Tokyo · arrival
Singapore to Tokyo
Arrive, check in, and keep the evening light. Stay somewhere with straightforward access to your Shinkansen departure the next morning.
Japan in 14 days
A two-week loop through Kansai and Tokyo, with an onsen stay, a Miyajima day trip, and one day in Hakone. Use Osaka and Tokyo as bases, then break up the journey with a night in Kinosaki Onsen.
WHEN7–21 November 2023
DURATION15 calendar days · 14 nights
ROUTETokyo → Osaka → Kinosaki → Kyoto → Tokyo
PACECity stays + day trips
The route
| Stop | Nights | Why stay |
|---|---|---|
| Tokyo | 1 at arrival + 4 at the end | Arrival buffer, city days, Yokohama, and Hakone access |
| Osaka | 4 | Kansai base for Osaka, Miyajima, and Kobe |
| Kinosaki Onsen | 1 | A slower ryokan and hot-spring night between Osaka and Kyoto |
| Kyoto | 3 | Temples, Fushimi Inari, and the Kibune–Kurama trail |
The first Tokyo night is a practical stop after the flight. The next morning, take the Shinkansen west. Finish in Tokyo so the final international flight is simple. If you'd rather avoid changing hotels, add the Kinosaki night as a side trip from Osaka or Kyoto, but expect more time on trains.
Getting around
Between cities
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Tokyo → Osaka: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen. Pick a reserved seat if you have large luggage or want to sit together. Check current train times and fares before travel.
Tickets: Buy through the official SmartEX service or at a JR ticket office / reserved-seat machine. Check current rules for oversized baggage before boarding. Official ticket info ↗
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Osaka → Miyajima: Go via Hiroshima, then continue to Miyajimaguchi and take the ferry to the island. Start early; it is a full day out of Osaka. Consider stopping in Hiroshima if you want to visit the Peace Memorial Park and Museum.
Tickets: Buy the train ticket to Miyajimaguchi through JR-West or at a JR station; the ferry ticket is sold at the Miyajimaguchi pier. JR-West's route guide has current access details. Official ticket info ↗
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Osaka → Kinosaki Onsen → Kyoto: Use the limited express train to Kinosaki Onsen, stay overnight, then continue by train to Kyoto the next day. Reserve seats ahead where possible.
Tickets: Reserve the Limited Express Kounotori via JR-West online or at a JR ticket office. Confirm the available service and connection for your travel date. Official ticket info ↗
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Kyoto → Tokyo: Take the Tokaido Shinkansen. Luggage forwarding between hotels made the longer travel days easier on this trip.
Tickets: Use SmartEX or a JR ticket office / reserved-seat machine for Shinkansen tickets. Official ticket info ↗
Around the cities
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Osaka and Tokyo: Use local rail and subway for most journeys. Group each day by neighborhood to avoid criss-crossing the city.
Tickets / routes: An IC card is convenient for most local rides; check coverage and top-up options at the station.
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Kyoto: Buses to popular sights can be crowded and slow. Use trains where practical, start early, and expect to walk. For Kibune–Kurama, take the Eizan Railway and check trail and ropeway operating conditions on the day.
Tickets / routes: For a day with several bus/subway rides, compare the Subway & Bus 1-Day Pass with individual fares. Buy at subway stations or City Bus/Subway information centers. Bus numbers depend on the destination; use Kyoto's official route planner for the exact stop, route, and direction before boarding. Official transit info ↗ Route planner ↗
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Hakone: A Hakone Freepass can simplify the loop of trains, cable car, ropeway, and Lake Ashi boat. Compare the current pass price with your planned route before buying.
Tickets / routes: Buy online through EMot, at Odakyu stations, or at ticket machines in major Hakone Tozan stations including Hakone-Yumoto and Gora. Confirm the pass version matches your starting station. Official transit info ↗
Day-by-day itinerary
Osaka · four nights
Tokyo to Osaka
Take the Shinkansen to Osaka. Settle in around Namba or another rail-connected neighborhood; spend the evening around Dotonbori if you still have energy.
Osaka · four nights
Katsuo-ji and Minoh
Visit Katsuo-ji, known for its Daruma figures. The original plan continued on foot toward Minoh Falls, about a 7 km walk; the route was not consistently pedestrian-friendly. Treat this as an optional hike, check the route and daylight, and use transit if conditions do not suit.
How to get there
From Minoh-Kayano Station, take the direct Hankyu Bus to Katsuo-ji. The temple currently publishes weekday and weekend timetables; check them before choosing a departure. For Minoh Falls, use Hankyu Minoh Station and follow the signed walking path. Official route / timetable ↗
Tickets
Katsuo-ji recommends buying an admission web ticket in advance to skip the ticket-office queue. Official ticket info ↗
Osaka · four nights
Miyajima day trip
Leave early for Hiroshima and Miyajima. Explore the shrine, torii gate, town, and Daishō-in. To make this day less rushed, stay overnight in Hiroshima or Miyajima and visit the Peace Memorial Park on the way.
