Japan in 13 Days: 4 Recommended 13-day Itineraries to Japan

Not sure if 13 days in Japan is feasible? Check out our 13-day Japan itinerary ideas below.

Planning a trip to Japan anywhere between March and May? This time of year is when the country’s famous cherry blossoms come out to play, and this 13-day itinerary is centered around some of the best sakura hot spots, like Tokyo, Kyoto, Kanazawa and Fuji Five Lakes. But even if it’s not cherry blossom season, these two weeks can still be filled with plenty of beauty, magic and quintessential Japanese traditions. Visit a wasabi farm and try wasabi beer, taste sake in Takayama, enjoy onsen spas, see how samurais lived in Nagamachi, and revel in geisha moments on stage. See all 13-day tours in Japan.

Simply put, this 13-day Japan itinerary plan is a chock-a-block of adventure and exploration, encapsulating Japan’s culinary and cultural highlights. From traversing past rolling tea plantations to sampling sweet mikan mandarins straight from the branches to learning all about miso production, this 13 days in Japan itinerary will certainly tug on the heartstrings of any culinary geek. There are also plenty of sightseeing excursions, including sites like Kyoto’s ancient temples and shrines, Tokyo’s anime and manga district, and Hiroshima’s important museums. See all Japan food tours.

One of the most authentic ways to experience Japan is to travel from coast to coast on an epic bicycle tour. With this 13-day Japan cycle tour, you will start in west-side Kyoto and pedal your way up north, following the coast as a guide. On Day 6, you’ll begin the descent from Suzu (the northeastern tip of the Noto Peninsula on the Sea of Japan) down the east side of Japan, headed for Tokyo. Before ending in the capital city, venture slightly inland on Day 9 from the east coast, passing rice paddies and mountain peaks. Finally, give your legs a much-deserved break after Day 10, when the bulk of your cycling part ends, and the rest is smooth sailing on trains. Don’t forget to eat as much seafood as possible in between, and there are also onsen stops along the way to rejuvenate tired muscles. See all Japan cycling holidays.

Highlighting the surroundings between Tokyo and Mount Fuji for the first leg of this journey, then around Kyoto and the inland seas of Hiroshima, and then exploring some of Japan’s tallest mountain ranges in the Nagano region for the second half, this 13-day Japan tour is designed to show you the country’s diverse landscapes. Shop ‘til you drop in Tokyo, photograph coastal Kamakura’s famous Giant Buddha, and drink in the views of Mount Fuji from cable car vantage points. Slurp back Hiroshima oysters and spot a unique “floating” torii gate at its neighbor isle. While in Nagano, meet the cute snow monkeys, slurp up the famous soba noodles and frolic in the snow. The tour starts and ends in the capital city.

Japan is a fantastic holiday destination for families, couples, friends and solo travelers. Thanks to its bullet trains, getting around is as convenient and speedy as ever, opening the way to a lot more city and town adventuring. Other popular ways to travel in Japan for 13 days are hiring a car, motorbike or bicycle, or even hiking your way around. A pre-packaged 13-day trip to Japan is also another option. Of course, you can also plan a customized Japan trip by connecting with our local travel experts.

More information:
Japan itineraries
10 days in Japan
Two weeks in Japan
Japan in a week
12 days in Japan
21 days in Japan
Things to do in Japan
When to visit Japan