The Best 2 Week Itinerary For Japan—Full Guide and Costs

The Best 2 Week Japan Itinerary

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So, where are we going? My recommended route is below, with the main bullets showing where you’ll get your hotel and sub-bullets representing day trips:

• Tokyo (Day 1 - 4)
• Osaka (Day 4 - 7) 
  • Kyoto
  • Nara
• Kanazawa (Day 7 - 9)
• Sendai (Day 9 - 11)
  • Matsushima
• Akiu Onsen (Day 11 - 12)
  • Yamadera
• Tokyo (Day 12 - 14)

Now I know what you’re thinking, Kyoto is only a day trip?! You’re insane! Hear me out: 

Kyoto and Osaka are super close together, so you can stay in Kyoto instead of Osaka if you want. But, Kyoto is often more expensive and doesn’t have as much to do at night, whereas Osaka is more of a night city. So if you are going to be in one in the evenings and one during the day, put your hotel in the evening one. So Kyoto in the day, Osaka at night!

But I still need to sell you on the rest of the itinerary (for all those who saw Sendai and Akiu Onsen instead of Hiroshima as the eyebrow raiser), so let’s go into a little more detail. 

What time of year is the best to travel Japan?

Let’s start out with one of the most common questions out there, when should you come? For me, I would say the fall (specifically, the last 2 weeks of November), but there really isn’t a bad time to come to Japan and this itinerary can be done any time of the year.

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Spring in Japan

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Spring runs from mid-March to mid-June and has temperatures in the low teens in March reaching high 20's by the start of June. 

The cherry blossoms bloom somewhere around the end of March to the beginning of April (changes every year with the weather!), so March and April are some of the busiest times to visit Japan. Expect crowds and higher prices, but the flowers are truly gorgeous so if it’s a bucket list item for you, then it’s worth it to plan your trip around this time! For more information on where to see the Cherry Blossoms, check out my blog on Tokyo Cherry Blossoms! 

If you can't make it for the cherry blossoms, you can also try to hit some of the other floral seasons in spring such as Wisteria (mid-April to mid-May), Azaleas (also mid-April to mid-May) or Hydrangeas (June). May has the best weather for Spring, but be sure to avoid the first week as this is a holiday week for Japan (Golden Week) and things can get pretty busy and pricey!

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Summer in Japan

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Summer in Japan is HOT. With temperatures already hitting the 30’s in June, July to September expect some pretty extreme heat (40’s) and humidity. 

It can be difficult to tour outside during this time, but if you are a fan of beaches or summer festival, it can still be a good time to go! I recommend September as the heat is usually at its worst in August and June and July can be quite rainy (rainy season usually lasts 2-3 weeks and happens sometime in June or the beginning of July). 

If onsen is something you really want to experience, I wouldn’t recommend summer for this itinerary. 

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Fall in Japan

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Fall is my favourite season in Japan! Fall runs from October to mid-December, but you really don’t get the fall weather (daytime temperatures dropping below the 20's) until the end of the October or November. 

The best time to come to see the changing leaves is the end of November and into December (Kyoto is usually peak viewing in December!) but any time in fall will give you great weather and delicious fall specialty flavours! 

If you come in October, you can also still see some summer festivals and fireworks, so it can be a great compromise if you want to do some ‘summer’ activities but with cooler weather.

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Winter in Japan

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Winter in Japan can be really magical, and also offers some of the best deals and the least crowds! Cities are all lit up with illuminations (not just over Christmas!) and it’s the perfect season to snowboard and experience onsen culture. 

February is a bit of a hidden gem month to come for the least crowds and cheapest prices if budget is your biggest concern. It is the coldest month of the year, but in cities like Tokyo and Kyoto the weather is still quite mild around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius in the day. And if you’re a snowboarder (or skier), this is the best time of year to come!

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Do I need a JR pass?

This is probably the second most common question, and my answer is absolutely not! Since the price increased back in 2023, there is really no way that the JR pass will ever pay for itself… not sure what they were thinking, but anyways! This trip costs 57,250 in shinkansen (bullet train) tickets, while the JR unlimited 14 day pass costs 110,000. 

There is no way that your daily travels around each city, or day trips, are going to make up that cost. So just buy your tickets either online or in the train stations and you will be good to go. 

Something you do need though, is an e-sim. The trains can be really complicated without easy access to Google Maps, and having some sort of translator on hand is honestly necessary. I used to buy physical sims, but now find it's way more convenient to just use an e-sim so you can buy it before you get there (and the instructions will be in English!), and I find the wifi around the cities here is just not reliable enough which can make exploring really difficult unless you really know your way around. I usually use Airalo when I travel, it's super easy, the rates are pretty good, and the service quality is good too!

