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Japan: A 3 week Itinerary

  • Writer: Ruth Carlisle
    Ruth Carlisle
  • Dec 23, 2025
  • 5 min read

Planning a trip to Japan can feel overwhelming, but it’s also one of the most exciting trips you’ll ever map out. From neon-lit cities to peaceful mountain temples, this three week itinerary that we did in June 2023 brings together the best of Japan so you can experience a little bit of everything—without feeling rushed.


This itinerary is a non exhaustive list and there may be other parts to Japan that would be a priority for you (such as Disneyland!). I have also included where we stayed, but as this trip was part of 6 months of travel - budget hotels were our priority, but as Japan has such a high standard, we had a great experience in all of them.



THE ITINERARY:

WEEK 1 (days 1-5) - TOKYO

  • Wow this city is amazing, honestly so different to any other city I've been to in that it's so clean, incredible public transport, limited cars on the road and the vibe is just so different here. Also - its massive!. There are multiple cities within Tokyo so even though we spent 5 days here, we still feel like there was so much more to see! Here's where and what we explored! (it may seem a lot but with the subway and Jr lines you can get everywhere really easily!)

    • Shinjuku - Godzilla statue, Shinjuku giant 3D cat, Gyoen Park, Tokyo metropolitan government building observation deck

    • Shibuya - Shibuya scramble crossing (we viewed it from 'Magnet by Shinuya'), centre street, Meiji Jingo Shrine

    • Harajuku - Tokyo Plaza Omotesando rooftop Garden and Takeshita street

    • Asakusa - Senso-ji temple, Nakamise-dori food street, Cultural tourist centre observation deck

    • Ueno - Ueno Park, Nezo Shrine

    • Ginza - Ginza Six shopping mall, Ginza yonchome intersection, Chuo-dori street, Hongwanji temple, Kabukiza, Tsukiji outer market

    • Chiyodo - The east gardens of the imperial palace, Nihombashi bridge, Coredo centre, Takashimya shopping centre

    • Akihabara - just walked around here, its super big area for its gaming vibe

    • Tokyo skytree

    • Minato - Tokyo tower and Shiba Park

    • Ryogoku - we went here as its the main sumo wrestling area in Tokyo, but as there wasn't a tournament on there wasn't a lot going on but its a beautiful area by the Sumida River

    • Ikebukuro - Sunshine city shopping centre

    • P.S - if you are into Pokemon (like my husband) there are so many pokemon stores to go to!

  • Favourite eats in Tokyo:

    • Katsudon-ya Zuicho, Shibuya

    • A Happy Pancake, Ginza

    • Kuririn, Nihonbashi, Credo Centre

    • Unatoto, Asakusa

    • Gyukatsu Motomura, Shinjuku

    • Shodai, Shibuya

    • 10 yen cheese pancake, Shibuya

    • Tsukiji outer market (we tried fried fish cakes, Takayama omlette, pork dumpling, grilled tuna and octopus

    • Nakamise-dori market, Asakusa (we tried age manju, Dango and matcha ice cream)

  • Where we stayed: Shin-Okubo City Hotel

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WEEK 1 (days 6-7) - NIKKO AND HAKONE

  • Some trips outside of Tokyo to escape the city for some gorgeous nature:

    • Nikko - we did a day trip from Tokyo with our JR pass and visited the temples and shrines of Nikko, the Shinkyo Bridge, Kangmamgafuchi Abyss and enjoyed walking along the quaint streets.

    • Hakone - many people do a day trip to Hakone but we did a 2 night trip to experience staying in a traditional Japanese ryokan with a hot spring onsen, which was so worth it and I would highly recommend! We visited Gora, took the cable car over Owakudani volcanic Valley, a boat across lake Ashi, Hakone Shrine, saw a glimpse of Mount Fuji and hiked Mount Kintoki!


