Epic Three Week Japan Itinerary
When I was young and fearless I went backpacking around the world. The first stop on my adventure was Japan and it changed me forever. I absolutely fell in love with this amazing country of contrasts. Seemingly contradictory philosophies co-exist everywhere; zen, mindfulness, cleanliness, strong work ethic, efficiency, kawaii, crazy cute graphics, goth lolita fashion, minimalism ...
I hugely relate to this.
Ten years later I finally went back and I was determined to re-live all of the amazing experiences I had the first time round as well as fit in everything I missed, all within the constraints of a busy work schedule and my annual leave allocation. Enter my epic (and unapologetically intense) 3 week Japan itinerary. This travel plan hits every major site as well as some that are more 'off the beaten path'. I hope it inspires you in designing your own perfect trip to Japan. Following the outline below will provide enough time to explore each site and immerse yourself in the contrasts of old and new that coexist across Japan but, full disclosure, you may need a week to recover when you get home (☉‿☉✿).
Below is the basic itinerary which follows the above map, starting and ending in Tokyo. As time goes on, I will flesh this out more and include detailed posts on each destination.
Accommodation: 3 nights Tokyo - 1 night Yudanaka Onsen - 1 night Matsumoto - 2 nights Kanazawa - 2 nights Takeyama - 6 nights Kyoto - 5 nights Tokyo
Day 1 - Arrive Tokyo. After checking in and if you have the energy head out to Akihabara; Tokyo's electric town. Embrace the neon skyscrapers and spend the evening playing arcade games.
Day 2 - Head to Asakusa; Tokyo's 'old town'. Explore the Sensoji temple and spend the morning wandering around the shopping streets including the famous Nakamis Dori. A tempura set for lunch is a good bet. Walk west to Ueno via Kappabashi dori, a street which sells all manner of kitchen utensils. Don't worry, there is space in the itinerary to return and stock up before heading home! Spend the afternoon wandering around Ueno park.
Day 3 - Head to the Tsukiji outer market for a breakfast of sushi. Walk west towards the Imperial palace taking time to do some shopping in the high end Ginza district on your way. Enjoy the tranquility of the Imperial palace gardens and then head to Tokyo Station for some awesome food (check out Ramen street).
Day 4 - Travel to Yudunaka Onsen. Hike to the snow monkey park and spend the afternoon watching the monkeys bath in the natural onsen (hot spring). Stay at a traditional Ryokan (Japanese Inn) which provides a multi-course evening meal. After dining on tatami mats, don your robe and spend the evening traveling between the many onsen in the area.
Day 5 - Travel to Matsumoto. Spend the afternoon exploring the castle. Be sure to come back in the evening to see it lit up and the castle reflected in the moat.
Day 6 - Get up early to catch the train to Omachi. Here you can start the Tatayama-Kurobe Alpine Route which takes you to the top of and over the northern Japanese alps using a range of buses, cable cars and ropeways. Be sure to walk the snow corridor and collect the ink stamps at each station. Get the train to Toyama and then the bullet train to Kanazawa in time for dinner.
Day 7 - Day to explore Kanazawa. Start the day with breakfast at Omicho Market before heading to Nagamachi; the former Samurai district. Walk to the Nishi Chaya Geisha district, there is a good view of the city from the hill and several interesting temples. Walk north along Tate-machi shopping street where you will find many otaku shops, maid cafes, and a hedgehog cafe. Spend the afternoon in Kenrokuen Garden which is absolutely the most beautiful garden I have ever seen. In the evening, wander around the Higashi Chaya district in the hopes of spotting a real Geisha.
Day 8 - Travel to Takeyama. Spend the day exploring the old town and temples which follow the tree line to the north.
Day 9 - Take the bus to Shin-hotaka ropeway; the views from the double-decker cable car are amazing. On the way back stop at Kamikochi and hike along the river. Be sure eat a supper of the famous Hida beef.
Day 10 - Travel to Nagoya. Explore the castle and grab a bento at the station before heading to Kyoto. Kyoto will makes an excellent base for the next 6 nights.
Day 11 - Temple hopping in Kyoto. Make sure to check out the Nishiki Market for food (octopus stuffed with quail egg, trust me!) and the Pontocho area for some nightlife.
Day 12 - Take the train to Arashiyama. Walk through the gardens of Tenryuji temple to the bamboo forest at the back. There are several more temples to explore on your walk back down through the forest. In the afternoon head to Nijo castle, the sound of the nightingale floors singing as you walk around is unforgettable. Head back to the Nishiki market in the evening, because it is just that much fun.
Day 13 - Take the train to Nara. Spend the day ambling around the temple complex and feeding deer by hand. This is truly one of the most fun days I had in the entire trip (and that is saying something). On the way back to Kyoto stop at the Fushimi Inari Shrine and walk up the Mt. Inari through the rows and rows of vermilion torii gates.
