# Japan Itinerary for 2 Weeks: Tokyo, Fuji, Kyoto, Osaka URL: https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/japan-itinerary-two-weeks/ Idioma: en > A two-week Japan itinerary: Tokyo 4 nights, Hakone or Fuji, Kyoto 4 nights with Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima and Miyajima, and which days to guide. [Private guide](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/) · Plan your trip # The ideal two-week Japan itinerary for a first visit Updated November 3, 2026 · by Mario, private guide in Japan (Mount Fuji and the Chureito pagoda) Mount Fuji and the Chureito pagoda Photo: [Supanut Arunoprayote](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Chureito_Pagoda_and_Mount_Fuji_20241022.jpg) · CC BY 4.0 案内人 マリオ The short answer For a first two-week trip, spend 4 nights in Tokyo, 1 to 2 nights in Hakone or by Mount Fuji, 4 nights in Kyoto with a day trip to Nara, and 2 to 3 nights in Osaka, with Hiroshima and Miyajima as one day trip by shinkansen. Use a private guide on the arrival day in Tokyo, the Fuji or Hakone day, one or two Kyoto days, and Hiroshima. Mario is part of the Tony Kansai Guide team; WhatsApp +81 70 8996 8582. Quick facts Topic Japan itinerary: two weeks Guide Mario, private English-speaking guide (also speaks Spanish); four years guiding Rates Half day ¥45,600 · full day ¥69,600 · long day trips from ¥84,000 (per private party) Book [WhatsApp +81 70 8996 8582](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20in%20Japan.%20Dates%3A%20) ## The route at a glance This route runs west from Tokyo to Kansai, so you never backtrack, and it can be reversed if you fly into Kansai International Airport (KIX). It suits couples, families and anyone who prefers a few well-chosen bases to a new hotel every night. Base Nights Highlights Tokyo 4 Asakusa, Imperial Palace gardens, Meiji Jingu, Shibuya; a day trip to Nikko or Kamakura Hakone or Fuji Five Lakes 1–2 Mount Fuji views, Lake Ashi, a ryokan with kaiseki dinner Kyoto 4 Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Arashiyama, Gion, tea ceremony; Nara day trip Osaka 2–3 Osaka Castle, Kuromon Market, Dotonbori; Hiroshima and Miyajima day trip ## Day by day - **Day 1, Tokyo.** Arrive at Narita or Haneda; transfer to your hotel and an early night. - **Day 2, Tokyo, guided.** Senso-ji at opening, the Imperial Palace East Gardens, a sushi counter lunch in Nihonbashi, Meiji Jingu and Shibuya at dusk. Mario sets up your IC cards and shows you how the trains work. - **Day 3, Tokyo.** A free day: museums in Ueno, the Ghibli Museum and Inokashira Park, or shopping in Ginza. - **Day 4, Nikko or Kamakura.** A guided long day to Nikko’s shrines and Lake Chuzenji, or a gentler day in Kamakura. - **Day 5, to Hakone or Fuji, guided.** Luggage forwarded to Kyoto; by car with driver or limited express to the Fuji Five Lakes or Hakone. Night in a ryokan. - **Day 6, Hakone.** A slow morning and a second night, or continue to Kyoto by shinkansen from Odawara (about 2 hours). - **Day 7, to Kyoto.** Arrive and settle in; an evening walk in Gion. - **Day 8, Kyoto, guided.** Fushimi Inari at first light, Kiyomizu-dera, Higashiyama, kaiseki lunch and a private tea ceremony. - **Day 9, Kyoto.** Arashiyama early, then Kinkaku-ji; guided or independent. - **Day 10, Nara.** Todai-ji, the deer of Nara Park and Kasuga Taisha; a guided half day from Kyoto works well. - **Day 11, to Osaka.** A short ride; Osaka Castle in the afternoon and Dotonbori in the evening. - **Day 12, Hiroshima and Miyajima, guided.** The Peace Memorial Park and Museum in the morning, Itsukushima Shrine in the afternoon. Always one day together. - **Day 13, Osaka.** Kuromon Market, shopping, a final dinner; or a day at Himeji Castle. - **Day 14, departure.