How to Spend 14 Days in JAPAN – A Travel Itinerary for First-Timers 🇯🇵

33 Comments

1. 

   @JayandKarolina 2か月 ago

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2. 

   @GodAtum 2か月 ago

   Sunday 19th May

   Flew on BA5 from Heathrow to Haneda. It started with a chauffeur pickup from my house and departure courtesy of Heathrow VIP in the Windsor Suite. I was there for about 90 minutes enjoying a light brunch. Then was swiftly lead through the private security room to my awaiting BMW which drove me across the upfront to gate C66.
   The purser met me on the jetbridge and escorted me to my seat 2K. Unfortunately due to a loose engine cowling we taxied halfway towards 09R and had to turn back for the engineers to check on stand. We were delayed for about 2 hours, but made up most of the time in-flight!
   The cabin crew this flight were phenomenal. Even though I have no status, my order was taken 1st (the cabin was full). The food was delicious although the fish could have done with a small jug of that sweet sauce!
   On landing the captain invited me up to the flightdeck for a few photos.

   Monday 20th May

   After arriving at Haneda, it only took about 10 minutes to get through immigration, baggage claim and customs.
   After dropping off my suitcase at Yamato luggage service, I headed to Haneda Airport Garden to get some lunch. My 1st meal in Japan was a delicious bowl of unagi (eel) at Unagi Yondaime Kikukawa.
   I then took the metro, which was very easy, to my hotel. I had already setup a Suica card on ht phone beforehand and topped it up using my Revolut Visa.
   Upon arriving at the Palace Hotel Tokyo, I was escorted up to the Club Lounge to complete check-in procedures. I was offered a welcome drink of fruit tea and a small sweet and hot towel. I was then shown to my room ( a Club King with Balcony).
   I rested in my room until dinner which I had at the hotel restaurant Wadakura. I opted for Japanese-style rolled omelet, Grilled sablefish with sweet miso and Matcha ice cream.
   When I arrived at my hotel, I discovered I left my headphones on my seat. Luckily a quick email later and lost property found it and posted it to my hotel.

   Tuesday 21st May

   14.6 miles walked
   After an early start and breakfast at the hotel Grand Kitchen, I had a private whole day walking tour.
   Managed to bash out a few big ticket items … fire ceremony at Fukagawa Buddist temple, Nazu Shrine, Senso-ji Temple, Asakusa Culture Tourist Information Center and Menji Jingu Shriine. Senso-Ji Temple was crowded but bearable, no more then a busy shopping mall in London. Yukiko, the guide, was excellent and knowledgeable.
   Lunch: Sobagokoro
   Snack: Melonpan with matcha ice cream from Asakusa Kagetsudō
   Returned back to hotel to rest. My luggage had arrived and was delivered to my room.
   Dinner: Sapporo Uogashi 57 Sushi Tokyo Station

   Wednesday 22nd May

   15.9 miles walked
   Breakfast at the Club Lounge (on a sunny day I recommend taking it out on the terrace).
   Morning at Imperial Palace Gardens with audio tour.
   Then came back to my room for a rest and bought a few pastries from the hotel's bakery.
   Lunch at Yakiniku Like Jimbocho. Fun experience cooking your own meat but it ended up being a bit chewy.
   Came back to my room to freshen up.
   Shibuya Sky in the afteroon – definitely worth a visit but make sure you book well in advance. Took a little bit of time to find the entrance from Shibuya Station. Amazing views!
   Ramen Tour. Had the best ramen of my life and learnt a lot. Plus great to go into small ramen shops were I would be too scared too normally. Just myself and one other solo traveller.

   Thursday 23rd May

   9.9 miles walked
   As I had to get up at 5am I had breakfast of some of the pastries I bought in my room.
   Morning fish market & sushi class. Amazing experience at both Toyosu and Tsukiji fish markets normally off-limits to the public. Then went to the chef's restaurant where I learned to prepare the fish we just bought and turn it into sushi. The chef was very kind and knowledgeable. But even though this was meant to be a group tour, I was the only one who booked.
   Returned to my room for a rest.
   In the afternoon was the police museum tour and met some friends for dinner.
   Got back to my hotel and forwarded luggage to Osaka.

   Friday 24th May

   10.2 miles walked
   Up early at 4am. Checked Mt Fuji weather and it looked very promising. Breakfast of bakery snacks in my room.
   04:59 Tokyo station (Marunouchi North Exit) – 06:10 Takao station (JR Chuo Rapid)
   06:30 Takao station – 07:06 Otsuki station (JR Chuo Main)
   07:24 Otsuki station – 08:05 Shimoyoshida Station (Fujikyuko Line)
   Brilliant hike through Arakura Sengen Park up to Arakurayama Summit. Even though I was there very early, there were still a bunch of loud tourists. Not sure where they cam from as they didn't take the train.
   Lunch at a small mom and pop place.
   Afternoon tea at A Happy Pancake Ginza.
   Returned to hotel for rest and was lazy so dinner was room service (wagu burger).

