Travelers to Japan typically plan a trip for 11 to 15 days when combining Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Hakone with Osaka and Miyajima Island. If you’re only headed to Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Hakone, you can enjoy a comfortably paced trip in 10 to 12 days. A fast-paced highlights trip is possible in eight or nine days for travelers with limited time. Check out our favorite Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima, and Hakone trips below.
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## Planning Your Trip: How Many Days Do You Need in Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Hakone?
When planning a trip to Japan, one of the most exciting things to consider is the diverse range of destinations you can explore. Many travelers prioritize experiencing the iconic cities of **Tokyo**, **Kyoto**, and **Hiroshima**, along with the stunning natural beauty of **Hakone**. The question then becomes: how much time should you dedicate to each of these locations to truly make the most of your adventure?
As a general guideline, most travelers find that a combined trip encompassing **Tokyo**, **Kyoto**, **Hiroshima**, and **Hakone** typically requires between 10 and 12 days to feel sufficiently explored. This timeframe allows for a comfortable pace, enabling you to immerse yourself in the unique atmosphere of each location and discover its key attractions without feeling overly rushed.
Is it possible to squeeze these destinations into a shorter timeframe? Yes, visiting **Tokyo**, **Kyoto**, **Hiroshima**, and **Hakone** in 8 or 9 days is indeed feasible. However, be prepared for a more intense itinerary. You’ll likely be moving at a quicker pace, sacrificing some of the opportunities for leisurely exploration and spontaneous discoveries. If you’re comfortable with a whirlwind tour, this might work for you, but for many, it can feel a bit rushed.
Conversely, what if you have the luxury of a longer vacation? With 13 or more days at your disposal, most travelers opt to enrich their journey by incorporating additional stops. This allows for a deeper dive into Japanese culture and offers the chance to experience even more of the country’s varied landscapes and urban centers.
The most common extensions to itineraries that include **Tokyo**, **Kyoto**, **Hiroshima**, and **Hakone** often involve adding **Osaka** and **Miyajima Island** to the itinerary. **Osaka**, known for its vibrant street food scene and bustling atmosphere, provides a captivating contrast to the more traditional feel of **Kyoto**. **Miyajima Island**, with its iconic floating torii gate, offers a serene escape and a glimpse into Japan’s spiritual side.
## Recommended Itineraries for Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Hakone
Here are a couple of sample itineraries to give you an idea of how you could structure your trip:
### Recommended Itinerary for 12 Days
This itinerary offers a balanced blend of urban exploration, historical immersion, and natural beauty, showcasing the highlights of **Tokyo**, **Kyoto**, **Hiroshima**, and **Hakone**.
**Day 1:** Arrive in **Tokyo**. After settling into your accommodation, begin exploring this vibrant metropolis. Perhaps start with the bustling **Shibuya** crossing or the trendy **Harajuku** district. Overnight in **Tokyo**.
**Day 2:** Embark on a futuristic **Odaiba** tour. This man-made island offers stunning views of the **Tokyo** skyline, futuristic architecture, and entertainment options. Overnight in **Tokyo**.
**Day 3:** Take a day trip to **Nikko**, a town nestled in the mountains north of **Tokyo**, famed for its stunning shrines and temples, particularly the **Toshogu Shrine**, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Return to **Tokyo** for the night.
**Day 4:** Enjoy a free day in **Tokyo**. This is your chance to pursue your own interests, whether it’s exploring the **Ginza** shopping district, visiting the **Imperial Palace East Garden**, or delving into the anime and manga culture of **Akihabara**. Overnight in **Tokyo**.
**Day 5:** Indulge in a **Tokyo** food tour. Sample a variety of Japanese delicacies, from sushi and ramen to street food and traditional sweets. This is a great way to experience the city’s culinary scene. Overnight in **Tokyo**.
**Day 6:** Travel from **Tokyo** to **Hakone**. Enjoy a mountains and hot springs tour. **Hakone** is renowned for its stunning views of **Mount Fuji**, its natural hot springs (onsen), and its beautiful scenery. Overnight in **Hakone**.
**Day 7:** Journey from **Hakone** to **Kyoto**. In the afternoon, take a “Memoirs of a Geisha” tour, exploring the **Gion** district, known for its traditional wooden machiya houses and the chance to spot geishas. Overnight in **Kyoto**.
**Day 8:** Visit the enchanting bamboo groves and serene temples at **Arashiyama**, a district on the outskirts of **Kyoto**. Enjoy a peaceful walk through the bamboo forest and explore the nearby **Tenryu-ji Temple**. Overnight in **Kyoto**.