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Days 1 to 4: Experience Tokyo

Where to stay: All Day Place Shibuya or Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku

Both are central, have direct access from Narita Airport, are good prices, and convenient for the first part of this itinerary. But if you need more options, check out my article on where to stay in Tokyo! 

‍How to get there: From Narita Airport, take the Narita express straight to either Shibuya or Shinjuku! It stops at both places, so you’re in luck either way.  

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Day 1: Arriving in Tokyo 

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Start your trip by flying into Tokyo! While on your first day you might not get to do much (be it jetlag, arriving late, or a combination of both), Tokyo is a 24/7 city and gives all the Japan feels even from the welcome gates at the airport. 

The city can be a little overwhelming, but knowing the charm of my current home city, I’m confident that Tokyo will steal your heart. And as it’s really 23 cities mashed up into one, there’s a little something for everyone here!

I recommend staying in Shibuya or Shinjuku for your stay in Tokyo, as I find they are the most convenient home bases for exploring the rest of the city and gives off the ‘Tokyo’ vibes that I love. It’s also a convenient place if you’re into nightlife. But if you want to see a more in depth look at where to stay, check out my where to stay in Tokyo guide!

If you arrive in the daytime, take the chance to explore Shinjuku! See the famous Japanese garden Shinjuku Gyoen, catch a beautiful (and free) view of the city from the Tokyo Metropolitan Buildings, eat some yakitori in Omoide Yokocho, and finish the night bar hopping in Golden Gai!

*Tip for Golden Gai: Lots of bars charge a high cover charge, so unless you are okay to pay 1500 yen just to go in, look for ones that advertise no cover. My favourite spots in this area are either OPEN BOOK or ARAKU!

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Day 2: Feel the Tokyo charm in Asakusa and Ueno, then game it up in Akihabara

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Hopefully you got a good sleep on your first night and are ready to get exploring for your first real day in the city! 

I recommend starting your day in Asakusa for some old Tokyo feels. Fill up on street food, grab a drink and some lunch at Hoppy Street, and stop for a quick visit at Asakusa Hanayashiki (an adorable old amusement park).

For cooking fans, this is also the time to check out some spectacular knives on Kappabashi (Kitchen Street). My favourite shop is Seisuke Knife, where I’ve bought several knives from so far. The staff all speak English and are very helpful, and the selection of knives is fantastic. 

Then head over to Ueno to check out one of my favourite street markets in the city, Ameyoko! It’s colourfully chaotic and I absolutely love it. Take your time to explore, see if you can spot Tokudai-ji (the random temple above a snack shop), and izakaya hop to your heart’s content. While you’re in the area I also highly recommend checking out Ueno park and the temple there. It’s gorgeous, especially if you are there in July or August and get to catch sight of the giant Lotus flowers!

Finally, head over to Akihabara, Tokyo’s Electric Town, to arcade hop (Taito is my favourite), search for anime merch (I always find Astop Akiba Culture’s Zone has some really good deals), and find some retro games. Super Potato is a must see for gaming fans, but I find Hard Off has better deals if used games or consoles are actually what you’re looking for. 

*Tip for Super Potato: Please be respectful in tis store! Many people come just to take photos and leave, but please remember it is a legitimate business trying to make a living.

Day 3: Explore Harajuku and Shibuya with optional drinks in Ebisu

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By day three, hopefully the jet lag is fading and you are ready for a full day with some nightlife included! Start out in Harajuku for some shopping, street food, temples and generally good times. 

Start out at Harajuku station, at the Takeshita Exit. Takeshita dori is the very crowded, very touristy shopping street full of Harajuku fashion, animal cafe’s and instagrammable street food. Is it touristy? Absolutely. Is it still fun? Yes!

Just south of here you can also reach the entrance to Meiji Jingu Shrine. It’s a bit of a walk to the actual shrine, but it’s absolutely gorgeous and worth the trek. 

If you go on a Sunday, you can also check out Yoyogi park and catch a show from the Rockabillies! If you don’t know them, my friend Lisa did a great article on them so check it out, you will not be disappointed. 

After Harajuku, make your way down to Shibuya. I recommend walking because it’s only about 15-20 minutes, and you can really see the city on your way! 

Shibuya has a little bit of everything, so from here it’s a bit of a ‘choose your own adventure’ depending on what you like to do. 

