Is a 14-day JR Pass worth it for this itinerary?

Yes. The total JR cost for this route (Tokyo–Nikko day trip, Tokyo–Hakone–Kyoto–Hiroshima–Osaka) bought individually comes to approximately ¥95,000. A 14-day JR Pass costs ¥80,000, saving around ¥15,000. Purchase before leaving your home country.

What is the hardest booking to get on this itinerary?

Hakone accommodation on weekends and during cherry blossom or autumn foliage season books out weeks ahead. Kyoto accommodation during peak periods (late March to April, mid-November) should be booked 2 to 3 months in advance.

Is Nikko essential or can it be skipped?

Nikko is genuinely impressive — the Tosho-gu shrine complex is among the most ornate in Japan. However, if you are short on energy or have already visited Japan before, skipping Nikko and spending an extra morning exploring Tokyo neighbourhoods is a valid alternative.

Can you do Hiroshima and Miyajima in one day?

Yes, if you start early. Take the first bus to Miyajima from Hiroshima (ferry from Miyajimaguchi, 10 minutes, ¥200 plus JR ferry). Return to Hiroshima by noon, visit the Peace Memorial Museum and Atomic Bomb Dome in the afternoon. Leave time for okonomiyaki dinner before the night train or Shinkansen.

Is there a good alternative for travellers who have already done the Golden Route?

Yes. Replace Hiroshima with Fukuoka and extend south through Kyushu — Nagasaki, Kumamoto Castle, and Kagoshima with Sakurajima volcano. Or replace Hakone with Kanazawa for a more culturally distinctive itinerary.

Two Weeks in Japan Itinerary | The Japan Guides

This 14-day itinerary covers Japan’s essential experiences without feeling rushed: three nights in Tokyo to absorb the city before the long journey begins, a day trip that rewards the extra effort, a mountain onsen stop, five nights in the historic Kansai region, and a final push to Japan’s most powerful memorial site before returning through Osaka. It is designed to work with a 14-day JR Pass.

Two things to sort before you fly: travel insurance and a Japan data SIM. For insurance, EKTA travel insurance covers medical, cancellation, and trip interruption and can be taken out for the exact duration of this itinerary. For mobile data, an Airalo eSIM for Japan activates before you board — essential for Google Maps navigating Tokyo’s train network on day one.

Overview

Days 1–3: Tokyo
Day 4: Nikko day trip
Day 5: Travel to Hakone via Odawara
Day 6: Hakone — Mt Fuji views and onsen
Day 7: Shinkansen to Kyoto
Days 8–9: Kyoto temples and Arashiyama
Day 10: Nara day trip from Kyoto
Day 11: Travel Kyoto → Osaka Dotonbori evening → Hiroshima
Day 12: Hiroshima Peace Memorial + Miyajima Island
Day 13: Return to Osaka, full day
Day 14: Departure from Osaka/Kansai

Days 1–3: Tokyo

Arrive and orient. Tokyo is manageable if you divide it by neighbourhood rather than trying to cover it geographically. Three days allows a solid introduction without feeling rushed.

Day 1 — Asakusa and East Tokyo: Start at Senso-ji temple (grounds free, open at sunrise). The Nakamise-dori market opens around 9am. Walk along the Sumida River to the Tokyo Skytree observation deck (¥2,100 for the lower observatory at 350m) or save money by booking the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building free observation deck for another day. Evening: Akihabara electronics district for context; izakaya dinner in the Ueno area (¥2,000–¥3,000).

Day 2 — Shibuya and Shinjuku: Harajuku Takeshita Street (free) for street fashion culture. Meiji Jingu Shrine (free, 15-minute walk through forested approach). Omotesando for architecture and shopping (free to walk). Shibuya Crossing late afternoon — visit from the Starbucks overlooking the intersection or from Mag’s Park rooftop (free). Shinjuku for dinner and evening — Golden Gai’s tiny six-seat bars (¥800–¥1,500/drink, cover charge ¥500–¥1,000 at some) or Omoide Yokocho yakitori alley (¥2,000–¥3,000).

Day 3 — Tokyo free day: Options include: teamLab Borderless digital art museum (¥3,200, book ahead — it sells out), Yanaka old neighbourhood (free walking), Tsukiji Outer Market tuna breakfast from ¥3,000 (arrive by 6am on weekends), or the Edo-Tokyo Museum in Ryogoku (¥600, currently under renovation — check status).

Daily budget in Tokyo: ¥10,000–¥18,000 (mid-range hotel ¥8,000–¥12,000 near Asakusa or Shinjuku, food ¥2,000–¥4,000, activities ¥1,000–¥3,000).