**Day 9:** Enjoy a free day in the **Kansai** region, which includes **Kyoto**. You could use this day to explore other parts of **Kyoto**, visit the nearby city of **Osaka**, or delve deeper into the region’s cultural attractions. Overnight in **Kyoto**.
**Day 10:** Travel from **Kyoto** to **Hiroshima**. Upon arrival, embark on a “Reborn **Hiroshima**” tour, learning about the city’s history and its remarkable recovery from the atomic bombing. Overnight in **Hiroshima**.
**Day 11:** Take a day trip to **Miyajima Island**. This island is famous for its iconic floating torii gate of **Itsukushima Shrine**, one of Japan’s most recognizable landmarks. Overnight in **Hiroshima**.
**Day 12:** Depart from **Hiroshima**.
This 12-day trip really does combine the best of Japan’s major cities, significant historic landmarks, and diverse natural landscapes. Visitors will have the pleasure of exploring the bustling metropolis of **Tokyo**, experiencing the cultural heart of **Kyoto**, and reflecting on history in **Hiroshima**, as well as enjoying the serene mountainside town of **Nikko** and the relaxing hot springs of **Hakone**. It is an itinerary that allows one to enjoy everything Japan has to offer, including its rich culture, stunning art, ancient temples and shrines, and delicious, traditional cuisine.
## Extended Itineraries
### 12-Day Itinerary Including Osaka & Miyajima Island
**Day 1:** Arrive in **Tokyo**, Explore.
**Day 2:** **Tokyo** Tour with a Private Local Guide
**Day 3:** **Tokyo** Free Day
**Day 4:** **Tokyo** to **Hakone**, Hot Spring Ryokan Inn with Dinner
**Day 5:** **Hakone** to **Hiroshima**, Explore
**Day 6:** **Hiroshima** to **Miyajima Island**, Explore
**Day 7:** **Miyajima** to **Kyoto**, Explore
**Day 8:** **Kyoto** Tour with a Private Local Guide
**Day 9:** Day Trip to **Nara**
**Day 10:** **Kyoto** to **Osaka**, Explore
**Day 11:** **Osaka** Tour with a Private Local Guide
**Day 12:** Depart **Osaka**
Equally known for its vibrant city life and mountainous beauty, Japan offers a well-rounded visit filled with liveliness, adventure, and variety. On your 12-day journey, you will explore the high-energy tech and fashion trends of **Tokyo**, enjoy the breathtaking views and temples of **Kyoto**, and relax at a hot springs retreat in **Hakone**. Immerse yourself in Japanese culture, complete with the exceptional, authentic dining of **Osaka**.
### 13-Day Itinerary Including Osaka
**Day 1:** Arrive in **Tokyo**, Explore
**Day 2:** **Tokyo** City Tour: Traditional to Modern
**Day 3:** Day Trip to **Nikko**
**Day 4:** Day Trip to **Kamakura**
**Day 5:** **Tokyo** to **Hakone**, Explore
**Day 6:** **Hakone** to **Kyoto**, Hiking at **Fushimi Inari Shrine**
**Day 7:** Day Trip to **Nara** & **Uji**
**Day 8:** **Arashiyama** & **Kyoto** Landscape Views
**Day 9:** **Kyoto** to **Hiroshima**, Explore
**Day 10:** Visit the **Hiroshima** Gardens
**Day 11:** Day Trip to **Miyajima Island**
**Day 12:** **Hiroshima** to **Osaka**, Visit the **Sumiyoshi Grand Shrine**
**Day 13:** Depart **Osaka**
See some of Japan’s most famous sites while exploring the country by bullet train on this 13-day tour. After learning about **Tokyo’s** history and culture, visit **Nikko** for a rejuvenating hike, **Kamakura** to explore its shrines and temples, and **Hakone**, where you can relax in its thermal waters. Then it’s on to **Kyoto** to admire the beautiful shrines of **Fushimi Inari** and **Hiroshima** to reflect on the tragic events there before ending your adventure in **Osaka** to look around its famous castle.
## How to Travel Between Tokyo, Kyoto, Hiroshima & Hakone
**How to Get to Hiroshima**
**Hiroshima**, known as “The Reborn City,” has risen from the ashes of atomic destruction and rebuilt itself into a beautiful place to visit with a powerful message of peace. While history is an important part of a trip to **Hiroshima**, there are also many stunning sights and culinary experiences to look forward to. Depending on what city you’re arriving from, it may be best to fly or take the train.
**How to Get From Tokyo to Kyoto**
**Kyoto** is 283 miles (445 km) from **Tokyo**, but you can get from **Tokyo** to **Kyoto** in just over two hours if you travel on a high-speed **Shinkansen** (bullet train). By air, the journey will take about three hours, including ground transportation. The **Shinkansen** is a very popular way to travel between these locations.
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