It has great shopping, restaurants, cocktail bars, arcades, clubs, unlimited things to do. I recommend sticking around until it gets dark as well to see the city lit up!

After Shibuya we have four nightlife options depending on what you’re into. 

If you’re more of a cocktail person and want to visit some of Tokyo’s best cocktail bars: 

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• Start in Shibuya at somewhere like SG Club or the Liquid Factory. Or if you’re alone but looking to find a friend or two to join your cocktail hopping, try bar Lost!
• Next, make your way down to Ebisu to try Bar Trench, featured on Netflix’s Midnight Asia
• See if you can figure out how to get into Janai Coffee
• Finish with another speakeasy, bar A10

*Note: Jannai Coffee has a trick to get in, so make a reservation on their website if you can figure out how! (Hint - try swirling your finger around the logo)

If you want to see the Tokyo clubbing scene:

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• For a classic clubbing experience: One Oak in Roppongi or Ce La Vi in Shibuya. 
• For techno: Womb in Shibuya or Vent in Shibuya. Spotify O-WEST also sometimes has some good shows, so check the schedule for more options! 
• For hip-hop: for big hop-hop clubs, there’s not as many, but check out Harlem in Shibuya

For craft beer fans:

• Start at ØL and La Cabina and grab some craft beer and tacos (I know it’s not Japanese food, but the tacos are great!). This spot is a bit pricey though when it comes to beers!
• Walk over to Stand Umineko SiB100 for another pint!
• Make your way over to Ikejiri-Ohashi area (walk or train) and we’re going to bar hop our way down the Meguro River! First stop, Ohka Best Days for more beers, and maybe Gyoza (they are always sold out, but when they are there, they are good)
• Keep the beers flowing over at 1n58 bal. 
• Finish by heading down to Coaster Aobadai and try a beer from Kaigan Brewery (a local brewery from Chiba)

If you’re looking to miss your last train back and want to keep drinking all night, stick along the river and bar hop through Nakameguro! One that’s pretty fun and open all night is called Thunderbolt, or if you want more of a club atmosphere check out HVEN. 

For general drinking fans looking for fun at a good price:

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• For this crowd, I imagine you’re looking to meet some people and have a good time, so start out at either Tasuichi, or Voyager Stand Shibuya. Both are good starting spots to make some friends to bring along to the next bars! Check the photos on Google and you’ll get the vibe pretty quick to see which one you are looking for. Tip for Voyager Stand: make sure you get there before 10pm or it’ll be too busy
• Next, hop on over to Shibuya Bar the Legless Arms. It’s essentially a dive bar but a dive bar done well. Usually lots of English speakers here so it’s easy to make new friends without needing to speak much Japanese
• The dive bars continue as we move to BEATCAFE! This one has good music and is known for sometimes have professional music artists drop by
• Head up to Rhythm Cafe next! Often has a DJ and usually a cool international crowd
• If it’s 2am or later, it’s time for RED BAR! This is a late night place, but it’s worth the wait. 

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Day 4: Tsukiji Fish Market, Teamlab Borderless, and then off to Osaka!

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For your last day in Tokyo (how did this happen so fast?!) start the day off early by heading over to Tsukiji Outer Market. The tuna auction doesn’t take place here anymore, but the market is still really fun! It’s best to go before noon, but some shops are still open as late as 2pm.

If you’re struggling from last night, grab a coffee at Turret COFFEE Tsukiji first, then head over to the market for some seafood!

Once you’re full, I recommend checking out the Teamlab Borderless museum. You will have to book this in advance, so check out their website for the tickets. Alternatively, you could go for some shopping in Ginza, check out the Imperial Palace and surrounding gardens, or if you didn’t stay in Shinjuku, head over there! 

Not for the Imperial Palace—you can’t actually go in the palace. I’ve had some friends be disappointed by this, but as it’s the emperor's house, you can only see it from the outside. The surrounding park is pretty nice though, especially at cherry blossom season!

After your final explorations, say goodbye to Tokyo for now, and hop on the Shinkansen for Osaka!

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Days 4 to 7: Explore Osaka with Kyoto and Arashiyama as day trips

Where to stay: Takuto Hotel Osaka Shinsaibashi or for a special family friendly option, MIMARU Osaka Namba

Both are really well located close to shopping, restaurants and nightlife, as well as convenient train stations for day trips!

‍How to get there: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen from either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station

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Day 4 Continued: Arrive in Osaka

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To catch the Shinkansen to Osaka, go to either Tokyo Station or Shinagawa Station. Either is fine, but Shinagawa Station is easier to navigate and closer to Osaka, so if you are in between then go for Shinagawa. 

