How to Spend 14 Days in Japan - A Japan Travel Itinerary

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Dotonbori is a bustling tourist hub famous for its iconic Glico Running Man sign, vibrant neon lights, diverse shops, and an extensive array of food choices. It's the perfect place to experience Osaka's lively nightlife and culinary scene.

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Ichiran Ramen is a highly popular spot known for its delicious tonkotsu ramen, offering a unique solo dining experience with individual booths. It's a must-try for ramen enthusiasts visiting Osaka.

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This small but distinctive shrine is famous for its massive lion head stage, offering a unique architectural sight. It's a great place to learn about traditional Japanese worship.

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Osaka Castle is a prominent landmark that played a crucial role in Japan's 16th-century unification. The castle grounds are extensive and offer historical insights into the region.

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Known as Osaka's center for Japanese youth culture, Amerikamura is similar to Tokyo's Harajuku, offering the latest trend-setting fashion and unique shopping experiences.

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The Umeda Sky Building features a famous observation deck that provides panoramic views over the entire city of Osaka, making it an excellent spot for cityscapes.

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Okaro is highlighted as a favorite spot for okonomiyaki, savory Japanese pancakes made with flour, eggs, cabbage, and your choice of protein, with the seafood version being a recommended go-to.

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This Don Quijote store in Osaka is unique for its attached Ferris wheel, which, while a bit gimmicky, offers views over Dotonbori.

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The Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan is a large and impressive aquarium, perfect for those with more time in the city, offering a chance to explore diverse marine life.

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Shinsekai is an old, neon-lit neighborhood located south of Minami, offering a nostalgic glimpse into Osaka's past with its unique atmosphere and local eateries.

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Universal Studios Japan is a major theme park offering a wide range of rides and entertainment, ideal for a full day of fun.

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Located near the Osaka Aquarium, the Tempozan Ferris Wheel offers another opportunity for panoramic city views, especially of the bay area.

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Shinsaibashi is a prominent shopping district in Osaka, offering a wide array of stores from high-end brands to local boutiques, perfect for retail therapy.

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Koyasan is a secluded temple town in the Wakayama mountains, serving as the center of Shingon Buddhism. It's home to over 100 temples, with 50 offering overnight stays for a unique cultural experience.

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The cable car ride from Gokurakubashi station to Koyasan is a scenic highlight, offering impressive views as you ascend into the temple town.

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Saizen Inn offers traditional Japanese rooms with tatami floors and sliding doors, providing an authentic temple lodging experience. It's described as more luxurious than imagined.

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The Danjo Garan Temple Complex is one of the first built by Kobo Daishi, featuring about 20 temples and buildings, including the significant Konpon Daito (Great Pagoda).

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The Great Diamond Gate served as the original entrance to Koyasan and now marks the end of the old Choishi Michi Pilgrimage Trail, standing as an impressive historical landmark.

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Part of the Danjo Garan complex, the Konpon Daito is a prominent great pagoda, showcasing impressive Buddhist architecture and spiritual significance.

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Kongobuji is the head temple of Shingon Buddhism in Koyasan, featuring numerous halls, corridors, and Banryutei, Japan's largest rock garden, said to resemble dragons emerging from clouds.

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Okunoin Cemetery is Japan's largest, stretching over 2 km with more than 200,000 graves. It's a misty, moss-covered, serene, and peaceful place highly recommended for exploration.

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Located within Okunoin, the Kobo Daishi Mausoleum is where Kobo Daishi is believed to be in eternal meditation, making it a deeply sacred site.

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Nara Park is famous for its large population of wild deer that roam freely. Visitors can purchase crackers from vendors to feed them.

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Todai-ji Temple houses the Nara Daibutsu, the world's largest bronze Buddha statue. The temple also features a pillar with a hole known as Buddha's nostril, said to bring good health and luck if you crawl through it.

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Kasuga Taisha is a Shinto shrine renowned for its hundreds of bronze lanterns, donated by worshippers over the years. These lanterns are lit only twice a year during festivals in February and August.

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Mount Wakakusa is a 342m tall hill in Nara Park, offering an excellent view over the city and Nara Park after a moderate climb.

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Witness the famous mochi pounding show at this small shop in Nara, known for its energetic performance and excellent fresh mochi.

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Isuien Garden is a beautiful traditional Japanese garden, offering a serene escape and picturesque scenery for those with more time in Nara.

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The Nara National Museum is a significant cultural institution, particularly known for its collection of Buddhist art, providing deeper insight into Japan's artistic and religious history.

