If you’ve got two weeks in Japan – take a look at my itinerary for ideas on what to see, do and eat in Japan – and even how to get around.
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You’ll likely start your Japanese adventure in Tokyo. Tokyo is serviced by two airports – Haneda and Narita – so make sure you do your research on how to reach your accommodation before you land depending on your budget. Trains and buses service both airports.
Tokyo is a great introduction to Japan. It’s modern, clean and trendy - and there’s everything you can want or need here (and even things you didn’t know existed).
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Tokyo is a large sprawling city so you’ll want to spend at least three to four days to soak it all in. But there’s more to Tokyo than just a buzzing metropolis. There’s also beautiful shrines and pagodas, and beautiful parks.
Recommended sights and activities include:
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Tokyo is serviced by a modern and efficient metro system – and your first day in Tokyo will probably be spent trying to figure it out! When you arrive in Tokyo, the best thing to do is grab a map of the metro and light rail system to help you make sense of the jumble of coloured lines.
While the metro system can be confusing at first, it’s a very efficient way to explore Tokyo.
There are a few companies that run transport in Japan. There’s the Tokyo Metro lines – and then there’s the Japan Rail (JR) lines. You can get almost anywhere you want in Tokyo by using either company. Figuring out how Tokyo’s commuter transport system works is basically trial and error – and usually some friendly Japanese folk will help you if you look really lost.
All the lines are colour-coded and named so once you get a map, figure out where you need to go and then trace the line back to where you’ll start and follow the colour. Sometimes you may have to change lines – but follow the colours inside the station.
You can buy 24, 48 and 72 hour passes for the metro – or you can also take the JR Trains around the city and use a JR Pass.
Check out the below video as fellow travel blogger Dan shares snippets of his epic time in Tokyo. Prepare to be amazed!
Whether or not you’re into hiking, no visit to Japan would be complete without at least setting your sights on Mt Fuji.
You can do an overnight hike up Mt Fuji and see the sunrise from 3,776 metres above sea level – or you can stay by peaceful Lake Kawagachiko for an epic view of the volcano. You can even do both.
Aim to get a hostel or hotel with a view looking onto Mt Fuji (there’s lots to choose from).
The most direct way to get to the trailhead for the Mt Fuji hike is to take a bus from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal to Mt Fuji’s 5th Station. You can buy tickets at the Shinjuku Expressway Bus. I recommend buying your ticket a day or two in advance. The trip takes about three hours.
Lake Kawagachiko can also be reached by bus from Tokyo’s Shinjuku Expressway Bus Terminal in about two hours.
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From Tokyo, head down to Kyoto to see the more cultural side of Japan. You can reach Kyoto by train or bus.
There’s lots of shrines and temples to check out in Kyoto, including:
Kyoto’s metro system is a lot easier to follow than Tokyo as there’s only two lines. However, Kyoto is also a very walkable city and you’ll spot lots of beautiful shrines on your daily wanderings.
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Nara is an easy day trip from Kyoto. Nara was the site of the ancient capital of Japan between 710 and 784.
Points of interest in Nara include the World Heritage Sites of Todaiji Temple, Toshodaiji Temple and Yakushiji Temple. These are all located within Nara Park.
You will also see lots of deer roaming between the World Heritage Sites. Deer are revered in this area and are considered a natural treasure.
You can get to Nara from Kyoto by train from the Tofukuji Station. Trains leave roughly every 30 minutes. The rapid express train takes about 40 minutes and the all stops train takes about 80 minutes.
Then it’s an easy 30 minute walk to Nara Park from the train station.
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Osaka is one of the best places in Japan for food and shopping.
Try traditional dishes such as takoyaki (deep friend octopus) and okonomiyaki (Japanese style pancake made with egg and your choice of toppings such as pork, and prawns). You can get these all around Osaka – and are especially spoilt for food choices on the main shopping street of Dotonbori.
Make sure you check out Dotonbori Street at night with its hundreds of lights.
Osaka can be reached by an easy 30 minute train ride from Kyoto Station. You probably won’t use the metro that much in Osaka as it’s another very walkable city.
End your Japan trip in Osaka. There’s many international flights departing from Osaka’s Kansai International Airport.
With this handy guide, you can make the most of your Japan trip to see the highlights, enjoy the unique food, and even indulge in some souvenir shopping.
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Lisa Owen is a pint-sized Australian following her dreams to travel to as many places as she can, and loves to share her photography, travel hacks, hiking adventures, and food discoveries along the way. At last count, she has travelled to more than 70 countries in between working in public relations and discovering hidden gems in Australia's great outdoors. Instagram: @thelittleadventurer. Facebook: The Little Adventurer Australia.
The views, opinions and positions expressed by the author and those providing comments are theirs alone, and are meant as travel inspiration only. They do not reflect the opinions of Cover-More Insurance. You should always read the Policy Wording available from your travel insurance provider to understand the limits, exclusions and conditions of your policy and to ensure any activities you undertake are covered by your policy.