The Ultimate 2-Week Solo Itinerary: First Time in Japan

This is the ultimate 2-week solo itinerary to Japan. September 2023 has been an absolute highlight of my bucket list. Japan has been my top destination since I was a teenager, and that dream has finally become a reality.

Japan offers great experiences, and exploring this fantastic country could take longer than two weeks but let’s focus on the must-see highlights for your first time in Japan.

I’ve crafted the ideal two-week first-time solo itinerary in Japan to showcase its highlights—from Tokyo to Kyoto to Osaka! This itinerary is the perfect trip for women travelling alone to Japan.

This plan hits all the major spots and cities with something extra, like Mount Fuji, providing a perfect base for your adventure. I always create itineraries with the least amount of moving around but with many awesome things to do.

Is 2 weeks enough in Japan?

How many days do you need to explore Japan? Well, it depends on what you aim for and the time you have to spare! You could keep discovering for ages and still not see it all.

But if you ask me, two weeks in Japan hits the sweet spot for catching the must-sees at a relaxed pace. This ultimate two-week first-time solo itinerary covers all the highlights.

And hey, let’s keep the hassle to a minimum, shall we? I’ve factored in the joy of not constantly packing and unpacking. If you’re anything like me, you’ll appreciate that we’re using Tokyo and Kyoto as home bases for epic day trips to nearby places!

Is Japan good for solo travel?

Japan is an excellent destination for solo travel! It is very much catered to people doing all sorts of things alone, which makes it perfect for solo travellers, but it also might feel a little alone for extroverts.

It’s common for restaurants and bars to have counter seats or one-seaters for solo people, making it perfect for solo travellers! Eating out alone is very common! There are even yakiniku places, especially for solo people.

Is Japan safe for female solo travellers?

Japan is a very safe country in general. It’s one of the safest countries in the world to travel to, so it’s perfect for women travelling alone!

While there are some things to pay attention to, you don’t have to be overly cautious like in many other countries. You’ll be fine if you practise the basic safety measures you’d do in every other country or at home!

Most people are kind, honest and helpful!

Cherry blossom or Fall season in Japan

I highly recommend planning your Japan trip around cherry blossom season or in the fall if you can. These seasons are busy in Japan for a reason. During cherry blossom season, you’ll get to see the beautiful pink and white sakura flowers.

Fall is perfect if you love the colours of the fall foliage. Both seasons are amazing but keep in mind that they will be busier, and prices will go up. But believe me, it’s going to be worth it!

Unfortunately, my visit at the end of March 2024 was a bit too early for cherry blossom season due to the unexpected cold weather in Japan.

What is the Budget for 2 weeks in Japan?

Japan has the image of being expensive, especially Tokyo. But like every country, you can find options for every budget, including in Japan. As of today (April 2024), the Japanese YEN is relatively low. This means you’ll get more YEN for your bucks!

In Japan, affordable food options are endless; you need to know where to go. Accommodation and city-to-city transport will be your biggest expenses.

As a solo traveller, the average budget could be around $2500 without international flights. This means sleeping in good mid-range hotels, using public transport in Japan, eating out at conveyor sushi, ramen, gyoza, food markets, and yakitori places, and booking the occasional tours in Japan.

If you scale down on accommodation, it will be cheaper.

This is precisely what I spent travelling solo in Japan in September 2023. I hope my budget gives you guidelines on what’s possible! Honestly, this budget was me doing what I wanted, like having a glass of wine with my meals.

This YouTube short gives a quick overview of a two-week budget in Japan based on two people. I went back to Japan a second time with my sister. However, a solo budget will be just as much because you don’t get to share accommodation costs, but your food expenses will likely be less.

The 2-week first-time Solo itinerary in Japan

6-day itinerary Tokyo

Tokyo is a big city; there’s never enough time to explore it all. Plus, with so many fabulous eateries and experiences, squeezing everything into six days is a tight squeeze!

So, we’ve got to play favourites based on what we love. I’ll give you a few options, but please realize that you must check how they’ll fit into your 2-week solo highlights itinerary in Japan.

Tokyo is also a great base for great day trips to nearby sights! You don’t have to pack all your stuff and move to another location. Keep Tokyo as your base and visit Hakone, Nikko, Nagano Snow Monkeys, and Mount Fuji.