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Naramachi is Nara's old merchant district, characterized by its well-preserved traditional houses and narrow streets, offering a glimpse into historical Japanese urban life.

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The Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is an iconic natural attraction, offering a serene and visually stunning experience walking through towering bamboo stalks.

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Tenryu-ji is one of Kyoto's most important temples, featuring one of the city's finest gardens. It's a Zen Buddhist temple with a rich history and beautiful grounds.

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The Katsura River is the main river flowing through Arashiyama, offering pleasant walks along its banks with scenic views of the surrounding area.

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Senkoji Temple is considered a hidden gem in Arashiyama, offering great views and the unique opportunity to meet the local temple dog.

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Iwatayama Monkey Park is home to over 100 Japanese snow monkeys, offering a unique opportunity to observe them in their natural habitat, along with great views of Kyoto.

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Kinkaku-ji, also known as the Golden Pavilion, is a stunning Zen Buddhist temple formerly a shogun's villa, famous for its gold-leaf-covered exterior.

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Ramen Sen no Kaze is a well-known and highly-rated ramen shop in Kyoto, considered one of the best places for a bowl of ramen.

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Nishiki Market is Kyoto's famous food market, boasting over 100 stalls and shops selling local dishes, fresh seafood, and produce, earning it the nickname 'Kyoto's Kitchen'.

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Gion is Kyoto's traditional entertainment district, famous for its historic streets like Ninen-zaka and Sannen-zaka, and as the place to potentially spot a working geisha.

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Fushimi Inari Shrine is a popular destination dedicated to Inari, the Shinto god of rice, famous for its thousands of vibrant torii gates that form a path up the mountain.

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Nanzen-ji Temple is known for its large aqueduct and beautiful surrounding temple area, making it a great spot to observe autumn foliage.

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Eikando Temple is a famous spot for autumn foliage, particularly noted for its pristine garden that transforms with vibrant colors during the fall season.

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Pontocho Alley is a small, atmospheric alleyway in Kyoto, famous for its dining area filled with restaurants and bars. It's a great place for a memorable meal, even if it's on the pricier side.

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The Kyoto Imperial Palace, formerly the residence of the Imperial Family, offers a glimpse into Japan's imperial history with its grand grounds and traditional architecture.

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The Philosopher's Path is a scenic canal-side walk, particularly beautiful during cherry blossom season, connecting several temples and shrines.

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The Kyoto National Museum is one of Japan's oldest and most distinguished museums, housing a vast collection of Japanese and Asian art and artifacts.

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Kanazawa is often called 'Little Kyoto' due to its well-preserved historic districts. It's renowned for producing over 99% of Japan's gold leaf and boasts excellent art museums and one of the country's best gardens, making it a hidden gem.

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Omicho Market, with a 300-year history, is a popular food market in Kanazawa featuring over 170 stalls. It's known as the 'Kitchen of Kanazawa' for its fresh seafood and local produce.

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Mori Mori Sushi is a very popular conveyor belt sushi restaurant located in Omicho Market, known for its fresh and budget-friendly sushi. Ordering is done via tablet or by grabbing dishes from the belt.

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The DT Suzuki Museum celebrates the life and work of Suzuki Daisetz Teitaro, a prominent Zen Buddhist philosopher, offering a serene and contemplative experience.

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The 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art is a large and popular attraction in Kanazawa, offering numerous halls and exhibits that can easily keep visitors engaged for hours.

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Sushi Ee is a small, cozy sushi shop run by a friendly elderly couple, offering a personalized dining experience with attentive service and explanations of noteworthy sushi pieces.

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Oyama Shrine is a historic shrine where visitors might be lucky enough to witness traditional Japanese wedding ceremonies.

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Kanazawa Castle is a partially restored castle that was once the seat of the powerful Maeda clan, offering insights into feudal Japan and extensive grounds to explore.

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Kenrokuen Garden is considered one of Japan's most beautiful gardens, famous for its protective cone-shaped ropes around trees in winter and as an excellent spot to observe seasonal changes.

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Within Kenrokuen Garden, a small Japanese tea house offers the opportunity to experience a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.

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Hakuichi, located just outside Kenrokuen Garden, sells unique soft serve ice cream covered in gold leaf, a must-try treat in Kanazawa.

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Higashi Chaya is one of Kanazawa's three historic tea house districts, where geishas once entertained. While many buildings are now shops and restaurants, it retains its historic charm and is a must-visit.

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This small ramen shop in Kanazawa specializes in miso ramen, offering three different flavors and colors, including a unique black miso ramen made with squid ink.

