Japan was a country we had always planned to visit but kept pushing it to the end of our list for some unknown reason. Now that we have been we wish we would have visited sooner.
From the minute you arrive, you feel like you’re in one large yet amazing video game with foreign sounds, 3D billboards, incredible food, and thousands of people interacting harmoniously in what feels like organised chaos. Japan combines culture with modernity allowing you to experience tradition and technology as one. The cities are spotless and the Japanese people are gracious and helpful. Once you have traveled to Japan you will understand why everyone who visits leaves obsessed wanting to return.
We wanted to create a 14-night Itinerary for First-Time Travelers to Japan that allows you to experience as many sights and attractions as possible but gives you enough free time to soak in the vibrancy and traditions of each neighborhood.
As this was our first time visiting Japan we found this Itinerary medium to fast-paced and would add an extra day in Osaka and Tokyo.
ARRIVE TOKYO
Stay
Hotel Indigo, Shibuya
2-25-12 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tôkyô
Room Type: King Premium High Floor Room w. Bath for up to 3 People
Check-ins from 3 pm and Checkouts at 11 am
Sightseeing
▪ Shibuya Scramble Crossing
▪ Hachiko Memorial Statue Shibuya
▪ Center-Gai – shopping street
▪ Meiji Shrine
▪ Takeshita Street in Harajuku for rainbow fairy floss
▪ Shibuya Sky (book for sunset)
Dinner
Gallery 11, Hotel Indigo
Hot Tip
Grab an iced coffee from The City Bakery, (entry-level to the hotel) and store it in your room fridge for tomorrow morning’s early start. The bakery closes at 10 pm
We traveled with Qantas Airways from Sydney, Australia to Tokyo (Haneda Airport). Our flight departed at 10.05 pm and arrived in Tokyo at 5.55 am. We recommend booking a mid-day flight so you are fresh and ready to go on day 1 (unless you are traveling business of course)
Qantas Airways offers “Bid Now Upgrades“, allowing you to bid on an upgrade using cash, or a combination of cash and Qantas Points. Our bid was accepted on our return journey enabling us to experience Business Class
Train Directions from Haneda Airport to Shibuya
TOKYO DISNEYLAND
Get ready to experience the fun and excitement of Tokyo Disney Resort! We loved hearing the characters speak in Japanese! Disneyland opens around 9 am (sometimes earlier). The train trip takes approximately one hour, so catch a train that departs Shibuya Station between 7 and 7.30 am. We visited in late November and found one full day was enough to experience Disneyland, however during peak seasons, you may need two.
Train Directions
Shibuya Station (Saikyō Line) to Shin-Kiba Station
Shin-Kiba Station(Keiyō Line) to Maihama Station
Follow the crowds to Tokyo Disneyland
Hot Tip
Disneyland closes at 9 pm, so check the train timetable for your return journey before leaving the park
Download the “Tokyo Disney Resort App”, here you can store your admission tickets, Purchase Disney Premier Access to attractions (for a fee), or Tokyo Disney Resort 40th Anniversary Priority Pass (for free). Both options book out quickly so get in early
Visit the Hungry Bear Restaurant in Westernland for a delicious pork cutlet curry and any popcorn stand for a fancy popcorn bucket and Mickey Mouse hand popcorn tongs
Tokyo Disneyland gets very busy, so expect long wait times for all attractions. We also recommend pre-purchasing your Disneyland tickets well in advance
Use Google Maps to help you navigate your way around Tokyo. You can see the exact train numbers, platform, directions, and arrival and departure times
TOKYO SIGHTSEEING
▪ Nakemise Dori Street
▪ Senso-ji temple (at the end of Nakemise Dori St)
▪ Asahi Sky Room Observation Lounge for a beer and incredible views
▪ Tokyo Skytree
▪ Shop at MEGA Don Quijote Shibuya (across from Hotel Indigo)
If time permits
▪ Memory Lane
▪ Kakuki-Cho Shinjuku
▪ Golden Gai Shinjuku
Dinner
Chibachan
Chitose Kaikan 4F, 13-8 Udagawa-cho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo
The restaurant is cheerful, close to Hotel Indigo, and serves up boats of fried chicken, delicious noodles, and extra-large beers
Hot Tip
Grab an iced coffee from The City Bakery, (entry-level to the hotel)and store it in the room fridge for tomorrow morning’s early start, the bakery closes at 10 pm
HAKONE DAY TRIP
Reach Hakone in approximately 80 minutes by taking the Odakyu limited express Romancecar train from Shinjuku Station to Hakone-Yumoto Station. You can reserve an observation deck seat on the right-hand side of the GSE 7000 series train for views of Mt Fuji on your way to Hakone and the left on your return journey.
