Mount Fuji as the backdrop, head over to Chureito Pagoda . 

To save yourself the hassle of planning , you can opt for this private bus tour with a local guide to Mount Fuji. 

Hakone is one of the famous day trip destinations from Tokyo. 

There are so many things to do in Hakone, including taking a dip in the hot spring , enjoying the beautiful view of the misty volcanic zone, visiting famous shrines and temples , and museum-hopping . 

Check out this detailed day trip to Hakone from Tokyo and best ryokans with private onsen in Hakone articles to learn more about things to do and where to stay in this beautiful mountainous town.

Or consider booking t his Hakone private day tou r if you prefer to explore Hakone under an experience guide!

Popular for its stunning natural splendour, Nikko is about 2-hour drive away from Tokyo .

Among the must-visit main highlights in Nikko are Kegon Falls and Ryuzu Falls .

If you can’t get enough of Japanese temple, make sure to to make your way to Toshogu Temple and Rinnoji Temple while you are at Nikko.

Sounds exciting? Consider booking this scenic Nikko day trip bus tour in your three week Japan itinerary.

Where To Stay In Tokyo : 4 Accomodation Types!

With millions of visitors travelling to Tokyo annually , there are plenty of types of accommodations available in this lively metropolitan. 

Nevertheless, it is still best to book your hotel early especially during peak seasons, such as spring and autumn. 

 Here are some recommended places to stay in Tokyo : 

• Budget: 54Journey , The Wardrobe Hostel Shibuya
• Mid-range: Pod Select Hotel Shinjuku , Toshi Center Hotel
• Luxury: Pearl Hotel Shinjuku , Hotel Risveglio Akasaka
• Ryokan: Annex Katsutaro Ryokan , Ryokan Asakusa Shigetsu

I stayed at The Global Hotel Tokyo near Shinjuku and I quite like that place. It is located near Shin Okubo Station and there are plenty of restaurants and convenience stores just located a street away from the hotel.

What To Eat In Tokyo

Of course, you can’t miss out on sushi from your to-eat-list in this capital city!

You can enjoy eating sushi at standup stalls, fish markets, conveyor belt restaurants, or even Michelin star awarded premium eateries—depending on your budget!

Kura Sushi is one of the popular places in Tokyo to have sushi.

Another food that you need to try before leaving Tokyo is none other than the slurpy, chewy noodle ramen !

This dish can be found in almost every corner of the streets in Tokyo, and there is a great variety of ramen available over here. 

If you are keen to try this soupy dish, head over to AFURI .

After spending 5 days exploring Tokyo, it is time to travel to the charming city around the mountainous Japanese Alps on Day 6 of your Japan itinerary 3 weeks —Nagano. 

Apart from being a popular destination among tourists for its natural hot spring and onsen during the cold season, there are also fascinating temples and interesting museums that you need to visit in Nagano. 

Things To Do In Nagano

Below are some of the must-do activities in Nagano during your Japan 3 week itinerary: 

• Explore Zenkoji Temple – This famous Buddhist temple is the first temple to receive a Buddhist statue in the 7th century. Spend at least 2 hours exploring the temple grounds where you get to visit some major monuments, including the Main Hall, Zenkoji History Museum, Sanmon Gate and Niomon Gate.  
• Admire Togakushi Shrines – You can visit 3 main shrines at Mount Togakushi. Each shrine is located about 2km away from each other so you can expect some hiking here, or you can opt for a bus service to get to the shrines.  

Most temples and shrines in Japan require visitors to remove their shoes before entering into the buildings.

Therefore, it is best to buy yourself a pair of lightweight slip-on shoes for convenience before visiting Japan.

• Learn more about ninja’s history at local museums – If you are intrigued with ancient Japanese ninja skills and equipment, you can head over to Togakure Ninpo Museum . Alternatively, you can visit Kids Ninja Village for some interesting ninja obstacles training. 
• Visit the snow monkeys at Jigokudani Monkey Park – Watch the wild snow monkeys playing around and soaking in the hot spring all year round. If you prefer to explore the park with a great snowy mountainous backdrop, it is best to visit the snow monkeys during winter (January to February).   Make sure to read my detailed Japan winter packing list article if you are visiting during the cold season for a pleasant travel experience!

• Soak up the Olympic vibes at the remaining Olympic Winter 1998 – These world-class sports facilities are located sparsely around Nagano city where you can reach them conveniently by bus.
• Have a stroll at Gondo Covered Shopping Arcade – If you are looking for things to do at night in Nagano, you can have a walk along Gondo Covered Shopping Arcade. You can also shop for souvenirs or try delicious local street food here. 

Guided Tours In Nagano (That Includes The Famed Monkey Park)

Here are some recommended tours you can sign up for in Nagano: 

• Nagano: Snow Monkey and Cherry Blossom Day Tour in Spring
• Nagano: Snow Monkeys, Zenkoji Temple & Sake Day Trip

Where To Stay In Nagano (For All Traveller Types!)

Here are some recommended places for a night stay at Nagano: 

• Budget: Dot Hostel Nagano , Mash Cafe & Bed Nagano 
• Mid-range: Sotetsu Fresa Inn Naganoeki Higashiguchi , Hotel JAL City Nagano
• Luxury: Chisun Grand Nagano , Kokusai 21 International Hotel
• Ryokan: Umeoka Ryokan , Oshi Ryokan

What To Eat In Nagano

• Oyaki Dumplings

Invented in Nagano, Oyaki Dumplings are the must-eat food when you are in this beautiful city. 

The dumplings are mainly made with vegetables such as pumpkin, eggplant, or radish and you can have it either steamed or fried!

You can get this delicious snack at Nagano’s Oyaki Shichifuku Inshokuten .

Basashi is a unique type of sashimi. But instead of indulging in seafood, it is prepared using horse meat ! 

If you are up for the unusual food challenge, head over to Nihommatsu for a plate of basashi. 

How To Get To Nagano

To get to Nagano from Tokyo , you can take:

• Shinkansen 
• Operator: Hokuriku Shinkansen 
• Fare: US$73 (8000 yen) one way
• Duration: 80 to 100 minutes

On Day 7 of the 3 week Japan itinerary , it is time to travel to Matsumoto —located 50 minutes away from Nagano by train. 

Home to one of the remaining original castles in Japan , Matsumoto offers a unique, harmonious blend of both historic and modern travel experiences to visitors.

Things To Do In Matsumoto

Here are some of the main highlights that you can visit in Matsumoto for a day: 

• Visit Matsumoto Castle – This ancient castle has an observation deck on its sixth floor, providing a great scenic view of the city against the backdrop of the grand Japanese Alps. 

• Explore Daio Wasabi Farm – If you are a big fan of Japanese wasabi, make sure to make your way to Daio Wasabi Farm. Remember to get your own share of wasabi ice cream before leaving the farm! 
• Enjoy Kusuma Yayoi’s colourful sculpture at City Art Museum – This art museum has a showcase of stunning artworks of the local-born artists. And one of these artists is none other than the bold-looking Kusuma Yayoi .
• Mingle with local farmers at Nakamachi Street – A former merchant district, you can visit the bustling farmers’ market from May to December. Over here, you get to see the local crops, mingling with the farmers, or even asking for a tip or two for cooking Japanese dishes. 
• Stroll along Nawate Street – A pedestrian-only street filled with cafes and local shops, you can find an interesting Shinto deities shrine in this street. Yohashira Shrine is exceptionally packed on New Year as it is believed to grant the people wishes and make them come true. 
• Fill up your bottle with the natural groundwater from the city’s wells – The locals have been drinking the well water for years. Some cafes are serving their customers with this water source too. 

Some of the wells that you can find in Matsumoto city include Genchi Well and Iori Reisui Well . 

Tap water in Japan is safe for consumption . Consider bringing a collapsible bottle when travelling to this country (save luggage space & money!)

Guided Outings In Matsumoto (With Experienced Guides!)

If you would like to delve into Matsumoto’s rich history and culture, consider signing up for:

• Private Walking Tour With Matsumoto Local Guide
• Matsumoto Soba Noodle Making With An Experienced Master

Where To Stay In Matsumoto (Spoiled for Choice!)

Here are some of the recommended places to stay in Matsumoto: 

• Budget: Couch Potato Hostel , Nawate Guesthouse
• Mid-range: Southern Cross Inn , Minka House   
• Luxury: Matsumoto Hotel Kagetsu , Iroha Grand Hotel Matsumoto
• Ryokan: Ryokan Matsukaze , Onsen Hotel Omoto  

What To Eat In Matsumoto – 3 Weeks Travel in Japan

• 1. Sanzokuyaki

Sanzokuyaki is a native dish to Matsumoto. This special fried chicken is prepared by marinating the chicken breast meat with garlic and other spices before getting deep-fried. 

You can have a taste of sanzokuyaki at Karaage Centre Matsumoto .

• 2. Shinshu Salmon

This reared salmon is among the popular foods to try when you are in Matsumoto. 

You can order this dish at any izakayas (Japanese tavern), such as Sakaba Yamazato . 

How To Get To Matsumoto

To get to Matsumoto from Nagano , you can take: 

• Operator: JR Shinano Limited Express 
• Fare: US$30 (3100 yen) one way
• Duration: 50 minutes

Located at Gifu Prefecture, Takayama is among the fascinating rural cities of Japan that you need to go to break away from the hustle and bustle of city life. 

I personally love Takayama ! I love the scenic views of the lush mountains and the overall vibe of this city. This was also where I stumbled upon an old-school restaurant ran by a lovely elderly couple and had the best Japanese curry shrimp rice! *French kiss*

Spend Day 8 and 9 of your itinerary Japan 3 weeks exploring Takayama’s old town and surrounding highlights to experience the beauty and calm side of this Japanese rural city. 

Things To Do In Takayama

Here are the main activities that you can do during your 2-day stay in Takayama in your Japan 3 week itinerary: 

• Get your breakfast at local asaichi – Start your day at Takayama by visiting the asaichi (morning markets)— Miyagawa Market and Jinya-mae Market . Over here, you get to see local fresh produce, handicraft, street foods, and snacks. 
• Enjoy sake tasting at sake breweries – Takayama is famous for the sake and you ought to visit one of the old sake breweries when you are in the city. You can easily identify a sake brewery by looking for the presence of sugidama (cedar branches made balls) at the store entrance.
• Learn more about Takayama’s history at local museums – If you are a history buff, then you must make your way to Fuji Art Gallery and Takayama Museum of History and Art . 

Some of the old artefacts that you can see here include precious paintings, brushes, and household items. 

• Temple-hopping along Higashiyama Walk Course – About a dozen temples, shrines, and Takayama Castle ruins are found within this 3.5 km long walking course. You can spend about 2 hours strolling along this peaceful trail while visiting some of the old temples, such as Hokkeji Temple. 
• Participate in the captivating Takayama Festival – Held on 14-15 April and 9-10 October annually, about 11 to 12 beautifully decorated festival floats are paraded around the Old Town and eventually stored in museums for public view. 

• Admire the delicate festival floats replica at Matsuri no Mori – This museum contains both miniature and life-sized replicates of festival floats with intricate designs that took part in the grand Takayama Festival. 
• Be blown away by real-life festival floats at Matsuri Yatai Kaikan – Some of the Takayama Festival’s festival floats are kept in this museum. The great, detailed craftsmanship shown on the floats will definitely leave you in awe. 
• Explore Hida Folk Village – This fascinating open-air museum showcases 30 traditional houses that are at least 150 years old. Get ready to be blown away by the impressive wooden architecture and the great condition of the century-old exhibits. 
• Create your own souvenir at Hida Takayama Crafts Experience Centre – To learn more about the local culture, you can also learn to make the local handicraft at Hida Takayama Crafts Experience Centre.

Travel tip: Check out my comprehensive Takayama in winter guide if you are visiting this city during the cold season!

Memorable Takayama Guided Tours

Have budget allocated for guided tours in Takayama ? Check out these best-sellers :

• Local Food Tour in Takayama
• Takayama Old Town Walking Tour
• Sake Brewery Tour in Takayama (+ Oldest Brewery!)
• Special Food Tour in Takayama
• Zen Meditation and Higashiyama Temples Walking Tour
• 3-Hour Takayama Hiking Tour
• Takayama’s Japanese Drum & Traditional Arts Show
• Hida Private E-Bike Tour with Premium Lunch and Farm Experience

Where To Stay In Takayama

Here are some places that you can consider staying at during your Takayama visit : 

• Budget: K’s House Takayama Oasis , Cup of Tea
• Mid-range: Spa Hotel Alpina Hida Takayama , Country Hotel Takayama
• Luxury: Wat Hotel & Spa Hida Takayama , Takayama Green Hotel
• Ryokan: Oyado Koto No Yume , Hidatakayama Futarishizuka , Ryokan Asunaro

I stayed at Country Hotel Takayama . The hotel is just located opposite Nohi Terminal Bus Station, which is just next to Takayama Station.

The room has an old-school design and I feel comfortable throughout my stay. The room comes with a mini bath tub too so you can bring along some bath bombs !

If you prefer to enjoy a relaxing dip alone or have a more intimate experience with your loved one, consider book one of the best Takayama ryokans with private onsen !

What To Eat In Takayama

• 1. Mitarashi Dango

This local traditional savoury snack made from mashed rice balls is first grilled and glazed with sauces, such as sesame or soy sauce. 

One of the best places to get Mitarashi Dango in this city is Jinya Dango . 

• 2. Hida Beef Sushi

Raised in Gifu prefecture, Hida beef is one of the top premium wagyu beef choices in Japan. 

Check out Sakaguchiya for a sushi beef treat in Takayama!

How To Get To Takayama

To get to Takayama from Matsumoto , you can take: 

• Operator: Nohi Bus 
• Fare: US$32 (3500 yen) one way
• Duration: 2.5 hours
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Day 10-11: Kanazawa

Next, spend Day 10 and 11 of your 3 weeks itinerary in Japan exploring another charming cultural city of the country— Kanazawa.

Highlights ranging from beautiful gardens, ancient samurai residences, contemporary art museums to scrumptious local food , be prepared to experience another mesmerising part of Japan in Kanazawa. 

Things To Do In Kanazawa

To fully make use of your time in Kanazawa during Japan 3-week itinerary, here is the list of recommended things to do: 

• Have a nice walk around Kenrokuen Garden – This tranquil garden is one of the country’s most beautiful landscape gardens . If you are looking to enjoy the cherry blossom and autumn foliage, Kenrokuen Garden is the place that you need to be at. 

• Explore Seisonkaku Villa – Head over to one of the few remaining well-preserved samurai villas in the country and admire the ancient building structure and interior design.
• Immerse yourself into the enchanting streets of Higashi Chaya District – Wander around this famous geisha district in kimono and visit the old teahouses to learn more about geisha performance and tea ceremonies. 

Not a big fan of your mobile phone battery running low , especially when you are trying to capture all those travel memories in Japan?

Well, make sure to include a portable charger into your Japan travel planner list!

• Enjoy local delicacies at Omicho Market – Fill up your tummy with food made from the freshest seafood that you can get from this century-old local market. 
• Learn more about samurai’s lifestyle in Nagamachi Samurai District – Spend some time exploring this former samurai district where few museums showcase the historic samurai residence and their precious exhibits. 
• Explore 21st Century Museum – Bombard your IG account with the intrigued Leandro Erlich’s “Swimming Pool” and the interesting architecture of the 21st Century Museum. 

Travel tip: You can buy One Day Pass from the Tourist Information Centre for US$8 (800 yen) to ride the Kanazawa Loop Bus and other buses for unlimited bus rides within one calendar day.

Consists of Right Loop and Left Loop, the buses will stop at Kanazawa’s main attraction sites and run at every 15 minutes intervals.

Guided Activities In Kanazawa (To Have A Blast!)

Want to explore Kanazawa to the fullest ? Check out these amazing tours:

• Kanazawa Full Day Tour (With Guide)
• Kanazawa Cultural Night Walking Tour
• Izakaya Hop Tour at Kanazawa

Day Trips From Kanazawa : 2 Awesome Options

It is also possible to have a day trip to Shirakawago or Noto Peninsula from Kanazawa on Day 11 of this 3 weeks Japan itinerary.

1. Shirakawago

Shirakawago is a tourist-flocking UNESCO World Heritage site attributed to the traditional farmhouses called gassho-zukuri . Some of these farmhouses are at least 350 years old . 

Apart from observing the unique, sturdy architecture of gassho-zukuri, you can also admire the mesmerising remote mountainous scenery. 

You can sign up for this Shirakawago day trip from Kanazawa where transportation and an English speaking guide are included—which means more relaxing time and less stress planning!

2. Noto Peninsula

If you would like to enjoy the coastal view , then it is recommended to have a day trip to the Noto Peninsula . This less touristy site of Japan offers an interesting glimpse into a slower pace of rural resident life. 

Some of the things that you can do in the Noto Peninsula are having an onsen session while looking out on the blue sea, besides experiencing the magnificent view of rice fields during sunset. 

You can sign up for this underrated Noto Peninsula Full Day Driving Tour (Private) that includes stops at several other major highlights in this picturesque peninsula. 

Where To Stay In Kanazawa

Here are some recommended accommodations in Kanazawa that you can consider in your Japan 3 week itinerary: 

• Budget: HOTEL MYSTAYS , Shaq Bighouse
• Mid-range: Hotel Intergate , Tokyu Stay Kanazawa
• Luxury: Kanazawa Sainoniwa Hotel , Mitsui Garden Hotel
• Ryokan: Sumiyoshiya , Hatori

Travel tip: Check out my article on the best onsen ryokan in Kanazawa to stay at to experience the traditional Japanese hospitality and enjoy relaxing onsen dip !

What To Eat In Kanazawa

• 1. Kabura Zushi

Kabura Zushi is made from a salted turnip, salted buri (yellowtail fish), and koji (fermented rice) . Some even come with carrot slices. 

Among all the stalls in Kanazawa, Shijimaya Honpo is the place that you should go for a piece or more of Kabura Zushi!

This signature dish of Kanazawa is a thick, brothy soy-based dish cooked with sliced duck meat, mushroom, and carrots and topped with wasabi for additional flavours. Can you imagine the richness of the dish already? 

To have the authentic taste of Jibuni , make sure to head over to Yoshihisa .

How To Get To Kanazawa

To get to Kanazawa from Takayama , you can take: 

• Operator: Limited express trains and shinkansen  
• Fare: US$60 (6500 yen) one way
• Duration: 2 hours (Change station at Toyama)

Day 12-14 of japan itinerary 21 days: Kyoto

Your Japan 3 week itinerary will not be complete without a trip to Kyoto , a fascinating city filled with ancient temples, beautiful shrines, and picturesque scenic views of nature. 

Make sure you rest your legs well because there is lots of walking and sightseeing involved from Day 12 to 14 when exploring Kyoto! 

Things To Do In Kyoto

Kyoto is home to 1600 ancient temples so you can expect some popular temple-hopping within three days. 

For a more in-depth post on how to navigate around this beautiful city wearing kimono , places to visit, and useful tips when exploring Kyoto, you can check out this comprehensive Kyoto 2-day itinerary . 

Here are the major highlights to visit in Kyoto: 

• Visit Kitano Tenmangu Shrine – This ancient wooden shrine is popular among students particularly during the examination period as this famous landmark is dedicated to Shinto God for education.

If you are visiting Kitano Tenmangu Shrine on the 25th of every month , you will get to experience the local flea market known as Tenjin San’s festival too! 

• Marvel at Kinkaku-ji and Ginkaku-ji – These two stunning temples are among the few temples that you need to visit in Kyoto.

Apart from having impressive building architecture, you can wander around their respective lovely gardens to enjoy the beautiful view and have a peaceful zen moment. 

• Explore Fushimi Inari Shrine – Get your phone ready by taking countless pictures with the orange torii gates at one of the Instagrammable places in Kyoto . 

Travel tip: Make sure to wear non-slippery shoes if you plan to hike up to the summit of Mt Inari. I slipped and fell and hurt my right knee quite bad 🥺

• Wander around Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – Expect to spend 30 minutes in this dreamy bamboo forest in Kyoto for photo taking and complete the walking trail.   
• Explore Nijo Castle – Walk around Nijo Castle’s complex grounds and admire the stunning architecture of Karamon Gate.

If you can’t get enough of Japanese gardens, you will be delighted to know that Nijo Castle has two gardens that offer lovely scenic views of trees and ponds. 

• Geisha spotting at Gion District – Gion is the one place in Kyoto that you need to head over to meet a geisha. To increase the geisha spotting probability, make sure you are in Gion by 5.45 pm. This is the time where geisha will be leaving their home to local tea houses for work. 

Popular Kyoto Food Tours or Cooking Classes To Fill Your Day

One of the best way to immerse into the local culture is through food , either by eating or learning how to cook it.

