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FREE ITINERARIES

FOR FIRST, AND SECOND TIME TRAVELERS TO JAPAN

VISITING JAPAN

While, most first-time travelers to Japan visit Tokyo and the Kansai region. Japan is a huge country with an incredible amount to offer.

From far reaching islands like sunny, southern Okinawa and snowy, northern Hokkaido. We wanted to show you options with a bit more to offer.

If you have the time (and the money) we recommend trying to get outside these main regions.

That being said, Tokyo and Kansai are favorites for a reason. We don’t think you’d ever regret spending time in these areas. They are cherished heritage sites and world-wide favorites, for good reason!

TRAVEL DAYS

We love planning itineraries, and one thing we have learned is: Counting travel days as travel days is the best way to plan a trip.

We count any extra time on these days, as bonus time. This way, if we are affected by delays, jet lag, or any number of reasons. We have our expectations set.

Not only that. But, when traveling to Japan from the USA and other countries, you’ll most likely lose a day of travel time anyway due to the distance and time change.

So, if you’re from North America and taking say, 7 days off of work. You really end up with about 5 or 6 days to spend in Japan. It’s best to set proper expectations when crossing time zones. And in our opinion?

“It’s better to be looking at it, than for it.”

JAPAN ITINERARIES

Here are our Favorite Four Free Itineraries For Japan Travel.

7 DAYS

(5 FULL DAYS IN JAPAN)

TRAVEL DAY

DAY 1 – TOKYO

DAY 2 – TOKYO

DAY 3 – OSAKA

DAY 4 – KYOTO

DAY 5 – KYOTO

TRAVEL DAY

10 DAYS

8 FULL DAYS IN JAPAN

TRAVEL DAY

DAY 1 – TOKYO

DAY 2 – TOKYO

DAY 3 – NIKKO

DAY 4 – MT FUJI

DAY 5 – KYOTO

DAY 6 – KYOTO

DAY 7 – OSAKA

DAY 8 – OSAKA

TRAVEL DAY

14 DAYS

12 FULL DAYS IN JAPAN

TRAVEL DAY

DAY 1 – TOKYO

DAY 2 – TOKYO

DAY 3 – OKINAWA

DAY 4 – OKINAWA

DAY 5 – OKINAWA

DAY 6 – OKINAWA

DAY 7 – KYOTO

DAY 8 – KYOTO

DAY 9 – OSAKA

DAY 10 – OSAKA

DAY 11 – MT FUJI

DAY 12 – TOKYO

TRAVEL DAY

16 DAYS

14 FULL DAYS IN JAPAN

TRAVEL DAY

DAY 1 – SAPPORO

DAY 2 – NISEKO

DAY 3 – NISEKO

DAY 4 – NISEKO

DAY 5 – HAKODATE

DAY 6 – GINZAN ONSEN

DAY 7 – TOKYO

DAY 8 – TOKYO

DAY 9 – KYOTO

DAY 10 – KYOTO

DAY 11 – KYOTO

DAY 12 – OSAKA

DAY 13 – OSAKA

DAY 14 – HIMEJI/KOBE

TRAVEL DAY

DAY TRIPS

We love a good day trip! If you’re missing a day or two of things to do and want to add something unique to your itinerary. Stay an extra day in the cities listed above, and add on a day trip or excursion to one of these!

KYOTO/OSAKA

AMANOHASIDATE

HIMEJI

KOBE

NARA

OKINAWA

NEARBY ISLANDS

SCUBA AND SNORKELING

TOKYO

MT FUJI

NAGANO

NIKKO

SAKURA

BREIF TIPS FOR KYOTO AND OSAKA

LOCATION

For those who don’t realize yet, Kyoto and Osaka are located very close together.

In fact, they lie less than 15 minutes away from each other by Shinkansen (Japanese bullet train).

WHERE TO STAY

We prefer to choose to stay in one city, and travel to the other during the day. This way we pay for less hotel nights, move our stuff around less, saving precious hours of travel time.

Which cities should you stay in? Well, that depends on what you’re looking for. But to put it very basically and concisely:

OSAKA

FOR MODERN CITY LIFE, FUN VIBES, AND FOOD

KYOTO

FOR A SLOWER SCENE, TRADITIONAL, AND CULTURAL HERITAGE

Looking for more city comparisons? Comment below and we’ll let you know!

We hope you enjoyed taking a peek into our travel-planning-minds, and our itineraries inspire you on your journey to see the world!

SEARCHING FOR MORE INPIRATION?

For essential information on travel to Japan, click here.

UPCOMING TRAVEL TO JAPAN?

START YOUR TRIP PREP WITH OUR

“Easy 11”

Travel Phrases for

First Time Travelers to Japan

DESTINATIONS

August 28, 2024

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