The Higashi Chaya district is the largest and more famous geisha district, dating back to the 1820s, and is filled with beautiful houses, teahouses, and gold leaf galleries and shops. Be sure to look around at Ochaya Shima, an old geisha house preserved as a museum and very attractive to walk around.

Kanazawa Higashi Chaya District
Tourists in Traditional Japanese Kimono Costume in Geisha District | 14 days in japan itinerary

If the crowds at Higashi Chaya are too much for you, spend some time around the nearby Nishi Chaya and Kazue-machi districts, which are less crowded. The Nagamachi Bukeyashiki district was where middle-class samurai families once lived and is now home to the canals, cobblestone streets and mud walls that surround the old samurai houses.

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Geishas on Kanazawa street | 14 days in japan itinerary
Nagamachi Samurai District,kanazawa travel blog (1)
Nagamachi Samurai District in a rainy day | 14 days in japan itinerary
kanazawa travel blog
Kanazawa in Spring with cherry blossoms. | 14 days in japan itinerary

Spend the afternoon lounging along Kanazawa’s river as a way to fill your time in the city.

Day 9: Go back in time in Takayama, Gifu Prefecture

Takayama, located in the Japanese Alps, is a relaxed mountain town with beautiful traditional buildings, famous sake and delicious Hida beef.

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Spend your morning exploring the old wooden houses and hillside temples, while be sure to prioritize checking out one of the town’s cozy cafes for a soothing cup of green tea. In the afternoon, head to the Hida Folk Village – an open-air museum showcasing 30 traditional farmhouses in the architectural style of the Hida region. If you’re feeling particularly drawn, you can try to squeeze in a half-day trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Shirakawa-go, where you’ll find a secluded village filled with traditional gassho-style houses with steep thatched roofs amid the snow during the colder months. Be sure to sample some sake and beef specialty during your evening in town.

The most famous specialty of Takayama is the so-called premium Hida beef that compares to famous Kobe beef. | 14 days in japan itinerary
Shirakawago in winter | 14 days in japan itinerary

While Takayama is small and easy to explore, there’s plenty to do in the surrounding area, so you could easily swap your itinerary around to spend two nights here and one night in Kanazawa.

Where to Stay in Takayama?

In Takayama, we stayed in a small, locally run guesthouse in the center of town. It is good enough, although nothing stands out as great, other than the price. The staff were very helpful, the bathroom shared and the bed was a rug.

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Takayama Town | 14 days in japan itinerary

Day 10: Visit the highlights of Northern Kyoto and visit the ancient capital of Kyoto

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Cherry blossoms at Kiyomizu-dera Temple, the must visit place in Kyoto. | 14 days in japan itinerary
Kiyomizu dera kyoto
| 14 days in japan itinerary
kiyomizu-dera temple
Kiyomizu-dera temple in cherry blossom season | 14 days in japan itinerary

Kyoto is likely to be one of the highlights of your trip to Japan – as long as you’re mentally prepared for the sheer number of tourists.

The busiest time to travel is the first week of April when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. In mid-November, the fall foliage reaches its peak and it will be almost inundated with people. In general, summer and winter are the least touristy months in Kyoto, although between August and the first few weeks of New Year’s Day are very popular with local tourists.

Higashiyama District, Kyoto | 14 days in japan itinerary
| 14 days in japan blog

Try to spend your first day in the city exploring the highlights of Arashiyama, in Northern Kyoto. Make Bamboo Grove your first stop. Unless you can get there as soon as the sun rises, you can cover the whole place. Still, it’s a beautiful place, whether it’s overrun with tourists or not.

Arashiyama Bamboo Grove, Kyoto | 14 days in japan blog
Boat riding on Hozu-gawa river, Kyoto.
Boat riding on Hozu-gawa river, Kyoto. | 14 days in japan blog

Tenryu-ji Zen Temple (Address: Japan, 〒616-8385 Kyoto, Ukyo Ward, Sagatenryuji Susukinobabacho, 68/Hours: 8:30 AM–5 PM), at the entrance to Arashiyama Bamboo Grove is well worth seeing and entering, taking a break from the urban noise, and it is one of the favorite forest in Japan.