Check out these interesting Kyoto food tours & cooking classes:

• Nishiki Market Food Tour
• Pontocho Evening Food Tour
• Morning Japanese Bento Cooking Class at Kyoto
• Kyoto Japanese Izakaya Cooking Class
• Kyoto Tea Ceremony Experience

If cooking isn’t is your thing, here are other fun tours that you can sign up in Kyoto:

• Top 11 Kyoto Photography Tours In 2023 (+ Real Reviews!)
• Best 12 Bike Tours In Kyoto In 2023 (+E-Bike Options!)
• Top 8 Kyoto Sake Tours (Unique Cultural Insight!) In 2023

Where To Stay In Kyoto

It is best to stay near Kyoto Station or Gion District when in Kyoto. These areas are within walking distance to the major highlights mentioned in this article. 

 Here are some of the accommodation options located near Kyoto Station for your Japan 3 week itinerary:

• Budget: M’s Hotel Kyoto Station Taruya , Hotel IL Verde Kyoto
• Mid-range: Mercure Kyoto Station , Sakura Terrace
• Luxury: Hotel Takasegawa , Hotel Kanra Kyoto
• Ryokan: Daiya Ryokan , Ohanabo

Travel tip: Read my detailed article on the best ryokan with private onsen in Kyoto if you want privacy when dipping in your private hotspring tub!

What To Eat In Kyoto

1. Kaiseki 

Kaiseki strives for perfect and elegant food presentation and offers a Japanese fine dining experience with multiple small dishes served across a meal. 

If you would like to opt for an affordable kaiseki meal in Kyoto, make sure you visit Kawamura Ryori Hei . 

In Kyoto, wagashi is usually paired with a cup of thick matcha tea to balance the tea bitterness. 

To enjoy the wagashi-matcha tea session with a beautiful garden view, you will need to visit Toraya Karyo Ichijo .

Tip: If you are keen to try out delectable Japanese snacks , check out my comprehensive article on top snacks in Japan and where to get them!

How To Get To Kyoto

To get to Kyoto from Kanazawa , you can take: 

• Operator: JR Thunderbird Limited Express train
• Fare: US$64 (7000 yen) one way
• Duration: 2 hours 
• Japan Rail (JR) pass : Covered  

On Day 15 of the Japan 3 week itinerary, it is time to visit one of the most romantic places in Japan —Nara!

I think most of us think of those free-roaming wild deer when Nara is mentioned. 

Nevertheless, you will find that there are stunning temples and shrines to explore in this ancient city, besides offering impressive sights of cherry blossoms and autumn foliage at local parks and Japanese gardens. 

To know more things to do in Nara, how to navigate around, and local food to try, you can read on my jam-packed Day Trip to Nara Itinerary .  

How To Get To Nara

To get to Nara from Kyoto , you can take: 

• Operator: Miyakoji Rapid Train (JR Nara Line) and limited express train (Kintetsu Kyoto Line)
• Fare: US$7 (720 yen) vs US$11 (1160 yen) one way
• Duration: 45 minutes vs 35 minutes
• Japan Rail (JR) pass : Covered for JR Nara Line

It is time to move on to Hiroshima on Day 16 of the Japan 3 week itinerary.  

Exploring Hiroshima will bring a sense of new hope and great resilience to any visitors.

This historic city was once in severe ruins due to the World War II atomic bombing that took place more than 70 years ago. 

Things To Do In Hiroshima

Here are some of the main highlights to visit in Hiroshima during your Japan 3 weeks itinerary: 

• Visit Peace Memorial Museum – Over here you will get to see the chronology of the bombing and the devastating effect of this significant event on the city and human lives back in 1945. Some of the exhibits and recordings from the atomic bomb survivors might be upsetting to the visitors.   I thought I won’t be crying. I was wrong 🙁
• Visit A-Bomb Dome (Peace Hiroshima Memorial) – This UNESCO World Heritage site serves as a strong reminder about the destructiveness of atomic weapons. This dome is one of the remaining buildings that were still standing after the eventful incident.

• Visit Cenotaph for the A-Bomb Victims – This arched monument serves as the tomb for the demised atomic bomb victims. You can find more than two hundred thousand victim’s names on the register of the chest stone beneath the arch.  
• Have a stroll at Shukkeien Garden – If you can’t get enough of another tranquil Japanese landscape garden, you will have to make your way to Shukkeien Garden. Tea houses are built around the pond allowing visitors to admire the calm, serene view that this unique garden offers.  
• Enjoy the stunning city view at Hiroshima Castle – Hiroshima Castle was recently rebuilt as it was thoroughly destroyed during World War II. You can enjoy the scenic panoramic city view from the castle’s top floor. 

Travel tip: Do you know there is tram service in Hiroshima? I didn’t board any tram since I walked to most of the attraction sites but the tram is definitely a unique sight and poses a great photo opportunity!

Unmissable Tours In Hiroshima

Here are some sought-after tours in Hiroshima that you can check out: 

• Cycling Peace Tour In Hiroshima
• Hiroshima Bar-Hopping Food Tour
• Mt. Futaba & Hiroshima History Morning Hiking Tour
• Full Day Hiroshima/Miyajima Guided Tour

Where To Stay In Hiroshima

Here are the recommended accommodations in Hiroshima during your Japan 3 week visit: 

• Budget: Sejour Inn Capsule , WeBase Hiroshima
• Mid-range: Daiwa Roynet Hotel Hiroshima , Mielparque Hiroshima
• Luxury: Hilton Hiroshima , Y-HOTEL
• Ryokan: Tenryu Ryokan , Kasuga Ryokan

What To Eat In Hiroshima

• Hiroshima Okonomiyaki

This savoury dish is native to Hiroshima. It might look similar to Osaka’s version of okonomiyaki but with 2 major differences.

Instead of mixing all the raw ingredients in a batter, the ingredients are fried in layers . Plus, you can find yakisoba noodles in Hiroshima Okonomiyaki .

Of course, you will need to head over to Okonomimura Building to enjoy this local delicacy!

Instead of being served in a hot bowl of soup, Tsukemen is the dry version of ramen .

The noodle is eaten with a spicy dipping sauce on another bowl and you get to choose your preferred spiciness level. 

Bakudanya is the place that you need to visit for a bowl of Tsukemen in Hiroshima. 

How To Get To Hiroshima

To get to Hiroshima from Kyoto , you can take:

• Operator: JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen
• Fare: US$100 (11000 yen) for Hikari, Kodama, Sakura trains vs US$105 (11500 yen) for Nozomi train
• Duration: 2 hours (Indirect) vs 95 minutes (Direct)
• Japan Rail (JR) pass : Covered only for Hikari, Kodama and Sakura trains

Day 17 of japan trip 3 weeks: Miyajima

Make your way to this small yet fascinating island, Miyajima, on Day 17 of Japan 3-week itinerary.

Apart from being one of the IG-famous areas in Japan attributed to the giant floating torii gate, Miyajima has several historical highlights to boast to fellow visitors too—not to forget its local appetising cuisine!

Things To Do In Miyajima

These are the popular places to visit in Miyajima:

• Visit Itsukushima Shrine and its floating torii gate – Head over to this century-old Shinto shrine and visit its famous torii gate. Remember to check on the sea tides timing if you plan to admire the torii gate up close.

• Enjoy the high-up view at Mount Misen – Hike up to the highest mountain in Miyajima to enjoy the magnificent view of the sea and part of Hiroshima. If you are not into hiking, you can also board the ropeway to get to the observation platform for the sea view. 

Visiting Japan in summer? Get yourself a pair of sunglasses to protect your eyes from the strong sunlight (not to mention a cool prop to have for photoshooting!)

• Explore Daisho-in Temple – Make your way to one of the important Buddhist temples in the country. You can perform an easy Buddhist ritual by turning the inscription-filled wheels when walking up the stairs. 
• Admire the wooden structure of Senjokaku Hall – Admire the ancient wooden architecture of 400-year old Senjokaku Hall. Its five-storey pagoda is even more stunning, with at least 600 years of history. If you love looking at centuries-old monuments, you will need to visit Senjokaku.  

Fun-Filled Guided Activities in Miyajima

Looking to spice up your Miyajima travel experience ? Consider booking these activities:

• Itsukushima Shrine Sea Kayaking Experience
• Oyster Farm and Itsukushima Shrine Visit
• Miyajima Rickshaw Tour
• Miyajima Cultural Experience Workshop

Where To Stay In Miyajima

You can choose to have a day trip to Miyajima from Hiroshima or stay for a night on this beautiful shrine island to experience its peaceful nightlife. 

Here are some recommended places to stay in Miyajima in your Japan 3 week itinerary: 

• Budget: Miyajima Guest House Mikuniya
• Mid-range: OUCHI HOTEL Miyajimaguchi
• Luxury: Aki Grand Hotel & Spa
• Ryokan: Sakuraya , Kikunoya

Travel tip: If you are interested in watching the dazzling daily illumination of Itsukushima Shrine from a boat cruise, approach your ryokan for reservation. Alternatively, you can enjoy the view by having an evening walking along the trails.  

What To Eat In Miyajima

This saltwater eel is one of the seafood that you need to try in Hiroshima. It is usually grilled and served with rice (anago-meshi) and soy sauce. 

You can get a bowl of freshly prepared anago-meshi at this traditional restaurant, Ueno . 

Oysters are a big deal in Miyajima. Thanks to the many oyster farms on this island, you can see stalls selling grilled, fried, or fresh oysters literally everywhere. 

One of the best places in Miyajima to get your hands on oyster meals is Yakigaki No Hayashi .

How To Get To Miyajima

To get to Miyajima from Hiroshima (pier nearby A-Bomb Dome), you can board: 

• Operator: Aqua Net 
• Fare: US$33 (3600 yen) two-way
• Duration: 45 minutes

It is time to travel to Kurashiki on Day 18 of your Japan 3-week itinerary. 

This hidden gem is characterised by the presence of white walls of the traditional houses and a row of gracefully flowing willow trees lining along the canal that has been built since the Edo Period.  

If you prefer to explore less touristy yet highly cultural places in Japan, you will be glad to include Kurashiki in your Japan itinerary. 

Things To Do In Kurashiki

Here are the main attractions in Kurashiki: 

• Have a boat cruise along Kurashiki River – This iconic landmark of Kurashiki is unmissable. You can enjoy a traditional wooden boat cruise along the river with a picturesque view of willow trees and traditional residences. Head over to the Kurashikikan Tourist Information Service to get the boat ticket. 

• Admire magnificent artworks at Ohara Museum of Art – Being the first Western art museum in the country, you will get to see numerous priceless European artworks including Picasso’s.

You can easily distinguish this extraordinary museum from other buildings by looking at its cross-culture architecture between Grecian and Japanese styles.  

• Museum-hopping around the city – Depending on your preference, there are lots of museums to visit in Kurashiki exhibiting different and unique items, such as rural Japanese toys, prehistoric artefacts, and folk crafts.
• Get your sake dose at century-old Jizake Dotemori – Head over to this historical liquor store specialising in sake and beer in Kurashiki since the 1920s. 
• Explore Kurashiki Ivy Square – Visit Japan’s first cotton mill in this square. You can also visit the Kurabo Museum that maps out the mill history and related artefacts that are collected over the years since 1888.
• Denim shopping at Kojima Jeans Street – Explore Japan’s jeans capital birthplace for some jeans related apparel shopping—even international designers visit this place to get a piece of the denim too! 

Tip: If you are keen to design your own pair of jeans , consider getting this one-of-a-kind Jeans Making Workshop at Kurashiki.

Where To Stay In Kurashiki

Here are some recommended places to stay in Kurashiki during your 3 week trip to itinerary: 

• Budget: Hostel Cuore Kurashiki
• Mid-range: Green Rich Hotel Kurashiki  
• Luxury: Kurashiki Royal Art Hotel

How To Get To Kurashiki

To get to Kurashiki from Hiroshima , you can board:

• Shinkansen and transfer to the local train
• Operator: JR Tokaido/Sanyo Shinkansen & Sanyo Line 
• Fare: US$79 (8650 yen) & US$3 (330 yen)
• Duration: 1.5 hours & 20 minutes 
• Japan Rail (JR) pass : Covered only for Sakura trains

The 3 week Japan trip itinerary has almost come to an end. Spend Day 19 at Himeji! 

Himeji is home to UNESCO site Himeji Castle , a spectacular 400-year old Japanese castle that survived any natural or man-made catastrophes. 

Nevertheless, there is more to this city than the beautiful white castle—including breathtaking scenic views of mountains and scrumptious dishes that are native to Himeji.

Things To Do In Himeji

Here are several main highlights in Himeji that you can include in your 3 weeks Japan itinerary: 

• Explore Himeji Castle – Admire this White Heron Castle’s ancient architecture and interior design. You can also enjoy the beautiful panoramic view of the city from the top floor of one of the most celebrated castles in Japan. If you are looking for a great hanami spot, Himeji Castle is going to be your best bet. 

• Have a stroll in Kokoen Garden while enjoying the garden view – Have a stroll in Kokoen Garden located next to Himeji Castle. You can also enjoy having a tea session in one of the garden’s teahouses while admiring the view of the trees, flowers, and the fish pond. 
• Wander around picturesque Mount Shosha – You can visit some of the historical, intricate wooden temple halls such as Maniden (Engyoji Temple) and Mitsuno Do in Mount Shosha.

If the Mitsuno Do halls look familiar to you, that’s because Mount Shosha is a famous shooting location for both local and international films—The Last Samurai was shot over here too!

• Museum-hopping at Himeji – If spending time inside a museum admiring the artist’s artworks and unusual collection is more like your thing, head over to Himeji City Museum of Art and Japan Toy Museum. The toy museum has an impressive collection of over ninety thousand toys. 

Where To Stay In Himeji

Here are some recommended places to stay in Himeji:  

• Budget: T abist CapsuleHotel APODS , Shironoshita Guesthouse 
• Mid-range: Richmond Hotel Himeji , Daiwa Roynet Hotel Himeji
• Luxury: Hotel Monterey Himeji , Hotel Nikko Himeji

What To Eat In Himeji

1. Chanpoyaki

Chanpoyaki is Himeji’s version of okonomiyaki . 

The base ingredients of this local dish are yakisoba and yaki udon . It is cooked with soy sauce before topped with a generous amount of spring onion on the dish. 

You can head over to Tonton to try on this unique version of okonomiyaki. 

2. Takoyaki 

Himeji also has its own version of takoyaki .

Apart from drizzling the sauce on the takoyaki, you will be given a bowl of dashi soup too to dip on! 

To get a taste of this unique dish, head over to Himeji Tacopy located inside Himeji Grand Festa.

How To Get To Himeji

To get to Himeji from Hiroshima , you can take: 

• Operator: JR Sanyo Shinkansen
• Japan Rail (JR) pass : Covered only for Kodama and Sakura trains

Day 20-21: Osaka

Spend Day 20 and 21 of your Japan itinerary at this dazzling, neon light-filled metropolitan city—Osaka! 

A modern city that has its own charm, Osaka boasts its ancient historical monuments, appetising local cuisines, vibrant nightlife, and friendly locals —making it a must-visit city for any first-time international visitor.

Since there are plenty of things to do at night in Osaka , you won’t be having a boring travel experience over here!

Things To Do In Osaka

To know more in-depth about things to do and navigating around the city, you can check out my detailed 1 Day Itinerary Osaka . 

Here are the popular sites to visit in Osaka: 

• Explore Osaka Castle – Learn more about this ancient castle’s history where it was first built in 1583. It is also a popular hanami spot in Osaka. 

• Admire the panoramic city view at Abeno Harukas – Enjoy the unobstructed panoramic view of this megalopolitan city at the top of the tallest skyscraper in the country. 
• Visit Shitennoji Temple – Explore one of the oldest temples in Japan and admire the beautiful traditional temple architecture. 

Get yourself pocket Wi-Fi so you can upload those stunning Instagrammable shots of Japan onto your social media accounts instantly! Personally, I used this eSim and the connection was fast and stable throughout my Japan trip.

• Have a feast at Kuromon Market – Immerse yourself into the local culture by trying out the scrumptious street foods and delicacies sold by local vendors in Kuromon Market. 
• Explore Shinsekai – One of the best places to enjoy cheap kushikatsu and beer in Osaka. You can also visit Tsutenkaku Tower to enjoy the city view from another different angle.  
• Wander around Amerika-Mura – Check out Osaka youth’s fashion culture and apparel in this youth-inspired shopping district .
• Experience the nightlife at Dotonbori – This is where you get to see the IG-famous neon-lighted Glico Running Man in Osaka! Make sure you fill your tummy with the mouth-watering Japanese cuisine in Dotonbori before concluding your Japan itinerary. 

Guided Cultural & Food Tours In Osaka

If you would like to explore Osaka with the help of friendly knowledgeable local guides , consider signing up:

• Osaka Walking Tour
• Osaka Instagrammable Food Tour
• Shinsekai Food Tour
• Osaka Backstreet Night Tour
• Eat, Drink, Cycle: Osaka Food and Bike Tour

Day Trip From Osaka

Kobe is a popular day trip options from Osaka. Home to one of the largest sake producers in Japan, be sure to make your way to Kikumasamune Sake Museum in Kobe.

Other main highlights include Mount Rokko, Kobe Harborland, Ikuta Shrine , and Hanshin Snack Park .

Where To Stay In Osaka

Here are some recommended accommodation places to stay in Osaka:

• Budget: Hotel Atarayo Osaka , The Stay Osaka Shinsaibashi
• Mid-range: Grids Premium Hotel , Hotel The Flag , Toyoko Inn Osaka
• Luxury: Swissotel Nankai Osaka , Courtyard by Marriott Shin-Osaka Station
• Ryokan: Imazato Ryokan , Hotel Yu Shu

If you prefer to enjoy a relaxing dip alone or have a more intimate experience with your loved one, consider book one of the Best Osaka Ryokan With Private Onsen !

Toyoko Inn Osaka is probably my favourite hotel in this 3 weeks in Japan itinerary. The room is clean and comes with a bath tub! There are several restaurants nearby and it is located near the subway station. And the breakfast is great too. Can’t recommend this place enough!

What To Eat In Osaka

1. Kushikatsu

Kushikatsu is the local’s favourite skewered deep-fried food . There are different types of kushikatsu options available, such as prawns, mushrooms, or even strawberries!

To get your fair share of kushikatsu in Osaka, head over to Kushikatsu Daruma .

Fugu or Japanese blowfish is one of the top dishes that you need to try in Osaka.

Only prepared by a licensed fugu chef, you can enjoy fugu as sashimi or being deep-fried or grilled. 

Guepin Fugu is the place that you need to visit for a fugu delicacy in this bustling city. 

How To Get To Osaka

To get to Osaka from Himeji , you can take: 

• Duration: 30 minutes
• Japan Rail (JR) pass : Covered only for Hikari, Kodama, and Sakura trains (Not Nozomi)

So here you go—an exciting city-hopping across the country and a fun-filled Japan 3-week itinerary! 

On the next day, you can choose to fly out of the country from Osaka’s international airports or board a shinkansen to Tokyo’s airport instead. 

Budget For 3 weeks in Japan: The Breakdown

There is no doubt that Japan is among the most expensive South Asian countries to travel around. 

Nevertheless, you can still travel to Japan with a minimal or mid-range budget—provided that you have done the price comparison and pre-book the accommodation and train tickets before reaching Japan. 

Here is the estimated average daily budget for low budget, mid-range, and luxury travellers for 21 days in Japan:

Note: All the estimated prices are in USD currency and for 1 person expenditure only. The figures shown do not include flight tickets, souvenirs, and other miscellaneous spending. 

Accommodation

You can find a hostel for as low as US$20 per night in a smaller city or rural town or U S$45 per night in a metropolitan city such as Tokyo. 

If having a good night sleep is what you prefer when travelling, you can easily find a mid-range budget private room for about US$70 to US$90 per night . 

For better hotel amenities with bigger room space, expect to spend at least US$150 per night . 

You can also get a futon bed at the Japanese styled inn or ryokan , for as low as $45 per night to a whopping US$500 per night. Most of the ryokans offer breakfast and dinner to their guests. 

Note: To check on the different types of accommodation that suit your travel budget, you can surf Booking.com . 

Alternatively, you can also opt for shukubo (temple lodgings) where you get to stay at the temple ground and experience the simple life of Buddhist practitioners. 

Typically, a night at shukubo will cost around US$60 to US$100 . 

Transportation

One of the money-saving travel passes you need to get for your Japan 3-week itinerary is the JR pass .

JR pass allows international visitors to travel between cities at a shorter time interval by boarding shinkansen—which means more time to cover the visiting areas!

Note: The pass is also valid on JR buses and JR ferries. 

To put your mind at ease, you can book the pass before flying into the country and get it directly at the JR Rail Office once you land. 