   Saturday 25th May

   11.9 miles walked
   Breakfast in Club Lounge.
   National Tokyo Museum.
   Ate delicious pork tonkotsu in museum cafe.
   Walked up to Cafe Neko-e-mon but unfortunately it was closed!
   Walked to Tennōji Temple for a peaceful rest, then tried soy dango at Habutae Dango Main Shop. Wasn't a huge fan and pefer the sweeter colored dango (white, pink, green ones).
   Akahabara: Super Potato and Bic Camera (spent way too long in there!). It was hard to tell between girls wearing school uniform and actual schoolgirls!
   Dinner at Aman Hotel (amazing beef curry).

   Sunday 26th May

   9.4 miles walked
   Breakfast in Club Lounge.
   Travel to Osaka (10:00 – 12:30). First time on bullet train. Comfortable, quiet and spacious. Had some sort of chicken ekiben.
   Visited Osaka Castle. But had to wait about 30 mins at the metro station for a locker to become free. Quick visit to Osaka castle and skipped ticket queue by purchasing ticket online. Nice view from top but very very crowded with lots of pushing and shoving.
   Checked into the Conrad Osaka (King Exec Corner Room). Very impressive views. Luggage had already arrived.
   Foot treatment in hotel spa (amazing views of the city).
   Dinner in the hotel in C Grill.

3. 

   @jagatendon 2か月 ago

   Thank you so much for your post✈🚄

4. 

   @MassEffect1988 2か月 ago

   Ichiran ramen is UNREAL! 🤤🤤🤤 We went 3x in Japan whilst there for 2 weeks. Loved the country so much me and my fiancé are going back in early 2027 for our honeymoon 🇯🇵🙏 you're videos were so helpful before our first visit ☺️

5. 

   @markallenarcano9439 2か月 ago

   Greetings from the Philippines 🙋 Happy New Year

6. 

   @Jaden_Trails 2か月 ago

   I'm here early! I'll enjoy this. Haha

7. 

   @ruthg8799 2か月 ago

   My first time itinerary (flew in and out of Osaka (KIX)
   Took Haruka Express to Kyoto
   Kyoto 4 nights
   Hiroshima 2 nights
   Tokyo 7 nights
   Osaka 5 nights
   Kyoto 3 nights.
   I was very lucky I had 21 days to play with. Will say Kanazawa is frequently overlooked for first trips – (it’s very similar to Kyoto) and really enjoyed it on my second trip to Japan it’s so accessible from Kyoto.
   My best advice is allow time for wandering and exploring outside of hitting up the landmarks. Keep your timing of your Mount Fuji your flexible (weather dependent) and take google reviews with a pinch of salt- many of them are purchased…!

8. 

   @neilpa 2か月 ago

   This video is amazing! I can't imagine how long it took to do the editing…
   14 days in Japan seems ideal 👌

9. 

   @GodAtum 2か月 ago

   Benitsuru is overhyped, dont go there. go to A Happy Pancake

10. 

    @GodAtum 2か月 ago

    how come your luggage has no cracks in it? i always get soft shell as i dont trust baggage handlers

11. 

    @JelenaBrigida 2か月 ago

    Hi. What is the name of the katsu place in Kyoto you went for dinner on day 8?

12. 

    @edwardmorales4603 2か月 ago

    🤍🤍🤍

13. 

    @WasanthaThilakarathna43 2か月 ago

    Can you do a usa series

14. 

    @k3lvin1977 2か月 ago

    Perfect, will look forward to watching this and hopefully making it a reality this year 🙏.

15. 

    @umbertoconte2081 2か月 ago

    Hi Jay e Karolina thank you for the video 😊

16. 

    @Carbon_sxt36 2か月 ago

    I'm planning to head to japan in 2027, thank you for the videos they are really helpful

17. 

    @Cornish7waves 2か月 ago

    Brilliant guide.Many thanks.Great use of the footage obtained in Japan creating this very useful guide .

18. 

    @Anna-xux 2か月 ago

    @ljbd160

19. 

    @ThongvanNonsithanh 2か月 ago

    Thanks for sharing and taking me along your journeys,friends. Very nice. Happy New Year to you both and everyone. ❤

20. 

    @shawnk9016 2か月 ago

    Love your Japan videos! My family and I watched all of your Japan video when we visited last May! We went for 12 day. Days 1-5 in Tokyo, 6-9 Kyoto with day trip to Nara, 10-12 back to Tokyo to visit Disney stayed at Disneyland Hotel and visited both parks!

21. 

