We just got back from the most incredible two weeks in Japan, and I’m already trying to figure out when we can go back. From neon-lit Tokyo nights to quiet mornings by Mount Fuji and ending on a tropical island in Okinawa… this trip really had everything.
Here’s a full recap of our route, where we stayed, and everything we got up to along the way:
We hit the ground running in Tokyo, and honestly… there’s no better place to land. The energy is unreal. One minute you’re crossing the chaos of Shibuya, the next you’re wandering down tiny side streets that feel like a completely different world. We are not typically city people, but Tokyo really surprised us. It's just so calm, quiet, and orderly - even in the busiest parts. Plus don't even get me started on the FOOD, ugh I could eat Japanese food for the rest of my life and not get tired of it. Three days here was not nearly enough time to see and do everything, but we sure tried to do it all!
We stayed at The Knot Tokyo Shinjuku, which was such a good find—affordable, stylish, and in a great location (read: close to the train station).
We packed a LOT into these few days:
- Samurai Experience in Shinjuku (yes, we actually got to learn moves and get dressed up—so fun)
- Sumo show with lunch (such a cool intro to the culture and I got to wrestle an actual sumo wrestler!)
- Full-day Tokyo bus tour (great for seeing a ton without stressing about transport)
- Food tour with Food Ninja (highly recommend—so many hidden spots we wouldn’t have found ourselves, plus we got to try things we wouldn't normally have ordered - snails, fried seaweed dumplings, tons of different spices)
- TeamLab digital museum (SO cool, super immersive and worth the hype)
- Chopstick-making workshop (a fun little keepsake to bring home using 600 year old techniques)
And of course… endless convenience store runs. Egg salad sandwiches, onigiri, random snacks— Japan, we were already so obsessed with you.
Next, we slowed things way down with a quick trip to Lake Kawaguchiko—and WOW. This was one of the most peaceful stops of the whole trip, with unreal views of Mount Fuji (we got lucky with clear skies 🙌). Sadly the cherry blossoms weren't in bloom here yet, but we could just imagine how much more beautiful it would be if they were!
We stayed at Dot Hostel, which was simple but perfect for a one-night stay. While a lot of people do this as a day trip, we wanted to stay overnight to maximize our chances at seeing Mt. Fuji. The room we had here at Dot Hostel was also HUGE, the biggest of the whole trip. However, if I were to do it again, I would splurge on an onsen room with a Fuji view to fully soak in our time here.
Things we checked out:
- Tenku no Torii (that iconic torii gate view overlooking Fuji)
- Oishi Park (perfect for photos along the lake)
- Chureito Pagoda in Arakurayama Sengen Park (the classic Japan view)
- Oshino Hakkai (we planned to go if cherry blossoms were in bloom (they weren't)—such a pretty traditional village)
This stop is 100% worth it if you want a nature break in between cities.
From there, we headed to Hakone for a full relaxation reset. Think mountains, hot springs, and slower mornings. Although our morning that day was anything but slow. Getting to Hakone from Kawaguchiko wasn't too tricky but it ended up taking a bit longer than we had initially planned and the top sights in Hakone are MUCH further from each other than I realized when I was planning (30 mins by packed public bus to get almost anywhere). So we had to sacrifice a few things and only ended up having time to see Lake Ashi from the shore, Hakone Shrine, Gora Park, and visit the onsen at Hakone Yuryo. Everything I had originally planned to do is listed below.
This is exactly why I love testing out my own itineraries before recommending them. It gives me a real understanding of what travel days actually look like, what’s worth it, and what’s not. That way, when I plan trips for you, I can create something that’s seamless, realistic, and actually enjoyable—without overpacking your schedule or setting you up for unnecessary stress.
We stayed at Rohen Hakone Yumoto, which had a really cool, laid-back vibe and its own private onsen. If you do stay here, I would recommend upgrading to a room with a private bathroom and make sure to eat dinner in town.
Highlights here:
- Private onsen at our hotel (such a fun experience and surprisingly affordable)
- Hakone Shrine (that torii gate in the water 😍)
- Lake Ashi pirate cruise (yes, it’s touristy—but also kind of iconic)
- Owakudani via the Hakone Ropeway (volcanic views + black eggs!)