** Kansai International Airport is about an hour from central Osaka. If you have a spare night, add it to Kyoto. It is the city that most rewards a slower pace. ## Which days to use a private guide A private guide adds the most value on days with complex logistics, crowded sights or Japanese-only bookings. On this route, that usually means four to six days: Day Why guide it Mario’s rate Day 2, Tokyo Learn the system on day one; cover the city efficiently Full day ¥69,600 Day 4, Nikko Long train and road connections Long day trip from ¥84,000 Day 5, Fuji or Hakone Weather-dependent route and transport Long day trip from ¥84,000 Day 8, Kyoto Crowd timing, kaiseki and tea ceremony bookings Full day ¥69,600 Day 10, Nara A focused half day from Kyoto Half day ¥45,600 Day 12, Hiroshima and Miyajima Shinkansen, train, ferry and tide timing Long day trip from ¥84,000 Mario is based in Kansai, so the Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Hiroshima days need no extra travel; for the Tokyo, Nikko and Fuji days his train fare and hotel nights are added at cost. His favorite option is to travel the whole route with you, from Tokyo through Hakone to Kyoto and Hiroshima, as one multi-day journey. See [multi-day private guide in Japan](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/multi-day-private-guide-japan/). ## Getting around - **Shinkansen:** Tokyo to Kyoto takes about 2 h 15 min on the Nozomi; Kyoto to Hiroshima about 1 h 40 min. Reserve seats in peak seasons. - **Rail passes:** since the national Japan Rail Pass rose sharply in price in October 2023, individual tickets are often cheaper for this route. Price your journeys before buying a pass. - **Luggage forwarding:** send suitcases from Tokyo to Kyoto the day before you leave and travel to Hakone with an overnight bag. - **IC cards:** a Suica, PASMO or ICOCA card, or Suica in Apple Wallet, covers local trains, subways and buses. ## Adjusting the route With ten days, drop Nikko and spend one night in Hakone. With three weeks, add Kanazawa, the Japanese Alps or a night on Koyasan, the mountain monastery town south of Osaka. For families with young children, keep the same bases but plan shorter days; see [Japan family trip with a private guide](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/japan-family-trip-private-guide/). Questions ## Frequently asked Can a guide plan my whole two-week Japan itinerary? Yes: Mario plans complete itineraries, books trains and restaurants, and can guide the key days or travel with you. Mario is part of the Tony Kansai Guide team; message him on WhatsApp at +81 70 8996 8582. Is two weeks enough for Japan? Two weeks is enough for a satisfying first visit to Tokyo, Mount Fuji or Hakone, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka and Hiroshima, without rushing, if you use four bases and day trips. How many days should I spend in Kyoto? Four nights is ideal, including a day trip to Nara. Three nights is the minimum for a first visit. Is the Japan Rail Pass worth it for two weeks? Less often than before. Since the October 2023 price rise, individual shinkansen tickets are usually cheaper for a Tokyo–Kyoto–Hiroshima route. Compare the total before buying. Which days should I book a private guide? The arrival day in Tokyo, the Mount Fuji or Hakone day, one or two days in Kyoto, and Hiroshima and Miyajima gain the most from a guide. (Mario, private English-speaking tour guide in Japan) **Mario** · private English-speaking guide in Japan. Four years of guiding, fluent Spanish too, and the logistics of someone based in Kansai who married into a Japanese family. [Message Mario on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20read%20%22The%20ideal%20two-week%20Japan%20itinerary%20for%20a%20first%20visit%22.%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20in%20Japan.%20Dates%3A%20) Plan ahead ## Read next Read next - [When is the best time to visit Japan?](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/best-time-to-visit-japan/) - [First time in Japan? The essential tips](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/first-time-japan-tips/) - [Multi-day journeys across Japan with a private guide](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/multi-day-private-guide-japan/) - [Private guide: Kyoto](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/kyoto/) See all (6) - [Private guide: Tokyo](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/tokyo/) - [Private guide: Osaka & Nara](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/osaka-nara/) Continue? ## Let Mario plan your Japan Send your dates, the size of your party and where you are staying. Mario replies with a plan, and every reservation is made for you, in Japanese. [Message Mario on WhatsApp](https://wa.me/817089968582?text=Hello%20Mario%2C%20I%20read%20%22The%20ideal%20two-week%20Japan%20itinerary%20for%20a%20first%20visit%22.%20I%20would%20like%20a%20private%20guide%20in%20Japan.%20Dates%3A%20)[See prices](https://tonykansaiguide.com/private/#prices)