How to Spend 2 Weeks in Japan Like a Local

To successfully summarise Japan in a matter of words is to ultimately underestimate it. Describing the pure marvel that is Japan –the home of sushi, anime, futuristic technology, outrageous fashion, devastatingly beautiful landscapes, ancient customs, and so much more– merely scratches the surface. It is when you experience 2 weeks in Japan first hand, that you’ll truly understand its magnificence. 

In Japan, the polite and the outrageous stand side by side, as do the futuristic and the age-old, along with the quirky and the peaceful. On the surface, the country may appear every bit the epitome of modernity, but strip back this exterior, and you’ll find numerous contrasts in this 6,800-island archipelago. It is this seamless blend of ancient customs and traditions with lightening-speed industrialisation, pioneering design and hyperactive metropolises that makes this timeless country a “pleasantly disorientating experience”, as so beautifully put in our Japan travel guide. 

Whether your enthusiasm to visit Japan lies in its dining experiences, modern technology, traditional culture, or diverse landscapes, there is quite literally something for everyone. 

Is a 2-Week Holiday to Japan Enough?

With a very efficient public transport system and a handful of wonderful local guides, you’ll be surprised at how much you can fit into a 2-week tour of Japan. Better yet, by narrowing down exactly what you’re most interested in seeing and doing, you’ll be able to plan an itinerary that’s perfect for you. 

Our expert Local Designers in Japan have put together this 14-day Japan itinerary to give you a taste of the highlights of Japan that you can experience on your trip! 

Trips you may like

9-Day Authentic Samurai and Sake Experience

This 9-day trip is a once-in-a-lifetime experience that will immerse you in rich history and culture, as you uncover two of the things that make Japan truly unique; Sake and Samurai. When it comes to Sake, you’ll learn about the various processes behind making sake and the unique properties that make each style of sake different – and just how many different ways there are as you explore local sake breweries throughout Niigata and Yamagata. Now, it is time for your first introduction to the history of the Samurai. You’ll start in Nagoya and head out to Inuyama, where your swordsmith training will begin. Beginning with an exploration of Inuyama Castle, one of Japan’s five national treasures, you will then spend the next two days learning the art of sword-making, its importance in Samurai and Japanese culture, its origins and the training behind it. Next, you will have the rare opportunity to meet with katana artisans in their own ateliers, where you will watch their crafts being practised firsthand and learn the history of their trade. You’ll visit a tsukamakishi (hilt-wrapper), a shiroganeshi (habaki-maker), a sayashi (scabbard-maker), and a togishi (sword polisher), and might even see their own personal antique collections on this tour! This bucket-list trip captures the heart and history of Japan; Samurai and Sake, but also allows you time to explore the spiritual side of Japan, following walking trails to temples, meeting extraordinary locals and embracing the culture of this unique destination. Accommodation listed or similar.

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6-Day Tradition Meets Future in Tokyo & Kyoto

Japan is a real feast for all of your senses, with sumo, geisha, sake, karaoke, onsen, and izakaya waiting to be discovered. Spend six days exploring the highlights of this enthralling country, centred around Japan’s two major cities, Tokyo and Kyoto. Begin your trip with a guided tour of incredible Tokyo, where you will explore Tokyo’s dazzling lights, the Tsukji Market, famous for its tuna auctions and the ultra-cool shopping district of Shibuya, complete with a never-ending array of lights and mega-street crossings.Boarding the Shinkansen bullet train, you will travel at up to 320km/h from Tokyo to Kyoto in complete comfort. Arriving in Kyoto, you will be guided through the wonders of this city, visiting the famous Gion ‘Geisha’ district, Arashiyama Bamboo Grove and Nishiki Market, otherwise known as Kyoto’s kitchen! The highlight of this trip is a traditional group tea ceremony with an authentic Geisha, where you will learn the importance of this sacred Japanese ritual.Transferring back to Tokyo for the final leg of your journey, you will have the opportunity for last minute sightseeing and shopping before your private airport transfer!Thousands of years of history are concentrated in this fascinating nation – come and explore Japan’s attractions for yourself.Accommodation listed or similar.

