Japan 2-Week Detailed Itinerary
July 29 - August 10, 2025
Day 1: Tuesday, July 29 - Arrival Tokyo
- 4:15 PM - Arrive Tokyo Haneda Airport
- 5:30 PM - Take Keikyu Line to Shinagawa (15 min) → JR Yamanote Line to Ebisu (7 min) → Walk to hotel (8 min)
- 6:30 PM - Check into Grand Hyatt Tokyo Roppongi
- 8:00 PM - Dinner at Nabezo Roppongi (all-you-can-eat shabu-shabu to ease into Japanese food)
- Evening - Rest and adjust to time zone
Day 2: Wednesday, July 30 - Mt. Fuji Climb
- 5:30 AM - Early breakfast at hotel
- 6:30 AM - Travel to Tokyo Station (15 min)
- 7:16 AM - Take JR Tokaido Shinkansen to Shin-Fuji Station (1 hour)
- 8:30 AM - Meet "My Tokyo Guide" at Shin-Fuji Station
- 9:00 AM - 6:00 PM - Full Mt. Fuji climb with guide
- 7:00 PM - Return to Shin-Fuji Station
- 7:30 PM - Travel to Hakone-Yumoto Station (1 hour via JR Tokaido Line)
- 8:45 PM - Check into Hakone Hotel
- 9:30 PM - Traditional kaiseki dinner at hotel
Day 3: Thursday, July 31 - Hakone Relaxation
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast at hotel
- 9:30 AM - Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani (volcanic valley)
- 11:00 AM - Lake Ashi pirate ship cruise
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at Amazake Chaya (traditional tea house)
- 3:00 PM - Hakone Open-Air Museum
- 5:00 PM - Return to hotel for onsen (hot springs)
- 7:30 PM - Dinner at hotel
- Evening - Relax in onsen under stars
Day 4: Friday, August 1 - Return to Tokyo
- 9:00 AM - Check out of Hakone Hotel
- 10:00 AM - Travel to Shin-Fuji Station (1 hour)
- 11:30 AM - Shinkansen to Tokyo Station (1 hour)
- 1:00 PM - Check into Grand Hyatt Tokyo Roppongi
- 2:00 PM - Lunch at Sukiyabashi Jiro Honten (world-famous sushi) - advance reservation required
- 4:00 PM - Explore Ginza district shopping
- 6:00 PM - Visit Meiji Shrine (peaceful before dinner)
- 8:00 PM - Dinner at Kozasa (premium wagyu in Roppongi)
Day 5: Saturday, August 2 - Tokyo Highlights
- 4:30 AM - Early departure for fish market
- 5:00 AM - Tsukiji Outer Market - watch tuna auctions at Toyosu Market
- 6:30 AM - Fresh sushi breakfast at Daiwa Sushi (Tsukiji)
- 9:00 AM - Return to hotel to rest
- 11:00 AM - Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at Daikokuya Tempura (historic tempura restaurant)
- 3:00 PM - Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko statue
- 4:00 PM - Explore Shibuya shopping and cafes
- 6:00 PM - Golden Gai area in Shinjuku (tiny bars)
- 8:00 PM - Dinner at Nabezo Shibuya (shabu-shabu)
Day 6: Sunday, August 3 - Tokyo Culture & Modern
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast at hotel
- 10:00 AM - TeamLab Borderless (digital art museum) - advance booking required
- 1:00 PM - Lunch at Ichiran Ramen (famous ramen chain)
- 3:00 PM - Harajuku youth culture district
- 4:00 PM - Omotesando luxury shopping avenue
- 6:00 PM - Return to hotel
- 8:00 PM - Farewell Tokyo dinner at Narisawa (2-Michelin star modern Japanese) - advance reservation required
Day 7: Monday, August 4 - Nikko Day Trip
- 6:30 AM - Early breakfast at hotel
- 7:30 AM - Travel to Asakusa Station
- 8:00 AM - Take Tobu Nikko Line Limited Express to Tobu Nikko Station (2 hours)
- 10:00 AM - Arrive Nikko, walk to Toshogu Shrine (30 min)
- 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM - Explore Toshogu Shrine complex (see the three monkeys carving)
- 2:00 PM - Lunch at Hippari Udon (local specialty)
- 3:30 PM - Kegon Falls at Lake Chuzenji (30 min by bus)
- 5:00 PM - Travel to Okunikko Kojoen Onsen Ryokan
- 6:00 PM - Check in, traditional welcome tea
- 7:30 PM - Multi-course kaiseki dinner at ryokan
- Evening - Relax in natural hot springs
Day 8: Tuesday, August 5 - Tokyo Friend Pickup → Kyoto