Allocate another US$100 for other modes of transportation such as public buses and subways . 

Japan is a food haven even if you are not a foodie. 

If you plan to indulge in the local cuisine without breaking the bank, you can visit the local food markets and neighbourhood restaurants . 

A serving of takoyaki is typically sold at US$5 whereas a bowl of ramen will cost about US$9 . 

Of course, you can splurge on trying premium food such as Kobe beef or for the great ambience in a fancy restaurant during your 3 weeks Japan visit. 

As such, expect to fork out at least US$200 in exchange for the unique dining experience. 

Activities and Entrance Fees

If you are on a low travel budget exploring Japan, you can visit the free entrance attractions such as temples, museums, and gardens . 

But if you want to delve into the fascinating Japanese culture and history through local guided tours throughout your 3 week in Japan trip, consider allocating at least US$250 .

Best Time To Visit Japan

Japan has 4 seasons, offering distinct and unique travel experiences to visitors. 

Each season has its pros and cons . Depending on your travel budget and individual preference, you can refer to the season guide below before planning a trip to Japan: 

Spring (March to May)

If you plan to admire the beautiful pink blossoms of cherry trees while exploring Japan, you will need to visit the country in the spring season. 

However, Japan’s travel in this season is also the busiest and the most expensive month to be. 

Most of the accommodations will be fully booked and some popular hanami spots will be overcrowded with local and international tourists too. 

Summer (June to August)

Summer in Japan is hot and humid, not to forget it is a rainy season too. 

Typhoons are also prevalent in the summer. 

If you prefer to visit the major attractions with lesser crowds , you can consider travelling to Japan in the summer. 

Autumn (September to November)

Another stunning and peak season to visit Japan is during the autumn —to watch the mesmerising fall foliage with the bright red, orangey maple leaves view spanning across the street or park. 

So get your room and entrance tickets booked (to save yourself time from queuing) in advance before visiting Japan. 

Winter (December to February)

Winter is the least touristy season in Japan due to its low temperature and cold weather. 

Accommodation is also the cheapest in winter and you get to visit the major attraction places without large crowds. 

Remember to have a fantastic onsen session at a local ryokan or public onsen during this chilly season in Japan.

Travel tip: Winter travel is not for everyone, especially if you have low cold tolerance. Make sure to read my helpful Japan Winter Packing List post so you know what items to bring (plus handy tips!) when visiting Japan in winter.

5 Unique Tips You Should Know When Visiting Japan

1. language  .

Japan’s official language is Japanese . Most Japanese people do not speak fluent English. 

To be safe, read on my best apps for travel to Japan article to learn which translation apps to download before visiting Japan.

2. Internet Connectivity 

Getting a local SIM card might come in handy when you need Google Translate or looking for directions to explore outside of the city. 

Alternatively, you can rent a portable wifi device that can be connected to up to 5 mobile phones at the same time—a better option if you are travelling to Japan in a group of people. 

If you are travelling solo, getting an eSim might be more budget friendly. I used this eSim and I had wonderful time exploring Japan alone!

3. Travel Adapter  

The type of sockets you can find in Japan are Type A & B .

So, make sure to bring along a universal adapter before visiting Japan.

If you forget to bring one, you can easily buy a universal adapter at the electronic stores.

4. Crowdedness At Popular Attraction Sites

Brace yourself to explore some of Japan’s famous iconic landmarks with hundreds of tourists flocking to the same place. 

If you would like to skip the crowd , you can plan your visit either in the early morning or late evening. 

And even better, book the entrance tickets online in advance to skip the queue and get a better bargain!

You can book the attraction tickets or tours in Japan from:

5. Toilets In Japan

Toilets in Japan’s major cities are so advanced! You might even find it overwhelming looking for the correct flushing button on the panel.

To prevent you from hyperventilating and freaking out in the washroom, here are some crucial Japanese toilet vocab to get familiar with: 

• 小 : refers to the “small” flush
• 大 : refers to the “big” flush
• 音 : a rhythm or music will be played when this button is pressed (to create a sound distraction so that you can answer the nature’s call freely in the cubicle without feeling embarrassed) 

Travel tip: Check out my detailed first time to Japan article to set yourself up for an enjoyable travel experience!

Additional Resources For Planning Japan Itinerary 3 Weeks

If you would like to know more on how to plan a trip to Japan or study its culture before flying over, below are the recommended books :

• Culture Smart Japan: The Essential Guide to Custom and Culture
• Moon Japan: Plan Your Trip, Avoid The Crowds and Experience The Real Japan
• Lonely Planet Japan Guide

FAQs: 3 Weeks In Japan

Is 3 weeks enough in japan.

Each Japanese cities have its respective highlights, including century-old temples, beautiful castles, tranquil natural splendours, and mouthwatering cuisines—there is always something pleasant for everyone! Therefore, staying for three weeks in Japan is definitely enough to explore and experience the different unique cultures of Japan.

Is 3 weeks in Japan too long?

Not at all. The flight duration to Japan is typically long, so staying in this country for extra days will make your trip more worthwhile. Also, it might be too rush for you to explore all the popular highlights of the major cities within two weeks. Hence, a 3-week stay in Japan is highly recommended .

How long a foreigner can stay in Japan?

A Japan tourist visa is generally valid for up to 90 days, starting from the day you enter the country. Japan also offers other visas that go up to a maximum of five years. Check your passport and apply for the Japan tourist visa accordingly before flying into Japan.

When should I visit Japan?

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are typically the better seasons to visit Japan. That’s because you get to admire the stunning scenery of cherry blossom or fall foliage in each respective season. These two seasons are also typically crowded and packed with tourists.

Is Japan an expensive trip?

Averagely, foreign travellers will spend about US$110 (15000 yen) per day in Japan. If you do not have a budget, you can easily spend over that amount. Nevertheless, you can still have a good time exploring Japan even with a lower travel budget.

How much does a 3 week Japan trip cost?

With a minimum budget of US$70 (10 000 yen) for a person/day, you can expect to fork out at least US$1500 (210 000 yen) for a 3 weeks in Japan itinerary. This estimated figure is not inclusive of your incoming and outgoing Japan flight ticket price.

Conclusion: 3 Weeks Itinerary Japan 

Here you go—a comprehensive Japan 3 week itinerary that you can rely on for your upcoming Japan trip. 

Japan is a beautiful country that everyone should visit at least once in their lifetime. 

By following this three weeks in Japan itinerary, you are bound to have a wonderful time immersing in the unique cultures of Japan.

You will have a blast checking out the beautiful ancient temples and shrines as you advance from one Japanese city to another.

You will treat your palate to a wide range of  mouth-watering Japanese food  and learn a thing or two about the dish history from the friendly guides.

You get to admire the mesmerising sights of natural splendours, mountainous hills, and hot springs where words are simply not enough to describe their beauty.

So now go book your plane ticket and treat yourself to a three-week trip to Japan.

You deserve it. And you will not regret it!

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Sam Lee, founder of Sam Lee Travel, is a seasoned traveler with over 10 years of experience exploring various Asian countries. Having lived in Singapore for almost a decade, Sam has developed a deep understanding of the culture, customs, and attractions in the region.

With a passion for outdoor travel adventures and water sports, Sam has helped over 25K readers per month plan their trips around Asia, including off-the-beaten-path destinations, offering helpful travel tips and unfiltered personal travel experience.

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3 week Japan itinerary

Last Updated on 5th February 2020 by Sarah and Justin

We have visited Japan 3 times on short, medium, and long trips. And we would go back any time for any length of time. Japan is culturally interesting, physically beautiful, and absolutely delicious. It is truly an incredible place to visit. If you have the time, we recommend a 3 week Japan itinerary and we put one together to help you see the best of what the country has to offer.

3 weeks in Japan itinerary

• Days 1-4: Tokyo (including day trip to Kamakura)
• Days 5-7: Kanazawa
• Days 8-11: Kyoto (including day trip to Nara)
• Days 12-14: Osaka (including day trip to Himeji)
• Days 15-17: Hiroshima (including day trip to Miyajima)
• Days 18-19: Fukuoka
• Days 20-21: Tokyo (and fly home)

The core itinerary assumes you’ll be flying in and out of Tokyo, since the city’s two airports offer the most international flight options. However we also provide a few alternative ideas if you want to leave Japan from a different city.

Travelers from more than 60 countries can visit Japan as a tourist for 90 days (and therefore undertake this Japan 3 week itinerary) visa-free. You can check your specific country’s visa requirements on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website .

Transportation

If you’re following this itinerary, we recommend buying a JR Pass. See below for the calculations showing why a JR Pass is worth it.

We also recommend that you buy an electronic local transportation card to help make your local transportation within cities easier. If you do fly into a Tokyo airport, you can buy a PASMO card when you arrive. Though there are different cards throughout the country, they can all be used everywhere. If you’re flying back out of Tokyo you can return it for a refund of both your remaining balance and your deposit. If you fly out of a different city, you may not be able to, so it’s worth researching in advance.

Is JR Pass worth it?

Short answer: yes!

We plugged the above itinerary, including recommended day trips, into the Japan-Guide JR Pass calculator (the easiest and quickest way to see if a JR Pass is worth it). It shows that yes, a 21-day JR Pass is absolutely worth getting for this 3 week itinerary. Here are the details of those calculations.

It should be noted, however, that the most expensive train trip in this itinerary is the one from Fukuoka to Tokyo. If you aren’t going to be flying out of Tokyo, or you just want to cut out the whole Fukuoka part of your trip altogether, things change.

We recalculated what it would look like to return to Tokyo from Hiroshima instead. It says it’s a “close call” for a 21-day pass, but the range is pretty big. This means you’ll need to check everything on Hyperdia.com . It’s easy but a bit time consuming. But given the money saving possibilities, definitely worth it.

3 weeks in Japan cost

Your budget for your 3 weeks in Japan will of course depend on what type of traveler you are. And we can only share our experience as two mid-range travelers.

As you can see from the calculations above, transportation in Japan is pretty expensive. At time of publication, a 21-day JR Pass costs 60,450 JPY (~$557). And the JR Pass doesn’t cover everything. In many of the cities in this itinerary, you’ll need to spend a few hundred yen a day on buses or metro trains.

Hotels in Japan are also a bit on the pricey side. On average across the two more recent trips we took to Japan, we spent about $100 a night for our accommodations. It’s pretty easy math to do to see that for 20 nights, you’re looking at $2,000. You can save money by staying in apartments (which we did during our longer trip), but make sure to read up on the most recent regulations for such accommodations.

Food in Japan can also vary widely. You can spend a fortune to eat at some of the world’s top restaurants. Or you can eat more like we do and indulge in reasonably priced but still delicious food like ramen and conveyor belt sushi. It also should be noted that alcohol is not cheap in Japan. During our 3 1/2 week trip in Japan, we spent an average of $50/day (combined for the two of us) on food and drinks. We cooked quite a bit, and didn’t go to any super splurge dinners, but we still felt like we ate very, very well.

That leaves attractions. We found entry fees to major attractions not terribly expensive. To give you an idea, here are some sample current entry fees across cities: Himeji Castle costs 1,000 JPY ($9.23); the Tokyo National Museum costs 620 JPY ($5.54); Kinkaku-ji in Kyoto costs 400 JPY ($3.70).

Japan 3 week itinerary: a detailed look

4 days in tokyo.

To be completely honest, we could spend all 3 weeks of this Japan itinerary in Tokyo and be perfectly happy. Tokyo is one of our favorite cities in the world (alternating with Berlin to hold the top spot depending on our mood). But we do think Japan has more to offer, so we’re recommending 4 days in Tokyo to kick off your Japan itinerary.

Recommended Tokyo itinerary

There is so much to do in Tokyo it may feel overwhelming. We’ve tried to help organize your time.

Devote your first day to fully exploring our favorite neighborhood, Asakusa, and nearby Ueno. Asakusa is more like old Edo-period Tokyo, with narrow streets, smaller houses, and temples stuck between them. You should absolutely visit the biggest attraction in this area, Sensoji Temple. If the weather’s nice, spend time strolling through Ueno Park. There you should also check out the impressive Tokyo National Museum.

Your second day, dig into the big bustling Tokyo you’ve probably seen in movies. Head to Shibuya Crossing to see the busiest intersection in the world and Shinjuku to see the busiest subway station in the world (and the outfits!). Major attractions in Shibuya include Yoyogi Park and the Meiji Shrine. While in Shinjuku, take a trip up to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Office for the view and check out Golden Gai to eat and drink.

Your third day, we recommend starting your day at the Edo Tokyo Museum. Afterwards, you can hop on the water bus which will take you down the Sumida River under more bridges than you new existed in Tokyo. It will drop you off at the idyllic Hamariku Gardens. From there, you can explore the cool architecture and luxury shopping in Ginza or check out the interesting neighborhood of Roppongi.

On your fourth day, go to Kamakura.

Tokyo to Kamakura day trip

Kamakura is a great day trip from Tokyo. It’s an easy way to get out of the city and see some of Japan’s traditional temples in nature. It’s most famous for its Great Buddha, one of the largest bronze buddha sculptures in the country. Kamakura also has some lovely trails so it is a really nice and peaceful escape.

There is a direct train from Tokyo Station to Kamakura that takes about an hour. If you’re departing from elsewhere in Tokyo, you will likely have to transfer, but it’s still pretty simple.

Where to stay in Tokyo

We love the Asakusa neighborhood, but recommend staying in Ueno as it is closer to a major transportation hub. Alternatively, you could stay in Ginza, which is closer to the center of the city. Or in Shibuya, if you’re more into the more fast-paced, modern side of the city.

Next stop: Kanazawa! Tokyo to Kanazawa takes 2 1/2-3 hours by direct Shinkansen.

3 days in Kanazawa

Kanazawa is a little off the well-trodden path of the rest of this itinerary, but we think worth the trip. Being in Kanazawa is like being back in what we’d imagine traditional Japan being like. Plus it’s right on the sea so it’s got some of the best sushi in the country.

Recommended Kanazawa itinerary

After arriving from Tokyo and getting settled, we recommend heading to one of the most atmospheric places in Japan: one of the geisha districts called the Higashiyama Higashi Chaya District. Take a moment to also stroll along the scenic Asano River.

Devote your first full day in Kanazawa to the impressive Kanazawa Castle and the magnificent Kenroku-en Garden. It’s considered to one of the most beautiful gardens in Japan and you could easily wile away several hours there. Make sure to explore Kanazawa Castle Park completely including the smaller, but also lovely Gyokusen’inmaru Garden.

Your second day in Kanazawa, check out the fish market (where you can definitely find a delicious sushi lunch) and explore the samurai district.

Next stop: Kyoto! Kanazawa to Kyoto takes a little over 2 hours by direct train.

4 days in Kyoto

Kyoto is such a special city, chock full of some of the loveliest, most impressive temples and shrines we’ve ever seen. We think 4 days is enough to really get to know the city and a day trip to Nara.

Recommended Kyoto itinerary

Things are a bit spread out in Kyoto, so you should organize your days by main attraction. In between seeing them, you should just wander and find joy in the smaller temples and shrines that are all over.

Your first day you’ll have about half a day to get settled and situated. We recommend spending your late afternoon and evening on a visit to the Fushimi Inari Taisha, the temple with hundreds (thousands?) of orange torii gates. It involves a bit of a hike up a bunch of stairs (through all those gates) but there’s a viewpoint midway that is great at sunset. There will also be fewer people there then.

Your second day, we recommend waking up early to go out to Arashima, where the famous bamboo forest is. If you are an early riser, wake up as early as possible to try to beat the crowds. If not, don’t worry about it, but go with tempered expectations. There will be a lot of people. After you visit the bamboo, take some time to explore the rest of the area as it’s lovely. From there, take a bus to Kinkaku-ji (also known as the Golden Pavilion), which is also outside the center of Kyoto. Again, expect crowds.

Your third day, start with a visit to the covered Nishiki Market. Then head to the Yasuka Shrine and Chion-in Temple complex. You’ll want a few hours there to see everything including beautiful parks and gardens. Afterwards, take stroll through nearby Gion, the geisha district.

On your last full day in Kyoto, head to Nara.

Kyoto to Nara day trip

Nara is a city south of Kyoto known for its publicly roaming deer. It makes for an easy and unique day trip from Kyoto, taking about 45 minutes by train. We highly recommend it, especially if you love cheeky deer who learned how to bow for food.

Next stop: Osaka! Kyoto to Osaka only takes 30 minutes by direct train.

3 days in Osaka

We honestly didn’t give Osaka its due. Our visit was smack in the middle of our own 4-week trip and we were tired. We also stayed a bit far out of the center of the city so we had an excuse not to explore too much. But people love Osaka, and we regret that we haven’t gotten to know it better so we do think it’s worth 3 days of your itinerary.

Things to do in Osaka

The top attractions in Osaka are varied. There’s Osaka Castle, Universal Studios, and the Dotonbori area with streets of more food (and sights and sounds) than you can possibly imagine. We focused our Osaka exploration on this food.

Osaka to Himeji Castle day trip

Himeji Castle is one of Japan’s twelve original castles, meaning it was never destroyed and reconstructed. It did undergo some significant renovations, however, and this was happening during our time in the region. We’re incredibly sad that we didn’t get to visit and would definitely make it a priority on another trip to the area.

Himeji is only about an hour from Osaka by direct train. The castle is about a 20-minute walk from the train station, although also accessible by public bus.

Next stop: Hiroshima! Osaka to Hiroshima takes a little under 2 hours by train. Do note there are transfers involved.

3 days in Hiroshima

Hiroshima is an interesting city. We think it’s an important stop for anyone seeing so much of Japan. A visit to Hiroshima will remind you of terrible events of the past, but also bring hope for a more peaceful future.

Recommended Hiroshima itinerary

We recommend spending your first day in Hiroshima getting situated. Depending on when your train arrives, you can also likely fit in visits to Hiroshima Castle and Shukkei-en Garden.

Spend your second day visiting Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and the monuments and museums there. This might be an emotional, draining day so take it slow.

On your third day, go to Miyajima. Give yourself the whole day so you don’t feel rushed and can really enjoy the island.

Note, you can always swap days 2 and 3 depending on the weather. If the sun is shining, jump on that boat to Miyajima.

Hiroshima to Miyajima day trip

Being in Miyajima was pretty magical. From our first sight of the floating torii gate to seeing wild deer walk on the beach at sunset, we were enthralled with it all. It’s probably worth more than just a day, and we did think about staying over, but it’s so easy to do as a quick trip from Hiroshima, so that’s what we’re recommending.

If you have a JR Pass, you can take a train from the Hiroshima city center to the ferry dock which will take you to Miyajima. It’s only a half hour from Hiroshima Station, but stops at some other stations in the city as well. And then the ferry to the island only takes 10 minutes. One of the ferries is included in the JR Pass and one is not, so make sure you get on the right one. Also note, more people take the JR ferry so it can get crowded and there may be lines.

Next stop: Fukuoka! Hiroshima to Fukuoka only takes about 1 hour by direct Shinkansen. Important note: the central train station in Fukuoka is called Hakata Station.

2 days in Fukuoka

Fukuoka isn’t on most “best of Japan” itineraries. It’s a bit further afield, located on Japan’s Kyushu Island. We loved it though, and think it’s worth heading to if not for the ramen alone.

Things to do in Fukuoka

You only have 2 days in Fukuoka and if you’re anything like us, you’re going to spend most of your time eating ramen. In between bowls, you should head to Ohori Park and stop at some of the city’s many shrines and temples too.

Your last 2 days

We came up with a few options for the last 2 days of your Japan trip. They really depend on from where and how you’ll be leaving the country.

Option 1: back to Tokyo

If you’re flying out of Tokyo, you should just head back there. The train trip from Fukuoka back to Tokyo will be the longest one of your 3 weeks, taking about 5 hours on a direct Shinkansen. You can spend as many nights as you’d like, but we recommend another 2 so you have the chance to soak in a little more Tokyo before you fly out. And you could stay in a different neighborhood to mix things up a bit.

Option 2: back to Osaka

Train from Fukuoka to Osaka is shorter, taking about 3 hours and transfers. If you are able to fly out of Osaka, we would probably recommend adjusting your overall itinerary to go directly from Kyoto to Hiroshima and then having all your time in Osaka at the end of your trip.

Option 3: take a boat to South Korea

This is probably not the most common option, but if you have more than 3 weeks for your travels and want to head onto South Korea, you can easily take a ferry from Fukuoka to Busan. We did this ourselves so know how easy and manageable it is.

Have you visited Japan? Do you love it as much as we do? Tell us your favorite place in the comments! 

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Sarah and Justin

4 thoughts on “ 3 week japan itinerary ”.

Three weeks in Japan sounds like heaven! I was there last year for cherry blossom season but only had 10 days 🙂

That’s a great amount of time too! I’m sure you saw a lot, and all the cherry blossoms – beautiful!

