How Long to Stay in Japan

Japan is a mesmerizing archipelago where ancient traditions blend with modern technology, where sake is sipped daily and mountain paths are tackled by intrepid travelers searching for hidden onsens. But choosing how long to spend on any one of the thousands of islands that make up the country is a difficult task. From the sandy beaches of the southern islands to the powdered ski slopes of the north, there are lots of lands to cover, so keep reading to find out how to design the best Japan itinerary and make the most of your time in the land of the rising sun.

It’s no secret that Japan is home to the famous Tokaido Shinkansen bullet train, which makes traveling across the country nearly instantaneous. With lines running from Tokyo, Osaka and Kyoto, you can really experience and sightsee a lot in just 4 days in Japan, discovering two to three different destinations in the timeframe. Choose iconic Tokyo or Kyoto, for example, take day trips to the foothills of Mount Fuji, or over to Osaka and Nara. Temples with iconic red torii gates, cherry blossom landscapes, bamboo groves, iconic Japanese street foods, manga culture, incredible and unusual shopping and onsens—cover them all in just 4 days’ stay in Japan!

From exploring Tokyo’s ultra-modern and old-world neighborhoods to learning about Kyoto’s geisha culture, and from having the ultimate bathing experience in Hakone’s onsens to delving into Kamakura’s centuries-old samurai history, many exciting adventures are possible during just 5 days in Japan. By taking the country’s renowned bullet train, you can travel between most destinations in a jiffy. You can either focus your tour on a few cities for a slow, meaningful exploration or hop between multiple destinations in a day. Five days is just the right amount of time for a delicious serving of all the quintessential Japanese must-dos and see. 

Traditional onsen inns, lake cruises, dazzling megacity neighborhoods, cobbled alleyways from yesteryears, castles, fascinating institutes (hello, Cup Noodles Museum!), famous red torii gates, recreated villages from centuries ago, waterfalls, beaches, and bamboo groves—Japan has so much to offer visitors. While 6 days in Japan may not sound like much, you can actually cover a lot of these sites in about a week, thanks to the country’s highly innovative and efficient transport system. Whether it’s major cities, southern islands, or lesser-known towns you’re interested in—or all three—a 6-day Japan trip is ideal for discovering it all.

Seven days in Japan guarantees plenty of time for discovering multiple destinations — up to three new places in a day — and with day trips a guarantee on any agenda. Whether you’re after a Japanese food-centric extravaganza, exploring picturesque landscapes laden with cherry blossoms and tea plantations, or diving into the country’s historical antics and wartime past, a week-long vacation in Japan makes everything possible. Explore hot spring onsen towns and bamboo forests, castles, lakes, mountain passes, and iconic cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima!

The island nation of Japan may look small but with over 260 inhabited islands (and over 14,000 in total!), there is so much land to cover and sites to see. Spending 8 days in Japan might not cover the 34-thousand kilometers of coastline or tick off all the cultural landmarks, but it is enough time for an in-depth exploration of major cities like Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and some smaller gems as well. With an 8-day Japan tour you can easily hit four cities, spending 2 days at each place, and explore villages, onsen towns, and nature-infused hamlets, like Nikko, Gora and Yunomine. If you’re following your taste buds, take the foodie trail across Japan. Or, if slower travel is your preference, immerse yourself in one destination such as the Kumano Kodo trail and the Mount Fuji area.

Japan is famous for many reasons, and with a nine-day travel itinerary, you can discover much of its magic! Bullet trains make it easy to explore several places in a short time; first-timers can hit up the Golden Triangle: Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, adding Hiroshima or Mount Fuji. With nine days in Japan, you can uncover awe-inspiring architecture and landscapes, from Tokyo’s modern skyline to the Zen Great Gardens, and get a cultural overload, whether talking manga, geisha, or samurai. Learn the history dating from the Edo period to WWII. Explore its natural beauty in the Mount Fuji area of Hakone, or the mountains of Koyasan. A 9-day Japan trip allows you to experience the country's biggest highlights without rushing through them all.

Since there is so much to unpack in Japan, the more time you have, the merrier it is. With 10 days in Japan you can explore the Golden Triangle: Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, discover the country through Japanese cuisine, visit temples, and experience the country's cultural offering, and perhaps even spend a couple of days on the trails of Kumano Kodo. With Japan's bullet trains, traveling from one destination to another is easy, allowing you to cover up to two to three destinations in a day. 

The well-established transportation infrastructure in Japan makes traveling between places easy, convenient and fast. You can cover its best parts on an 11-day Japan trip. Whether you’re a foodie, an outdoor enthusiast, a history buff or a culture vulture, Japan has everything to indulge your fixes. With 11 days in Japan, you could choose to spend a couple of days in few cities like Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, before venturing off to nearby towns and villages for sightseeing and cultural tours. Go temple hopping, waterfall chasing or even skiing (in Niseko). 

Twelve days is just enough time to experience Japan, a country of extreme contrasts that will transport you back to the distant past at one moment and hurtle you forward to a futuristic world at the other. Explore this fascinating dichotomy on the tour of megacities like Tokyo and Osaka. Fall head over heels for traditional onsen resorts, preserved villages and post towns. Dedicate full days on a 12-day Japan tour for hiking or opt for beachscapes, discovering mountain ranges and coastlines of Japan. With 12 days in Japan, you can uncover different facets of this beautiful country. 

A thirteen-day Japan tour is the perfect serving to explore its different parts, traveling from east (Tokyo) to west (Kyoto), or up and down the country. You can either cover three to four new places in one go, or spend the entire day focusing on the highlights of one city. From Hokkaido to Yukashima to the insanely mesmerizing Kyushu Island, landscapes littered with cherry blossoms, snowy headquarters and coastal beaches, discover a plethora of gems during 13 days in Japan.

For a relaxed and comprehensive trip of Japan, we recommend spending 14 days in country. This duration allows you to explore the three major cities—Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka—while also discovering other must-see destinations like Mt. Fuji, Hiroshima, Nara, Hakone, and more. Hop into multiple destinations during 2 weeks in Japan or choose to immerse yourself in select regions or activities. Enjoy a leisurely pace as you soak in hot springs in the mountains, hike the trails of Kumano Kodo, or experience Tokyo's vibrant nightlife. A two-week stay provides ample time to truly immerse yourself in the rich culture and stunning landscapes of Japan.

Picture motorbiking through the Japanese Alps, trekking along ancient pilgrimage pathways where Japan’s spirituality all began, or exploring the neon-lit futuristic neighborhoods of Tokyo. If these scenarios pique your interest, we say book a trip to Japan right away. Spend 21 days in Japan and dive deep into each destination—as many as five major places on a single trip—and enjoy the freedom of taking your time through cities and towns. Unravel famous UNESCO-listed marvels, witness spectacles like ice caves, and head deep into ancient landscapes, or just stay a couple of days at a temple to meditate and heal.