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Tenryu temple | 14 days in japan blog
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After lunch in Arashiyama, head to Kinkaku-ji Temple (Address: 1 Kinkakujicho, Kita Ward, Kyoto, 603-8361, Japan/Hours: 9 AM–5 PM)- one of Japan’s most iconic temples. Also known as the Golden Pavilion, it’s a must-visit when you’re in Kyoto and I can’t stop taking pictures of its sparkling reflection in the pond. This might be the most crowded place you visit in the country, but it’s easy to take pictures without other people seeing.

golden pavilion kinkaku ji
Kinkaku-ji temple | 14 days in japan blog
kinkakuji temple garden kyoto (1)
| 14 days in japan blog

Finding a place to stay in Kyoto, plz check out Gionkoh (Agoda, Booking)

Day 11: A day trip to Nara (# 14 days in japan blog)

Nara was Japan’s first capital city, so there are plenty of temples and historical activities to explore while you’re there.

Nara city | 14 days in japan blog

You can spend the day playing with the wild deers that have made Nara their home. With over 1,000 deer inhabitant in the city, you’ll find them everywhere. In parks, outside temples, shrines, wandering into shops, queuing for buses – these deer are considered sacred by locals and are protected as national treasures. You can buy snacks from vendors around the city and feed them if you like – it’s fun!

Nara park | 14 days in japan blog
| 14 days in japan blog

Day 12: Geishas and temples in Kyoto (# japan trip itinerary 14 days)

Spend your last day in Kyoto, plan to spend time hunting for geishas, wandering through the historic district, and walking through the thousands of torii gates at Fushimi Inari Taisha shrine.

geisha in kyoto
A geisha walking on street in Gion district, Kyoto. | 14 days in japan blog
| 14 days in japan blog

Start your day in the historic Higashiyama district, one of the best preserved areas in Kyoto. Stroll through the narrow lanes, photograph old wooden buildings and stop at traditional shops for souvenirs.

| 14 days in japan blog
| 14 days in japan blog

About an hour before sunset, head to Fushimi Inari Taisha to exercise. Walking the entire four kilometers up the mountain will be a very enjoyable experience. Sure, you’ll see a lot of people visiting the temple in the first few minutes, but the further you go, the fewer people you’ll meet. When you reach the top and are climbing down again, you will see the famous red bright torii gates. By going for a walk during sunrise or sunset, you will find some peace within yourself.

Fushimi Inari Shrine | 14 days in japan blog
Hatsumode
Praying on Hatsumode (First Visit of the New Year) at Fushimi Inari Shrine in Kyoto | 14 days in japan blog
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Fushimi-Inari-taisha shrine | 14 days in japan blog
Inari God | 14 days in japan blog

Next in the itinerary to visit Kyoto is the Gion district. It is the birthplace of geisha culture and as such, many tourists go there in search of a glimpse of a maiko or geisha in their daily activities. But if that’s something you want to see, make sure you get there in the evening after passing through the torii gate.

Gion district, Kyoto | 14 days in japan blog
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Gion District.
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Gion District | japan trip itinerary 14 days

Day 13: Visiting Hiroshima and Miyajima Island

Hiroshima is an important destination to visit, its atmosphere will give you insight into the horrors that happened here as well as demonstrate to you incredible strength and resilience. of the city.

Hiroshima city | japan trip itinerary 14 days

Start by giving yourself a few hours to wander the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum. It’s undeniably a mentally challenging place to visit, but you need to go to fully understand what was going on in this city.

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Cenotaph,hiroshima travel blog (1)
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Cenotaph | japan trip itinerary 14 days

After a quick lunch in Hiroshima, hit the rails and take the train or ferry to nearby Miyajima Island. It’s a place to rest after a heavy morning of sightseeing, and while you’re there, you can swoon at the wild deer roaming the island, snacking on street food, and snapping selfies before the famous the Great Torii of Itsukushima Shrine – you may have seen this in Japanese guidebooks. You’ll love the laid-back vibe of Miyajima and even though it’s tiny, you’ll definitely want to spend more time here in the future.

