Japan Travel

Start Here: Plan Your Japan Trip

Planning Japan is easier when you decide the route before opening dozens of individual guides. Start with your trip length and travel style, choose the regions that realistically fit, then use the destination pages for the details.

Quick route finder

If you have 5 days

First trip + city highlights: concentrate on Tokyo, or make a simple Tokyo–Kyoto split only if seeing both matters more than a relaxed pace.

Food and culture: base yourself in Kyoto or Osaka and explore Kansai rather than spending much of the trip changing cities.

If you have 7 days

Classic first trip: Tokyo + Kyoto, with Osaka as a shorter stop or evening visit. See the 7-Day Japan Itinerary.

Slower traveler: choose Tokyo plus one Kansai base instead of trying to sleep in three cities.

If you have 10 days

Classic + nature/onsen: Tokyo → Hakone → Kyoto → Osaka. See the 10-Day Japan Itinerary.

Culture and food: give Kyoto and Osaka more nights and use Nara as a day trip.

If you have 14 days

First trip: slow down Tokyo and Kansai, then add Hiroshima/Miyajima or another regional stop.

Repeat visitor: spend fewer days repeating the major highlights and use the extra time for places such as Tottori or a slower regional stay.

Choose by travel style

  • Big-city energy, shopping and variety: prioritize Tokyo.
  • Temples, traditional streets and culture: prioritize Kyoto.
  • Food, nightlife and an easy Kansai base: prioritize Osaka.
  • Nature and onsen: add Hakone when the route allows an overnight stay.
  • History and a meaningful western-Japan extension: add Hiroshima and Miyajima.
  • Unusual landscapes and fewer first-trip crowds: consider Tottori on a longer or repeat visit.

Step 1: Confirm the route

Use the Destinations hub to compare Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Nara, Hiroshima, Hakone and Tottori. Avoid adding a city simply because it is famous; each hotel change costs time.

Step 2: Check transport before booking hotels

Read the Japan Transportation Guide and make sure your hotel areas fit the stations and routes you will actually use.

Step 3: Choose where to stay

Use Where to Stay in Japan to compare neighborhoods before comparing individual properties.

Step 4: Set the budget and payment plan

Use the Japan Travel Budget Guide for accommodation, food, transport, cash, cards and ATM planning, then use the homepage budget calculator for a quick estimate.

Step 5: Add activities last

After the route and hotels are stable, use Things to Do in Japan for attractions and experiences that fit your actual itinerary.

Ready-made itineraries

Compare the Japan Itineraries hub for practical routes by trip length.