Your Two-Week Japan Itinerary

Touch down at Narita International Airport where your driver will be waiting to whisk you to central Tokyo. The transfer to The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza  — your home for the next three nights — typically takes just under an hour. Located in the heart of Tokyo’s dynamic district, your smooth check-in is sure to reveal how the team has seamlessly blended modern luxury with Japanese finesse and exemplary service. As with the entirety of this Japan itinerary, what comes next is up to you: consider unwinding with a welcome drink at Punch Room or hitting Ginza to explore. Tonight, you can opt to enjoy a brasserie-inspired and locally sourced meal at the hotel’s signature restaurant, Sophie at EDITION, or partner with the concierge to book a table outside the hotel.

Rise and shine for your included breakfast at the hotel to fuel up for a day of exploration. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor has matched you to a local guide who will be your key to the city for the next two days; synch up in the lobby before embarking on a guided tour of Asakusa — the center of the “low city” and a district where the atmosphere of Old Tokyo survives — and the region’s main attraction, Senso-ji Temple. As Tokyo’s most colorful and oldest temple, it’s also one of the most widely visited spiritual sites in the world.

If you’re up for more spiritual and cultural sightseeing, your guide can take you to visit the Meiji Shrine which is dedicated to the deified spirits of Emperor Meiji and his consort, Empress Shoken. The main complex of shrine buildings is just a ten-minute walk from the southern entrance of Harajuku Station which you can meander over to to experience Tokyo’s answer to Paris’ Champ-Elysses, known as Omotesando. Here, you can stroll the high-end shopping complete with vintage stores, kawaii fashion boutiques, and of course, a few cat cafés. For dinner, your SmartFlyer travel advisor has booked you a table at one of the Michelin-recommended restaurants in Ginza: BIRD LAND, Ginza Kojyu (Two Michelin Stars), Sushi Yoshitake (Two Michelin Stars), Sukiyabashi Jiro (Two Michelin Stars), or Tempura Kondo (Two Michelin Stars).

This morning, you can opt for breakfast at the hotel, or skip in anticipation of the best-quality sushi breakfast in the world at your first stop of the day: Tsukiji Outer Market. While the famous original market has moved to Toyosu, the outer market remains at its original location and today, offers visitors nearly five hundred shops selling fresh produce, seafood, and yes, ready-to-eat sushi! Savor your time here as your guide introduces you to vendors selling some of the freshest fish imaginable.

To get in some steps after your tasting, we love a stop at the Edo-Tokyo Museum followed by a stroll in the Imperial Palace East Gardens where you’ll be given historical context for this sacred palace’s importance. If you’re craving further cultural immersion, add one final visit to your Japan itinerary with a visit to the Mori Art Museum which houses modern art exhibitions, including fashion, architecture, design, photography, and video. Head back to The Tokyo EDITION, Ginza to refresh before experiencing Tokyo’s nightlife in Roppongi.

This morning, savor your final breakfast at the EDITION before packing up and checking out. Today, you’ll hop on board one of the transportation highlights of this Japan itinerary as you board the hyper-efficient bullet train to Osaka. During this approximately two-and-a-half-hour ride to Osaka, relish in all the beautiful memories made in Tokyo, knowing you have ten whole days of your Japan itinerary left! A driver will be waiting at you upon arrival to transfer you to check-in at W Osaka. Spend your evening decompressing, or, if you prefer a more lively night, explore Dotonbori as the city’s neon lights begin to illuminate the streets. This gastronomic paradise is ideal for adventurous eaters with countless delicacies to try – don’t miss out on okonomiyaki, a Japanese-style savory pancake.

Based on your energy levels, consider a slower morning or perhaps an in-suite breakfast before heading out for whatever activities most strike your fancy. A Japan itinerary is hardly complete without a visit to nearby Osaka Castle, but we equally enjoy a stop at the Kitano Tenmangu Shrine and the Osaka International Peace Center which acts as a nod towards hope and peace.

If you prefer a bird’s eye view of this bustling city, check out the Umeda Sky Building where you can feel on top of the world at this 360-degree open-air rooftop. For an interactive lunch, we personally love a visit to the Cupnoodles Museum where you can craft your own cup of noodles as you learn about the iconic brand’s creator and founder. Consider retreating to W Osaka for a rest before your dinner at a local izakaya.

Today is designed to be one of your most relaxing on this Japan itinerary. Fitness enthusiasts will love the cutting-edge W Osaka gym and indoor pool. Or, if all of the exploration has you craving some R&R, the AWAY Spa on property is the best way to dig into self-care with a massage or facial treatment. Reimerge for the afternoon completely rejuvenated.

Continue on your wellness journey with a spiritual exploration of Osaka Bay. Here, you’ll find Sumiyoshi Taisha Shrine which has stood watch over the area for almost 2,000 years. This shrine offers spiritual protection for the port of Osaka and has close ties with poetry, the performing arts, sumo wrestling, success in love and business, and the safe delivery of babies. Continue to indulge this evening with shopping in Shinsaibashi or dip into Osaka’s nightlife scene.

