Begin your journey in Tokyo by visiting the Tsukiji Fish Market, known as the world's biggest fish market. You must arrive early to witness seafood auctioning that takes place here every morning. Continue to Sensoji Temple, located in Asakusa district.
To take a break from the busy metropolis, head to Hakone. Enjoy the beautiful view of Hakone Ropeway, which will lead you to healing hot springs. Next up is the Owakudani Valley, where you can take a scenic boat ride in Ashi Lake.
In Kyoto, make your way to the Fushimi Inari Shrine, a beautiful Japanese shrine that's home to thousands of torii gates. Take a stroll through the Arashiyama district to experience Japan's natural beauty, which includes the Bamboo Forest and the Arashiyama Monkey Park.
Start your Osaka trip by visiting the Osu Shopping District, which is full of unique restaurants and shops. Next stop, Osaka Castle - a five-storey castle filled with historical significance, and its museum displays significant artifacts of Japanese history.
Take a short train ride from Osaka to Hiroshima, a city remembered for its turbulent past. The Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is a crucial historical archive documenting the atomic bomb detonated there in 1945. Later, pay respects at the Itsukushima Shrine on Miyajima Island, home to the famous floating Torii gate.
Explore just outside of Kyoto in the city of Nara. This city is famous for its numerous Buddhist temples and monuments, but the most memorable is Todaiji Temple with its large Buddha statue. While walking through Nara, you'll also find some friendly wild deer!
End your trip in Tokyo, revel in last minute shopping in Ginza, a famed upscale shopping district. Then, take in the energetic atmosphere of the Shibuya Crossing to see firsthand why it is considered as one of the busiest pedestrian crossing.
During your Japan trip, you'll be using primarily train transportation. When riding trains, always check to see if you want a reserved or non-reserved seat before you buy your ticket. Purchasing a Japan Rail Pass, available exclusively for visitors, offers unlimited travel via Japan Railways (JR) lines, and can be a cost-effective solution.
The shinkansen, or bullet train, is Japan's fastest and most famous train. It can be expensive, but it provides a unique Japanese travel experience. Japan has a wide variety of transportation options like buses, taxis, and subways. Japan's rail network offers easy navigation, but getting around by bus and taxi can facilitate visiting more remote places.
The best form of transportation depends on your trip's purpose and destination. Budget, occasion, and convenience should also be taken into account when selecting transportation options. In short, when in Japan, transportation decisions could come to trust versus cost, so plan wisely.
If you have a few extra days to spare, you can consider adding trips to the Japanese Alpes or the Hirosaki Castle in Aomori. The former is excellent for skiing, while the latter is famous for fantastic cherry blossom scenery.
If you are on a tight schedule, you could prioritize your visit list according to your interests while focusing on specific cities. For instance, if you're a food lover, you could spend more time in Osaka, while cultural enthusiasts may want to spend extra time visiting Kyoto or Nara.
The main airport serving Japan's capital, Tokyo is the Narita International Airport (NRT). It includes plenty of international flights, and it's in Chiba Prefecture, 60 km east of Tokyo. You can take the Narita Express train, which can bring you to the central Tokyo station in about an hour.
Another airport option to access downtown Tokyo is Haneda Airport (HND), situated in Ota Ward, Tokyo. Haneda Airport is closer to the Tokyo city center and provides access to local and international flights.