How Long to Spend in Japan: From 5 Days to 4 weeks

How long to spend in Japan depends on your vacation time and the experiences you are interested in. Our past Japan clients have mainly been couples and families with teenagers. Most families spend 10–14 days in Japan, 30s–50s couples generally spend 1–2 weeks, 50s and above couples generally have longer vacations, so they usually spend 2–3 weeks for a more thorough Japan travel experience. We have also had some business clients who only stay for 3–5 days.

See what we'd recommend for each stay length below…

• We generally recommend 1 or 2 cities for a 5-day vacation, such as a Tokyo in-depth tour or Tokyo + Kyoto or Tokyo + Osaka.
• 1 week gives you time to explore the top 3 destinations in Japan, Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
• If your vacation is about 10 days long, consider taking a trip to Hakone (famous for onsens — hot spring baths) or Hiroshima (Peace Memorial City)
• 2 weeks in Japan is ideal for an additional side-trip to see one of Japan's interesting small cities, towns, and villages, like Takayama.
• 3 weeks is long enough for an in-depth and off-the-beaten-track route or two, like going to see monkeys soak in onsens in Nagano.
• 4 weeks could allow you to have a thorough exploration of Japan to fully experience the country and its culture, from Hokkaido in the very north to Okinawa in the extreme south.

Do I Need a Visa to Visit Japan?

Nationals of many countries are exempt from needing a visa to enter Japan, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. Most travelers can stay in Japan without a visa for 90 days.

Top Destinations in Japan

• Tokyo is the capital of Japan, an international city with a good combination of history and modernity. Seeing Mount Fuji, making sushi, and exploring anime, samurai, Disneyland, and the Science and Technology Museum represent the variety that is the essence of the city.
• Kyoto is Japan's ancient capital with geishas in kimonos, shrines, ryokans (traditional inns), sake, and tea ceremonies making up key features of this incredible traditional city.
• Osaka is the flourishing trade city of Japan. Have a family fun time at Cup Noodle Museum or Universal Studios, and sample authentic street food in Dotonbori.
• Hakone is Japan's home of onsens (hot springs). Don't miss the top experience of relaxing in an onsen at a ryokan. On a clear day, you can even see Mt. Fuji from some hot spring baths.
• Takayama and Shirakawa-go allow you to get in touch with the rural life of Japan. See for yourself unique and traditional Hida folk village.
• Hiroshima, where the world's first atomic bomb was dropped during World War II, calls on everyone to love peace.
• Hokkaido is the northernmost main island of Japan. The best ski resorts, freshest seafood, and a famous chocolate factory are some of its highlights that you can enjoy.

China Highlights, Asia Highlights, and Global Highlights collaborate to provide families and couples with personalized and stress-free experiences in diverse destinations.

Sharon has been very helpful since the… Sharon has been very helpful since the beginning coordinating our itinerary in order to accommodate everything we want to see, it been great working with her More May, Jul 2023

When I first book I was scared of what… When I first book I was scared of what to expect, but oh my God! What an amazing experience this has been, from Sharon to all the guides Shawn and Mr. Ho, such amazing people! Their work is excellent More Saul Velez, Jul 2023

Albee was very helpful and responsive… Albee was very helpful and responsive in helping me make plans for their 10 day Japanese tour. More Bhavini Patel, Jul 2023

Alisa was a perfect tour consultant Alisa responded to my numerous questions with efficiency and accuracy. She was constantly suggesting options to make the trip more enjoyable More Matha Goram, Jul 2023

I highly Recommend Asia Highlights For our first guide Jun, he was amazing. Very accommodating. Kept in good communication & kept us on time for our activities. Reached out to me the night before to confirm meet times and locations. Our driver for this time was also so kind & driver was always on time. For our second Guide , Ho. He went above and beyond. He stayed in great communication. Stayed later with us on one of the days because we were worried about riding the train back alone but wanted to visit at the shopping center a littler longer, so he stayed with us and made sure we got off on the right stop! During our time with him he took pictures of us and sent them to us! He was very knowledgeable about every place we visited. He was kind and patient with our large group. He made our trip easy & memorable. The driver we had for this timeframe was also kind & always on time! We felt a bond with both guides given to us! If you want an easy going, stress free trip book with “Asia Highlights”!!! More Jessalynn Flores, Jul 2023

