Tokyo to Hiroshima: a 15-day journey through Japan
Fly from Europe to Japan and begin with Tokyo’s energy. Slow down in Hakone before continuing through Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima. This sample first-time route balances well-known sights, regional culture and a comfortable pace.
See many sides of Japan in one journey.
This sample 15-day, 14-night route connects a great city, an onsen region, an old capital, a food-loving city and Hiroshima. It is a starting point for planning, not a fixed departure, live inventory or a quoted travel product.
Suggested overnight stays are Tokyo 4 nights, Hakone 1, Kyoto 4, Osaka 2 and Hiroshima 2, followed by one final night in Osaka before the international flight. Returning to Osaka adds a hotel change but gives you a buffer before flying. If you depart from another airport, rearrange the final days around your confirmed flight.
Discover Japan one day at a time.
The daily plan is for inspiration. Attraction hours, seasonal conditions, transport services and booking requirements can change, so check them again for your travel dates.
Arrive in Tokyo and adjust to the time zone
Head to your hotel after arrival, keeping the first day free of intercity travel or a packed sightseeing list. On day two, explore Asakusa and the Sumida River area, with Ueno Park or a museum if you feel up to it.
Tokyo · nights 1–2From historic streets to modern Tokyo
Spend one day around Meiji Jingu, Harajuku and Shibuya to feel the city’s changing rhythm. On the other, choose gardens, art museums, shopping streets or markets. Avoid packing too many distant neighbourhoods into one day.
Tokyo · nights 3–4Travel to Hakone for an onsen stay
Travel from Tokyo to Hakone. Depending on weather and opening conditions, choose an open-air museum, a lakeside walk or time at an onsen. Sights are spread out, so select one or two priorities and leave room for transport and rest.
Hakone · night 5From Hakone to Kyoto
Let this be a travel and check-in day. Once in Kyoto, take a walk and have dinner near your accommodation instead of rushing to a distant sight.
Kyoto · night 6Kyoto: temples, gardens and old streets
Focus on one district each day. Explore Higashiyama’s temples and traditional lanes, then spend another day in and around Arashiyama. Start early at popular sites and leave time for meals, walks and places you discover along the way.
Kyoto · nights 7–8A day in Nara, returning to Kyoto
Visit Nara Park and nearby historic sites, returning to Kyoto in the evening. For a gentler day, explore southern Kyoto or Uji instead.
Kyoto · night 9Osaka: castle grounds, parks and street food
Travel from Kyoto to Osaka and explore Osaka Castle Park or the Umeda area. On the next day, focus on Namba, Dotonbori or another district that interests you, with time to eat and shop at your leisure.
Osaka · nights 10–11Hiroshima and Miyajima
Take the train to Hiroshima. Give the Peace Memorial Park and Museum enough time for a thoughtful visit. On another day, go to Miyajima for coastal views and the shrine area; check train and ferry schedules and local opening information in advance.
Hiroshima · nights 12–13Return to Osaka ahead of your flight
Return from Hiroshima to Osaka and stay somewhere convenient for the airport or a major transport hub. This adds a hotel change but avoids long-distance travel on your international flight day.
Osaka · night 14Depart from Kansai International Airport
Allow enough time for airport transport, check-in and onward connections. If your flight departs from Tokyo instead, adjust the final days to return there earlier.
Departure dayIf your trip is shorter or longer.
The Japan National Tourism Organization suggests using one city as a base for trips of up to a week, while roughly 10 days to two weeks can suit a classic Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka route. Do not sacrifice rest and travel buffers just to add more stops.
7–9 days | Focus on one region
Choose Tokyo and nearby areas, or use Kyoto or Osaka as a base for Kansai. Change hotels less often and spend more time on neighbourhoods, food and short excursions.
10–14 days | A classic first visit
Visit Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka, then choose one or two nearby experiences. Hakone or Hiroshima may fit if journey times and your departure airport make sense.
16–20 days | Add a slower regional stay
Beyond Tokyo and Kansai, add the Japanese Alps, Kanazawa, Kyushu or another region. Choose according to the season, your interests, flights and travel times.
Seethe Japan National Tourism Organization’s itinerary advice, then adapt it to your dates and interests.
Use rail between regions and explore cities by neighbourhood.
Tokyo, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima are connected by the Tokaido and Sanyo Shinkansen corridor. Within each destination, combine local rail, subway, buses, walking or short taxi rides. Check schedules, fares, reservation rules and rail-pass coverage with the operator for your dates.
Before buying a nationwide rail pass or individual tickets, list the long-distance journeys you will actually take. Compare current point-to-point fares with pass prices and conditions; frequent Shinkansen travel alone does not guarantee a pass will save money.
With large bags, plan for stations, hotels and transfers in advance. Japan offers luggage delivery and storage services. On the Tokaido, Sanyo and Kyushu Shinkansen, baggage measuring more than 160 cm in total across its three dimensions requires a reserved seat with an oversized-baggage area. Confirm current rules with the rail operator.
Settle the essential details before you board.
Compare a return flight through one city with an open-jaw flight into Tokyo and out of Osaka. If you connect from another European city, factor in that flight, through-checked baggage and transfer time.
Decide whether to head straight into the city or rest near the airport based on your arrival time. Before flying home, stay somewhere convenient for the departure airport and allow realistic travel time.
Entry requirements depend on nationality, passport type, purpose and length of stay. Check the latest information from Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Japanese embassy or consulate responsible for your place of residence. Living in Europe alone does not determine visa exemption.
Compare eSIM, physical SIM and portable Wi-Fi options before departure. Confirm how your bank cards work abroad and keep a backup payment method separate from your main wallet.
Cherry blossom, autumn colour, festivals and mountain weather vary by place and year. Choose the experiences that matter to you, then check local forecasts, event calendars and opening details for your dates.
Budget separately for international flights, accommodation, long-distance and local transport, meals, admission and insurance. Check the inclusions, cancellation terms and payment schedule of any proposed trip.
What to know before you book.
Is this a tour with fixed dates and a set price?
No. This is a sample route for planning, not a confirmed departure, hotel booking, inventory or quotation. The actual itinerary, services and price need to be confirmed for your dates.
Are flights between Europe and Japan included?
No. Treat international flights as a separate arrangement unless a formal written proposal explicitly lists the flights and related terms.
Do I need a Japan Rail Pass for this route?
Not necessarily. Value depends on your route, dates, pass price and coverage. Compare the journeys you will actually make with current point-to-point fares before buying.
Can I travel this route in reverse?
Yes. You can plan between Tokyo and Kansai in the opposite direction. Choose the final direction around your confirmed flights, season and departure airport.
What if I have fewer than 10 days?
Use one main region as your base and limit hotel changes and long transfers. Tokyo or the Kyoto–Osaka area can each work well for a first visit.
Make this route your own.
Tell us your departure city in Europe, dates, group size and the landscapes and culture you most want to experience. Use this sample as a starting point, then confirm flights, services, price and booking conditions item by item.
This article offers inspiration and planning ideas. International flights, final prices and service availability need separate confirmation unless clearly included in a formal proposal.