How many days do you need in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa & Hiroshima?
- Most travelers spend 11-14 days in Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa, and Hiroshima combined
- With 15 or more days, most travelers choose to add more stops to their trip
How Many Days to Spend in Japan
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Recommended Itineraries for Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa & Hiroshima
Recommended Itinerary for 11 Days
| Day | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo, Free Time, Observation Deck at Sunset | Tokyo |
| Day 2 | Explore Tokyo | Tokyo |
| Day 3 | Mount Fuji & Hakone Bus Tour from Tokyo | Tokyo |
| Day 4 | Tokyo to Kanazawa, Explore Kanazawa's Castle & Gardens | Kanazawa |
| Day 5 | Visit the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-gō | Kanazawa |
| Day 6 | Kanazawa to Kyoto, Hiking at Fushimi Inari Shrine, Tea Ceremony | Kyoto |
| Day 7 | Day Trip to Japan's Ancient Capital Nara | Kyoto |
| Day 8 | Arashiyama & Kyoto Landscape Views, Transfer to Hiroshima | Hiroshima |
| Day 9 | Miyajima Island Cruise | Hiroshima |
| Day 10 | Hiroshima to Osaka, Sightseeing in Osaka | Osaka |
| Day 11 | Depart Osaka |
Head south across Japan as you see the country's highlights by train. In Tokyo, explore the Shinjuku district and visit shrines, temples, and shopping areas. Take a day trip to Mount Fuji, then move on to Kanazawa for museums and a gold leaf workshop. Visit the traditional village of Shirakawa-go, then see Kyoto's sights and participate in a tea ceremony. Spot deer in Nara, wander through Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, explore Miyajima island, and discover Osaka on a food tour before heading home. Read more
How to travel between Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Kanazawa & Hiroshima
How to get to Hiroshima
Known as "The Reborn City," Hiroshima rose from the ashes of atomic destruction and rebuilt itself into a beautiful place to visit with a powerful message of peace. While history is an important part of a trip to Hiroshima, there are also many stunning sights and culinary experiences to look forward to. Depending on what city you're arriving from, it may be best to fly or take the train. Read more
How to get from Tokyo to Kyoto
Kyoto is 283 miles (445 km) from Tokyo, but you can get from Tokyo to Kyoto in just over two hours if you travel on a high-speed Shinkansen (bullet train). By air, the journey will take about three hours, including ground transportation. Read more
How to get from Kyoto to Osaka
Kyoto and Osaka are just 35 miles (56 km) apart, so it does not take very long to travel between these iconic Japanese cities. In fact, you can even bicycle from Kyoto to Osaka, thanks to a network of bike paths connecting the two cities. While most visitors get from Kyoto to Osaka by train, you can also drive or hire a taxi or private driver. Bus travel is not recommended because it is less efficient than traveling by train. Read more
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