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from USD 1,725

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10-Day Nature and Unique Culture of Japan

This 10-day journey highlights the hotspots, hidden gems, nature and unique culture of Japan! Taking you through parts of modern Tokyo, to the traditional and historical former capital Kyoto, stopping along the way in the food and nightlife capital of Japan, Osaka. From the serenity of grand gardens to conveyor belt sushi restaurants at the top of skyscrapers; from the observation decks sprinkled around the city to the humble little ramen shops tucked away on side streets, it’s understandable why Tokyo is the most popular starting point for travellers coming to Japan. Tokyo is where you will uncover the hot-spots and the hidden gems of the city.Next stop, historic Kyoto. From your first day in Kyoto, you may very well feel the elegant ambience of a city entrenched in history. Here you will be immersed in Japan’s culture with a local guide, exploring the beautiful scenery that is Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, taking part in a traditional tea-ceremony and wandering amongst free-roaming deer in nearby Nara . Known by many as the food capital of Japan, the city of Osaka, your next stop is bright, vivacious, and friendly, however it also has a historical side. Here, you will explore Osaka Castle, a monument that played an integral role in the unification of Japan, before strolling down Dotonbori, where you can see the popular Glico running man display and try out Osaka’s signature foods: Takoyaki and Okonomiyaki. This trip is the perfect trip for travellers looking for a combination of Japanese culture, nature and food.Accommodation listed or similar.

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from USD 4,024

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14-Day Highlights of Japan: Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto & Osaka

Embark on a two-week trip that covers all the major Japan highlights! From historical to modern, from urban to rural; you can enjoy the great diversity of Japan. In each area, local guides will show you the highlights of the region and introduce the local culture. The trip starts in Tokyo, the current capital of Japan. You will receive an introduction to Japanese culture and learn about modern Japanese life. Then, you’ll visit Hakone where you can appreciate a fantastic view of Mt. Fuji.You’ll then venture out to the countryside of Takayama, which is a small rural town with its own unique culture and traditions. From Takayama, you will visit Shirakawago, which is a well-preserved old folk village by car. Then, you’ll head to north to Kanazawa, a city produced by the Samurai which is home to the most beautiful Japanese garden. You will then visit Kyoto, one of the most beautiful cities in Japan and the mecca of Japanese culture. Here, you can experience authentic Japanese things such as food, culture, temples, art, gardens, crafts and more. You’ll then travel to Nara by train or car. Nara is an older city than Kyoto and it was the centre of Japanese religion and academia. Finally, you’ll head west to Osaka, the second biggest city in Japan. Osaka is famous as a paradise of street food with very open-minded and friendly local people! Geographically, Osaka is very close to Kyoto, but you will find a huge difference between them. From Osaka, you will take a day trip to Hiroshima by bullet train before heading back to Tokyo where your trip will come to an end!

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The Perfect Way to Spend 2 Weeks in Japan

From historical to modern, from urban to rural, you can enjoy the great diversity of Japan. Your expert local guides will introduce you to the major highlights and the local culture in each destination!

Beginning in Tokyo, this trip whisks you away to the must-visit destinations in Japan and is punctuated by unique, local experiences that you won’t find anywhere else. If Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Takayama, Kanazawa, Kyoto, Nara and Osaka are on your list, this is the Japan 2-week itinerary for you!

Day 1: Begin Your 2-Week Trip to Japan in Tokyo

Upon your arrival at the Tokyo International Airport, you will be picked up by a personal driver, or you can take the Narita Express train to your hotel in the city centre. Depending on your arrival time, you will have some time to explore and get acquainted with the bustling city of Tokyo.

Day 2: West Tokyo Private Walking Tour

The west side of Tokyo has many sites where you might think, “we are truly in Tokyo!” These include Takeshita Street (Harajuku), the Shibuya Crossing and the Meiji Shrine. On this Japan highlights tour, you can see all of those sites with a friendly local guide. The guide can be helpful if you want to find a good photo spot or go shopping or give your children something enjoyable to do. You can customise the tour itinerary if you have a spot that you definitely want to visit.

Day 3: East Tokyo Private Walking Tour

Since Tokyo is quite a big city, you may need several days to explore. Today, you will explore East Tokyo with a local professional guide. East Tokyo is known for the traditional and unique towns such as Asakusa, Ueno Park, Tsukiji Market and Akihabara. There are a lot of spots that are worth a visit, such as the Yanaka nostalgic neighbourhood, Edo Tokyo Museum, Tokyo Skytree, Hamarikyu Garden, Odaiba Tokyo-Bay, Ginza and many more.