Working to put together a custom trip… Working to put together a custom trip with Alissa has been a great experience More Marc, Jul 2023

Wonderful Service from Sharon! Sharon at Asia Highlights has been a HUGE help in planning our trip to Japan later this year. From her initial contact to finalization of the plan, she has been very responsive, professional, patient, and knowledgeable. She was able to quickly propose an amazing itinerary and helped us customize it for our interests. She also made many great recommendations and gave us tips for the trip. I wasn’t familiar with Asia Highlights before I reached out, but after Sharon’s wonderful service, I have full confidence in them. I can’t wait for the trip and I hope it’s as awesome as Sharon’s service!!! More Ali Tahir, Jul 2023

Wonderful trip We had a wonderful time in Japan with guides Moni and Kazuko and with Jan in Singapore. Will always remember this trip! More Happy Customer, Jun 2023

Just got to say Just got to say, Monica was great in every way! So sweet and helpful with planning, itineraries, answering questions… would love to meet her in person! Thank you Monica! More Teri, Jun 2023

Monica is fantastic Monica is fantastic. She understood our needs, was very responsive and planned a perfect vacation for us. Highly recommend. More Philip Sheldon, Jun 2023

Me and my son are traveling to Japan Me and my son are traveling to Japan. Albee is magnificent. Extremely efficient, helpful, trustworthy. I am very happy she is helping us with my son's dreaming trip. More Ana Letícia Urbanin, Jun 2023

A great way to plan a dream vacation Due to circumstances, we had to delay our trip to Japan so this review is only about the process of designing the trip. Albee was always available, responsive to our goals, and competent. Based on how involved he was with our family trip, we know we will be back next year and resuming the plan he built. Really impressed with the quality and extent of resources we found through Albee and KimKim. More KC, May 2023

Yeliz - Asia Highlights Yeliz was extremely helpful and patient during our Japan trip planning and answered all my various questions. Really looking forward to our upcoming trip to Tokyo, Mt. Fuji, Kyoto and Osaka! More Cyndie, May 2023

Sharon’s was very patient and helpful… Sharon’s was very patient and helpful when navigating me through the trip planning process. She helped me plan a very exciting and extravagant trip. More Jonny Abad, May 2023

Wonderful 10 day trip in Japan!!! Well planned trip by Alisa . Everything was well scheduled, guides and drivers were excellent!! The cars were extremely comfortable and the hotel she chose for us was beautiful!! Enjoyed planning with her she was very professional and always offered other choices. More Lianne Stone, May 2023

11 days trip to Japan I am planning my trip to Japan in November with Sharon's help and she has provided amazing customer service.She is very responsive and put together very quickly an incredible plan for 11 days in Japan. She provided recommendations and made changes based on our interests and budget. She also provided information about visa restrictions and the best way to get tickets for transportation services. Thanks so much Sharon, looking forward to this trip! More LE, May 2023

Japan trip Hi Cathy! I just want to thank you for making our Japan trip so much fun & memorable! We loved everything that you had scheduled for us! All the guides and drivers were great & punctual! We love Japan so much that we’re planning to go back next year to different part of Japan! We’ll definitely contact Asia Highlights for our trip again! Serene More Serene Storslett, May 2023

Quick, easy and detailed service Alisa was our advisor from Asia highlights and she prepared for us a wonderful 28 day trip to Japan, taking into consideration our needs and desire not to be traveling everyday and to have a mixture of slow and busy days. We've not yet taken our trip, but very much looking forward to it Thank you Alisa for the quick response and wonderful itinerary More Lynette Whittle, Apr 2023

