11 Days in Japan: Top 3 Itineraries for First Visit 2025

It's perfect to spend 11 days covering Japan's top attractions without hurrying. You could discover the major cities of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, while also having enough time to visit popular nearby places, such as Hakone, Hiroshima, Mount Fuji, and Nara.

In this article, we've handpicked three 11-day Japan itineraries to help you plan a beautiful, once-in-a-lifetime, and stress-free journey. We could customize any itinerary you're interested in based on your preferences.

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Itinerary 1: Traditional Japan (Historical and Lively)

• 2 nights in Osaka
• 1 night in Hiroshima
• 4 nights in Kyoto (a side trip to Nara and Uji)
• 3 nights in Tokyo

This 11-day Japan itinerary is ideal for you to explore Japan's highlights in Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka. You could experience the best of Japan and enjoy many authentic activities to enrich your journey.

Start your trip in Japan from Osaka. Create a unique souvenir using ukiyo-e printmaking under the guidance of a professional, feel the charm of classic Japanese sports by watching a sumo wrestling match, and sample local snacks, such as takoyaki (octopus balls), in the lively Dotonbori district.

Hiroshima is located 1½ hours from Osaka on a comfortable Shinkansen. Explore the museum's collection and visit the site of the first atomic bomb to see the remnants of the devastating attack, deepening your understanding of the meaning of peace.

Then, travel to Kyoto to soak up in the traditional atmosphere. Highlights including thousands of orange-red torii gates at Fushimi Inari Shrine, make your own Kyoto pottery, and stay at a Japanese-style ryokan. A ryokan (traditional inn) typically has 5–15 rooms and they easily become fully booked, so you're advised to book at least 3 months in advance to ensure a wider range of options. Our Japan travel advisors would help you to select a family-friendly or couple-friendly ryokan based on your preferences.

End your trip in Tokyo. Pray for good luck at Tokyo's oldest and most spiritual temple — Senso-ji, try your hand at making sushi for lunch, and enjoy the best panoramic view of the city's skyline at the world's tallest tower — Tokyo Skytree.

Our Japan travel expert would tailor-made a private tour for you based on your preferences and requirements.

Itinerary 2: For a Family with Teenagers

• 3 nights in Tokyo
• 1 night in Hakone
• 3 nights in Kyoto (a side trip to Nara)
• 3 nights in Osaka (a side trip to Hiroshima)

This 11-day Japan itinerary is suitable for families with teenagers. It meets a kids' interest in anime, and you and your kids would engage in plenty of family-friendly experiences to immerse in the Japanese culture and food. Plus, you won't have to change hotels a lot.

You'll find anime-related elements in Tokyo. Don't miss the most popular Pokémon Center, Ghibli Museum, Disneyland, and enjoy cute desserts at an anime café themed after your children's favorite anime characters.

Continue your adventure in Hakone. The best thing to do in Hakone is to experience a night's stay at a traditional ryokan with an onsen and a family room (accommodating 3–5 people). You could unwind in the onsen while admiring the picturesque countryside views.

Take the Shinkansen to culture-rich Kyoto. Wander through Gion district while wearing kimonos and taking  family photos, sample original Japanese snacks at the lively Nishiki Market, and have close interaction with deer in Nara.

Complete your trip to Osaka.  For a memorable family experience, your whole family could enjoy the ninja experience which is popular among our family clients, be amazed by the Mario World of the Super Nintendo World, and take a day trip to Hiroshima to visit the ruins left by the atomic bombings.

Our Japan travel expert would carefully design each private tour to cater to your unique interests and requirements.

Itinerary 3: Essence of Japan with Mount Fuji and Rural Villages

• 2 nights in Tokyo
• 1 night in Lake Kawaguchi
• 1 night in Takayama (a side trip to Shirakawa)
• 2 nights in Kanazawa
• 2 nights in Kyoto
• 1 night in Hiroshima
• 1 night in Osaka

With this 11-day Japan itinerary, you could visit the essence of Tokyo, Kyoto, and Osaka, and visit the off-the-beaten-path areas in Takayama and Kanazawa. Lose yourself in the fascinating shrines, experience a night's stay at a classical ryokan, taste various authentic Japanese cuisines, and enjoy authentic activities to enrich your trip.

One of the highlights of this itinerary is to view Mount Fuji in Lake Kawaguchi. It offers excellent visibility and a better chance to observe a full view of the mountain. Although Hakone is often recommended for visiting Mount Fuji, it is not as good as Lake Kawaguchi. This is because Hakone is located in a mountainous region with frequent cloud cover, which makes it unlikely to have a complete view of Mount Fuji, even on exceptionally clear days.

Another highlight of this itinerary is explored tradition Japanese villages in Takayama and Kanazawa.  In Takayama, you could visit the unique Japanese farmhouses known for their steep thatched roofs resembling 'praying hands' and savor juicy Hida beef.  Kanazawa provides you with a chance to create golden masterpieces by applying gold leaf to chopsticks or porcelain under the guidance of an expert craftsman.

How Much Does 11 Days in Japan Cost?

US$350–500 per person per day is the typical cost for a private tour with 4-star hotels, based on a family of 3–5 people. This includes a private guide, private car, full-day itinerary, tickets for attractions, all intercity transport within Japan, and handpicked 4-star hotels. Therefore, the total cost for 11 days in Japan is about US$3,900–5,500 (international flights are not included).