Day 4: Day Trip to Hakone by Bullet Train and Private Walking Tour

Today, you’ll escape busy Tokyo and travel to Hakone by bullet train, which is two hours away. Hakone is part of the Hakone-Fuji-Izu National Park, and here, you can enjoy the beautiful scenery with a view of Mt Fuji. You’ll explore the nature of Hakone from the land, air and boat with a local guide. You will also enjoy a ride on the ropeway (cable cars) and a cruise on Lake Ashi. Your friendly, knowledgeable guide will help make your adventure easy, safe and fun!

Day 5: Travel by Bullet Train to Takayama from Tokyo

Takayama is a mountain region and also the name of a small countryside city in that region. Unlike any other place, there is a unique local culture with a well-maintained old town. From Tokyo, you need to go to Nagoya Station first by bullet train. Then, take a Ltd Express “Hida” to Takayama. If you are concerned about how to take a bullet train from Tokyo or how to change a train at Nagoya Station, it is fine to arrange special escort staff at each station with an additional fee.

Day 6: Takayama Private Walking Tour

Today, you’ll take a private highlight tour in Takayama, which is a well-preserved local traditional town with a unique culture. In Takayama, there are lots of enjoyable, beautiful and photogenic spots such as unique museums, old buildings from the Samurai period, lively local morning markets and nostalgic streets. In the company of a local guide is the best way to fully enjoy this kind of local city.

Day 7: Shirakawago Day Trip from Takayama by Private Car

Shirakawago is one of the most favoured destinations among the UNESCO World Heritage sites in Japan. It is famous for the traditional rural housings with a steep rafter roof. You can appreciate the atmosphere in a rural village. It is about one hour from Takayama by car.

Day 8: Kanazawa Full-Day Private Walking Tour and Bullet Train Transfer to Kyoto

Kanazawa is an old traditional city like Kyoto, Takayama, and Nara. But the atmosphere is different from any other city due to the climate where there is often snowfall in winter, and because one of the largest Samurai families ruled for about 300 years. You can enjoy Kanazawa with the most beautiful garden in Japan, the old Samurai house, a fresh seafood market, and so on. After you explore Kanazawa with a local guide, you will take a bullet train to Kyoto from Kanazawa Station.

Day 9: Higashiyama Kyoto Highlights Private Walking Tour

The east side of Kyoto has a city centre beside the elegant stream of the Kamo River. There are lots of historical and iconic spots in this city. In this full-day tour, you can visit one of the most authentic temples, the Silver Pavilion. After that, have a peaceful walk along the Philosopher’s Pathway. Then, visit the huge Zen temple, Nanzen-ji. You will visit Kiyomizu Temple and the scenic Sanneizaka slope. At the end of the tour, you will walk around Gion District (Maiko town) and learn about Geisha culture.

Day 10: West Kyoto Highlights Tour

In comparison to the east, the west side of Kyoto has more countryside and lush green landscapes. There are also several World Heritage Sites and popular destinations such as the Golden Pavilion, Ryoan-ji Rock Garden, Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Togetsu Bridge and Nijo Castle. All of these sites are worth a photo-stop, but you can add some more locations if you wish, such as Monkey park, Ninna-ji Temple or the Kamishichiken district.

Day 11: Nara Day Trip from Kyoto and Transfer to Osaka

You will visit the southern part of Kyoto and Nara from Kyoto with a local guide and private car. First, you will visit Fushimi Inari Shrine with thousands of red Tori gates. Then, you’ll head to Nara. After arriving, you will explore Nara Park which is known as the deer park because there are lots of free-roaming deer. You’ll also visit some World-Heritage sites. The most iconic one is Todai-ji Giant Buddha Hall. You will certainly be overwhelmed by the size of the buddha statue!

Day 12: Osaka Day Highlights Tour

Osaka is a cosmopolitan city near the ancient capital of Kyoto, best known for its dynamic food and drinking culture. Long before Edo (Tokyo) became the capital of Japan, Osaka was the first true capital city, and it is seen as the birthplace of Japanese comedy. The people of Osaka are well-known for being cheerful and outgoing. Osaka has an interesting and distinctive character all its own. You will have an awesome time exploring with your local guide and will enjoy great food in Osaka.

Day 13: Day Trip to Hiroshima by Bullet Train and Private Highlight Tour

In Hiroshima, there are two World Heritage Sites. The first one is Miyajima (also called Itsukushima), a small island in Hiroshima bay that has forests and ancient temples with the famous Great Torii Gate that sits submerged in water depending on the tide. The second site is the Atomic Bomb Dome, which is a powerful reminder of the scars of war. In this tour, we will visit both World Heritage Sites in one day!

Day 14: Your 14 Days in Japan Comes to an End!

