Need help planning your trip to Japan? Look no further, this post is for you! You guys really liked my detailed breakdown of my 14-day France trip, so I had to come back and provide a 12-Day Japan Itinerary: Explore Tokyo, Kyoto, Okinawa, and other places like Osaka and Nara!
There are almost too many places to go and see in Japan, but we broke the trip into four buckets of travel:
- 2.5 days in Tokyo
- 4 days in Kyoto (including day trips to Osaka and Nara)
- 2.5 days in Okinawa
- 1.5 days in Tokyo again
- 2 days dedicated to travel – there and back
We start and end in Tokyo as it’s the easiest way to fly in and out of Japan. Many American cities have direct flights to Tokyo, including Chicago, where I reside. So, you can always flip this itinerary and go to Okinawa second – it’s up to you!
In this Japan itinerary, I am breaking down:
- What to do in each area
- Suggestions of where to stay
- Places to eat
- Transit suggestions to each area
- Packing ideas
- General travel tips
How much does a trip to Japan cost?
I went on this trip with my husband and our two close friends, so there was a total of four of us. In total, we spent about around $6000 on this itinerary (about $1,500 per person) for lodging, tickets, rentals, dinners, pastries, drinks and tours. This does NOT include the flights and the extra money we spent shopping on clothes, ceramics, and other gifts we purchased, but that’s a variable that will be different for everyone.
We were able to pay for our flights using Chase credit card points. I really recommend the Chase Sapphire Preferred and the Chase Freedom. My husband and I both own both cards and we’ve been able to cover our flights to Greece, France and more with our rewards.
What to know before spending 12 days in Japan
- Check your passport – Luckily, Japan only requires that your passport is valid throughout the entire duration of your stay. However, some airlines prefer that your passport is valid for six months after your departure date, so it’s best to double-check this and make sure you will be in good standing well before you leave!
- Bring the right cash with you – the national currency of Japan is yen. I HIGHLY encourage you to get physical cash, as we ran into many places that did not accept anything else. This included many restaurants, stores and even the pharmacy. Be sure to call your nearest bank branch and ask them to order you some. Sometimes you need to show up in person, and it can take around 4-5 business days for them to fulfill your order for pickup, so plan ahead. This is always going to be cheaper than exchanging them at the airport. For my husband and me, we got $500 worth and used almost all of it. You are able to bring back any money leftover from your trip and they will deposit the US dollar amount back to your checking account (only bills, not coins, so use those on a vending machine or a quick snack before you come back!)
- Get an electrical adaptor if you need it – Thankfully, Japan uses a similar two-prong outlet that many of us have in our United States homes. However, there are no three-pronged outlets. So if you have a laptop charger or something like that with three prongs, you can get an adaptor easily (here’s a pack from Walmart). Please note: Japan outlets have lower voltage, around 100V, so your hot tools may not work as well in Japan. Allegedly the Dyson airwrap would work, but it might not get as hot. I left mine at home and brought a cheaper hair curler just in case!
- Need insurance? If you are worried about having a medical issue, losing your luggage or needing medication while abroad, check out SafetyWing for quick plans that will cover you for your trip.
When is the best time of year to visit Japan?
Your personal preference is important when deciding to go to Japan. Here are a couple of things to know:
- Cherry Blossom Season (March-April) – this is going to be the busiest time of year, when tourists flock to see the cherry blossoms in full bloom.
- Rainy Season (June-July) – Humid and drizzly, but a lot less tourists. As a Chicagoan, I simply can’t be spending precious summer time getting rained on, but it’s up to you!
- Most pleasant weather (September-November) – Our trip was in the beginning of October, and I can confirm the weather was magnificent. It felt like summer, with some mornings on the cooler side.
- Snow Sports (January-March) – Japan can get frigid, but it’s a hot spot for skiing, snowboarding and hot springs.
What are the best ways to get around in Japan?
Japan has awesome public transit! If you are in key areas like Tokyo or Kyoto, it’s fairly easy to navigate the train systems. A couple things to know:
- Get a Suica card – Suica is the name of the rail pass card, much like Chicago’s Ventra card or New York’s Metrocard. If you have an iPhone, you can download Suica right from the App store. You can add money right onto the card in seconds, and you just tap your phone at the entrance AND exit of each train ride (money isn’t deducted until you leave the station).
- IMPORTANT: because Suica doesn’t deduct cash until you complete your trip, you have to make sure to tap the card on your way out or else the card will glitch and stop working, because it will think you’ve been riding the subway for hours on end. This happened to us when we tapped into one part of the subway, realized it was the wrong spot and turned around and left. We had to ask a train attendant to help us reset the cards for us, which wasn’t a big deal, but you can avoid it.
- Additionally, be mindful of how much is left on your Suica card when you leave, because you can’t get that money back! Luckily, you can use Suica at places like the drugstores, 7-Elevens and plenty of vending machines. We had a little bit left so we bought a couple things at the airport so that the money didn’t go to waste.
- Utilize Apple and Google maps – these apps are really helpful to navigate you to the right subway entries and which trains to take. All subway signs have the English alphabet in addition to Japanese, so it’s not hard to find. Apple Maps will also tell you exactly how much the trip will cost you, so you could load that exact amount of Yen onto your card, which is nice.