Pingback: 5 Days in Kyoto, Japan: An Awesome Kyoto Itinerary to Follow

Japan has been on my list for a while. I am glad that I found the itinerary that too for three weeks. Ample things to do. Thanks, guys!

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Plan Your Trip

Spend three weeks in japan.

This is true for both newbie Japan travelers, and for seasoned veterans. My first trip to Japan saw me enjoy an enticing overview of the country for 21 days; my latest three-week adventure, less than a year ago, afforded me a comprehensive cross section of Japan’s amazing autumn .

Over the next several paragraphs—I’ve recently re-published this page, and cut it down to make it more digestible—you’ll learn everything you need to plan your own 3 week Japan adventure. So without further ado, let’s get down to the details, shall we?

Practical Matters

When to visit japan.

Conventional wisdom would dictate that Japan is best during its most colorful periods: The aforementioned autumn, which peaks between mid-November and early December, and cherry blossom season , which takes place during the last week of March and the first week of April in most of the country.

While I love visiting Japan during these times, they’re certainly not your only option. For example, even if you’re not a skier, Japan’s winter is a fabulous time to go , particularly in snowy northern regions like Tohoku and the island of Hokkaido. Likewise, the Japanese summer is a great time to visit, particularly if you can choose a destination (the Japanese Alps, for instance) that avoids its trademark heat and humidity.

All in all, Japan is a 365-day destination. It’s all about planning a trip that plays to the strengths of whenever you happen to be going.

Where to stay in Japan

Choosing awesome places to stay is key if you want to make sure that 3 weeks Japan doesn’t knock the wind out of you. This doesn’t mean you have to splurge on five-star accommodations, but it does mean you should choose clean, comfortable and centrally-located places (I call this my “three Cs” of travel accommodation) that are also authentic and have character, whenever possible. Another tip? Rather than hopping to a new place every night, try to spend a minimum of two days in each city or town so you can start to settle into your trip.

• In Tokyo , I love staying in the convenient, chic Tokyo Station Hotel or the stylish Hotel the Celestine Ginza if money is no object. If it is, business hotels like Asakusa’s The Kanzashi and Hotel Gracery Shinjuku (aka the Godzilla Hotel 🦖) will get the job done.
• Kyoto is famous for ryokan , but you don’t have to sleep on a traditional futon to have an unforgettable stay. To be sure, as much as I love properties such as Seikoro Ryokan and Izuyasu , so too do I love modern hotels like Dhawa Yura Kyoto and Rinn Gion Shirakawa , which incorporate ancient elements into state-of-the-art stays.
• Headed to Hiroshima ? I like to go utilitarian, be that at the four-star Hotel Granvia or the simpler Sotetsu Fresa Inn .
• Tokyu Stay , which operates properties throughout Japan, is one of my favorite mid-range Japanese hotel brand. Whether you stay at their properties in Tokyo , Kyoto, Fukuoka , Takayama or Sapporo , you’ll enjoy conveniences like in-room laundry at an unbelievable price.
• While Airbnb in Japan tends to leave something to be desired, you can still enjoy apartment-style accommodation throughout the country. I love the Mimaru brand, which features suites for couples and families in Tokyo , Kyoto and beyond.
• My favorite onsen-ryokan in Japan is, without a doubt, Gunma prefecture’s Takaragawa Onsen Ousenkaku .

Money, costs and communication

If you’re reading this in 2023, when I last updated it, chances are that your 3 weeks in Japan cost will be much less than you expect. At the moment, the Japanese yen is the weakest it’s been in decades, at around 140 to the US dollar. Even excepting this, most travel expenditures in Japan are surprisingly affordable. You can get a serviceable hotel room in many cities for under 200 USD per night; all but the fanciest meals can be had for $20-30 per person, or even less. While Japan has traditionally been a cash-centric country, this is rapidly changing, whether you use a credit card or ApplePay (particularly when pairing this with PASMO or Suica, the country’s two main rapid transit cards).

The good news? eSIM technology has now made its way to Japan. The better news? If you buy your Japan eSIM online today , you can be connected the moment you land in Tokyo!

Communication-wise, Japan has become a more English-friendly country over the years, but having some basic Japanese travel phrases at your disposal is still a good idea. This is in a literal sense. Figuratively, it’s easier than ever to stay connected in Japan, whether due to a plentiful Wifi availability, or keeping in mind that it’s easier than ever to buy a Japanese SIM card .

How to get around in Japan

Japan has one of the world’s most modern railway networks, connected not only by state-of-the-art Shinkansen bullet trains, but by a variety of efficient limited express and functional local trains, as well as subway, tram and bus networks within cities, many of which are actually walkable. Beyond this, it’s easy and affordable to fly domestically in Japan, or to get around using ferries or even renting a car when necessary.

Where to Go With 3 Weeks in Japan

Greater tokyo.

I usually recommend my clients to kick off three weeks in Japan with 2-3 nights in Tokyo , keeping in mind that you’ll likely need to return there for at least a night at the end of your trip. This includes at least two full days in central Tokyo, exploring districts like historical Asakusa , glitzy Ginza , quirky Akihabara , exhilarating Shinjuku and larger-than-life Shibuya .

Tokyo is also a fantastic base for taking day trips in the larger Kanto region. Some of my favorites include the ancient city of Nikko , centered around the forested Tosho-gu shrine, and coastal Kamakura , which was once Japan’s capital. You can also make a day trip to the Fuji Five Lakes region at the base of Mt. Fuji , even if spending a night or two there is more ideal.

Kyoto, Osaka and the Kansai region

Japan’s ancient capital, Kyoto , is an essential part of any 3 weeks in Japan itinerary. So too is its underrated second city of Osaka , which in my opinion is the best place in the country for street food. From these destinations—the core ones of the Kansai region—a wide array of day trips exist, including the deer-filled city of Nara , the tea-producing hub of Uji , the castle town of Himeji and Kobe , which is famous for its beef (among other things).

Kansai is great for getting off the beaten path as well. Head south to Wakayama and Mie prefectures, whether you spend a night in a Buddhist temple atop Wakayama’s Mt. Koya , or have lunch with ama pearl divers in Mie’s Toba . Head eastward from Kyoto to Lake Biwa or northward to Kyotango , aka “Kyoto by the Sea.”

Named for the Seto Island Sea that sits just off the shore of cities like Hiroshima and Okayama , this region of southwestern Japan is far richer than an atomic bomb museum. Many popular day trips are islands, be those Okunoshima (Rabbit Island) and Miyajima (home to the famous Itsukushima Shrine ) from Hiroshima , or the Naoshima “Art Island” from Okayama.

Hokuriku and the Japanese Alps

Once you’ve finished traveling Japan’s “Golden Route” (aka Tokyo, Kyoto/Osaka and Hiroshima), you can add more unique destinations to you 3 week Japan itinerary. One option would be to return to Tokyo the “back way” from western Japan—namely, by riding a Thunderbird Limited Express train from Osaka or Kyoto to Kanazawa . This underrated city is not only home to Kenroku-en , one of Japan’s “three great gardens,” but is a gateway to the Japanese Alps , as well as to destinations like the Noto Peninsula , the scenic prefectures of Fukui and Toyama and mountain towns like Shirakawa-go and Takayama .

Another option would be to head back to Tokyo, but to bypass the capital via a northbound bullet train. Whether you make your way to major cities like Sendai , Morioka and Aomori , or to more rural prefectures like Yamagata and Akita , the Tohoku region is one of Japan’s sweet spots. It combines the wild, northern scenery of Hokkaido (more on that place in a second) with ancient Japanese culture, be that the Samurai village of Kakunodate , or the haunting mountain temple of Yamadera .

Speaking of Hokkaido , Japan’s northernmost island is also its wildest one. For some, the city of Sapporo and its surroundings (historic Otaru and the ski resort of Niseko ) are as far in as they need to dig. Others will head all the way east, be it to cities like Kushiro and Abashiri (as well as nearby lakes like Akan and Kussharo ) during the frozen winter , or to the lavender fields of Furano or the castaway Shiretoko Peninsula during the summer. The southernmost city of Hakodate , meanwhile, is fantastic all year round.

Yet another option with three weeks in Japan? Travel southwestward from Hiroshima to Hakata , the principal Shinkansen station of Kyushu island. Explore the surrounding foodie hub of Fukuoka , or the rest of Kyushu’s interesting prefectures: Southwestern Nagasaki boasts history and harbors; Oita ‘s Beppu city is a hub for hot springs; Kumamoto ‘s Mt. Aso is a hiker’s paradise; and Kagoshima (aka where Japan ends) is like a microcosm of Kyushu, all with volcanic Sakurajima rising above it.

When it comes to your Japan itinerary, 3 weeks is also enough to get an introduction to Shikoku , which is connected to Okayama via train and Osaka by bus. The smallest of Japan’s main islands, Shikoku is divided into four prefectures: Ehime, which is home to the large city of Matsuyama and the Dogo Onsen hot spring; Kagawa , where you find Takamatsu , as well as lush Ritsurin Garden and haunting Kotohira-gu shrine; Tokushima and its awa-odori dance tradition; and Kochi , where you can explore castles by day and tear into succulent, seared katsuo-no-tataki at night.

If you want to hit the beach during your Japan 3 week itinerary, cap it off by flying from any major Japanese city to Okinawa . The main island of Japan’s sub-tropical archipelago, Okinawa allows you to access awesome islands like Ie and Tokashiki on day trips, and to go by ferry for longer excursions to sub-archipelagoes like Ishigaki and Miyako-jima . Okinawa is home to some of the most beautiful beaches in the world—I have a feeling they’ll impress you as much as they impressed me.

Japan off the beaten path

Japan’s tourist trail is long and eclectic, but so too is the country’s beaten path. Extend your trip northward from Hiroshima to the San’in region, or head northward and eastward from Kanazawa to Niigata and scenic Sado Island . Alternatively, dig deeper into quasi-mainstream destinations like Kyushu (take a ferry to Yakushima island) or Sapporo, from which Hokkaido’s “wild east” is just a few hours away by train.

Is 3 Weeks Enough Time in Japan?

As I alluded to earlier in this post, three weeks hits the sweet spot for most travelers. It’s long enough that you can explore Japan’s tourist trail and get off its beaten path, but short enough that you don’t leave feeling exhausted (or being broke!). It invites you to come back to Japan—whether for three weeks, or a shorter time; you’ll probably return on multiple occasions!—and leaves you experienced enough that doing so will be much easier the second time around.

With this being said, if you want to plan longer than a 3 week itinerary, Japan is perfect for that, too. Extending your trip to span a month in Japan unlocks even more possibilities, to say nothing of what 2 months in Japan can empower you to do. On the other end, even if you’ve only got a couple of weeks to spare, you can still plan a rich, fulfilling trip to Japan .

Other FAQ About Visiting Japan for 3 Weeks

How much does 3 weeks in japan cost.

How much does 3 weeks in Japan cost? Assuming a minimum cost of 100 USD (¥14,000) per person per day, the least you can expect to spend for a Japan 3 week itinerary is $2,100 (¥294,000), which does not include the price of your flights to and from Japan. Keep in mind that this cost can quickly balloon if you’re staying in luxurious hotels and ryokan, or if you indulge in more than the occasional Michelin-starred kaiseki dinner.

Should I spend 2 or 3 weeks in Japan?

If you have three weeks to devote to travel in Japan, spending longer is always a better idea. With three weeks, you can spend two weeks on Japan’s tourist trail (Tokyo→Mt. Fuji→Kyoto/Osaka→Hiroshima and back) and an entire week going somewhere off the beaten path, be that to secondary islands like Kyushu, Shikoku or Hokkaido, or interesting regions such as Hokuriku, San’in or Tohoku.

How long should I visit Japan for the first time?

As long as you can! Japan is an endless well of discovery and revelation, and while the sense of newness can endure for years or even decades, it’s never as acute as it is during your first trip. Try to spend a minimum of 2-3 weeks in Japan on your first trip so that you can enjoy as wide an array as possible of experiences when you’re still completely vulnerable to the country’s charms and eccentricity.

The Bottom Line

3 weeks in Japan is enough for an “end-all, be-all” trip, but it works much better as an appetizer for years or even decades of returning to the country. Japan is much bigger than it looks on the map—and it’s significantly more diverse than its ethnic homogeneity would suggest. For first-timers, a three week trip is an invitation to mix Japan’s tourist trail with one or two destinations off the beaten path. If you’re coming back to Japan for three weeks, meanwhile, you can dig deep. Immerse yourself in one of the country’s colorful seasons, or venture where few other foreign tourists do. No matter how long you stay, make sure your next Japan trip is one for the record books— hire me to plan it!

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This is Pierre and Julien. Welcome to our blog!

Gay and Normal is all about being gay nowadays. From being gay in the workplace, to travelling, organising our finances or being gays parents.

Earth Beneath Our Feet

• Nov 9, 2020

Three Weeks in Japan: A First Time Itinerary

Updated: Nov 14, 2021

A Honeymoon is a Big Deal!

Not as big of a deal as the Wedding Day itself, admittedly, but still... A pretty Big Deal. And so the decision of where to go on said honeymoon is not to be trivially made.

Tropical islands, picture-postcard white sands and endless cocktails have their own appeal. But neither Julien nor myself being members of the fly-and-flop brigade, we were going to need something a little more boots-on-the-ground and a little less bums-on-the-beach. The required cocktails notwithstanding.

And when it came down to it, Japan had been at the top of our bucket list for so long that it really was, for us, the obvious choice.

This being a special trip, we were able to dedicate a bit more time than usual to our holiday. 3 weeks in a country that neither of us had ever visited, and for which we each had a list as long as our forearms of things to do and places to see. So how to set about planning a first-timers trip to The Land of the Rising Sun?

The really great thing about having a full 21 days to throw at our trip was that we could cover the majority of highlights a newbie traveller to Japan would generally like to see, as well as throw in a couple of extras. The main question for us was how to do it without relentlessly retracing our steps. Particularly as our flights were to and from Tokyo.

Another great thing about having 3 weeks' travel time available was that we could do it all without being too rushed. This is particularly important to both of us, and is a key component of how we plan any holiday. While I can certainly understand the desire to - and have a fair few friends who like to - fit as much as possible into any trip, that does not work for us. When we go on a holiday, we feel strongly that we want to be somewhere as much as we want to be going somewhere. A holiday for us is something to return from reinvigorated and re-enthused, rather than something to recover from.

And so after many months of research, many hours spent making bookings, and what feels like half a lifetime of looking forward to it, we were finally on our way to Japan and its iconic cherry blossoms!

[A quick side-note on travelling to Japan during the hanami season: If, like us, you are planning your trip for end-March and early-April to coincide with the blooming of the sakura cherry blossoms, it is essential to get on to organising your trip as soon as possible. It is no exaggeration to say that this is a very popular time indeed in Japan.

Based on suggestions we ourselves had read before travelling, we had most of our accommodation booked by about 6 months before our departure. And that turned out to be a very good thing! As the weeks and months progressed and we got closer to our trip, the prices we'd paid came to seem like bargains. In some cases our accommodation was 50% more expensive nearer the time than what we had paid for it. Not to mention the fact that a lot of options were fully booked well in advance.

I have read that Japan is a country under-supplied by accommodation compared to the demand during peak seasons, and this being the case - make sure to plan accordingly.]

Now without further ado, our:

3 week Japan itinerary

5 days in tokyo.

No trip to Japan would be complete without a stay in the capital city. Tokyo has the glitz and the glamour of a modern Japan, and the gravitas and hushed awesomeness that comes with a 1,000 years of history.

There are areas buzzing with eye-popping only-in-Japan zaniness, and quiet traditional suburbs filled with old-school charm. It is one of the world's great 24-hour cities, which makes it a perfect place to start a trip while you get over the jet lag of that multi-hour time-zone difference.

We had earmarked a handful of days for our Tokyo introduction. Check out our 5 days in Tokyo blog post for the full lowdown on how we spent them.

4 days in magnificent Kyoto

Kyoto features at the top of many Japanese wishlists, and rightly so. Considered by many to be the cultural heart of Japan, it is a city steeped in religion and is beautiful to behold.

It also sees a huge influx of tourists annually, and accommodation can be scarce and comparatively expensive (so shop around and book early!)

We saw many things to delight and admire on our trip to Kyoto, and even so we felt like we had only scratched the surface of this mesmerising city. Read on for details of our 4 days stay in Kyoto !

Naoshima Art Island

Flush with old-school charm and culture after our time in Kyoto, we were ready for the more modern kind, and for that Naoshima Art Island would be the perfect thing!

The first step in getting from Kyoto to Naoshima is a Shinkansen bullet train to Okayama station. We decided to also take the opportunity to break up our journey in Okayama, which would allow us to visit one of Japan's Three Great Gardens: Koraku-en .

From Okayama station it is just a brief onward train ride to Uno, from where a quick ferry departed that took us to the town of Miyanoura on one-of-a-kind Naoshima Island. Here we would be staying at the Benesse House hotel - smart accommodations that felt more like an art gallery than a hotel.

Naoshima is a wonder - a gorgeous island that is packed solid with avant-garde modern art museums. There are the more formal ones of the Benesse Art Sites, including the astonishing and popular Chichu museum (for which reserving tickets in advance is highly recommended). Elsewhere there is the more experimental Art House Project, set in various indoor and outdoor venues around the town of Honmura.

And dotted here and there around the island itself are random outdoor art installations, not least of which are a couple of Yayoi Kusama's visually striking - and these days insta-famous - giant pumpkins. And all of it set against the lovely backdrop of Japan's Seto Inland Sea - other smaller islands visible off the coast and ocean views to the horizon.

While Naoshima certainly has become more popular in recent years, it still manages to pass slightly under the radar for many tourists. Our 2 days on this marvellous island were a highlight of our 3-week trip around Japan, and we think Naoshima deserves a higher place on those bucket-list Japanese itineraries.

Miyajima Island

A quick 35-minute bullet train west from Okayama is Hiroshima, from where it is an easy local train ride onwards to Miyajima-guchi station. There we hopped on the Miyajima ferry (included in the JR Pass ) and 10 minutes later we were coming into port via our first views of Miyajima's most famous site: the Itsukushima Floating Torii Gate.

Floating only during high tide, mind you, so you may have to hang around for a bit if you are after that traditional photo shot of this magnificent red torii with its feet submerged.

We spent our afternoon meandering along the island, discovering sites like the Itsukushima Shrine and the Tahoto Pagoda. We wandered up the mountainside and took in the dramatic views over the bays, and sat in a glade of falling cherry blossoms at Momobayashi park. We ambled around the old town and along the canal that cuts it in two, while snacking on Japanese treats from the local street vendors.

And at the end of the day, as the sun sank towards the horizon, we boarded the ferry for our journey back and our 1 night spent in Hiroshima city.

The furthest west we would travel along Japan's main island of Honshu, and also the briefest of our stops, Hiroshima was nevertheless a revelation. Despite being over 75 years ago now that the Enola Gay dropped the infamous 'Little Boy' bomb over Hiroshima, the telling of those events has lost none of its impact.

We spent the morning walking the museums, installations, parks and historic sites of the Peace Memorial - a part of central Hiroshima dedicated to preserving the memory of those terrible events, and that aims to serve as a continuing reminder of the horrific costs of war. Lest we forget.

The harrowing testimonies of the survivors, the displays of the victims' belongings, letters from loved ones to those they have lost, and photographs depicting the carnage, or thousands of origami paper cranes sent by children from across the world to the Children's Peace Monument each year - all were vivid and moving reminders of events that we can only hope will never again be repeated.

5 days in Osaka

Back in the heart of Japan, we based ourselves in the modern city of Osaka for the next 5 days. Just a stone's throw from Kyoto, Osaka nevertheless makes a more convenient base for exploring the surrounding areas, thanks to cheaper accommodation, some of the best restaurants in Japan and superior nightlife options.

We spent our days discovering what Osaka had to offer, including historical sites like Osaka-jo Castle and the lovely Sumiyoshi Taisha shrine. We ambled along the riverbanks of the many waterways criss-crossing the city, rested our feet together with the locals in one of the trendy coffee shops overlooking the rivers, and ate in first-rate restaurants. We ascended the Umeda Sky Building for the fantastic views, and shopped in the department stores of the surrounding Umeda area.

And at night we made our way to the Dotonbori canal - the main tourist hub of the city - an area aglitter with neon lights and abuzz with other revellers out for the evening.

We also made the most of Osaka's great location to do a few day trips, hopping on quick trains to discover the likes of Himeji and its immaculate ivory castle, or Nara for its deer interactions and that giant Buddha, as well as the modern city of Kobe and the historic charm of Kurashiki's bikan old town.

Koya-san - A night in a Buddhist monastery

By now our 3-week trip around Japan was nearing its end, but we still had a couple of special highlights awaiting us. And certainly one of the more unique Japanese experiences we had was our overnight stay in the Eko-in Buddhist monastery in Koyasan .

