The Ultimate 14-Day Japan Itinerary for First-Time Visitors

14 Day Japan Itinerary 2026: Ultimate Family Travel Guide. Day-by-day itinerary complete with addresses, directions, and ticket booking information!

Planning your first trip to Japan and looking for the perfect plan to really maximize your time in the country? We took our first 2 week trip to Japan as a family of four back in 2022: We were there weeks after the lockdown restrictions were lifted! Since then we’ve been back 3 times, most recently in April 2026, where we spent a full month exploring Japan.

We took all this tried-and-tested experience (including learning from the many things that went wrong on the way!) to create a 14 day Japan itinerary is designed specifically for first-time visitors and families, covering Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka, Hiroshima, and more. All without feeling rushed or overwhelming.

Japan is a beautiful country and much bigger than most people realise. But some of the things that make Japan so unique and exciting also make it hard to navigate trip planning, especially for first timers. Whether you’re dreaming of neon-lit Tokyo streets, cultural temples in Kyoto, or unforgettable theme parks, here’s everything you need for a smooth, stress-free trip.

Here’s our ultimate 14 day Japan travel itinerary that will see you spend two weeks exploring 5 cities across this incredible country.

Heads up! This post may contain affiliate links, which means if you click and make a purchase, I might earn a very small commission – at no extra cost to you. This helps to keep the blog going. Thanks for the support!

14 Day Japan Itinerary Overview

Looking for the highlights reel? I get it, there’s a 6,000 word deep dive below this box! Here’s a quick breakdown of what your two weeks in Japan will look like! Don’t forget that you can mix and match the days to best suit your schedule and preferred route.

DAY 1: Arrive in Tokyo and explore Asakusa or Shibuya
DAY 2: Tokyo – Harajuku, Meiji Shine
DAY 3: Tokyo – Senso-Ji Temple and Odaiba
DAY 4: Day Trip to Mount Fuji
DAY 5: Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo Disney Sea
DAY 6: Travel to Osaka (Enjoy the bullet train experience)
DAY 7: Osaka – Osaka Castle and Dotonbori
DAY 8: Osaka – Universal Studios Japan
DAY 9: Nara Day Trip (Temples and deer park)
DAY 10: Kyoto – Culture and temples
DAY 11: Kyoto – Family friendly activities
DAY 12: Hiroshima – Peace Memorial Park
DAY 13: Hiroshima – Day trip to Miyajima Island
DAY 14: Return to Tokyo and fly home

Who This Itinerary Is For

This itinerary is ideal if you:

• Are visiting Japan for the first time
• Are travelling as a family with kids
• Want a mix of city exploration, culture, and fun experiences
• Prefer a structured plan but don’t want to overpack every day

Who This Itinerary Is NOT For….

We are family travellers, and to date we have taken four extended trips to Japan with our kids. That means this itinerary might not work for you if:

• You’re looking for the best bars and nightlife spots (for obvious reasons, we don’t visit bars with the boys)
• You’re only visiting one city (we have a Tokyo itinerary and an Osaka itinerary that would suit you better instead)
• You want a slow-paced itinerary
• You’re visiting Japan for the ski season

Day 1 – Arriving in Tokyo

Almost all travelers visiting Japan, especially first timers, will fly into Tokyo. Flights to Tokyo tend to be cheaper and more regular than flights to anywhere else in Japan, so there’s no better starting point for your adventures. You’ll land in either Narita or Haneda airports, depending on your starting airport.

Tip: If you’re flying from the UK, then for our past three trips we have flown with Korean Air with a layover in Seoul as they have consistently offered the most affordable flights for our family.

Most posts will talk about how reliable and efficient public transport is in Japan (both true!) but we prefer to pre-book airport transfers to get us to our hotel instead of using public transport after a 14 hour flight.

The idea of crossing the world’s busiest city on public transport with 4 suitcases and two tired kids? Not my favourite! We used the train on our first trip and it was a mistake for us: now we opt for the convenience of private transfers. In April 2026 we paid £71 for our private transfers, which we booked here.

👉Check out Tokyo Airport Transfers: A Complete Guide to Getting from Narita and Haneda Airports to Tokyo

👉 Check availability and book your private airport transfers here
🎁 Use the code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK for an additional 5% off these prices

✨TIP: You can also use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK on ALL tickets, tours, and even hotels on Klook, so save it now and save money on EVERYTHING you book for your trip! ✨

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Once you’ve checked into your hotel and dropped off your luggage you might well be tempted to go to sleep but don’t! Stay awake, beat the jetlag, and start exploring one of the most exciting cities in the world.

