The perfect itinerary for 3 weeks in Japan

When to visit Japan 

I spent 3 weeks in Japan from mid-October to mid-November, which is – in my opinion - the perfect time to go and visit the country. While Japan is a popular destination all year round, it is less crowded in autumn than in spring. 

The scenery is spectacular, with autumn foliage unfurling across the cities and countryside. Throughout my trip, I experienced sunny days with temperatures in the mid-20s, which is amazing at that time of year. 

Getting to Japan

Whether you're planning a tailor-made Japan holiday or visiting the country as part of your round the world trip, I highly recommend spending at least 10 days up to 3 weeks in Japan. You can fly to Japan from most European cities directly or with a single connection, arriving at Osaka or one of Tokyo’s two airports. 

Osaka and Tokyo both have a lot of international connections with different cities in Asia and across the whole world. You don’t necessarily need to arrive and leave from the same city, which saves time and allows you to explore a little more. I arrived in Tokyo and departed from Osaka, which worked perfectly.

Getting around in Japan 

Transport is brilliant in Japan, and it’s all part of the full Japanese experience. Trains are always on time, so you can rely on the rail system to get from A to B with no hiccups. I bought a Japan Rail Pass for my entire stay, and it was the most useful tool on my trip, allowing me to travel on practically any train. If you’re planning to visit more than three cities in your stay, it’s perfect. The Japanese Shinkansen (bullet train) is just as fast as I expected, taking you from one iconic city to another in no time.

Exploring Tokyo

I began my trip in Tokyo, and I recommend spending at least four nights here. It’s the biggest city in the world and there’s an endless number of things to see and do. Be sure to visit the ancient district of Asakusa and its Senso-ji Temple, take a river cruise on the Sumida River, and visit both the Tokyo Sky Tree and Tokyo Tower for amazing views of the city skyline. Looking down on the city before you, you’ll appreciate just how huge the city of Tokyo really is.

Tokyo has many gardens, which are perfect for a quick escape from the busy streets. I highly recommend the Rigukien and Shinjuku Gyoen gardens. There are also many different districts to explore, from the luxury district of Ginza to the shopping district of Shibuya, where you’ll find the biggest crossing in the world. Shinjuku is famously the entertainment district, while Akihabara is the electric district, packed with manga, anime and electronic stores. I also visited Tokyo’s own Statue of Liberty.

Day trips from Tokyo 

While staying in Tokyo, you can easily take day trips to many other fascinating places. During my stay, I took the time to visit Hakone and Kamakura. Hakone is known as a natural haven with beautiful scenery and hot springs. Within a day, you can explore its surroundings by cable car, boat and train. You can finish the day in a relaxing hot spring before catching the train back to Tokyo. Kamakura is an easy day out and is known for its concentration of temples as well as its Great Buddha.

Visiting Fuji San (Mount Fuji) 

As for Fuji San - Mount Fuji - it was one of the highlights of my trip. It is a difficult trip to plan, as you never know if the weather will be clear. Famously, the views of Fuji can be hidden behind clouds on most days. The best option is to wait for a clear day and take a day trip from Tokyo, so it’s good to build in a bit of a time buffer. 

There are many viewpoints surrounding Mount Fuji, and many beautiful lakes nearby. Autumn is a stunning moment to visit. If you plan on hiking to the top of Mount Fuji, you’ll need 2 days, and it is only possible from late spring to early autumn. Dates change every year and depend on the weather.

Eating my way around Osaka 

Next, I set off for Osaka, the second busiest city in Japan, famous for its nightlife and local food. Eating is incredible in Osaka. There are hundreds of places to choose from and a variety of food for all budgets. 

I could write an entire article on food in Japan, from sushi and sashimi to ramen, tempura, kare-raisu (curry rice), okonomiyaki, shabu shabu, miso soup, yakitori, onigiri, udon, gyoza and sweets (matcha). Whether you’re a meat lover, a vegetarian, or a seafood fanatic, there is something for everyone.

Day trips from Osaka 

Osaka is a great base for day trips out to Kobe, Nara Himeji, and Okayama, which all have beautiful parks, temples, and gardens. Each destination is unique. Once again, the Japan Rail Pass was brilliant for getting to these destinations and gave me easy access to the whole region. 

Kobe is known for its beef - one of the most famous delicacies in Japan. This was the food highlight of my 3 weeks in Japan. If you are a meat lover, trying Kobe beef must be on your to-do list in Japan.

Exploring Hiroshima 

Osaka is brilliant for that ‘big city’ vibe, but I decided it was time to leave the bright lights and head south to Hiroshima. Famously destroyed by an atomic bomb during WW11, the city is now completely reborn. The Japanese have done an amazing job of rebuilding and preserving the memory of what happened in Hiroshima. The city is spacious and very green, with lots of peaceful parks, gardens, and museums. It’s also home to a beautiful castle, which was entirely rebuilt after the war.

Visiting Miyajima Island 

Hiroshima is near the island of Itsukushima (Miyajima), which is famous for its shrine and torii gate rising from the water. There are a few hikes and a cable car to get to the highest point on the island. The views are amazing, the temples are beautiful and the scenery is spectacular. The island is inhabited by small deer and it's better to see them here than Nara.

Ending my trip in Kyoto 

I finished my journey through Japan in Kyoto, a must-see in Japan. This is a city full of culture, with many centuries of imperial history. For a city with almost one and a half million inhabitants, it is very green - surrounded by nature and forests. The concentration of temples and torii gates here is unbelievable. You could easily spend two weeks in Kyoto and not see them all. 

Kyoto is the Japan I always imagined, and the city completely amazed me. It seamlessly mixes the ancient with the modern, and there's always something fascinating going on. My favourite places included the Golden Pavilion, the Bamboo Forest, the Inari Shrine and the Kiyomizu-Dera Shrine, but I was barely scratching the surface. There is so much more to see!

My thoughts about Japan 

After my stay in Kyoto, I headed to Osaka Airport for my flight home, with a head full of great memories. If you love exploring cities, discovering new cultures, trying local food, and relaxing in nature, Japan is a must-visit destination. For me, it was a once-in-a-lifetime trip. There are hundreds of things to do for travellers of all ages and the Japan Rail Pass puts the whole country at your fingertips. I can’t recommend it highly enough – go and see for yourselves!

Ready to plan a trip to Japan? 

We’re experts at building tailor-made holidays to Japan of all shapes and sizes. Whether you’re planning to explore Japan over several weeks or you’re planning a round the world holiday that includes Japan, we can help. Our friendly consultants will give you first-hand advice and support you throughout the life of your booking. To start creating your adventure, simply give us a call on 1273 320 580 or send us a quote request by email. 

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