Sightseeing
▪ Take the Tozen Bus from the station to Motohakone – ko to see the Heiwa no Torii+ Shrine
▪ Enjoy views of Lake Ashi and Mt Fuji from the sightseeing pirate ship, that departs from Motohakone-ko
▪ Ride the Rope Way to Owakudani Station to try the Black Eggs of Owakudani
Lunch
Gora Brewery and Grill was a highlight of our trip to Hakone, the Burdock Chips, Vegetable Sushi Rolls & Original 2 Kinds Sausage were our favourites! You must navigate quite a steep hill if you plan to arrive on foot.
Hot Tip
Before catching the train home stop by the Grande Rivière Hakone Yumoto Store for some Hakone Caramel Almonds Rusks and an ice cream drizzled in caramel
Purchase the Hakone Free Pass for unlimited free rides on specific transport including the Hakone Ropeway, Tozen Bus, Tozan Cable Car, and Hakone Sightseeing Cruise. The free pass can be purchased as a sa digital ticket from Odakyu’s website
On windy days the pirate ship and ropeway may not operate, we recommend checking the weather before visiting Hakone and visiting on a still day
Pre-book your Romance Car Observation Deck Seats in advance. They can be booked one month before departure (and even then they get booked quickly)
ARRIVE OSAKA
Stay
Centara Grand Hotel Osaka
2 11 50 Nambanaka Naniwa Ku Osaka
Room Type: Corner Club KIng – Miyabi Club Floor
Check-in’s from 3 pm and Check-outs at 12 pm
Train Directions – Travelling by Shinkansen
Shibuya Station (Yamanote Line) to Shinagawa Station
Shinagawa Station (Shinkansen Transfer) to Shin-Osaka Station
Shin -Osaka Station (Midosuji Line) to Namba station, walk 10 minutes to the hotel
Sightseeing
▪ From Level 33 at Centara Grand Hotel, admire the city view and a cocktail
▪ Visit Dotonbori at sunset to see the iconic Glico Man
▪ Don Quixote’s Ferris wheel and shopping
▪ Rikuro’s Cheesecake for fresh and fluffy cheesecakes (3-2-28 Namba, Chuo-ku, Osaka – Last order 4.30 pm
Dinner
Centara Grand Hotel Resataurant- Suan Bua Thai Restaurant
Hot Tip
The best photo opportunity for GLICO MAN can be found by turning left at the end of Ebisubashi Bridge (look for H&M) then taking the stairs down and turning right, looking for the bright yellow stairs directly across from the Glico Man sign, walking up the stairs you’ll find the blue balcony that looks like it’s part of the Glico Man’s running track
Pre-book your Shinkansen tickets using the smartEX app, Green glass is our preference!
The Shinkansen takes approximately 2 1/2 hours to reach Shin-Osaka Station from Shinagawa Station
Book Shinkansen seats with oversized baggage so your luggage will sit behind you
Nozomi is generally the fastest Shinkansen train with minimal stops, it’s excluded from the JR Pass
Starbucks is a few minutes from the hotel, make sure you try a creme brule latte
OSAKA SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
▪ Osaka Castel and grounds
▪ Shinsekai Market
▪ Tsūtenkaku Tower and slide
If time permits
▪ Umeda Sky Building
Lunch
Dramatic Curry Golden Nakazaki or Blue Birds Café
Dinner
Centara Grand Hotel Restaurant – Whiskey Nova Steakhouse on the 32nd floor for views across the city or Embassy of Crab for delicious seafood.