If you arrive early enough then you should have half a day to start exploring the city, but with jetlag and exhaustion, I wouldn’t book any big activities in for day one. Most are non-refundable if you’re feeling too tired to leave your hotel room!

Instead walk around the neighbourhood where you’re staying to get a feel for the city and soak up the atmosphere. Most first timers to Tokyo stay in Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Asakusa. If you’re in Shibuya then stop by the Shibuya Crossing to tick that off your bucket list. In Asakusa, the iconic Senso-ji Temple is lit up beautifully at night and is a great introduction to Tokyo.

Shibuya Crossing Address	2-2-1 Dogenzaka, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo, 150-0043, Japan
Senso-ji Temple Address	2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0032, Japan

Have an early dinner then get to bed: we have two jam-packed days in Tokyo ahead of us! The sooner you can get onto Tokyo time, especially if you’re travelling with kids, the better. We always try to sleep at a ‘normal’ bed time so we don’t miss our first couple of days being absolutely exhausted.

CULTURAL EXPERIENCES:
Tokyo is the perfect destination to embrace some of the rich cultural experiences Japan has to offer, and if you arrive on an early flight, then this is a great way to spend your first day in Japan. Some of the best experiences to consider include:
🥢 Try a fascinating chopstick making workshop in Tokyo (great for adults (and kids alike) that love arts and crafts!)
🍣 Private sushi making with a professional chef. This is a DREAM experience for us, and one we’ve actually booked to try on our next trip.

Day 2 – Tokyo. Harajuku and the Tokyo Tower

Tokyo is an enormous city: you really can’t underestimate its scale. So when putting together your itinerary for the city it’s important to think about the location of each attraction, and visit them in a way that makes sense. Minimising your time on public transport whizzing across the city gives you more time for exploring!

This was a mistake we definitely made on our first Japan trip, so minimising travel time was definitely a key consideration when putting together this 14 day Japan itinerary.

For this reason, start your day at Yoyogi Park. This is a huge open space and a great spot for people watching but in spring it is also a great place to see Tokyo’s iconic cherry blossoms. In the park you’ll find the Meiji Shrine which boasts scenic architecture and although it gets crowded it is a tranquil spot in the heart of the city.

Yoyogi Park Address

2-1 Yoyogikamizonocho, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo 151-0052, Japan

The nearest metro station to the Meiji Shrine and Yoyogi Park is Harajuku, so head to bustling Harajuku next. Takeshita street should be your first shop. This is the centre of youth culture in the city and it’s a great spot for lunch, iconic colourful street food, and shopping.

If you’re travelling with kids then don’t miss the 5 storey wonderland that is Kiddy Land Harajuku, a toyshop your kids will love.

👉 Check out Harajuku With Kids: The Best Things To Do For The Whole Family!

Feeling time poor and cash rich? I totally understand though (although the time poor bit more than the cash rich bit, to be fair!) If this resonates and you want to see as much of Harajuku as possible in a short amount of time, consider booking a Harajuku food tour. This one offers FREE TICKETS FOR KIDS which makes it good value for families.

This is a private half day tour that will take you to the best sweet vendors in Harajuku. Get insights into Harajuku’s local culture from your guide and they’ll also take you to the Meiji Jingu shrine, which I think is a must visit spot in the area. You can read about the Meiji Jingu in my post here.

👉 Check availability for this limited tour and book your spaces here
🎁 Don’t forget our exclusive reader discount code, THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK

From here you’re just a 15 minute walk (minimising that public transport time!) to Shibuya, so this is the perfect time to see the crossing if you didn’t do it last night. While you’re there, don’t miss the chance to see the statue of Hachiko the dog and learn more about his story.

Right next to the statue is the Shibuya tourist information center. It’s well worth popping in for Hachiko stamps that you can put in your book (if you’re collecting) or they have sheets of paper so kids can still get the stamp. They also have Hachiko stickers and free area maps inside.

Shibuya is another shopping and resturant wonderland, so a great place for dinner. You’ll also find huge arcades here that both adults and kids alike won’t be able to resist. (Disney fans, please seek out the Shibuya Disney Store – It’s the best one i’ve ever visited!)

Finally, from here head to the Tokyo Tower. You will need to hop on public transport at this point! The tower opens until 11pm, with last admission at 10.30pm but the chance to see this huge city from above at night shouldn’t be missed. You’ll feel like you’re on top of the world!

Tokyo Tower Address

4-2-8 Shiba-Koen, Minato-ku, Tokyo, 105-0011, Japan

The main deck ticket will cost £7.69 per adult. If you want to go all the way up to the top deck then this will cost £16.95 per person. We booked our tickets via Klook as these are dated tickets and it meant we could guarentee entry on the day that we wanted to visit. 

