How to spend 12-Days in Japan ? Copy this Itinerary – Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo

How to spend 12-Days in Japan ? Copy this Itinerary – Osaka, Kyoto, Tokyo

We just spent 12 incredible days in Japan for a first-time visit as a family of four. I’m going to share where we went, how we got around, and what worked well. If you’re looking for ideas, this is a real route you can still read up for your own adventure. We arrived in Osaka Canai airport early morning, still buzzing from the long flight. But Japan wasted no time welcoming us. We bought our IC cards. We drew some cash and jumped on the first direct train to Osaka Namba. After checking in and a quick shower at our hotel in the heart of Do Homorei, we wander in the area and had a quick lunch between street vendors, food stalls, and the canal. Late afternoon, we headed to Umemeda Sky Building for our first Japanese panoramic sunset view. On day two, we woke up early, still under jet lag, and took a 40 minutes train to Nara. We bowed to the air, and they bowed back for a biscuit reward. Inside Nar Park, Narasto Temple and Kasugatisha Shrine took us into history. Everything framed by April cherry blossoms. Back in Osaka, we found little cue for the most wanted Japanese cheesecake from Ripro. And sizzling yakiniko made the day complete. The following morning, we finished our Osaka stay visiting the castle and with an okonomiyaki lunch. Then the train to Kyoto. Aokan in the heart of San Zaka in the historical district greeted us with quiet beauty and amazing view. And 5 minutes from there, the Kio Mizera at sunset, followed by a stroll in Nanaka and a visit to the Gibli store just before closure before a ramen dinner in Gon. And we ended up the night in a softly lit bamboo grove at Kodai Temple. We started day four with a breakfast at the most celebrated Starbucks in the world, 2 minutes from Haroken. We then had a quick train ride to dive into a bit of video games nostalgia and fun at the new Nintendo Museum. After a theme burger for lunch, we headed to Fushimi Inari Shrine and its red gates and we spent there the whole afternoon climbing the hill up to the top. We deserved a peaceful sushi dinner on our Ryoken stairs. We started day five on a packed train to Arashyama’s forest and a less crowded experience to the nearby Mon wildlife park. From there it has been a long bus ride to the King Kaguji the Golden Pavilion and the stillness of Rioanji the Zen garden before heading to Gillion for a tono based dinner. It was late afternoon when a geisha passed by us fleeting glimpse into the old Kyoto. On day six we spent the last few hours in Kyoto visiting the silver temple Ginkakuji and a relaxing walk along the philosopher path. Then our Shinkansen flew us to Tokyo. In just above 2 hours, we arrived back to the future. Shinjuku welcomed us with its neon lights, ramen steam, and the roar of Godzilla head above Kabuki. We started day seven under the rain at Arajuku. First by visiting the Maji Chingu shrine and its green surroundings and then by strolling down the colors and chaos of a Teshitta street and cat street. Walking through Omoando, we found a fantastic pancake place. And from there, we crossed Shibuya Scramble without even noticing it to meet then Aiko and then go catching Pokémon at Parkco and Manga at Mandarak. On day eight, we spend a calm whole morning in Shinjukuan, the green lung of the area. Then a quick train ride brought us in Mitaka for a magical visit to the Gibli Museum where we spend the whole afternoon. On the way there, we stopped by at Nakano Broadway to have a nice sushi in its unique arcades and to get lost in its labyrinth of anime and manga themed shops. On day nine, we finally headed to the iconic and most visited temple, Seno Gi. We left our offer and picked our omi kuji to try our luck and had fantastic strawberry cream melon. A quick train ride brought us into the technology district. And then the monorail took us to Oda and its iconic Gundam. On the way there, we couldn’t recommend enough a stop at the Miyazaki Club. We didn’t plan to visit Mount Fuji, so we spent a few hours on day 10 to understand better our options to get there. With bus rides from Shinjugu fully booked, we grabbed our bento boxes and managed to jump on a couple of trains on our way to Lake Kawagujiko. And there it was, Mount Fuji in full view like a painting. A great day out around 2 hours from Tokyo. Our last full day started at the Imperial Gardens. And from there we started a walk to visit the unique architecture of Tokyo station and the poshkinsa where we spend a good two hours at stationary wonderlanda and it’s nine floors. Quick lunch at the surprising tiger beer hall before heading to Tsukiji fish marketed streets. Later afternoon I don’t know how we managed to also visit to Tokyo Tower after all the miles we walked didn’t stop us enjoying our last dinner of sushi belt ride at Sushi Hero. We were already into our last day on a 7:00 a.m. train to Aneda airport to catch our flight. 12 days have gone fast, but Japan, its beauty, its energy, its grace, stays with us, and we can’t wait to return. Feel free to steal our itinerary when planning your own trip. Ask anything in the comment and subscribe to your plan for more real world travel tips.

Use this Detailed Japan Travel itinerary covering Osaka, Kyoto, and Tokyo. It is easy to navigate and actually works! Make it yours and adapt it to your needs.

This step-by-step itinerary takes you through unforgettable days exploring Japan’s top destinations.

I’ll show you what to do, where to go, and how to make the most of your time – whether you’re traveling solo, as a couple, or with family.

Everything is mapped out for you:

Day 1: 🏙️ Namba, 🏗️ Umeda Sky Building

Day 2: 🦌 Day trip to Nara

Day 3: 🏯 Osaka Castle → 🚅 Kyoto transfer → 🛕 Kiyomizudera, 🎎 Gion, 🏮 Kodaiji

Day 4: 🎮 Nintendo Museum, ⛩️ Fushimi Inari

Day 5: 🎍 Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, 🐒 Monkey Park, 🏆 Golden Pavilion, 🪷 Ryoan-ji, 🎎 Gion

Day 6: 🥈 Silver Pavilion, 🧘 Philosopher Path → 🚅 Shinkansen to Tokyo → 🌆 Shinjuku

Day 7: ⛩️ Meiji Jingu, 🛍️ Omotesando, 🌀 Shibuya

Day 8: 🌸 Shinjuku Gyoen, 🎮 Nakano Broadway, 🧙‍♂️ Ghibli Museum

Day 9: 🏮 Asakusa & Senso-ji, 💻 Akihabara, 🌉 Odaiba

Day 10: 🗻 Day trip to Lake Kawaguchiko & Mt. Fuji

Day 11: 🏛️ Imperial Gardens, 🚉 Tokyo Station, 🛍️ Ginza, 🗼 Tokyo Tower

Day 12: ✈️

Perfect for:

– First-time visitors to Japan
– Family trips
– Anyone planning a 1- to 2-week Japan itinerary

Sections:
0:00 – Intro
0:15 – Day 1 Namba, Umeda Sky Building
0:45 – Day 2 Nara
1:17 – Day 3 Osaka Castle, Kyoto Kyomizudera, Gion
1:49 – Day 4 Nintendo Museum, Fushimi Inari
2:18 – Day 5 Arashiyama Forest, Golden Pavillion, Ryoan Ji, Gion
2:45 – Day 6 Silver Pavillion, Philosopher Path, Shinkansen to Tokyo, Shinjuku
3:08 – Day 7 Harajuku, Shibuya
3:36 – Day 8 Shinjuku Gyoen, Ghibli Museum, Nakano Broadway
3:58 – Day 9 Senso-Ji, Akihabara, Odaiba
4:25 – Day 10 Mount Fuji, Lake Kawaguchiko
4:49 – Day 11 Imperial gardens, Tokyo station, Ginza, Tsukiji market, Tokyo Tower
5:52 – Day 12 Back home and outro

Let’s Plan Your Trip Together:
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