Koyasan - a mystical mountain south of Osaka in Japan's Wakayama district - is a wonder-filled place, filled with sacred Buddhist sites as well as the incomparable Okuno-in, Japan's largest cemetery. We came away inspired and truly enchanted by our all-too-brief 1-night temple stay in Koyasan.

Hakone - Onsen hot springs and ryokan stays

What more could a body tired from gallivanting around the Japanese countryside need than a soak in a steaming hot spring bath? So to finish off our 3 week adventure, we booked ourselves into the superlative Gora Hanaougi ryokan in Hakone , for 2 blissful days of relaxation set in beautiful countryside surroundings.

We spent our days following the sites along the Hakone Loop tourist route , and our evenings submerged in dreamy onsen baths followed by delicious kaiseki meals served up by the Hanaougi staff.

Of all the hotels we stayed in around Japan, Gora Hanaougi was our favourite, and whenever we find ourselves back in Japan again we will be sure to put aside some time to revisit this amazing traditional ryokan.

All good things come to an end, or at least that's the case with holidays, and so back we were in Tokyo for one last night, on site and ready to make our way back to the airport the following day for our flight home.

It was with a little bit of sadness, a ton of new memories, and no small amount of thankfulness that we waved goodbye to Japan after what had been the 21 day trip of a lifetime.

There can be nowhere else in the world quite like Japan, with its millennia-old temples and its modern cities, its graceful peoples and unique experiences. The land of the rising sun, of sumo wrestlers, singing toilets and sake, had given us experiences to cherish that we would carry with us forever.

3 weeks in Japan - what we would do differently

The above itinerary was our best effort to fit in as much of our bucket-list Japanese items as practical, and it worked very well for us. With the benefit of hindsight, we did think there were a couple of small things we would change, and these are:

We found 5 days in Osaka slightly more than we needed, and 4 days in Kyoto not quite enough - we would reallocate 1 night between them.

We opted to stay on Naoshima Island itself for our 2 night visit there. However, we thought that the on-site Benesse accommodation was overly expensive and not really necessary. Naoshima is easily reachable from the mainland, and we would recommend staying somewhere convenient and visiting for a day trip.

Additional resources : For more inspiration, take a look at the wonderful Japan Starts Here website - it is a super blog filled with hands-on personal experiences and information that we found invaluable in planning our trip to Japan.

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This is the Ultimate Guide to Backpacking Japan: A 3 Week Itinerary (2023)

Japan has long been a top tourist destination , thanks to its unique and inspiring culture and food. If you are travelling to Japan for the first time, you will want to see as much of the country as you can. Three weeks is the perfect amount of time. Here is how to plan the ultimate Japan 3 week itinerary for backpacking Japan.

This post contains affiliate links. This means, if you make a purchase, I may receive a small commission. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. For more information, read my disclaimer .

How to plan the ultimate backpacking Japan 3 week itinerary

If you’re wondering how to plan a trip to explore Japan in 3 weeks, the first place to start is what inspired you to visit in the first place. Are you hoping to see temples and castles, eat sensational street food, relax on beaches or in the mountains, explore its modern city life, or all of these things on your backpacking Japan itinerary? In Japan, 3 weeks is enough time to do all of these things, though it is such a rich country you may still find you cannot visit all the places you’d like to.

While travelling through Malaysia  with my boyfriend a few years ago, we met a young Japanese couple who sketched us a map outlining their recommendations of all the best places to go in Japan .

If you’re interested in joining a group tour in Japan, check out the latest deals from Intrepid Travel .

Five years later, we finally did it. We planned our Japan backpacking route to spend 3 weeks in Japan from mid-April to May. We hoped to visit as many places as possible on our Japan itinerary of 3 weeks that our friends had suggested.

As you can see from the map, their recommendations ranged from Niigata, in the north of Honshu, Japan’s main island, all the way 1250 miles (2000 km) down south to Okinawa, the tropical islands in the East China Sea.

If like us you’re planning to spend around 21 days in Japan, you are lucky. On a 3 weeks in Japan itinerary, you will have time to fly to places like Okinawa, that not as many people visit. Still, we found that we had to make the choice between heading north or south from Tokyo, because we couldn’t fit everything in. In the end, we chose to head south and leave northern Japan for another time.

My first tip for planning a trip to Japan is to pick a few places that you really want to see, as even with Japan’s famous high speed bullet train , travelling between cities can take several hours. Read on for more tips and a sample 3 week Japan itinerary.

Don’t forget to bring Lonely Planet’s essential Japan guide book on your trip.

This is the ultimate backpacking Japan 3 week itinerary

Tokyo – 5 nights.

When deciding on your best itinerary for backpacking Japan, Tokyo is a must-stop on your list. You will probably fly in or out of Japan’s capital city and there is so much to see and do here.

The super SIM card to buy for your backpacking Japan trip

If you land at Tokyo’s Haneda airport, like us, make sure you head to the Bic Camera store on the third floor of arrivals and buy a B-Mobile 21 Days Visitor SIM. 

This SIM card is perfect for a 3 week trip to Japan: mobile internet access done in one. The only thing you need to keep in mind is it doesn’t allow you to make calls.

Top ways to travel to and from the airport

Haneda airport is around 10 miles (16 km) from Tokyo city centre. The city’s other international airport, Narita, is around 40 miles (64 km) away. Rather than tackle the public transport from Haneda airport, we took a taxi to our accommodation as we were tired from our long-haul flight from Europe .

Be sure to take a print-out of the name and address of your accommodation in Japanese kanji characters, as some taxi drivers will not understand the names if they are written in the English alphabet. We liked how clean the taxis were and the lace seat covers. Some of them even have passenger doors that automatically open and close for you.

There are limousine shuttle buses operating between some areas of Tokyo and the city’s two main airports. This is a comfortable and cost-effective way to travel with all your luggage while backpacking through Japan. This is what we ended up doing for the rest of our trip when we were catching flights. Ask at the airport information desk, your hotel’s reception or click here for more information on locations and timetables.

An awesome area to stay in Tokyo (with a hidden shrine)

For this first stop in our backpacking Japan travel itinerary, we stayed in a central part of Tokyo called Akasaka. This part of Tokyo is close to tourist attractions and parks, as well as being a convenient location to get around the city, as there are a couple of metro stations nearby. It’s a great place to stay.

In Akasaka you’ll find the peaceful Hie Shrine which is well worth a visit. This is known as Tokyo’s hidden shrine and has a numerous red torii gates marking its entrance. We saw local business people come here to pray and make offerings in this shrine, which is an oasis among the modern skyscrapers.

Find an awesome selection of accommodation in Akasaka here .

There are also a large number of great restaurants in Akasaka, so you will have plenty of choice of places to eat every day. Keep in mind that the menus may not be in English and the staff may not speak English either so you may have to point at a picture and hope for the best. We were lucky that a friendly local guy at the next table gave us his recommendations of the best dishes, so we were off to a good start.

A beautiful place for brunch in Akasaka is the Aoyama Flower Market teahouse. Located at the base of the Akasaka Business Tower, here you can dine on creative and tasty breakfast options, surrounded by stunning plants and flowers, as you sip their special tea of the day. Such a treat.

Tokyo backpackers guide to brilliant budget accommodation

Accommodation in Tokyo is relatively expensive and the rooms are smaller than usual Western hotel standards. Our favourite budget hotel in Tokyo was the Super Hotel Lohas Akasaka which has friendly staff and is in an ideal location with a 7-11 supermarket right next door. The hotel even its own onsen  public bath, with specific times for men and women, which is dreamy and incredibly relaxing. Perfect after a long day of sightseeing.

The nearby top-rated Kaisu hostel is a brilliant choice for backpackers in Japan, as it is clean, friendly and quiet, with a tasty free breakfast served daily in its cafe-bar. It offers the choice of mixed or female-only dorm rooms, as well as private rooms. Hostels in Japan are usually very clean and safe, so it’s a pleasant experience.

If you’re looking for a female-only hostel in Tokyo, try the fabulous Urban Hostel Kanda Jimbocho . Guests love this hostel’s helpful staff, cleanliness and cute kitchen area, including a washing machine. On top of all that there’s excellent WiFi and free coffee.

The two UNPLAN hostels in Tokyo’s Shinjuku Ward area are friendly, modern and offer female-only as well as mixed dormitories. UNPLAN Kagurazaka has air-conditioned rooms with free WiFi, coffee and breakfast served daily in the on-site bar and cafe, while UNPLAN Shinjuku is conveniently located close to Shinjuku station and tourist attractions.

Browse and book the best budget accommodation in Tokyo for your dates .

These are the top attractions in Tokyo

One of the reasons it’s good to spend a few days in Tokyo is because the city is larger and takes longer to travel around than you may think. One of the closest attractions to Akasaka is the Tokyo Tower, but it still takes 20-30 minutes to reach by public transport or on foot.

If it’s your birthday – like it was for me – they will give you a special package with free entry to ride to the top of Tokyo Tower and a complimentary drink or snack. From the summit there are incredible views over the city, so you can see for yourself how large it is.

Not far from Tokyo Tower – and by that I mean only 30 minutes on the metro – is Shibuya. Here you will find great shopping and the famous Shibuya Crossing, said to be the world’s busiest intersection. That said, it is incredibly well organised. Many people go for a coffee in the Starbucks in order to take photos from the window of all the people down below, scuttling across the road. Even though it’s only a pedestrian crossing, it’s quite the spectacle and a lot of fun, with people posing for shots along the way.

If you are a fan of Nintendo, you can book a tour where you don a onesie and drive in a convoy of go-karts around the city, Mario Kart-style. We saw one of these groups go past in Shibuya .

Following our Japanese friends’ recommendation, we visited Akihabara, a shopping hub full of electronics retailers, manga memorabilia shops and the Tokyo Anime Center. This was one of my favourite areas of Tokyo as it’s so colourful and lively. It is 30 minutes north of Akasaka via the city’s metro system.

Here we stopped for a drink and a cuddle with the cats at the MoCHA cat cafe. You can buy treats to attract the cats to eat from your hand.

In nearby Asakusa – still 20 minutes away by public transport – you can visit Sensō-ji, Tokyo’s oldest temple which dates back to 645. Be warned, it gets incredibly crowded here, as it’s one of Tokyo’s most popular tourist attractions.

Around 25 minutes east of Sensō-ji is a much smaller Shinto temple called the Kameido Tenjin Shrine. This is a perfect place to go if you’re backpacking Japan in the spring, as during a few short weeks there is a special festival when the gardens bloom with hundreds of wisteria. They hang over a tranquil turtle pond with cute bridges, paths and wisteria tunnels you can walk through. It was also crowded here when we came, but with more Japanese rather than international tourists.

A 15 minute walk from this temple is another of the city’s famous towers, the Tokyo Skytree. At 634 metres (over 2,000 feet) tall, it is hard to miss. In fact, it is the tallest tower in the world and there is a whole complex of restaurants inside. When we visited, we found it to be overwhelmingly busy so we didn’t go to the top.

If you’re a foodie, a great place to visit is Tokyo’s Tsukiji Market, around 20-30 minutes east of Akasaka, where you can find all kinds of local delicacies for sale. 

Okinawa – 5 nights

The next destination in our backpacking Japan itinerary was Okinawa , as recommended by our Japanese friends. Known as Japan’s best-kept secret , they are located hundreds of miles south of mainland Japan in the Pacific Ocean, close to Taiwan and Hong Kong. The Okinawa islands have a subtropical climate, with average temperatures above 20°C all year round.

We took a domestic ANA flight from Tokyo for the three hour journey and took a limousine bus from the airport to our accommodation. 

Browse and book the best hotels and hostels in Okinawa here .

The most interesting area to stay in Okinawa

Okinawa has a large international cultural influence, notably that of the U.S., which has a large military base there. We stayed on the main Okinawa Island in Chatan, close to American Village.

This colourfully-lit area feels like a mini-Vegas which is totally in contrast to the rest of Japan. It is full of restaurants, shops and entertainment venues with an American touch. 

For accommodation close to American Village check out this selection .

This is a truly fabulous hotel in Okinawa

Our hotel was the gorgeous new Doubletree by Hilton Okinawa Chatan resort overlooking the sea, a short walk from American Village. We decided to spend more money on accommodation here than we would normally because it was for my birthday. It was well worth it.

Our large room included two double beds and a wet room with an absolutely blissful rain shower head.This contemporary hotel is stylish with great facilities, including a cafe/shop, and the staff are incredibly friendly and helpful. 

I would recommend choosing an ocean-facing room because the sunset views are absolutely stunning. We sat on our balcony and looked out over the ocean as much as we could. I’ve never stayed in a hotel like this that was so close to the coast. 

Check the latest prices and availability for this fabulous hotel .

Beautiful beaches and scuba diving in Okinawa

There are beautiful beaches in Okinawa with hardly a soul on them. One of the best is Oodomari beach on the remote Ikei Island. It can be reached by car – one hour from Chatan – thanks to a series of bridges from Okinawa island. You will need to pay a small fee to the beach’s owners and you can enjoy the area almost to yourself. The sea is ideal for swimming – clear, clean and full of fish. There are basic showers where you can wash off the sand afterwards.

For all the best things to do in Okinawa, check out my Okinawa itinerary .

If you are feeling adventurous, there are many scuba-diving sites around Okinawa . The islands are surrounded by coral reefs. We headed towards the neighbouring island’s Kerama National Park on our scuba-diving trip.

For your perfect backpacking Japan three week itinerary, you may prefer to leave Okinawa until the end of your trip so you can relax on the beaches after all the sightseeing around Japan’s cities.

Nagasaki – 2 nights

After Okinawa, we were looking for the most convenient direct flight back to the south of Japan’s main islands. We discovered an affordable price for a flight to the city of Nagasaki, taking just 1.5 hours, so we went ahead and booked it as the next stop on our backpacking Japan itinerary.

We had only heard of Nagasaki because of the devastating atomic bomb attack the city suffered during World War II at the hand of the United States. But the place has a fascinating history that started long before this tragedy befell it.

Today a city of over 425,000 people, Nagasaki began as a small fishing village. In the mid-16th century, Portuguese explorers landed here and over the years it became a popular port city for traders from China and countries across Europe .

On our walk from Nagasaki station to our accommodation, we were surprised to see a Christian church: the Nakamachi Catholic Church. It turns out, the arrival of the Europeans in the 16th century brought Christianity to Japan and the religion gained popularity in Nagasaki and beyond. However, Christianity was soon suppressed by the Japanese rulers of the time, who persecuted anyone declaring themselves a Christian. Japan was then officially secluded from international influence for two centuries, until the 1850s. Nagasaki’s ‘Hidden Christian Sites’ are now on the UNESCO World Heritage List as they tell the story of how the religion was revived when Japan opened its doors again in the 19th century.

Where to stay at a traditional ryokan in Nagasaki

Here in Nagasaki, we stayed in a traditional Japanese ryokan , called Fujiwara Ryokan , where the floors are covered with tatami straw mats and the futon bedding is folded up in the corner.

The host is Isamu Fujiwara-san, a delightful older man whose English is limited, but who is incredibly kind and welcoming His partner prepares a delicious traditional Japanese breakfast for guests. When you arrive, you will find yukata robes to wear and a fresh pot of green tea to help you re-hydrate after your journey.

Just a a 9-minute walk from Nagasaki train station, Fujiwara Ryokan is conveniently located and has five rooms. At first glance, it is basic accommodation, but there is free Wi-Fi, air-conditioning and flat-screen TVs in each room. It was a unique, traditional experience – with modern conveniences – for our three week backpacking Japan itinerary, which was very special.

For more outstanding accommodation options in Nagasaki, click here .

Make a stop here for melt-in-the-mouth yakitori

Isamu Fujiwara-san at Fujiwara Ryokan gave us a map of recommended local restaurants. Thanks to him, we discovered a restaurant called Yakitori Torimasa Ebisu, where we ate heavenly yakitori – chargrilled meats, seafood and veg on skewers. Seriously, it all tasted so good and simply melted in our mouths.

Helpfully, the restaurant has an English menu and the chef can also recommend dishes for you, before cooking them right in front of you. He told us he has been making yakitori like this for ten years. Our favorite dishes included the miso pork belly. Highly recommended – one of our favourite dining experiences while backpacking Japan.

The most memorable and moving things to do in Nagasaki

Why not walk off dinner with an evening stroll just over a mile (2 km) to Fuchi Shrine Station. From here you can catch the half-hourly Nagasaki Ropeway up to the scenic Mount Inasayama Observatory and viewing platform, which sits of 333 metres (1,093 ft) above the city.

The panoramic sights from up here of Nagasaki’s ’10 Million Dollar Night View’ of the city’s many twinkling lights, mountains and reflective river ranks as one of the world’s top 3 night view spots, alongside Monaco and Hong Kong.

Every evening shortly before closing time at 10pm, the three large TV and radio station transmitters light up in a special colourful display.

A short tram ride from Nagasaki’s main station is the Nagasaki Peace Park. Even the trams themselves have a cute retro style.

In Nagasaki Peace Park, you will find the ‘hypocenter’, the exact spot where the atomic bomb landed on the city in 1945, destroying the north of the city and killing 35,000 people in less than a second. 

Nearby you can see a remnant of a church that was one of the area’s only buildings left standing. You can also find a preserved part of the ground, exactly as it was after the bombing. Tools and teacups show the sheer devastation at ground level and the lives that were lost here.

As you walk through Nagasaki Peace Park, you will find a number of moving statues dedicated to the people of Nagasaki and calling for world peace, including the striking Peace Statue. It is an emotional experience.

Hiroshima and Miyajima island – 4 nights

From Nagasaki, it’s a four hour train journey to Hiroshima, with a transfer at Hakata station that we had paid for in advance thanks to our JR Passes .

The best hotel in Hiroshima for fabulous city views

In Hiroshima, we stayed at the fabulous Rihga Royal Hotel . It was my birthday and the hotel staff had kindly upgraded our room to a corner room on a high floor of the tower, with panoramic views over the city. You can even see as far as the island of Miyajima.

In the evening, we went to the hotel’s rooftop bar and tasted deliciously fragrant and spicy Japanese gin, served by an expert bartender.

Check out the full list of excellent hotels in Hiroshima .

The most moving thing to see in Hiroshima

Hiroshima is well known, along with Nagasaki, for being the site of the devastating atomic bombings during World War II. Here, you can visit the Atomic Bomb Dome, an iconic building that was one of the few constructions left standing after the bombing.

The attack killed more than 70,000 people instantly, while 70,000 more succumbed to radiation poisoning. The building was preserved exactly as it was, serving as a memorial to the lives lost. It is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and part of the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park.

Marvel at the shrines and friendly deer of Miyajima Island

The picturesque Miyajima Island is the perfect day trip from Hiroshima. Many people recommend staying overnight there too, but rooms are in high demand.

The island’s ‘floating’ Great Torii Gate in the bay is a popular spot for photos. It marks the entrance to the 12th-century Itsukushima Shrine. This is another UNESCO World Heritage Site.

For me, the most impressive structure is the Tahoto Pagoda, a striking red Buddhist temple built in 1523.

On Miyajima, friendly deer roam fearlessly among the tourists, searching for snacks. It’s rare to see these normally shy creatures up close and be able to pose for photos with them.

In the afternoon, take the Miyajima Ropeway the two journeys to the top of the mountain for incredible views. There will probably be queues, but it is worth it.

At the top of this sacred mountain, if you have time, you can hike around the forests and discover the Seven Wonders of Mount Misen.

It is so special here that you may wish to stay overnight so you can appreciate it after most of the tourists have left for the day. However, there are only a few places to stay and they are in high demand. You can book your room online in advance here .

Miyajima island is a charming and magical place that will stay in your memory for a long time.

Osaka – 3 nights

From Hiroshima, it’s a 2.5 hour journey by high speed bullet train to Osaka. Home to 19 million people, Osaka is a huge port city known for its modern architecture which lights up at night. While you can do one day in Osaka , two nights is great so you can take your time.

Browse and book from the extensive list of places to stay in Osaka here .

Its main historical landmark is the 16th-century Osaka Castle, which is surrounded by a moat and park with plum, peach and cherry-blossom trees.

The street food you need to try in Osaka

Osaka is renowned for its tasty street food so, as guided by the notes on the rudimentary map drawn by our Japanese friends, we had to try it.

First up, was takoyaki , stuffed batter balls topped with sauce. Even watching these little local snacks being made is a joy, as the market stall owners whip the batter around in the small moulds.

Next up, is okonomiyaki , delicious Japanese savoury pancakes filled with your choice of meat, seafood, vegetables and cheese, and topped with plenty of sauce. It’s street food heaven.