- Gora Park, where we did a Kiriko glass-cutting experience (so unique)
- Another private onsen at Hakone Yuryo (definitely book this in advance!)
We also got the Hakone Free Pass, which made getting around super easy.
Kyoto felt like stepping into a completely different side of Japan. Temples, traditional streets, and just a calmer, more cultural vibe overall. Although, we were a little skeptical at first because there seemed to be SO many more tourists than anywhere else we had been yet, Kyoto surprised us with some truly down to earth, magical experiences. We particularly loved walking Philospher's Way as the first cherry blossoms were blooming and discovering hidden temples and shrines tucked into the more modern parts of the city. We also really enjoyed our day trips to Nara and Arishiyama. Nara specifically was so much fun and had some of the most beautiful temples and gardens within easy walking distance of one another.
We stayed at Tune Stay Kyoto, which I’d absolutely recommend, especially if you plan on taking a lot of day trips out of town. However, if you're looking to maximize your time in Kyoto, this hotel was about a 20 minute bus or a 40 minute walk to the historic center of town.
Some of our favorite things:
- Walking through the bamboo forest
- Exploring Gion (especially in the evenings)
- Visiting Fushimi Inari Taisha (those endless red torii gates!)
- Hiking up to Monkey Park (worth it for the views alone)
- A day trip to Nara (hello, friendly deer 🦌)
- Cherry blossom hunting all over the city 🌸
And hands down… our best meal of the entire trip was here. We went to Wagyu to Buta Sanjo Kawaramachi Ten, which had the most beautiful city views and all-you-can-eat sukiyaki—wagyu beef, udon noodles, pork belly, dumplings, veggies… unreal. Plus it also included all you can eat dessert... so we may have tried (at least) one of everything.
I’m honestly tempted to write a whole separate post just about the food because Japan absolutely delivered.
And then… a complete switch-up. We flew down to Okinawa, and it felt like a totally different country—more tropical, more laid-back, and perfect for relaxing. Okinawa was what I imagine Hawaii was like before it got so touristy. The beaches here were virtually empty and even at our resort, we were some of the only foreigners staying there. Most of the people were Japanese families from other parts of Japan. I think we will end up returning here when the weather is a little warmer and nicer. Although it was still warm and humid when we went in late March, it did rain almost the whole time so we weren't able to fully enjoy everything the island has to offer. However, a rainy day was the perfect time to enjoy the aquarium!! The Okinawa Churaumi Aquarium has one of the largest tanks in the world and theirs is home to Jinta, the massive 30-foot whale shark and his friends - manta rays, tropical fish, and sharks.
We stayed at Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort, which felt like such a treat. It had huge rooms, a beautiful soaking tub, and gorgeous views off the balcony.
We rented a car (highly recommend here!) and kept things super chill:
- Driving around to different beaches
- Pool days at the resort
- Visiting the aquarium (surprisingly impressive!)
This part of the trip felt like a vacation within the vacation. Which was well needed after walking over 20,000 steps every day exploring!
We wrapped everything up with one last night in Tokyo at Hotel Monterey Hanzomon. I chose this hotel because it was a 5 minute walk away from Chidorigafuchi Park with is known for its cherry blossoms! And boy did it live up to the hype. We walked the park with the local runners around 6:30am and it was gorgeous and quiet, well worth the early wake up.
We kept it pretty relaxed:
- Cherry blossom hunting 🌸
- Dinner and shopping in Shibuya
- A peaceful morning walk through Chidorigafuchi Park along the moat (so pretty during sakura season)
For 2 Weeks in Japan During Cherry Blossom Season
Here’s a rough breakdown of what we spent on our 2-week Japan trip. This is for 2 people and includes accommodations + pre-booked activities (not including flights). I'm also including some money saving tips at the end.
