June 2023
Our Complete Two Week Japan Itinerary through the Golden Route
Finally! After the pandemic disrupted our first trip to Asia, we had no idea how long it would be until we revived that plan. Well, here we are three years later and we booked a trip to Japan for a two week adventure exploring the Golden Route including stops at Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, and Osaka. We booked for late May to avoid both the crowds of Golden week (end of April / early May) and cherry/sakura blossom season, but miss the rainy season that starts in June. Planning a trip to Japan can be daunting and I will say, it was certainly the the most time consuming trip from a researching and planning a trip to date. I put all that information into one blog post – What to Expect When Visiting Japan for the First Time.
Here is our complete itinerary for our two weeks in Japan!
| Activity | ||
| Day 0 | Morning | Travel day |
| Day 1 | Morning | Travel (cross international date line) |
| Afternoon | Arrive in Tokyo Check into Airbnb | |
| Evening | Explore neighborhood: Akihabara Super Potato / GiGO Arcade Gyukatsu Ichi Ni San | |
| Day 2 | Morning | Hachiko Statue Shibuya Crossing Shibuya Sky Disney Store Nintendo store Pokemon Store |
| Afternoon | Shinjuku Golden Gai Memory Lane Omoide Yokocho Gyoen Garden Gyopao Gyoza | |
| Evening | Harajuku / takeshita dori Kubota Ichiran Ramen | |
| Day 3 | Morning | TeamLab Planets |
| Afternoon | Tsujihan ZEITAKU | |
| Evening | Isana Sushi Bar | |
| Day 4 | Day | Tokyo DisneySea |
| Day 5 | Morning Afternoon | Tuna auction at Toyosu Market and the Tsukiji food market |
| Evening | Sumo Tournament | |
| Day 6 | Day | Tokyo DisneyLand |
| Day 7 | Morning | Depart to Hakone from Shinjuku station |
| Afternoon | Hakone – Hakone Tozan line Ropeway – Owakudani | |
| Evening | Arrive to ryokan | |
| Day 8 | Morning | Depart ryokan and Hakone Arrive in Kyoto Check into Airbnb |
| Afternoon | Higashiyama District and the famous Gion District: Kiyomizu-dera (sunset spot) Sannen-zaka / Ninen-zaka Hokan-ji Yasaka Koshindo Kodai-ji Yasaka Shrine | |
| Evening | Teppan Tavern Tenamonya | |
| Day 9 | Morning | Fushimi Inari Taisha |
| Afternoon | Nishiki Market Traditional tea ceremony | |
| Evening | Kyoto Engine Ramen | |
| Day 10 | Day | Universal Studios Japan Super Nintendo World |
| Day 11 | Morning | Kurama and Kibune walk |
| Afternoon | Imperial Palace Pontocho Alley | |
| Evening | Niigata Katsudon Tarekatsu | |
| Day 12 | Morning | Train to Kobe Takenaka Carpentry Tools Museum |
| Afternoon | Sai-Dining Train to Osaka | |
| Evening | Osaka Food Tour | |
| Day 13 | Morning | Arashiyama Bamboo Grove |
| Afternoon | Nishiki Market Ichiran Ramen | |
| Evening | Tsujiya Shijogokomachiten | |
| Day 14 | Day | Train Kyoto to Tokyo Train Tokyo to Airport Flight back to home |
Not mentioned are the countless times we stopped at convenience stores like 7/11, Lawson, and Family Mart for all the snacks, meals, and treats. This two week trip exploring Japan was an incredible itinerary and a great route for first time visitors. I am looking forward to return trips where we get to explore areas outside the Golden Route and continue to learn more about Japan.
Read all the details of our trip – here!
Read what to expect in Japan – here!
Read the food guide – here!
My complete packing list for Japan – here!
See all blog posts for Japan – here!
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