Japan by rail: fourteen days from Tokyo to Osaka
Neighbourhood food in Tokyo, a ryokan night under Mount Fuji's gaze, Kyoto's quiet mornings and Osaka's neon — a couple's route with only three train transfers.
4 min read · Japan · Spring & autumn · 1 Oct 2026
Photo: Kentagon · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia CommonsJapan's railways make a two-week, four-stop journey feel effortless. We kept the stays long so each place has time to unfold, and let the trains do the rest.
Tokyo, one neighbourhood at a time
Five nights sounds generous until you realise Tokyo is dozens of towns stitched together. Spend each day in one area: old-town lanes in Yanaka, food halls in Nihonbashi, side streets in Shimokitazawa. A base near a major JR line keeps every day's first journey short.
A night in Hakone
Roughly two hours from Tokyo, Hakone trades skyscrapers for steaming valleys and lake views — Mount Fuji appears when the clouds allow, which is never guaranteed. Send large luggage ahead with a forwarding service and arrive with an overnight bag; your ryokan will handle the rest.
Kyoto's early hours
The famous temples are busiest from mid-morning. Start at opening time and the stone paths are yours. Five nights leaves room for a day trip to Nara and for slow afternoons in tea houses. Book timed-entry sights in advance in peak seasons.
Osaka to finish
Less than an hour by train, Osaka is louder, cheaper and hungry. Two nights of street food in Dotonbori and Shinsekai make a cheerful finale before flying home from Kansai airport.
Day by day
Day 1 · Tokyo
Arrive Tokyo
Settle in, evening stroll.
Logistics: Airport rail roughly 45–90 min.
Day 2 · Tokyo
East Tokyo
Yanaka, Ueno, Asakusa.
Logistics: Metro.
Day 3 · Tokyo
Food day
Nihonbashi food halls, Ginza.
Logistics: Metro.
Day 4 · Tokyo
West Tokyo
Shimokitazawa, Shibuya.
Logistics: JR / private lines.
Day 5 · Tokyo
Free day
Museums or day trip.
Logistics: —
Day 6 · Hakone
To Hakone
Ropeway, lake, onsen.
Logistics: Roughly 1.5–2 h by train.
Day 7 · Kyoto
To Kyoto
Evening in Gion.
Logistics: Shinkansen roughly 2–2.5 h.
Day 8 · Kyoto
Eastern Kyoto
Early temples, tea house.
Logistics: Walk / bus.
Day 9 · Kyoto
Arashiyama
Bamboo grove at opening.
Logistics: Train.
Day 10 · Kyoto
Nara day trip
Temples and deer park.
Logistics: Roughly 45 min by train.
Day 11 · Kyoto
Slow Kyoto
Markets, cooking class.
Logistics: —
Day 12 · Osaka
To Osaka
Dotonbori evening.
Logistics: Under 1 h by train.
Day 13 · Osaka
Osaka food
Kuromon market, Shinsekai.
Logistics: Metro.
Day 14 · —
Fly home
Kansai airport.
Logistics: Roughly 1 h by train.
Getting around
- Three train transfers in fourteen days.
- Luggage forwarding recommended for Hakone.
- Durations are estimates; no timetables checked.
Season caveats
Spring and autumn are popular and busy. June–July is typically the rainy season, followed by hot, humid summers.
Where to stay
- Tokyo near a JR loop station — Short daily journeys.
- Hakone hot-spring area — Ryokan experience.
- Kyoto central/Gion edge — Walk to temples early.
- Osaka Namba — Food streets and airport trains.
Things to do
- Food hall tasting
- Onsen
- Early temple visits
- Nara day trip
- Street food crawl
Estimated budget
Return flights, 2 adults
Economy from Europe.
Hotels + 1 ryokan, 13 nights
Mid-range.
Rail
Two adults.
Food & activities
Mix of casual and special meals.
Make this trip yours
Copy the itinerary into your Trip Builder and adjust stops, nights and budget.