🏨 Accommodation
- Tokyo (The Knot Shinjuku): $486
- Lake Kawaguchiko (Dot Hostel): $75
- Hakone (Rohen Hakone Yumoto): $132
- Kyoto (Tune Stay Kyoto): $553
- Okinawa (Hilton Okinawa Sesoko Resort): $501
- Tokyo (Hotel Monterey Hanzomon): $160
Total Accommodation: $1,907
🎟️ Activities & Experiences
Tokyo:
- Samurai Experience: $128
- Sumo Show + Lunch: $239
- Full-Day Tokyo Tour: $295
- Food Tour: $218
- TeamLab Museum: $65
- Chopstick Workshop: $40
Hakone:
- Private Onsen (hotel): $13
- Kiriko Glass Experience: $52
- Hakone Yuryo Private Onsen: $87
- Hakone Free Pass (2 people): $90
Okinawa:
- Aquarium: $28
Total Activities: $1,255
🚗 Transportation (Within Japan)
- Trains + buses (pre-booked): $297
- Suica cards (local transport): ~12,000 JPY per person (~$160 total)
- Okinawa rental car: $152
Total Transportation: ~$609
🍜 Food & Daily Spending
We didn’t track every single meal, but Japan can actually be very reasonable for food.
- Convenience store meals/snacks: $3–$8
- Casual meals (ramen, sushi, etc.): $8–$20
- Nicer meals: $25–$60+
Estimated Total for 2 weeks: $800–$1,200 for 2 people
(depending on how much you splurge—worth it, in my opinion)
💰 Estimated Total (Excluding Flights)
- Accommodation: $1,907
- Activities: $1,255
- Transportation: ~$609
- Food (estimate): ~$1,000
➡️ Total: ~$4,700 for 2 people
Money-Saving Tips
Japan is one of those destinations where you can spend a lot or do it surprisingly affordably, depending on your choices. We mixed budget stays, local food, and a few splurges—and overall, it felt like really good value for what we experienced.
Here are a few things that helped us keep costs reasonable:
1. Eat like a local (and hit the convenience stores)
Some of our cheapest meals were also some of our favorites. Convenience stores in Japan are next level—perfect for breakfast, snacks, or even quick dinners.
Ramen shops, sushi counters, and small local spots are also super affordable compared to what you’d pay back home.
2. Mix your accommodations
We balanced more budget-friendly hotels (like in Tokyo and Kyoto) with one nicer stay in Okinawa. This made the trip feel a bit luxe without blowing the budget.
3. Use a Suica card for everything local
Loading up a Suica card made getting around incredibly easy and helped us stay on budget without constantly buying individual tickets.
4. Book key transport in advance
We pre-booked our longer train journeys and buses, which helped us lock in pricing and avoid last-minute stress.
5. Choose experiences wisely
We did quite a few tours in Tokyo, which added up—but you definitely don’t need to do that many. Japan is amazing even just exploring on your own.
6. Take advantage of free activities
Some of our favorite moments cost nothing:
- Walking through temples in Kyoto
- Cherry blossom spotting 🌸
- Wandering neighborhoods and getting lost (in the best way)
✈️ Final Thoughts on Budget
Japan can be as budget or luxury as you make it. We mixed in affordable hotels with a nicer resort in Okinawa, booked a lot of experiences, and still kept things pretty reasonable overall.
If you skipped some tours or swapped in more budget stays, you could definitely do this for less. Or… go the opposite direction and upgrade everything (also very easy to do here 😅).
So… is it worth it? 1000% yes.
Japan is clean, safe, incredibly efficient, and packed with experiences you really can’t find anywhere else. Even when you do spend a bit more, it feels worth it.
If you’re planning your own Japan trip and want help balancing budget vs. experience, this is literally my favorite kind of itinerary to build 👀✈️
Japan completely lived up to the hype—and then some. It’s one of those places where everything just works, the food is incredible, and every stop feels totally different from the last. And there is still SO much left that we didn't get to explore.
I particularly loved that this trip had a mix of everything: busy city energy, cultural moments, nature, and even a tropical escape at the end, which kept things fresh and exciting each and every day we were there.
And yes… we ate so much ramen, sushi, tonkatsu, and convenience store snacks along the way. Like so much that I gained weight despite all the extra daily steps. Totally worth it though!
We are already dreaming about going back and starting to figure out where in Japan we want to explore next.