How long should you plan a trip to Japan for? It’s one of the most common questions travellers ask when organising a Japan itinerary. From the neon-lit streets of Tokyo to the historic temples of Kyoto and the scenic landscapes of rural Japan, the country offers an extraordinary range of experiences that can’t all be covered in a short visit. The ideal length of a trip to Japan depends on factors such as your travel style, interests, and how many regions you want to explore. In this guide, we’ll break down recommended trip lengths for Japan, helping you decide how many days or weeks you should plan for your Japan travel itinerary.

Recommended Trip Length

For many first-time and return visitors, around 15 days in Japan is often considered the ideal starting point. This timeframe allows travellers to experience the country’s major highlights without feeling rushed, typically combining destinations such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, with optional day trips to places like Nara, Hakone, or Hiroshima. With Japan’s efficient rail network, moving between cities is fast and straightforward. 15 days allows for a comfortable, yet full-on, itinerary, and allows for plenty of time to see all the sights you and your travelling group want to see without nearly as much time pressure as shorter trips.

The 15 days also allows for a day to get settled in your arrival city and work off the jetlag, before activating a 14-day JR Pass, enabling you to hop from city to city on Japan’s extensive rail network with ease.

How short is too short to see the country?

If you can’t do 15 days, then you can still experience Japan. To experience Japan’s most iconic destinations, seven days is generally the minimum amount of time we’d recommend for a trip to Japan, but we’d always recommend more time if you can. A one-week itinerary typically allows for a brief introduction to major cities such as Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, but leaves little room for additional destinations or slower-paced exploration. A seven-day itinerary is often very rushed, only spending a short amount of time in each city or attraction. We find that people on a seven-day itinerary often don’t get to see everything on their list, as times to explore and do things are a lot leaner and less flexible.

While it is possible to fit more into a seven-day Japan itinerary, doing so often results in a rushed and overly hectic schedule, with limited time to fully appreciate the sights, neighbourhoods, and cultural experiences that make each destination unique

So how long should I visit for?

Regardless, at the end of the day, it all comes up to your planning. While we recommend 15 days to get a good taste of Japan, we appreciate that not everyone can take that length of a trip. Whether you are in Japan for a short trip, or a long trip, it’s all about making the most out of your trip. If you want expert advice on planning your trip to Japan, consider contacting our travel consultants for free trip-planning assistance.