Osaka’s not-to-be-missed nightlife

As day turns to night in Osaka, the Dotonbori area of the city lights up into bright colours wherever you look. It’s awe-inspiring, simply walking along the streets and looking up at the giant, luminous adverts.

Look inside one of Japan’s video game arcades any time of day or night and you will be struck by the amount of machine noise, cigarette smoke and coloured lights. These dedicated gamers don’t seem to mind though.

Kyoto – 3 nights

Kyoto is just a 15-minute bullet train from Osaka. Once the capital of Japan, it is famous for its 2,000 beautifully preserved religious places, including 1,600 Buddhist temples and 400 Shinto shrines, as well as imperial palaces, gardens and traditional wooden architecture. The historic monuments of ancient Kyoto are a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the city is one of Japan’s most popular tourist destinations, so be sure to allow at least two days in Kyoto . 

Kyoto is in high demand so book your accommodation well in advance here .

Explore Kyoto’s famous geisha district

As well as being a great place to go shopping, Kyoto has a long tradition of being a centre for geisha , the distinctive traditional Japanese female entertainers.

Kyoto’s most famous geisha district is Gion, where you will find many traditional wooden merchant buildings containing shops, restaurants and teahouses, where geisha entertain guests.

At the Gion Corner theatre, you can watch performances showcasing a variety of Japanese theatrical arts.

The nearby Ponto-chō district is also known for its preserved traditional architecture and entertainment. Pontocho Alley in particular is an atmospheric place to wander around after dark.

Here on its narrow streets you can discover tiny, moody bars where highly experienced bartenders mix you cocktails served with flowers, fruit and traditional Kyoto snacks.

Get lost in the bamboo forest

A popular day trip destination from Kyoto that you will recognise from Instagram photos is the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. Just under an hour by public transport from central Kyoto, the bamboo forest walk is extremely popular with tourists so go early or be prepared for crowds.

However, head off the beaten track and you will find secluded shrines and mossy pathways where you can enjoy a peaceful moment.

We found a great little Udon noodle restaurant called Ogura-ya, where you can tuck into delicious noodle soup.

From Kyoto it’s a comfortable three-hour bullet train ride back to Tokyo, where you can catch your flight home after an incredible three weeks backpacking Japan.

Tokyo – 3 nights

Returning to Tokyo for our flight home, we took an extra day for what turned out to be one of the highlights of our trip – a visit to the majestic Mount Fuji.

Mount Fuji – the most fabulous day trip from Tokyo

About 1.5 hours from central Tokyo by train or bus is the famous Mount Fuji. This special place is well worth a day trip to enjoy the views. We were very fortunate to have perfect weather to see this magnificent mountain as often the summit is obscured by clouds.

Staying overnight in this beautiful location? Discover all the best places to stay .

From Kawaguchiko Station rent a bicycle or take the Red Line bus to Oishi Park. This route is usually not as busy as some of the others, so it won’t be so crowded when you get there. The gardens, flowers and lake provide a beautiful foreground for your Mount Fuji photos. The blueberry ice cream from the cafe at the nearby Kawaguchiko Natural Living Center will make your experience even sweeter.

Is backpacking Japan expensive?

You may be wondering, how much does backpacking Japan cost? Japan is certainly more expensive than other countries in Asia to visit. In total, for our three weeks in Japan, I spent around €3500 (£3000), but you can definitely do it for cheaper than we did, if you stay in shared accommodation instead of private rooms.

So, how much money do you need per day when backpacking Japan? For me, it worked out at around €165 (£140) per day. I will break down the costs below, to help you calculate the price for your own trip.

Just over a third of the total cost was for accommodation. We stayed in simple hotel rooms, as well as a traditional Japanese ryokan and a nicer hotel in Okinawa for my birthday. You will save a lot of money on accommodation in Japan if you are staying in hostel dorm rooms, such as the ones suggested in the section below.

Around a quarter of the cost was for transport, including return flights from mainland Japan to Okinawa and the JR Pass for high speed train travel around the country. The JR Pass is an expensive upfront cost, but it works out cheaper than booking individual train journeys in Japan once you’re there and gives you peace of mind. For more information, see the travel section below.

The next biggest cost, at 16% of the total, was for food and eating out at restaurants. The good news is you can dine well in Japan on a budget. We only spent around €27 (£22) per day on food. In Japan, you can find tasty street food and it’s great to try the local specialities – read more on this below. Even in one of the neighbourhood 7-11 supermarkets, you can find delicious and inexpensive Japanese snacks and meals.

Of the remaining budget, the largest was for tickets to attractions, but this only comprised 8% of the total.

In terms of how much cash you should bring to Japan, you may be surprised to find that many vendors still take cash rather than credit card payment. For this reason, I would make sure you always have plenty of cash on you. Sometimes it will take a while to find an ATM, so once you locate one, it’s worth taking out a large sum of money, as you will probably be charged by your bank, and maybe the ATM too, for each withdrawal. Luckily, Japan is a safe place to travel, so you don’t need to worry about carrying cash with you.

This is the best (and worst) time to visit Japan

Spring is said to be the best time to visit Japan because it’s cherry blossom season. For my trip to Japan, we decided to go from mid-April to the first week of May, over the Easter holidays. However, it’s good to check with a Japan itinerary blog or planner first. It was only after I booked our flights with ANA (All Nippon Airways) that I realised that our dates coincided with Golden Week.

At the end of April and beginning of May every year, Golden Week in Japan is a time when there are a number of national holidays. At this time of year, many transport hubs, hotels and tourist attractions across the country are much busier than normal, if not fully booked. Normally the advice for international tourists is to avoid this period. For this reason, it’s better to go to Japan in March or early April, if you want to see the cherry blossom. The mild autumn months between September and November is another good time to visit, as summer in Japan can get very hot.

For us, Golden Week in 2019 coincided with the abdication of Japan’s Emperor Akihito and the ascension to the throne of his son Naruhito, Crown Prince of Japan, ushering in a new era for the country. As well as more extended national holidays, it was a momentous time in history to visit Japan. Read on for my full Japan trip planner to help you organise the best trip to Japan.

This is by far the fastest and best way to travel in Japan

As you will be travelling long distances in a relatively short space of time, the best way to travel around Japan is by bullet train, known in Japan as the Shinkansen . It is fast, comfortable and incredibly efficient.

Buying the bullet train tickets separately can be expensive, so I highly recommend buying a Japan Rail (JR) Pass. This allows you to travel on the Shinkansen as often as you want within your Japan 21 day itinerary for a fixed price. You need to order it in advance before you leave, then exchange your voucher for the pass itself at a train station when you arrive.

Find out more, buy your JR Pass and get a free Japan train planner here . 

A Japan train tour like this is arguably the best way to see Japan if you are there for a week or more and visiting a few places – you can also buy a JR Pass for 1 week or 2 weeks. When you are looking into how to travel around Japan, you will see there are other options, such as buses and internal flights. Buses can be useful if your Japan travel route is more off-the-beaten path as the Shinkansen mainly serves the big cities. As we were taking flights for part of our trip, to visit Okinawa, we calculated that we didn’t need a JR Pass for 3 weeks to travel through Japan; we only needed to organise a 7 day Japan Rail Pass itinerary.

After you have planned your JR Pass Itinerary, you will need to book the individual tickets for the journeys at the train station. Then, the only thing you will need to worry about is getting on and off the train in time, as they only allow around one minute at each station, before speeding off to the next stop. 

To help you plan a budget and estimate costs for your trip to Japan, check out this useful site .

Final thoughts on a backpacking Japan 3 week itinerary

While we had a full Japan itinerary of 21 days, somehow it still didn’t feel like enough time. Because we had chosen to go south to Okinawa on our Japan backpacking trip, we weren’t able to visit the two destinations in northern Japan that our friends had suggested.

Niigata is a port city said to produce the world’s finest sake, Japan’s famous rice wine, while Nagano is a ski resort famous for the snow monkeys bathing in the hot springs of Jigokudani Monkey Park. Seems there’s plenty left to visit on our return.

Whatever happens, you are sure to have an incredible time on your 3 week itinerary in Japan, as you eat, experience and enjoy everything this unique country has to offer.

63 Comments

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What would you skip for a two week itinerary? I thought Okinawa? And what else?

Hi Dirk, yes, for a two week itinerary I would suggest leaving out Okinawa and Nagasaki. I hope you have an incredible trip to Japan!

How much did you pay in total for the whole trip?

Hi Jackie, thanks for your question. I have added a section to the article outlining the total cost for the trip and the breakdown by type of expenditure. I hope this helps!

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• Nov 26, 2023

A 3 week Travel Itinerary for Japan

Updated: Feb 9

This post may contain affiliate links, which means I may get a commission if you make a purchase through this website, at no cost to you. I only link to products I use and love.

In this Japan 3-week itinerary we will go over everything you need to know to help you plan your trip to Japan, making sure to include a combination of iconic attractions and off-the-beaten-path areas!

About Japan

When to Go to Japan

Where to Visit in Japan

Travel Tips for Japan

TOKYO (again)

Japan is an extremely popular choice for tourists, with some 30 million people visiting this far-flung island chain every year.

I would go as far as to say that Japanese culture has been somewhat fetishised by the West, whether it’s the cuisine, the traditions, the mod-cons, or the little bizzarrities, people over here really just dig Japanese stuff.

Japan is a truly beautiful country, and due to its wild geography, most of the population is clustered in the cities, where you WILL be one of the herd.

Because of this, my 3-week itinerary for Japan includes a mix of cities and countryside, so that you can experience all that Japanese culture has to offer.

When to go to Japan

When planning your 3-week Japan itinerary, choosing when to go is going to have a big effect on your trip.

Springtime and cherry blossom season is the most popular time of year for tourism in Japan. The weather is perfect, sunny and crisp, and pink and white cherry blossoms are iconic.

When planning my trip to Japan in 2023 I was well aware that the Japanese school holidays coincide with peak Sakura season - and I really did not want to get caught up in the crowds of tourists mixed up with school kids.

For this reason, I chose to go in mid-April - hoping to be lucky and still catch a glimpse of those world-famous pink flowers doing their thing.

You can check the cherry blossom forecast for 2024 on the Travel Japan Website.

FOR TRAVEL INSURANCE for Japan I suggest browsing Travel Supermarket  and choosing a cheap policy with a high Defaqto rating.

Deciding where to visit in Japan

Planning a trip to Japan can be daunting, and my suggestion would be to not bite off more than you can chew.

For this 3 week Japan itinerary, we have 4 stops, not including day trips. They are:

Tokyo  - 1 Night

Beppu  - 4 nights, osaka  - 6 nights, shikoku  - 4 nights, tokyo  - 5 nights.

I definitely wanted to visit Tokyo , Osaka , and Kyoto ; the famous tourist trio. Knowing these places are extremely popular with visitors and that they are three big cities, I interspersed these stops with some off-beat rural locales.

I chose Shikoku , a beautiful and rugged island with exceptional surf and hiking, and the areas surrounding Beppu , on the mostly volcanic island of Kyushu, with steam rising from the pavements and a distinct aroma of eggy farts.

I chose not to go to Hokkaido, the home of Sapporo and Snow - because that's a whole other trip. I also skipped the tropical corals of Okinawa in the South China Sea due to time constraints.

Some travel tips to help you prepare for a trip to Japan

I would strongly suggest that you purchase a SIM card when you arrive, you can do this at the airport or in most 7/11 corner shops.

Cash is still king, so bear that in mind when you exchange money for your trip.

If you have tattoos there are other considerations you need to make, and if you're wondering if the JR Pass is worth it, please find the answers in my blog post: Observations + Travel Tips From My Time in Japan.

Travel light! With lots of moving about on public transport, you will regret lugging around heavy suitcases. To help you pack light, check out my article: The Only Female Backpacking List You'll Ever Need .

Our 3-week Travel Itinerary for Japan:

Tokyo - 1 night.

After flying to Japan from Manila after we to ured the Philippines, we landed at Tokyo Narita Airport quite late. We chose to stay in Nine-Hours Capsule Hotel within the airport terminal.

It was awesome!

Male and female capsule rooms are separated completely, and after a shower and change into the provided pyjamas that make you feel like you're a clone from The Island, you can chill in your pod, which is so comfy.

I loved every second of it and it was the perfect place to rest and recharge after a flight, before getting stuck into our 3-week travel itinerary for Japan.

BEPPU - 4 Nights

From Tokyo we took a short flight to Oita , so we could start from the most southerly point on our 3-week travel itinerary for Japan, and work our way northwards, finishing in Tokyo.

We rented a car from Oita airport and drove the 40 minutes to our base for the next few days, a beautiful house in the town of Beppu (booked on Airbnb ) Being a volcanic town it's a regular sight to see steam rising from the pavements, and the whole place smells very strongly of sulphur!

As fewer tourists come to this area - the local people were genuinely curious about us and we had some really nice exchanges.

The best thing about this area is the landscape - so we really enjoyed driving around to the local sights and admiring the scenery, with regular stops for walks along forest trails. We were really lucky to catch a full field of cherry blossoms here too!

Places we visited around Beppu:

Mt Aso - a short hike to the crater of an active volcano.

Lake Shidaka - where we wandered amongst the cherry blossoms.

Mt Tsurumi Cable Car - trails of various lengths through pretty hillsides.

OSAKA - 6 Nights

Now, it would definitely be quicker to go straight to Shikoku next, using the ferry from Usuki to Yawatahama, which takes a little over 2 hours. However, we wanted to split up the city time so we chose to go to Osaka next.

That meant dropping the car back at Oita Airport and activating our Japan Rail Passes at Kitsuki Train Station , which was fairly straightforward, in fact, we found all transport arrangements to be really accessible during our time in Japan.

We then caught two trains with a change in Kitayushu , including our first bullet train, to our bonus stop in Hiroshima. I strongly advise booking all trains in advance, especially if you have luggage.

DAY TRIP - Hiroshima

As Hiroshima was just a short stop on the way to Osaka, we stored our luggage in big lockers in the main train station very easily.

Hiroshima is a nice city, and in only a few hours we did all the usual stuff:

A-bomb dome - a UNESCO World Heritage site and a sombre reminder of the 140,000 lives lost by one hateful act.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum - whilst the museum itself was very interesting, they do not monitor the number of people allowed in and it was completely jam-packed. There was no space to read the information and it was borderline claustrophobic.

Eat Okonomiyaki - a delicious savoury pancake from Hiroshima.

Back in Osaka

After exploring Hiroshima, we hopped back on the train and made the hour-long journey to Osaka, which was our base for the next 6 nights.

We chose to base ourselves in Osaka over Kyoto and I feel that was the right decision.

We then did a day trip to each Kyoto and Kobe which were only 30 minutes away on the train. Osaka is cool! It has a 'grittier' feel and some really awesome food.

Things we did in Osaka:

Deep Osaka Food Tour - This was the best thing we did in Japan.

Osaka Castle - Get there early!

Osaka History Museum - Only a few of the displays are in English but it was still nice to walk around.

Stroll around Shinsekai

Bar hop Dotonburi

Inc and Sons for cocktails.

EAT - nigiri, ramen, udon, tempura, katsu, yakitori...

DAY TRIP - Kyoto

Kyoto is a very pretty place to walk around, but be warned, it is crowded.

If I could give you one valuable tip for avoiding the crowds on your 3 week Japan itinerary it is to start early in Kyoto!

By 10am, the swarms arrive, and any chance of enjoying something beautiful is toast.

Things we did in Kyoto:

Inami Fushimi Shrine - definitely an Instagram vs reality moment. It's quite a long walk up the hill, and most people give up about halfway. If you persevere you will be rewarded with a few moments of tranquility at the top.

Kodaiji Park

Maruyama Park - this was a really nice place to spend a few hours, especially with a glass of bubbly Rosé from a cute local bar.

Stroll around Gion District

Japanese tapas at one of the many Bib Gourmands in Kyoto.

DAY TRIP - Kobe

Kobe is a cosmopolitan city nestled between the Rokkō mountains and the inland sea of Osaka Bay. It's a very walkable place with great dining options, and it's well worth making a day trip here from Osaka.

Things we did in Kobe:

Sone Jazz Club - make sure to reserve your table ahead of time. The food and drinks are average but the performance is pretty cool.

Take a cable car up Mt Rokkō and hike around enjoying the scenes.

Eat Kobe Beef - This we did not do (£££) - but when in Rome.

SHIKOKU - 4 Nights

After the fast-paced city life, we were well ready for some chilled time in the countryside, and I could think of nowhere better than Shikoku. IT IS SO BEAUTIFUL.

We took a train from Osaka to Matsuyama where we rented a car (completely necessary), and drove two hours up a winding mountain path to our Airbnb in the area of Uchiko.

We really enjoyed the woodland trails, yoga by the river, the sounds of nature, and the stillness. If you're looking for undiscovered Japan, this is it.

If you're up for a bit more driving, you can head to the vibrant city of Kochi on the east coast, which is not too far from some of the best surf spots in Japan.

TOKYO - 5 Nights

After dropping the car off in Matsuyama we were ready for our longest journey yet, on two bullet trains totalling 7 hours to get to Tokyo.

As a backpacker, I have been on some long-ass journeys in my time, and none have been comfier than the long-distance trains in Japan. Enjoy the ride!

Things we did in Tokyo:

Ebimaru Ramen - A lot of the time on our travels in Japan we just dropped in to eat anywhere that looked busy, but this one restaurant is worth mentioning, and absolutely worth the wait outside! Their lobster bisque ramen was my most memorable meal from the entirety of my 3-week travel itinerary around Japan.

The Sky Top Bus Tour - Whilst it was a nice way to see the city, it was incredibly long with an uninspiring audio guide.

Imperial Palace grounds - A beautiful place to spend a few hours.

teamLab Planet interactive art museum - This was so bizarre but really fun, be sure to book ahead.

Stroll around Shibuya crossing - Iconic.

So here is my 3-week travel itinerary for Japan! I know it is missing some of the 'big hitters' but hopefully it offers you something a little bit different from other itineraries.

Check out my post on Observations from the Far East to read about the little curiosities I noticed during my time in Japan.

After Japan, we flew to LAX and travelled in California for 10 days. Read about that in my blog post: San Francisco to San Diego on a Shoestring.

If you have any questions please hit the comments, or consider subscribing to this blog, where I publish articles every 1-2 weeks about my current one-year backpacking trip around the world.

Happy Travels

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Observations from my time in Japan + Travel tips

Japan Travel Tips: Everything You Need to Know + 3 Weeks Itinerary

Latest update: July 20, 2023

Japan! The country was at the top of our list for a long time until we finally took the plunge and traveled to Japan. Right off the bat: Japan is absolutely great, unique, crazy, and special!

Japan is also pretty challenging, which we noticed while planning our trip and once we got there. And that’s exactly why we wrote this post.

It contains all our Japan travel tips that are useful before and during your trip.

Since the post is packed to the brim with everything you need to know about traveling to Japan, we’ve structured it into three large parts and put a table of contents to the beginning.

That way, you can easily jump to the Japan travel tips that interest you most or just read the entire article top to bottom.

We wish you a lot of fun planning your trip to Japan and an exciting stay!

Read all our posts about Japan

Japan travel planning

If you aren’t sure if Japan is the right place for you, the first part of this post is just for you.

Who is Japan perfect for as a destination?

Japan is definitely a destination that isn’t that popular yet in Europe So if you’re looking for an extraordinary destination for your next vacation, then you should add Japan to your list.

But what does Japan have to offer? In Japan you’ll find huge cities, especially Tokyo, one of the most exciting metropolises in the world. Although Japan is a very modern country, it has great cultural treasures and temples to offer, and nature lovers will also find a lot to do in Japan. How about a hike up the famous Mount Fuji, for example? Or maybe even a skiing vacation? Japan has it all.

And even if you need sun and beach on your vacation, then you’ll also find the right spot for that in Japan. Okinawa Prefecture in the south of Japan has some amazing islands and beaches that are in no way inferior to the well-known beach destinations in Southeast Asia.

Long story short: Japan is incredibly diverse. Whether you’re a city slicker, nature lover, or beachcomber. Everyone will find what they’re looking for in Japan.

Japan is also a country that’s easy to travel on your own. Traveling solo through Japan is very convenient on the one hand, because the infrastructure is excellent, but on the other hand it’s also a bit of an adventure, because hardly anyone speaks English and it’s not that easy to look up the Japanese characters in a travel dictionary.

Moreover, Japan isn’t a very cheap destination. Although it’s quite possible to travel through Japan on a relatively small budget, generally speaking, Japan is an expensive country to visit.

When’s the best time to travel to Japan?

In principle, you can travel to Japan all year round. Since the country extends from north to south over several thousand kilometers, there are also many different climate zones in Japan. The islands in the south around Okinawa have a subtropical climate, while the northern parts of the country border directly on Siberia, so it can get freezing cold there.