- Express trains require different tickets – some trains run express, which means they don’t make all the usual stops and you can get to your destination quicker. You will usually need a different ticket and cannot use Suica (because it costs more). You will typically have to go to one of the kiosks and print out a special ticket. We got a limited express train when we traveled from the airport to Tokyo, and another time when we went from Kyoto to Nara (the train was only about 40 minutes instead of 2 hours!)
Other modes of transportation:
- Taxis and Ubers – You can use Uber in Japan, but they also have a strong taxi system, and we were able to hail a couple when we were traveling with our luggage. Some taxis took card, some only wanted cash.
- Car rentals – I only recommend a car rental if you go to one of the islands, like Okinawa. We did rent a car there so that we could drive around to our Airbnb, beaches, and some other fun sights. Whoever books the car has to have an international driver’s license, which requires a quick application online prior to your trip, or a trip to AAA. Also, you have to drive on the left side of the road, which requires some concentration if you aren’t used to it!
What language do I need to know in Japan?
The majority of people we encountered on our trip spoke some level of English, which is quite amazing. Occasionally, we had to use Google translate for a couple sentences, but when ordering food or asking directions, you will likely be fine! That said, here are a couple words and phrases worth knowing:
- “Konnichiwa” – Hello!
- “Arigatō” – Thank you.
- “Sumimasen” – Excuse me
- “Oishii” – Delicious
Should I bring an empty suitcase to Japan?
A lot of people online suggest bringing a second suitcase to fill it with “everything you want to buy.” I do not think this is necessary unless you love to shop like crazy. I brought one large checked bag and a backpack, and I was able to fit my purchases, including some ceramics, some clothes, candy, cosmetics and other memorabilia I brought home. If you don’t overpack, I think you will be fine.
What should I pack for a trip to Japan?
Prepare for a range of weather, and check your resources for expected temperatures based on the time of year you go. In October, we experienced very warm weather, with temperatures reaching almost ninety degrees some days, and drizzling rain some others. Based on this itinerary, here’s what I recommend you bring:
- Passport
- Japanese Yen ($$)
- Comfy shoes that can go with almost everything – I suggest these Rothy’s lace up sneakers or these New Balance 880s for extra support. I have traversed many miles in both!
- Sandals you can wear for the beach in Okinawa
- Sunscreen – the sun in Japan is no joke! Japan also has amazing sunscreen, so you could wait and buy some there.
- Umbrella
- A hat – a baseball cap or bucket hat works well
- Large tote or zip up bag that can double for a beach bag
- Towel (although candidly we just used Airbnb towels at the beach! It saves room).
- Swimsuit
- Around 2 dresses, 2 skirts, 2 pairs of shorts.
- A cardigan that you can layer or tie around your waist.
- A jacket – I brought one cropped trench coat during this trip, and wore it twice.
- One neutral purse that looks good with everything
- One pair of jeans, one pair of trousers
- Pajamas
- Tops: bring a mixture. I suggest a long sleeve body suit and mostly shorter sleeve options (I packed around four). See below for inspo, most of mine are from Abercrombie.
- Two T-shirts – helpful for the beach or travel days.
- One large sweatshirt or hoodie for the plane and night time. One pair of comfy pants as well.
- Socks and underwear!
- Jewelry
- A curling iron or hot tool of choice (hotels usually have hair dryers, Airbnbs likely won’t)
- Room in your suitcase for souvenirs
- Detergent packets (we washed our clothes at the Airbnb in Okinawa).
With that, let’s get on with it! Here’s your 12-day Japan itinerary.
Tokyo
Tokyo is a vast city, and it’s impossible to see it all, from neon lights and quiet shrines to perfect sushi and convenience stores on every corner. In just four days, we tried to see as much as we could without breaking the bank, from Shibuya crossing to neighborhood cafes. If you want to know how to spend 4 days in Tokyo, Japan, click here!
Kyoto (plus day trips to Nara and Osaka)
Kyoto feels like stepping into another rhythm of time. One minute you’re wandering through a quiet bamboo grove with only the sound of wind and footsteps, and the next you’re squeezing into a lantern-lit alley for dinner. It’s a city where centuries-old temples exist next to modern cafés. You’ll spend your days exploring Kyoto’s most iconic neighborhoods and temples, while also venturing out on two easy day trips: Nara, for its roaming deer and ancient shrines, and Osaka, for street food and sightseeing.
Okinawa
This southern Japanese island chain offers a mix of pristine beaches, unique culture, and some of the best food in the country. But it’s very different from Tokyo or Kyoto! In this guide, I’m breaking down exactly how to spend 3 days in Okinawa, including where to explore, what to eat, and how to keep the pace relaxed. Click here!
What if I have more questions?
I’d be happy to answer questions you might have about this 12-day Japan itinerary. Leave a comment below or DM me on Instagram or TikTok: @caroline_hoffman.
Other travel guides to check out
Did you enjoy this 12-Day Japan Itinerary? If so, be sure to check out my other travel guides:
14-Day France Itinerary: Explore Paris, Bordeaux, and More
How to spend 10 days in Europe: Dublin, Paris and London
This post contains affiliate links, which means I’ll receive a commission if you purchase through my link, at no extra cost to you. Please read full disclosure here.
Pin this!
