14 days in spring: Tokyo neighborhoods, Kyoto temples, and hot springs in Hakone.
M
Mustafa Furniturewala
Travel Itinerary
At a Glance
14 days Best time: March-April 8 min read
- • Cherry blossom season in Tokyo and Kyoto
- • TeamLab digital art museum experience
- • Traditional tea ceremony and kimono experience
- • Fushimi Inari and Arashiyama bamboo groves
- • Hakone hot springs with Mt. Fuji views
Route: Tokyo → Kyoto → Hakone · ~664 km
Trip Overview
This 14-day itinerary covers Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hakone during cherry blossom season. Starting in Tokyo, you’ll explore neighborhoods and museums, then travel to Kyoto for temples and traditional experiences, before unwinding in Hakone’s hot springs.
Cities Visited: Tokyo, Kyoto, Nara, Osaka, Hiroshima (day trips), Hakone
Best Time to Visit: Late March to early April for cherry blossoms. This is peak season - book accommodations and popular restaurants well in advance.
Day 1: Arrival in Tokyo
Afternoon Arrival
Arrive at Narita Airport (NRT). Take the Narita Express to Shinjuku or Tokyo Station (~1 hour).
Where to Stay: Shibuya area - central location with great food and nightlife options.
Evening:
- Walk to Shibuya Crossing - one of the world’s busiest intersections
- Explore the area, grab dinner at a local izakaya
Tips:
- Get a Suica or Pasmo card at the airport for easy train/subway travel
- Consider arriving a day early to recover from jet lag
Day 2: Tokyo Exploration
Morning
- Tsukiji Outer Market - Fresh seafood breakfast, try the tamagoyaki (egg omelet)
- Senso-ji Temple in Asakusa - Tokyo’s oldest temple, explore Nakamise shopping street
Afternoon
- Shibuya Parco - Modern shopping complex with Nintendo Store
- Walk from Shibuya to Shinjuku through interesting neighborhoods
Evening
- Dinner at Shinjuku Omoide Yokocho - Atmospheric alley of tiny izakayas
Must-Try Foods:
- Fresh sushi at Tsukiji
- Street food at Asakusa
- Yakitori at Omoide Yokocho
Day 3: Tokyo - Hidden Gems
Morning
- Sunamachi Ginza - Local shopping street, authentic Tokyo atmosphere
- Tenbou Park - Great city views
Afternoon
- Kabukicho Tower - Entertainment complex in Shinjuku
- Walk through Kabukicho and Golden Gai
Evening
- Omakase sushi dinner - Book in advance for an authentic experience
Tips:
- Tokyo is best explored on foot - comfortable shoes essential
- Many restaurants require reservations, especially for sushi
Day 4: Tokyo - TeamLab & Akihabara
Morning
- TeamLab Planets or TeamLab Borderless - Immersive digital art museum
- Book tickets in advance (sells out!)
- Arrive early for shorter wait times
- Wear shorts/pants that can roll up (you wade through water)
Afternoon
- Akihabara - Electronics, anime, and gaming district
- Browse multi-story electronics stores and themed cafes
Evening
- Samurai Restaurant - Unique dining experience with samurai performances
Where to Stay: Continue in Tokyo area
Tip: TeamLab tickets go fast - book 1-2 weeks ahead online.
Day 5: Travel to Kyoto
Morning
- Take the Shinkansen (bullet train) from Tokyo to Kyoto (~2 hours 15 min)
- Store luggage at hotel
Afternoon
- Gion District - Traditional geisha district
- Walk along the Shirakawa Canal
- Visit Yasaka Shrine
Evening
- Dinner at Pontocho - Narrow alley with traditional restaurants along the river
- Evening stroll to spot geiko (Kyoto geisha)
Where to Stay: A central hotel in Kyoto, walkable to Gion and the river
Tips:
- Reserve JR Pass before your trip if taking multiple trains
- Gion is most atmospheric at dusk
Day 6: Kyoto - Temples & Tea
Morning
- Philosopher’s Path - Scenic walk especially beautiful during cherry blossom season
- Ginkaku-ji (Silver Pavilion) - Zen temple with beautiful gardens
Afternoon
- Tea Ceremony & Kimono Experience at Kyoto MAIKOYA
- Dress in traditional kimono
- Learn the art of Japanese tea ceremony
- Great photo opportunities
Evening
- Explore Nishiki Market - “Kyoto’s Kitchen”
- Try fresh oysters, pickles, and local specialties
Must-Try:
- Matcha everything - Kyoto is famous for green tea
- Yudofu (tofu hot pot)
Day 7: Kyoto - Fushimi Inari & Arashiyama
Early Morning (Start by 6-7am!)
