Japan in 21 Days: 3 Recommended 21-day Itineraries to Japan
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- Tyler. P
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- Anthea. A
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Japan 21-day itinerary options
Check out our 3-week Japan itinerary ideas, some with up to 25 destinations.
Itinerary #1: Cover UNESCO Highlights
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Land in Tokyo | |
| Day 2 | Enjoy a full-day sightseeing excursion of Japan’s capital city | City sightseeing |
| Day 3 | Visit Senso-Ji Temple, try the street food, then cruise on Sumida River and ride the New Transit Yurikamome | Temple visits |
| Day 4 | Head to the Mount Fuji region, explore Mount Fuji West Lake Healing Village, Oishi Park and Narusawa Hyoketsu Ice Cave | Outdoor exploration |
| Day 5 | Sightsee Matsumoto Castle, then continue to Lake Suwa and Suwa Grand Shrine and stay overnight in Takayama | Cultural exploration |
| Day 6 | Day trip to Shirakawa-go village, then explore the Takayama Jinya living museum | Village exploration |
| Day 7 | Arrive in Kanazawa and visit its famous Kenroku-en garden, the Nagamachi Samurai and Higashi Chaya Geisha districts | Landmark sightseeing |
| Day 8 | Wake up in a hot spring resort, then catch the bullet train to Kyoto | |
| Day 9 | Discover Kyoto and enjoy a traditional Japanese performance at Gion Corner theater in the evening | City sightseeing |
| Day 10 | Go temple-hopping, visit Nishiki Market, and revel in a Kimono and Tea Ceremony | Cultural exploration |
| Day 11 | Spend the day at Himeji Castle, then stay overnight in Okayama | Cultural exploration |
| Day 12 | Explore Okayama Castle, then continue to Hiroshima and pop into the Peace Memorial Park | Landmark sightseeing |
| Day 13 | Day trip to Itsukushima Island via ferry crossings | Island exploration |
| Day 14 | Check out Kurashiki’s Shukkeien Garden, Bikan Historical Quarter and Ohara Museum of Art; overnight in Okayama | Sightseeing |
| Day 15 | Transfer to Osaka and embark on a city sightseeing spree | City sightseeing |
| Day 16 | Explore Osaka's hidden gems | City exploration |
| Day 17 | Make your way to the Kumano Kodo for a full-day hike, then stay at Yunomine Onsen | Hiking |
| Day 18 | Continue on with the Kumano Kodō trail | Hiking |
| Day 19 | Trek to shrines and temples along the Kumano Kodō pilgrimage trails, then return to Osaka | Hiking |
| Day 20 | Relax today. Eat and shop your way through Japan’s street food capital | Leisure |
| Day 21 | Bid Osaka farewell |
Japan is home to 25 UNESCO World Heritage Sites, nine of which you’ll discover over this 3-week Japan itinerary plan. Centered around 13 inspiring locations, the tour starts in the capital city of Tokyo and ends in its street food capital of Osaka. In between these cities, visit the White Heron Castle (dating to the 14th century); Shirakawa-gō traditional village; the cluster of historic ancient monuments of Kyoto (like Kamigamo Shrine and Kiyomizu-dera); Hiroshima’s Genbaku Dome; the submerged Itsukushima Shrine; the pilgrim trails of Kumano Kodo, Tokyo’s National Museum of Western Art building; the Mozu Tombs (35 minutes outside Osaka), and of course, snow-capped Fuji-san.
You can get a personalized Japan tour similar to the above one.
Itinerary #2: Western Japan
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Say hello to Kyoto | |
| Day 2 | See the highlights of the former capital and enjoy a geisha and tea ceremony experience | City exploration |
| Day 3 | Take the day to explore Kyoto | City exploration |
| Day 4 | Travel to Kyotango bordering the sea and stay overnight | Transfer |
| Day 5 | Join kimono silk-weaving and swordsmith experiences, and also visit a rice vinegar distillery | Workshop |
| Day 6 | Leave Kyotango for Kobe and enjoy a free evening | Transfer |
| Day 7 | Tour the Kobe Nunobiki Herb Gardens & Ropeway and Nada district, complete with a Kobe Beef Dining experience | Outdoor exploration |
| Day 8 | Catch the bullet train to Hiroshima and uncover its famous WWII museum, then ferry ride over to Miyajima Island | City sightseeing |
| Day 9 | Discover the city of Fukuoka and its hanging Wisteria Gardens | City sightseeing |
| Day 10 | Go exploring around Nagasaki | City exploration |
| Day 11 | Spend another day at Nagasaki | Leisure |
| Day 12 | Head to Unzen Onsen, dip in the hot springs and have a kaiseki dinner at your ryokan stay | Cultural exploration |
| Day 13 | Deep dive into history and culture at Kumamoto Castle | Cultural exploration |
| Day 14 | Wake in Kumamoto, day trip to Mt. Aso and take row boats around Takachiho Gorge | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 15 | Experience the Ibusuki Onsen sand bath, then take the fast boat to Yakushima Island and sleep overnight | Outdoor exploration |
| Day 16 | Enjoy a morning hike and explore the island | Hiking |
| Day 17 | Spend a day in Yakushima, exploring its offering | Island exploration |
| Day 18 | Fly from Yakushima to Tokyo | Transfer |
| Day 19 | Discover the city and its unique attractions | City sightseeing |
| Day 20 | Enjoy another day of cafe and culture in Tokyo | Leisure |
| Day 21 | Wave goodbye to Tokyo |
With this itinerary for 21 days in Japan, you will get to see the country’s must-see landmarks, get involved in authentic, hands-on workshops, and eat your way through all of the local delicacies. The first eight days are dedicated to exploring the central westlands between Kyoto and Hiroshima, tasting Kobe beef and visiting important museums. Head further west to the tip of the country between Fukuoka and Nagasaki, where coastal oases await. Then leave behind the prefecture and prepare for island vibes and ancient cedar forests on Yakushima Island (a UNESCO World Heritage Center on its own) before flying to Tokyo for the final five days. See all Japan holiday packages.
