17-Day Itinerary for Japan

hi there,

I’m sharing my itinerary for Japan in April. Would love to know if it’s realistic.

Tokyo – 5 days Nagano – 2 days Osaka – 2 days Kyoto – 5 days Hiroshima – 2 days Hakone – 1 day Return to Tokyo

Thanks so much!

Hi there,

Too much travel for such a short trip—why put Hakone at the end of your stay (80 km from Tokyo)? Nagano seems unnecessary for a brief visit. Also, be careful with Kyoto: over-tourism is leading to restrictions, with some streets closed to tourists and a potential tax of 60 euros per night per person being considered (though it likely won’t apply until after 2025). Locals are really fed up.

What’s your mode of transport? Kyoto is close to Osaka, and staying in Osaka is much more budget-friendly.

Here’s your breakdown: Tokyo/Hakone – 7 nights Hiroshima/Miyajima – 3 nights Osaka/Kyoto/Nara – 6 nights

How many nights total? Also, heads up: Osaka’s World Expo starts on April 13, so expect big crowds in the region and higher accommodation prices.

Hiroshima to Hakone is pretty much a wasted day. Better to do Osaka → Hiroshima → Kyoto → Hakone if you're keeping Osaka and Kyoto.

Indeed, don't forget the travel day. Like the others, I’d add that Nagano is roughly a half-day door-to-door trip, so 2 days in Nagano actually means just 1 day on-site. Keep in mind that trains in Japan are pretty expensive.