👉 Click here for tickets that are delivered instantly to your phone!
🎁 Don’t forget that discount code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK – it’s literally free money!

🗼 Read our full Tokyo Tower review: Visiting The Tokyo Tower With Kids: Is It Worth It? How Much Does It Cost?

Day 3 – Tokyo. Senso-ji Temple and Odaiba Exploration!

The third day of our 14 day Japan itinerary is here!

Start your second full day in Tokyo in Akasusa and visit the Senso-ji Temple, unless you already saw the temple on your arrival day. The best way to see the temple without the crowds is to visit either very early or very late, so make this your first stop. Nakamise street, which is the street leading to the temple, is a great stop from trinkets, sweets, and street food.

We arrived at the Senso-ji temple before 9am and it was crowded but not unbearably so, BUT, the shops weren’t opened as we arrived (they were opened as we were leaving and the boys got ice creams) so that’s something to consider when setting your arrival time.

Senso-ji Temple Address

2-3-1 Asakusa, Taito-ku, Tokyo, 111-0032, Japan

From here you’ll travel to Odaiba, which is where you’ll spend the rest of your day! Odaiba is an entertainment district with great views over Tokyo Bay and an abundance of amazing things to see and do, particularly activities for kids. If you want to have fun then this is a great place to be.

You can visit Teamlabs Borderless, embrace all things poop in the Unko Museum (we have a full review here) , explore the indoor Sega theme Park Joypolis or with small kids, or visit the Legoland Discovery Centre.

Odaiba DiverCity is home to a giant Gundam robot that performs regular shows throughout the afternoon and the evening. There’s also a themed robot restaurant here that’s great for Gundam fans. And if you want some outdoor fun? Try Odaiba Seaside Park.

Odaiba is packed so full of things to see and do, and it feels like the whole area was made with kids in mind. I couldn’t imagine going to Tokyo with the boys without spending at least one day in Odaiba.

👉 Check out One Day Odaiba Itinerary With Kids: Explore Odaiba Tokyo Bay (2026)

Finally, if you’ve had enough of the fun in Odaiba then Akihabara is a great place to spend your last evening in Tokyo. This vibrant district comes alive at night and it is the best place to explore Tokyo’s electronics, anime, manga, and gaming culture.

My boys are absolutely Pokemon mad, so we tend to allow a full day for exploring Akibahara, where they spend hours buying and selling Pokemon cards. But if you just want to experience the neon lights and soak up the vibes then a couple of evening hours will be enough to get a taste of this exciting spot.

This is where to go if you want to experience one of Tokyo’s Maid Cafes, it’s packed-full of arcades, and the Radio Kaikan here is one of the area’s landmark stores and one of the best in the world if you’re looking for pop culture goodies to bring home.

Radio Kaikan store Akihabara

1-chōme-15-16 Sotokanda, Chiyoda City, Tokyo 101-0021, Japan

👉 You can read my full review of Akihabara here. Things To Do in Akihabara With Kids (And Pokemon Fans!)

Day 4 – Day Trip From Tokyo To Mount Fuji

For day 4 of our ultimate 14 day Japan itinerary we’re leaving Tokyo and heading to Mount Fuji! There’s never a bad time to see the epic beauty of Mount Fuji, but visiting Mount Fuji in spring gives you one of the best chances of seeing the peak.

Mount Fuji is only visible for 70-80 days a year and the best time to see it is between November and March. We’ve visited twice and have one been lucky enough to get a peak of the elusive peak once: that only made seeing it feel more special!

To make getting to Mount Fuji from Tokyo in a day with the kids as easy as possible, I recommend booking a Mount Fuji day tour from Tokyo. We took this one  which is priced at £38.05 per person because it has an average rating of 4.8/5 taken from over 1,000 reviews and it visits all the best sakura viewing spots.

We were impressed by how hard our guide worked to make sure we saw this notoriously shy mountain.

This is the Mount Fuji Magnificent Day Tour and includes stops at Arakurayama Sengen Park, where you can stand on the observation deck and look out at the majestic figure of Mount Fuji with the spring cherry blossoms in the foreground. Followed by Kawaguchiko Oishi Park, which is known as the palette of nature’s four seasons, and another iconic cherry blossom viewing spot.

👉 You can check availability and book this epic Mount Fuji trip here
🎁 Don’t forget that 5% discount code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK (every saving equals more spending money!)

👉 We wrote a detailed review of our experience: Mount Fuji Day Trip Review: Is It Worth It? Which Trip Should You Choose?

