Japan 14-day route: Osaka to Tokyo via Kyoto and Takayama

This 1488.8 km route through Japan connects seven cities over 14 days, starting in Osaka and ending in Tokyo. The itinerary includes Koyasan's temple town, Nara's deer park, Kyoto's cultural sites, Kanazawa's gardens, Takayama in the Japanese Alps, with key stops at Dotonbori, Osaka Castle, and Namba Yasaka Shrine.

Distance
1488.8 km
Mode
route
Start
​ Things to know
End
Daimon Gate
Stops
15
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. ​ Things to know
  2. ​ Day 1 - 2 Osaka
  3. Osaka — Kitchen of Japan, major hub for the journey
  4. ​ Day 3 Koyasan — Sacred mountaintop monastery complex and UNESCO site where visitors can experience Buddhist temple stays and traditional vegetarian cuisine.
  5. ​ Day 4 Nara — Ancient capital home to hundreds of freely roaming sacred deer and Todai-ji Temple, housing a colossal bronze Buddha statue.
  6. ​ Day 5 - 7 Kyoto
  7. ​ Day 8 - 9 Kanazawa — Coastal castle town renowned for its exquisite Kenroku-en Garden, contemporary art museums, and well-preserved geisha and samurai districts.
  8. ​ Day 10 - 11 Takayama — Charming mountain town in the Japanese Alps featuring preserved wooden merchant houses, morning markets, and sake breweries.
  9. ​ Day 12 - 14 Tokyo
  10. Tokyo — Mega city starting point before heading to the Japanese Alps
  11. Japanese Alps — Mountainous region visited after Tokyo
  12. Dotonbori — Downtown Osaka entertainment district
  13. Namba Yasaka Shrine — Sacred shrine visited in downtown Osaka
  14. Osaka Castle — One of Japan's most famous landmarks
  15. Daimon Gate — Entry point to Koyasan temple complex

Useful for your trip

Timing
Visit Japan in November during autumn season for beautiful autumn foliage and mild weather conditions.
Transport
Get an IC card (rechargeable travel card) for public transportation fares in major cities. For remote areas, purchase specific local tickets.
Save money
For point-to-point trips (starting in Osaka, ending in Tokyo), single-fare tickets are more affordable than JR Pass. JR Pass is better for round-trip routes.
Tip
Use Google Maps for navigation in Japan; it shows connections. Use HyperDia website for more detailed transportation planning.
Where to stay
Book hotels and activities in advance, including temple lodging stays like Saizen-in in Koyasan which offer traditional rooms with tatami floors.
Food
Try bento box train meals sold at various stations across Japan when traveling by train.
Transport
Purchase Koyasan World Heritage ticket covering entire trip to Koyasan from Osaka (takes almost 2 hours).
Food
In Nara, purchase crackers from local vendors to feed the deer in Nara Park.
Timing
Visit Kasuga-Taisha's lantern festivals in February or August when hundreds of bronze lanterns are lit.
Transport
In Kanazawa, use IC card on JR Machi bus line. Other bus lines require local one-day pass or paying per fare.
Food
Try local sushi at conveyor belt restaurants in Kanazawa; order via tablet or grab dishes from the belt.
Tip
You can get by in Japan with little to no Japanese; English is sufficient for travelers.

Video on this route

How to Spend 14 Days in Japan - A Japan Travel Itinerary

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