Japan travel for 14 or 15 days in May 2025
Hi, I & spouse, are travelling to Japan for 14 or 15 days in May and created this itinerary. Please advise on things to do or length we should stay or even replacements. This looks a bit busy to me, but we waited forever to visit Japan. I can add an additional day if needed. I can also coordinate my departure flight out of Osaka if makes more sense. (I’m not worried about lodging; I’ll do that once I know the route.)
Day 1–3: Tokyo (Arrival & Exploration)
Day 4: Hakone (Ryokan & Onsen Stay)
-Travel to Hakone via Odakyu Romancecar (1.5 hours).
-Stay 1 night in a traditional ryokan with an onsen experience.
Day 5–7: Kyoto (Temples & Culture)
Day 7: Nara Day Trip
Travel to Nara (45 min). Return to Kyoto in the evening.
Day 8–9: Osaka (Street Food & Vibrant City Life)
Day 10–11: Matsumoto & Daio Wasabi Farm
Day 12–13: Takayama (Traditional Town & Sake Tasting)
Day 14 or 15: Final Day in Tokyo & Departure /or depart out of Osaka ?
Going back to Osaka from Matsumoto/Takayama and flying out doesn't make sense at all. Fly in/out of Tokyo and do as follows.
Tokyo-Matsumoto- take the bus to Takayama -Kyoto-Osaka-Hakone-Tokyo.
Thank you! I thought there was a train between each one of these destinations, but it looks like you recommend the bus?
You should simply swap Takayama and Matsumoto so the flow for the second half is Osaka->Takayama->Matsumoto->Tokyo. And, yes, there is a bus between Matsumoto and Takayama - check the timetable, reservations required.
Edited: 10:11 pm, February 03, 2025Bus for Matsumoto to Takayama only. The rest is by train.
Your plans are too tight for most visitors. You will probably not get to Kyoto until at least noon on day 5. That leaves you with 1.5 days max at the city plus maybe a couple extra hours before or after your Nara visit. I suggest you focus on Kyoto on day 7 as well. During days 8-9, take the day trip to Nara from Osaka. As long as you aren't heading to USJ, 1+ day at Osaka with 1/2+ day at Nara gives a better balance.
Swap Takayama and Matsumoto as suggested. Fly out of Tokyo.
I've updated the trip per everyone's advise, is it worth our time to go to Takayama or Matsumoto? I could add an extra day somewhere...
Day 1,2,3: Tokyo (Arrival & Final Exploration)
Day 4,5: Matsumoto (Castle & Daio Wasabi Farm)
Day 6: Takayama (Sake Tasting & Traditional Town)
Day 7,8,9: Kyoto (Temples & Culture)
Day 10,11,12: Osaka (Food & Vibrant City Life + Nara Day Trip)
Day 13: Hakone (Ryokan & Onsen Experience)
Day 14: Tokyo (Final Night & Departure)
Looks good to me. Matsumoto and Takayama will be a good addition to the “Golden Route”.
LOL! you mean I could have just googled "Golden Route Japan"!? LOL, this took me days to research and put together :)
Good for you! Planning is half the fun!
Is Daio Wasabi Farm just an oversold tourist attraction? We only added it because we wanted to get out of the city
