21 days, 20 nights

The following is a suggested itinerary for first time travelers to Japan who spend 21 days and 20 nights in Japan, and arrive/depart from Osaka's Kansai Airport.

Day 1 - Arrive at Kansai Airport
Arrive at Kansai Airport and spend the rest of the day in Kyoto.
Day 2-5 - Kyoto with sidetrip
Spend four full days in Kyoto with one of those days spent on a daytrip to nearby Nara. Also consider one of our suggested Kyoto itineraries.
Day 6 - Kyoto to Mount Koya
In the morning, travel from Kyoto to Mount Koya (3 hours) and overnight there at a temple.
Day 7 - Mount Koya to Osaka
In the morning, travel from Mount Koya to Osaka (2 hours) and spend the afternoon and evening exploring Osaka.
Day 8 - Osaka to Hiroshima
In the early morning, travel from Osaka to Hiroshima (2 hours) and visit the Peace Park. In the afternoon, continue on to Miyajima and overnight there.
Day 9 - Miyajima to Nagasaki
Get up early and spend the morning on Miyajima. Then continue to Nagasaki on the island of Kyushu (4.5 hours) and spend the evening and night there.
Day 10 - Nagasaki
Spend a full day in Nagasaki.
Day 11 - Nagasaki to Himeji
Leave Nagasaki in the morning for Himeji (4-5 hours). Spend the afternoon exploring Himeji Castle. Then continue on to Tokyo in the evening (3-4 hours).
Day 12-15 - Tokyo with sidetrips
Spend four full days in Tokyo with two of those days spent on daytrips to nearby Kamakura and Nikko. Also consider one of our suggested Tokyo itineraries.
Day 16 - Tokyo to Ise
In the early morning, travel from Tokyo to Ise (3.5 hours) and visit the Ise Shrines. In the late afternoon, return to Nagoya (90 minutes) and spend the evening and night there.
Day 17 - Nagoya to Takayama
In the morning, travel from Nagoya to Takayama (2.5 hours) and spend the afternoon and evening exploring Takayama.
Day 18 - Takayama to Kanazawa
Spend most of the day in Takayama. Leave the city in the afternoon for Kanazawa (2.5 hours) and spend the evening and night in Kanazawa.
Day 19 - Kanazawa
Spend a full day in Kanazawa.
Day 20 - Kanazawa to Kyoto
Return from Kanazawa to Kyoto and spend the remaining day there.
Day 21 - Depart from Kansai Airport
Depart Japan from Kansai Airport.

Regular train tickets will be cheaper than a Japan Rail Pass for this itinerary; however, travelers who do not mind paying extra for the convenience and flexibility of the pass' all-you-can-ride priviledge could consider using a 14-day Japan Rail Pass from day 8 to 21 or even a 21-day pass. Haruka 1-Way Tickets can be considered for access to/from the airport. Below are some sample budgets for the itinerary, excluding airfare. Find out more about the sample budgets and about the current yen exchange rates.

	Single Traveler	Two Travelers
Low Budget	201,000 - 317,000 yen	402,000 - 594,000 yen
Medium Budget	317,000 - 547,000 yen	594,000 - 814,000 yen
High Budget	over 547,000 yen	over 814,000 yen

Click here for the current yen exchange rates.

Questions? Ask in our forum.