Tokyo Hakone Kyoto Nara Hiroshima Miyajima Osaka

2 Week Japan Itinerary by Train

This two week Japan itinerary follows the classic first-trip route without turning every day into a race. Start with big-city Tokyo, slow down for an onsen night in Hakone, use Kyoto as your cultural base, visit Nara and Miyajima, then finish with Osaka food before flying home.

Plan this Trip Start with a blank canvas

The route

Two weeks is enough time for Japan's Golden Route plus Hiroshima and Miyajima if you keep the hotel moves deliberate. The trick is not to sleep in every place you visit: Nara works well as a day trip from Kyoto, and Miyajima can be a day trip or an overnight depending on your pace.

Tokyo is best at the start because it gives you a soft landing: excellent transit, late food, and plenty to do if jet lag wakes you early. Hakone breaks up the trip with hot springs and mountain views before the temple-heavy Kyoto stretch.

Ending in Osaka keeps the final days flexible. You can spend them eating in Dotonbori, shopping, taking a final Kyoto day trip, or simply staying close to Kansai airport before departure.

Day by day

Days 1-4

Tokyo

Base yourself near a useful rail line and keep the first day light. Shinjuku, Shibuya, Asakusa, Ueno, and Ginza can each fill a half day without forcing long cross-city jumps.

Day 5

Hakone

Take the train toward Hakone for one ryokan or onsen night. If the weather is clear, the Hakone loop gives you lake views, ropeway scenery, and a chance of seeing Mount Fuji.

Days 6-9

Kyoto and Nara

Use Kyoto for four nights so you can split the city by area: Higashiyama, Arashiyama, Fushimi Inari, and a quieter food or garden day. Visit Nara as a day trip for Todai-ji, Kasuga Taisha, and the park.

Days 10-11

Hiroshima and Miyajima

Hiroshima works best with a full day for the Peace Memorial Park and a separate window for Miyajima. Check tide timing if the floating torii view matters to you.

Days 12-14

Osaka

Finish in Osaka for street food, nightlife, and an easy final airport plan. It is also a good buffer if you want one last Kyoto morning or a slower recovery day.

What is in the starter trip

  • Editable starter flights into Tokyo and home from Osaka.
  • Blank train legs for the main route, including day trips to Nara and Miyajima.
  • Hotel stays already placed on the calendar for Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Osaka.
  • A budget shell ready for rail, hotels, food, local transit, and activities.

Japan planning tips

  • Forwarding a suitcase between hotel bases can make Hakone, Kyoto, and Hiroshima much easier. Many travelers carry an overnight bag for one night and send the big bag ahead.
  • Do not buy a rail pass automatically. Price out your actual long-distance trains first, especially if you are not returning to Tokyo.
  • Book popular Kyoto sights early in the morning or late in the day when you can. Midday is better for meals, shopping streets, or less famous temples.
  • If you want a slower trip, cut Hiroshima before cutting Kyoto. Kyoto rewards extra time more than almost anywhere else on this route.

Screenshots to add