16-Day Off-the-Beaten-Path Japan Itinerary

Hello, We’re two active and fit retired couples. We’re planning a trip for the second half of March 2026. We prefer traveling by train but wouldn’t mind renting a car if necessary. We don’t want to change accommodations every night (we’d rather see less but enjoy it more). If possible, we’d love to stay in guesthouses or similar—impersonal hotels aren’t really our thing. Questions: What do you think are the best airlines? We don’t have to fly back from Tokyo. We’re also big fans of getting off the beaten path—any original ideas are welcome! Many thanks in advance, Gorgui

Japanese airlines have excellent reputations. We flew with Emirates (layover in Dubai), which is also a great airline.

Hi there,

Air travel will depend on your itinerary, so that’s where you should start. If this is your first trip to Japan, it’s hard to skip some of the must-see spots. Two weeks should keep you pretty busy—Japan is huge, fascinating, and really deserves multiple trips.

The classic route is flying into Tokyo and out of Osaka (or the other way around). If your itinerary takes you to places like Kyushu or Hokkaido, flight options might be more limited. One thing’s for sure right now: from Paris to Tokyo, you’ve got direct flights with Air France, Japan Airlines, and All Nippon Airways, while Osaka is only served by Air France. That said, both cities are connected by plenty of other European, Asian, and Gulf airlines via their hubs.

There’s no single "best" airline—it’s really personal, based on past experiences, preferences, and habits. If you prioritize direct flights, your choices will be more limited. If price is the main factor, you’ll have tons of options.

A big thank you