- 8:00 AM - Traditional breakfast at ryokan
- 9:30 AM - Check out, travel back to Tokyo (2.5 hours total)
- 12:00 PM - Arrive Tokyo Station
- 1:00 PM - Meet friend at Narita Express Tokyo Station platform (she takes NEX from Narita)
- 2:00 PM - Quick lunch at Tokyo Ramen Street (under Tokyo Station)
- 3:33 PM - Take Hikari Shinkansen to Kyoto Station (2 hours 15 min)
- 5:48 PM - Arrive Kyoto, check into The Ritz-Carlton Kyoto (central location)
- 7:00 PM - Traditional kaiseki dinner at Kikunoi (3-Michelin star) - advance reservation required
Day 9: Wednesday, August 6 - Kyoto Temples & Culture
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast at hotel
- 9:00 AM - Kinkaku-ji Temple (Golden Pavilion)
- 10:30 AM - Ryoan-ji Temple (famous rock garden)
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at Ganko Sushi (traditional sushi)
- 2:00 PM - Fushimi Inari Shrine (thousands of red torii gates)
- 4:00 PM - Walk through Gion District (geisha district)
- 5:30 PM - Kiyomizu-dera Temple for sunset views
- 7:00 PM - Traditional dinner at Yoshikawa (3-Michelin star tempura)
Day 10: Thursday, August 7 - Kyoto Nature & Tradition
- 8:00 AM - Breakfast at hotel
- 9:00 AM - Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
- 10:30 AM - Tenryu-ji Temple and gardens
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at Tofu Cuisine Komameya (traditional Buddhist cuisine)
- 2:00 PM - Nijo Castle (shogun's palace)
- 4:00 PM - Philosopher's Path walking route
- 5:30 PM - Ginkaku-ji Temple (Silver Pavilion)
- 7:00 PM - Final Kyoto dinner at Mizuki (kaiseki in traditional setting)
Day 11: Friday, August 8 - Travel to Osaka
- 9:00 AM - Check out of Kyoto hotel
- 10:00 AM - Shinkansen to Osaka (30 minutes)
- 11:00 AM - Check into Grand Hyatt Osaka
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at Kuromon Ichiba Market (black market street food)
- 2:00 PM - Osaka Castle and surrounding park
- 4:00 PM - Dotonbori District exploration
- 6:00 PM - Shinsekai district for kushikatsu (fried skewers)
- 8:00 PM - Travel to Kobe (30 min by train)
- 9:00 PM - Kobe Beef Dinner at Mouriya (original Kobe beef restaurant since 1885)
- 11:00 PM - Return to Osaka hotel
Day 12: Saturday, August 9 - Osaka Food & Culture
- 9:00 AM - Breakfast at hotel
- 10:00 AM - Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine (one of Japan's oldest shrines)
- 12:00 PM - Lunch at Daruma Kushikatsu (famous kushikatsu chain)
- 2:00 PM - Osaka Aquarium Kaiyukan (one of world's largest)
- 4:00 PM - Shinsaibashi shopping district
- 6:00 PM - Hozenji Yokocho (traditional alley dining)
- 7:00 PM - Okonomiyaki dinner at Mizuno (Osaka's famous savory pancake)
- 9:00 PM - Dotonbori night entertainment district
Day 13: Sunday, August 10 - Departure
- 7:00 AM - Check out of hotel
- 8:00 AM - Shinkansen to Tokyo (2.5 hours)
- 10:30 AM - Arrive Tokyo Station
- 11:00 AM - Travel to Haneda Airport (30 min)
- 12:00 PM - Arrive at Haneda, check in for international flight
- 3:00 PM - Depart for US
Important Notes:
Advance Reservations Required:
- Sukiyabashi Jiro - Book 1 month ahead
- TeamLab Borderless - Book tickets online
- Kikunoi, Yoshikawa, Mizuki - Book through hotel concierge
- Mouriya Kobe Beef - Reserve 1 week ahead
Transportation:
- 14-Day JR Pass - Purchase before travel ($435)
- Covers all Shinkansen and JR trains
- Does not cover Tobu Nikko Line (¥1,360 each way)
Weather Considerations:
- July-August: Hot and humid (80-90°F)
- Pack light, breathable clothing
- Umbrella for potential rain
- Comfortable walking shoes essential
Cultural Tips:
- Bow when greeting
- Remove shoes when entering temples/ryokans
- Don't eat while walking
- Tipping is not customary
- Cash is still preferred at many places