You’re officially halfway through your Japan itinerary and it’s time to head to your next stop: Kyoto. After breakfast and check-out at W Osaka, you’ll have a car transfer awaiting you for a brief one-hour drive to check-in at The Mitsui Kyoto. This elegant hotel provides the perfect base to explore Kyoto’s ancient temples and serene gardens. Ease into your time here by relaxing in the hotel’s geothermal hot spring followed by dinner on property at TOKI, an innovative Kyoto-French crossover concept.

Home to over 1,600 temples and shrines, Kyoto is the cultural capital on your Japan itinerary. Take your time at your included breakfast before syncing up with your guide in The Mitsui Kyoto lobby. You’ll begin today’s touring with a moment of zen at Ryoanji temple, Japan’s most famous rock garden. From there, visit Kinkaku-ji, or the “Golden Pavilion” which is a top-visited Kyoto landmark thanks to its top two floors being completely covered in gold leaf.

From here, head in the direction of the mountains where you’ll find the city’s five Zen temples in the Arashiyma area. The picture-perfect bamboo grove is your spot to wander the monkey park or simply take in nature. This afternoon, your SmartFlyer travel advisor has organized a traditional tea ceremony which is sure to be one of the highlights of your trip. Based on your preference, you’re all set with reservations a coveted table at one of Kyoto’s Michelin-starred spots including Gion Maruyama (Two Michelin Stars), Otagi (Two Michelin Stars), Hyotei (Three Michelin Stars), or Isshisoden Nakamura (Three Michelin Stars).

Fuel up with breakfast at the hotel before visiting Fushimi Inari Shrine, the ultimate torii gate experience. As one of the most popular sites in Kyoto, we recommend an early start to be able to enjoy this iconic site with as few other visitors as possible. From there, you’ll head to Nijo Castle. As the residence of the Tokugawa warlords, here you can uncover over two hundred years of history where the emperor wielded power. From there, let the afternoon unfold with a bit of spontaneity and consider a Kaiseki dinner at the hotel.

This morning marks the start of your final full day in Kyoto! Kick it off with breakfast at the hotel. Then, stop by the Ginkaku-ji or “Silver Pavilion” which was built to be the retirement villa of a 15th-century shogun before being converted into a Zen temple after his passing. Its meticulously landscaped garden includes an expansive moss garden making the perfect place to zone out. 

If you’re craving movement, you can go on your very own “Philosopher’s Walk.” Named after a Kyoto University philosophy professor, Nishida Kitaro, who used to awk along the Shishigatani canal daily, this route will bring you to a park filled with temples, shrines, coffeehouses, boutiques, and craft shops. If you’re doing this Japan itinerary during cherry blossom season, prepare to be delighted by plentiful blooms. Enjoy your final night in Kyoto with dinner at a local restaurant recommended by the concierge.

This morning marks your final destination change on your exhilarating Japan itinerary. Check out of The Mitsui Kyoto and hop in the car your SmartFlyer travel advisor booked you to the train station. Your bullet train to Nikko will take approximately three hours before another driver awaits your arrival. Check in at The Ritz-Carlton Nikko for your three-night stay on the tranquil shores of Lake Chuzenji, near the UNESCO World Heritage site of Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Relax in the hotel’s onsen as you sink into this final nature-filled part of your Japan itinerary.

Wake up in verdant Nikko, a sacred land with a legacy of both Shinto and Buddhist mountain worship. Luxuriate in breakfast at the hotel as you prepare for a late morning: visit to Nikko Toshogu Shrine. Don’t miss the shrine’s colorful five-story pagoda including the original carving that inspired the “see no evil, speak no evil, hear no evil” maxim. This opulent shrine dates back to 1616 and is the final resting place of the founding ruler of the Edo Period.  

This afternoon, you’ll have the chance to experience a guided visit to the Tamozawa Imperial Villa. Constructed as a retreat for Emperor Taisho, the villa is a registered National Treasure and allows visitors to explore the diverse buildings and stunning gardens it inhabits while getting a taste of Japanese imperial design features. Afterward, retreat back to The Ritz-Carlton Nikko for dinner at the hotel’s fine dining restaurant.

Take all the time you need this morning as you prepare for your final full day of your custom Japan itinerary. Today is going to be all about water and immersing yourself in nature. After breakfast at the hotel, you’ll head out to Kegon Waterfall. As one of Japan’s Three Great Waterfalls, it’s a sight to behold as the stream plummets 318 feet from Lake Chuzenji into the valley below. If you’re visiting Japan during fall foliage season in October, the falls are arguably at their most impressive.

Located at the foothills of Mount Nantai, Lake Chuzenji was left in the wake of a volcanic eruption dating back 20,000 years. Today, this sapphire-hued lake offers visitors a place to hike its fifteen-mile circumference, drive along its shore, or our favorite, take a boat cruise along its calming waters. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor has planned a special farewell dinner prime for you to recount the indelible memories made on your two-week Japan itinerary.

After perhaps squeezing in a pre-flight workout, enjoy breakfast and check out of The Ritz-Carlton, Nikko. Your bullet train back to Tokyo for your international flight will take just under two hours. Your SmartFlyer travel advisor has booked you in the most comfortable configuration and efficient route to return you back home swiftly as you relish all the special moments you’re bringing home.