Many tourists traveling to Japan for the first time visit the main island of Honshu. It’s home to the famous destinations of Tokyo , Kyoto , Hiroshima, Osaka, and Mount Fuji.

It’s hot and rainy on the main island in summer while the winters are rather unpleasant, similar to central Europe. The best weather is in spring and autumn. The temperatures are the most pleasant then – not too hot and not too cold – and there’s less rainfall overall.

Of course, that’s when most tourists come to visit. It’s often very crowded around the main sights and room rates are much higher than in the low season.

Many travelers come to Japan for the cherry blossom season. It usually only lasts for about 10 days and migrates from south to north. The cherry blossom is never entirely predictable. During our visit to Japan, for example, it was unusually late. As a rule, cherries bloom between the end of March and the middle of April.

You should avoid the Golden Week at all costs. Between April 29 and May 5 (or May 6, if the 5th falls on a Sunday), there are four public holidays in Japan. Many Japanese people get the entire time off, some companies even close down.

Since Japanese people like to travel a lot in their own country, hotels, trains, and flights are likely to be fully booked and are often disproportionately expensive. If you can help it, try to avoid the Golden Week.

How much time should you plan for Japan?

Since the flight to Japan is relatively long, it’s worth staying in Japan for a bit longer.

To visit the main attractions on the main island of Honshu, you’ll need at least two weeks . But then you’ll be on a very tight schedule with little time to relax and explore.

Therefore, we’d recommend staying three weeks. The more time you have, the better. But three weeks are a very good start.

Getting there: Cheap flights to Japan

From Germany, Lufthansa, and All Nippon Airways offer direct flights from Düsseldorf, Munich and Frankfurt to Tokyo. There are also flights to Osaka from Frankfurt. The flight takes about 12 hours. From Switzerland, there are direct connections between Zurich and Tokyo.

Direct flights are usually more expensive than flights with a transfer. It’s worth comparing prices. Cheap connections are often available with Finnair via Helsinki, with LOT via Warsaw, with Emirates via Dubai , and with Qatar Airways via Doha.

You’ll just have to decide whether a longer flight is worth it at a much cheaper price. We always use the flight search engine Skyscanner to find the best flight for us.

Entry requirements for Japan

You’ll need a valid passport for your trip to Japan. As a tourist, you’ll be given a stamp in your passport when you enter the country, allowing you to stay for 90 days. If this isn’t enough, you can extend your stay by another 90 days.

On the plane you’ll be given a short form, which you have to fill out and hand in at the passport control. Among other things, you’ll have to enter an address in Japan. You can simply enter the address of your first hotel in Tokyo for example.

Officially, you have to have your passport on you at all times. We’ve never heard of anyone being checked, but better be safe than sorry.

What do I have to pack for a trip to Japan?

Depending on the season, you should obviously pack appropriate clothes. In the summer, short clothes and a thin jacket are enough, while you should wrap up warm in the winter.

Things are a bit more complicated in spring and fall. During our visit in April, there were days when we only needed a T-shirt, and on other days we had to wear our thick winter jackets, especially in the evening. So you should be prepared for any weather if you travel then.

Another important thing is a power adapter for Japan . Unfortunately, our universal adapter that worked everywhere else so far didn’t have the right connector for Japan. But you can buy the right adapter in a triple pack at a low price here .

The voltage standard in Japan is 110 volts. Make sure that all your technical devices you want to bring will work with this voltage. This is pretty much always the case with modern equipment, but it can’t hurt to check. There’s always a voltage rating printed on each power plug.

We also recommend bringing all your own cosmetics and toiletries . In theory, you could just as easily buy them in Japan, but the product descriptions are mostly printed in Japanese. That might be OK for toothpaste, but things get a bit trickier when it comes to creams. Because they often contain whitener in Asia.

Clothing and technical equipment are readily available in local stores if you’ve forgotten something at home.

To get from A to B within Japan, we recommend the Japan Rail Pass . With this pass, you can use almost all the state-operated trains in Japan, which will usually save you a lot of money compared with buying tickets individually. However, you have to order the Japan Rail pass before your trip, as you can’t buy it in Japan. You can order it online here .

Read about our experience with the Japan Rail Pass here.

Vaccinations and travel health kit for Japan

You don’t need any special vaccinations for Japan. The standard vaccinations for Europe or North America should do just fine. An additional vaccination against hepatitis B and Japanese encephalitis is recommended only for long-term stays.

You can generally get all common drugs in Japan. Pharmacies are usually directly integrated into drugstores. But then there’s the problem of communication. Packages and package inserts are often printed exclusively in Japanese and you can’t always be sure that the pharmacist speaks English. So a small supply of diarrhea medication and painkillers can’t hurt.

If you catch a cold in Japan, we have a real insider tip for you.

Japanese people swear by a remedy called 粉薬 (Konagusuri). The powder needs to be dissolved in water three times a day. It tastes absolutely disgusting, but it really helps. Of course we tried it for ourselves. You can buy this miracle cure in most supermarkets.

3-week itinerary for Japan

There are so many great places and sights to discover that you don’t really know where to start. We were the same way. It was our very first time in Japan and we had to find our bearings first. Where are Tokyo and Kyoto on the map? We’ve collected all our accumulated knowledge here to help with your planning.

Our travel route for Japan

It’s often difficult to get your bearings when you travel to a country for the first time. To help you out, we’ve traced our travel route on a map for you.

The 3-week itinerary :

• 10 days – Tokyo including a day trip to Kamakura & Yokohama
• 3 days – Osaka including a day trip to Nara
• 6 days – Kyoto
• 1 day – Hiroshima + 1 day – Miyajima

How our route held up in hindsight

The Japan route we picked is an excellent route for beginners. In hindsight, we’re definitely satisfied with our selection of destinations and places of interest and can wholeheartedly recommend it.

Our Tip : If you have two more days to spare, we’d recommend a one- or two-day stay at the foot of Mount Fuji. We’ve heard many good things about the Kagelow Mount Fuji Hostel . They also have private double rooms and some rooms have a direct view of Mount Fuji.

Alternatively, you could also go on a day trip there from Tokyo.

Reduce the itinerary to two weeks

There are probably some people who don’t have three weeks to spare. If we had only had two weeks, we would have reduced our itinerary a bit. Like so:

The 2-week itinerary :

• 5 days – Tokyo (optionally: day trip to Kamakura & Yokohama & day trip to Mount Fuji)
• 2 days – Osaka including a day trip to Nara
• 4 days – Kyoto
• 2 days – Hiroshima including a day trip to Miyajima

Getting around in Japan

We ordered a two-week Japan Rail Pass before our trip. We did every journey, i.e. from Tokyo to Osaka, Osaka to Kyoto, Kyoto to Hiroshima, Hiroshima to Miyajima. and from there back to Tokyo with the Rail Pass.

That’s definitely the easiest and fastest way of getting around the country, but it isn’t all that cheap. But that isn’t the only reason the Japan Rail Pass is worthwhile, because it also allows you to travel incredibly flexibly and spontaneously.

But please note: You can only buy the Rail Pass in your home country, i.e. BEFORE your trip to Japan.

Sights and attractions in Japan

Of course there’s no way we can list all the sights in Japan in this post. The country is much too large and too diverse for that. So we’ve limited ourselves to the highlights on the main island of Honshu, because it has more than enough to offer for first-time visitors to Japan.

Tokyo: Day 1 to 6

Most international flights land in Tokyo. The city is simply amazing and if you’re flying in from a more less high-strung country, you’ll experience a flood of stimuli.

Tokyo has great observation points, huge streets, and intersections with neon signs, some temples, beautiful parks and many crazy neighborhoods.

Also read our post about Tokyo

Day trips from Tokyo

There are two easy days trips to the area around Tokyo that we can recommend while you’re there.

Kamakura and Nikko have some of the most important temples in Japan and it’s nice to get out of hectic Tokyo for a bit.

If you can’t get enough of big cities, we recommend a trip to Yokohama, Japan’s second-largest city, only 20 minutes away.

Osaka: Day 7 to 9

Osaka often flies under most travelers’ radar, which is a real shame. We liked the city very much and it has some extravagant sights to offer, such as one of the most beautiful escalators in the world, a crazy entertainment district, and a Ferris wheel on the roof of a shopping center.

Day trip from Osaka to Nara

From Osaka you should definitely go on a day trip to Nara. The former capital is great for an extensive bout of temple-hopping.

If Osaka isn’t on your travel itinerary, you can also make the trip to Nara from Kyoto , or add Nara to your itinerary and stay overnight.

Kyoto: Day 10 to 15

Kyoto is the cultural highlight in Japan. For centuries, Kyoto was the capital of Japan and today the city is probably THE tourist hotspot in the country. While thousands of tourists and bus groups push their way through some of the myriad temples, other temples are almost completely deserted and just waiting to be discovered.

You should plan four full days for Kyoto. Of course there’s a lot more to be seen than you could possibly do in four days, but after a while you’ll probably start to get a bit tired of temples. At least we did.

Also read our post about Kyoto

Hiroshima and Miyajima: Day 16 to 18

In the southwest of the main island lies Hiroshima, one of the most exciting cities in Japan. The tragic history of the city is commemorated in different memorial sites. Although it can get very depressing at times, we can highly recommend a visit to Hiroshima.

All in all, we liked the city very much: lots of young people, nice restaurants and shops, and much less hustle and bustle than in the other big cities we visited.

While you’re in Hiroshima it’s also worth a going on a day trip to the the island of Miyajima with the famous torii standing in the water.

3-week itinerary for Japan: Final thoughts

As you can see, we’ve left a few overflow days in our three-week trip. Depending on your interests, you can use them to spend some more time at the individual destinations. For example, we spent 10 whole days in Tokyo because we’re absolutely fascinated by major cities.

Alternatively, you could also go on more day trips from one of the individual destinations. You can find more suggestions for day trips in our posts on the individual cities.

Travel expenses: How expensive is Japan?

As we mentioned, Japan isn’t a cheap destination.

Accommodation is definitely the most expensive item on the list. An average mid-range hotel in a good location usually costs between 100 and 150 euros per night. Prices for beds in a hostel start from about 30 euros.

Local food, such as sushi or noodle soup, is relatively affordable. Western food, on the other hand, is expensive. Taking the subway is cheaper than in Germany, and the prices for express trains are comparable to the German Intercity-Express. You can save money on travel by taking regional trains or buses.

Bottom line: Overall, the travel costs for Japan are more or less comparable to travel costs in Western Europe. If you’re traveling on a budget and are prepared to compromise when it comes to comfort, you can travel through Japan relatively inexpensively.

Where to stay in Japan

Unfortunately, accommodation in Japan is relatively expensive and the hotel rooms are really tiny in the big cities. In Tokyo we had a total of 11 square meters and in Kyoto even only 9 square meters, and we still paid for the 140 euros per night.

Those are common prices for a mid-range hotel in a good location during the main travel season. But you can can get cheaper prices, e.g. by booking a bed in a hostel dorm or at one of the infamous capsule hotels. The latter are usually men-only though.

As the Japanese themselves travel a lot in their own country and like to book many months in advance, we recommend sorting out your accommodation as early as possible. In the off-season, you generally have a good chance of getting a room at short notice, but in spring or fall, most places fill up fast.

We booked all our hotels through booking.com . You can cancel most hotels at no cost up to a few days before your arrival date, so you can still remain flexible in your travel planning even if you book early.

Our tip : In our post on Japan hotel tips , we present all the hotels we stayed at during our trip to Japan and give you lots of practical tips for searching for a hotel in general. We also have a separate post for Tokyo where we help you find the right neighborhood to search for a hotel:  Where to stay in Tokyo: Where’s the best place to stay in Tokyo?

Public transport is excellent in Japan. There’s a huge network of trains and buses both within and between cities.

Traveling between cities

The fastest way to get from city to city is by train. For long journeys, the Shinkansen super-high-speed train is the best option. The trains travel at speeds of more than 300 kph. Since the Shinkansen don’t share their tracks with slower trains, they consistently travel at high speeds and can cover long distances in a very short time.

The trains run at short intervals and are extremely punctual and reliable. But the Shinkansen also has its price, which is why we recommend the Japan Rail Pass . That’s definitely the cheapest option to quickly travel cross-country.

We ordered the Rail Pass for two weeks before we went to Japan and were very happy with our decision. It allowed us to travel through the country very easily, flexibly, and above all fast. To help you figure our which Rail Pass option is right for you, we’ve written down our accumulated knowledge in a separate post.

If you want to save money, you can take buses or slow trains instead. But the savings come at the price of longer travel times.

To find out the fastest or the cheapest connection between two cities, we recommend the Hyperdia website .

Domestic flights are another option. But most of the time, they aren’t really any faster than riding the Shinkansen because the airports are located outside the big cities, while the train stations are in the center.

Public transport in the city

The big cities often have an excellent metro network, supplemented by a dense network of buses. Your best bet is to buy an IC card when you arrive. You can conveniently top up this card at the ticket machines and use it on almost all subways and buses. Just place it on the card reader and off you go. That’s a lot faster and less stressful than buying a single ticket every time, and it’s also a bit cheaper.

Each region also has its own ticket. Tokyo has the Suica card , which also works in Osaka and Kyoto. So you don’t need to buy a new card every time. Of all the places we went, Hiroshima was the only place the card didn’t work, but you can get everywhere on foot there anyway.

Money and paying in Japan

This section is all about money in Japan.

Currency and conversion

The official currency in Japan is the yen. 100 yen is worth about 0.80 euros ; 1 euro is worth 120 yen .

The most common denominations are 10,000, 5,000, and 1,000 yen bills and a whole lot of coins that almost made our wallet come apart at the seams.

At many of the beverage vending machines that are everywhere in Japan, as well as in small supermarkets, you can also pay with the IC card you use for the subway. That’s pretty handy if you’re ever out of change, although that’s hard to imagine in Japan.

Paying by credit card is quite common in Japan. We always paid for our hotels with our travel credit card. Additional fees for credit card payments are rare.

Withdrawing money in Japan

Of course, Japan has ATMs all over the place where you can withdraw money. The machines look a bit different than back home, but you can switch them to English and other European languages. Some machines don’t accept foreign cards, but we always managed to find a suitable machine.

We were able to withdraw money free of charge anywhere in Japan with our credit cards. That’s quite handy, because that way you can withdraw smaller amounts.

Tipping in Japan

Tipping is highly unusual in Japan and is sometimes even considered rude. So don’t even try to give anyone a tip.

You’ll always get exact change in restaurants and taxis.

Internet in Japan

The Internet in Japan is fast and reliable. We had a very good Internet connection at all our hotels, which was even fast enough for streaming movies. Many cafés and stores also offer free WiFi hotspots.

Mobile Internet, on the other hand, is quite expensive. There are special SIM cards for tourists so you can get mobile Internet. Cards are available at the airport and at tourist information bureaus.

We spent 5,500 yen (about 47 euros) for our SIM card including 3 GB of data. But there are cheaper offers if you don’t need that much data.

Eating and drinking in Japan

Japan has some real culinary highlights to offer and we miss the food there already.

Breakfast in Japan

Traditional Japanese breakfast is quite unusual for the western palate. It consists of rice, fish, pickled vegetables, and omelet.

Hotels usually serve a Japanese breakfast. But it usually isn’t included in the room rates. If you’d prefer a sandwich or something sweet, you’ll have to head to one of the café chains instead, or look for one of the many French-style bakeries, which are actually pretty common in Japan.

Traditional dishes in Japan

Of all Japanese dishes, sushi is certainly the most widely known. Sushi is much cheaper in Japan than in Europe and of course it’s much better there. We usually had sushi at least once per day.

You should definitely try out a kaiten sushi restaurant, which is more commonly known as ‘running sushi’ in Europe. The plates pass you on a little conveyor belt and you just take whatever you want. Depending on the restaurant, each plate costs the same (often only 108 yen) or there are different prices depending on the color of the plate.

Traditional Japanese soups such as ramen and udon are also delicious. The soups are available with different main ingredients, such as meat, egg, or seaweed. At many soup restaurants, you have to place your order using a vending machine. It’ll give you a ticket to show the server or the cook.

We were very pleasantly surprised by soba . These are buckwheat noodles served cold with some horseradish and soy sauce for dipping. That might sound a bit strange at first, but it’s really very tasty.

Another specialty are okonomiyaki . They’re a kind of crepe prepared on a hot plate with noodles, meat, seafood, cabbage, and egg, and then garnished with a spicy sauce. Delicious! This dish is especially popular around Hiroshima, but you also can get it in other areas of Japan too.

Japanese cuisine is very meat-based in general. Many restaurants have a barbecue on the table to fry your own meat. On the other hand, vegetables, and fresh fruits are pretty scarce. If you’re vegetarian or vegan, you won’t have an easy time finding something to suitable eat in Japan.

Drinks in Japan

Beer is relatively expensive in Japan. Prices for a small glass in a restaurant range from 3 to 8 euros. The best known brands are Asahi, Kirin, and Sapporo, all of which are pretty tasty.

Sake, a rice wine, is also a popular traditional beverage in Japan. Where we have a wine shelf in the supermarket, Japan has a sake shelf. Sake is served cold or hot and usually has an alcohol content between 15 and 20 percent.

Coffee is available at one of the many coffee shops, as well as at vending machines in almost every supermarket. But tea is more common in Japan, and is available as both a hot and a cold beverage.

There are vending machines all over the place where you can get water, soft drinks, tea, and coffee at reasonable prices (about 1 euro).

Safety in Japan

Japan is one of the safest countries in the world. Incidents of robbery or violence against tourists are very rare, and theft isn’t a big problem in Japan either.

You should exercise some caution in the nightlife districts in Tokyo and Osaka, but it’s still safer there than in many European cities.

However, earthquakes are a real danger in Japan. There are about 1,500 earthquakes every year, many of which can be felt. When we were in Tokyo, there was one time when the earth shook a little bit. Most earthquakes are harmless, but every few years theres a larger quake.

Finally, we’ll get to the most complicated part of a trip to Japan: communication. Most Japanese do not speak any English at all or only very few words here and there.

But that doesn’t stop them from talking your ear off in Japanese. It’s always very funny at the supermarket checkout. The cashiers let loose an endless swath of Japanese words listing all the products and prices as they scan your things. Just smile and nod and you’ll be fine.

At railway stations and tourist points of interest, the most important signs also usually also provided in English. In more touristy areas, restaurants often also have an English menu although the translations can be a bit odd at times. Apart from that, it’s common for restaurants to have pictures or showcases showing the food, so you at least you can see what you’re ordering.

Overall, you can get by pretty well despite the communication problems. The Japanese are very helpful and considerate, and despite the language barrier, communication always seems to work out somehow.

Our tip : Download the Google Translate app and the translation files for the Japanese language (within the app) to your mobile phone ( for Android – for iOS ) before your trip to Japan. Using the camera mode, this app can often help translate sentences or individual words. It actually was a lot of help.

Pro tip: Smiling always helps in Japan.

And Japanese people are often happy enough if you speak a few words of Japanese. Hello and thank you are usually enough, so we’ve listed the most important words for you here.

At first, we though it’d be easy: Hello is konnichiwa and bye is sayounara. But we were surprised to learn that these words are hardly ever used in everyday speech.

At least konnichiwa is used as a greeting in the afternoon, but sayounara rarely used at all. It actually means ‘farewell’, and that isn’t something you say everyday in English either.

But here are the most important words:

Good morning – ohaiyou gozaimasu Good afternoon – konnichiwa Good evening – konbanwa Bye – itte kimasu Thank you – arigato Thanks (more polite) – arigato gozaimasu Yes – hai No – iie One – ishi Two – ni Three – san

Even more Japan travel tips

So, those were all our tips for Japan condensed into a single post. In the relevant paragraphs we’ve also added links to more detailed posts on the respective topics, so you can find even more information if you need it.

Have you ever been to Japan? If you have any other tips for us, please let us know in the comments below. The same goes if you have any questions of course.

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The Perfect 7-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

Japan captured my heart from the moment I firs visited. The delicious food, the rich culture, breathtaking landscapes, vibrant history, and the very friendly and polite people – it all blew my mind.

But Japan often feels impenetrable, especially to first-time visitors. While I think Japan deserves a minimum of 10 days, I get that some people might only have a week, so I wanted to write this, my ideal seven-day itinerary for Japan for a first-time visitor.

With only a week, there’s not much you can see unless you really rush it. And I don’t think you should do that.

So this itinerary only focuses on Tokyo and Kyoto (the most popular destinations) as well as some day trips from each. If you wanted to rush things a little, you could add in Osaka (more on that at the end).

(Note: If you purchased a Japan Rail Pass , activate it on arrival. That way, you can take advantage of the free JR trains throughout the city.)

Table of Contents

Japan Itinerary Day 1: Tokyo

Japan itinerary day 2: tokyo, japan itinerary day 3: tokyo, japan itinerary day 4: kyoto, japan itinerary day 5: kyoto, japan itinerary day 6: nara, japan itinerary day 7: tokyo, an alternative itinerary.

