Where are the best places to go in Japan for a two week trip?
Where do we start? Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka — aka the Golden Triangle — speak for themselves. Wakayama is a great place to peep cherry blossoms and modern art. Niigata lures people in with Iwamuro’s hot springs and the Yahiko Shrine. The Akiu Great Falls and Rairaikyo Gorge outside of Sendai are almost guaranteed to get you all the likes on your socials.
Is 14 days enough to truly see Japan? Yes, especially if you have a Japan Rail Pass in your pocket, ready to offer you unlimited train travel for two weeks.
Destination inspiration for where to go in Japan for the first time
We could throw down a day-by-day two-week guide to Japan, but you’re a ronin who serves no rigid schedule. Use this info as you would a list of sushi ingredients to roll up the perfect 14 day Japan itinerary suited to your tastes.
Where to go for sumo wrestling in Japan?
One of the easiest ways to see sumo wrestling in Japan is to go to the Ryogoku Kokugikan stadium in Tokyo. And wouldn’t ya know it, you can walk there from the Ryogoku Station, served by the Chūō-Sōbu Line which is included in the Japan Rail Pass. To see a sumo stable, which is where the sumo wrestlers live and train, you’ll also find it in Tokyo’s Ryogoku district.
Where is the prettiest place to visit in Japan?
The prettiest place to visit in Japan is Odaiba Beach at sunrise, Minamiboso at sunset, stargazing in Okinawa’s Iriomote-Ishigaki National Park. It's a steamy bowl of ramen at a table for two in a Kitakata noodle shop. It’s watching the flowers unfold at the Kawazu Cherry Blossom Festival. The prettiest place to visit in Japan, quite often, is wherever you are, so long as you’re living out the Japanese experience of your passport’s dearest travel dreams.
Is Okinawa worth visiting?
Yes, Okinawa is worth visiting, but if you’re doing a two-week tour of Japan, we’d recommend managing your expectations. Consider splitting your time: half spent with a major city like Tokyo or Osaka as your base, then another week spent exploring Okinawa’s botanical gardens and Nakagusuku Castle Ruins.
🚆 Trainline Tip: Okinawa’s Yui Rail is not covered by a Japan Rail Pass, so consider purchasing a 7-day JR Pass for half of your journey then purchase a Yuri Rail pass for Okinawa.
Where to go in Japan to see cherry blossoms?
While the bulk of the tourists stay in Tokyo, head to Takada’s park and Sakura Road to see the cherry blossoms illuminated every night. The Matsugamine cherry blossoms are also a stunning sight, thanks to its Mt. Myoko backdrop.
Where to go in Japan for the best onsens?
Go to Hokkaido and you won’t regret a moment spent outdoors. You’re spoiled with hot springs on this northern island and a few of the best onsens are Kawayu Onsen in Akan Mashu National Park, Sounkyo Onsen, and Noboribetsu Onsen.
What is the Golden Route in Japan?
The Golden Route in Japan, or Golden Triangle, is Tokyo-Kyoto-Osaka. Three major cities, all easily accessible by train and guaranteed to give you an amazing two week vacation in Japan.
Should I spend more time in Osaka or Kyoto?
Kyoto and Osaka are opposite sides of the same coin. Both offer up the best of Japan: Kyoto’s vibes are more traditional while Osaka is more modern. Spend more time in Kyoto if you’re interested in sipping sake, sitting for a Japanese tea ceremony, or learning about feudal Japan. Spend more time in Osaka for contemporary highlights like Osaka Aquarium, theater-going in Dotonbori, and dining atop the Umeda Sky Building.
Where to go in Japan besides Tokyo and Osaka for food?
One word: Kobe. Go to this southern city less than an hour by rail from Osaka and get the largest slice of marble beef your mouth has always wanted. Head to Yokohama for ramen you’ll never regret just south of Tokyo.
Where to go in Japan besides Tokyo and Kyoto for sightseeing?
Tokyo and Kyoto aren’t overrated, but there certainly are underrated places to visit in Japan. Tottori’s sand dunes are otherworldly and will make you forget you’re anywhere in ultra-futuristic Tokyo. Kanazawa, capital of the Ishikawa Prefecture, is a great Kyoto alternative thanks to its geishas, samurai districts, and fantastic artisan shopping.