Day 5 – Tokyo Disneyland or Disney Sea

If you’re travelling with kids then you HAVE to dedicate at least one of your days in Tokyo to visiting either Tokyo Disneyland or Tokyo Disney Sea. These are the two Disney Parks in the city and they each have their own personalities.

Tokyo Disneyland is the ‘Castle Park’ and is very similar to the main Disneyland Parks that you’ll find in Florida or Paris, though it does have wonderfully unique rides, parades, and attractions. This is probably your best choice if you’re travelling with very young children who want a classic Disney experience.

🕍 You can read my ultimate guide to Tokyo Disneyland here.

Tokyo Disneyland Address

1-1 Maihama, Maihama, Urayasu 279-0031 Chiba Prefecture

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
👉 Tokyo Disney Tickets Explained (2026): Which Tickets Should You Buy?
👉 The 7 Best Hotels Near Tokyo Disney. Tokyo Disney Hotels For Every Budget!
👉 Tokyo Disney Ride Heights (2026): Full Guide and Free Printable Chart for Families
👉 How Many Days Do You Need At Tokyo Disneyland And Tokyo DisneySea?
👉 7 Best Tokyo DisneySea Rides For Families (2026 Guide)

Tokyo Disney Sea is unlike any other Disney park in the world, completely unique to Japan. The theming of this park is stunningly beautiful. This park is suitable for adults and kids alike, but if you’re travelling with older kids, teens, or without any kids at all, then this may well be the better park for you.

Both parks have amazing themed food (including the famous flavoured popcorn), unique rides, and characters that will appeal to visitors of all ages.

Regardless of which park you choose, I recommend booking your tickets in advance. In fact, if you only take One TIP from this epic 14 day Japan itinerary then PLEASE let it be to book all of your theme park tickets in advance. These parks get busy and have regular sell-out days!

A 1 day entry ticket to Tokyo Disneyland on a weekday next month will cost £43.65 per adult, £36.39 for a junior aged between 12-17, £25.99 for a child aged between 4-11. Children younger than that can enter for free.

👉 Check availability and book your Tokyo Disney tickets NOW (booking opens 60 days in advance)
🎁 If you do choose to buy ahead,  use code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK to get an extra reader-exclusive discount

Where To Stay in Tokyo

If you’re following this itinerary, Tokyo is likely to be your base for several nights. Choosing the right area to stay can make a huge difference to the ease and quality of your experience, especially if you’re travelling with kids.

Here are some of the best family-friendly hotels in Tokyo:

Travel Mum Tip: For easy transport and family-friendly hotels, we recommend staying in areas like Ueno, Tokyo Station or near Tokyo Disney, depending on your plans

Day 6 – Tokyo To Osaka (Bullet Train Ride)

Sadly now it’s time to leave Tokyo, but there’s so much more of Japan to see! On day 6 of our 14 day Japan itinerary we’ll travel from Tokyo to Osaka. If you don’t want to travel around Japan and would rather spend more time in Tokyo then you can read my more detailed guide to spending a week in Tokyo here instead.

The best way to get between Tokyo and Osaka is via bullet train. And if you arrange your train tickets for early enough then you can be in Osaka in time for lunch!

If you didn’t manage to head to Fuji for a close up view of the mountain then make sure you sit on the right hand side of the train, as this will give you a very of Mount Fuji as you whizz past. You can buy single or return bullet train tickets, or you can buy a JR rail pass with prices starting from £254 per person that gives you unlimited travel across Japan’s rail network.

👉 Book your JR RAIL pass in advance! These are exclusively for foreign tourists and you can’t buy these in Japan
🎁 Here’s that discount code again: THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK

This handy fare calculator will help you to work out whether you’ll get the best value from the JR rail pass based on your route, or whether it’s cheaper to buy your train tickets individually.

I STRONGLY recommend using Klook to buy all of your Shinkansen tickets (whether you opt for a JR Pass or not) as they are delivered straight to your phone, and you can also amend your tickets straight from your phone too, if you need to. There’s no easier system!

I’m a big fan of getting up high to really experience the scale of a new city, so once you’re checked into your Osaka hotel, head to the Hep Five Ferris Wheel. If you’re not familiar, this big red ferris wheel is considered one of the icons of the city. It sits on the very top level of the Hep Five mall which is in the middle of Umeda, Osaka, and this only makes what is already a big and impressive wheel look even bigger!

Tickets to ride the wheel cost 800 yen per person. You can book these from the Umeda website (here) or from Klook (here).

🎡 You can read a full article about visiting the Ferris Wheel here.