Tsukiji and Toyosu Fish Markets Cure your jet lag with some food! In 2018, Tokyo’s main fish market moved to Toyosu. It is now twice the size of Tsukiji (the old one), making it the largest such market in the world. Here you can eat fresh sushi for breakfast, just a few feet from where it was hauled in from the sea, while marveling at the chaotic atmosphere.

You can still head to the old market in Tsukiji to eat, shop, and wander as well. I like it a lot, because there are more food options! Food and drink tours of the Tsukiji Outer Market are available for around 15,000 JPY.

Toyosu Fish Market is open Monday-Saturday 5am-5pm, though most shops don’t open until 7am. Admission is free, but you have to pick up a visitor’s pass when you enter. Tsukiji Fish Market’s hours vary by shop (usually 5am-2pm). Admission is free.

teamLab Planets This digital art installation is a multi-sensory and immersive experience in which you become part of the artwork, walking barefoot through the four exhibition spaces and gardens as you interact with the installations’ elements in unique ways. It’s really fun! TeamLab is generally sells out in advance, so I recommend getting your tickets online ahead of time .

Take a walking tour Walking tours are a great way to get the lay of the land while connecting with a local guide. I always go on one or two when I arrive somewhere. Tokyo Localized offers many free tours, including a classic overview and ones of both the famed Harajuku and Shinjuku neighborhoods. Its Imperial Palace tour would be the most convenient one after teamLab.

The Imperial Palace Formerly Edo Castle, the Imperial Palace was built in the 15th century, and some of the walls and moats from that time are still in use to this day. When the emperor moved from Kyoto to Tokyo in 1869, he took Edo for his new palace and renamed it. While you can’t go inside, it is surrounded by beautiful grounds, a moat, and a park worth wandering through. You can also see the changing-of-the-guard ceremony (though it’s relatively low-key and unassuming). Admission to the grounds is free.

Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden This park is over 144 acres and home to some 20,000 trees. Most of the original park was destroyed in World War II but was rebuilt and reopened in 1949. During spring, it is one of the best places to see cherry blossoms. My favorite area is the landscape garden, which has several ponds with bridges and islands. It’s a peaceful oasis away from the urban hustle and bustle.

Depending on how you feel relative to your jetlag, you could fit a few more activities before you end your day. Check out this post for suggestions .

• Senso-ji – This is Tokyo’s most popular and famous temple. Beautifully painted, it sits in a scenic spot near a pagoda and the lovely Kaminari Gate. There’s a huge statue of Kannon, the goddess of mercy, inside the main hall. It’s very busy during the day, so maybe check out the grounds in the evening.
• Asakusa Shrine – This nearby Shinto shrine is much more peaceful, with fewer visitors, but with people praying, meditating, or performing traditional rituals. It was built during the Edo period (1603–1868) and survived the air raids of World War II.

Afterward, head to Ueno Park . Spanning over 133 acres, Ueno Park was established in 1873 on land formerly owned by a 17th-century Buddhist temple. It gets super busy in cherry blossom season, as there are over a thousand trees here. Throughout, you’ll find various stalls and vendors selling snacks, drinks, and souvenirs. On weekends, there are usually cultural events or festivals showcasing traditional arts, music, and dance. Four of Tokyo’s main museums are here:

• Tokyo National Museum – Established in 1872 on the north end, this massive building is the oldest and largest art museum in Japan. It houses one of the world’s largest collections of art and artifacts from Asia, particularly Japan.
• Tokyo Metropolitan Art Museum – This museum showcases rotating exhibitions of contemporary and traditional Japanese art.
• National Museum of Nature and Science – This museum features a wide range of permanent and temporary exhibitions covering natural science and history.
• Tosho-gu Shrine – This beautiful 17th-century Shinto shrine has carved gold doors and other ornate carvings. It’s worth seeing up close!

Afterward, walk down to Akihabara to explore the video game parlors, arcades, and anime shops. This very buzzy area is ground zero for all things electronic, and it’s fun to play many of the games. This is where you’ll find the famous maid cafés, where servers dress up as maids and serve you food and drinks. These range from big touristy ones to holes-in-the-wall (the girls on the street are promoting the latter, which are a lot more culturally fun). They aren’t cheap, though, as you have to buy drink packages and pay a fee, but they’re kitschy and fun.

In the evening, visit Shinjuku and then drink in Golden Gai . In Shinjuku, you’ll find a plethora of cool bars, bright lights, and tiny hole-in-the-wall eateries. Be sure to wander down Memory Lane (aka Piss Alley) for tiny izakaya joints and bars. Afterward, head over to Golden Gai, a warren of narrow alleyways with a bit of a red-light-district feel, flanked by diminutive backstreet bars. It’s quite touristy but also a lot of fun. I’ve had some wild nights here!

With Arigato Tours , you’ll learn about the neighborhood while stopping to sample Japanese classics like sushi, yakitori, and ramen. The 23,900 JPY cost includes a drink and dishes at four stops.  

Kamakura Here you can see a 13-meter (43-foot) bronze statue of Buddha that was built in 1252. It was initially constructed within Kotoku-in Temple, but that has since been washed away by several storms, so it now sits in the open air. Admission to enter the temple grounds is 300 JPY, while it’s 20 JPY to go inside the statue. The journey there — around an hour — is free with a Japan Rail Pass .

Tokyo Disneyland I’m a sucker for Disney. You’ll find many of the same classic rides from Disney World here, like Splash Mountain, Big Thunder Mountain, The Haunted Mansion, and everyone’s favorite teacup ride, The Mad Tea Party. But there are several unique attractions as well, like Pooh’s Hunny Hunt and Journey to the Center of the Earth.

Ticket prices vary depending on the day and time, but full-day admission begins at 7,900 JPY for adults and 4,400-6,200 JPY for children. It’s best to book in advance .

Mount Fuji Mount Fuji is located an hour outside of Tokyo. An active stratovolcano (which last erupted in 1708) and covered in snow for almost half of the year, it stands an impressive 3,776 meters (12,389 feet) and provides one of the most iconic views in the country. One of the Three Holy Mountains of Japan, Mount Fuji is both a Special Place of Scenic Beauty and a UNESCO Cultural Site. In the summer, the mountain is open to hikers, who take 5-12 hours to reach the summit (traditionally, they depart at night to arrive at the top for the sunrise).

If you don’t want to hike, you can simply visit on a day trip. There are buses that can take you partway up, where you’ll be offered sweeping vistas of the surrounding area. Guided day tours from the city cost around 12,000 JPY.  

Wander the Bamboo Forest For a relaxing break, head to Arashiyama and let the dense and towering stands of bamboo envelop you. Located near the famous Tenryu-ji temple, it’s one of the most beautiful places in the entire country. It’s not that big, but there are some hidden areas to explore. Just make sure to arrive early if you want to enjoy it without the crowds (it fills up fast after sunrise).

While there, I would also recommend visiting the Okochi Sanso Garden, which (along with the home) belonged to the famous Japanese actor Denjir? ?k?chi (1898–1962). It’s not free (it’s 1,000 JPY), but it’s really nice and has some wonderful views.

Visit the Golden Pavilion Originally built in the late 14th century as a retirement villa for the shogun (military governor), this iconic structure was later converted into a Zen Buddhist temple. The present-day edifice dates only to the 1950s, however, when a monk attempting to kill himself burned the historic original to the ground. The rebuilt temple is covered in brilliant gold leaf, symbolizing purity and enlightenment. Each of the three stories exhibits a different architectural style. Completing the scene are the serene reflecting pool and traditional Japanese gardens that contain lush foliage, manicured trees, and scenic walking paths.

1 Kinkakuji-cho, Kita-ku, Kyoto-shi, Kyoto, +81 075-461-0013, shokoku-ji.jp. Open daily 9am-5pm. Admission is 500 JPY.

Admire Ryoan-ji Temple This is my favorite temple in Kyoto. Originally established in 1450 as a residence for a high-ranking samurai, it was soon converted into a Zen temple and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site, with a mausoleum that houses the remains of seven emperors. Its traditional rock and sand garden is considered one of the best in the country. There’s also a teahouse where you can experience the traditional Japanese tea ceremony ( chanoyu ) as you overlook the Kyoyochi reflecting pool.

There are other temples in the area to check out as well:

• Daitoku-ji Temple – This massive complex dating back to 1315 covers almost 60 acres. It contains several dozen temples and is a good place to see a variety of Zen gardens and architectural styles. It’s also deeply linked to the Japanese tea ceremony, as several of the country’s most noteworthy masters studied here.
• Toji Temple – This is home to Japan’s tallest pagoda (five stories high). Founded in 796, just after Kyoto became the capital, it was one of only three Buddhist temples allowed in the city.

Go on a sake brewery tour Kyoto has a sake (rice wine) brewing tradition going back 400 years and is known for some of the best in the world, due to using the area’s pure natural spring water in the brewing process. Arigato Tours offers an excellent three-hour tour of Fushimi (the brewing district) for 23,320 JPY, including stops at several breweries, a guided tour of the Gekkeikan Okura Sake Museum, and tastings.  

See the Fushimi Inari Shrine This mountainside Shinto shrine, dating back to 711, is dedicated to Inari, the god of rice and prosperity. It’s known for its thousands of vibrant orange torii gates that form a network of trails leading up Mount Inari. You can hike the trails on your own while enjoying panoramic views of Kyoto below or join a guided hiking tour , on which you’ll get off the paved paths and into hidden bamboo groves. Get here as early as possible to avoid the crowds.

68 Fukakusa Yabunouchicho, +81756417331, inari.jp. Open 24/7. Admission is free.

Walk around Higashiyama Spend an afternoon walking along the narrow streets of one of the oldest and best preserved districts on your own or on a walking tour . The traditional machiya buildings (traditional wooden townhouses) are filled with small shops selling local specialties and handicrafts, as well as restaurants and teahouses. It’s a popular area in which to participate in a tea ceremony . Another nice place to stroll in this neighborhood is the Philosopher’s Path, which follows a cherry-tree-lined canal that’s beautiful and meditative even when the blossoms aren’t in season.

Visit Kiyomizu-dera One of a number of UNESCO sites in ancient Kyoto, Kiyomizu-dera (meaning “pure water temple”) is located in the foothills of Mount Otowa in the eastern part of the city. It’s one of the most famous temples in all of Japan. It was established in 778, but most of the existing buildings date to the 17th century. There’s not a single nail used in the construction, which becomes all the more impressive once you see how large the temple is, which is best known for its wooden terrace that juts out over the hillside. The temple’s name comes from the nearby waterfall whose waters (from which you can still drink today) are said to have wish-granting and healing powers.

1 Chome-294 Kiyomizu, +81 75-551-1234, kiyomizudera.or.jp. Open daily 6am-6pm. Admission is 400 JPY.

Explore Shorin-ji Temple This small temple dates back to the 16th century. What makes it worth visiting is its meditation classes. You’ll get to tour the temple and then be instructed in zazen , the Japanese style of meditation. It’s a very unique experience and something that I think will add a lot of depth and nuance to your visit (especially if you’ve seen a lot of temples). Just make sure to dress comfortably.

15 Chome-795 Honmachi, +81 75-561-4311, shourin-ji.org. Open daily 10am-4pm. Admission is 800 JPY.

Wander the Nishiki Market Nishiki Ichiba is now one of the biggest indoor markets in town. Known as “Kyoto’s Kitchen” and spanning over five blocks, it is full of vendors selling traditional dishes from the region, classic Kyoto souvenirs, and really just about anything else. There are over a hundred stalls here, many of which have been in the same family for generations. Opening hours depend on the shop but are typically from 9am to 6pm.

To dive deeper into Japanese food culture, you can take a food tour of the market . It’s the best way to learn about all the food you’ll see, as well as the market’s history.

Explore Gion Gion, the historic geisha district, is renowned as being one of the most iconic and atmospheric areas of town. It’s known for its traditional wooden machiya houses, narrow alleyways, cobblestone streets, and preservation of geisha (known locally as geiko) culture. Lining the main street are ochayas (teahouses where geishas entertain), small shops, and many restaurants, ranging from upscale kaiseki restaurants serving traditional Kyoto cuisine to casual eateries.

To really learn more about this amazing party of town and its past, take a walking tour of Gion . You’ll learn a ton and get a lot of context. They cost around 1,800 JPY.

At night, go to the Pontocho Row , a narrow street lined with restaurants, hole-in-the-wall bars, and jazz clubs. It’s one of the more lively areas in Kyoto.  

Nara was the capital of Japan in the eighth century, so there are lots of buildings and temples here that are upwards of a thousand years old (which is rare in Japan, due to the prevalence of fires and earthquakes, as well as World War II). Some things to do:

• Frolic with deer – The real draw in Nara are the deer. Since the 17th century, those in and around the city have been considered sacred. You can buy crackers to feed them or just watch them stroll around carefree.
• See the Buddha – Don’t miss a visit to Todai-ji, the world’s largest wooden building, home to a 16-meter (52-foot) Buddha statue. It was built in 738 and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Take a walking tour – This guided half-day walking tour for 11,500 JPY includes all of Nara’s highlights as well as a traditional lunch.

Ryogoku Kokugikan, Japan’s most famous sumo wrestling arena, hosts tournaments three times each year, in January, May, and September. Tickets sell out quickly, so book online in advance. Prices vary but start around 3,200 JPY for arena seats. You can book a ticket online here (you’ll be accompanied by a guide too, so you can learn more about the tradition as it unfolds before your eyes).

To learn more about the sport in in the off-season, book a tour of a sumo stable .  

So, if you want to add another city to this itinerary you can follow this breakdown:

• Days 1 & 2: Tokyo
• Days 3 & 4: Kyoto
• Day 5: Nara
• Days 6 & 7: Osaka

Tokyo, Kyoto, and Nara are all covered above. As for Osaka, some of my favorite things to see and do:

Take a food tour Known as “the Kitchen of Japan,” Osaka boasts a diverse culinary scene. Mouthwatering sushi and sashimi, Kobe beef and Japanese BBQ, and flavorful ramen can all be found here in abundance. Plus, there are local specialties like okonomiyaki (a savory pancake with egg and vegetables) and kushikatsu (kebab skewers). You can take a food tour for around 13,000 JPY, a ramen and gyoza cooking class for 9,500 JPY, or just wander and eat.

Osaka Castle One of the most famous landmarks in the country, the castle was originally built in the late 16th century by Toyotomi Hideyoshi and played a pivotal role in the unification of Japan during the Sengoku period (1467-1615). Over the centuries, it has been destroyed and rebuilt multiple times due to wars, fires, and natural disasters. The current version dates to 1931. The castle is situated amid sprawling grounds and surrounded by a moat. It’s also home to a small but insightful museum and an observation deck that offers some picturesque urban views.

Dotonbori This is arguably Osaka’s most iconic district, known for its vibrant nightlife (bars, clubs, theaters, and music venues), colorful signage, and delicious food. It’s best seen at night due to the plethora of huge neon lights and signs lining both the canal and streets, which have become symbols of Osaka’s nightlife. A guided walking tour that includes Dotonbori as well adjacent neighborhoods is 6,500 JPY.

Shitennoji Temple This temple is one of the oldest Buddhist temples in Japan, founded in 593. The architecture is a blend of traditional Japanese and East Asian styles, featuring impressive pagodas, gates, and shrines set amid serene gardens. Stroll through the tranquil grounds, admire the beautiful architecture, and learn about the temple’s historical and cultural significance at the museum. The temple is 300 JPY to enter, the garden is 300 JPY, and the museum is 500 JPY.  

Japan is one of my favorite countries. While it’s relatively small, it offers an amazing array of things to see and do (as well as some of the best food in the world). With seven days, you can easily see a good number of the main highlights and get a taste for the incredible history and culture. It will be a busy week, but this itinerary ensures you’ll still have some time to slow down, relax, and take in the local pace of life.

Just make sure you get a Japan Rail Pass before you go. While it’s not as cheap as it used to be, it will likely save you time and money!

Book Your Trip to Japan: Logistical Tips and Tricks

Book Your Flight Find a cheap flight by using Skyscanner . They are my two favorite search engines, because they search websites and airlines around the globe, so you always know no stone is being left unturned!

Book Your Accommodation You can book your hostel with Hostelworld as they have the most comprehensive inventory so they are best for booking a hostel. If you want to stay in a hotel or guesthouse in Japan, use Booking.com as it consistently returns the cheapest rates for guesthouses and hotels.

Don’t Forget Travel Insurance Travel insurance will protect you against illness, injury, theft, and cancelations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it, as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. My favorite companies that offer the best service and value are:

• Safety Wing (best for everyone)
• Insure My Trip (for those over 70)
• Medjet (for additional evacuation coverage)

Looking for the Best Companies to Save Money With? Check out my resource page for the best companies to use when you travel! I list all the ones I use to save money when I travel — and I think they will help you too!

Be sure to check out the Japan Rail Pass if you’ll be traveling around the country. It comes in 7-, 14-, and 21-day passes and can save you a ton of money!

Looking for More Travel Tips for Japan? Check out my in-depth Japan travel guide for more ways to save money, information on costs, tips on what to see and do, suggested itineraries and reading and packing lists, and much, much more!

Got a comment on this article? Join the conversation on Facebook , Instagram , or Twitter and share your thoughts!

Disclosure: Please note that some of the links above may be affiliate links, and at no additional cost to you, I earn a commission if you make a purchase. I recommend only products and companies I use and the income goes to keeping the site community supported and ad free.

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https://japantravel.navitime.com/en/area/jp/route/ works for train planning.

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Golden Week travel plans near pre-pandemic levels as overseas bookings surge

An estimated 23.3 million people in Japan are expected to travel during the Golden Week holidays, marking a robust resurgence to 90% of pre-pandemic levels, according to survey results from travel agency JTB.

Conducted online in early March, JTB's preliminary survey reached 10,000 respondents nationwide, spanning ages 15 to 79.

Among the findings, 2,060 respondents expressed an intent to travel, with a total of 23.32 million people traveling for stays of one night or longer between April 25 and May 5 either domestically or internationally, a 1.8% increase from the same period a year before.

Overseas travel is poised to witness a surge, with an estimated 520,000 travelers, reflecting a 67.7% increase from 2023. JTB reports international travel bookings soaring to 225% of 2023 figures.

Proximity plays a pivotal role for international traveler’s destination choices, with South Korea, Taiwan, and Southeast Asia seeing heightened popularity. JTB attributes this pattern to the yen's depreciation.

The average cost of overseas travel stands at ¥269,000, marking a 4.7% increase from 2023. Exchange rate anxieties were voiced by 44% of international travelers.

A total of 22.8 million individuals are expected to travel domestically, mirroring figures from the prior year. Travel destination preferences were more varied compared to 2023, with a rise in rail and air travel. Nonetheless, 55.3% of respondents cited their primary mode of transport for their trip to be their own car, indicating a penchant for more local travel spots.

Rising prices have cast a shadow over domestic travel expenses, with the average planned expenditure at ¥36,100, marking a 3.7% upturn from 2023. Concerns over high prices were voiced by 36.1% of respondents, while 31.8%, particularly among older demographics, expressed apprehension toward overcrowding of tourist areas, fueled by an influx of overseas visitors.

For many respondents, Golden Week journeys symbolize opportunities for family time (31.7%), relaxation (28.9%), and culinary exploration (28.5%).

For those against traveling during Golden Week, 47.2% of respondents cited overcrowding, a 4.7-point surge from 2023. Economic concerns were also highlighted in the survey, with 33.7% deeming Golden Week travel too expensive, while 24% faced constraints due to family budgets.

In a time of both misinformation and too much information, quality journalism is more crucial than ever. By subscribing, you can help us get the story right.

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Japan foreign tourists top 3m in March, fueling record spending boom

Travelers looking to capitalize on weak yen push up hotel and service prices

TOKYO -- The number of monthly visitors to Japan exceeded 3 million for the first time in March, while tourism spending broke a quarterly record as the weak yen drove spending on services and experiences, government data shows.

But while the rebound is bringing the government's goal of 15 trillion yen ($97 billion) in annual tourism spending by 2030 within reach, it is also driving up prices and creating problems for local residents in especially popular areas.

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Japan's expo 2025: osaka triumph or billion-dollar folly, japan hotel rates spike 25% as weak yen draws foreign tourists, japan's bullet train network just became bigger with new stops, japan to trim red tape for tourism off the beaten path, bento food tourism lures visitors to japan, japan's ryokan inns get a makeover by younger owners, latest on travel & leisure, visitors to asean hit 100m in 2023, 70% of pre-covid level, jal launches boeing 'cockpit' hotel room to tap your inner pilot, sponsored content, about sponsored content this content was commissioned by nikkei's global business bureau..

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