Two Weeks, One Country: Where to go in Japan for the first time
Where to go for 14 days in Japan? The possibilities are endless.
You’ve already got a list of must-sees — whether that’s Himeji Castle or Naritasan Shinsho-ji Temple or Mount Fuji — but there are plenty of equally impressive spots you can visit by train when spending two weeks in Japan.
🍜 For the foodie: Where did Anthony Bourdain go to in Japan?
Hungry — and often hangry — globetrotter Anthony Bourdain’s first trip to Japan was a transformative experience. That directly influenced Kitchen Confidential and much of his TV work. Nearly every one of his television shows visited Japan multiple times. Here’s where he went:
- A Cook’s Tour: Tokyo, Atami
- No Reservations: Hokkaido, Ishikawa Prefecture, Kiso Valley, Kyoto, Osaka, Tokyo
- Parts Unknown: Ishikawa Prefecture, Nasushiobara, Okinawa, Tokyo
🚂 Trainline Trivia: Bourdain isn’t the first person to bring a film crew to Japan. Check out these Japanese filming locations from your favorite movies and TV shows.
👨👩👦👦 For the family: Where to go for your first time in Japan
You’ve already got the highlights down: Super Nintendo World in Osaka’s Universal Studios Japan, Warner Bros. Studio Tour -The Making of Harry Potter in Tokyo, Ghibli Park in Nagakute, LEGOLand Japan in Nagoya, and Tokyo Disneyland. Here are a few other sites to add to a kid-approved two week trip to Japan:
- Fukui Prefectural Dinosaur Museum & Nagasaki City Dinosaur Museum: Two great paleontological museums, both accessible from the JR Midori-Huis Ten Bosch line.
- Nara Park: Get up close and personal with adorable free-roaming deer wandering amongst temples and shrines in Nara.
- Jigokudani Monkey Park: Watch Japanese macaques soak in the snowy hot springs near Nagano.
🏯 For the history buff: Where to go in Japan for landmarks & museums
While Kyoto is popular for a glimpse into “old” Japan and Tokyo’s Samurai Museum is a must, there’s plenty more for the history buff to dig into.
- Kakunodate: The “Little Kyoto of Tohoku” has a fantastically-preserved Edo period samurai village full of traditional architecture.
- Yushukan Museum: This Tokyo museum gives visitors a deep dive into the history of Japanese warfare including the Sino-Japanese War and the Russo-Japanese War.
- Nagasaki Atomic Bomb Museum & Hiroshima Peace Memorial: Only a three-hour train ride separates these two sites that all Americans should pay respects to.
🗾 Forget the Golden Triangle: Where else to go in Japan
Look, we love Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but these three cities alone do not speak for the whole of Japan. With two weeks in Japan, you could spend one or two days in each city and still have over a week to explore other the rest of the country, including places like:
- The Michinoku Coastal Trail: This 1000km+ hiking trail is ideal for JOMO: the joy of missing out. It’s so peaceful in some areas that you’ll hardly pass a soul. Many of the towns along the trail have train stations, so you can hop a train to explore or skip different sections.
- The Nakasendo Trail: Forget about the futuristic streets of Tokyo altogether when you trade city blocks for ski poles in the Japanese Alps.
- The Hokuriku Arch: This route is ideal for travelers with FOMO. Running through the Golden Route, you can start and end in these major cities while enjoying slow travel to places like the Nagasaka Rice Terraces in Toyama and Hikone Castle in Shiga.
Is taking the bullet train cheaper than flying in Japan?
Depending on where you’re going, taking the bullet train may be cheaper or more expensive than flying in Japan. Train passes in Japan, like the Japan Rail Pass, are affordable and flexible for travelers who want to see as much of the country as possible.
If you’re flying into Tokyo and want to spend your two weeks in Japan purely on Kyushu Island, we’d recommend flying to a city like Nagasaki or Kumamoto then using a regional train pass to travel. If you’re hoping to see Tokyo, Hiroshima, Hamamatsu, Fukushima, and more, a train pass might be the cheapest option compared to multiple flights.
The best way to pay for trains in Japan is to snag a standard or Green Japan Rail Pass that offers unlimited train travel in Japan for 14 days. Sticking to one region while enjoying a 7-10 day trip? A regional pass is an excellent and affordable alternative with another big perk: e-ticket availability.
Start planning your two week rail journey around Japan today with help from Trainline.