Day 4: Nikko Day Trip

From Tokyo, the JR Tohoku Shinkansen to Utsunomiya (55 minutes, ¥4,810) and then a local JR train to Nikko (45 minutes, ¥780). Total one-way by JR: approximately ¥5,590 (covered by JR Pass). Alternatively, the Tobu Nikko line from Asakusa is slightly cheaper but not JR Pass-covered (¥1,480 each way, 2 hours on the semi-express).

Nikko is the ornate mountain shrine complex built to enshrine Tokugawa Ieyasu, the founder of the Edo shogunate. The Tosho-gu Shrine complex (¥1,300) is the centrepiece — excessive by the standards of most Japanese shrine architecture, with carved animals, gilded details, and the famous “see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil” monkeys above the stable building. The Rinno-ji temple complex (¥1,000) and the Futarasan Shrine (¥200) round out the main sights.

Return to Tokyo by early evening; depart for Hakone the following morning.

Day budget: Transport ¥11,000–¥12,000 (if not using JR Pass), activities ¥2,500–¥3,000, food ¥1,500–¥2,500.

Day 5: Travel to Hakone via Odawara

From Tokyo Shinjuku, the Odakyu Romancecar (¥2,570, 85 minutes, advance reservation required) or JR Shonan-Shinjuku Line to Odawara (¥1,580, 80 minutes, JR Pass valid) connects to Hakone. From Odawara, the Hakone Tozan Railway climbs to Gora (40 minutes, ¥510, not on JR Pass unless using Hakone Free Pass).

Hakone Free Pass (¥5,000 from Shinjuku including return train): covers all Hakone transport — Tozan Railway, ropeway, Lake Ashi pirate ship, and buses — for 2 days. Significantly better value than individual tickets if using multiple transport modes.

Check into your Hakone accommodation. Evening: outdoor onsen bath (rotenburo) at your ryokan or hotel — best experience in Japan is to soak in a hot spring pool while looking at Mt Fuji or forest at dusk.

Day 6: Hakone — Mt Fuji Views and Onsen

A clear day at Hakone reveals Mt Fuji across Lake Ashi — the classic view from Hakone-en or from the ropeway above Owakudani. Fuji visibility is best in the morning before clouds build, and clearest in winter. If it is cloudy (which it frequently is), the Owakudani volcanic area (active sulphur vents, black eggs boiled in the thermal water — ¥600 for 5 eggs) and the Open Air Museum in Chokokunomori (¥1,600, sculpture park with a Picasso pavilion) are excellent in any weather.

Accommodation: Hakone has a broad range from business hotels (¥10,000) to traditional ryokan with kaiseki meals (¥30,000–¥60,000/person). Budget ryokan and guesthouses offer onsen facilities from ¥12,000–¥20,000 per person with two meals.

Day 7: Shinkansen to Kyoto

From Odawara, the Tokaido Shinkansen Hikari to Kyoto (approximately 1 hour 40 minutes, ¥12,710 — covered by JR Pass). Check into Kyoto accommodation; the afternoon allows a first orientation walk through Gion and Pontocho (free).

Days 8–9: Kyoto

Two days provides time for the major sites without exhaustion.

Day 8 — East Kyoto: Fushimi Inari Taisha (free, arrive before 7am for the best atmosphere on the 4km torii gate path). Afternoon: Kinkaku-ji Golden Pavilion (¥500, best in morning light — open 9am) or Ryoan-ji rock garden (¥600). Evening dinner in Pontocho alley (¥3,000–¥5,000).

Day 9 — Arashiyama: The Bamboo Grove (free, arrive at 7am before tour groups) and the approach along the Katsura River. Tenryu-ji Garden (¥500, UNESCO, excellent karesansui garden). Nijo Castle (¥800, the shogun’s Kyoto residence with famous “nightingale floors”) in the afternoon. Nishiki Market for food tasting (free to walk, budget ¥1,000–¥2,000 for tastings).

Daily budget in Kyoto: Mid-range hotel ¥10,000–¥18,000 per night (book ahead for peak periods), food ¥2,000–¥4,000, activities ¥1,500–¥3,000.

Day 10: Nara Day Trip

JR Miyakoji Express from Kyoto to Nara (45 minutes, ¥740, JR Pass valid). Nara’s freely roaming deer (approximately 1,200 animals, designated national treasure) are the draw — they roam through Nara Park and bow their heads when you bow first. Todai-ji temple (¥600, the largest wooden building in the world by floor area, housing a 15-metre bronze Buddha) and Kasuga Taisha shrine (free outer precincts, ¥500 inner treasure hall) are the main sights.