Itinerary #3: Tokyo, Mount Fuji, Shirakawa-go & More
| Overview | Activity | |
| Day 1 | Arrive in Tokyo | |
| Day 2 | Set out on a full-day sightseeing expedition of the city | City sightseeing |
| Day 3 | Take a trip to Nikko on bullet train, returning via the Irohazaka Winding Road, passing Lake Chūzenji and Kegon Waterfall | Train journey |
| Day 4 | Travel to Mt. Fuji’s 5th Station, see Lake Ashi on boat cruise, take the cable car up Mt. Komagatake, then enjoy a hike and head back to Tokyo | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 5 | Catch the express train to Nagano and visit Jigokudani Snow Monkey Park | Outdoor adventure |
| Day 6 | Train ride to Kanazawa and explore its Kenroku-en Garden, Castle Park, Omicho Market, Old Town and Samurai District | City sightseeing |
| Day 7 | En route to Takayama, stop at Shirakawa-go village | Village exploration |
| Day 8 | Hop off the bullet train in Nagoya and visit the Toyota Commemorative Museum of Industry and Technology and other city landmarks | City sightseeing |
| Day 9 | Arrive in Magome, then hike the Nakasendo Way path to Tsumago, and return to Nagoya | Hiking |
| Day 10 | Take the express train to Kyoto, go on a city sightseeing venture and enjoy a traditional tea ceremony | City sightseeing |
| Day 11 | Head to Nara Park, then go temple-hopping in Nara and back to Kyoto | Temple visits |
| Day 12 | Visit the Kyoto Railway Museum, a samurai dojo and Nishiki Market, walk along Philosopher’s Path and then travel to Osaka | City exploration |
| Day 13 | Embark on a full-day Osaka sightseeing adventure | City sightseeing |
| Day 14 | Discover Mt. Koya for the day, including Nankai Koyasan Cable Car ride, and return to Osaka | Outdoor exploration |
| Day 15 | Taste Kobe beef in Kobe, then explore Himeji Castle and continue to Okayama | Cultural exploration |
| Day 16 | Tour Korakuen Garden and Okayama Castle, then onto Kurashiki, then Hiroshima | City sightseeing |
| Day 17 | Ferry ride to-and-from Miyajima Island, then check out the Atomic Bomb Dome and Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park and Museum, then take the bullet train to Fukuoka | Historical sightseeing |
| Day 18 | Sightsee Dazaifu Tenmangu Shrine, have lunch at the Ramen Stadium and then arrive in Nagasaki via train | Temple visits |
| Day 19 | Explore Nagasaki's highlights then take the train to Kumamoto | City sightseeing |
| Day 20 | Uncover Kumamoto’s landmarks then transfer via express train to Kagoshima | City sightseeing |
| Day 21 | Catch a ferry to Sakurajima, climb Mt. Sakurajima, visit Tenmonkan, Sengan-en Garden and Shiroyama Observatory, before concluding your trip | Outdoor adventure |
Experience over 25 incredible destinations around Japan in 21 days with this itinerary. Waterfalls, castles, museums, samurai sword-making workshops, centuries-old bright torii gates, onsen spas and traditional dinners—if this sounds like a lot, that’s because it is, so hold on tight, Japanophiles! During this extensive three-week holiday, you will explore all the ins and outs of Japan. Cue destinations like Nikko and Lake Ashi, Kanazawa and Mt Koya, Miyajima and Kumamoto.
Planning a Japan itinerary for 21 days?
It’s clear that 21 days in Japan holds a lot in store, dear traveler, and good luck returning to normal life after the mystique and beauty of the country that is sure to sweep you off your feet. If you are not sure if you want to spend 3 weeks and want to know other duration possibilities, check out out guide on how long you should stay in Japan. For other travel information, browse through out Japan travel guide. Ready for that flight to Japan? Choose from one of our ready-to-go group tours and private tours in Japan or connect with our local travel experts to plan a customized tour to Japan.
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