2 Weeks in Japan - 4 Luxury Itinerary Ideas

Itinerary #1: Luxury Grand Tour of Japan: Modern Cities, Traditional Culture & Historic Sites

This luxury Japan itinerary is an excellent choice for first-time visitors seeking a balance of culture, nature, relaxation, and cuisine. You'll take a private city tour and dine at a Michelin-star restaurant in Tokyo, view Mount Fuji while cruising Lake Kawaguchi, enjoy a geisha performance and learn the art of Japanese gardening in Kyoto, immerse in a Shingon Buddhism experience and connect with nature in Mount Koya, and unwind in the hot springs at Miyajima. 

On arrival in Tokyo, take your pick of Michelin-star restaurants (if you're craving sushi, opt for Sukiyabashi Jiro), and then rest in comfort at your 5-star hotel. The following day, your private guide will take you to the city's hotspots, such as the Tsukiji Outer Fish Market, where you can sample fresh seafood and then sip Champagne atop the open-air deck at Shibuya Sky. You'll also spend time with culinary experts who will teach you how to make miso soup and other Japanese favorites. Next, your driver will whisk you to Hakone, your base for a Lake Kawaguchi cruise and a whisky tasting at Fuji Gotemba Distillery. 

Board the bullet train to Kyoto where your driver will be waiting to take you to Ryokan Genhouin, a historic Japanese inn. Next, you'll walk through the famous red gates at Fushimi Inari-taisha and enjoy a private rickshaw ride through a bamboo forest in Arashiyama. The journey continues to Mount Koya, an important place for Shingon Buddhism. Here, you'll immerse in the spiritual experience with a temple stay, morning prayers, and a trek along the pilgrimage paths. Finally, you'll wrap up your trip with a visit to Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and a relaxing soak in the Shioyu Onsen hot springs. Learn more

Itinerary #2: Japan Luxury Cities & Beaches Tour: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & Okinawa

Beachgoers interested in combining coastal activities with urban experiences and historic sites will enjoy this luxury cities and beaches tour that takes you to Okinawa, Japan's smallest island. Highlights include a private tour and spa treatment in Tokyo, a day trip to see Mount Fuji, a private temples tour and tea ceremony in Kyoto, and three days on Okinawa to snorkel, cruise on a private speedboat, and lounge on the beach. 

Kick off your holiday with a private tour of Tokyo's landmarks, including Senso-ji, one of the city's oldest temples, and a leisurely afternoon tea at The Lounge at Four Seasons Tokyo. Then, you'll indulge in a spa treatment and a soak in the sky-high infinity bathtub at Mandarin Oriental before embarking on a day trip to Arakurayama Sengen Park, the perfect spot to see the Chureito Pagoda against the backdrop of Mount Fuji. Your next stop is Kyoto, where your guide will capture a photo of you at the Kinkaku-ji, which is known for its gold leaf detailing. You'll also visit a traditional tea house and partake in the rituals (and sweets!).

Your driver will then take you to Osaka to tour the Osaka Castle and shop in the 1,968-foot-long (600 m) Shinsaibashi arcade. After a restful sleep in your suite at the Ritz-Carlton Osaka, your guide will accompany you to Hiroshima on Day 10, where you can pay your respects at the memorial park and marvel at the "floating" torii gate of Itsukushima-jinja. Afterward, you'll fly to Okinawa and board a private speedboat to Zanami island for a day of diving or lounging on the beach. Spend your final full day as you wish, perhaps snorkeling at the Blue Cave and dining on fresh seafood before departure. Learn more

Itinerary #3: Luxury Japanese Art & Culture Tour: Eastern Setouchi

This Eastern Setouchi trip is suited to luxury travelers interested in culinary experiences, the arts, and a blend of traditional and contemporary Japan. You'll dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant in Hiroshima, sip saké at a brewery in Takehara, sample fresh oysters at Suzuki Farm, take a luxury yacht to Naoshima, spend four days gallery and museum-hopping around the Art Islands, embark on a private architectural tour of Awaji, attend a traditional puppet show, and feast on the famously tender beef of Kobe.

Your journey begins in Hiroshima, where you'll delve into the dark history and peaceful present on a private tour of the memorial park, then dine in style at a Michelin-starred restaurant. In the morning, a private driver will take you to Takehara for a saké tasting at Fuji Shuzo Brewery, followed by fresh oysters at Suzuki Farm. Then, you're off to Kurashiki, where you'll don a kimono for a photo shoot with the Edo-period storehouses and willow-flanked canals as your backdrop. A luxury yacht will be waiting for you in Okayama to transfer you to Naoshima, your base for exploring the "Art Islands" of the Seto Inland Sea.

Your guide will take you museum- and gallery-hopping around Naoshima, including a stop at the Art House Project, a collection of abandoned houses, a temple, and a shrine converted into art installations and venues for contemporary art. You'll also visit Les Archives du Coeur beach exhibit on Teshima island and the 1,600-year-old juniper tree (believed to be filled with spiritual energy!) on Shodoshima island. Return to Okayama by private yacht, then transfer to Awaji for a traditional puppet show. Your elevated journey ends in Kobe with a feast of gourmet beef and a dip in the Arima Onsen hot springs. Learn more

Itinerary #4: Luxury Winter Discovery of Japan: History, Culture & Outdoor Fun on Hokkaido

Outdoorsy travelers eager to experience a winter wonderland should opt for this Hokkaido-focused getaway. After tasting your way around Sapporo's fine-dining restaurants, you'll ski and snowshoe in Niseko, traverse icy landscapes in Kamui Kota, savor big bowls of ramen in Asahikawa, take your pick of outdoor adventures in Akan-Mashu National Park such as bird-watching at Kushiro Marsh, and cruise on an icebreaker ship in Ryuhyo. Throughout your trip, you'll stay in comfort at world-class ski resorts and hot springs hotels surrounded by mountains and forests. 

Get your first taste of Japan with a self-guided tour through some of Sapporo's Michelin-starred restaurants (there are more than 50 to choose from!). The next day, you'll experience a traditional tea ceremony and then nibble the famous cookies at Ishiya Chocolate Factory. Afterward, your private guide will take you to Otaru to meet glasswork and music box artisans—and craft a keepsake if you're feeling creative. Following this, your driver will chauffeur you to Niseko, Hokkaido's premier ski region, for three days of skiing, snowshoeing, and snowmobiling. Each evening, you can warm up in your hotel's hot springs.

Next, you'll capture photos of the winter landscapes at Blue Pond, known for its startling turquoise color, en route to Kamikawa. Take a walk in the valley of Kamui Kota, where you'll find jagged cliffs and dense forests, then refuel with a steaming bowl of noodles in Asahikawa's "ramen village." The final leg of your trip takes you to Akan Tsuruga Besso Hinanoza, a hot springs resort located on the shores of Lake Akan. Your elevated experiences here include a private hike up Mount Mashudake, observing red-crowned cranes in Kushiro Marsh, and uniquely cruising through the drifting ice and snow of Ryuhyo. Learn more

More Great 2-Week Japan Itineraries

Looking for more inspiration for your trip to Japan? Check out these other two-week Japan itineraries, with outdoor adventures, cultural trips, and best-of tours to hit the highlights.

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