I recommend buying your ticket a couple days in advance if you are planning to travel on a holiday (or even weeks in advance if it’s near New Years, just in case), but most days should be fine to buy a day before, or even the day of if you’re flexible on the time you want to leave. For the fastest train, choose the Nozomi, but there isn’t a huge difference between them. 

You’ll probably be arriving in Osaka around dinner time, so your first stop should be Dotonbori for some okonomiyaki!

Dotonbori is the photo spot for Osaka, think giant food sculptures sprouting off buildings, the many neon lights bouncing off the canals, and of course, the famous Glico Man. Take some photos, and enjoy the general atmosphere of Dotonbori at night as you scope out the best food options in the area. 

Two things you have to try are okonomiyaki and takoyaki. Osaka is famous for both, and I can’t recommend them enough because they are some of my favourite foods in the world. 

Takoyaki from a stand in Dotonbori was actually the very first food I had in Japan back on my very first trip in 2017. And I’m not going to lie, I hated it. I burnt my mouth so terribly on the first bite, that I’m not even sure I could even taste the rest of it. I also had no idea what takoyaki was, I just saw a big line for a certain stand and figured whatever they were selling must be good. 

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However, as a very picky eater back in those times, I couldn’t appreciate the texture and all I could do was nurture my burnt mouth and try to get out of there without anyone noticing I didn’t finish my whole meal. So here are some takoyaki tasting tips to save you some trouble:

• Do NOT eat the takoyaki right away. 

Open them up a bit with your chopsticks, and then wait at least 3 minutes before trying one (and even then, touch it before you shove the whole thing in your mouth)

• Takoyaki are fried balls of batter filled with pieces of octopus and usually onion. 

The sauce on top is kind of like a sweet soy sauce and then they usually also have mayo, seaweed flakes and fish flakes. They taste AMAZING but are a very Japanese flavour so go in with that expectation and I think you’ll like them!

• To order, they usually come in packs of 5 or 6, but some places have bigger packs. You can’t just order one.

If you want to order in Japanese, say the number and then add ‘ko’ as the counter, then say ‘please’ by saying ‘onegaishimasu’ (pronounced oh-neh-gai-shi-mas). So for example, if you want a 5 pack, say ‘Go ko onegaishimasu’ and you should be good! 

If you want to check out the same spot as I did, it’s Takohachi Dotonbori Main Store. I can confirm I have been back since the mouth burning day to try the takoyaki again, and it is actually delicious. 

As for okonomiyaki, they have more flavours depending on the shop, but usually they are described as a savoury pancake. The flavour can be a bit similar to takoyaki, but it really depends on what you order. My favourites are the pork ones, or else mochi with cheese and mentaiko. 

Once you’re full of takoyaki and okonomiyaki, head north to America Mura for some bar hopping and karaoke! My favourite spots are PC and Retro Bar Space Station which lets you play as many games as you like for free (though of course, please order a drink!), some of the karaoke bars such as the Drunken Clam, or for a speakeasy feel, Bible Club Osaka. 

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Day 5: Kyoto Day Trip 

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If there’s a day to get up early, it would be today! Kyoto is BUSY. Especially in fall and spring, but also just any time of the year. So the earlier you can get there, the better! There’s also a lot to see, so no time to waste!

To get to Kyoto, start at Yodoyabashi Station and get on the Keihan Main Line until Gion-Shijo Station. It takes 50 minutes and leaves often, so no need to plan in advance. From here, it really depends what you want to do! There are hundreds (probably) of temples to see, so you can’t see them all, but my recommendation of a possible schedule is below:

• Start by walking through Gion, heading north to stroll Shirakawa Lane, following the river until you reach Heian Shrine (you’ll also go past Shorenin and Chionin Temples if you want to check them out too!). Heian Shrine is one of my favourites, it has a beautiful garden and is a nice spot to start the day!
• From here, catch the bus up to Ginkaku-ji. Explore the temple and surrounding area, including the Philosophers Path. This is a nice area to grab some lunch or coffee if you haven’t yet!
• Catch the bus again and take it back south to Sannenzaka. You can also walk and while it’s beautiful, it will take about an hour so plan your time accordingly!
• Once around Sannenzaka, explore the little streets and shops in the area. This neighbourhood is gorgeous, but it will likely be very busy so be prepared. Feel free to shop the tiny streets until you reach Kiyomizu-dera for our next stop!
• After exploring Kiyomizu-dera, it’s time to catch a bus or the train down to Fushimi Inari 
• Many people recommend Fushimi Inari for sunrise, but it’s also a great place for sunset! Make sure to hike all the way to the top too, as the bottom is going to be packed, so for the best experience it’s best to keep climbing. 
• It will be dark by the time you get back to the bottom of Fushimi Inari, so hop back on the bus and head back to Gion
• For your last hours in Kyoto, walk Pontocho Alley. This area has some great little restaurants and bars, making it the perfect spot for dinner after all the stairs you just climbed!
• After dinner and drinks, it’s time to head back to Osaka for a good night’s rest

