Efficient 8 Days Itinerary in Japan – Tokyo, Hakone, Kyoto, Hiroshima
TL;DR
With our efficient 8 day Japan itinerary, you can visit 6 places in 8 days!
We think 8 days in Japan is the minimum time you need to explore this beautiful country. We have crafted an efficient backpacking in Japan itinerary to make the most of your limited time.
Many short Japan itineraries include Osaka. We have included Hiroshima instead because we much prefer this city.
For our efficient 8 days itinerary in Japan, we spent
- 3 days in Tokyo
- 1 day in Hakone
- 2 days in Kyoto (day trip to Nara)
- 2 days in Hiroshima (day trip to Miyajima)
Japan 8 Days Itinerary
- Use the Shinkansen to be efficient. You can book tickets online or at the station.
- Get an eSIM to be connected.
- Book your tours in advance to save time.
- Book accommodations online for the best deals.
Day 1: Tokyo – Shibuya, Harajuku, and Shinjuku
Start your day in Shibuya at the famous Shibuya Crossing. Head to Shibuya Sky for a bird’s eye view of the crossing and Tokyo.
Head towards Harajuku via Cat Street.
Some spots in Harajuku that we like are
- Tokyu Plaza Omotesando with its super cool mirrored entrance and free rooftop terrace.
- Laforet Harajuku – the hub for Harajuku fashion.
- Galaxy Store with a free teamLab installation!
Next, take your time to explore the quirky shops and food options on Takeshita Street – the centre of the Harajuku area.
Enjoy the tranquillity of Meiji Shrine before you head into the nightlife of Shinjuku.
Our favourite spots are:
- Omoide Yokocho or Memory Lane.
- Golden Gai.
For more details about this packed day, head to our full Tokyo itinerary.
Where to Stay in Tokyo
Day 2: Tokyo – Ginza & Akihabara
Start your second day in Tokyo at Tsukiji Fish Market.
Next, head to Ginza for some (window) shopping. Some cool spots are
- Ginza Wako, the symbol of Ginza.
- Tokyu Plaza Ginza with a rooftop terrace that offers views over Ginza.
- The free photo exhibition at Ginza Canon Gallery.
Afterwards, explore the Imperial Palace with its garden.
Grab some lunch at Tokyo Station before you head to Akihabara. Pop into anime and electronics shops as well as game centres in Akihabara Electric Town.
We also enjoyed our maid cafe experience which is unique to Akihabara.
End your day at Ueno Ameyoko Shopping District, a busy market street where you can buy everything from food to clothes.
Day 3: Tokyo – Asakusa or Yanaka + Way to Hakone
Spend your last morning in Tokyo by exploring some of the historical parts of Tokyo. We recommend Asakusa for more of a backpacker vibe or Yanaka to get a bit more off the beaten path. You can find more details in our Tokyo itinerary.
In the afternoon, make your way to Hakone in order to get an early start on day 4.
We absolutely recommend you book accommodation with an Onsen in Hakone for a relaxing evening
Where to Stay in Hakone
Day 4: Hakone
Get an early start to do the Hakone Loop today:
- Head to Gora Station to start.
- Take the Hakone Tozan Cable Car to Sounzan Station.
- Take the Hakone Ropeway to Owakudani. Look out for Mount Fuji on the way. Have a rest at the top, enjoy the vies of Fuji and the sulphur vents and hot springs of Owakudani volcanic valley. Maybe have a cheeky little black egg (an egg boiled in the volcano!) or visit the Hakone Geo Museum.
- Take the ropeway down to Togendai Station where you board a pirate ship for a sightseeing cruise. The ship itself might be a bit cheesy but the views of Lake Ashi and Mount Fuji in the distance are lovely.
- Get off the ship at Moto Hakone. There’s a 7-Eleven where you can grab snacks for a pick nick with Fuji and Lake Ashi views. Explore the area. Don’t miss out on Hakone Shrine with the Instagram-famous Tori Gate. Other highlights here are the Old Tokaido Highway and Hakone Checkpoint.
- We hopped on a bus back to Gora Station, grabbed our luggage, and headed to Odawara Station to grab a Shinkansen to Kyoto.
Day 5: Kyoto
Start your first day in Kyoto by exploring the temples and alleys. Don’t miss
- Ninenzaka Path
- Sannensaka Path
- Yasaka Pagoda
There are over 2000 temples and shrines in Kyoto so you have to set priorities. We liked
- Chionin Temple (free)
- Kiyomizudera Temple (famous wooden terrace with amazing views).
- Kodaiji Temple (oldest Zen temple in Kyoto with a Japanese garden).
Grab a quick lunch at Nishiki Market before you head to the famous Fushimi Inari Shrine.
In the evening, learn about Kyoto’s Geisha culture. We can recommend the Gion Geisha free walking tour or the Traditional Arts Performance at Gion Corner. Don’t miss
- Hanamikoji Street, the main hanamachi street of Gion Kobu.
- Gion Tatsumi Bridge from the movie Memoirs of a Geisha.
- Yasaka Shrine with its beautiful lanterns.
We have written a complete Kyoto itinerary for more details:
Where to Stay in Kyoto
Day 6: Kyoto – Day Trip to Nara
Start your second day in Kyoto by heading to Nara for a half-day trip. Explore Nara Park with its bowing deer and temples. Don’t miss
- Kofukuji Temple.
- Todaiji Temple.
We have written a complete Nara itinerary if you want more details.
In the afternoon, head back to Kyoto to explore Kyoto Imperial Palace and Nijo Castle.
In the evening, we recommend you take part in a traditional Japanese tea ceremony.
We have written a blog post about our tea ceremony experience.
Day 7: Hiroshima
Head out early from Kyoto to Hiroshima to make the most of your time.
Start your day in the historical part of Hiroshima around Hiroshima Castle and Gokoku Shrine.
Grab a quick Okonomiyaki before you learn more about the atomic bomb. We recommend the Hiroshima Peace Memorial Museum for a start.
We have written a complete Hiroshima itinerary if you want more details.
Where to Stay in Hiroshima
Day 8: Hiroshima – Day Trip to Miyajima
Head to Miyajima Island in the morning – it’s an easy streetcar and ferry ride away from the centre.
Don’t miss Itsukushima Shrine with its Instagram-famous Tori gate in the sea. We also liked the Senjokaku Pavilion with its lovely five-story pagoda. Our highlight was Daishoin Temple with ****Henjo Cave right behind it.
You can either hike or take the ropeway to the top of Mount Misen for great views of the island.
In the afternoon, visit some more of the A-bomb related sights around Hiroshima Peace Memorial Park:
- The Hypocentre
- The Memorial Cenotaph
- The A-Bomb Dome
- Hiroshima National Peace Memorial Hall
- The Children's Peace Monument
- The Rest House
If you have more time, we can recommend Rabbit Island as a great day trip from Hiroshima.
Travel Guides
Okunoshima – Quick Travel Guide to Rabbit Island
Okunoshima or Rabbit Island is the most underrated day trip from Hiroshima.
Carina
Wondering where to go next in Japan?
How about Fukuoka? Fukuoka is much more than just the disembarkation point for the ferry to South Korea.
Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links. If you use these links to buy something we may earn a commission. You would help us a lot if you do so. Thanks.
Travel Guides
Fukuoka to Busan Ferry – Our Review
We took the Camellia Line ferry from Fukuoka to Busan.
Carina