Hep Five Ferris Wheel Address

Japan, 〒530-0017 Osaka, Kita Ward, Kakudacho, 5−15 HEP FIVE 7F

The wheel opens at 11am each morning. It then closes at 10.45pm each night so you should have plenty of time to visit no matter what time you get off the train. And Umeda is a great place to be for shopping, food, and exploring the arcades too. The Hep Five building itself is so packed full of things to see and do you could spend the whole day there.

It’s worth noting that the Nintendo Store and the Osaka Pokemon Centre and Pokemon Cafe are also located in Umeda, so if you have these shopping experiences on your wish list then this is the perfect time to get them ticked off.

Also in Umeda you’ll find the the Tsuyu-no-Tenjinja Shrine. This lesser known shrine is a shrine dedicated to lovers and boasts a series of rarer pink tori gates so i’s well worth exploring. It’s actually my favourite shrine in the whole of Japan, thanks to the feeling of calm, the Romeo and Juliet story, and the pink gates. It offers a wonderful moment of tranquility in the middle of a chaotic city.

Tsuyu-no-Tenjinja shrine address

2-chōme-5-4 Sonezaki, Kita Ward, Osaka, 530-0057, Japan

Still got enough energy to experience Osaka’s famous nightlife? You could visit Dotonbori early (this is on tomorrow night’s itinerary) But my advice? Hit a karaoke bar for some traditional riotous fun! This is great family fun too as, unlike a bar or club, we could book a room with the kids!

Day 7 – Osaka Castle and Dotonbori in Osaka

The most iconic symbol of Osaka is the Osaka Castle, so that should be your first stop (after breakfast of course) before the crowd levels get too high. The earlier you visit, the better! Osaka Castle is more impressive from the outside than the inside, but it does house a small and interesting historical museum that’s worth visiting.

Entry is 600 yen but free for kids under 15, so a cheap trip out for families. There’s no need to book these tickets in advance.

There is a great playground in Osaka Castle Park. It’s important to carve out times for kids to play and have fun unless you want cranky, overwhelmed kids, so we always look out for playgrounds and this is such a good one. It has a huge play

structure, large roller slides, and there’s plenty of open space in the park for ballgames too. I always have a tennis ball or a frisbee in my bag for exactly this reason.

Osaka Castle Address

1-1 Ōsakajō, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 540-0002, Japan

Your next stop should be the Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine. This is one of the oldest shrines in Osaka. It has unique architecture and it’s a peaceful, relaxing place to decompress and unwind. A moment of peace after what has been a very hectic schedule so far!

Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine Address:

2-chōme-9-89 Sumiyoshi, Sumiyoshi Ward, Osaka, 558-0045, Japan

From here go to Shinsaibashi Shopping Street. This is a covered shopping street that’s a great place to find locally made good and souvenirs. It’s also located a five minute walk from Dotonbori, so conveniently located for a big night out.

Spend your evening in Dotonbori. This is the most exciting, neon soaked, fun place to spend an evening drinking, eating, and socialising. Take photos with the iconic Glico running man and stuff your face with street food. Takoyaki (octopus balls) and okonomiyaki (savory pancakes) are a delicious here (and they taste amazing although beware: the tokoyaki is so hot you’ll burn your mouth off!)

Glico Man Osaka Address

1 Chome-10-3 Dotonbori, Chuo Ward, Osaka, 542-0071, Japan

We didn’t stay here til the early hours when things get racuous, but in the early evening children are more than welcome. It’s a great place to see local people letting their hair down, dropping their guard, and having fun.

👉 If you’ve got a little more time to spend exploring Osaka, check out our Osaka Family Travel Guide

Day 8 – Osaka – Universal Studios Japan

I know not everyone will want to visit two theme parks during their time in Japan, especially if you’re looking for a 14 day Japan itinerary for a once in a lifetime trip! But Universal Studios Japan (USJ) is an amazing park to visit, and was one of the highlights of our time in Osaka for my kids.

Universal Studios Japan Address

2-chōme-1-33 Sakurajima, Konohana Ward, Osaka, 554-0031, Japan

One of the main features that means this park is not to be missed (in my opinion at least!) is because of the Super Nintendo World section of the park.

Mario themed rides, food, and interactive experiences all make this an incredible experience – and now the park has been expanded to include a Donkey Kong ride and attractions too.

 You can buy premium entry to the park but the cheapest option is to choose regular entry tickets to Universal Studios Japan. Prices for these start from £45.15 per adult. Kids prices are cheaper at £29.39 each, and these are for children aged between 3-11. Children over 11 will need an adults ticket. All prices outlined above include taxes and fees.

👉 Click and book your Universal Studios Japan tickets before they sell out!
🎁 Use the code THATMUMTRAVEL5KLOOK to get an extra 5% off these prices. (COPY and SAVE this for later!)