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Popular places in Kyoto that I missed and how to substitute for them:

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• Kinkaku-ji (the golden temple): While beautiful, this temple is really out of the way, making it difficult to fit into a one day itinerary. If it’s a must see, consider skipping Ginkakuji and the Philosophers Path, but it still may not be enough time unless you get to Kyoto early, so plan accordingly!
• Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace: If this list has too many temples, swap out Ginkaku-ji and the Philosophers path for Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace instead. For me, it depends on the day which I prefer. I really enjoyed Nijo Castle actually, but I’m a bit of a history nerd, so up to you!
• Nishiki Market: While this market can be fun when it’s not busy (which is not often), it’s not that different than many other markets in Japan. I have a better one coming up in this itinerary (in my opinion anyways), so I would skip this one unless you have extra time, or again, if you want to go here instead of Nijo Castle and the Imperial Palace!

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Day 6: Nara day trip and Shin Sekai nightlife

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For Day 6, we’re heading to Nara! Time to check out a giant Buddha and some deer 🦌

To get to Nara, start from Osaka-Namba and take the Kintetsu-Nara Line all the way to Kintetsu-Nara station. It takes 46 minutes direct, and then you’re there!

Right when you get off the train, stop by Honke Kikuya Nara store, one of the oldest sweets shops in Japan, and then head to the park. 

It’s easy to spend a whole day in Nara Park, and there’s way more to see than just the deer (though they are cute, but they may try to eat your things so beware). 

Todai-ji is the home to the Big Buddha, Hasadera is another gorgeous temple to explore. The Manjo Botanical Gardens are a must go during Wisteria season, or Isuien Garden at really any time of year but particularly in Autumn. Take it slow until you’re ready to head back to Osaka for a night in Shin Sekai!

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Shin Sekai is a bit of a time capsule, and is particularly fun at night so save your first look for after the sun goes down!

Explore the little streets under the Tsutentaku tower, play Shateki (a shooting game where you can win small toys and candy), and check out the retro arcades like Retro Arcade Zarigani. The lights and the atmosphere are the best part, so don’t be afraid to stick around, grab some food, and bar hop a little. 

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Day 7: Osaka Castle and then off to Kanazawa

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Wake up, leave your luggage either at your hotel or Umeda Station, then head over to Osaka Castle. 

Now a fair warning, Osaka Castle isn’t the original Osaka Castle. While originally completed in 1586, the current version was completed in 1931. The inside also doesn’t look like a castle, it’s a museum. But I still recommend going, as it still looks cool, and the history is wild. Osaka castle is home to some of the craziest battles in Japanese history, and where else better to learn about them than in the castle itself?

The museum does a great job of running through the history of the area, and the view from the top of the castle is also really nice which makes the entrance worth it alone. 

After checking out the museum, explore the castle gardens, then say goodbye to Osaka and head to Umeda Station to hop on the Shinkansen to Kanazawa!

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Days 7 to 9: Kanazawa

Where to stay: Mitsui Garden Hotel Kanazawa

This hotel chain is pretty solid anywhere, but the last time I stayed in Kanazawa I stayed here and was particularly impressed. The location is perfect, and so is the price. 

How to get there: From Umeda Station in Osaka, catch the Thunderbird Limited Express to Tsuruga Station, then get on the Hokuriku Shinkansen for the rest of the way until you reach Kanazawa Station. 

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Day 7 Continued: Kanazawa

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It takes about 2 and a half hours to get to Kanazawa, so buy yourself a bento for the road (a classic experience, so I have to recommend it at least once), and we’re off!

Kanazawa used to be pretty off the beaten track, but it’s becoming more popular lately and for good reason. 

It’s probably later in the day by the time you get to Kanazawa, but if it’s still like out, I recommend starting your Kanazawa explorations in Higashi Chaya. 

Higashi Chaya is an old Geisha district that still has many historic teahouses in tact. My favourite is Geisha House Shima where you can explore the house, and then also get matcha overlooking the garden after. As the sun sets, you can also see a performance at Geisha Evenings. 