Japan Tour Sharon Huang did an excellent job in planningour 15 day Cherry Blossom Japan tour. Shewas available during our trip to answer our questions and readily agreed to the itinerary changes.Everything was arranged - accommodation,breakfast, guide, car, entrance fees and train tickets. The guides were knowledgeable, and managed the tour very efficiently. The drivers were punctual and very patient. We visited must see places in and near Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. We also got to experience Japanese Tea ceremony, Sushi making, Sake tasting, shopping etc.We highly recommend Asia Highlights for your travel needs. More Madhu, Apr 2023

I organized a trip to Japan for my I organized a trip to Japan for my parents who don’t speak English and Alisa was so amazing helping make an itinerary for them. They needed a Spanish guide and she coordinated everything so they wouldn’t have any trouble when they got there. She was so patient changing and adjusting the itinerary to their needs and wants, it’s been a total pleasure working with her and she always responds promptly to any question I have. I definitely recommend this company and if you can ask to work with Alisa. More Luisa, Apr 2023

5 Days in Japan

• Tokyo–Kyoto/Osaka

Tokyo during cherry blossom season

Spending 5 days in Japan usually includes Tokyo and another city. The usual choices are Kyoto or Osaka. Tokyo is the ideal first stop in travel Japan as plentiful international flights land there. You can get some deep insights into Japanese culture in Tokyo at its Imperial Palace, samurai experiences, and traditional Japanese gardens.

For the rest of the trip, You are recommended to choose the ancient capital of Kyoto or the trading city of Osaka as your next stop. Visit old shrines, explore Gion District, and see geishas in kimonos in Kyoto, or walk through the flourishing downtown area in Osaka, discovering its street food and more-modern attractions. >>> Kyoto vs Osaka: Which is Better to Visit in Japan?

5-Day Tokyo Highlights Tour A Quick Sketch of Tokyo

1 Week in Japan

• Tokyo–Kyoto–Osaka

Feeding deer in Nara, Kyoto

1 week in Japan would allow you to cover the most popular cities in Japan, including feeling the old vibe and samurai history in Tokyo, see geishas in kimonos and ancient shrines in Kyoto, and experience the lively downtown of Osaka.

A hand-picked classic 1-week Japan itinerary:

• Days 1–3 Tokyo (sushi, samurai, anime center)
• Days 4–5 Kyoto (geishas, stay at a ryokan, feed deer in Nara)
• Day 6–7 Osaka (taste street food in Dotonbori, visit outstanding Osaka Castle)

If you don't want to change hotels, you can stay in Kyoto for days 6 and 7. It only takes 30 minutes to get to Osaka from Kyoto, and it's quite convenient to get to Osaka International Airport from Kyoto.

Read more detailed week-long itineraries here >>>The Top 5 Itineraries for One Week in Japan: Families, Couples, Anime Lovers, which satisfy various interests for famous attractions, cherry blossoms, Japanese food, and anime.

Just let us know your interests and requirements, and we can help make it happen.

Suggested reading: 8-Day Japan Itineraries

10 Days in Japan

• Tokyo–Hakone–Kyoto–Osaka

Hakone

With 10 days in Japan, you can not only explore the classic triad of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but also you can visit Hakone or Hiroshima. This is an excellent choice for first-timers.

Our well-received 10-day itinerary:

• Days 1–3 Tokyo sightseeing (Meiji Shrine, Pokémon Center, Japanese gardens)
• Days 4–5 Hakone (soak in onsens)
• Days 6–8 Kyoto (geisha, sake, try on a kimono)
• Days 9–10 Osaka (Osaka Castle, sample street food in Dotonbori)

Hakone, home of onsens, is one of the popular destinations near Tokyo: it is about 1½ hours from Tokyo. The top experience in Hakone is to stay at a ryokan with an onsen. On a clear day you can even see Mount Fuji.

Hiroshima, notoriously, was the first of two Japanese cities bombed with an atomic bomb at the end of World War II. It's easy to get there from either Kyoto or Osaka, being about 1½ hours by JR (Japan Rail). Visit its Peace Memorial Park and cherish the post-war peace.

You can just tell us your preferences and requirements, and we will customize a tour for you.