Day 14 - After all those temples it is time to head to Osaka for the day to get a dose of modern Japan. Be sure to visit the Pokemon Centre, bonus points if you get to dress up as your favorite Pokemon. Osaka is famous for food, so head to Kuromon Ichiba market for lunch before walking to Dotonbori for a healthy dose of neon and nightlife before heading back to Kyoto.
Day 15 - More temple hopping in Kyoto.
Day 16 - Head back to Tokyo. If you can, stay in Ikebukero for lots of Kawaii female-focused otaku culture. For a true dose of randomness visit NamjaTown - an indoor theme park full of random arcade games, cat mascots, and an artificial street full of gyoza shops. In the evening, go to an animal cafe (bunnies!!) and sing the night away at a karaoke bar.
Day 17 - Head to Harajuku to shop for goth lolita clothing, kawaii merch, and unique artwork. Spend some time in the tranquil gardens of the Meiji Jingu shrine and marvel how you can be in such a see of calm, in the middle of a giant metropolis and only feet away from the pastel pink craziness of Harajuku. Next, walk through Yoyogi park before grabbing a drink at a dog cafe. Walk to Shibuya to witness the busiest pedestrian crossing for yourself before heading to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building for a free view of Tokyo as the sun sets.
Day 18 - Tokyo Disney Sea! Until you have heard the Genie sing 'friend like me' in Japanese you haven't lived.
Day 19 - Head to Odaiba, a man-made island full of shopping and entertainment options.
Day 20 - Souvenir shopping and option to revisit one of you favourite Tokyo spots. We chose to head back to Asakusa to purchase ceramics on Kappabashi street, and Tokyo station to eat Tonkatsu one last time before heading home.
Check back for more detailed posts on rail travel (including times and how to get the most our of your JR pass) and travel guides on each stop. In the mean time, if you want more inspiration for planning your own trip to Japan check our my pinterest board, it contains every useful pin I've found, maps, and all of the restaurants and shops I visited on my trip.
I hugely relate to this.
Ten years later I finally went back and I was determined to re-live all of the amazing experiences I had the first time round as well as fit in everything I missed, all within the constraints of a busy work schedule and my annual leave allocation. Enter my epic (and unapologetically intense) 3 week Japan itinerary. This travel plan hits every major site as well as some that are more 'off the beaten path'. I hope it inspires you in designing your own perfect trip to Japan. Following the outline below will provide enough time to explore each site and immerse yourself in the contrasts of old and new that coexist across Japan but, full disclosure, you may need a week to recover when you get home (☉‿☉✿).
Below is the basic itinerary which follows the above map, starting and ending in Tokyo. As time goes on, I will flesh this out more and include detailed posts on each destination.
Accommodation: 3 nights Tokyo - 1 night Yudanaka Onsen - 1 night Matsumoto - 2 nights Kanazawa - 2 nights Takeyama - 6 nights Kyoto - 5 nights Tokyo
Day 1 - Arrive Tokyo. After checking in and if you have the energy head out to Akihabara; Tokyo's electric town. Embrace the neon skyscrapers and spend the evening playing arcade games.
Day 2 - Head to Asakusa; Tokyo's 'old town'. Explore the Sensoji temple and spend the morning wandering around the shopping streets including the famous Nakamis Dori. A tempura set for lunch is a good bet. Walk west to Ueno via Kappabashi dori, a street which sells all manner of kitchen utensils. Don't worry, there is space in the itinerary to return and stock up before heading home! Spend the afternoon wandering around Ueno park.
Day 3 - Head to the Tsukiji outer market for a breakfast of sushi. Walk west towards the Imperial palace taking time to do some shopping in the high end Ginza district on your way. Enjoy the tranquility of the Imperial palace gardens and then head to Tokyo Station for some awesome food (check out Ramen street).
Day 4 - Travel to Yudunaka Onsen. Hike to the snow monkey park and spend the afternoon watching the monkeys bath in the natural onsen (hot spring). Stay at a traditional Ryokan (Japanese Inn) which provides a multi-course evening meal. After dining on tatami mats, don your robe and spend the evening traveling between the many onsen in the area.
Day 5 - Travel to Matsumoto. Spend the afternoon exploring the castle. Be sure to come back in the evening to see it lit up and the castle reflected in the moat.
Day 6 - Get up early to catch the train to Omachi. Here you can start the Tatayama-Kurobe Alpine Route which takes you to the top of and over the northern Japanese alps using a range of buses, cable cars and ropeways. Be sure to walk the snow corridor and collect the ink stamps at each station. Get the train to Toyama and then the bullet train to Kanazawa in time for dinner.
