Start your trip in Tokyo by visiting the Sensō-ji Temple, one of the oldest temples in Japan. Explore the nearby Nakamise shopping street and indulge in local street food. Next, take a stroll through the Ueno Park, home to various museums and a zoo. End the day watching the mesmerizing skyline of Tokyo from the Tokyo Skytree.
Take a bullet train from Tokyo to Kyoto, the cultural hub of Japan. Visit the iconic Kinkaku-ji Temple or the Golden Pavilion, adding a striking sight to the list of temples of Japan. Next, visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine, known for its thousands of orange torii gates. End the day with a peaceful stroll through the Philosopher's Path, famous for cherry blossoms and fall foliage.
Explore the food paradise of Japan, Osaka. Start by visiting Osaka Castle, one of Japan's most famous landmarks surrounded by a beautiful park. Later, take a visit to the Dōtonbori, the vibrant heart of Osaka and experience the city's nightlife. End the day at the Umeda Sky Building, one of Osaka's tallest buildings with an observation deck giving panoramic views of the city.
Take a bullet train from Osaka to Hiroshima where you can visit the Peace Memorial Park to learn about the devastation caused by the world's first atomic bomb. Later, visit the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, famous for its floating torii gate. End the day on a serene note by watching the beautiful sunset from the Mount Misen observation deck.
Take a train from Hiroshima to Nagasaki, well known as the second city affected by an atomic bomb. Visit the Atomic Bomb Museum and the Peace Park. Learn about the history and effects of the atomic bomb in Nagasaki. End the day at the Glover Garden situated on a hillside providing beautiful views of the city.
Head to the iconic Mount Fuji, an hour's drive from Tokyo. Explore the Fuji Five Lakes, located at the base of the mountain offering stunning views of Mount Fuji. To end the day, take the Fuji Subaru Line to reach the 5th station of Mount Fuji for a closer look at the iconic mountain.
Start by visiting the Sankeien Garden, a traditional Japanese-style garden formed by a wealthy businessman for people to relax during their leisure time. Later, explore Yokohama's Chinatown, the biggest Chinatown in Japan. End the day at the Yokohama Landmark Tower, a 296-meter-high skyscraper featuring a shopping mall, observation deck, and hotel.
Conclude your trip in Tokyo. Visit the Tokyo National Museum to explore Japan's ancient culture and heritage. Later, go to Harajuku, the vibrant hub of Tokyo's youth culture. Walkthrough Takeshita Street and explore plenty of trendy clothes, costumes, and accessories. Lastly, experience Japanese food and drinks in the Golden Gai, a popular alleyway of bars in Shinjuku.
Traveling in Japan is convenient, and trains & buses connect all major cities. Moreover, travelers can purchase a Japan Rail Pass, a cost-effective way of unlimited train rides for 7, 14, or 21 days. Flights are also available for traveling from one place to another, but they can be costly.
If you have more than eight days, consider visiting other destinations such as Sapporo, Nara, or Okinawa. If you're short of time, skip the climb to the fifth station of Mount Fuji to save on travel time. During peak travel times, including the Obon Festival (August 13th-15th) and Golden Week (April 29th-May 5th), book accommodation and transportation in advance.
Japan is home to many international airports, but the busiest airports in Japan are the Narita International Airport (NRT) in Tokyo and the Kansai International Airport (KIX) in Osaka. Narita International Airport is 60 km east of Tokyo, while Kansai International Airport is located on an artificial island in Osaka Bay, about 50 km south of Kyoto.