WANT TO KNOW MORE?
👉 Is Universal Studios Japan Worth Visiting in 2026? Our Honest Family Review
👉 5 Best Universal Studios Japan Hotels (2026 Guide For Families)
👉 Universal Studios Japan Tickets: Exactly What To Buy in 2026 (Without Overpaying)
👉 How To Get To Universal Studios Japan (A Step-By-Step Guide)
👉 Universal Studios Japan Ride Heights Chart 2026: Everything Families Need To Know With Free Downloadable Chart

Where To Stay in Osaka

Osaka is our preferred base for exploring Kansai. We stick to just one hotel and explore Universal Studios Japan, Osaka, Kyoto and Nara. Staying somewhere central will make getting around much easier.

Here are some of the best family-friendly hotels in Osaka:

Travel Mum Tip: Namba and Shinsaibashi are great areas for families, with easy transport links and plenty of food options nearby too.

Day 9 – Nara For Temples and Deer

There’s no need to switch hotels to visit Nara. Although this 14 day Japan itinerary will take you to 5 cities, I suggest you’ll only need to book 3 hotels. Changing hotels with the kids and our mountain of luugage is the WORST thing about multi-city trips, so this definitely works best for us.

Nara is an easy day trip from Osaka, meaning you won’t have to lug your luggage on another train! For our full day trip itinerary check out: Nara Day Trip: The Ultimate One Day Nara Itinerary With Kids

Take the train from Osaka Station to JR Nara Station on the Yamatoji Rapid Service. This takes 45 minutes and costs 800 yen (Unless you have the JR Rail pass, in which case you can ride for free).

Nara is definitely worth visiting, although you could choose to cut this day out entirely if you have more things you want to explore in Osaka (or if, like us, your kids insist on a second day in Universal Studios Japan!) But if you can carve out an extra day I do recommend visiting. My animal-loving boys say that Nara was their favourite day of our last trip, and I was in awe of the giant Buddha. It’s a day we would definitely repeat!

The most popular attraction in Nara is meeting the deer in the city’s grand Nara park. This is a free activity with hundreds of deer roaming freely here, and you can buy special crackers to feed the deer. These are 200 yen for a bundle of 10 crackers. We got one each.

Beware! Although the deer may bow politely they are NOT polite animals, and will headbutt or bite to get to any bags of food. Frankly, it was terrifying! Our mistake was feeding the first deer we saw at the front of the park, as these tend to be the most aggressive. My tip would be to hide your crackers (we put them in a backpack) and walk to the back of the park, where the deer tend to be calmer, and the whole experience was much more magical.

Nara Park Address

Kasugano-cho, Nara City, Nara Prefecture

Your next stop should be to visit the Todai-ji Temple. This is one of the most iconic and beautiful temples you’ll see on your trip thanks to its enormous bronze Buddha. This is actually ones of the largest bronze Buddha statues in the world and is a UNESCO World Heritage site as a result. Entrance to the grounds is free, but you’ll need a ticket to go and see the Buddha. We visited on a weekday because it can get crowded especially on weekend or holidays.

Todai-ji Temple Address

406-1 Zoshicho, Nara, 630-8587, Japan

Stop for a local lunch and then finally, before you return back to Osaka, spend the afternoon in the Nara National Museum. This is a fascinating spot if you’re interested in all things Japan, particularly the art and culture.

There’s an amazing collection of art and artefacts here, and the location of the museum is tranquil with a calm, serene feel. It’s a great place to really get under the skin of ancient Japan.

Nara National Museum Address

50 Noboriojicho, Nara, 630-8213, Japan

Day 10 – Kyoto Culture and Temples

Kyoto wasn’t the spot I was most excited to visit before we arrived for our trip, but it ended up being my favourite city in Japan. Yes it’s crowded, yes overtourism is a problem here. Everything you’ve read is true. BUT that doesn’t stop it being insanely beautiful. It feels like the authentic heart of Japan.

Some people will switch hotels from Osaka to Kyoto. But the two cities are just 13 minutes apart by bullet train, so we opted to stay in Osaka and commute to Kyoto (can you tell we hate carrying those heavy suitcases on the train!?)

Start your day in Kyoto as early as possible by visiting the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine. This is the shrine with all of the red tori gates, and it’s an icon of the city. We arrived here at 8am to beat the crowds and got amazing photos of the place to ourselves. The further you walk up the mountain through the gates, the less people there will be.

🎴 Read my full guide to visiting the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine here.

Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine Address

68 Yabunouchi-cho, Fukakusa, Fushimi-ku, Kyoto, Japan

As you leave the shrine there is a street market running down the hill packed full of street food stalls. Stop here for a late breakfast of mochi, strawberries covered in hard candy shells, and skewers of local beef. We were leaving the shrine as they were setting up and when I saw we gorged ourselves, I really mean it!

This was a very shrine intensive day for us: there were so many beautiful shrines and temples that i’d seen in books and magazines that I wanted to see with my own eyes. Don’t miss the Heian Jingu Shrine which is the oldest shrine in Kyoto and is a grand, historically significant building well worth exploring.

Aside from the Fushimi Inari Taisha Shrine, our favourite shrine in Kyoto and one that I don’t recommend you miss out on is the Chion-in Temple. This is home to one of the largest wooden sanmon gates in Japan and its grounds are stunningly beautiful.

Chion-in Temple Address

400 Rinka-cho, Higashiyama-ku, Kyoto, 605-8686, Japan.

From here head to Hanami-koji Street (Gion Street) which is in the Gion District and is a great place to stop for lunch. Chion-in Temple is only a ten minute walk from Gion Street. This is by far the most crowded street in Kyoto but it’s still worth visiting for its traditional architecture, restaurants, and tea houses. You may even spot a real Geisha!

If you do please leave them alone and don’t take photos: this is banned and the harrassment of the Geisha in Kyoto is giving foreign tourists a bad reputation.

If you really want to see a Geisha – dress like one! Kimono hire is hugely popular in Kyoto especially amongst foreign tourists and we saw hundreds of people dressed in traditional dress as they explored the temples. You can choose from a wide range of kimonos and even have your hair and make up done in the geisha style. The boys were a hard no on the experience, but I do regret not doing it myself! You can book a kimono hire experience here.

👉 For a more in-depth look at Kyoto, check out our Kyoto Family Guide

Day 11 – Kyoto Fun For Kids

On your second day in Kyoto you’re going to want to start early again to visit the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest. This is to the west of Kyoto and, as the name suggests, is a forest full of impossibly tall bamboo shoots.

This forest is an instagrammers dream and has an otherworldy effect. But like other popular attractions in Kyoto, it’s unbearably crowded if you get there too late, so arrive before 9am if you can.

Arashiyama Bamboo Forest Address

Sagaogurayama Tabuchiyamacho, Ukyo Ward, Kyoto, 616-8394, Japan

Now I will acknowledge that the last two days has been a lot of history and temples for even the most history loving kids! So spend your afternoon at the Kyoto Ninja and Samurai Museum – I promise this is so much more exciting than it sounds!

It starts as a conventional (albeit very cool) museum packed with Samurai and Ninja artefacts. But then you’ll have a go at throwing throwing stars and blowing blow darts, just like a proper ninja.

You can also dress up in traditional Samurai costumes, complete with swords. Wewere even gifted the throwing stars to bring home with us. This was a HUGE hit with our boys. We got our tickets direct from the museum here.

Kyoto Ninja and Samurai Museum address

292 Higashidaimonjicho, Nakagyo-Ku, Utanokoji Building 2F, Kyoto 604-8043, Japan.

The museum is located in a popular shopping arcade, so after this we did a little shopping, let the kids run wild in the gachapon stores (they love these little balls) and then even stopped for McDonalds for dinner. Travelling with kids is all about finding what works for everyone: don’t feel bad if your kids don’t want to eat sushi and noodles every night! Ours didn’t either!

Day 12 – Hiroshima Memorial Park and Museum

It may be a distance of more than 300 kilometers, but you can get the train from Osaka to Hiroshima in just 1 hour and 20 minutes. So wake up on day 12 of your trip and do just that! The final city you’ll visit in Japan will be Hiroshima. Drop off you’re luggage, grab lunch, and you’re ready for an afternoon in this fascinating city.

Hiroshima is best known for being the devastating site where the Atomic Bomb was dropped at the end of the Second World War. So start your time in the city by visiting the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park, which is dedicated to the memory of these who lost their lives here. To learn more, the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum is located close by too. This might not interest very small kids, but at 8 and 11 my boys were the right age (with a little grown up explanation!)

Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park Address

1-2 Nakajima-cho, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture 730-0811, Japan

For lunch I recommend trying the savoury pancakes (okonomiyaki). I know I also recommended eating these in Osaka, but Hiroshima okonomiyaki is served completely differently to Osaka okonomiyaki and there’s a gentle rivalry about which is best. Make your mind up about which you prefer!

From here, go to Hiroshima Castle. I actually think this looks very similar to Osaka castle though it’s worth noting that the original was destroyed (as so much of the city was) so this is actually a reconstruction. Enjoy the views from the top and take the time to explore the gardens. This is also a great place for the kids to run off some energy if you get lucky and it’s not too crowded.