    WEEK 2 (days 1-5) - KYOTO

  • We spent 5 days in Kyoto which was arguably known for a one of the best places for your insta shots! But seriously, it was such a beautiful area and less hectic than Tokyo as long as you utilised your mornings to beat the crowds. We got up at 6am on 3 of the days so we could be exploring for 7am in order to beat the crowds. Here's where we explored:

    • Nineizaka District (yasaka pagoda and Kiyomizu-dera temple)

    • Gion (yasaka- jinja Shrine and exploring the streets)

    • Kyoto city centre (Nishiki Market was a foodie must, Kyoto imperial palace and Nijo Castle)

    • Fushimi Inari Shrine (the further you walk the less people there will be!)

    • Arashiyama Bamboo Groves (only a 15 minute walk but very pretty, and don't miss out on the Arashiyama observation summit, 5 mins away)

    • Day trip to Nara (for the bowing deer!)

    • Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion)

  • Favourite eats in Kyoto

    • Nishiki Market (Takoyaki, fish stick with quail eggs, soft rice cracker with white miso, strawberry daifuku and matcha 10 yen pancake)

    • Fire Ramen, Kyoto

    • Sushi from Daiki-suisan kaitenzushi, Kyoto

    • Karaage (Japanese fried chicken, Kyoto)

    • Kichi Kichi Omurice, Kyoto

    • Fresh mochi from Nakatanidou, Nara

    • Spicy chicken nuggets, McDonald's

    • An assortment of pastries from train stations

  • Where we stayed in Kyoto: JP INN Kyotoeki Kita Gakurincho


WEEK 3 - HIROSHIMA, OSAKA + DAYTRIPS

  • Our final week in Japan was split between these 2 places! Here's what we got up to:

    • Hiroshima - Visited the Peace memorial museum and park, A-bomb dome and Hiroshima Castle

    • Miyajima Island - Half day trip to this island to visit the massive floating shrine, explore the foodie stalls, say hey to the deer and if it hadn't had been so rainy we would have hiked Mt Misen and visited the maple tree park

    • Okayama - Half day trip to visit the famous Japanese Korakuen Gardens

    • Shimanami Kaido Cycing trail - get the train to Onomichi and you can rent a bike for the day! To do the whole cycle path and back you would need 2 days but we did half way and back in a day which was 80km. The views over the bridges between islands were amazing!

    • Osaka:

      • Osaka Castle and park

      • Dotonburi food market

      • Umeda sky building

      • Sumiyoshi shrine

      • Shittenoji temple

      • Osaka bay

      • Shinsekai district

      • The gardens at the top of Osaka train station

      • Teamlab botanical gardens

    • Himeji castle and Kobe - day trip to explore these 2 places! We visited the castle grounds in Himeji and in Kobe we explored Harbour land, the earthquake memorial park, the harbour area and Chinatown. If the weather had been better when we were there we would have also done the ropeway and herb gardens.

  • Favourite eats in Hiroshima and Osaka

    • Okonomiyaki, Okonomiyaki Teppan-yaki Momiji-Tei, Hiroshima

    • Momiji-manju, Hiroshima

    • Oysters, Miyajima Island

    • Sun Curry, Hiroshima

    • Katsudon Chiyomatsu, Osaka (sumo sized!)

    • Creme Brule Japanese sweet potato, Osaka/Kobe

    • Takoyaki, Dotonburi food market

    • Melon Bread, Dotonburi food market

    • Kashikatsu cheese fondue, Shinsekai

    • Oretachino-curry Ramen Koji Labo Osaka-namba, Osaka

  • Where we stayed in Hiroshima: Smile Hotel, Hiroshima

  • Where we stayed in Osaka: The OneFive Osaka Sakaisuji


FINAL TIPS:

  • We also got a JR pass for our time in Japan which made getting around so much easier, however I am aware that the pricing of the JR pass has changed since our trip, so it may not be the most cost effective option depending on your trip.

  • Make sure to get a sim for your phone so you can use google lens to translate - not all signs are in English, so this was really important.

  • When using google maps in Tokyo, follow the directions specifically (they aren't joking when they tell you what entry or exit to take out of a station!)

  • Have both cash and card with you at all times as not all places will take card.

  • There are also lots of polite customs to adhere to in Japan (such as not eating on public transport or tipping in restaurants) - be sure to check these out before hand.


Happy Travelling!

Ruth xxx

 
 
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