    @nikMAyo6831 2か月 ago

    Wonderful watching a beautiful couple enjoy Japan!

22. 

    @CIAOJapanTravelChannel 2か月 ago

    Thanks for traveling in Japan! Hope you’ll visit again someday!

23. 

    @savannahk4803 2か月 ago

    This was a really fun video, unique perspective and I learned some new things! Thank you both!

24. 

    @hfoforlife9801 2か月 ago

    Hey guysss!! I love youre guys vids and love all the explaining! Now my only problem is i dont like following itentenarys for me the accidents that happen are the most important but thats just me! Anyways keep doing what you guys do!❤

25. 

    @costasworldofmusicmemories5792 2か月 ago

    What a wonderful guide to Japan . The perfect itinerary for first time travelers . We loved it and hope to go back soon. You only scratch the surface . So much to see. This video was done so well .
    Hope you guys enjoyed the Holidays with your family and friends. Happy New Year 2026 !! 🍾🍾 Love you guys ❤❤ Jim and Harriet

26. 

    @mikepolis7147 2か月 ago

    We truly appreciate your travel ideas and discount codes. We’re going to fall it to a tee in October 2027. Thank you so much.

27. 

    @lisachloeadi 2か月 ago

    Love your vlogs especially, your Japanese ones ❤
    You're both so insightful & always give genuinely, excellent advice.
    I'm pleased Japan hasn't followed China – as in totally digital & cashless!

    Do you find Japan a safe country for travel & would you think it'd be safe for a mum & daughter (ages 32 & 8) to travel & spend 14 days in August, doing a similar itinerary?
    My granddaughter doesn't like Disney. However, would love to visit anything Pokemon 😊

28. 

    @ashleighcleaver9009 2か月 ago

    Nice 🙂 yeah we are going from Australia to Japan to Haneda airport. We are going first time and be going to akasaka and then looking around Shibuya. The next day Kamakura and day after two days in Nagano in Shibu and then Matsumoto. Then we will be on a cruise from Yokohama traveling the rest locations for two weeks then south Korea. In May. Which involves my Fuji, kyoto,Osaka,kochi, Hiroshima, Kagoshima, Nagasaki and Fukuoka and then Busan in south Korea and Seoul and then once we leave the cruise we will be spending 2 days at jeju island 🙂

29. 

    @ashleighcleaver9009 2か月 ago

    I also recently was really looking forward to the animal cafes to find out especially with the pig and owl cafes and even some of the cat cafes that they Marjority aren't ethical. What I mean by that is a lot of them benefit off profiting off the animals. Someone had mentioned to me that the owl cafes don't take them to the vet when they get sick because they can't afford it so they just let them die.

    To me finding this out from someone who's recently gone to Japan devastates me. And I'm very much love animals and will not contribute to any animal abuse.

    And the fox sanctuary many have told me they went there and saw foxes cause many of them in a confined space fight due to stress and some foxes they saw in cages.

    I'm not mentioning this to freak people out but more so just be aware and do research.

30. 

    @2020-h3e 2か月 ago

    제이!

    캐롤리나!

    놀랍게도 나도 너의 영상을 참고해서 2주를 일본여행 했다.

    부산 김해에서 출국해서 삿포로 신치토세공항 에 입국하고 오타루 포함 3박4일간 여행했다.

    그리고 나리타공항 으로 이동했다.

    도쿄는 숙소비가 비싸서 치바의 소가에서 거주했고 요코하마 포함 8박9일간 여행했다.

    이후 후쿠오카공항 으로 이동해서 2박3일간 하카타를 여행했다.

    14일 여행을 마치고

    하카타 국제여객터미널 에서 배를타고 부산국제여객 터미널로 귀국했다.

    금년은

    중국또는 인도네시아 여행을 생각중이다.

    인도네시아어가 세상에서 가장 쉽다고 해서 몇달만 공부하면 현지소통이 가능하다고 해서 검토중이다.

    PS:영국과 유럽은 여행 난이도와 물가 그리고 치안문제로 인해서 나중에 더 경험을 쌓고 가야겠다.

31. 

    @Steven-wd5jv 2か月 ago

    Very informative video guys and certainly one i will use when I visit Japan in the future

32. 

    @みさき海の 2か月 ago

    素晴らしい日本の紹介動画をありがとうございます。日本は海外の方からしたら、色々とハードルが多いと思いますが、楽しんでいただけたみたいで嬉しいです。

33. 

    @yui8378 2か月 ago

    Hi! I'm in Japan. I always enjoy watching your videos. I'm so happy because you enjoyed a trip in Japan😂
    I live in Hokkaido in Japan, there are also lots of fantastic sightseeing spots and delicious food, in particular fresh seafood and dairy products! Sometime, I want you to come to Hokkaido and enjoy beautiful nature!😊