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Sample Itineraries for Your Trip to Japan (Short & Long)



Short trip sample travel itinerary:

Day 1: Touch down in Tokyo and book a hotel. After getting settled, spend the day touring the area and stopping by some of the prominent sights, including the Tokyo Tower, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and the Shibuya Crossing. Try some traditional Japanese cuisine, such as sushi or ramen, at a local restaurant for supper in the evening.


Day 2: Go on a half-day tour of Tokyo, stopping at famous sites including the Tokyo Skytree and Sensoji Temple. The Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace should be visited in the afternoon. Then, in the evening, take in a Kabuki theatrical performance and a traditional Japanese meal.


Day 3: Travel to Kyoto by rail, then check into your hotel. Visit some of the city's finest sites in the afternoon, including the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Kinkakuji Temple. Have supper at a neighborhood eatery in the evening and sample some typical Kyoto fare like tofu.


Day 4: Go on a half-day tour of Kyoto, stopping at well-known sites including the Gion neighborhood and the Kinkakuji Temple. Visit the Heian Shrine and the Kyoto National Museum in the afternoon. Enjoy a traditional Japanese meal and a Geisha dance performance in the evening.


Day 5: Return to Tokyo by train, and then spend the day independently touring the city. Visit some of the most popular sites, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or the Tokyo Skytree, or explore the city's shops and landmarks. Enjoy a goodbye supper at a neighborhood restaurant in the evening.


Day 6: Leave Tokyo and head back home.


Although this schedule is intended for a brief visit to Japan, it is readily adaptable to your own interests and preferences. You can make the most of your stay in Japan and visit some of the nation's most famous sites and cultural attractions with a little forward planning and a willingness to explore.


A precise cost estimate for a 6-day vacation to Japan is impossible to give since it will vary depending on your travel dates, the kind of lodging you select, the price of your flights, and your spending habits. Nevertheless, the following is a general estimate of some expenses you could have during a 6-day visit to Japan:


Flights: Depending on the departure location and the season, round-trip airfare from the United States to Japan can range from $800 to $1,500 or more.


Accommodations: The price of lodging in Japan will vary depending on the kind of hotel or other lodging you select, as well as the area and season. In Tokyo or Kyoto, the cost of a standard hotel room can be anywhere from $100 to $300 per night, while the cost of a hostel or budget hotel can be as low as $50 per night.


Transportation: Depending on the kind of transportation you use and the distance traveled, transportation prices in Japan will vary. While a one-day Tokyo metro pass may cost as little as $7, a one-way train ticket from Tokyo to Kyoto may cost as much as $100.


Food: Where and what you eat will affect how much food costs in Japan. A dinner at a fast food restaurant or convenience store may cost as little as $10, whereas a meal at a mid-range restaurant in Tokyo or Kyoto may cost as much as $30.


Activities: Depending on the kind of activities you select, the cost of activities in Japan will vary. While tickets to a Geisha dance performance or a Kabuki theater performance can cost as much as $50, a full-day tour of Tokyo or Kyoto may cost roughly $100.


Depending on your travel choices and style, the total cost of a 6-day vacation to Japan might vary significantly. However, as a ballpark figure, you should budget at least $2,000 to $3,000 per person, taking into account all expenses such as travel, lodging, meals, and entertainment. This is only a rough estimate.


Long trip sample itinerary:


Day 1: Get to Tokyo and register at your hotel. After you've settled in, spend the afternoon touring the area and stopping by some of the city's most popular sights, including the Tokyo Tower, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building, and the Shibuya Crossing. Have dinner at a neighborhood eatery in the evening and sample some authentic Japanese fare like sushi or ramen.


Day 2: Spend the entire day seeing Tokyo, stopping at well-known sites including the Tokyo Skytree, Sensoji Temple, and the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building. Visit the Meiji Shrine and the Imperial Palace in the afternoon. Enjoy a traditional Japanese dinner and Kabuki theater in the evening.


Day 3: Travel to Kyoto by rail, then check into your hotel. Visit some of the city's finest sites in the afternoon, including the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, the Fushimi Inari Shrine, and the Kinkakuji Temple. Have supper at a neighborhood eatery in the evening and sample some typical Kyoto fare like tofu.


Day 4: Spend the entire day seeing Kyoto, stopping at well-known sites including the Gion neighborhood, the Kinkakuji Temple, and the Nijo Castle. Visit the Heian Shrine and the Kyoto National Museum in the afternoon. Enjoy a traditional Japanese meal and a Geisha dance performance in the evening.


Day 5: Travel to Osaka by rail, then check into a hotel. Visit some of the city's biggest sites, including the Osaka Castle, Universal Studios Japan, and the Osaka Aquarium, during your day of exploration. Have supper at a neighborhood restaurant in the evening and sample some signature Osaka delicacies like okonomiyaki or takoyaki.