Hot Tip
For a great view and pictures of Osaka Castle visit the Blue Birds Café rooftop terrace. Stop by The Konamon Bar Riky just around the corner from the Blue Bird Cafe building for a gold leaf ice cream or some Okonomiyaki
HIROSHIMA & MIYAJIMA ISLAND
Hiroshima Sightseeing
▪ Orizuru Tower (rooftop observation deck of Hiroshima and Dome)
▪ Hiroshima Peace Memorial (Atomic Bomb Dome)
▪ Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
▪ Okonomimura, Okonomi Village (if time persists)
Miyajima Island Sightseeing
▪ Torri Gate
▪ Ropeway to Shishi-iwa Observatory for incredible views, if you keep walking for 30 minutes you will reach the Mt Misen Summitt
▪ Try Momiji manjū from Momijido Main Store, a Japanese maple leaf dessert filled with custard or bean paste
Train Directions – Travelling by Shinkansen
Shibuya Station (Yamanote Line) to Shinagawa Station
Shinagawa Station take the Tokaido-Sanyo Shinkansen to Hiroshima Station
Take the Hiroshima Electric Railway streetcar No. 2 or 6, get off at the “Genbaku Dome-mae” stop, and walk to the Peace Memorial Park
Hot Tip
From the Peace Memorial Park take the Aquanet for 45 minutes to Miyajima Island, Purchase a 9 am ticket so you have plenty of time to see both Miyajima and Hiroshima
Miyajima Island Ropeway opens 9:00am to 16:00pm
You can purchase the JR Kansai-Hiroshima 5-day Area Pass on Klook which gives you unlimited rides on JR West lines in specific areas including express trains reserved and non-reserved seats on Sanyo Shinkansen (Osaka to Hiroshima) and JR West Miyajima Ferry (Miyajimaguchi to Miyajima). We did purchase this pass but next time, we would book the Shinkansen from Osaka to Hiroshima via the smartEX app for ease and convenience
UNIVERSAL STUDIOS JAPAN (USJ)
Universal Studios opens at approximately 9 am. The train trip takes approximately 35 minutes so it’s best to catch a train that departs Namba Station around 7 or 7.30 am in case the park opens early.
Train Directions
Namba Station(Nankai Line) to Shin-Imamiya Station
Shin-Imamiya Station (Osaka Loop Line) to Nishikujō Station
Nishikujō Station (JR Yumesaki Line) to Universal-City Station
Follow the signs to Universal Studios
Lunch
Harry Potter world “Three Broomsticks”, the rotisserie Smoked Chicken and Shepherd’s Pie Plate was our favourite accompanied by a butterbeer. It is also the perfect location to take pictures of Hogwarts™ castle.
Hot Tip
USJ closes between 7 – 9 pm, depending on the time of year you visit so check the train timetable for your return journey before leaving the park
Try Churros from an on-the-go food stall and a Strawberry Shortcake pancake sandwich from Mario Cafe & Store
The Despicable Me Tim popcorn bucket should be your first purchase of the day, he is cute, full of popcorn, and can be brought from the first popcorn cart when entering USJ
Purchase an Express Pass 7 to ensure you have enough time to experience all the rides and attractions
Pre-purchase your USJ entry and express pass tickets in advance to ensure you secure the express pass that suits your schedule
ARRIVE KYOTO
Stay
Dusit Thani Kyoto
466 Nishinotoin-cho, Nishinotoin-dori Shomen agaru,
Shimogyo-ku, Kyoto 600-8327
Room Type: Premier Room, King
Check-in’s from 3 pm and Check-outs at 12 pm
Train Directions – Travelling by Shinkansen
Namba Station (Midosuji Line) to Shin-Osaka Station
Shin-Ōsaka Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line) to Kyoto Station
The Shinkansen (Nazomi) takes approximately 15 minutes.
The JR Pass does not cover the “Nozomi” Shinkansen, you will need to pay an additional surcharge or buy a separate ticket. The JR Pass does cover “Hikari” and “Kodama” trains.
Sightseeing
▪ Panel Cafe – Japanese Pancakes open 10 am – 4.30 pm
▪ Gion District & Hanamikoji Street
▪ Hōkan-ji Temple – arrive for sunset
▪ Starbucks Kyoto Ninenzaka Yasaka Chaya opens 8 am-8 pm. This store is located in a 100-year-old traditional Japanese house
▪ Kiyomizu-dera Temple and Jojuin Garden are open from 6 am to 9.30 pm (this may vary depending upon the time of year you visit. Special viewing of the Jojuin Garden is only available at certain times of the year)
Hot Tip
Nizomi is the fastest Shinkansen service with the least amount of stops
Book Shinkansen seats that include inside oversized baggage so your luggage will sit behind you
Tourists are not able to enter all alleyways in the Gion District
A taxi from the Dusit Thani to Panel Cafe takes approximately 15 minutes
Using a combination of the metro, bus network, and taxis is the best way to navigate your way around Kyoto. We used the taxi network often as it was quick, easy, and reasonable
KYOTO SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
▪ Fushimi Inari Shrine
Famous for its thousands of torii gates the attraction is free and open 24 hours, so arrive early to avoid crowds and a view of the gates at sunrise.