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Itsukushima Torri gate | japan trip itinerary 14 days
Miyajima Island & Itsukushima Shrine,hiroshima travel blog (1)
Itsukushima shrine | japan trip itinerary 14 days

Return to Hiroshima for dinner and add to a plate of delicious okonomiyaki. This version of Japanese pancakes is filled with yakisoba noodles and is the ultimate treat. Definitely try this while you’re in town so you can compare it to the Osaka version on your next stop.

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Hiroshima’s Okonomiyaki version | japan trip itinerary 14 days
Okonomiyaki hiroshima travel blog (1)
Making Okonomiyaki | japan trip itinerary 14 days

Day 14: Start eating everything in Osaka

Wake up early and morning on the 14th and spend a few hours wandering through Hiroshima before leaving your hotel and heading to Osaka. You should use this time to stroll through Shukkei-en Garden, visit the Children’s Peace Monument and finally stop by the Peace Memorial Park.

Shukkeien Garden hiroshima travel blog,hiroshima travel guide (1)
Shukkeien Garden | japan trip itinerary 14 days
Shukkeien Garden hiroshima travel blog,hiroshima travel guide (1)
In the cherry blossoms season

The final route to Osaka, the most beloved and most popular city in Japan, is famous mainly because it is a place where there is a lot of delicious food. You will be overwhelmed by the richness of cuisine, the huge amount of food and the variety of ways to prepare dishes.

Osaka city | japan trip itinerary 14 days
Must eat osaka
Takoyaki is Osaka’s signature street food that is popular with tourists. | japan trip itinerary 14 days
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Shinsekai Shopping Street | japan trip itinerary 14 days
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Grilled scallops | japan trip itinerary 14 days

Osaka’s Okonomiyaki version | japan trip itinerary 14 days

After lunch, head straight to the city’s most famous attraction: Osaka Castle. If you want to save cash, you don’t have to pay to go inside, but it doesn’t offer great views over the city from the top floor. One of the most famous and beautiful castles in Japan, it would be great if you sit outside and took pictures of the golden flecks glistening in the sunlight.

Osaka Castle | japan trip itinerary 14 days
Osaka-Castle-Sunset
Sunset | japan trip itinerary 14 days
Display-inside-Osaka-Castle
Display inside Osaka Castle | japan trip itinerary 14 days

Spend the first evening exploring Dotonbori at night. The bustling, bustling neighborhood and flashing lights at night are exactly what you would imagine Japan to be before you arrive. Head to Hanamaruken Namba Houzenji for a bowl of pork rib ramen for dinner as it could be one of the best meals of your life. Definitely a must try!

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Riding boat on the Dotonbori River | japan trip itinerary 14 days
shinsaibashi shopping street,dotonbori blog (1)
Entrance gate to Shinsaibashi arcade shopping area
Kanidouraku restaurant,dotonbori blog
Crab hotpot at Kanidouraku, Dotonbori | japan trip itinerary 14 days

Day 15: Discover more about Osaka

Another day just to eat, eat and eat!

Spend your morning in the north of Osaka, exploring the area around Umeda Sky Building. Including the two 40-story skyscrapers connected at the top by the world’s tallest escalator, it offers stunning views of the city and is one of Osaka’s most recognizable landmarks. Spend most of the rest of your morning marveling at and getting lost in the giant Yodobashi Umeda electronics store. Definitely a must-see if you’re a tech lover, or simply looking for a unique gadget to take home from your trip to Japan. Japan is always famous for its quirky and creative products, you know that.

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Umeda sky building

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Umeda Sky is also unique spot to see Osaka at night

Umeda Sky Building, Osaka

Umeda Umeda Sky Building glass escalator in Osaka, Japan
Umeda Umeda Sky Building glass escalator in Osaka, one of the best places to visit in Osaka

Umeda Sky Building, Osaka

In the afternoon, head to nearby Nakazakicho, which is Osaka’s hipster district. There’s plenty to keep you busy here, from vintage clothing stores, cute cafes to craft beer or homemade organic granola.

Nakazakicho Osaka
source: voyapon.com

So that’s it for two weeks of amazing in Japan! You can follow this list, or add the places you want to visit on your journey. As long as you balance the time and spending wisely. What are you waiting for, pack your bags and head to Japan now!

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, to and from Tokyo you can refer to

Dining in Omoide Yokocho

Are you finding more top things to do in Japan: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here.