Perfect 14-Day Japan Itinerary: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & Mount Fuji
Complete 2-week Japan travel itinerary covering Tokyo's modern attractions, Kyoto's temples, Osaka's food scene, and Mount Fuji. Includes transportation and accommodation tips.
Wanderjoy Team
Travel Expert
Perfect 14-Day Japan Itinerary: Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka & Mount Fuji
Japan offers an incredible blend of ancient traditions and cutting-edge modernity. This 14-day itinerary covers the essential highlights while allowing time to truly experience Japanese culture.
Overview: 14 Days in Japan
Route: Tokyo (5 days) → Hakone/Mount Fuji (2 days) → Kyoto (4 days) → Osaka (3 days)
Best time to visit: March-May (cherry blossoms), September-November (fall colors)
Budget: $150-300 per day depending on accommodation and dining choices
Transportation: JR Pass recommended for intercity travel
Pre-Trip Planning
Essential Preparations
- •
JR Pass: Purchase before arrival for significant savings on trains
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Pocket WiFi: Rent at airport or order for hotel delivery
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Cash: Japan is still largely cash-based - withdraw yen at 7-Eleven ATMs
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IC Card: Get Suica or Pasmo card for local transportation
Cultural Preparation
- •
Learn basic phrases: arigatou gozaimasu (thank you), sumimasen (excuse me)
- •
Understand bowing etiquette and shoe removal customs
- •
Download translation apps for restaurant menus
Days 1-5: Tokyo - Modern Metropolis
Day 1: Arrival and Shibuya
Morning:
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Arrive at Narita/Haneda Airport
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Take train to hotel (recommend staying in Shibuya, Shinjuku, or Ginza)
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Check in and freshen up
Afternoon:
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Explore Shibuya Crossing and Hachiko Statue
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Visit Shibuya Sky observation deck for city views
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Shop at Shibuya 109 or Center Gai
Evening:
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Dinner in Shibuya - try conveyor belt sushi
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Experience Tokyo nightlife in Golden Gai (Shinjuku)
Where to stay: Hotel in Shibuya or Shinjuku for central location
Day 2: Traditional Tokyo
Morning:
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Sensoji Temple in Asakusa (Tokyo's oldest temple)
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Walk down Nakamise Shopping Street
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Traditional breakfast at local restaurant
Afternoon:
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Tokyo National Museum in Ueno
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Stroll through Ueno Park
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Visit Ameyoko Market for shopping
Evening:
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Dinner in Ginza district
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Walk through illuminated streets
Cultural tip: Bow slightly when entering temples and follow photography rules
Day 3: Modern Tokyo
Morning:
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Tsukiji Outer Market for fresh sushi breakfast
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Explore Ginza shopping district
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Visit Sony Building or Apple Store Ginza
Afternoon:
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TeamLab Borderless digital art museum (book in advance!)
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Explore Odaiba's futuristic architecture
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Ride the giant Ferris wheel
Evening:
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Dinner at izakaya in Shimbashi
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Karaoke in Shibuya
Tech tip: Book TeamLab tickets online well in advance - they often sell out
Day 4: Harajuku and Omotesando
Morning:
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Meiji Shrine (write wishes on ema wooden plaques)
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Harajuku street fashion and Takeshita Street
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Crepes and cotton candy
Afternoon:
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Omotesando Hills luxury shopping
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Visit Nezu Museum and its gardens
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Explore Omotesando's architecture
Evening:
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Dinner in Harajuku
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Visit a themed café (cat café, maid café, etc.)
Photo tip: Harajuku is perfect for colorful, fun photography
Day 5: Day Trip Options
Option A: Nikko (UNESCO World Heritage)
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Toshogu Shrine complex
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Kegon Falls
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Lake Chuzenji
Option B: Kamakura
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Great Buddha statue
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Bamboo forest walks
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Traditional temples
Evening: Return to Tokyo for dinner in your favorite discovered neighborhood
Days 6-7: Hakone and Mount Fuji
Day 6: Travel to Hakone
Morning:
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Take JR Tokaido Line to Odawara, then Hakone Tozan Railway
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Check into ryokan (traditional inn) with onsen (hot springs)
Afternoon:
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Hakone Open-Air Museum
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Lake Ashi boat cruise with Mount Fuji views
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Hakone Shrine's famous torii gate
Evening:
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Traditional kaiseki dinner at ryokan
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Relax in onsen hot springs
Ryokan etiquette: Remove shoes, wear yukata robe, follow onsen rules
Day 7: Mount Fuji Views
Morning:
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Hakone Ropeway for mountain views
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Owakudani volcanic valley (try black eggs!)