If time permits
▪ Tetsugaku No Michi (The Philosopher’s Path)
Hot Tip
You can take the train from Kyoto Station (Nara Line) to Inari Station, which is within walking distance of Fushimi Inari Shrine
Allow approximately three hours to explore Fushimi Inari Shrine
KYOTO SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
▪ Arashiyama Bamboo Forest – This attraction is free and open 24 hours, arrive early to avoid the crowds
▪ Main Street Arashiyama
▪ Togetsu-kyo Bridge
▪ Kinkaku-ji, famously known as the “Golden Temple”
The Golden Temple is open 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m. daily and attracts an entry fee
Hot Tip
You can take the train from Kyoto Station (San-In Line) to Saga-Arashiyama Station which is within walking distance of the Bamboo Forest
Allow approximately one hour to explore Fushimi Inari Shrine
KYOTO SIGHTSEEING
Sightseeing
▪ Sannenzaka & Ninenzaka – both streets showcase traditional architecture, stalls, shops, and eateries. Arrive early for sunrise pictures and to avoid the crowds.
If time permits
▪ Pontocho Alley
▪ Imperial Palace
Hot Tip
Take some time to sit in one of Kyoto’s neighborhoods and enjoy the food, culture, and atmosphere
ARRIVE TOKYO
Stay
Tokyo EDITION Toranomon
4-1-1 Toranomon, Minato Ku, Tokyo, Japan, 105-0001
Room Type: Deluxe Tower view room
Check-in’s from 3 pm and Check-outs at 12 pm
Train Directions – Travelling by Shinkansen
Kyoto Station (Tokaido Shinkansen Line) to Tokyo Station
The Shinkansen (Nazomi) takes approximately two hours and twenty minutes.
Sightseeing
▪ Imperial Palace
▪ Ginza for shopping
▪ UNIQLO Flagship Store Ginza
▪ Tokyo Tower
▪ Tokyo Edition – Lobby Bar for Afternoon Tea
Dinner
Tokyo Edition – The Blue Room, pre-book and request a table with a tower view.
Hot Tip
Pre-book dinner and afternoon tea at Tokyo Edition and request a table with a tower view
Enjoy a pre or post-dinner drink at the Gold Bar at Edition (closed Sundays and Mondays)
TEAMLAB PROJECT & DISNEYSEA
teamLab
Get ready to experience an interactive digital art exhibition at teamLab Tokyo, where you will walk through water, and be surrounded by a moving flower garden, a crystal universe, and giant color-changing balloons. You will need to pre-book your teamLab tickets in advance and select an admission time of 9.00 – 9.30 am, doors open at 9 am, so arrive by 8.30 am to ensure you are one of the first in the door (as you also need to visit DisneySea).
Directions
We recommend catching a taxi from the hotel to teamLabs, it takes approximately fifteen minutes. A taxi from teamLabs to DisneySea takes approximately 20 minutes, this will help maximise your time at the park.
DisneySea
You must experience the only DisneySea theme park in the world at least once. By the time you arrive, the park will be open so popular rides will attract wait times. Being our last day in Japan we took it slow and enjoyed a slow walk around the park looking at the sites and weren’t too worried if we missed any of the rides. However, we found a Reuben sandwich at the New York City Deli and a Demi-glace churro full of potato and warm gravy at the mysterious island refreshment station.
Hot Tip
Pre-purchase tickets for teamLab and DisneySea as both attractions can be booked out
DisneySea closes at 9.00 pm on most days
DEPART TOKYO
If you are flying home, arrange for the concierge team at Tokyo EDITION Toranomon to pre-book your airport transfers.
Hot Tip
Airport transfers arranged by The Tokyo EDITION to Haneda Airport in a taxi van cost ¥18,000 one-way for two adults with four pieces of luggage
Start planning your return trip to Japan!
Thoughts, opinions, and photos shared about Tokyo, Osaka & Kyoto | 14-Night Itinerary for First-Time Travelers to Japan are entirely my own.
* We could not complete days 10,11 & 12 of this itinerary due to being unwell. However, we enjoyed spending time at the luxury Dusit Thani Kyoto on these days.