Hiroshima Castle Address

21-1 Motomachi, Naka-ku, Hiroshima City, Hiroshima Prefecture, Japan.

Finally spend the evening in Hondori. This is the city’s main shopping street and nightlife capital. You can shop, eat, rub shoulders with the locals and relax in an authentic atmosphere.

Day 13 – Hiroshima (Miyajima Island)

Now we haven’t actually done this, but if we had two days in Hiroshima then I would definitely spend the second day visiting Miyajima Island. This island is famous for its iconic Itsukushima Shrine and the floating tori gate that sits in the sea, the image of which is included in every single Japanese guide book. I’d love to see this for myself!

Ferries are frequent and affordable, and there are lots of seafood restaurants on the island (as you would expect given it’s location) so then i’d stop for a lunch of fresh seafood with views of the bay before getting lost in the little back streets of the island then making a leisurely journey back to my Hiroshima hotel.

I haven’t put any big evening plans into the itinerary for tonight because, if you’re anything like us, this is the time for panick-packing, realising you’ve bought way too much stuff, and wondering how on earth you’re going to get it all home!

Day 14 – Bullet Train Back To Tokyo

And just like that it’s all over! The ultimate 14 day Japan itinerary for families is almost complete. Trains in Japan are incredibly reliable, so there’s no need to head back to Tokyo a day in advance of your flight ‘just in case’ as you might in any other country.

The fastest train to Tokyo from Hiroshima takes 3 hours and 58 minutes, so plan to leave early so that you have plenty of time for your trip and buy an Ekiben (Train Bento Box) at the station so that you can have something to eat on the train. Make the journey part of the adventure!

Spend the day travelling, relaxing on the train, getting a final supper and shopping for souviners if you have any time left, before making your way to the airport and saying ‘see you later’ to Japan (It’s always see you later, and never actually goodbye).

Japan Itinerary FAQs

Is 14 Days Enough For Japan?

14 days is enough time to spend in Japan if you want an overview of the country, a highlights reel of the best things to see and do. You won’t feel you really explored any one destination in great depth, but you will see all of those iconic sights and memorable spots from the covers of your favourite guide books.

Realistically, there is no ‘right’ answer as to how much time is enough for Japan. We have spent more than 10 weeks over 4 trips in Japan, and I know we still have so much more to see and do.

Should I Buy a JR Pass?

2 years ago, my answer to this question would have been “buy a JR Rail Pass, save some money!” but now the answer to this question is much more difficult. JR Rail Passes are significantly more expensive than they used to be. In my opinion, they’re only financially viable if you intend to use them every day of your trip, visiting several different cities as part of an epic 14 day adventure.

We did the sums to clarify this, and you can read our full report here: Best Value Whole Japan Rail Passes For Families in 2026 – That Mum Travel Life

Is This Itinerary Suitable For Families?

I wrote this itinerary with families and first time travellers to Japan in mind. It’s based on our own experiences of travelling to Japan with kids on several different trips. We looked at our experiences, our mistakes, and then honed everything we’d learnt to create what I think is the perfect 14 day Japan itinerary for families.

There are plenty of family focused, interactive experiences and attractions, as well as fun theme park days that you might choose to skip if you weren’t travelling with kids.

Is This Itinerary Too Busy?

This is definitely a jam-packed 14 day Japan itinerary, and we haven’t left much time for rest and relaxation! This was a deliberate approach, because we travel with two boys who are always on the go. They’re more likely to ask “where next” than “where can I sit down”.

This itinerary is busy but not, in my opinion, too busy. It was designed to optimise your time in Japan, ensuring you see as much as possible, and don’t come home with any regrets!

Creating The Ultimate 14 Day Japan Itinerary

If you’re in the middle of planning your 14 day Japan itinerary, my biggest tip would be not try and see everything. I am well aware that the itinerary we’ve created is a highlight reel and misses out places like the very North of Japan as well as Okinawa (our new favourite spot in the country). That’s because it really is impossible to see everything in two weeks!

This may be your first visit to Japan but I’ll happily predict that it won’t be your last. The country is addictive, and we felt like we’d left a piece of ourselves behind when it was time to leave. That’s why we write so much detailed content about Japan: we’re passionate about helping families get there, and making their adventure as easy as possible.

To keep planning your trip, moving on to this further reading:

👉 Ultimate 5 Day Tokyo Itinerary For Families
👉 8 Best Day Trips From Tokyo For 2026
👉 8 Japan Travel Apps You Need Before You Visit Japan in 2026
👉 Do You Need An eSim For Japan? And Which eSim Should You Choose?

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