Suggested reading: 10 Days in Japan: Top 5 Itineraries>>>

9-Day Japan Highlights Tour Tokyo - Hakone - Kyoto - Osaka

11-Day Traditional Japan Tour Osaka - Hiroshima - Kyoto - Tokyo

2 Weeks in Japan

• Tokyo–Takayama–Hiroshima–Osaka–Kyoto

Try on kimonos with your kids

2 weeks is an ideal length of time for a relaxed and balanced Japan trip: you could see its small cities and towns, experience more interesting things, and you wouldn't need to rush. All the cities in the following itinerary are conveniently connected by Shinkansen.

A well-proportioned 2-week Japan itinerary:

• Days 1–4 Tokyo (make sushi, visit Tsukiji Market, Disneyland)
• Days 5–6 Takayama (picturesque towns, well-preserved Hida folk village, sample Hida beef)
• Days 7–8 Hiroshima (Peace Memorial city)
• Days 9–10 Osaka (Universal Studios, "Japan's culinary center")
• Days 11–14 Kyoto (geisha, try on kimono, a ryokan stay, tea ceremony, deer in Nara)

Read more about our 2-Week Japan Itineraries for Families, Couples, and Cherry Blossom Viewing for inspiration. Or you could see our popular 2-week family itinerary, which is full of family-friendly activities such as making sushi at a local home, staying at a ryokan with an onsen, having an afternoon tea with geishas, trying on kimonos for family photos, feeding friendly deer, and having fun in Disneyland or Universal Studios.

Contact us if you want to make some adjustments or have any questions. We will create a trip based on your needs.

2-Week Japan Private Family Vacation Discover the diversity of Japan with your kids

3 Weeks in Japan

• Tokyo–Nagano – Kanazawa, Takayama, and Shirakawa-go – Kyoto–Hiroshima–Osaka

For first-time visitors to Japan, 3 weeks allows a deeper travel experience at a slow pace. You could spend time on off-the-beaten-track locations like Nagano, or even have a cross-border trip visiting China or Singapore.

We recommend spending 2 days in Nagano, a small city surrounded by mountains. Watching snow monkeys soak in the hot spring is a new experience. It also has one of the best ski resorts in Japan, and in winter you can experience the charm of skiing there.

Snow Monkeys are bathing in a hot spring.

Kanazawa, Takayama, and Shirakawa-go are three rural towns with picturesque natural views that are worth spending 3 days on discovering.

Farmhouses in Shirakawa-go

• Kanazawa: appreciate local gold-leaf products, sample sake at a brewery.
• Takayama: Visit well-preserved townhouses, stay at a ryokan with an onsen, taste delicious Hida beef.
• Shirakawa-go: View traditional gassho-zukuri farmhouses. If you go in January or February, you can see their beautiful wintry lighting.

Spending some of your 3 weeks to generate a cross-border trip is also a great idea. We suggest you 4 popular destinations in Asia: Japan, China, Singapore and Bali.

Check out more details on 3-Week Japan Itineraries: The 2 Smart Options.

You could select your preferred destinations using our Create My Trip service, and then we will create an itinerary based on your wishes

17-Day Japan Summer Family Vacation Experience Oriental Summertime

4 Weeks in Japan

With 4 weeks in Japan you could have a comprehensive visit to fully experience Japanese culture, including Japan's southernmost island, Okinawa, and northernmost main island, Hokkaido.

Hokkaido has the freshest seafood and best ski resorts in Japan. Not only is the winter snow beautiful from December to February, but also the cherry blossoms in May, the lavender from July to August, and the red maple in autumn (September to November) are all worth seeing. We suggest you spend 5–6 days in Sapporo and Otaru on Hokkaido.

Sapporo beer museum, Hokkaido

Okinawa has the best beaches on Japan, and it is known as the "Hawaii of Japan". Clean water, white sandy beaches, and enjoyable water sports are attractions for families or couples. In January and February, Okinawa is also the first place in Japan where cherry blossoms bloom. You are recommended to spend 3–4 days in Okinawa.

Okinawa

Whether your available time is long or short, you can just tell us your preferences and requirements, and we will customize a tour to suit you.