Day 7 - Day to explore Kanazawa. Start the day with breakfast at Omicho Market before heading to Nagamachi; the former Samurai district. Walk to the Nishi Chaya Geisha district, there is a good view of the city from the hill and several interesting temples. Walk north along Tate-machi shopping street where you will find many otaku shops, maid cafes, and a hedgehog cafe. Spend the afternoon in Kenrokuen Garden which is absolutely the most beautiful garden I have ever seen. In the evening, wander around the Higashi Chaya district in the hopes of spotting a real Geisha.
Day 8 - Travel to Takeyama. Spend the day exploring the old town and temples which follow the tree line to the north.
Day 9 - Take the bus to Shin-hotaka ropeway; the views from the double-decker cable car are amazing. On the way back stop at Kamikochi and hike along the river. Be sure eat a supper of the famous Hida beef.
Day 10 - Travel to Nagoya. Explore the castle and grab a bento at the station before heading to Kyoto. Kyoto will makes an excellent base for the next 6 nights.
Day 11 - Temple hopping in Kyoto. Make sure to check out the Nishiki Market for food (octopus stuffed with quail egg, trust me!) and the Pontocho area for some nightlife.
Day 12 - Take the train to Arashiyama. Walk through the gardens of Tenryuji temple to the bamboo forest at the back. There are several more temples to explore on your walk back down through the forest. In the afternoon head to Nijo castle, the sound of the nightingale floors singing as you walk around is unforgettable. Head back to the Nishiki market in the evening, because it is just that much fun.
Day 13 - Take the train to Nara. Spend the day ambling around the temple complex and feeding deer by hand. This is truly one of the most fun days I had in the entire trip (and that is saying something). On the way back to Kyoto stop at the Fushimi Inari Shrine and walk up the Mt. Inari through the rows and rows of vermilion torii gates.
Day 14 - After all those temples it is time to head to Osaka for the day to get a dose of modern Japan. Be sure to visit the Pokemon Centre, bonus points if you get to dress up as your favorite Pokemon. Osaka is famous for food, so head to Kuromon Ichiba market for lunch before walking to Dotonbori for a healthy dose of neon and nightlife before heading back to Kyoto.
Day 15 - More temple hopping in Kyoto.
Day 16 - Head back to Tokyo. If you can, stay in Ikebukero for lots of Kawaii female-focused otaku culture. For a true dose of randomness visit NamjaTown - an indoor theme park full of random arcade games, cat mascots, and an artificial street full of gyoza shops. In the evening, go to an animal cafe (bunnies!!) and sing the night away at a karaoke bar.
Day 17 - Head to Harajuku to shop for goth lolita clothing, kawaii merch, and unique artwork. Spend some time in the tranquil gardens of the Meiji Jingu shrine and marvel how you can be in such a see of calm, in the middle of a giant metropolis and only feet away from the pastel pink craziness of Harajuku. Next, walk through Yoyogi park before grabbing a drink at a dog cafe. Walk to Shibuya to witness the busiest pedestrian crossing for yourself before heading to the top of the Tokyo Metropolitan Government building for a free view of Tokyo as the sun sets.
Day 18 - Tokyo Disney Sea! Until you have heard the Genie sing 'friend like me' in Japanese you haven't lived.
Day 19 - Head to Odaiba, a man-made island full of shopping and entertainment options.
Day 20 - Souvenir shopping and option to revisit one of you favourite Tokyo spots. We chose to head back to Asakusa to purchase ceramics on Kappabashi street, and Tokyo station to eat Tonkatsu one last time before heading home.
Check back for more detailed posts on rail travel (including times and how to get the most our of your JR pass) and travel guides on each stop. In the mean time, if you want more inspiration for planning your own trip to Japan check our my pinterest board, it contains every useful pin I've found, maps, and all of the restaurants and shops I visited on my trip.
お元気ですか
Hi!
I'm Cheri, creator of Kawaii Cherry Pi, and (as you can probably guess) I love making kawaii and cute artwork and accessories. I am a huge fan of Japanese culture; the crazy and colorful along with the peaceful and natural.
Just like Japan, this site is a haven of contrasts; kawaii & otaku, travel tips and wanderlust, and mindfulness & self-improvement. So, stay a while and tanoshi! 楽しい
I'm Cheri, creator of Kawaii Cherry Pi, and (as you can probably guess) I love making kawaii and cute artwork and accessories. I am a huge fan of Japanese culture; the crazy and colorful along with the peaceful and natural.
Just like Japan, this site is a haven of contrasts; kawaii & otaku, travel tips and wanderlust, and mindfulness & self-improvement. So, stay a while and tanoshi! 楽しい