Japan itinerary templates

Compare 14 routes in Japan before choosing your base plan. A shorter route covers a few highlights; a longer one leaves room for more neighbourhoods and breaks. Check the actual stops rather than choosing on day count alone, and remember to add travel time between cities if you combine routes.

Route	City	Days
Hiroshima: a 2-day starter	Hiroshima	2
Kyoto in 2 days	Kyoto	2
Nara: a 2-day starter	Nara	2
Osaka: a 2-day starter	Osaka	2
Sapporo: a 2-day starter	Sapporo	2
Tokyo in 3 days	Tokyo	3
Kanazawa in 5 days	Kanazawa	5
Kobe in 5 days	Kobe	5
Matsue in 5 days	Matsue	5
Nikko in 5 days	Nikko	5
Okayama in 5 days	Okayama	5
Nagasaki in 7 days	Nagasaki	7
Fukuoka in 9 days	Fukuoka	9
Nagoya in 9 days	Nagoya	9

Hiroshima: a 2-day starter

A light introduction to Hiroshima, from Peace Memorial Museum to Shukkeien. Four highlights with room to add your own discoveries.

Highlights: Peace Memorial Museum · Atomic Bomb Dome · Hiroshima Castle · Shukkeien

Edit this 2-day route

Kyoto in 2 days

Fushimi Inari at dawn, Gion lanes and Arashiyama bamboo.

Highlights: Fushimi Inari Taisha · Kiyomizu-dera · Gion & Hanamikoji · Arashiyama Bamboo Grove

Edit this 2-day route

Nara: a 2-day starter

A light introduction to Nara, from Tōdai-ji to Kōfuku-ji. Four highlights with room to add your own discoveries.

Highlights: Tōdai-ji · Nara Park · Kasuga Taisha · Kōfuku-ji

Edit this 2-day route

Osaka: a 2-day starter

A light introduction to Osaka, from Osaka Castle to Shinsekai. Four highlights with room to add your own discoveries.

Highlights: Osaka Castle · Dotonbori · Shitennōji · Shinsekai

Edit this 2-day route

Sapporo: a 2-day starter

A light introduction to Sapporo, from Ōdōri Park to Mount Moiwa. Four highlights with room to add your own discoveries.

Highlights: Ōdōri Park · Sapporo Clock Tower · Sapporo Beer Museum · Mount Moiwa

Edit this 2-day route

Tokyo in 3 days

Classic first visit: old Tokyo, Shibuya crossing, Meiji Shrine and a day of food halls.

Highlights: Senso-ji Temple · Ueno Park · Tokyo National Museum · Meiji Jingu

Edit this 3-day route

Kanazawa in 5 days

An unhurried 5-day stay, pairing Kenroku-en Garden and other Kanazawa highlights into nearby daily groups.

Highlights: Kenroku-en Garden · 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art · Ishikawa Museum of Modern Literature · Kanazawa Castle

Edit this 5-day route

Kobe in 5 days

An unhurried 5-day stay, pairing Kobe Overseas Chinese History Museum and other Kobe highlights into nearby daily groups.

Highlights: Kobe Overseas Chinese History Museum · Chinatown · Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum · Weathercock House

Edit this 5-day route

Matsue in 5 days

An unhurried 5-day stay, pairing Matsue Vogel Park and other Matsue highlights into nearby daily groups.

Highlights: Matsue Vogel Park · Shimane University Museum - Old Okudani Lodging · Yuushien Garden · The Entrance to the Underworld

Edit this 5-day route

Nikko in 5 days

An unhurried 5-day stay, pairing Tōshōgū Museum and other Nikko highlights into nearby daily groups.

Highlights: Tōshōgū Museum · Rinnō-ji Temple · Tōshōgū · Taiyuin-byō

Edit this 5-day route

Okayama in 5 days

An unhurried 5-day stay, pairing Kōrakuen Garden and other Okayama highlights into nearby daily groups.

Highlights: Kōrakuen Garden · Okayama Prefectural Museum · Okayama Prefectural Museum of Art · Okayama Orient Museum

Edit this 5-day route

Nagasaki in 7 days

An unhurried 7-day stay, pairing Immaculate Conception Cathedral and other Nagasaki highlights into nearby daily groups.

Highlights: Immaculate Conception Cathedral · Nagasaki Peace Park · Atomic Bomb Museum · Nagasaki Museum for Human Rights and Peace

Edit this 7-day route

Fukuoka in 9 days

An unhurried 9-day stay, pairing Ichiran Ramen Museum and other Fukuoka highlights into nearby daily groups.

Highlights: Ichiran Ramen Museum · Fukuoka City Science Museum · ACROS rooftop garden · Asian Art Museum

Edit this 9-day route

Nagoya in 9 days

An unhurried 9-day stay, pairing Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology and other Nagoya highlights into nearby daily groups.

Highlights: Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology · Noritake Garden · Nagoya Castle · Aichi Prefectural Museum of Art

Edit this 9-day route

Fit the route to your trip

For a partial arrival day, move a booked attraction to a full day. With children or a slower walking pace, keep one main visit per half-day and leave meals flexible.

How to build a realistic itinerary