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Day 8: Museums, gardens and markets 

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When I told you to skip Nishiki market because I had a better one coming up, this is it! 

Start your day at Omicho Market, a local food market that is a seafood lover’s dream. Here you can ‘jewelry boxes’, a fun name for seafood bowls that are so beautiful they look like a jewelry box from the ocean. Many places aren’t open into the afternoon, so make sure you get there for lunch or earlier!

After filling up on seafood, head over to the Kanazawa Castle Ruins and Kenroku-en, one of Japan’s top 3 Japanese Gardens. Set aside a couple hours to explore the grounds, grab some matcha ice cream, and take photos because it is absolutely gorgeous and worth the time to walk around. 

After the garden, head over to the 21st Century Museum of Contemporary Art! If you’ve ever seen the photos of someone standing under a pool, this is where that is! And a lot of other great exhibits, so I highly recommend checking this place out. It can get quite busy though, so make sure you book your tickets online in advance. 

After the museum, head over to the Katamachi area for some food. There’s a lot of good restaurants, so take your pick! If you’re up for it after dinner, there’s a cool little bar area to check out as well. I started at one called fullmooncafe (no spaces), then hopped around from here!

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Days 9 to 11: Sendai and Matsushima 

Where to stay: Hotel Monterey Sendai

As you’ll see if you click the link, this one is more of a European inspired style? Perhaps French? But I thought it was cute when I stayed, and the location is great!

How to get there: Now this is the part you may be wondering, why Sendai? But trust me, Sendai is a true hidden gem and has a little bit of everything. 

My top 5 reasons to go to Sendai:

1. The coast is beautiful
2. On the other side, the mountains are also beautiful
3. You can stay at some really nice Ryokan’s and experience onsen for generally lower prices than places closer to Tokyo
4. You can feel what a city less touched by tourism is like 
5. The restaurant and bar scene is a lot of fun

To start, we’ll explore Sendai city and the surrounding coast, then we’ll move to Akiu Onsen for the onsen and mountain half of this leg of the trip. 

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Day 9: Catch the train to Sendai

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This is the longest journey of the trip, so I recommend going straight to the train after checking out of your hotel. The whole thing will be just under 4 hours, but you only have to transfer once, so it’s pretty easy!

Once you arrive in Sendai, there are a couple options for things to do. The first would be to check out the Morning Market. Now it’s called the Morning Market, but it’s actually open until 5pm, so assuming you’re hungry after your train journey, go check out the market! Sendai is famous for oysters, so if you’re an oyster fan, this is the perfect place to try some!

Another option is to visit the Nikka Whiskey Distillery. It’s a bit of a trek to get there, but you can visit the distillery for free! There is an area where walk in guests can learn about the whiskey, and participate in tastings (for a fee). But if you want to see the grounds and where the whiskey is made, you will have to book a tour. I recommend booking in advance if possible on their website. 

The last tour starts at 2:30 pm, and the distillery closes at 4 pm, so plan your arrival time in Sendai accordingly if you want to visit here!

For dinner, you’re going to want to try beef tongue. Beef tongue (or Gyutan in Japanese) is Sendai’s specialty, and I can honestly say that I had the best beef tongue of my life in this city. I recommend checking out either Tankyaki Ichiryu or Umami Tasuke as both were excellent, but you can find good beef tongue anywhere in the city!

To finish off the day, I recommend checking out Kokubuncho for a little taste of Sendai’s nightlife. Kokubuncho reminds me of if Shinjuku (in Tokyo) didn’t have tourists. There are loads of little bars and restaurants to explore, meet some friends, and have a good time!

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Day 10: Sea days

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For day 10, catch the train out to Matsushima! It takes about 40 minutes direct from Sendai Station to Matsushimakaigan, where we’ll spend the majority of the day. 

If you want to join a boat tour to see the islands off the coast, I’d recommend booking a ticket for that first, then exploring around the time of your boat trip. I did the boat trip when I went, and especially if the weather is nice it can be a nice little break to relax and see some cool rock formations. 

Outside of your tour, be sure to check out Oshima Island and Fukuura Island for some more gorgeous views and a nice little walk, explore the Matsushima Fish Market for some oysters and sushi bowls, and visit some local temples such as Zuiganji Temple or Entsuin Temple. 

Matsushima also has a 400 year old teahouse, called Kanrantei Tea House, which has been converted mostly into a museum. I haven’t been in it, but I heard you can still have tea if you pay the museum fee to go in (only 200 JPY). 

Return to Sendai when the sun goes down, try the beef tongue if you haven’t yet, then off to bed because tomorrow you’ll want to be up early!