How to get there
From Osaka, take the Sanyo Shinkansen to Hiroshima, then JR Sanyo Line to Miyajimaguchi. Walk about 6 minutes to the pier and take a ferry to Miyajima. Check the JR-West access page for current departure and pier information. Official route / timetable ↗
Tickets
Buy the ferry ticket at the Miyajimaguchi pier or use a valid ticket/pass accepted by the operator. Check current fares and visitor tax details before travel. Official ticket info ↗
Osaka · four nights
Osaka at an easy pace
Explore Osaka neighborhoods, visit Namba Shrine, and return to Dotonbori for food and evening lights. Keep this day flexible after the long Miyajima trip.
Kinosaki Onsen · one night
Osaka to Kinosaki Onsen
Travel to Kinosaki, check into a ryokan, and enjoy the village on foot in yukata. We visited three of the public bathhouses; choose a few rather than trying to fit all seven into one evening.
Kyoto · three nights
Kinosaki to Kyoto
Have a relaxed morning, then take the train to Kyoto. Check in and keep the rest of the day open.
Kyoto · three nights
Fushimi Inari
Go early to Fushimi Inari Taisha and walk as far up Mount Inari as you like. The crowds thin out higher on the trail. Wear shoes suitable for a long stair walk.
How to get there
Take the JR Nara Line to Inari Station (directly opposite the shrine entrance), or the Keihan Line to Fushimi-Inari Station and walk roughly 5 minutes. No admission ticket is required for the shrine grounds. Official route / timetable ↗
Kyoto · three nights
Kibune and Kurama
Take the train north for the temple and forest trail between Kibune and Kurama. We walked from Kibune toward Kurama; starting at Kurama can shorten the uphill section if you use the ropeway. Check trail and ropeway status before setting out.
Tokyo · four nights
Kyoto to Tokyo
Take the Shinkansen east. Use luggage forwarding if you want to travel light, and keep the evening free.
Tokyo · four nights
Tokyo and Yokohama
Visit the Gundam Factory Yokohama (open during this 2023 trip; it has since closed). For a current trip, choose another Yokohama stop and check venue status before planning around it.
Tokyo · four nights
Tokyo neighborhoods
Choose one or two areas rather than trying to cover the whole city. Asakusa and Ginza make one possible east-side day; save other districts for another day.
Tokyo · four nights
Hakone day trip
Start early from Hakone-Yumoto. The trip followed a loop through Hakone Shrine, Lake Ashi, Owakudani, and an onsen. Fuji views depend on weather. The queue for the Heiwa torii photo took around two hours on our visit, so decide whether that wait is worth it to you.
How to get there
From Tokyo, take the Odakyu Romancecar to Hakone-Yumoto or the Shinkansen to Odawara and transfer. In Hakone, use the Tozan train, cable car, ropeway, and Lake Ashi sightseeing cruise as a loop. Check live service status before leaving. Official route / timetable ↗
Tokyo · four nights
Tokyo, with room for a museum or shopping
Visit Meiji Jingu, Asakusa, or Tokyo Tower, or spend the day in a neighborhood you have not seen. We also visited the Ghibli Museum; tickets need advance planning and availability varies.
Tokyo · departure
Tokyo to Singapore
Leave time to reach the airport and keep the final morning simple.
Practical tips
Book the fixed pieces first
International flights, the Kinosaki ryokan, and any timed-entry attractions. Confirm current ticket rules and opening days before the trip.
Pack for stairs and long walks
We averaged about 20,000 steps a day in Kyoto. Comfortable, broken-in shoes matter more than an ambitious daily checklist.
Send big bags ahead
Luggage forwarding between hotels made train transfers easier. Keep an overnight bag with essentials and confirm delivery timing with each hotel.
Leave breathing room
The Miyajima day trip is long, Kyoto buses can be packed, and Hakone weather can change the plan. One flexible day protects the rest of the itinerary.
Onsen etiquette
Wash before entering the bath, follow posted rules, and check a bathhouse's tattoo policy if relevant. Public baths are generally taken without swimwear.
Temple and shrine stamps
Bring a goshuin book if you collect stamps. Some places distinguish shrine and temple books, so check locally and follow each site's rules.
Recheck details close to departure
Train timetables, pass prices, trail access, attraction hours, and reservation requirements change. Use official operator information for current plans.
At a glance
- Best for
- A first or repeat Japan trip with a mix of major cities, temples, a hot-spring town, and day trips.
- Adjust if short on time
- Remove either Miyajima or Hakone; both are substantial day trips.
- Make it slower
- Add a night in Hiroshima or Miyajima, and another night in Kyoto.
- Bring
- Comfortable walking shoes, a compact day bag, and a small overnight bag for luggage-forwarding days.