Return to Kyoto for the evening or proceed to Osaka for the night.

Day 11: Osaka Evening → Hiroshima

Travel Kyoto to Osaka by JR (15 minutes, ¥580, JR Pass valid) and spend the afternoon at Dotonbori — Osaka’s entertainment district. Takoyaki octopus balls (¥600 for 8), okonomiyaki (¥900–¥1,400), and the neon-lit Glico Running Man sign are the highlights. This is a strong food city — even an afternoon here justifies the detour.

Evening Shinkansen from Shin-Osaka to Hiroshima (1 hour 10 minutes by Hikari, ¥9,950, JR Pass valid). Arrive and check in; walk to the illuminated Atomic Bomb Dome (A-Bomb Dome) area (free at all hours).

Day 12: Hiroshima Peace Memorial + Miyajima

Morning — Miyajima: Take the JR line from Hiroshima to Miyajimaguchi (30 minutes, ¥420) then the JR ferry to Miyajima Island (10 minutes, ¥200 — free with JR Pass). The Itsukushima Shrine floating torii gate is the primary sight (shrine ¥300). Deer roam the island freely. The Daisho-in temple complex (free) on the mountain slope is excellent. Return to Hiroshima by noon.

Afternoon — Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum and Park: The museum (¥200, open 8:30am–6pm, extended hours in summer) documents the atomic bombing of August 6, 1945 through personal testimonies, physical artefacts, and scientific explanation. It is among the most important museums in Asia. Allow 2 hours. The Peace Memorial Park (free) surrounds the museum with monuments, the A-Bomb Dome UNESCO site, and the Children’s Peace Monument.

Dinner: Hiroshima-style okonomiyaki at Okonomi-mura, a three-floor building of okonomiyaki restaurants in central Hiroshima (¥1,000–¥1,500 per person).

Day 13: Back to Osaka — Full Day

Shinkansen from Hiroshima to Shin-Osaka (1 hour 10 minutes by Hikari, covered by JR Pass). Full day in Osaka: Osaka Castle (grounds free, castle museum ¥600), Shinsekai neighbourhood (budget fugu or kushikatsu ¥1,500–¥3,000), Kuromon Market for lunch (fresh seafood, budget ¥1,500–¥2,500), and Dotonbori again for the evening. Osaka is a strong final night — excellent food and genuinely lively nightlife without Kyoto’s tourist density.

Daily budget in Osaka: Hotel ¥9,000–¥16,000, food ¥3,000–¥5,000, activities ¥1,000–¥2,000.

Day 14: Departure from Osaka/Kansai

Kansai International Airport (KIX) is connected by the Haruka Express from Shin-Osaka (75 minutes, ¥3,090, JR Pass valid). Check in 3 hours ahead for international flights. If you haven’t already sorted your flights to Japan, the open-jaw option — flying into Tokyo, out of Osaka — is the most logical structure for this route.

Transport Cost Summary

Journey	Individual Cost	JR Pass?
Tokyo → Nikko (Shinkansen + local)	¥11,180 return	Yes (JR lines)
Tokyo → Hakone (Odakyu + Hakone)	Hakone Free Pass ¥5,000	Partial
Hakone → Kyoto (Shinkansen)	¥12,710	Yes
Kyoto → Nara return	¥1,480	Yes
Kyoto → Osaka	¥580	Yes
Osaka → Hiroshima (Shinkansen)	¥9,950	Yes
Hiroshima → Miyajima ferry	¥400	JR ferry free
Hiroshima → Osaka (Shinkansen)	¥9,950	Yes
Osaka → Kansai Airport (Haruka)	¥3,090	Yes
Total JR-covered if no pass	~¥49,000	—
14-day JR Pass	¥80,000	—

The JR Pass saves approximately ¥15,000 on this route once you add city transit costs and any additional JR journeys during the Tokyo and Kyoto days.

Accommodation Budget by City

City	Nights	Budget (dorm ¥)	Mid-range (¥)	Comfortable (¥)
Tokyo	3	¥3,000/night	¥10,000/night	¥18,000/night
Hakone	2	—	¥18,000/person	¥40,000/person
Kyoto	3	¥3,500/night	¥12,000/night	¥22,000/night
Hiroshima	1	¥3,000/night	¥9,000/night	¥15,000/night
Osaka	2	¥3,000/night	¥9,000/night	¥16,000/night

Two Weeks in Japan: The Perfect 14-Day Itinerary