2 Weeks in Japan: A 14-Day Itinerary from Tokyo to Hiroshima

Days 1–4: Tokyo

Arrive at Haneda or Narita and keep the first evening easy in Shinjuku. Then spend three full days in Tokyo's neighbourhoods: traditional Tokyo (Senso-ji in Asakusa, Ueno Park and Akihabara), modern Tokyo (Meiji Jingu, Harajuku, Shibuya Crossing and Shinjuku at night) and food and art (Tsukiji Outer Market, Ginza's food halls and a teamLab digital art museum). Kamakura or Nikko make a good day trip.

Our 5 days in Tokyo itinerary has the full neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood plan.

💡 Plan it in RoamerPlanner: before you leave Tokyo, add a note card for luggage forwarding — send your big case ahead to Kyoto and travel to Hakone with just an overnight bag.

Day 5: Hakone — Lake Ashi, Owakudani and a Ryokan Night

Hakone, in the mountains south-west of Tokyo, is reached by the Odakyu Romancecar from Shinjuku or by shinkansen to Odawara. The classic loop combines a mountain railway, a cable car and a ropeway over the volcanic steam vents of Owakudani and a sightseeing boat across Lake Ashi, with the red torii of Hakone Shrine at the water's edge. On a clear day Mount Fuji rises above the lake.

Spend the night in a ryokan, a traditional inn with tatami rooms, a multi-course kaiseki dinner and an onsen (hot-spring bath). Learn the basic bathing etiquette: wash thoroughly before entering, keep your small towel out of the water and check the inn's tattoo policy in advance.

Days 6–9: Kyoto and Nara

Take the shinkansen from Odawara to Kyoto. Give Kyoto three days and use the fourth for Nara. Day 6: Fushimi Inari Taisha's thousands of torii gates (climb past the first viewpoint to escape the crowds), then Gion and Pontocho in the evening. Day 7: start at dawn at Kiyomizu-dera, then walk the stone lanes of Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka to Yasaka Shrine. Day 8: the Arashiyama bamboo grove early, Tenryu-ji, then Kinkaku-ji, the Golden Pavilion, and Nishiki Market.

Day 9 — Nara. Under an hour from Kyoto by JR or Kintetsu train, Nara was Japan's capital in the 8th century. Bow to the free-roaming deer in Nara Park, stand under the giant bronze Buddha of Todai-ji and walk the lantern-lined paths of Kasuga Taisha.

In Kyoto, please respect local rules in Gion: some private lanes are closed to tourists, and you should never photograph geiko or maiko without permission.

Day 10: Himeji Castle, then Hiroshima

Leave Kyoto on the Sanyo shinkansen and stop at Himeji, where the castle is a short walk from the station; leave your bags in a station locker. Himeji Castle is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the finest surviving original castle in Japan, nicknamed the White Heron for its brilliant white walls. Climb the steep wooden stairs inside the main keep, then stroll the neighbouring Koko-en garden. Continue to Hiroshima in the afternoon.

Days 11–12: Hiroshima and Miyajima

Day 11 — Hiroshima. Spend the morning in the Peace Memorial Park: the Atomic Bomb Dome, the Children's Peace Monument with its paper cranes, and the Peace Memorial Museum, which tells the story of 6 August 1945 and its aftermath. It's a moving, sobering visit; allow plenty of time. In the evening, try Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki, layered with noodles.

Day 12 — Miyajima. Take the train to Miyajimaguchi and the short ferry (the JR ferry is covered by the JR Pass) to the island of Itsukushima. Its shrine is famous for the great torii gate that appears to float at high tide; at low tide you can walk out to it, so check the tide table. Climb or take the ropeway up Mount Misen for views over the Seto Inland Sea. Note that the island charges a small visitor tax.

Days 13–14: Osaka and Departure

Ride the shinkansen to Shin-Osaka, then head into the city. Osaka is Japan's food capital: spend the evening in neon-lit Dotonbori eating takoyaki and kushikatsu under the Glico running man sign. The next day, visit Osaka Castle and its park or graze through Kuromon Market, then take the JR Haruka or Nankai Rapi:t train to Kansai International Airport (KIX), allowing plenty of time.

Where to Stay

• Tokyo: Shinjuku or Shibuya for transport and nightlife, or Tokyo Station/Ginza for easy shinkansen departures.
• Hakone: a ryokan with an onsen; many are in Hakone-Yumoto, Gora or around Lake Ashi.
• Kyoto: near Kyoto Station for easy day trips, or the Kawaramachi/Gion area for evening atmosphere.
• Hiroshima: near the station for trains, or near the Peace Park for walking. Some travellers spend a night on Miyajima to enjoy it after the day crowds leave.
• Osaka: Namba for Dotonbori and the airport train, or Umeda for transport links.

Getting Around: JR Pass or Single Tickets?

• JR Pass: prices rose sharply in October 2023. A longer route like this one, reaching Hiroshima, gets closer to making a 14-day pass worthwhile than a Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka week — but add up your individual fares before buying.
• Nozomi and Mizuho trains: the fastest shinkansen services can be used with a JR Pass only if you buy an extra supplement ticket; Hikari and Sakura trains are included.
• IC card: a Suica, PASMO or ICOCA card works on local trains, subways and buses in all the cities on this route.
• Luggage forwarding (takkyubin): send large cases from hotel to hotel so you can travel light on trains and stay in Hakone with a small bag. Large suitcases on the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu shinkansen need a seat with an oversized-baggage area reserved in advance.

Practical Tips

• Reserve shinkansen seats in busy periods: cherry blossom season (late March–early April), Golden Week (late April–early May), Obon in mid-August and the autumn leaves (around November).
• Carry some cash for shrines, small restaurants and rural stops.
• Complete Visit Japan Web before you fly to speed up immigration and customs.
• Pack comfortable shoes and socks without holes — you'll take your shoes off at ryokan, temples and some restaurants.

FAQ

Is 2 weeks enough for Japan?

For a first trip, two weeks covers the classic highlights at a relaxed pace. With less time, see our 7-day Japan itinerary; with more, add the Japanese Alps (Takayama and Shirakawa-go), Kanazawa or Hokkaido.

Is the JR Pass worth it for 14 days?

It depends on your exact route. For this itinerary, with the long Tokyo–Hiroshima legs, the numbers are closer than for a one-week trip. Compare the pass price with the sum of your individual tickets before you buy.

Can I swap Hiroshima for something else?

Yes. If you'd rather see mountains and old towns, replace Days 10–12 with Kanazawa, Shirakawa-go and Takayama, then rejoin the route in Osaka or Kyoto.