Today, your trip comes to an end. If you would like to add a little bit of sparkle to your final morning, a traditional Japanese breakfast is rather spectacular and can be organised by our Local Designer. From Shin-Osaka Station, you will take a bullet train to Tokyo Station. Then, you’ll take a Narita Express to go to Narita Airport. You’ll leave with wonderful memories of Japan!

Alternative Ways to Spend 2 Weeks in Japan

Whilst this itinerary is special; we understand that it may not be suited to your exact interests, budget or travel style. The good news is that with Designer Journeys, you can fully customise any of our locally-designed Japan tours or design your own from scratch by connecting with one of our Local Designers in Japan and answering a few questions. 

Once connected, you’ll work together with your Local Designer, who will build your perfect Japan trip! After booking with confidence and flexible policies, you’ll set off on your travels, where you’ll be fully supported by local experts on the ground for your entire trip!

To begin your journey, explore our gallery of Japan tours and tap ‘customise’ to specify your requirements, or tap ‘design your own trip’ to add your requirements and let your Local Designer build your trip from scratch! Either way, you’ll be guaranteed to be delivered a free, personalised itinerary filled with unique, authentic experiences tailored to you in 48 hours or less!

First Time Spending 2 Weeks in Japan?

First things first, our Japan travel guide covers the best time to visit Japan, the top places to visit, how to get around Japan, must-try foods, where to stay, and so much more!

If you’re particularly interested in the best time to catch Japan’s cherry blossom season, the best stargazing, or where to find the best hot springs, then these Japan posts will hold all the answers. 

Now, for everything else you need to know for your first trip to Japan, read on!

What Does a 2-Week Trip to Japan Cost?

The cost of your two weeks in Japan will vary depending on a number of factors, which include:

• Accommodation type and class
• Transportation type: train, private car, plane, bus
• How many activities and what kind of activities
• Which –and how many– places you visit in Japan

By designing your trip with our Local Designers in Japan, you can tailor your trip to suit your budget. Just specify what you’re looking for and what’s most important to you for your Japan trip, and our Local Designers can design your trip to suit you!

Example Cost of a Two-Week Trip to Japan:

As an example, this 14-day Japan trip costs from US$3,284 per person and includes:

• Licensed, experienced local guides in every destination
• Three-star accommodation
• 11 privately-guided tours
• 50 entrance fees to attractions, landmarks and more

Of course, this trip –like every trip in our gallery– can be customised to suit you!

Top Tips for Japan Travel: Dos and Don’ts

Don’t get caught out. Here are the best nuggets of advice for Japan travel, straight from the mouths of our Local Designers on the ground!

• DO: Have some Japanese phrases prepared, and the Google translate app loaded. Whilst English is spoken in most tourist hot spots, knowing a little bit of Japanese will always be appreciated and may help in certain situations.
• DON’T: Stick your chopsticks in your bowl/rice sticking vertically out as this is considered to bring bad luck and is therefore taboo in Japan. The best chopstick etiquette is to either place them next to your bowl or flat across the rim of your bowl. 
• DO: Give up your seat when travelling on public transport, especially to the elderly, disabled or pregnant women. 
• DON’T: Assume you have to tip; tipping is not always necessary and rarely expected in Japan. However, a token of your appreciation of good service is always kind. 
• DO: Take your shoes off when entering any Japanese home.
• DON’T: Approach Geishas or Maikos for selfies or pictures.
• DO: Check if you need a visa before setting off to travel to Japan. Luckily, 68 countries do not require a visa to enter Japan as a tourist, but it is worth checking this first. Again, our Local Designers can help with this. 
• DON’T: Be loud on metro or bullet trains or listen to music loudly. 
• DO: Embrace the amazing food and local culture, support local businesses, and step outside your comfort zone! That is what Japan is for. 

Ready to Design Your Own 2 Weeks in Japan (or Longer)?

Whether you have one week, two weeks or four weeks to spend in Japan, our Local Designers can build the perfect trip to suit your travel style, budget and interests. By connecting with our Local Designers, you can work with them to design an itinerary that is filled with unique, authentic experiences that you won’t find anywhere else!

If you know exactly what you’re looking for, our Local Designers are ready and waiting to design your Japan trip. Alternatively, you can browse our gallery of fully-customisable Japan itineraries, find one you love, tap ‘customise’ and answer a few questions to connect with your Local Designer who will build your personalised itinerary in 48 hours or less, for free!

It’s time for extraordinary travel!