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Clear views of Mount Fuji (weather permitting)
Afternoon:
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Check out of ryokan
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Travel to Kyoto via shinkansen (bullet train)
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Arrive in Kyoto in evening
Evening:
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Check into Kyoto hotel
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Light dinner near accommodation
Timing tip: Mount Fuji views are best in early morning with clear skies
Days 8-11: Kyoto - Ancient Capital
Day 8: Eastern Kyoto
Morning:
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Kinkaku-ji (Golden Pavilion) - arrive early for fewer crowds
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Zen meditation experience
Afternoon:
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Arashiyama Bamboo Grove
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Tenryu-ji Temple and gardens
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Traditional lunch in Arashiyama
Evening:
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Gion district for geisha spotting
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Traditional kaiseki dinner
Etiquette: Don't photograph geishas up close - respect their privacy
Day 9: Southern Kyoto
Morning:
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Fushimi Inari Shrine with thousands of torii gates
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Hike partway up the mountain (2-3 hours for full hike)
Afternoon:
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Kiyomizu-dera Temple with city views
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Walk through historic Sannenzaka and Ninenzaka streets
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Traditional crafts shopping
Evening:
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Dinner in Pontocho Alley
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Traditional tea ceremony experience
Photography: Golden hour at Fushimi Inari creates magical lighting through torii gates
Day 10: Central Kyoto
Morning:
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Nijo Castle and its "nightingale floors"
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Castle gardens (beautiful in cherry blossom season)
Afternoon:
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Kyoto Imperial Palace Park
- •
Nishiki Market for food tasting
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Traditional craft workshops (pottery, textile dyeing)
Evening:
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Kaiseki dinner at traditional restaurant
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Evening stroll through illuminated temples
Day 11: Day Trip to Nara
Morning:
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Take train to Nara (45 minutes from Kyoto)
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Nara Park with friendly deer
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Todai-ji Temple with giant Buddha statue
Afternoon:
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Kasuga Taisha Shrine with thousands of lanterns
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Traditional lunch in Nara
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More deer interactions and photos
Evening:
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Return to Kyoto
- •
Farewell dinner in Gion district
Animal etiquette: Bow to deer before feeding - they bow back!
Days 12-14: Osaka - Food Capital
Day 12: Travel to Osaka
Morning:
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Check out of Kyoto hotel
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Travel to Osaka (30 minutes by train)
- •
Check into Osaka accommodation
Afternoon:
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Osaka Castle and surrounding park
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Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
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Explore Dotonbori's neon lights and street food
Evening:
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Dotonbori food tour: takoyaki, okonomiyaki, kushikatsu
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Experience Osaka's vibrant nightlife
Food tip: Osaka is famous for takoyaki (octopus balls) - try several vendors to compare
Day 13: Modern Osaka and Universal Studios
Option A: Universal Studios Japan
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Harry Potter Wizarding World
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Nintendo World (if open)
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Various themed attractions
Option B: Osaka Exploration
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Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine
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Shinsaibashi shopping district
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Kuromon Ichiba Market
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Spa World for relaxation
Evening:
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Dinner in Shinsekai district
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Try kushikatsu (fried skewers)
Day 14: Final Day
Morning:
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Last-minute shopping in Shinsaibashi or Osaka Station
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Pick up omiyage (souvenirs) for friends
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Visit any missed attractions
Afternoon:
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Check out of hotel
- •
Travel to Kansai Airport (train takes 45 minutes)
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Departure preparations
Transportation Guide
JR Pass Benefits
- •
Unlimited JR train travel including most shinkansen
- •
Valid for 7, 14, or 21 consecutive days
- •
Must be purchased before arrival in Japan
- •
Activate upon arrival at airport
Local Transportation
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Tokyo: Suica or Pasmo IC cards
- •
Kyoto: City bus day passes
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Osaka: Osaka Metro day passes
Useful Apps
- •
Hyperdia for train schedules
- •
Google Translate with camera function
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Tabelog for restaurant reviews and reservations