Check out all these fantastic tours in Tokyo!

Where to stay in Tokyo

1-day Itinerary Nagoya

Nagoya is located between Tokyo and Kyoto. It is perfect for a full day’s visit. Nagoya is a hidden gem that often gets overlooked, but trust me, it’s a must-visit destination! From its stunning traditional gardens, like the iconic Shirotori Garden, to its Nagoya City Science Museum, there’s something for every type of traveller.

Foodies will love Nagoya’s culinary scene, with mouthwatering dishes like “hitsumabushi”(grilled eel over rice) and miso katsu (deep-fried pork cutlet with miso sauce). Plus, don’t miss the chance to explore Nagoya Castle, a symbol of the city’s rich history and heritage.

5-day itinerary Kyoto

Heading to Kyoto after buzzing Tokyo feels like stepping into a serene painting of traditional Japan. It’s where the neon hustle of the city swaps for temples, shrines, geisha culture, and culinary delights.

Though smaller, Kyoto isn’t immune to crowds, thanks to the tour buses from Osaka each morning. My top tip? Beat the crowds by starting your day early! This way, you’ll make the most of your 2-week solo itinerary in Japan!

Looking to make your stay in Kyoto even more special? Check out these fantastic boutique hotels in Kyoto!

Trust me, the charm of Kyoto’s hotspots can get lost when elbowing your way through the crowd! Aim to start your day by 06:30 AM to enjoy the sights without minimum crowds.

Make the most of the morning by hitting up iconic spots like Fushimi Inari, Kiyomizu-dera, Sannenzaka, the Arashiyama Bamboo Forest, and Hokan-ji Temple or find other amazing tours in Kyoto!

Where to stay in Kyoto

4-day itinerary Osaka

Osaka is the ideal finale for your journey. You’re back in the hustle and bustle of city life, and Osaka is the ultimate spot for a culinary adventure. We’ll blend a feast for your taste buds with a dash of tradition.

Ready to dive into Osaka’s incredible street food scene? Brace yourself for a gastronomic delight as you savour your final days in Japan. From the historic Osaka Castle to the vibrant neon glow of Dotonbori.

I find Osaka to be mostly the same, and the focus here is food! Just a few days in Osaka is more than enough, and just a day or two in this highlights solo itinerary in Japan would be perfect!

Isn’t this the perfect way to say goodbye to Japan? Don’t forget to check out these fantastic tours in Osaka!

Where to stay in Osaka

2-week Solo Itinerary to Japan Tips

This 2-week solo itinerary in Japan is merely based on the famous sights in Japan and the major cities. If you’re up for more or something different, here are my suggestions!

• If you visit Japan during summer, you can also fly out to Okinawa. Okinawa is a beautiful island with amazing beaches. I would cut my days short in Osaka (make a day trip from Kyoto) and skip Nagoya.
• Sapporo is also a great city to visit. Considering the distance and bullet train price from Tokyo, it would be best to fly out. I would start my trip in Tokyo, then fly out to Sapporo. I would stay for about two full days and then fly to Osaka to continue the rest of this itinerary.
• If you want to add even more history to your trip to Japan, a visit to Hiroshima is a must! I would cut my days short in Osaka (again, sorry, Osaka) and take the bullet train to Hiroshima from Osaka, which is just a 1.5-hour train ride! With the research I’ve done and the travellers I spoke to, I believe that 2 days in Hiroshima would be enough.
• You could also spend a day or 2 in the Mount Fuji area! Stay near Lake Kawaguchi or maybe in Hakone.

I hope this ultimate 2-week solo highlights itinerary to Japan lays the groundwork for your epic adventure! Japan is bursting with sights to see, and with only so much time, picking and choosing is part of the deal.

This guide highlights the must-see attractions across Japan’s major cities. Remember to check out this guide on Japanese etiquette! Familiarizing yourself with local customs and manners is always smart when visiting a new country.

This two-week solo itinerary highlights Japan and is the best starting point for seeing all its iconic sights. Even though they can get busy, they’re still worth visiting!

Let me know how you get along! Do you have any questions? The fastest way is to leave me a comment on my latest Instagram post.