How many days should I plan for a trip to Japan?

For a first trip to Japan, 7 to 14 days is ideal. One week covers the Golden Route (Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara). With two weeks you can add less-known regions such as Tohoku, Hiroshima or Hokkaido.

What is the best route for a first trip to Japan?

The classic Golden Route from Tokyo via Hakone to Kyoto, Osaka and Nara is best for first-timers: short Shinkansen connections, the key highlights and a good mix of big city, tradition and nature.

Can I customise these itineraries?

Yes. In Tabiyume every template can be loaded as a starting point and freely customised – add, move or delete stops, re-plan days and see the route on an interactive map. Free and no account required.

Itineraries · 2026

Japan Itineraries You Can Follow

Don't want to start from scratch? These ready-made routes cover the most popular Japan trips – from the classic one-week Golden Route to two weeks off the beaten path. Every route can be loaded in Tabiyume and freely customised for your trip.

⭐ 7 Days Golden Route

7 days · 5 places

The classic: Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka. Perfect for first-timers.

Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka → Nara

Highlights:

Senso-ji Temple
Shibuya Crossing
Fushimi Inari
Kinkaku-ji
Nara Todai-ji & deer

Senso-ji Tempel — Photo: Akonnchiroll · CC0

Shibuya Crossing — Photo: David Kernan · CC BY 4.0

Meiji-Schrein — Photo: Akonnchiroll · CC BY-SA 4.0

Open in the app & customise →

5 Days Intensive Tokyo

5 days · 2 places

Deep dive into Japan's mega metropolis — from tradition to high-tech.

Tokyo → Kamakura

Highlights:

Tsukiji Outer Market
teamLab Planets
Senso-ji at night
Kamakura & Great Buddha

Tsukiji Outer Market — Photo: Kakidai · CC BY-SA 4.0

Senso-ji bei Nacht — Photo: Akonnchiroll · CC0

Open in the app & customise →

3 Days Kyoto & Nara

3 days · 2 places

Pure cultural Japan — temples, shrines and traditional gardens.

Kyoto → Nara

Highlights:

Fushimi Inari
Kinkaku-ji
Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
Nara Todai-ji & deer

Fushimi Inari — Photo: Basile Morin · CC BY-SA 4.0

Gion & Pontocho — Photo: Wolfiewolf from Pontocho street in Nakagyo, Kyoto · CC BY 2.0

Kinkaku-ji — Photo: Nacaru · CC BY-SA 4.0

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14 Days Off the Beaten Path

14 days · 9 places

Tohoku, Shikoku, rural Japan — the authentic Japan far from tourist crowds.

Nikko → Matsushima → Ginzan → Shirakawa-go → Kanazawa → Iya → Naoshima → Miyajima → Hiroshima

Highlights:

Nikko Toshogu
Ginzan Onsen
Shirakawa-go
Kanazawa Kenroku-en
Naoshima

Nikko Toshogu — Photo: 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0

Matsushima Bucht — Photo: 663highland · CC BY-SA 4.0

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7 Days Hokkaido Nature

7 days · 8 places

Volcanoes, lakes, hot springs and wild nature in northern Japan.

Sapporo → Otaru → Furano → Biei → Asahikawa → Daisetsuzan → Noboribetsu → Toya

Highlights:

Otaru Canal
Furano flower fields
Biei Blue Pond
Daisetsuzan National Park
Noboribetsu Onsen

Otaru Kanal — Photo: Flickr user: Chi ing https://www.flickr.com/people/davelau/ · CC BY 2.0

Furano Blumenfelder — Photo: t-konno · CC BY-SA 3.0

Biei Blue Pond — Photo: MaedaAkihiko · CC BY-SA 4.0

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Weekend Tokyo

2 days · 1 place

Two days, maximum impact — Tokyo highlights compressed.

Tokyo

Highlights:

Senso-ji & Asakusa
Shibuya & Hachiko
Meiji Shrine & Harajuku

Senso-ji & Asakusa — Photo: Akonnchiroll · CC0

Shibuya & Hachiko — Photo: David Kernan · CC BY 4.0

Meiji-Schrein & Harajuku — Photo: Akonnchiroll · CC BY-SA 4.0

Open in the app & customise →

Found your route?
Load it in Tabiyume as a starting point, adapt it to your travel dates and see every stop on an interactive map.

Start planning →

How many days for Japan?

For a first trip, 7 to 14 days is ideal. One week covers the Golden Route (Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka → Nara) – the perfect mix of big city, tradition and nature. With two weeks you can add quieter regions such as Tohoku, Hiroshima/Miyajima or Hokkaido.

Short trip (2–3 days): Weekend Tokyo or Kyoto & Nara.
One week (5–7 days): Intensive Tokyo or the Golden Route.
Two weeks (14 days): Golden Route + side trips, or fully off the beaten path.

The right rail pass for your route

With several cities a rail pass often pays off. Check the JR Pass calculator to see whether the nationwide pass is worth it for your route, or compare cheaper regional passes for single regions.

Frequently asked questions

How many days should I plan for Japan?

7 to 14 days is ideal for a first trip. One week covers the Golden Route; with two weeks you can add regions like Tohoku, Hiroshima or Hokkaido.

Best route for a first trip to Japan?

The Golden Route (Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka → Nara): short Shinkansen connections, the key highlights, a good mix of city, tradition and nature.

Can I customise the itineraries?

Yes. Every template can be loaded in Tabiyume and freely customised – add, move or delete stops and see them on an interactive map. Free, no account.

The routes are suggestions for orientation and are available in the Tabiyume app as customisable templates. Please verify travel times, opening hours and connections yourself before your trip.