Japan was one of the most visited countries in the world in 2024. As per reports, the country’s tourist footfall touched a record high and welcomed more than 36.8 million tourists last year, a 47.1% increase from the previous year! We personally believe that Japan should be on every travel lover’s bucket list as it offers a unique blend of ancient traditions, culture, art, and technology. Indians can easily apply for an e-Visa for Japan and it costs around ₹3,200/person. Now, if you have been planning to visit this beautiful country soon, then here is a 12-day itinerary curated by our Editor-in-Chief Kamiya Jani. Scroll on and plan the perfect vacation!
Kamiya Jani’s 12 Days Itinerary For Japan
1. Osaka – 2 Days
Start your trip from Osaka, the city known for its food, history, culture, and of course, architecture! There are numerous connecting flights from India to Osaka. The flight price varies from ₹35,000-53,000, depending on the city you are traveling from. Kamiya suggests spending two days exploring the city and visiting famous tourist attractions like Dotonbori and Namba Yasaka Jinja. Don’t forget to visit Ummeda District, the liveliest area of the city and eat lots of okonomiyaki and takoyaki while you’re there.
Where To Stay: W Osaka, Conrad Osaka, Hotel New Otani Osaka, or Hankyu International Hotel
2. Nara – 1 Day
From Osaka, you can take a day trip to Nara. This place is a gold mine of cultural heritage with historic landmarks. A train ride from Osaka to Nara takes only 45 minutes. You can explore various shrines and temples there, and one day is enough to explore the city.
Where To Stay: JW Marriott Nara, Novotel Nara, FUFU Nara, or Shisui
3. Kyoto – 2 Days
Kyoto is beautiful, to say the least. Home to 17 UNESCO World Cultural Heritage Sites and over 2,000 temples and shrines, the place is simply magical. Visit Yasaka Pagoda and explore the stunning neighbourhood in a Japanese rickshaw.
If you love nature, then a trek to Mount Fushimi Inari is a must. While in Kyoto, you should definitely visit Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, Togetsu Bridge, and Kinkakuji Temple.
Where To Stay: Hoshinoya Kyoto, Ace Hotel, Six Senses, or Park Hyatt Kyoto
4. Hakone – 2 Days
Your next stop on your Japan itinerary should be Hakone. You can take a Shinkansen to get there and it takes about 1 hour and 40 minutes to reach Hakone from Kyoto. While Mount Fuji is the ultimate destination in Japan, you cannot miss out on Owakudani! You will have to take a ropeway to get there and it just makes the whole experience even more amazing. While you’re there, do try out the black eggs, this dish is special to this place! The Hakone Open-Air Museum is another must-visit place in the city. Remember, most tourist attractions here shut down by 5 PM, so plan your travel accordingly.
Where To Stay: Hyatt Regency Hakone, The Prince Hakone Ashinoko, Hotel Indigo Hakone Gora, or Hakone Hotel
5. Tokyo – 4 Days
You can reach Tokyo from Hakone via Shinkansen train or a cab. There is a lot to do in the city and some of the must-have experiences include go-karting on the streets of Tokyo with Monkey Kart, enjoying a panoramic view of the city from Shibuya Sky, and experiencing immersive modern art at Team Labs.
Where To Stay: Yuen Bettei Deita, Mandarin Oriental, Hilton Tokyo, or Grand Hyatt
From Tokyo, you can fly back home after spending almost two weeks of dreamy vacation in the Land of the Rising Sun. The flight price from Tokyo to India varies from ₹35,000-53,000, depending on the city you are traveling to.
We hope this information will help you plan the perfect vacation in Japan and save you all the hassles of creating a new itinerary!
Cover Image Courtesy: Internal