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Day 11: Yamadera and Akiu Onsen

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Start day 11 bright and early because we are on a schedule!

Tonight you will be staying in a Ryokan, which is a traditional Japanese style hotel. You’ll want to be there at check-in to truly enjoy the hotel (more on that later), so that means you only have until about 2pm to explore Yamadera. 

From Sendai Station to Yamadera takes just under 1 hour by train. Yamadera station has lockers, so you should be able to lock your things up there before making the trek up the 1000 stairs. 

Yes, you heard me. 1000 stairs. 

Yamadera temple is a gorgeous hike with several temples to visit, spotted around the mountainside. It takes about 20 minutes to get to the top, but I recommend taking it slow and enjoying the views on the way up. Make sure to bring some cash as well as there is a small entrance fee (about 300 yen). 

After enjoying the temple, grab some coffee and sweets at TsukiCoffee before hopping back on the train to get to your Ryokan. Make sure to leave plenty of time as the train doesn’t come that often, and it still takes about an hour to get to Akiu Onsen from Yamadera!

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Days 11 to 12: Akiu Onsen

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Where to stay: The Sakan

This is one of my favourite Ryokan I have stayed in. It’s beautiful, the food is amazing, and the onsen is really relaxing. It’s a bit of a splurge compared to the rest of this itinerary, but if you can swing it, it’s worth it!

Quick warning: I’m linking to TripAdvisor so you can see the hotel in English, but it’s going to take you to RuRuBu, a Japanese site. Use Chrome’s Translate option to operate the site! RuRuBu has some Ryokan that don’t show up on English websites that are usually really good deals. 

How to get there: Take the Senzan Line to Ayashiyougakko Mae, then either organize the shuttle through your hotel, or catch the bus to Akiu Onsen!

A trip to Japan wouldn’t be complete without a stay at a Japanese style hotel (Ryokan). Staying at a Ryokan is one of my favourite Japanese experiences, and one I do several times a year for any special dates such as Christmas or a birthday. For your stay, you can use the onsen (hot springs), and will be treated to a kaiseki meal (a multi course Japanese style meal) as well as a traditional Japanese style breakfast. 

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Usually there is an option for the dinner, and you have to choose this option at the time of booking, but the time you want to eat can be chosen when you check in. The times are usually between 6pm and 8pm. 

Most Ryokan also have a private onsen you can book if you aren’t comfortable using the public onsen (but I recommend you do try it because the public one will be bigger and often outside!), which can usually be booked at check in as well, but also can be booked online in advance. Depending on the Ryokan, it may be free or cost additional. 

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Day 11 continued: Time to relax

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Arrive at your Ryokan at check-in if possible, because you’ll want to take your time to enjoy the hotel and its surroundings. 

After check in, you’ll be taken to your room where usually there are some Japanese style sweets waiting for you. Make some tea and enjoy the room, put on your yukata, and then head to the onsen!

You’ll want to try the onsen first before dinner, because the men’s and women’s onsen usually switch after dinner. So if you want to make sure you can try both onsen the hotel has to offer, you have to go twice! 

After the onsen, you can stay in your Yukata and head down for the dinner. You can wear your normal clothes, but it’s fun to wear the Yukata and trust me—everyone else will be wearing it too!

After dinner, you’ll obviously want to check out the onsen again, but also keep some time for exploring the hotel! Most Ryokan also have games rooms or libraries, all kinds of areas to explore which can be really fun. 

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Day 12: Japanese style breakfast and back to Tokyo

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If you can wake up early enough, savour that last moment in the onsen and then enjoy a Japanese style breakfast back in the dining room. 

Japanese style breakfast usually includes grilled fish, rice, miso soup, and then maybe some other side dishes such as egg, tofu or pickles. Very different from western style breakfast, but I’ve never had a bad Japanese breakfast, so give it a try!

Check out is usually fairly early, around 10am, but you can leave your luggage at the hotel if you want to explore the area a little more. Some other popular things to do are to visit Akiu Traditional Craft Village, or if you’re a craft beer fan checking out Great Dane Brewing, just make sure you give yourself plenty of time to make it back to Tokyo for the night!

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Days 12 - 14: The final hours

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Where to stay: All Day Place Shibuya or Onsen Ryokan Yuen Shinjuku

Same as before, both are central, have direct access from Narita Airport, are good prices, and convenient for the first part of this itinerary. But if you need more options, check out my article on where to stay in Tokyo! 