- Fushimi Inari Shrine - Thousands of vermillion torii gates
- Go early to avoid crowds and get photos without people
- Full hike to summit takes 2-3 hours
Afternoon
- Travel to Arashiyama district
- Bamboo Grove - Bamboo forest (also less crowded early morning)
- Tenryu-ji Temple - UNESCO World Heritage site
- Sagano Scenic Railway - Beautiful train ride through mountains
Evening
- Dinner at a restaurant in Arashiyama before returning to central Kyoto
Tips:
- Start Fushimi Inari at sunrise for photos without crowds
- Arashiyama can be combined with Fushimi Inari in one long day
Day 8: Day Trip to Osaka
Morning
- Train to Osaka (~15 minutes from Kyoto)
- Osaka Castle - Castle with museum inside
- Walk through the castle park gardens
Afternoon
- Dotonbori - Neon-lit entertainment district
- Try Osaka’s famous street food:
- Takoyaki (octopus balls)
- Okonomiyaki (savory pancakes)
Evening
- Shinsekai district - Retro neighborhood with kushikatsu restaurants
- Return to Kyoto
Osaka Specialties:
- Takoyaki
- Okonomiyaki
- Kushikatsu (deep-fried skewers)
Day 9: Day Trip to Nara
Morning
- Train to Nara (~45 minutes from Kyoto)
- Nara Park - Famous for friendly, bowing deer
- Buy deer crackers to feed them (be prepared - they’re persistent!)
Afternoon
- Todai-ji Temple - Houses the world’s largest bronze Buddha
- Walk through the temple grounds
- Kasuga Taisha - Shrine with thousands of stone lanterns
Evening
- Return to Kyoto for dinner
Tips:
- The deer can be aggressive - watch your belongings!
- Nara is compact and walkable
Day 10: Day Trip to Hiroshima
Full Day
- Shinkansen to Hiroshima (~1.5 hours from Kyoto)
- Peace Memorial Park - Moving memorial to the atomic bombing
- Atomic Bomb Dome - UNESCO World Heritage site
- Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum
- Ferry to Miyajima Island - Famous floating torii gate (if time permits)
Evening
- Return to Kyoto
Note: This is a long but rewarding day. Alternatively, skip this for a relaxed day in Kyoto.
Day 11: Travel to Hakone
Morning
- Check out of Kyoto hotel
- Shinkansen to Odawara (~2 hours)
- Local train/bus to Hakone
Afternoon
- Check into Hakone ryokan (traditional Japanese inn)
- Enjoy the private onsen (hot spring bath)
Evening
- Kaiseki dinner at the ryokan - multi-course traditional meal
- Relax in the onsen
Where to Stay: A ryokan with a private onsen
Tips:
- Book ryokan well in advance - popular ones sell out
- Most ryokans include dinner and breakfast
Day 12: Hakone Exploration
Morning
- Hakone Open-Air Museum - Sculptures in beautiful mountain setting
- Owakudani - Volcanic valley with sulfur vents
- Try the famous black eggs (boiled in sulfur springs)
Afternoon
- Lake Ashi cruise - Views of Mt. Fuji on clear days
- Hakone Shrine - Vermillion torii gate on the lake
Evening
- Return to ryokan for more onsen time
- Kaiseki dinner
Tips:
- Get the Hakone Free Pass for unlimited transport
- Mt. Fuji views depend on weather - morning is usually clearest
Day 13: Return to Tokyo
Morning
- Final onsen soak at ryokan
- Travel back to Tokyo (~1.5 hours)
Afternoon
- Last-minute shopping:
- Ginza for luxury brands
- Nakano Broadway for anime/vintage items
- Don Quijote for souvenirs
Evening
- Farewell dinner at a special restaurant
- Walk around your favorite Tokyo neighborhood one last time
Where to Stay: Near Tokyo Station for easy airport access
Day 14: Departure
Morning
- Final breakfast in Tokyo
- Last-minute shopping or sightseeing
- Take Narita Express to airport (~1 hour)
Tips:
- Arrive at airport 3 hours early for international flights
- Save some yen for last-minute airport shopping
Trip Summary
| Detail | Info |
|---|---|
| Total Days | 14 days |
| Transport | JR Pass recommended for train travel |
| Accommodations | Mix of hotels and traditional ryokan |
| Best For | Culture lovers, foodies, first-time Japan visitors |
| Pace | Active with relaxation breaks |
Practical Tips
Getting Around
- JR Pass - Essential for this itinerary, covers most shinkansen and JR trains
- Buy and activate before arriving or at the airport
- IC Card (Suica/Pasmo) for subways and local trains
Cherry Blossom Season
- Peak bloom varies each year (late March to early April)
- Check forecast closer to your trip: japan-guide.com/sakura
- Popular spots get crowded - go early morning
- Hanami (flower viewing) parties happen in parks
Reservations Needed
- TeamLab tickets (1-2 weeks ahead)
- Omakase sushi restaurants (1+ month ahead for popular spots)
- Hakone ryokan (1-2 months ahead for weekends)
- Tea ceremony experiences (1 week ahead)
Money
- Japan is still largely cash-based
- 7-Eleven ATMs accept foreign cards
- Some restaurants are cash-only
Etiquette
- Remove shoes when entering temples, ryokans, some restaurants
- No tipping in Japan
- Quiet on trains - avoid phone calls
- Onsen etiquette: Wash thoroughly before entering bath
Must-Do Highlights
- TeamLab Planets/Borderless - Digital art museum
- Fushimi Inari at sunrise - Quiet before the crowds
- Traditional tea ceremony - Authentic cultural experience
- Arashiyama Bamboo Grove - Go early
- Hakone ryokan with private onsen - Ultimate relaxation
- Cherry blossom viewing - Japan at its most beautiful
- Osaka street food - Takoyaki and okonomiyaki are must-tries