Accommodation Recommendations
Tokyo
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Luxury: Park Hyatt Tokyo, Aman Tokyo
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Mid-range: Hotel Gracery Shinjuku, Shibuya Excel Hotel
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Budget: Capsule hotels, business hotels
Hakone
- •
Traditional: Gora Kadan, Hakone Ginyu
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Mid-range: Hakone Highland Hotel
Kyoto
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Traditional: Tawaraya Ryokan, Gion Hatanaka
- •
Modern: Hyatt Regency Kyoto, Hotel Granvia Kyoto
Osaka
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Central: St. Regis Osaka, InterContinental Osaka
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Budget-friendly: Business hotels near Osaka Station
Food Experiences Not to Miss
Must-Try Foods by City
Tokyo:
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Sushi at Tsukiji/Toyosu
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Ramen in Shibuya or Shinjuku
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Tempura in Ginza
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Monjayaki (Tokyo's okonomiyaki)
Kyoto:
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Kaiseki multi-course dining
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Tofu cuisine in temple restaurants
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Matcha and wagashi sweets
- •
Obanzai (home-style cooking)
Osaka:
- •
Takoyaki (octopus balls)
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Okonomiyaki (savory pancakes)
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Kushikatsu (fried skewers)
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Ikayaki (grilled squid)
Restaurant Etiquette
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Say "itadakimasu" before eating
- •
Don't stick chopsticks upright in rice
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Slurping noodles is acceptable and shows appreciation
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Many restaurants have plastic food displays - point if you can't read Japanese
Cultural Experiences
Traditional Activities
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Tea ceremony in Kyoto
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Onsen (hot springs) in Hakone
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Sumo wrestling match if in season
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Kabuki theater performance
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Temple meditation sessions
Modern Experiences
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Robot Restaurant show in Tokyo
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Karaoke in Shibuya
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Arcade games in Akihabara
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TeamLab digital art museums
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Pokemon Center visits
Budget Planning
Daily Budget Estimates (per person)
Budget Travel: $80-120
- •
Hostels/capsule hotels: $25-40
- •
Convenience store meals: $15-25
- •
Local trains and buses: $10-15
- •
Activities and attractions: $20-30
Mid-Range Travel: $150-250
- •
Business hotels: $80-120
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Mix of restaurants: $40-60
- •
Transportation including some taxis: $20-30
- •
Activities and shopping: $40-60
Luxury Travel: $300-500+
- •
High-end hotels: $200-400
- •
Fine dining: $100-150
- •
Private tours and experiences: $100-200
- •
Shopping and premium activities: $100+
Seasonal Considerations
Spring (March-May)
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Pros: Cherry blossoms, perfect weather
- •
Cons: Crowds, higher prices
- •
Pack: Light layers, rain jacket
Summer (June-August)
- •
Pros: Festivals, longer daylight
- •
Cons: Hot and humid, rainy season in June/July
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Pack: Light, breathable clothing, umbrella
Fall (September-November)
- •
Pros: Fall colors, comfortable weather
- •
Cons: Typhoon season (September)
- •
Pack: Layers, light jacket
Winter (December-February)
- •
Pros: Fewer crowds, winter illuminations
- •
Cons: Cold weather, some attractions close early
- •
Pack: Warm clothing, waterproof shoes
Final Tips for Japan Travel Success
Language and Communication
- •
Download Google Translate with camera feature
- •
Learn basic phrases and numbers
- •
Carry a business card from your hotel
- •
Many signs in major cities have English
Cultural Sensitivity
- •
Remove shoes when entering homes, some restaurants, temples
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Bow slightly when greeting or thanking
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Don't eat while walking (except festivals)
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Keep conversations quiet on trains
Safety and Health
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Japan is extremely safe - violent crime is rare
- •
Carry cash - many places don't accept cards
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Emergency services: Police 110, Fire/Ambulance 119
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Tap water is safe to drink everywhere
Technology and Connectivity
- •
Rent pocket WiFi at airport
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Download offline maps
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IC cards work for most public transportation
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Charging cables: Japan uses Type A plugs (same as US)
This itinerary provides a perfect introduction to Japan's diversity - from Tokyo's modern energy to Kyoto's traditional beauty, from Mount Fuji's natural majesty to Osaka's culinary delights. Take time to appreciate both the famous sights and unexpected moments of daily Japanese life.
Remember: flexibility is key. If you fall in love with a particular place or activity, don't be afraid to adjust your schedule. The best travel experiences often come from spontaneous discoveries and genuine cultural connections.
About Wanderjoy Team
The Wanderjoy team consists of passionate travelers and technology experts dedicated to making travel planning easier and more enjoyable. We've explored dozens of countries and tested countless travel apps to bring you the best insights and recommendations.
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