Day 6: Spend the entire day seeing Osaka, stopping at well-known sites including the entertainment park Universal Studios Japan, the Osaka Aquarium, and the Osaka Castle. Visit the Osaka Science Museum and the Osaka Museum of History in the afternoon. Have supper at a neighborhood restaurant in the evening and sample some signature Osaka delicacies like okonomiyaki or takoyaki.


Day 7: Travel to Kobe by rail, then check into a hotel. Visit some of the city's finest attractions in the afternoon, including the Kitano-cho District and the Arima Onsen. Enjoy dinner at a neighborhood restaurant in the evening and sample some signature Kobe dishes, including beef or udon noodles.


Day 8: Spend the entire day seeing Kobe, stopping by well-known sites including the Kitano-cho District, the Arima Onsen, and the Ikuta Shrine. Visit the Kobe Fashion Museum and the Shin-Kobe Ropeway in the afternoon. Enjoy a traditional Japanese supper and Rokudan-no-shirabe performance in the evening.


Day 9: Travel to Himeji by rail and settle into a motel. Visit some of the city's finest sights in the afternoon, including the Himeji Castle and the Engyoji Temple. Have dinner at a neighborhood eatery in the evening and sample some typical Himeji fare, such as eel or chicken wings.


Day 10: Spend the entire day seeing Himeji and stopping at well-known sites including the Himeji Castle, the Engyoji Temple, and the Himeji City Museum of Art. Visit the Himeji Central Park and the Himeji City Zoo in the afternoon. Enjoy a traditional Japanese supper and a Bon dance performance in the evening.


Day 11: Return to Tokyo by train, and then spend the day independently touring the city. Visit some of the most popular sites, such as the Tokyo Metropolitan Government Building or the Tokyo Skytree, or explore the city's shops and landmarks. Enjoy a goodbye supper at a neighborhood restaurant in the evening.


Day 12: Travel to Yokohama by rail, then check into your hotel. Visit some of the city's finest sights in the afternoon, including the Sankeien Garden and the Yokohama Landmark Tower. Eat dinner at a neighborhood restaurant in the evening and sample some typical Yokohama fare, such as shellfish or yakiniku.


Day 13: Spend the entire day seeing Yokohama, stopping at famous sites including the Sankeien Garden, the Yokohama Landmark Tower, and the Yokohama Museum of Art. Visit the Osanbashi Pier and the Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse in the afternoon. Enjoy a traditional Japanese supper and a Taiko drumming show in the evening.


Day 14: Travel by rail to Kamakura, where you should check into a hotel. Visit some of the city's finest sights in the afternoon, including the Kamakura Daibutsu and the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine. Have supper at a neighborhood restaurant in the evening and sample some cuisine that are distinctive to Kamakura, including tempura or soba noodles.


Day 15: Spend the entire day touring Kamakura, stopping at well-known sites including the Hase-dera Temple, the Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and the Kamakura Daibutsu. Visit the Kamakura Performing Arts Center and the Museum of National Treasures in the afternoon. Enjoy a traditional Japanese meal and a Noh theatrical performance in the evening.


Day 16: Depart Tokyo and head back to your house.


This schedule was created for a longer visit to Japan and combines self-guided exploration with city excursions. You may reduce your travel expenses and see more of the nation without renting a car by riding the train between cities. You may encounter a variety of cultural and natural sites in Japan and get a full feel of the nation's rich and dynamic culture with a little advance planning and a willingness to explore.


A precise cost estimate for a 16-day vacation to Japan is impossible to give since it will vary depending on your travel dates, the kind of lodging you select, the price of your flights, and your spending habits. Nevertheless, the following is a general estimate of certain expenses you could have during a 16-day vacation to Japan:


Flights: Depending on the departure location and the season, round-trip airfare from the United States to Japan can range from $800 to $1,500 or more.


Accommodations: The price of your hotel or other form of lodging in Japan will vary depending on the type you select, the area where you stay, and the season. A regular hotel room in Tokyo or Kyoto can cost anything from $100 to $300 per night, whereas a hostel or budget hotel may only cost $50 per night.


Transportation expenses in Japan are influenced by the method of transportation you select and the distance you go. One-way train tickets from Tokyo to Kyoto can cost as much as $100, yet a one-day Tokyo metro pass can cost as little as $7.


Food: Where and what you eat will affect how much food costs in Japan. A dinner at a fast food restaurant or convenience store may cost as little as $10, whereas a meal at a mid-range restaurant in Tokyo or Kyoto may cost as much as $30.


Activities: Depending on the kind of activities you select, the cost of activities in Japan will vary. While tickets to a Geisha dance performance or a Kabuki theater performance can cost as much as $50, a full-day tour of Tokyo or Kyoto may cost roughly $100.


The overall cost of a 16-day vacation to Japan might vary significantly based on your travel preferences and style. To give you an approximate idea, you should budget $3,500 to $5,000 or more per person for everything from flights to lodging to meals and activities. This should only be used as a general reference as it is merely a rough estimation. To make sure you have enough money to pay for all of your costs on your trip, it is always a good idea to plan ahead and keep a close eye on your budget.


Check out my Japan Guide on Amazon.com



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