‍How to get there: Take the bus from Akiu Onsen to Sendai Station (your hotel can help you!) and then take the Tohoku Shinkansen from Sendai Station to Tokyo Station!

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Day 13: Your last day in Tokyo

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For your last full day in Japan, I recommend soaking up the last bit of whatever your favourite thing in Japan was. My recommendations below:

For anime or game fans:

• Check out Nakano Broadway for a treasure trove of the weird and the wonderful, an otaku’s kind of paradise
• Visit Ikebukuro for the biggest Animate store in Japan as well as the largest Pokemon Center (and if you’re a fan of keychains, buttons or BL, the Kbooks stores in this area are AMAZING)

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For a little more of old Japan:

• Visit Yanaka Ginza for some souvenir shopping and yakitori
• Explore Nezu Shrine for gardens and Tori gates

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For some last minute shopping:

• Head back to Ginza or explore Omotesando if high end brands are what you’re looking for
• Explore Shimokitazawa or Koenji if thrift shopping is more your thing!
• If you just want to see a regular mall, head to Sunshine City or LaLaport Toyosu

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For the izakaya fanatic:

• Check out Sangenjaya’s Sankaku Chintai
• Explore Kichijoji’s Harmonica Alley
• Wander the river and under the train tracks around Nakameguro

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For the nature fan:

• Hike Mt Takao, particularly if it’s fall as they may have their fall festival running!
• Visit the Showa Kinen National Park for a gorgeous park in any season
• If you’re willing to go a bit farther, visit Hakone for some mountain vibes, or Enoshima for some ocean island vibes!

For the last big night out:

• Check out one of the nightlife options I gave above! OR
• Head to Golden Gai in Shinjuku, make some friends, and see where the night takes you!some text
  • Some fun bars to start at are: ARAKU or BAR COO in Golden Gai or NEOShinjuku Atsushi just for cyberpunk vibes 
  • For clubs in the area you can try: Warp for a classic clubbing experience, or Zero Tokyo if your budget is a little higher
  • If you haven’t spent the night at a karaoke spot yet: Maneki Neko lets you bring your own food and drinks in, but Karaoke BanBan, Big Echo and Pasela are also good options
  • Or if you’re looking for an LGBTQ friendly night: check out Nichome! You can start at Aiiro CAFE, make some friends, and then explore Tokyo’s LGBTQ area till the sun comes up. Another good spot to start if you’re looking to make friends is KING TOKYO, or New Sazae if you want to dance to the classics 💃

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Day 14: Time to go

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Alas, the final day! Grab your final souvenirs, eat that last konbini egg sandwich (if you haven’t tried it yet—WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!) and head to the airport. 

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How much is a 2 week trip in Japan

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So we’ve made it to the end! And you’re probably wondering, so how much is this gunna cost me?

That really depends on you! Japan can be both a really affordable place to travel, and a very expensive place to travel depending on what you do and where you stay. 

For this itinerary, you’ll need at least 57,250 JPY for Shinkansen tickets, and about 150,000 JPY for hotels (assuming 2 people to a room). Budget closer to 250,000 JPY if you are travelling solo. However, if you stay at hostels, you can drop the price all the way down to around 35,000 to 40,000 JPY for accommodation per person!

As for daily spending money, I recommend having at least 4000 JPY per day as spending money, but you’ll have to be pretty careful with how you spend it. Finding meals for 1000 yen or less is pretty easy, but with daily transportation, activities, entrance fees, things can add up pretty quick. 

Especially if you’re planning to go out at night, 4000 JPY is going to be pretty tough (for a quick idea, drinks in a bar are usually 500-700 JPY for something basic, or 1500-2000 JPY for a nice cocktail or craft beer. Clubs are generally 3000 cover charge). 

I recommend at least 8,000 JPY per day to be on the safer side, which leaves room for some nicer meals, shopping, or 12,000 JPY per day to not really have to think about it as much. 

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With this is mind, your trip should cost around:

• Budget Price: 150,000 JPY (around $1000 USD)
• Mid-Range Price (closest to this itinerary): 370,000 JPY (around $2500 USD)
• Higher-End Price: 600,000+ JPY (around $4000+ USD)

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I hope you enjoyed the trip! 14 days is enough to get a taste for Japan, but there’s still so much to see so I know you’ll be back!

For the next trip, be sure to check out my recommendations that go beyond the golden route for some more unique spots to check out, as well as my 3 week itinerary which hit’s a couple different places than this list as well! 

Or if we’ve sold you enough in these past two weeks, check out my guide on how to move to Japan (you’re not crazy, that’s how I ended up here!). 

Until then, wander on friends ✨

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