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The Tsuzumi Gate is an iconic red gate and unofficial symbol of Kanazawa, often featuring live street performances.

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Takayama is a small city in the mountainous Hida region, known for its carpentry, famous Hida beef, and sake. Its proximity to onsen hotspots makes it a popular destination for relaxation.

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Takayama's old town hosts a daily morning market, offering local produce, crafts, and a glimpse into daily life.

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Takayama Jinya is an old government building that served as the former headquarters of the Hida province, offering insights into local administration during the Edo period.

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Sanmachi Suji is a quaint historic neighborhood filled with traditional merchant houses and sake breweries, making it the ideal place to sample Takayama's famous sake.

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For those unable to visit Shirakawa-go, Hida Folk Village is an open-air museum displaying similar traditional mountain village houses, offering a glimpse into rural Japanese life.

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This ryokan in Okuhida Onsen offers traditional Japanese rooms, with options for private onsen and access to a rooftop onsen, providing a luxurious and relaxing experience.

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A traditional Japanese kaiseki dinner, a multicourse meal, is served at the ryokan, offering a refined culinary experience.

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The ryokan offers access to a rooftop onsen, providing a relaxing experience even on a cloudy night, with two separate onsens to choose from.

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The Shinhotaka Ropeway is a popular sightseeing spot in Gifu, ascending nearly 1,000 meters to a mountaintop observatory, offering panoramic views of Japan's Northern Alps.

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The Shinkansen bullet train offers a fast and efficient way to travel across Japan, connecting major cities like Takayama and Tokyo.

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The Tokyo Sen Capsule Hotel offers a unique capsule hotel experience, inspired by traditional Japanese rooms, providing more space and comfort than typical capsules.

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Meiji Jingu Shrine is one of Japan's most popular shrines, dedicated to Emperor Meiji and his wife. Its entrance is marked by a large torii gate leading into a serene forested area.

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Harajuku is Tokyo's center of trendy youth culture, with Takeshita Street and its side streets lined with fashion boutiques, trendy shops, and fast-food stores.

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This small cafe in Harajuku offers a unique experience of spending time with micro pigs, a common type of animal-centric cafe in Tokyo.

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Shibuya Crossing is the famous scramble crossing in Shibuya, known as one of the world's busiest crosswalks, with thousands of pedestrians crossing at peak hours.

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The rooftop of Magnet by Shibuya 109 (referred to as 'Max Park building') offers an excellent vantage point for a panoramic view of the famous Shibuya Crossing below.

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Uobei Sushi is a popular sushi chain known for its budget-friendly prices and conveyor belt style system, offering a fun and affordable dining experience.

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Akihabara, Tokyo's Electric Town, is a buzzing commercial area famous as the center of Japan's geek culture, showcasing anime, manga, video games, and maid cafes. It's worth exploring even if you're not a dedicated fan.

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Akihabara is home to many arcades where you can try out various games, from rhythm games to crane games, offering a fun and interactive experience.

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teamLab Borderless is a digital art museum featuring several unique and immersive exhibits, including the waterfall-inspired Borderless World, the thousands of LED lights in Crystal World, and the popular Forest of Lamps.

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The Forest of Lamps is likely the most popular display at teamLab Borderless, featuring an array of glowing lamps that respond to touch and movement.

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The En Tea House at teamLab Borderless offers a unique experience where digital artwork is displayed on your tea, blending art with a traditional beverage.

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Omoide Yokocho, also known as Memory Lane, is a narrow, atmospheric alleyway in Shinjuku filled with small izakayas, paper lanterns, and the enticing smell of yakitori.

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Tokyo Tower is an iconic symbol of Japan's postwar rebirth, offering observation decks with panoramic views of the city.

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Senso-ji Temple is the oldest temple in Tokyo, offering a rich historical and cultural experience with its grand gates and bustling Nakamise-dori market street.

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Kabukicho is Shinjuku's famous entertainment district, known for its vibrant nightlife, neon lights, and diverse array of bars, restaurants, and entertainment venues.

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Tokyo Skytree is a prominent broadcasting and observation tower, offering stunning panoramic views of Tokyo from its two observation decks.

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Toyosu Market is the relocated fish market, offering visitors a chance to observe the famous tuna auction and enjoy fresh seafood at its restaurants.

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Nezu Shrine is a beautiful Shinto shrine known for its vibrant azalea gardens and a tunnel of torii gates, offering a peaceful and picturesque visit.

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Shinjuku Gyoen National Garden is a large and beautiful park in Tokyo, featuring traditional Japanese, French, and English landscape gardens, offering a tranquil escape from the city bustle.